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Objective: The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence of peripheral artery disease and its predictors among hypertensive patients attending the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital.Design: Hospital-based comparative cross-sectional study.Setting: General outpatient clinic and cardiology clinicParticipants:150 hypertensive patients and 150 normotensive patients were recruited.Main outcome measures: The participants were physically examined, and their blood samples were taken for analysis. Ankle-brachial index was determined among the participants using a handheld Doppler machine. Data obtained were analyzed using SPSS 20 computer software package.Results: The prevalence of peripheral artery disease among the hypertensive subjects and normotensive patients were 20% and 3.3% respectively. The predictors of peripheral artery disease were age of the patient (OR, 1.04; 95% CI, 1.01 - 1.08), duration of hypertension (OR, 1.08; 95% CI, 1.02 - 1.15), abnormal body mass index (OR, 1.10; 95% CI, 1.02 - 1.20), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (OR, 3.41; 95% CI, 1.17 - 9.97) and total cholesterol (OR, 5.56; 95% CI, 2.33 - 13.27).Conclusion: Peripheral artery disease is a common complication among hypertensive patients studied. The predictors of peripheral artery disease among these patients were the age of the patient, duration of hypertension, obesity, and dyslipidemia.

Objectives: This study aimed at finding out a) nurses' knowledge of bedside handover report, b) attitudes of nurses towards bedside handover report, and c) perceived barriers towards bedside handover report at KCTRH (Kapsabet County Teaching and Referral Hospital). Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional design was used among 44 nurses working in the in-patient department at KCTRH. A self-administered structured questionnaire was used to collect data among eligible participants. Participants: The target population constituted nurses working at the KCTRH in-patient departments. There were a total number of around 50 in-patient nurses. Results: A total of (n=42) nurses participated in the study. A significant number (n=42) recognized that a handover report is essential in providing nursing care, (n=33) noted that a handover report should contain information of the client's history and presenting diagnosis. On the other hand, (n=19) noted that a breach of client privacy would hinder its implementation. Conclusion: Nurses recognize the critical role of bedside handover in the quest for achieving quality care at the bedside. There is also much willingness among the nurses to participate in the implementation of the bedside handover report at KCTRH.

The research paper presents analytical results of Au, Mn and V concentrations of some Nigerian gold ores using two techniques: epithermal neutron activation analysis (ENAA) and proton induced X-ray emission (PIXE). Fourteen samples were collected from gold fields of North Western Nigeria, prepared separately to a scale required by the two techniques, irradiated with a miniature neutron source reactor (MNSR) and an accelerator, and thereafter analyzed. Results show that ENAA is better placed in the analysis of gold while PIXE analyzes Manganese and Titanium better.

Background: Old age is one of the factors associated with increased risk of dying when admitted to hospital. Therefore, aim of this study was to examine causes and pattern of death among elderly patients managed in a tertiary care hospital in Nigeria with scanty mortality records.Materials and Methods: This prospective study was on deaths that occurred in patients 60 years and above admitted to University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH), Ilorin, between January 2005 and June 2007. Excluded were all brought-in-dead during the study period. Information obtained included demographic data, duration on admission, and diagnosis. Causes of death were determined from clinical progress notes and diagnosis.Results: A total of 1298 deaths occurred during the study period, of which 297 occurred in persons 60 years and above with crude death rate of 22.8%. The mean age at death was 68 ± 9 years (ranged 60-100 years). This consisted of 59% males and 41% females. Mean age at death for females was 69.7 ± 8.7 years and for males 68.1 ± 9.8 years (P=0.05).Mean values of serum chemistry were sodium 137 ± 8 mMol/l, potassium 3.6 ± 1 mMol/l, urea 11 ± 8 mMol/l, and creatinine 126 ± 91 μmol/l. The value of mean haemogram concentration was 10.5 ± 3 gm/dl and white cell count was 12 ± 2 × 109/ mm3. The three most common diagnoses at deaths were stroke (19.8%), sepsis (16.5%), and lower respiratory tract disease (8.1%). Infectious diseases accounted for 38.2% of all diagnoses. Collective mean length of hospital stay (LOS) at death was 6.8 ± 8.6 (ranged 15 minutes-60 days). Close to 27.4% of the deaths occurredwithin 24 hours and neurological disorder had shortest hospital stay (4.6 ± 6.3 days), followed by endocrine disorders (6.8 ± 8.4 days) and respiratory diseases (8.4 ± 5.6 days) [P=0.001].Conclusion: Hospital mortality is high amongst older people. Stroke and infectious diseases are leading causes of death. Efforts should be geared toward reducing risk for cardiovascular diseases and improvement on level of personal and community hygiene.