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A total of seventy (70) consenting subjects were recruited for this study. The subjects consist of fifty (50) hypertensive subjects yet to receive treatment and twenty (20) normotensive (control) subjects. Subjects' blood pressure values were measured and serum was obtained from the whole blood collected by vene puncture using centrifugation technique. Serum calcium, phosphorus and magnesium were determined by established procedures using commercial kit reagents. Results show that the mean serum calcium, phosphorus and magnesium levels for hypertensive patients were 1.98 +/- 0.22 mmol/L, 1.65 +/- 0.42 mmol/L and 0.88 +/- 0.20 mmol/L as against 2.11 +/- 0.10 mmol/L, 1.50 +/- 0.12 mmol/L and 0.96 +/- 0.05 mmol/L for normotensive subjects. Fifty-four (54) percent and twelve (12) percent of the hypertensives had reduced calcium and magnesium levels respectively, but none for the normotensive subjects. Fifty-eight (58) percent of the hypertensive patients and forty-five (45) percent of the normotensives had elevated serum phosphorus levels, but no subject was hypophophataemic. Hypertension reduced serum calcium (P0.05) and magnesium (P0.05) levels among hypertensives in the south-south area of Nigeria. These micronutrients are therefore implicated in the progression of hypertension. These micronutrients are therefore implicated in the progression of hypertension. The effects of antihypertensive drugs and/or micronutrients' supplementation on blood pressure and serum calcium, phosphorous and magnesium levels in our study area should be further investigated. This is important because beneficial adjunct to the available modalities in the treatment of hypertension especially in Nigeria could be identified.

Cigarette smoke has been reported to contain free radicals. The interaction of these free radicals with the body defense system and associated health risk among Nigerian smokers have remained scarcely investigated despite the high numbers of smokers in our society. This study thus, investigates the serum total antioxidant capacity of some Nigerian cigarette smokers in apparent good health and who have been smoking between 1.4 sticks of cigarette/day for about 1-3 years. Twenty(20) consenting smokers between 19 and 45 years consisting of fifteen (15) males and 5 females were recruited after examination to certify their apparent good health. Twenty (20) non-smokers, who were matched in age and sex were included as control subjects. Serum total antioxidant capacity (TAC) was observed to be higher in male non-smokers (1.92 +/- 0.2 2mM) when compared with their female counterparts (1.88 +/- 0.16 mM). Among smokers, the males subjects showed a decreased TAC (Male: 1.45 +/- 0.23 mM and female; 1.65 +/- 0.16 mM) with a strong statistical difference between the TAC of smokers and non-smokers (t = 2.095, n = 20 and P0.05). Data suggest lower oxidant defense and hence, increased susceptibility to free radical associated diseases especially among the male smokers. Conserted efforts need to be made by governmental agents to enforce legislation that could reduce the rate of smoking. Campaigns should also be initiated to educate the lay public on the dangers of cigarette smoking.

Objective:. To assess the level of regard and misconceptions of modern family planning methods in Abraka communities. Methods: The interviewer\'s administered questionnaire method was used to gather the required information from 657 respondents randomly chosen from PO, Ajalomi, Erho, Oria, Otorho, Umeghe, Urhuoka and Uruagbesa communities in Abraka kingdom. Results: Results show that 75.3% of those interviewed were aware of modern family planning but only 42.9% were using it to plan their families. Those using condom, safe periods and withdrawal constitute 32.6% of the 42.9% figure. Thus, data indicate a fairly high degree of awareness but little regard for family planning. Conclusion: Campaigns should be organized in order to educate Abraka communities on the benefits and need for family planning. Government should provide quality, comprehensive and subsidized family planning services. In addition, research efforts should be intensified on how to take advantage of the traditional methods of family planning to systematically introduce the modern method, so as to gradually eliminate the associated bias and misconceptions associated with modern methods of family planning. Keywords : Abraka, Family planning, Questionnaire, Respondents, Condom, Safe periods. East African Journal of Public Health Vol. 5 (1) 2008 pp. 10-12