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The object of research is the relationship between farm technical know-how (FTK), farmers’ cooperatives (FC) and agribusiness performance (ABP) in Jigawa State, Nigeria. Despite the importance of the agribusiness in terms of economic growth and development of Jigawa state, yet, the agribusiness performance is decreasing in the state. The findings from the sector revealed inconsistency due to that this study is motivated to includes Islamic microfinance as a mediating variable on the relationship between the study variables. The study seeks to establish a relationship between agricultural antecedents and Agribusiness Performance. Also, to explore the mediating impact of Islamic microfinance on the relationship between agricultural antecedents and Agribusiness Performance in Jigawa state, Nigeria. The study used a quantitative approach with 320 questionnaires and analysed by Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) through Smart PLS software. The findings of the study indicated that there is a positive relationship between farm technical know-how, farmers’ cooperatives, and agribusiness performance. Similarly, Islamic microfinance was found to mediate the relationship between farm technical know-how, farmers’ cooperatives and agribusiness Performance. The study recommended that Jigawa state government decision-makers, agribusiness associations and farmer cooperatives should consider use of Islamic microfinance as a solution to the problems of Agribusiness Performance through which poverty reduction and unemployment can be solved. In relation to this, Islamic micro-financial institutions should provide more opportunities to support agribusiness activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cholera is a highly infectious enteric bacterial infection cause by Vibrio cholerae. It causes large outbreaks characterized by watery diarrhea and vomiting. We aimed to describe the epidemiology of the ongoing cholera outbreak in Katsina State, Nigeria We analyzed the Katsina State cholera outbreak surveillance data collected from the State Primary Healthcare Agency. We described cholera cases in time, place, and person. We calculated age specific case fatality rates and attack rates. A total of 5796 cases were recorded with 182 deaths and a case fatality rate (CFR) of 3.1%. The median age for cases was 18 years (range: 0.17-95 years). Male cases were 2798 (50.5%). The attack rate was 66.2 per 100,000. Persons greater than 60 years had the highest age specific case fatality rate (ASCFR) of 6.9%. The outbreak started in Bakori in week 12 and is still ongoing. Thirty-three Local Government Areas were affected with Funtua having the highest attack rate of 460.4 per 100,000 and case fatality rate of 10.3%. The cholera outbreak has caused a significant loss of lives in Katsina State. Persons above 60 years were the most affected. Katsina Primary Healthcare Agency deployed rapid response teams to investigate and control the spread of the outbreak. Risk communication messages emphasized on improvement of hygiene in the state. We recommend Katsina State government should prioritize provision of clean drinking water and sewage drainage system in the affected areas to control the outbreak [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to determine predisposing factors, common bacterial causes, and antibiotic sensitivity of corneal ulcers in Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital., Materials and Methods: A prospective, cross-sectional, observational study was carried out on patients with corneal ulcers. Information on relevant clinical, sociodemographic profile was obtained. Examination includes visual acuity test and slit-lamp biomicroscopy, especially fluorescein staining. Corneal scrapings from the ulcer were inoculated onto the selected solid culture media plates. Gram staining for microscopic examination was done. Antibiotic sensitivity test on different antibiograms was done using modified Kirby-Bauer technique, determining bacterial isolate sensitivity or resistance to relevant antibiotics (chloramphenicol, ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin, gentamicin, tetracycline, ceftazidime, ceftriaxone, cefotaxime, and penicillin)., Results: A total of 77 patients with corneal ulcer were examined. Ocular trauma, application of harmful traditional eye medication, and use of unspecified topical medication before presentation were among the predisposing factors. Bacterial growth was seen in 46.8% of the samples, of which 28.6% of the growth were Gram-positive. The common bacteria isolated were Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Proteus species, and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Isolates were sensitive to ciprofloxacin and ofloxacin while an intermediate sensitivity was seen with chloramphenicol and gentamicin. Isolates were resistant to tetracycline, ceftazidime, ceftriaxone, cefotaxime, and penicillin., Conclusion: Ocular trauma was the major predisposing factor to corneal ulcer, and Staphylococcus species was the major bacterial organism isolated. Isolates were found to be sensitive to ciprofloxacin and ofloxacin, while an intermediate sensitivity was seen with chloramphenicol and gentamicin., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest

We report a retrospective review of 57 patients with endemic Kaposi's sarcoma (EKS) seen between 1981 and 1990 and 40 prospectively diagnosed patients with and without human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection seen between 1991 and 1995. In the retrospective study 52 patients were males and five were females. Their ages ranged between 15 and 62 years with a mean of 39 years.Thirty-five (61%) patients had symptoms for more than 1 year. Nodular KS was seen in 75% of the patients. In the prospective study 26 patients had EKS while 14 had AIDS associated KS (AAKS). Among the patients with EKS 24 were males and two were females. The mean duration of symptoms was 20 months. The CD4 count done on nine patients ranged between 900 and 1300 cells/mm3 and there was no mortality within 1 year of presentation. Eleven of the patients with AAKS were males and three were females. Their ages ranged between 22 months and 41 years with a mean of 26. Nine patients had symptoms for less than 6 months. Ten patients had peripheral lymphadenopathy. CD4 counts done on 11 patients ranged between 200 and 800 cells/mm3. Five patients (35%) died within 6 months of presentation. Between 1991 and 1995, 486 patients were seen with HIV infection. Patients with AAKS present with fulminant disease which seemed quickly fatal.

This is a retrospective study of 84 children aged 36 months and less who were admitted for burns care from January 1980 to December 1989. Fifty-four (64%) had scalds, 28 (33%) had flame burns and in two children the cause was not known. The upper extremities were most commonly involved. Sixty-five per cent of the children were admitted during the cool, dry Harmattan season. Associated factors included cooking at floor level, bedside fires, epileptic fits in the mothers and general architectural factors. Wound infection was the commonest complication. The overall mortality rate was 27.4%. Burns prevention demands improvement in the design of houses, cooking methods, treatment of epilepsy and abandoning puerperal bathing by mothers.

Over a period of 10 years, a total of 320 limb amputations were performed on adults at the Ahmadu Bello University Hospital, Nigeria. The major indication for upper limb amputation was trauma and post-fracture splintage gangrene (57%). In the lower limb the most common indication for amputation was advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the skin involving the bone. There was no case of peripheral vascular disease in these patients other than diabetic ulcers. The fitting of prosthesis was uncommon. Most of these amputations were certainly preventable. The need is for early and effective management of fractures, and the excision and grafting of non-healing leg ulcers before they become chronic.

Over a period of 10 years, a total of 118 limb amputations were performed in children at the Ahmadu Bello University Hospital, Zaria, Nigeria. The major indication for limb amputation was trauma and gangrene following post-fracture splintage by traditional healers. There was no case of peripheral vascular disease in these patients. None of the patients had a prosthesis applied. The very high number of limb amputations is certainly preventable by early and effective management of fractures.

From 1980 to 1989, 45 patients with clothing burn injuries were admitted into the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria, Nigeria. Children aged 15 years and below numbered 30 and adults aged 16 years and above totalled 15. There was a female preponderance in the ratio of 1.8:1. The cumulative monthly frequency between October and February recorded the highest number of admissions (77 per cent) with a peak in January (31 per cent). The involvement of women and children especially those below the age of 5 years is noteworthy. Eighty per cent of the patients had a major injury with a total mortality of 42 per cent. The improvement in the economic standard of the populace shown by the improvement in cooking methods, the proper use of gas cookers and kerosene lanterns, the avoidance of bedside fires during the night, the guarded use of loose indigenous garments, and the use of nursery schools for the care of children below 5 years of age will help to lower the incidence of clothing burn injuries in our environment.

Urinary tract infection (UTI) was the only pathology found among 42 children presenting at the paediatric outpatient department with pain or straining on micturition. 18 (42.9%) had cystourethritis proven bacteriologically. 3 of these had gonococcal urethritis and were all males aged less than 3 years. Four had vasical schistosomiasis. No definite diagnosis could be made in 24 (57.1%) cases. Only secondary symptoms of gross haematuria, urethral discharge and cloudy urine were of diagnostic value, others were not. Children without these specific secondary symptoms predominate and may or may not have urinary tract pathology. Urinary leucocyte count on native urine is a useful screening test to identify those to be further investigated.

Primary hepatocellular carcinoma more often presents acutely with rupture and haemoperitoneum in Africa and Asia where the tumour is more common than in the Western world. This detailed report on 35 patients with ruptured primary hepatocellular carcinoma describes the clinical features of this phenomenon in the savannah zone of Northern Nigeria. A third of the patients arrived in the hospital in hypovolaemic shock and although haemostasis was achieved by wedge excision and suture in most cases, 16 (46%) of the patients died in hospital.

From 1971 to 1980 in Zaria which is situated at the confluence of four major motor roads, 890 patients with head injuries were managed by general surgeons and their trainees. A review of 600 clinical records showed that 80% of the injuries resulted from road traffic accidents; 38% of the patients belonged in the third decade; 82% were males and extremity fractures were associated in 124 patients. Consciousness was not regained by 90 of the 464 patients who lost consciousness during their illness. Bur holes were placed in 254 and intracranial haematomas were evacuated in 180. Overall mortality was 29%.

The records of 37 patients with liver injuries operated upon at the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria, Nigeria from 1976 to 1987 were reviewed. There were 31 males and 6 females with a mean age of 22 years. Sixty-two per cent were due to blunt injury from road traffic accidents, 14 per cent were due to gunshot wounds and 5 per cent due to stab wounds as a result of assaults. Treatment with simple suture and drainage sufficed in 49 per cent; only 16 per cent required resection, packing and drainage. Associated injuries included long bone fractures and chest trauma. The most common complication was sepsis and the overall mortality was 19 per cent.