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Drugs are important commodities that must be handled differently from other goods. Therefore, supply chain of drugs must be monitored until it gets to the patient to maintain therapeutic efficacy. Drug properties are compromised when stipulated storage conditions are not maintained over time, and this can result in a poor therapeutic outcome. This is more impactful for glibenclamide tablets, which many diabetic patients preferentially use because of its cost-effectiveness and availability. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of supply chain on tablet properties of six glibenclamide tablet brands marketed in Jos metropolis. Glibenclamide tablets obtained from hospital and community pharmacies, and patent medicine outlets, were subjected to quality control tests such as content uniformity, friability, crushing strength, disintegration time, and dissolution test. The results were analyzed using ANOVA, fit factors (f1 and f2 ) and dissolution efficiency (DE). The results showed that all the brands passed weight uniformity, friability and disintegration tests. The ANOVA showed significant difference between the release profiles of the brands. Brands from patent medicine outlet had lower content values compared to brands from pharmacies (A1 /A3 - 102/98%; E1 /E3 - 124/108%). Brands E3 from patent vendor outlet failed f1 and f2 limits (15.3/47.9) while brands E1 and F1 from community pharmacies failed f1 , f2 and DE limits (23.6/39.4/5.91 and 17.2/46.1/8.35) respectively. Brands from hospital pharmacies showed no adverse parameters. In conclusion, private commercial enterprises engaged in drug retail may have to be monitored closely to ensure drug quality and hence public health care.Keywords: Tablet properties; Glibenclamide; Supply chain; Jos ________________________________________________

Context: Instrumental vaginal delivery is one of the lifesaving functions of emergency obstetric care to reduce perinatal and maternal morbidity and mortality.Objective: To determine the instrumental vaginal delivery rate, the trends, and the status of their operators in Jos University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria (JUTH) over a 7‑year period (1997–2003).Study Design: A 7‑year cross‑sectional study of obstetric service data from 1st January 1997 to 31st December 2003.Patients and Methods: A register was kept for all cases of instrumental deliveries at JUTH from 1st January 1997 to 31st December 2003. This register with the patient case notes and neonatal ward records was used to conduct this study.Results: During the study period, there were a total of 17,888 deliveries and 349 instrumental vaginal deliveries, giving a rate of 1.95%. Out of these, 238 (68.2%) were vacuum extraction and 111 (31.8%) were forceps delivery. There was a 67% decline in the use of these instruments from 84 (3.18%) in 1997 to 34 (1.05%) in 2003. Majority 313 (90%) of the procedures were performed by residents (Registrars 49%, Senior Registrars 41%). Consultants performed 10%, and all were in the first four years of the study. Forceps delivery rate 0.62% and vacuum delivery rate was 1.33%. There was a strong negative correlation with the performance of IVD in JUTH. At the current trend, no forceps delivery (R = −0.93008) will be performed in JUTH in 2005 while only 4 vacuum deliveries (R = −0.80015) will be conducted in in the same period.Discussion: There is a low instrumental vaginal delivery rate in JUTH with a strong negative correlation in the performance of these procedures. Most procedures are performed by residents, and vacuum is the preferred procedure.Conclusions: Instrumental vaginal delivery in JUTH is a dying art. Training and re‑training of resident doctors on this lifesaving function is recommended.Keywords: Instrumental vaginal delivery; Jos; Nigeria

Background: Abdominal injuries contribute significantly to battlefield trauma morbidity and mortality. This study sought to determine the incidence, demographics, clinical features, spectrum, severity, management, and outcome of abdominal trauma during a civilian conflict. Materials and Methods: A prospective analysis of patients treated for abdominal trauma during the Jos civil crises between December 2010 and May 2012 at the Jos University Teaching Hospital. Results: A total of 109 victims of communal conflicts with abdominal injuries were managed during the study period with 89 (81.7%) males and 20 (18.3%) females representing about 12.2% of the total 897 combat related injuries. The peak age incidence was between 21 and 40 years (range: 3–71 years). The most frequently injured intra-abdominal organs were the small intestine 69 (63.3%), colon 48 (44%), and liver 41 (37.6%). Forty-four (40.4%) patients had extra-abdominal injuries involving the chest in 17 (15.6%), musculoskeletal 12 (11%), and the head in 9 (8.3%). The most prevalent weapon injuries were gunshot 76 (69.7%), explosives 12 (11%), stab injuries 11 (10.1%), and blunt abdominal trauma 10 (9.2%). The injury severity score varied from 8 to 52 (mean: 20.8) with a fatality rate of 11 (10.1%) and morbidity rate of 29 (26.6%). Presence of irreversible shock, 3 or more injured intra-abdominal organs, severe head injuries, and delayed presentation were the main factors associated with mortality. Conclusion: Abdominal trauma is major life-threatening injuries during conflicts. Substantial mortality occurred with loss of nearly one in every 10 hospitalized victims despite aggressive emergency room resuscitation. The resources expenditure, propensity for death and expediency of timing reinforce the need for early access to the wounded in a concerted trauma care systems.

Background: The lack of Parental supervision, including psycho social problems and decrease access to basic needs such as food, shelter, clothing, education and health care are examples of the enormous challenges faced by Vulnerable children (VC). These challenges pushes VC to adopt survival and coping strategies, of which some are exposure variables of sexually transmitted infection including HIV infection. In addition, some of these children were orphaned and made vulnerable by HIV. As such, VC should benefit from a health provider initiated counseling and testing for HIV as recommended by the Nigerian HIV policy. However, focus on screening VC for HIV infection has been abysmal; it is on this premise that this study set out to determine the HIV prevalence of vulnerable children in Jos, Nigeria. Methods: Vulnerable children were sampled from 3 different institutions and from households in 3 different communities in Jos, Plateau State with the assistance of Non-Governmental organizations involved in the care of VC. All VC enrolled were interviewed, clinically examined and screened for HIV based on national protocol and standard. Data generated were analyzed using CDC epi info version 7. A p value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Out of the 237 children enrolled 145 (61.2%) were male VC while 92(38.8%) were female vulnerable children, giving a male female ratio of 1.0: 0.6. HIV sero - positivity was identified in 9 of the 237 VC giving a prevalence of 3.8%, amongst the study subjects. Out of the 9 HIV positive VC, 7 VC (77.8%) were resident in institutions; only two household VC were HIV positive. There was no statistically significant association between place of residence, age of VC, gender and type of vulnerability and HIV status among the studied population. Conclusion: The HIV prevalence of 3.8% in vulnerable children is enormous and appears to be higher amongst children resident in orphanages than those in household.

Aims: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are becoming significant causes of morbidity and mortality. However very little information is available in our setting on the trend of NCDs in children. The aim is to determine the pattern and trend of NCDs in children in Jos, Nigeria. Study Design: This is a retrospective study of patients that were admitted and managed for NCDs. The relevant clinical information was extracted from the hospital records. Place and Duration of Study: The Emergency Paediatrics Unit (EPU) of the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH), Jos Nigeria, between January 2012 and December 2015. Methodology: The study was a retrospective descriptive study where all records of children admitted into the EPU of JUTH within the period under review were retrieved. The bio-data of all patients and diagnoses made during the course of admission were documented. Those with inconclusive diagnoses and neonates were excluded. Data collected were entered into Epi Info version 7.2. The data was presented in frequencies and percentages and categorical variables were analyzed with the chi-square test. P value < 0.05 was regarded as statistically significant. Results: A total of 2273 children’s records were reviewed of which 36.7% had NCDs with the NCDs prevalence ranging from 29.5% - 40.5%. The three commonest NCDs were sickle cell disease (SCD), seizure disorder and severe protein energy malnutrition (PEM). There was a steady increase in the prevalence of seizures and PEM over the period. The prevalence of the diseases fluctuated over the years under review. Conclusion: The burden of diseases in children appears to be shifting towards non-communicable diseases as shown in the rising trend of NCD in our study. Therefore, there is an urgent need for relevant stakeholders to develop and ensure implementation of policies to curtail this menace which is also increasing the morbidity and mortality of children especially those less than five years of age.

Background: Labial adhesion is one of the most common reasons for gynaecologic consultations in children. We sought to determine the prevalence of labial adhesions, mode of presentation and treatment in children at the Jos University Teaching Hospital. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study of labial adhesions in children from January 2004 to December 2013. Data on paediatric gynaecological consultations, and labial adhesions were retrieved from the gynaecological clinic and the theatre records. The case notes of those with labial adhesions were retrieved and the relevant data extracted. Results: The total number of paediatric patients seen at the gynaecology clinic over the study period was 379 and 25 had labial adhesion (6.6%). The majority (88%) presented in the first 2 years of life, all the patients were asymptomatic, and 2 (8%) had surgical separation of the adhesions while the rest were managed conservatively. A total of 5 (20%) came for follow-up. While 2 (8%) came a week later following surgical management, 3 (12%) came back more than 6 months later due to recurrence following conservative management. Conclusion: Labial adhesions account for significant proportion of paediatric gynaecologic consultations. They are usually asymptomatic, occur in the first 2 years of life and frequently managed conservatively.

Background In Nigeria, where malaria is endemic, greater than 70% of febrile illnesses are treated presumptively as malaria, often without a laboratory evaluation for other possible causes of fever. This cross-sectional study evaluated the presence of dengue virus infection in febrile patients, presumptively diagnosed of malaria infections in the clinic. Methodology Blood samples were collected from 529 febrile patients (246 in Jos and 283 in Maiduguri) attending the general outpatient clinics of the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) and the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) and tested for anti-dengue immunoglobulin M (IgM) and immunoglobulin G (IgG), as well as anti-non-structural protein (NS1) by ELISA. The samples were also evaluated for presence of P. falciparum malaria parasites by microscopic examination of Giemsa-stained blood smears. Results The prevalence of confirmed, highly suggestive and probable dengue virus infections categorized in relation to duration of illness since onset of fever were 2.3%, 5.5% and 1.5% respectively, while the prevalence of anti-flavivirus IgG and IgM seropositivity was 11.7%. In a total of 117 (22.1%) patients (32 in Jos, 85 in Maiduguri), malaria parasites were detected by blood smear microscopy, out of which 7 (6%) also had a positively confirmed, highly suggestive or probable dengue test result. Conclusion Although the high cross-reactivity of anti-flavivirus antibodies should be taken into account in the interpretation of the seroprevalence data, our findings suggest a significant presence of dengue virus in this environment, some of which may otherwise be misdiagnosed as malaria. These findings are strong enough to recommend serological screening for anti-dengue virus titer and NS1 antigen for all febrile patients, as part of fever diagnostic protocols in tropical regions. Given the prevalence of dengue virus infections, there is also a need for a dengue control program and public education to prevent outbreaks and occurrence of severe dengue complications.

The paper sets about to identify something researchers fail to consider: the principles that in Standard Serbian govern the occurrence of the pragmatic devices već, još, još uvek, and više (ne..) by means of which the speaker discloses that the information about an actual state of affairs he is giving to his conversation partner happens to be an unexpected news for him. It highlights also the informational effects of vec on somebody who is listening to the conversation between the speaker and the addressee but who does not share in all details their stock of knowledge about the conversational topic and it rises the relevant question of the theoretical status of such effects. Rad je posvećen osvetljavanju kako okolnosti pod kojima se neka data rečenična informacija doživljava kao neočekivana vest, tako i izboru jezičkih sredstava koja u standardnom srpskom funkcionišu kao njihove pragmatske oznake. Ukazuje se, uz to, i na neke specifične uslove pod kojima informativne datosti o kojima je reč postaju poseban teorijski problem čije rešavanje tek predstoji.

Context: Instrumental vaginal delivery is one of the lifesaving functions of emergency obstetric care to reduce perinatal and maternal morbidity and mortality. Objective: To determine the instrumental vaginal delivery rate, the trends, and the status of their operators in Jos University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria (JUTH) over a 7‑year period (1997–2003). Study Design: A 7‑year cross‑sectional study of obstetric service data from 1 st January 1997 to 31 st December 2003. Patients and Methods: A register was kept for all cases of instrumental deliveries at JUTH from 1 st January 1997 to 31 st December 2003. This register with the patient case notes and neonatal ward records was used to conduct this study. Results: During the study period, there were a total of 17,888 deliveries and 349 instrumental vaginal deliveries, giving a rate of 1.95%. Out of these, 238 (68.2%) were vacuum extraction and 111 (31.8%) were forceps delivery. There was a 67% decline in the use of these instruments from 84 (3.18%) in 1997 to 34 (1.05%) in 2003. Majority 313 (90%) of the procedures were performed by residents (Registrars 49%, Senior Registrars 41%). Consultants performed 10%, and all were in the first four years of the study. Forceps delivery rate 0.62% and vacuum delivery rate was 1.33%. There was a strong negative correlation with the performance of IVD in JUTH. At the current trend, no forceps delivery ( R = −0.93008) will be performed in JUTH in 2005 while only 4 vacuum deliveries ( R = −0.80015) will be conducted in in the same period. Discussion: There is a low instrumental vaginal delivery rate in JUTH with a strong negative correlation in the performance of these procedures. Most procedures are performed by residents, and vacuum is the preferred procedure. Conclusions: Instrumental vaginal delivery in JUTH is a dying art. Training and re‑training of resident doctors on this lifesaving function is recommended. Keywords: Instrumental vaginal delivery; Jos; Nigeria

Objective: The aim of this study is to determine if health professionals in our hospital insert objects in their ears and the complications which follow.Methodology: In this prospective cross-sectional study, validated questionnaires were filled by health professionals working in our Teaching Hospital and analyzed.Results: One hundred and forty one questionnaires were analyzed involving subjects aged 25 to 59 years with a mean of 42 years (SD=+/-12.5). There were 94 males and 47 females with a male to female ratio of 2:1. Thirty four (24.1%) nurses participated in the study followed by Resident doctors (n=22, 15.6%) and Intern doctors (n=20, 14.2%). One hundred and twenty nine (91.5%) individuals ‘clean’ their ears with majority of them (n= 48, 37.2%) doing so occasionally. Multiple objects were inserted into the ears by 32 (24.0%) subjects and single objects by 98 (76%). The commonest object inserted into the ears to effect ‘cleaning’ was cotton buds in 115 cases. Twelve (9.3%) subjects recorded ear injuries in the process. Seven (53.3%) subjects with injuries inserted objects into their ears daily. Seven subjects recorded injuries with the use of match sticks. Sixty three (44.7%) subjects had accumulation of cerumen. Cotton buds (n=29) were the commonest method for cerumen removal. Complications recorded from the removal of cerumen were otalgia (n=2) and vertigo (n=1).Conclusion: Health professionals in our centre have a practice of inserting various potentially dangerous objects into their ears.Key words: Health professionals; Ears; Jos

Background: Otorhinolaryngology is under-represented in most undergraduate curricula. This work aims to determine the interest and attitude of medical students towards otorhinolaryngology both as a contribution to medical practice and as a specialty.Methods: A questionnaire based cross-sectional study in which validated questionnaires were administered to medical students who have gone through postings in otorhinolaryngology eliciting information regarding demographic data and attitude towards the specialty and postgraduate career choices.Results: One hundred and fifty six students aged 20 to 34 years (mean=25.4; SD= +/-2.3) were studied (constituting 113 males and 43 females with a male to female ratio of 2.6:1). Seventy-eight (50%) students found otolaryngology interesting as a course with 8 (5.5%) students opting to specialize in it comprising 2 (1.3%) as second career choice and 6 (4.2%) as third career choice while 49 (31.6%) were still undecided. One hundred and nineteen (76.3%) students agreed their postings were beneficial to their training with 68 (43.6%) agreeing the present mode of teaching otorhinolaryngology was adequate.Conclusion: Medical students find otorhinolaryngology beneficial to their training but would not opt for it as a postgraduate career choice. Efforts should be made to improve the current mode of undergraduate otorhinolaryngology training to improve its interest amongst medical students invariably improving the number of otorhinolaryngologists in Nigeria.Keywords: Otorhinolaryngology; Medical students; Attitudes; Jos

Background: Hydatidiform mole is a relatively common gynecological problem which could present like spontaneous abortion, one of the commonest gynecological emergencies. It has the propensity to become malignant but can easily be identified and treated. The aim of this study was to determine the demographics, clinical features, treatment options and outcome of patients with hydatidiform mole in our environment. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective review of all the cases of hydatidiform mole seen at the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH), Jos, Nigeria over a 5-year period. Results: There were 34 cases of hydatidiform mole giving an incidence of 1 in 357 deliveries. However only 25 case notes were available for analysis and the mean age of patients was 28±3 years. Vaginal bleeding (92%), honeycomb appearance on ultrasound scan (84%), and passage of vesicles (60%) were the most common clinical findings while suction curettage was the mode of treatment for all the patients in this study. Twenty-eight percent of cases were confirmed by histology. No patient came for follow-up after the third month of diagnosis. Twenty percent of the patients booked for antenatal care within 9 months of diagnosis while 12% of patients presented as gynecological emergencies with features of malignant disease within six months of diagnosis. Conclusion: Hydatidiform mole is common in Jos, North Central Nigeria, and presents most commonly with vaginal bleeding with over 10% becoming malignant. Hence all patients who present with vaginal bleeding should be screened for HM. None of the patients completed the recommended duration of follow-up and only about ¼ had histology reports. Concerted efforts need to be made to address the challenges of patients adhering to recommended follow-up protocols and having to pay first before investigations are done.Key words: Follow-up, hydatidiform mole, Jos, malignant, Nigeria

In this master thesis my aim is to investigate the extreme right in Spain after Franco, from 1975 to 2014. I will compare the three largest extreme right movements, FE de las JONS, CEDADE and Fuerza Nueva with the newly created coalition LEM. After almost 40 years of a national catholic dictatorship did Spain transform into a democracy in a couple of years. The importance of Franco s person and the lack of cooperation between the remaining Francoist secured the easy democratic transition. The Falangist tradition of José Antonio Primo de Rivera and Franco s regime have been of massive importance to the post-Franco extreme right in Spain. They claim to represent something new, but they are unable to escape the national catholic traditions of their predecessor.

The photo exhibition ’Suprastructure’ was first displayed at Museum Gustavianum in Uppsala between 17 November 2012 and 5 March 2013. It was digitally published in March 2013 as part of a research project entitled ‘Infrastructure as Divination: Urban Life in the Postcolony,’ financed by the Swedish Research Council. The scholars behind the exhibition, Ulrika and Erik Trovalla, are researchers in cultural anthropology and ethnology. They are based at the Nordic Africa Institute, Uppsala, and Uppsala University. Drawing on their photographs from the million city Jos in central Nigeria, they here give a glimpse of their research into the meanings of infrastructure in everyday life.

Background: The advent of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in the medical management of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection has modified the natural history of HIV, resulting in improvements in the quality of life and life expectancy of women living with HIV. Consequently, many HIV‑positive women of reproductive age are considering the possibility of having their own biological offspring.Materials and Methods: This was a cross‑sectional study conducted among HIV‑positive women of reproductive age attending the adult HIV clinic at the Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Nigeria. Equal numbers of HIV‑positive women of reproductive age in serodiscordant and seroconcordant relationships, who met the selection criteria, were recruited using convenience sampling technique. Data were collected using a pretested questionnaire in a face‑to‑face interview, and were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences statistical software (version 17) to determine their reproductive intentions using Chi‑square and t‑test. Multiple logistic regressions were used to determine the relationship between independent variables and the intentions of respondents to have children.Results: A total of 500 women were recruited for the study (250 in serodiscordant relationship and 250 in seroconcordant relationship). The overall reproductive desires and intentions were 60% and 56.4%, respectively. The reproductive intentions among those in serodiscordant and seroconcordant relationships were 63.2% and 49.6%, respectively. The difference was statistically significant.Conclusion: The reproductive intentions among the HIV‑ positive women in this study were high, the intentions being much higher among those in serodiscordant relationship. With a compelling intention to exercise their parenthood, there is a need for us to provide appropriate reproductive and sexual health services and support for all HIV‑positive women of reproductive age.Keywords: HIV‑positive women of reproductive age; Jos; reproductive intention; serodiscordant or seroconcordant relationship

Background Several studies have suggested that breast cancer in black women is associated with aggressive features and poor survival. This study examines molecular markers along with clinical stage and pathological grade in breast cancer material from Jos, Nigeria. Study design The histological diagnoses of 178 consecutive Nigerian patients with breast cancer were retrieved from their hospital records. A subset of 36 patients was staged and their tumours typed and graded. Immunohistochemical staining of sections from paraffin wax embedded tissues from these cases for the expression of oestrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PGR), Human ERBB2 (or HER2/neu), p53 and cyclin D1 (CCND1) was carried out using the avidin biotin complex (ABC) procedure. Results A majority of the cases were invasive ductal carcinoma (92.7%), high grade (grade 3, 70.6%) and of late clinical stage (stages III and IV, 58.3%). Only 25% and 27.8% of cases expressed ER and PGR respectively. The ERBB2 and CCND1 antigens were expressed in 25%, and 5.7% of cases respectively. The p53 protein was the most frequently expressed in this study (47.2% of cases). High grade tumours were significantly more likely to be ER and PGR negative (P = 0.006 and P = 0.002 respectively). CONLCLUSION: There is predominance of high grade, invasive ductal carcinomas which are likely to be ER and PGR negative but p53 positive. These features suggest a biologically aggressive form of breast cancer in Nigerian women with the possibility of poor response to both hormonal therapy and chemotherapy.

Background: Episiotomy is the commonest minor obstetric operation. There is however significant risks associated with the routine use of episiotomy. It is associated with the immediate problem of more perineal pain in the puerperium, and the long-term problem of potential sexual dysfunction resulting from superficial dyspareunia or pain at the introitus. Objective: To determine the rate of episiotomy, the indications, and to observe changes in the use of episiotomy since 1998 in the Jos University Teaching hospital. Methodology: This was a retrospective study of all consecutive deliveries in the maternity unit of the Jos University Teaching hospital. The records of all deliveries in the maternity unit of the hospital were retrieved and checked for total deliveries within the study period. Records of patients that had episiotomy were collated and analyzed for age, parity, and the indication for the episiotomy. The records were analyzed using the Epi-Info 2002 software. Results: A total of 15,228 deliveries were conducted and 3,769 episiotomies were performed with an overall rate of 24.8%. There was a general decrease of the rate from 28.4% in 1998 to 20.8% in 2003. Medio-lateral incisions were commonly used and the primipara accounted for 54.9% of the episiotomies. The commonest (52.6%) indication was for imminent perineal tear with the fetal head pressing on the perineum. Conclusion: Episiotomies are commonly performed obstetric minor operations in the Jos University Teaching Hospital. Primiparity appears to be a risk factor for episiotomy. The commonest indication was imminent perineal tear in the second stage of labour. Key words: episiotomy, vacuum, forceps, prematurity, perineum, obstetric, Jos Highland Medical Research Journal Vol. 3 (1) 2005: 31-35

Background: Exposure to wood dust has been shown to cause organic dust toxic syndrome, occupational asthma, airway inflammation, an increased risk of sinusoidal cancer and impaired lung functions in woodworkers. This study determines the prevalence of respiratory symptoms and the lung functions of woodworkers in Jos, north-central, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A cross–sectional study design was used to interview 120 timber workers from a timber market sampled using simple random sampling. Information was obtained using interviewer-administered questionnaires and the lung function tests of the participants measured using a peak flow meter. Results: The mean age of the respondents was 28 years. At the time of the study 62.5% (75 ) of the respondents had respiratory symptoms; many had more than one symptom. The main symptoms among the respondents were regular blocked nose in 74(61.71%), runny nose 50(41.7%) recurrent cold 27 (22.5%), sneezing 68(56.7%), noisy breathing 11 (9.2%), shortness of breath 8(6.7%), chest tightness 16(13.3%) and cough 63(52.5%). All the workers with symptoms experienced them at work while, 56(74.6%) had relief when away from work. The symptoms were mainly associated with Mahogany, Masonia, Bosca and Obeche (African whitewood) woods. None of the workers in the mill were observed to be using respirators or masks. Only one (0.8%) of the workers had peak expiratory flow volume (PEFV) less than 300 liters /minute. The peak expiratory value had no significant association with the presence of symptoms and the number of years spent working in the wood industry (p= 0.454). Conclusion: Wood workers should be health educated on the dangers of wood dust; they should be encouraged to use masks and wood dust should be controlled at source. KEY WORDS: Timber workers; Respiratory Symptoms; Lung function; Jos Journal of Community Medicine & Primary Health Care Vol.16(2) 2004: 30-33

An investigation on the prevalence and antibiogram of Yersinia enterocolitica among patients in Jos and Environs was conducted. A total of 150 stool samples collected from three hospitals namely: Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH), Vom Christian Hospital and National Veterinary Research Institute Diagnostic Laboratory, Vom were screened for Yersinia enterocolitica. Isolates were identified using standard biochemical tests. 64 (42.6%) of these samples were from male patients while 86 (57.35%) were from female patients. Five (5) Yersinia enterocolitica isolates were identified. Out of which 4 (6.3%) were recovered from male patients while 1 (1.2%) was recovered from a female. The difference is not statistically significant (P>0.05). Watery and soft stool samples yielded 2 isolates each accounting for the highest isolation among the various forms of stool samples. Age groups 31-40 and 41-50 years yielded two isolates each while one (1) was isolated from the age group 51-60 years. The five (5) isolates were found to be sensitive to gentamicin only. Two isolates were sensitive to chloramphenicol and streptomycin while only one (1) was sensitive to tetracycline. Key Words: Yersinia enterocolitica; Prevalence; Antibiogram; Jos. Journal of Pharmacy and Bioresources Vol.1(1) 2004: 46-50

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is one of the hepatitis agents known to be transmitted through blood and blood products. Hepatitis C virus has been implicated as a major cause of chronic liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma worldwide. This study was, therefore, undertaken with the objective of determining the sero-prevalence of HCV antibodies among blood donors in the central city of Jos, Nigeria. Method: A total of two hundred blood donors were recruited from three hospitals within Jos metropolis. Sera from all subjects were tested for Hepatitis C virus antibodies using a second generation enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: Ninety five percent (95%)of the blood donors were males and most of them were aged between 21 and 50years. Twelve (6.0%)of the blood donors were anti-HCV seropositive and all of them males. Conclusion: There is an urgent need to introduce routine screening of blood donors for Hepatitis C virus markers in centers where this is not currently been practiced. This will reduce the risk of transfusion-associated hepatitis C infection and its complications in Nigeria. Key Words: Hepatitis C virus, blood donors, Jos Annals of African Medicine Vol.3(1 ) 2004: 35-37

Background: Postpartum sexual abstinence until when the child is weaned from breast milk is deeply rooted in most cultures in Nigeria. Aim: The study aimed at describing the current sexual practices of postpartum women, sexual morbidity, contraceptive prevalence and predictive factors for early postpartum sexual intercourse and associated sexual problems in our setting. Subjects and Methods: This cross‑sectional study was conducted among consecutive 340 women at a child welfare clinic 14 weeks after childbirth. Questionnaires were administered between January 2012 and June 2012 to ascertain their socio‑demographic and obstetric features, sexual activity, time to coital resumption, reasons for resumption and non‑resumption of intercourse, sexual problems encountered and contraceptive usage. Statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS version 16 for windows (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Results: Sexual intercourse was resumed by 67.6% (230/340) of women with a mean time to resuming intercourse of 8.2 (2.9) weeks postpartum and a median time of 8.0 weeks. About 3.5% (8/230) did so within the puerperium. Sexual intercourse was initiated mainly (77.4% [178/230]) by their husbands and only 19.1% (44/230) of them were using modern contraceptives. About 62.6% (144/230) of women experienced sexual morbidities including vaginal dryness/insufficient lubrication, dyspareunia and vaginal discharge. Socio‑demographic and obstetric features, menstrual and breastfeeding status were not predictive of early resumption of coitus. Vaginal delivery (OR: 3.6, 95% CI: 1.3‑10.0, P = 0.01,) and previous episiotomy (OR: 2.4, 95% CI: 2.0‑6.1, P = 0.04,) were predictive of sexual morbidity. Conclusion: Women in our setting resume sexual intercourse early after childbirth without the use of contraception and often with associated sexual morbidity. Emphasis on sexual and contraceptive education during the immediate postpartum period is therefore imperative.