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Objective: To describe the pattern of eye injuries in children at Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH), Sagamu, Nigeria. Methods: The records of all children 16years and below presenting with eye injuries to the Eye clinic between January 2007 and December 2011 were reviewed retrospectively. Demographic data, cause of injury, time of presentation, the injured eye, visual acuity at presentation, diagnosis, intraocular pressure, treatment given, post treatment visual acuities at one week, one month and three months were obtained and analyzed using SPSS version 16. Results: A total of 131 case notes were available for analysis. The age range of affected children was 9months to16 years: mean SD) - 8.56years(4.18).The male female ratio was 2:1. The majority of affected children were age 6- 10 years. The right eye was involved in 55.7% of cases. The most common agent of injury was stick (22.1%), followed by slap. Conclusion: Intensifying health education to the children, parents and teachers will go a long way in reducing ocular injuries and vision loss in children.

Over the last decade, the Nigerian government has undertaken a wide ranging policy, institutional, and legal initiatives to enhance the country’s public service delivery. Despite these efforts, the nation has grappled with a myriad of issues that still undermine good governance and political security. These challenges include weak institutional capacity, corruption, poor leadership, inadequate public service delivery, political instability, limited resources, poor infrastructure, and a shortage of skilled human resources. This paper examines the strategies and mechanisms employed by public administrators in Nigeria to enhance good governance and political security, analyses the impact of effective public administration on political stability and security and identifies the challenges affecting the implementation of good governance principles through public administration in Nigeria. The study has adopted the New Public Management Theory proposed by Hood in 1991 and relied on secondary data. Findings from the study show that Nigerian public administration has undergone a series of reforms to enhance good governance and political security through various strategies and mechanisms such as capacity building, international cooperation, and ethical conduct. The study also reveals that corruption and lack of accountability, bureaucratic bottlenecks and insufficient capacity among others have been identified as challenges of the implementation of good governance principles in Nigeria. The paper recommends that the encouragement and promotion of transparency and accountability be given top priority; citizen participation should also be encouraged in the planning and decision-making process; empowering local governments through the allocation of adequate resources to foster political security. The paper also recommends the establishment of a proper recruitment base to promote professionalism and meritocracy in the public service.

Abstract Background The study is aimed to identify the predictors of Quality of Life (QOL) in women with epilepsy (WWE) on carbamazepine (CBM) and levetiracetam (LTM) monotherapy. 100 WWE were recruited (50 each on CBM and LTM), after clinical diagnosis of epilepsy supported by Electroencephalography (EEG) features and seizures classification by 2017 International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) criteria, the Quality of Life Inventory Scale 31(QOLIE-31) and Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (ZSRDS) were used to assess QOL and depression, respectively. Result Higher QOLIE-31 scores was seen in the LTM group across all domains except seizure worry (p = 0.051) compared to CBM group. Logistic regression showed that the use of CBM (p = 0.000), fast frequency on EEG (p = 0.005), longer duration of epilepsy (p = 0.017), presence of depression (p = 0.008) and lower level of education (p = 0.003) were predictors of QOL. Progesterone (p = 0.040), oestradiol (p = 0.011) and prolactin (p = 0.002) in follicular phase showed significant association with QOLIE-total score. In the luteal phase, luteinizing hormone–follicle stimulating hormone (LH–FSH) ratio (p = 0.009) and testosterone (p = 0.015), FSH (p = 0.015), prolactin (p = 0.000), showed significant association with QOL. None of the hormones independently predicts QOL. Conclusion LTM group appears to have better QOL than CBM group. Healthcare providers should focus on addressing these identified predictors which include medication effect, depression, Level of education, EEG background and duration of epilepsy with aim of improving QOL.

Objective: This study is aimed at comparing differential effect of Levetiracetam (LTC) monotherapy and Carbamazepine (CZP) monotherapy in W omen with epilepsy (WWE) on gonadal hormone. Methods: 87 WWE were recruited comprising randomly of 46 and 41 on CZP and LTC group respectively with diagnosis and classification based on International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE). Reproductive hormones (Luteinizing Hormone (LH), Follicle stimulating hormone, progesterone, estradiol and testosterone) were assayed. National Hospital Seizure Severity Scale (NHSS) and Zung self-reporting depression scale (ZSRDS) were used to assess the seizure severity and the mood respectively. Data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20. The Chi-square test was used to compare categorical variables while Student's t-test or its non-parametric equivalent where appropriate were used to compare continuous variables. Results: Clinical characteristics were comparable in both groups except for ZSRDS (p = 0.048), NHSS (p = 0.012) and hip circumference (p = 0.037). The CZP group had a higher ASEX score and proportion of WWE with clinically significant sexual dysfunction (p

Sweet potato and shea butter remain underutilized crops. Their potential in the production of ready-to-eat snacks could enhance food security. Hence, this study evaluated cookies from sweet potato flour using shea butter as a shortening. Cookies samples were produced from 100% sweet potato flour with margarine (SPM); 100% sweet potato flour with shea butter (SPS); 100% wheat flour with shea butter (WCS); 100% wheat flour with margarine (WMC), 50% wheat, 50% sweet potato flour with shea butter (WSS); 50% wheat, 50% sweet potato flour with margarine (WSM). Cookies samples were analysed for physical properties, colour, proximate composition and sensory acceptability. The physical properties of the cookies samples had the weight, diameter, thickness and spread ratio ranging from 5.99 to 7.7 g, 3.76 to 4.27 cm, 0.54 to 0.64 cm, and 10.59 to 13.86, respectively. The colour properties of the cookies sample had the L*, a* and b* values ranging from 33.99 to 61.08, -6.03 to 0.72 and 10.87 to 22.51, respectively. The proximate composition of the cookies sample was moisture content (2.39-4.98%), fat (11.74-14.41%), protein (2.71-3.54%), fibre (2.26- 2.83%), ash (1.92-1.99%), carbohydrate (74.28-78.66%), while the energy value ranged from 340.77 to 356.34 kCal. The use of shea butter as shortening led to a lower value of fat and spread ratio of cookies. In the sensorial acceptability ranking, the texture, crunchiness and aroma of cookies samples were not significantly different (p < 0.05). Sensory panellists adjudged cookies produced with sweet potato using shea butter shortening as liked moderately. Hence, the production of gluten-free cookies using sweet potato flour with shea butter shortening could serve as a low-cost, nutrient-dense, ready-to-eat snack.

PURPOSEAccess to radiotherapy (RT) is now one of the stark examples of global cancer inequities. More than 800,000 new cancer cases require potentially curative or palliative RT services in Africa, arguably

Background: Many cl inicaland haematological changes occur as a result of severe malaria, of which cerebral malaria (CM) is a common entity. These changes affect virtually all organs and systems of the body. We identify various clinical and haematological determinants of outcome in CM so as to institute proactive management of such children. Methods: All children who met World Health Organization (WHO) diagnostic criteria for CM over 8 month-period were prospectively studied. The presenting symptoms and its duration, detailed physical examination and laboratory parameters were obtained. Logistic regression was employed to determine the prognostic significance of various clinical and laboratory parameters. Outcome indicators were full recovery, alive with neurological sequelae or death of the children. Results: Of the 892 children admitted into the Children Emergency Unit (CEU) over the study period, 50 (5.6%) had CM with M: F ratio of 1:1 and age range of 6 months to 12 years. Sixty percent were aged less than 5 years. The defining symptoms were fever (100%), coma (100%) and convulsion (98%). Forty-one (82%) patients survived, while nine (18%) died. Of the 41 survivors, 30 (73.2%) recovered fully, while 11 (26.8%) had neurological deficits at discharge. Identified clinical and laboratory predictors of mortality and neurological sequelae in CM included Blantyre coma score of 0-2(p = 0.018) prolonged coma recovery time > 26 hours (p = 0.026), abnormal breathing pattern (p = 0.0124), absent corneal reflex (p = 0.012), absent pupillary reflex (p = 0.012), depressed tendon reflex (p = 0.028), hyperreflexia (p = 0.014), retinal haemorrhage (p = 0.001), duration of admission (p=0.000), hyper parasitaemia (p =0.001), hypoglycemia (p= 0.014) and leucocytosis (p = 0.008). Independent determinants of immediate post-recovery neurological deficits and death were hyper-parasitaemia (OR = 8.657, p = 0.017.) and leucocytosis(OR = 1.090; p = 0.035 Conclusion: CM is a potentially reversible encephalopathy associated with high mortality and sequelae. Affected children with the above listed clinical / haematological parameters especially hyperparasitemia and leucocytosis should be given proactive management to improve the outcome.

Natural bentonite clay (NBC) was activated using nitric acid (HNO3). Characterization techniques including FTIR, SEM, XRD and BET were employed to examine the morphology of NBC and ABC (activated bentonite clay) sorbents. Comparative application of ABC and NBC to remove heavy metals (Fe2+, Zn2+, Ni2+) from pharmaceutical effluents was investigated under various experimental conditions. The maximum proportional removal by ABC was 88.90, 81.80 and 75.50% at pH 8, and 63.90, 59.60, 58.70% at pH 10 for NBC, both for Zn2+, Fe2+ and Ni2+ respectively. The Freundlich multilayer adsorption model and pseudo-second-order kinetics best fit the experimental data, suggesting the formation of multiple adsorption layers via strong ionic and electrostatic interactions. Heavy metals adsorption is more favorable with ABC than NBC, due to the availability of more sorption sites and a larger specific surface. The thermodynamic parameters (ΔH°, ΔS°, and ΔG°) revealed that the adsorption is endothermic and spontaneous in nature for both ABC and NBC. HIGHLIGHTS Acid activation of bentonite clay using nitric acid was achieved in this study.; Enhanced morphology and physicochemical properties of pristine bentonite was observed.; Removal efficiency > 85% of recalcitrant heavy metals was obtained using modified bentonite.; Pre-oxidation of contaminated water using H2O2 enhanced clean-up efficiency.; Adsorption process was spontaneous, endothermic, and best described by multilayer sorption.;

Background: The prospect of EEG as a potential biomarker for detecting a cognitive decline in those living with epilepsy has not been extensively studied. Objective: To determine the relationship between electroencephalographic (EEG) changes and cognitive functions in Women with Epilepsy (WWE). Methods: The study involved 100 adult WWE aged between 16 and 40 years on Levetiracetam (LEV) or Carbamazepine (CAB) monotherapy. Zung Self-Reporting Depression Scale (ZSRDS) was used to assess the mood of participants while the Community Screening Interview for Dementia (CSID) was used to assess various cognition domains. Results: The frequency of Periodic Epileptiform Discharges (PED) (p = 0.008), delta waves and theta waves (p = 0.004) were higher in WWE with Cognitive Impairment (CI) compared to those without CI. Lower cognitive scores were seen among those with delta wave across the domains of cognition with statistical significance for language fluency (p = 0.039), language comprehension (p = 0.000), and total CSID (p = 0.000). WWE with PED had a lower mean total CSID score compared to those without PED (p = 0.019). The absence of alpha wave (p = 0.027), presence of delta wave (p = 0.013), slow frequency (p = 0.015) and PED (p = 0.031) were EEG predictors of cognitive impairment. Medication type (p = 0.016) and depression (p = 0.001) were the clinical predictors of cognitive impairment in WWE. Conclusion: The frequencies of PED and slow waves were higher in WWE with CI while the absence of alpha wave, presence of delta wave and PED were EEG predictors of CI

Background: Community-based health insurance (CBHI) has emerged as a more efficient and equitable approach to healthcare financing. It was designed to ensure that sufficient resources are made available for members to access effective healthcare. This study assessed the willingness to pay (WTP) for CBHI among artisans in a town in Ekiti State, South West Nigeria. Methods: This was a cross-sectional survey conducted among 416 artisans in a town in Ekiti State. A semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was designed and used for data collection on sociodemographic data and WTP for CBHIS. Data entry and analysis was done using IBM SPSS software version 25.0. Results: The mean age and standard deviation of the respondents was 29.7±10.9 years with male to female ratio of 1:1.4. Most of the respondents were willing to pay (86.3%) and willing to enroll other household members (73.6%) in the CBHI. A large percentage (44.3%) of those willing to pay were ready to pay between ₦1,000-₦5,000 (US$2.63–US$13.16) per year while 39.6% preferred frequency of payment to be annually. Positive predictors of WTP for CBHI were age groups ≥50 years and 40-49 years than

Background: Diabetes Mellitus is a non-communicable disease and a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the world. The estimated prevalence of diabetes in Africa is 1% in rural areas and ranges from 5% to 7% in urban sub-Saharan Africa. 3 Nigeria is the most populous country in African and she contributes about one sixth of the Africa’s diabetic population. This study is aimed at determining the prevalence of diabetes mellitus and accessing its risk factors among public secondary school teachers in Ekiti State. Methodology: This survey is a cross-sectional study carried out among 357 public school teachers in Ekiti State using a multi stage sampling technique. Data was gathered using a semi structured questionnaire and Accu Check Glucometer machine for Fasting Blood Sugar. Analysis was done using SPSS version 23 and level of significance was taken as P = 0.05. Result: Mean age was 42.9±9.2 years. Prevalence of Diabetes Mellitus was 5.6%. Family history (15%), Alcohol intake (14.0%) and smoking (11.2%) were major risk factors in the respondents. Poor vision is the main complication being experienced by the respondents (40.3%). Predictors of Diabetes Mellitus as found by this study include increasing age (starting from above 40years), cigarette smoking, alcohol intake and positive family history. Conclusion: Prevalence of Diabetes Mellitus is high compared to what it was before. Alcohol intake, smoking and family history were major risk factors while poor vision is the commonest complication. It is recommended that all efforts must be made to put in mechanism that will halt this undesired progression through control of risk factors.

PurposeElectronic health records (EHRs) contain a vast amount of clinical data. Improved automated classification approaches have the potential to accurately and efficiently identify patient cohorts for research. We evaluated if a rule-based natural language processing (NLP) algorithm using clinical notes performed better for classifying proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) and nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) severity compared with International Classification of Diseases, ninth edition (ICD-9) or 10th edition (ICD-10) codes.DesignCross-sectional study.SubjectsDeidentified EHR data from an academic medical center identified 2366 patients aged ≥18 years, with diabetes mellitus, diabetic retinopathy (DR), and available clinical notes.MethodsFrom these 2366 patients, 306 random patients (100 training set, 206 test set) underwent chart review by ophthalmologists to establish the gold standard. International Classification of Diseases codes were extracted from the EHR. The notes algorithm identified positive mention of PDR and NPDR severity from clinical notes. Proliferative diabetic retinopathy and NPDR severity classification by ICD codes and the notes algorithm were compared with the gold standard. The entire DR cohort (N = 2366) was then classified as having presence (or absence) of PDR using ICD codes and the notes algorithm.Main outcome measuresSensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value, and F1 score for the notes algorithm compared with ICD codes using a gold standard of chart review.ResultsFor PDR classification of the test set patients, the notes algorithm performed better than ICD codes for all metrics. Specifically, the notes algorithm had significantly higher sensitivity (90.5% [95% confidence interval 85.7, 94.9] vs. 68.4% [60.4, 75.3]), but similar PPV (98.0% [95.4-100] vs. 94.7% [90.3, 98.3]) respectively. The F1 score was 0.941 [0.910, 0.966] for the notes algorithm compared with 0.794 [0.734, 0.842] for ICD codes. For PDR classification, ICD-10 codes performed better than ICD-9 codes (F1 score 0.836 [0.771, 0.878] vs. 0.596 [0.222, 0.692]). For NPDR severity classification, the notes algorithm performed similarly to ICD codes, but performance was limited by small sample size.ConclusionsThe notes algorithm outperformed ICD codes for PDR classification. The findings demonstrate the significant potential of applying a rule-based NLP algorithm to clinical notes to increase the efficiency and accuracy of cohort selection for research.Financial disclosuresProprietary or commercial disclosure may be found in the Footnotes and Disclosures at the end of this article.

BACKGROUND: Cancer is the fourth leading cause of death in adolescents and young adults (AYA) worldwide. Although successful treatment of cancer in AYA has increased in recent years in most of the world, this is not true for many low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) where over 80% of all AYA live. This study investigated the needs of AYA with cancer in parts of Latin America (LATAM) through the perspectives of non-physician health care providers and partners. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews (in Spanish) were conducted with non-physician partners from Mexico, Peru, Central America, and the Caribbean over Zoom. Participants were recruited through previously identified local physicians and international non-physician professionals working in these countries. Transcripts were coded and key themes identified until thematic saturation was reached (Atlas.ti). FINDINGS: Thirty participants representing eight countries were interviewed, providing 1202 min of transcript data. Data were organized into barriers, facilitators, and strategies to improve the delivery of health care for AYA with cancer in LATAM at the patient- (e.g., financial barriers, continued schooling), parent- (e.g., limited medical literacy, advocacy), and hospital-level (e.g., structural barriers, increasing funding). INTERPRETATION: There are many similarities in the barriers and facilitators to AYA care between LATAM and high-income countries (HIC); however, some characteristics are more unique to LATAM, for example, strict age restrictions for pediatric care and abandonment of therapy. As LATAM countries continue to build cancer control programs, there is an opportunity to consider our identified barriers, facilitators, and strategies to address the unique needs of AYA with cancer.

Cocos nucifera L. is known as a tree of life because of its economic, domestic, and nutritional usefulness. Coconut oil (CO), which is derived from Cocos nucifera L., has received considerable attention because of its reported folkloric, nutritional, biological, and pharmacological properties. We previously reported the outstanding physicochemical properties of CO; therefore, we analyzed its antioxidant activity and chemical composition in this study. CO was extracted using a fermentation method with and without applying heat. Its antioxidant activity was investigated using the DPPH free radical scavenging method, the metal chelation capacity, the reduction of antioxidant power, and the nitric oxide scavenging capacity index. The compounds were identified using GC-MS. The data were expressed as a mean ± SEM and analyzed by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) using SPSS 21.0 with data being considered significant at P < 0.05. The results showed that CO demonstrated a concentration-dependent DPPH radical scavenging activity and nitric oxide scavenging capacity index, with the highest activity in the heat-extracted virgin CO (HEVCO). The ferric-reducing antioxidant power and metal chelation capacity significantly varied (P < 0.05) between the HEVCO and the cold extracted virgin CO (CEVCO). The GCMS analysis of virgin CO identified important active compounds. The results revealed a higher content of phenolic compounds in HEVCO compared to CEVCO. In conclusion, applying heat favored incorporating phenolic compounds into CO and consequently improved the antioxidant potential of HEVCO compared to CEVCO.

Background: Cervical cancer metastasizes commonly to the bone, lungs, liver and the supraclavicular lymph nodes. Rare sites of metastasis the brain, breast, paraspinal muscles, duodenum and heart have been reported. Case report: A 53-year-old postmenopausal woman presented to our facility with a one-month history of vaginal bleeding. She was found to have an exophytic cervical mass on pelvic examination. She was managed as a case of stage IIIB cervical cancer. Histology revealed Squamous Cell Carcinoma type. She had radiotherapy and was symptoms free. She represented 3 months later with visual disturbance, headache and vomiting. She was found to have metastatic lesion to her brain. She survived for 3 months and 3weeks after first treatment. Conclusion: The prognosis of cervical cancer patients with brain metastases is frequently poor with median survival of only a few months such as in this case who survived 3 months and 3 weeks after first treatment. Only few reports have incidences of long-term, disease-free survival in these patients

Dye is one of the principal parts for high power conversion efficiency in a Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell. Conspicuous developments have taken place via the work of several researchers in the engineering of novel dye structures so as to enhance the performance of the system. The properties of a natural mineral dye were studied in this work. The structure of the dye was determined and discovered to have contains constituents that could enhance better absorption of solar radiation for use in a Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell (DSSC). The Lead sulphide and iron content of the mineral dye studied as revealed by the X-Ray diffraction analysis done suggest this. The X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) done revealed that the concentration of Lead and Iron (Fe) is high as compared to other elements present in the material, probably as a result of the fact that it is a geological sample (of the earth) and which may even suggest its colour and hence makes it absorbs solar radiation of visible region at its wavelength (around 380 nm – 800 nm). The functional groups present in the dye as obtained from the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy are the Amine, Carbonyl, and hydroxyl groups, all of which confirm the suitability of the dye material in photosensitizing a semiconductor in a DSSC. The absorption spectra of the dye within the visible region of electromagnetic radiation show that the material has high, increased, and stable absorption of visible light which is suggesting a more durable natural dye for a DSSC than the easily degraded natural dyes of plants source.

Abstract: Invasions of arthropod vectors and viruses are the main factors associated with emerging plant viral diseases. The presence of the Banana bunchy top virus (BBTV, genus Babuvirus), an aphid‐transmitted virus responsible for the banana bunchy top disease (BBTD), was first confirmed in 2008 in the South region of Cameroon. This study reports on surveys over 14 years to determine the status of BBTV spread and virus diversity in Cameroon. A total of 544 fields extending through 81 districts in 7 regions were surveyed in 5 phases: (1) 2009–10, (2) 2012, (3) 2013–14, (4) 2016–17, and (5) 2022. BBTV was detected in 36 sites, all located in the Ambam district in the South region, with an incidence in the virus‐affected fields ranging from 5% to 40%, with an average incidence of 14.8%. The findings indicate BBTV expansion from the location of first detection in 2008 to about 4–25 km in all directions, with the virus spread range of about 700 km2, as of the last survey in 2022. Phylogenetic analysis using complete nucleotide sequences of the BBTV‐R and BBTV‐S gene aligned Cameroon isolates with the sub‐Saharan Africa subgroup of the Pacific‐Indian Oceans (PIO) group of BBTV isolates, suggesting a likely virus invasion from neighbouring central African countries where BBTV presence had been reported in the 1980s. Knowledge of BBTV distribution provided through the detection and delimiting surveys has contributed to the efficient targeting of interventions to limit the expansion of an emerging virus threat to banana production in Cameroon.

Background: Increasing prevalence of obesity, overweight and metabolic syndrome secondary to excessive consumption of a high-sucrose and high-fat diet is a major global health problem. Objective: This study was meant to determine the hypolipidaemic potentials of phytochemicals present inVernonia amygdalina(Bitter leaf) in obese rats. Method: Thirty-two (6 weeks old, weighing 150-160g) male Wistar rats, were randomly selected and grouped into four: with eight rats in each group. The rats in the control group were fed normal rat chow and water while the three experimental groups were fed the various compounded diets and water ad libitum. At the end of 12th week, the animals fasted overnight, and Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) was performed in some while others were anaesthetized using diethyl ether. Fasting plasma, liver tissue lipid and lipoprotein levels were determined, and LDL-C was calculated. Result: Rapid weight gain (89.9%) was recorded in rats fed High Sucrose Diet [HSD] when compared with the control group (55.3%) without significant differences in the liver weight. The mean plasma glucose, triglyceride, total cholesterol and LDL-C levels were significantly higher (p = 0.000, p = 0.010, p = 0.000 and p = 0.002 respectively) while mean plasma HDL-C was significantly lower (p = 0.043) in rats fed HSD when compared with rats fed normal rat chow. A significantly lower plasma lipid and higher liver tissue HDL-C (p = 0.03) were observed in the Vernonia amygdalina-treated rats. Conclusion: HSD induces hepatic steatosis and the related biochemical changes while dietary Vernonia amygdalina ameliorates the biochemical changes in hepatic steatosis in rats.

Background: Malaria in pregnancy is a major public health issue in sub-Saharan Africa. Most deliveries in this region are attended by the Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs). Objective: To assess the knowledge and practice of prevention and treatment of malaria in pregnancy amongst TBAs in Ogun State, south-west Nigeria. Methods: This descriptive, cross-sectional study used systematic random sampling to select 200 registered TBAs within the state. Pre-tested, semi-structured interviewer-based questionnaires were used to obtain relevant data. Results: The mean age of respondents was 37.7 ± 2.2 years. Most of the respondents had secondary school education (82.0%) and were females (89.0%). The majority (68.0%) had good knowledge of malaria during pregnancy; 83.0% used blood test for the diagnosis of malaria while 62.2% of these used Malaria Rapid Diagnostic Test kits. A third of the respondents (33.0%) used Artemisinin-Combination Therapy for treatment while 13.0% used Chloroquine. The majority (85.5%) of the respondents did not practice directly observed therapy in intermittent preventive treatment for malaria using Sulphadoxine-Pyrimethamine (SP). The age of the respondents was significantly associated with their level of knowledge (p = 0.019). Conclusion: The TBAs had high level of knowledge and good practice of the management of malaria in pregnancy. However, some still treated malaria with Chloroquine and were not conversant with the use of SP for the prevention of malaria. It is recommended that capacity building sessions for the TBAs be instituted to improve the quality of care they provide.

Background: Available donor blood rarely meets the demand in sub-Saharan Africa due to obstacles to blood donation. Willingness to donate blood is adjudged an important step to the actual practice of donating blood. Objective: To assess the willingness of the members of staff of the hospital to donate blood and determine factors affecting their willingness or otherwise. Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study. A proportional allocation of participants was carried out at the various departments in the hospital using self-administered questionnaire. Results: Overall, 183 (73%) of the 246 respondents expressed willingness to donate blood, 111(45%) of whom have been asked to donate blood in the past. Only 91(37%) had donated blood in the past. Significantly higher proportion of health staff showed the willingness to donate blood generally and voluntarily compared to non-health staff. Significantly higher proportion of respondents with tertiary education showed the willingness to donate blood. Two hundred and eighteen (88.8%) were willing to donate blood to help the patient in need while fear of exposure to HIV infection, needle prick and dizziness constituted the major factors discouraging blood donation (19.9%, 18.7% and 18.3% respectively). Conclusion: Willingness to donate blood was mostly based on the primordial motivation of helping the patient in need which does not translate to blood donation. There is a need to improve awareness and advocacy on blood donation among hospital staff and the general population.