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OBJECTIVE: The correlation between both types of diabetes and toxoplasmosis has not been firmly established. To confirm this correlation, we conducted this study to determine the seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis and to identify possible associated risk factors in diabetic patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The seroprevalence of IgG and IgM antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii was assessed in a cohort study that included 300 diabetic patients (150 Type 1 diabetes mellitus patients and 150 Type 2) in addition to 300 healthy controls. A structured questionnaire was used to collect sociodemographic data to identify the risk factors for seropositive diabetic cases. RESULTS: The total seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii antibodies was significantly higher in diabetic patients of both types (p

Reflective practice is an important cornerstone of continuing professional development for healthcare practitioners in primary care. Following workshops on communication, conflict resolution, teamwork, and leadership, this study analyzed written reflections that used Gibbs Reflective Cycle from 501 healthcare practitioners. We first analyzed the level of these reflections using Bradley's 3 levels of reflection, then conducted content-thematic analysis of reflections on the four workshops topics. Key findings highlighted that most reflections were at level 2, followed by level 3 and the least were at level 1. Moreover, the highest number of reflections was on communication, when three themes were identified: communication issues with a team member, language barriers with patient/family, and problematic verbal communication from patient/family. Teamwork was the second in terms of number of reflections and it also revealed three themes: effective teamwork to accomplish an institutional mission, teamwork in the workshop itself and hierarchy. Less reflections were on leadership and conflict resolution. We argue that reflective writing enables health professionals and leadership to identify challenges and facilitators for effective communication, teamwork, leadership, and conflict resolutions.

The production of sandcrete blocks using groundnut shell ash (GSA) as cement replacement was investigated. Six number sandcrete blocks were cast for each replacement levels (0, 10,20,30,40, and 50 percentage) with GSA. The blocks were cured and crushed at 7, 14, 21, and 28 days. The results show that the compressive strength ranges from 4.50 N/mm2 to 0.26N/mm2.The optimum replacement level was achieved at 20% with a corresponding strength of 3.58 N/mm2. The strength at the optimum level was within the recommended limit of the Nigerian Industrial Standard (NIS) 87:2000. The results also showed that the strength decreases with increase of cement above 20% replacement. It was also observed that in the chemical composition of the GSA as compared to cement, the amount of K2O was higher in GSA and also CaO was less than what is obtained in cement.