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The burden of community acquired infections in the health care system has continued to receive little or no attention especially among healthy, asymptomatic individuals. The aim of this study is to evaluate the bacterial burden of bed linens of undergraduate students living in a university hostel. Twenty-three (23) cotton-swab samples were collected aseptically from both the posterior and anterior end of the bed linen. Microbial isolates were isolated and characterized using standard microbiological and biochemical methods. The antibiotic susceptibility profile of the isolates was determined using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. A total of nine (9) bacterial isolates were obtained from the samples, including Staphylococcus aureus (7) and Escherichia coli (2). Antibiotic susceptibility testing revealed that the majority of the isolates were resistant to cefuroxime, nitrofurantoin, ceftazidime, cefixime, erythromycin, and augmentin. All E. coli and S. aureus strains showed 100% resistance to cefuroxime, ceftazidime and nitrofurantoin. However, both bacterial species were only most susceptible to gentamicin and ofloxacin, with E. coli demonstrating the least resistance (0%) to the two antibiotics. The antibiotic resistance of these isolates necessitates immediate attention.

Background: This is a prospective case control study, aimed at assessing the effect of oxidative stress using Malondialdehyde (MDA) Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) and Total antioxidant capacity (TAC) on some reproductive hormones Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), Luteinizing hormone (LH) and Testosterone (TT) in male hypertensive subjects at NAUTH Nnewi, Anambra State, Nigeria. Methods: 90 newly diagnosed adult male hypertensive and sixty normotensive control subjects aged between 30-65 (49.98 ± 9.90) years were randomly recruited for the study. Blood sample were collected from all the participants, separated and stored frozen at ˗20°C until assayed for male sex hormones using standard ELISA methods and oxidative stress markers (MDA, SOD and TAC) using Spectrophotometric method. Blood pressures were measured using accosson sphygmomanometer and stethoscope, and high blood pressure was considered when systolic blood pressure (SBP) is greater than 140 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) greater than 90 mmHg persistently for three days. A well-structured questionnaire was administered to ascertain the bio-data and anthropometric index of all the participants. Results: SBP and DBP were significantly higher in hypertensive male subjects 157.10 ± 15.40, 99.40 ± 8.94) compared to controls (114.50 ± 8.3, 76.60 ± 5.90) (p=0.000 respectively). FSH and LH (11.94 ± 4.14, 8.46 ± 2.54) were significantly higher while TT (3.19 ± 1.63) was significantly lower in hypertensive subjects compared to controls (7.16 ± 3.40, 3.31 ± 1.74) (7.32 ± 2.54) (p=0.000 respectively). More so, the mean levels of MDA and SOD in hypertensive subjects (1.43 ± 0.45, 15.36 ± 6.15) were significantly higher compared to control (0.63 ± 0.29, 5.28 ± 2.70) (p=0.000) while TAC in hypertensive subjects (18.19 ± 5.46) was significantly lower compared to control subjects (36.93 ± 7.55) (p=0.000). Significant positive correlation was observed between SBP, DBP and FSH, LH, SOD, MDA while significant negative correlation existed between SBP, DBP and TT, TAC. TT and LH were significantly positively correlated with TAC and MDA. Conclusion: Hypertensive male subjects showed significantly higher levels of FSH and LH with lower testosterone levels which suggest hypogonadism and significantly higher MDA and SOD with lower levels of TAC indicating some degree of oxidative stress with suppressed body’s antioxidant defense. The positive and negative correlation observed in blood pressure, male sex hormones and oxidative stress markers also showed that oxidative stress may contribute significantly to the hypogonadism observed which may affect the reproductive potentials in these subjects.

Laccases (E.C. 1.10.3.2 benzenediol: oxygen oxidoreductase) are an interesting group of N glycosylated multicopper blue oxidase enzymes. They are widely found in fungi, bacteria plants, insects, and lichen. They catalyze the oxidation of various phenolic and non-phenolic compounds, with the concomitant reduction of molecular oxygen to water. Laccase has various applications in industries such as textile dye bleaching, paper, and pulp bleaching, food processing, bioremediation, biodegradation, wood processing, and pharmaceuticals. However, the high cost of production has been a major hindrance to its commercial usage. This study was carried out to investigate the extraction, purification, and characterization of laccase from fungi isolated from potato peels using three different substrates. Extraction was carried out using submerged fermentation, with glucose, lactose, and maltose as the carbon sources and varying nitrogen sources; yeast and ammonium chloride (NH4Cl) Laccase was also characterized by assessing parameters such as pH, temperature, and protein concentration. Enzyme activity for maltose (yeast), glucose (yeast), glucose (NH4Cl) and lactose (NH4Cl) increased from 25oC -45 oC with optimum pH of 6,6,8 and 5 respectively while activity for maltose (NH4Cl) and lactose(yeast) increased from 25oC-65oC with optimum pH at 5 and 8 respectively. This study suggests that increased laccase production from potato peels can be achieved by using maltose, glucose and lactose as carbon sources with NH4Cl as nitrogen source.

Daily fluid intake in individuals is known to be influenced by several factors such as climatic conditions, physical activities, nature of fluid and its availability, and behavioural responses. The high temperature of the tropics is expected to increase fluid intake, and more so for labor-intensive workers. The fluid intake of sedentary and manual workers in southeast Nigeria was assessed and compared with international benchmarks. A cross sectional study was conducted among 243 subjects from both groups. The subjects were assessed and data on socio-demographic variables, weight, height and 24 hour fluid intake documented. The fluid intake of the manual workers was significantly higher than that of sedentary workers. Higher proportions of manual workers met the fluid recommendations of WHO and the USA IOM for men on moderate activities. However, the manual workers fared poorly on fluid intake when compared with the WHO recommendation for manual workers operating in high temperatures. Though studies in other countries have shown deficiencies in populations meeting international benchmarks for fluid intake, its occurrence in workers operating in high temperatures of the tropics and its possible effects on body performance and health is of great concern and calls for public enlightenment for adequate intake. Key words: Fluid intake, manual workers, sedentary workers, high temperature.

Preconception care is the provision of biomedical, behavioral and social health interventions to women and couples before conception occurs. This study aimed to assess women’s knowledge, practice, perceived views and ideas and associated factors in preconception care amongst women attending antenatal care at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Anambra state, Nigeria. A facility based cross-sectional study conducted among 150 randomly selected reproductive age group women who attended antenatal clinic from September 9 to September 26, 2020.The data were collected using self-administered and interviewer-administered questionnaires. The data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 20.0. The study revealed 31.3% overall knowledge of preconception care. The knowledge level on preconception care was significantly associated with occupation, level of education, residence, number of pregnancies and past obstetrics complications. Age has no association with the level of knowledge. Only about one-fifth of the participants have good knowledge of the importance of folic acid use prior to and during pregnancy (17.3%), 32% had wrong knowledge and the rest had no knowledge (50.7%). Majority of the participants (87.7%) had prospective views concerning preconception care encouraging every woman to partake in it. In this finding, the level of women’s knowledge on preconception care was very low. Having a high level of education, living in urban area and having an obstetrics history were associated with good knowledge. The finding also showed positive views on the uptake and practice preconception care. This finding suggests that there is a need to give more emphasis on educating women on preconception care with the sole aim of achieving a sound maternal and child health.

Background: Substance abuse is a growing societal problem with adolescents being at increased risk. The few studies in Nigerian adolescents have not factored in their knowledge base with regard to the concept of substance abuse. Objectives: This study determined the indulgence in and knowledge of substance abuse and associated factors among adolescents. Methods: This was a questionnaire based study involving 10 to 19year olds recruited from an adolescent summer camp in Anambra state, South-East Nigeria. Results: The data of 276adolescents was analyzed, male–91, 33%, M: F = 1: 2. Mean age was 16.4 ± 1.4years. 13.8% (38) accepted they had abused substances in the past; 74.3% (205) had the correct knowledge of the meaning of substance abuse; 10.1% (28) admitted taking substances for pleasure. The substances taken included Alcohol (67.9%), Cigarette (25.0%), Tramadol (10.7%), Cocaine (7.1%), among others. Multiple substances were taken 28.6% of the time. Age category had no significant association with the abuse of substances (X2–2.656, p = 0.282). Stratified by age category, gender had a significant association with substance abuse in Late adolescence (n = 11; M–9, 81.8%; F–2, 18.2%; X2 = 6.893, p = 0.016) but not Mid-adolescence (n = 27; M – 10, 37.0%; F – 17, 63.0%; X2 = 0.749, p = 0.500). Conclusion: An unacceptable proportion of the adolescents were already exposed to substances/drugs in spite of having suboptimal knowledge. Adolescents need to be educated on substance abuse and its dangers in order to curb this in the society. Keywords: Drug abuse; adolescence; knowledge; Nigeria.

Supplemental material, sj-docx-1-smo-10.1177_20503121221135575 for Dipstick urinalysis profile of an asymptomatic female group in south-east Nigeria by Ijeoma Cornelia Mmoh, Chukwuanugo Nkemakonam Ogbuagu, Ifeoma Ann Modebe, Ekenechukwu Nkolika Ogbuagu, Chimdindu Michael Ogbuagu, Obiageli Fidelia Emelumadu, Uzoma Chidi Okereke, George Uchenna Eleje and Obinna Ikechukwu Ekwunife in SAGE Open Medicine

Background: The Directly Observed Treatment Shortcourse (DOTS) is a widely accepted strategy in the management of TB, however, Failure cases and Multi-drug resistant cases are also on the increase, hence the need to assess the adherence to the implementation of this veritable strategy from providers and patients views. Methodology: A comparative cross-sectional study involving 32 DOTS accredited facilities in rural and urban areas implementing DOTS strategy was utilized for this study. A total of 354 were randomly selected and assessed with the use of a questionnaire while a checklist was used to assess providers’ adherence. Data was analysed using SPSS version 21. Chi-square and Fisher`s exact test was used to test significance set at p

Background: Water is essential for life and accounts for about 70 percent of the human body fat-free mass. Daily loss of 2.5 L in temperate climate occurs on least minimal activity while exercises, rises in temperature, illnesses raise the fluid loss. Adequate intake of water is necessary for optimal body functions, development and health. Estimates of water intake shows wide variations depending on factors such as temperature, activity level, availability and accessibility of fluid, fluid type, packaging, and socio-cultural factors. Context and purpose of study: Residents in the tropics are exposed to high temperatures and loss of excess fluid from perspiration and would expectedly require high fluid intake for normal body function. A cross sectional study was conducted in Aanmbra State, southeast Nigeria to assess the fluid intake of subjects. Two hundred and fifty people were selected by multi-stage sampling technique. They were drawn from employees in government secretariats, banks and artisans engaged in motor mechanic worksites. Using a semi-structured questionnaire, calibrated plastic cups, weighing scale and standiometer, the socio-demographic data, the 24-hour fluid intake, weight and height of the subjects were obtained. Results: The mean age of the respondents was 36.6±11.5 years. 60.1% (146) were males while 39.9% (97) were females. There were 130 (53.5%) civil servants and 113 (46.5%) artisans. The median 24-hour fluid intake was 3.5 litres with artisans having higher intake than the civil servants. (χ2 =16.57, df=2, p

Background: Patient satisfaction is a useful measure to provide a direct indicator of quality in health care. Assessing patient perspectives gives them a voice, which can make public health services more responsive to people's needs and expectation. Objective: To evaluate and compare the clients’ satisfaction with waiting time among pregnant women in public and private health facilities in south east Nigeria. Study Design: A comparative cross sectional study was carried out. Methodology: Using pretested interviewer administered questionnaire, information on clients’ satisfaction was obtained from 500 women attending antenatal care clinic in south east Nigeria. Results: The mean ages of the public-teaching hospital respondents was 29.6 ± 4.0 and is slightly higher compared with that of private-mission hospitals respondents which was 29.5±4.6 Satisfaction was higher among the public-teaching hospital respondents (67.4%) than the private-mission hospital respondents (46.4%) and this is statistically significant. However, there is need to improve the waiting time in entirety considering only 59.8% of the whole study reported satisfaction. Conclusion: There is low satisfaction with waiting time among antenatal mothers utilizing hospital services and dissatisfaction was more in private hospitals when compared to public hospital.

Introduction: Many developing countries are characterized by rapid population growth, which is partly attributed to high fertility rates, high birth rates, accompanied by steady declines in death rates, low contraceptive use and high but declining mortality rate. AIM: To determine the factors influencing family planning method use among women of reproductive age in urban communities of Imo state, Nigeria. Methodology: The study was a community based descriptive cross-sectional study involving 560 women of reproductive age who met the inclusion criteria and were selected using the multistage sampling technique. The data were collected using a pretested, semi-structured and interviewer administered questionnaire and were analyzed using EPI-INFO version 3.2.1. A p-value ≤ 0.05 was considered significant. Results: The mean age of the respondents was 32.7 ± 7.7 years with most of the women (99.1%) being aware of family planning. The common methods known were; pills (65.2%), injections (62.5%), condoms (61.3%) and natural family planning methods (49.5%). The prevalence of ever use and current use of family planning was 54.1% and 35.1% respectively and the commonest method ever (36%) and currently (26%) used was the condom. The factors found to significantly influence family planning method use in the study were: age of women, religion, family size, number of male children, monthly income, being able to access and pay for family planning services without partners financial support, contraceptive knowledge, prior discussion of family planning with partner, partner being in support of modern family planning methods use and previous use of any form of contraception. Conclusion: Most of the factors found to influence use can be modified by appropriate intervention programs.? Thus there is need to institute these intervention programs by authorities concerned so as to increase utilization of services and reduce consequent problems.

Introduction:This rapid increase of population has an adverse effect on the national economy and also the increasing number of births has a deleterious effect on the health of the mother, which in turn hinders social and economic uplift of the family. Aim:To assess the prevalence, pattern and determinants of contraceptive use among women of reproductive age in rural communities of Imo State, Nigeria. Methodology:The study was a community based descriptive cross-sectional study involving 563 women of reproductive age who met the inclusion criteria and were selected using a multistage sampling technique. The data was collected with a pretested, semi-structured and interviewer administered questionnaire and was analyzed using EPI-INFO version 3.2.1. A p–value ≤0.05 was considered significant. Results:Most of the women, (96.1%) were aware of family planning and the common methods known were; injections (53.8%), condoms, (52.2%) and Intra Uterine Contraceptive Device, (33.2%). The prevalence of ever use and current use of family planning was 42.5% and 19.4% respectively and the commonest ever and currently used method was the condom (43.9% vs 36.7%). Determinants of current contraceptive use in this study were; educational level of women and their partners, religion of women, family size and number of male children, ever use of contraceptive method, contraceptive knowledge, being able to access and pay for family planning services without partners financial support, prior discussion of family planning with partner, and partner being in support of modern family planning methods use. Conclusion:Most of the determinants of contraceptive use found in this study can modified by appropriate intervention programs.

Introduction: The choice and use of a particular contraceptive method and their sources varies globally. The common modern contraceptive methods used were; condoms, injectables, pills and Intra Uterine Contraceptive Devices (IUCD). Aim: The aims of this study was to determine the pattern of contraceptive method choice and commodity sources among women of reproductive age who are currently using any contraception in communities in Imo State, Nigeria. Methodology: This study was a community based cross-sectional study carried out among 1123 women of reproductive age (15-49 years) living in communities in Imo State, Nigeria. Eligible participant were selected using a multistage random sampling technique and data was collected using a pretested, semi structured and interviewed administered questionnaire. Data was analyzed using a computer software (EPI-INFO Version 3.3.2). Results: The mean age of the women was 32.0±8.0 years. Out of the 1123 women studied, only 305 (27.2%) were current contraceptive users. About two-third of the users (18.2%) were using any form of modern contraceptive method. The common contraceptive methods used were; condoms, periodic abstinence, injections and pills. Contraceptive choice varies with age, marital status, religion and resident of women. Overall most women sourced their contraceptives from the private sector. Most of the barrier methods and pills were sourced from the chemist while the injections, IUCD tubal ligation and implants were sourced from the hospitals. Conclusion: Use of modern contraceptive method was low and the choice of a particular contraceptive type and source of the commodity varies with socio-demographic characteristics of the women. There is need to make contraceptives available and family services accessible to women in a way that will be culturally acceptable to them. Keyword: Contraceptive method, choice, commodity sources, communities, Imo State

Background: About 140 million women worldwide have suffered genital mutilation. The practice is common in several African countries including Nigeria. This paper reviews the prevalence, distribution, causes, consequences and strategies for elimination and proffers solutions to aid elimination of this practice.Methods: Relevant literature pertaining to female genital mutilation in Nigeria were obtained from journals, textbooks, selected documents and internet search of databases using Pubmed, Google scholar and African Journals Online. Cross referencing was used to identify additional articles. The study period was from 2004 to 2016.Results: Female genital mutilation is a common practice in several parts of the country, especially the Southern geopolitical zones. Nationally representative surveys reported a gradual decline in the prevalence. The practice has several negative health and economic consequences. Culture and tradition are important factors fuelling its persistence.Conclusion: Female genital mutilation is a crime against womanhood, posing a great health and financial burden to individuals, families and the society. Although its prevalence is on the decline in many parts of Nigeria, more sustained and coordinated efforts of stakeholders at all levels are needed to fast-track the elimination of this practice in Nigeria.Keywords: Female genital mutilation, circumcision, cutting, Nigeria