Nigeria

In the recent years, male infertility and sub-fertility have increased, which is attributable to many factors. Some trace elements such as zinc and selenium have been shown to play a role in reproduction. The study was designed to determine the serum levels of zinc, selenium and testosterone in infertile males attending fertility clinic in Nnewi. We investigated fifty apparently infertile males (subjects) and twenty apparently healthy fertile males (controls) between the ages of twenty five and fifty five years. The serum levels of zinc and selenium were determined using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer while the serum level of testosterone was determined using Enzyme Immunoassay techniques. The results showed that there were significant differences in the mean serum zinc, selenium and testosterone when compared between the two groups. The results also showed a strong positive correlation between serum levels of zinc and selenium, a negative correlation between serum levels of te...

Lagos is one of the fastest growing cities in Africa, which is grappling with the challenges of poorly managed urbanisation. With an estimated population of about 17.5 million, solid waste management is one of the most pressing environmental challenges currently faced in the city. It is estimated that more than 9071847.4kg of urban waste is generated every day in the city. The city lacks the capacity to deal with such magnitude of waste. Consequently, the city has involved the private sector (private sector participation) in its waste management drive. This article examines the effectiveness of this public-private sector collaboration model in waste management in informal settlements in Lagos using empirical data. Major findings of the article include the irregularity of waste collection owing to a poor road network, an inadequate transport infrastructure and the desire to maximise profit, as well as poor waste handling and disposal methods by the private sector participation operat...

This paper focuses on the examination of Social Studies Education in Nigeria with respect to the view of Gert Biesta’s three functions of education; qualification, socialization, and subjectification functions. It also discussed the concepts and definitions of Social Studies, the aims, goals and objectives of social studies in Nigeria, as well as the views of education by some scholars. Furthermore, the analysis and summary of Professor Biesta’s three functions of education were presented with emphasis on the socialization function. Comparison was drawn as well as the challenges of social studies in Nigeria. Recommendations were also made. Selected anthologies borrowed in the course of putting this paper together were also acknowledged.

This paper focuses on the examination of Social Studies Education in Nigeria with respect to the view of Gert Biesta’s three functions of education; qualification, socialization, and subjectification functions. It also discussed the concepts and definitions of Social Studies, the aims, goals and objectives of social studies in Nigeria, as well as the views of education by some scholars. Furthermore, the analysis and summary of Professor Biesta’s three functions of education were presented with emphasis on the socialization function. Comparison was drawn as well as the challenges of social studies in Nigeria. Recommendations were also made. Selected anthologies borrowed in the course of putting this paper together were also acknowledged.

Metal uptake by biota due to elevated environmental concentrations elicits oxidative stress and could lead to pathological outcomes. The relationship between the histopathological profile of hepatopancreas and gills and altered biochemical features (antioxidant enzymes i.e. GSH, GPx, CAT, SOD, lipid peroxidation (MDA) and serum protein) in the blue crab, Callinectes amnicola from contaminated parts of the Lagos Lagoon was investigated. Monthly crab, sediment and surface water samples were taken from effluent receiving areas of the Lagos lagoon i.e. Makoko, Okobaba, Iddo, Ikoyi and Mid-lagoon (control site) over an 18-month period and analyzed for metal levels (Pb, Cd, Zn and Cu). Significantly higher levels of GPx and lower levels of Pb, Zn and Cu was recorded in gills and hepatopancreas of crabs from the mid-lagoon compared to crabs from other sites. Reaction patterns of gills across the different sites of the lagoon included regressive (ranging from epithelial lifting, disruption ...

Amlodipine and hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) are commonly prescribed in Nigeria either as a monotherapy or in combination with other drugs. The present study was designed to investigate the antihypertensive efficacy of monotherapy with amlodipine or HCTZ and their effects on electrolyte profile in patients with mild to moderate hypertension. A single-blind randomized clinical study was used; fifty patients newly diagnosed with mild to moderate hypertension (aged 33 to 60 years) were recruited and divided into two groups: amlodipine or hydrochlorothiazide each comprising of 25 subjects. The subjects received 5mg of amlodipine or 25mg of hydrochlorothiazide in their respective group once daily for 4 weeks. Blood pressure, serum and urine electrolytes were measured at baseline and weekly throughout the experiment. At the end of follow up, amlodipine reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure significantly more (p<0.001) than HCTZ. At the end of follow up, blood pressure was reduced ...

The blood pressures of 2,526 children aged between 1 and 14 years were measured in their home environments in rural, semi-urban and urban communities in Ilorin. Blood pressure increased with age, but there was no significant difference between the communities. Girls had higher blood pressures than boys between the ages of 9 and 13 years, in the semi-urban and rural communities. The prevalence of high blood pressure in the urban community (9.5%) was higher, though not significantly so, than the rural community (6.3%). It is concluded that the prevalence of paediatric high blood pressure in the African is higher than previously reported.

Liberal fluid intake is one of the key management strategies in sickle cell anaemia [SCA] patients in steady state, but less work has been done on the desire of patients to drink water. Using the Visual Analogue Scale we studied thirst perception [TP] in 20 euhydrated SCA patients and 28 control [HbA] subjects, as well as during dehydration in 13 SCA patients and 9 HbA subjects. Serum and urine samples were collected and analyzed for Na, K ions, creatinine concentrations and haematocrit and specific gravity of urine were determined. During euhydration, TP was significantly [P<0.05] higher in male SCA patients compared to the HbA subjects. In females, TP in SCA patient was not statistically significant compared with HbA subjects. After 13 hours of dehydration, TP was significantly [P<0.05] reduced in female. While dehydration increased TP in HbA subjects, it reduced TP in SCA patients. Fluid intakes after dehydration in SCA patients were not significantly different from the con...

Globally, coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a major public health problem due to its high virulence associated with communities spreading with no definitive treatment and untimely death. Various perceptions have been associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. This study assessed the perception of mitigating strategies and its challenges regarding COVID-19 among residents in Ogun State, Nigeria. A descriptive cross-sectional study design using a multi-stage sampling technique was used to solicit information from 2400 respondents in Ogun State, Nigeria. Data were collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire from 4th to 15th October 2020. Descriptive statistics were employed for data analysis. Findings of this study revealed that avoidance of social gathering (23.5%), the use of face masks (23.3%), and cleaning of hands with sanitizer (22.7) were the most common mitigation strategies adopted by the respondents in the study area, although full adherence was low. The most strategies to prevent the transmission of COVID-19 were suggested by the respondents. These strategies included regular quarantining affected person(s), practicing basic measures, and going to the hospital with 21.5%, 20.6%, and 19.7% respectively. The results also showed that going to Churches and Mosques, inconvenient time of using face masks and restriction from social gathering and clubbing during COVID-19 pandemic were the most challenges faced in the study area. This study concludes that there should be more provision of medical supplies and palliatives for individuals, health education, the enforcement of preventive measures, and free testing and treatment should receive much recognition.

Due to unprecedented threat to the economy and the quality of life caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, this study focused on cost-benefit analysis during the lockdown of COVID-19 and the health belief model of COVID-19 pandemic in Ogun State, Nigeria. A total of 2400 copies of the questionnaire were administered to solicit information from the respondents using systematic random sampling technique on the targeted population while 2363 copies were retrieved and analyzed using descriptive statistics. The findings of the study revealed that the lockdown had negative impacts on health, economic, and social impacts. Results showed that 50.7% of the respondents spent no time going to the market and/or work during COVID-19, and this made 81.9% of them unable to gain extra gain during the lockdown as they were completely restricted for activities. The lockdown had impacts on socioeconomic activities as the prices of consumable goods increased due to the low supply. 71.8% of the respondents indicated that the government did not provide palliative measures for the households. The results further showed that everyone could be infected with