Prevalence of malocclusion among adolescents in Ibadan, Nigeria.

The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of malocclusion among predominantly Yoruba adolescents in Ibadan, Nigeria, and to compare the results with those of other authors. The sample for this epidemiological survey comprised 636 secondary school students, (334 [52.5%] boys and 302 [47.5%] girls), aged 12-17 years (mean age, 14.72 +/- 1.16 SD). The subjects were randomly selected, and none had received previous orthodontic treatment. Occlusal anteroposterior relationships were assessed based on the Angle classification. Other variables examined were overjet, overbite, crowding, and midline diastema. The results showed that about 24% of the subjects had normal occlusions, 50% had Class I malocclusions, 14% had Class II malocclusions, and 12% had Class III malocclusions. Over 66% had normal overbites, and 14% and 9% had increased and reduced values, respectively. Overjet relationship was normal in 66%, increased in 16%, and decreased in 8%. Crowding was observed in 20% of the subjects and midline diastema in 37%. No statistically significant differences were observed for any occlusal variables (P > .05). Class I malocclusion is the most prevalent occlusal pattern among these Nigerian students. Different patterns of Class II and Class III might be present for the dominant ethnic groups in the country. Therefore, a survey of the occlusal pattern in southeastern Nigerians (Ibo ethnic group) would appear to be worthwhile.     

Leptospirosis among zebu cattle in farms in Kaduna State,Nigeria

ObjectiveTo assess the occurrence of Leptospira spp serovar Hardjo among Zebu cattle in some livestock producing areas of Kaduna State, Nigeria.MethodsSera samples were obtained from 164 Zebu breed of cattle above one year osf age in seven cattle farms were screened for antibodies to Leptospira spp. serovar Hardjo using Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).ResultsAntibodies to Leptospira spp. serovar Hardjo were detected in eighteen (10.98%) out of the 164 animals sampled. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) in seropositivity between the different age groups or between different Zebu breeds.ConclusionThe presence of Leptospirosis among the Zebu breeds of cattle may poses a threat to livestock production and has public health implication due to its zoonotic potential.     

Differences in COVID-19 Preventive Behavior and Food Insecurity by HIV Status in Nigeria

AIDS and Behavior - The aim of the study was to assess if there were significant differences in the adoption of COVID-19 risk preventive behaviors and experience of food insecurity by people living...     

Evaluation of clinical and laboratory correlates of sickle leg ulcers

The exact mechanism for the occurrence of sickle leg ulcers (SLUs) has not been fully explained, although, popular opinion supports a multifactorial etio‐pathogenetic process. Leg ulceration in sickle cell is a chronic and debilitating condition which is difficult to treat and may worsen the psychosocial impact of this illness. This study aims to evaluate the laboratory and clinical correlates of SLUs. One hundred sixty‐seven patients who had been diagnosed with sickle cell anemia (homozygous S) had their steady‐state hemoglobin concentration (Hb), hematocrit, white cell count, platelet count, serum bilirubin, and aspartate transaminase (AST) as well as frequency of crisis per annum evaluated with respect to their relationship to the occurrence of leg ulcers. They were aged 6–53 years (mean age 24.3 years), and prevalence of leg ulcer was found to be 2.75 per 1000 (2.54 per 1000 in females and 2.83 per 1000 in males). The independent sample t‐test showed a significant difference in the serum AST levels in those with SLU (p = 0.029), though a positive correlation did not exist. Other predictors of disease severity found to have positive relationship with each other were the AST and total serum bilirubin 0.207 (p = 0.012); Hb and age 0.130 (p = 0.035); Hb and white cell count ?0.159 (p = 0.010), white cell count and age ?0.113 (p = 0.018). SLUs do not occur in patients with severe disease in sickle cell. The clinical and laboratory indicators of severe sickle cell disease do not correlate positively with the occurrence of SLU. Serum AST may have a relationship with leg ulceration in these patients. Environmental factors most likely play a major part in the etiopathogenesis of leg ulcer and this may require further studies in different sociocultural settings.     

Knowledge of preventive child oral healthcare among expectant mothers in Port Harcourt,Nigeria

This study was carried out to assess the perception of preventive oral care in children among expecting mothers at the antenatal clinic of University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Nigeria. Women who already had one or more children were selected; participants were drawn from among them by consent and a structured questionnaire was administered. Information obtained included sociodemographic information (age, educational level, employment status, and the parity of the women) and participants' perception of child dental care. Data collection spanned a period of four weeks. Three hundred and eighty two respondents participated and they had a mean age of 30.6 (±4.3 SD) years. The majority of the participants were 26–35 years old (76%) and were primiparous (49.5%) with tertiary education (67%). Toothache was their reported reason for a child's first visit to the dentist (47.4%) while routine dental check-up accounted for (42.7%). A third (35.3%) of the participants agreed that tooth cleaning should begin as soon as the first tooth erupts; 20.7% opined that soft toothbrush and toothpaste are choice materials for cleaning. There were statistically significant associations between parity and (i) child's visit to the dental clinic (p = 0.00); and (ii) the material used in cleaning the baby's teeth (p = 0.00). Also, educational status and knowledge of routine dental check-ups were significantly associated (p = 0.04). The perceptions of dental visits, cleaning of teeth, and commencement of unassisted tooth brushing in children were poor. Pediatric oral health education should be incorporated into ante- and post-natal clinics.     

Antimicrobial evaluation of methanolic extract of Colliandra surinamensis on some pathogenic organisms

The crude extract of Colliandra surinamensis is used in traditional medicine for the treatment of some diseases/infections. The crude extract obtained from the flower of Colliandra surinamensis was found to have antimicrobial activity against some Gram positive organisms such as Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis and Steptococcus species. The performance of the extract against the bacteria isolates was favorably comparable with established commercial antibacterial agents.