MOSP - Macao Scientific Publishers

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Standard serological tests for diagnosis of bovine brucellosis in Mathura district of Western Uttar Pradesh, India

Indu Sharma* and B. Bist

Abstract: A total of 56 serum samples from suspected cattles and 5 from brucellosis-free non- vaccinated cattle herd were collected from various livestock farms in Mathura district of Western Uttar Pradesh, of which 16 serum samples found to be positive were subjected to all the three serological tests that is Rose Bengal plate test (RBPT), Standard tube agglutination test (STAT) and Dot- enzyme linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA) respectively. The isolation of Brucella abortus from cervical swab samples was vital in the confirmation of Brucella infection and epidemiological evaluation of the herd. High titer of 1:320 and 1:640 was observed in the present investigation. Two (12.5%) isolates out of 16 samples were positive by STAT and all the 6 RBPT positive samples (100%) exhibited negative results by STAT. However, it was observed that all the 16 samples (100%) which earlier revealed to be negative for RBPT and STAT exhibited positive results with Dot- ELISA. In the present study though Dot-ELISA proved to be the most sensitive of the 3 tests used, it can, however be suggested that a combination of RBPT and Dot ELISA should be used, especially in case of those samples that are found to be negative by either RBPT or STAT used alone or in combination.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Brucellosis, Rose Bengal plate test (RBPT), Standard tube agglutination test (STAT), Dot enzyme linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA).

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Barriers to timely health seeking behaviour for children among care givers in an urban slum in Uganda

Nabukeera-Barungi Nicolette* and Stefan Peterson

Abstract: Current population trends show increasing rural-urban migration, with majority living in urban slums. Studies show higher disease burden and childhood mortality in the slums than rural areas. Late reporting to hospital is the main contributor to the reported 50 to 70% of hospital deaths in the first 24 h of admission in resource limited settings. Providing a free health unit within 5 km radius of every community is assumed to bridge the access gap. We set out to describe barriers to timely health seeking behaviour among caregivers of children under- 5 years in an urban slum community with geographical access free healthcare. This qualitative research used focus group discussions and key informant interviews. Subjects were caretakers of children under- 5 years living in Makerere Kivvulu slum. Their perceived risks of death during illness, options when children get sick, preferences, determinants of their choices and barriers to health care were assessed. Our study found that the caretakers could identify the signs of serious illness which needed hospitalization. The availability of money was the main determinant of their healthcare choices. They had several options for health care but they preferred Mulago Hospital, a free national referral hospital which also serves as their first level health unit. They appreciated the quality of services and the close proximity but are overwhelmed by barriers to its utilization. These barriers included long waiting hours, bribery in the waiting lines, rudeness of the health workers, lack of drugs in these free facilities among others. Although the community in this urban slum seem to have geographical access to free medical services, financial access still remains the main barrier to its utilization. For communities which depend on a daily income, a day spent in hospital translates into financial loss. [...] Read More.

Keywords: Urban slums, health seeking behaviour, free health services.

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Validity of self-reported height and weight and factors associated with errors in self-report

Anil Chankaramangalam Mathew*, Thazhuthekudiyil Sathyan Anithadevi, Rowther Shamna Safar, Singanallur Lakshmanan Ravi Shankar, Moosa Saira Banu and Yunsheng Ma

Abstract: The aim of this investigation is to assess the validity of self-reported height and weight and to examine factors associated with errors in self-report. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, South India, from June 20 to August 20, 2011. The study involved 389 men and 355 women aged 20 years and above. We found that self-reported height and weight were significantly correlated with measured height and weight for men and women [Pearson’s correlation coefficient(r) for men and women: 0.61 and 0.44 in height, 0.91 and 0.85 in weight, 0.76 and 0.64 in body mass index (BMI), respectively]. The prevalence of obesity based on self-reported height and weight were 7.9 and 15.8% for men and women, respectively, which was slightly smaller than that based on measured data 7.7 and 19.7%, respectively. Sensitivity and specificity of obesity based on self-report for both men and women were 97, 62% in men and 89, 64% in women, respectively. Participants with higher measured BMI significantly underestimated their weight compared to those with smaller BMI. It is also observed that among both men and women with measured BMI above 18.5 kg/m2 were likely to underestimate their weight and BMI below 18.5 kg/m2 were likely to overestimate their weight. However, the presence of diabetes, hypertension and heart disease was not associated with the difference between measured and self-reported height and weight for both men and women. Our findings indicate that self-reported weight has an acceptable agreement with measured data, but self-reported height has only a moderate agreement with measured data. There were no significant differences by presence of chronic disease and educational level between the self-reported and measured height and weight in both men and women.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Validity, body weight, body height, self-report, obesity.

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Characteristics of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) patients and predictors of common bile duct (CBD) stones in a Tertiary Hospital, Saudi Arabia

Wael. A. Shahin,* and Hassan. A. Bokhary

Abstract: Biliary disorders vary in different parts of the world. Study of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) cases gives an idea about the biliary disorders in the community. The aim of the study is to determine the characteristics of ERCP patients and predictors of common bile duct (CBD) stone in a tertiary hospital in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. This[x1] study was conducted on 135 patients admitted at Al Noor Specialist Hospital, Makkah, during the years 2009 and 2010. Patient demographics, presentation, liver function tests, comorbid conditions, ultrasound and ERCP findings were studied. The mean age of patients was 46.59 ± 17.6 yrs and female / male[x2] ratio was 1.56/1. [x3] Female[x4] patients were significantly younger, having more biliary colic (42.7 vs. 11.3%), biliary pancreatitis (11 vs. 3.8%), gall bladder stones (64.6 vs. 56.6%), history of cholecystectomy (12.2 vs. 5.7%) and less serum bilirubin (4.27± 3.95 vs. 9.73 ± 7.95), while male patients presented with obstructive jaundice more than female patients (84.9 vs. 46.3%). Pancreatico-biliary malignancy was found in jaundiced, diabetic patients older than 65 years. There was CBD stone in 56.3% of patients,[x5] CBD stones was significantly less in biliary pancreatitis patients (4 vs. 13.6%). Predictors of CBD stones were history of cholecystectomy, high alanine transaminase (ALT) and high alkaline phosphatase (ALP) serum levels. The sensitivity and specificity of abdominal ultrasound in detecting CBD stones were 69.5 and 88.1%. ERCP patients in Makkah are similar to patients in other areas of Saudi Arabia. No significant difference between Saudi and Non Saudi [x6] patients. Malignancy should be suspected in old age, diabetic, jaundiced patients. Biliary pancreatitis is more common in female patients with low incidence of CBD stones. Predictors of CBD stones are previous cholecystectomy, high ALT and high ALP serum levels. Abdominal ultrasound is still a good screening tool for CBD stones detection. [...] Read More.

Keywords: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), common bile duct (CBD) stone predictors, Makkah, Saudi Arabia.

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Detection and management of a norovirus gastroenteritis outbreak, Special Olympics World Summer Games, Greece, June 2011

Kassiani Mellou*, Maria Potamiti-Komi, Theologia Sideroglou, Athina Kallimani, Agoritsa Baka, Dimitris Iliopoulos, Evaggelos Liapis, Georgios Rigakos, Aikaterini Karageorgou, Maria Tseroni, Anastasia Chatziefstratiou, Sophia Iliopoulou, Elisavet Kamolinou, Kostantinos Tsitlakidis, Dimitris Zarifis and Stefanos Bonovas

Abstract: The 2011 Special Olympics Summer Games were hosted in Greece, from 25 June to 4 July. A syndromic surveillance system was implemented for the needs of the Games. On 26 June a cluster of viral gastroenteritis cases among the members of the British delegation was detected. The delegation had arrived in Athens on 24 June from the island where they had been on holidays since 20 June. Control measures were implemented. Descriptive epidemiological data were gathered and a 1:1 case-control study was conducted. Controls were selected via simple random sampling, using a list of the British delegation members and a random number table. Data showed that this was a common point source outbreak. Cases were exposed on 24 June during their return to Athens. The only recognised statistically significant risk factor was a prior contact with a symptomatic case (OR=14.6, 95% CI 1.81-118.1). One specific case that reported vomiting during the trip was identified as the probable source of the outbreak. Two stool samples were positive for norovirus. Control measures resulted to the restriction of the outbreak and no cases were notified among the members of the other delegations. The syndromic surveillance system detected the outbreak on the first day of the Games. The investigation revealed the lack of laboratory capacity for virological testing of stool samples and the effectiveness of syndromic surveillance to identify the outbreak.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Norovirus, outbreak, olympic games, syndromic, control, mass-gathering.

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Correlation of maternal albumin and birth weight of babies in a Nigerian Teaching Hospital

Baba Usman Ahmadu*, Adebayo Ayub-Eniola Ayodele, Haruna Ngadda, Usman Jungudu and Kyari Sandabe Mustapha

Abstract: Poor nutrition is high in population residing mostly in developing countries. Maternal albumin deficiency could have influence on birth weight of babies. This study looked at the correlation of maternal albumin and birth weight of babies at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital. Ninety eight mother-baby pairs were selected using systematic random sampling method. Maternal albumin was determined using the Bromocresol Green method and birth weight of baby’s was assessed using the bassinet weighing scale. The relationship between maternal albumin and birth weight was investigated by correlation analysis, and analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to test for significance of data. There were 52 (53.1 %) male and 46 (46.9 %) female babies. Most mothers 86 (87.8%) had acceptable albumin levels. Mean (SD) of birth weight of babies and maternal albumin were 3.01(0.60) and 38.92 (6.07) respectively. A positive correlation coefficient was found between maternal albumin and mean birth weight of babies, however, this was not significant (r = 0.483, p = 0.227). Maternal albumin varies directly with mean birth weight of babies; however, this relationship was not significant in this study. Further work in this regard is hereby recommended.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Maternal albumin, babies weights, mother-baby pairs, teaching hospital, Nigeria.

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Knowledge and attitude of male dental students toward HIV/AIDS in King Khalid University, Saudi Arabia

Full Length Research Paper

Abstract: In Saudi Arabia, according to recent epidemiological data from Ministry of Health 2009, number of HIV/AIDS cases are 15213. One of the most serious threats that dental students face during their clinical training, is the possibility of exposure to blood-borne pathogens, with the attendant risk of infection with HIV. The objective of this study is to assess the level of knowledge and attitude toward. This was a cross sectional analytic study among all male students of the Dental College of King Khalid University, who agreed to participate in the study. A validated self-administered anonymous questionnaire was used for data collection. The questionnaire includes four major categories: demographic variables, eighteen closed questions about knowledge of HIV infection, fifteen questions about oral manifestations of Human immunodeficiency virus infection / acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) and seventeen questions addressed attitudes regarding treating HIV-positive patients, legal aspects, the right of HIV-positive health personnel to practice, and willingness to treat. Out of 400 male dental students invited to participate in the study, 363 returned filled questionnaire giving a response rate of 90.8%. Their age ranged between 20 and 29 years with a mean of 23.6 ± 1.6 years. The total mean knowledge score was 62.7% (good). Insufficient total knowledge score was reported among almost one-third of the dental students (34.7%). The overall mean attitude score was 66.4 ± 6.8%. The attitude in 9.1% was positive, 90.1% negative, and 0.8% passive. Pearson correlation coefficient showed students with higher knowledge scores had significantly more positive attitudes towards HIV/AIDS patients (r=0.223, p[...] Read More.

Keywords: AIDS, HIV, knowledge, dental.

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Kenyaâ€™s nightmares in educational race towards vision 2030

Review

Abstract: Education plays a pivotal role in contributing to the human resource development and to nations general economic development in today’s globalizing context. Education is viewed as ‘adding value’ to investment on human capital; this has seen changing labor market requirements shift to the phenomena of ‘lifelong learning’. Like many other countries in Africa, Kenya has since independence in 1963, invested heavily in education as a means to social and economic development for her citizenry. The present study was envisaged to establish Kenya’s education growth since independence and assess her current challenges. Data were collected from Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, Ministry of National Planning and Development and Ministry of Education. The data were analyzed by use of descriptive statistics. Findings were presented by use of tables, charts and histogram. It was established that over the past five decades the number of students enrolled at various levels of education has substantially increased. At primary level enrollment grew from 891,533 in 1963 to 7.8 million in 2010. At secondary level enrollment grew from 30,000 in 1963 to 1.4 million in 2010 with corresponding increase of school to 5186 from 151 at independence. Enrollment in the universities has been increasing since the establishment of university of Nairobi in 1970. Currently there are 7 public universities, 16 university colleges and 13 private universities. However, despite the rapid quantitative growth in the education sector, many nightmares still haunt Kenya’s efforts. The nightmares range from quality, equity, low transition rates to inefficiency; making attainment of the millennium development goals by the year 2015 as well as Vision 2030 seem a dreams! It is recommended that, an integrated approach that involves all the educational stakeholders in monitoring all education inputs and operations be embraced.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Growth, education, nightmare, millennium, haunt, independence.

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The Link Between ICT Proficiency and Technology Adoption Attitudes Among Lecturers in Nigerian Tertiary Institutions

Philip Olu Jegede*, Odusola Olutoyin Dibu-Ojerinde and Matthew Olugbenga Ilori

International Journal of Education Research and Reviews ISSN 2329-9843 Vol. 13 (3), pp. 001-004, March, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

The Link Between ICT Proficiency and Technology Adoption Attitudes Among Lecturers in Nigerian Tertiary Institutions

Philip Olu Jegede1*, Odusola Olutoyin Dibu-Ojerinde1 and Matthew Olugbenga Ilori2

1Faculty of Education, Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria
2Faculty of Technology Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria

Accepted 21 November, 2024

The study investigates the relationship between ICT competence and attitude as well as attitudinal constructs of teachers. Four hundred and sixty seven teachers randomly selected from 10 institutions (5 universities and 5 colleges of education) participated in the study. Information bordering on ICT competence and attitude of the teachers were collected employing two research instruments. The resulting data were analyzed using multiple regressions. Findings revealed that attitude bears signi-ficant relationship with and also predicts competence. It was further obtained that two of the five attitude constructs predict competence. It was observed that as teachers perceived computers to be useful in their pedagogical enterprise, the interests become aroused which in turn help their computer skills.

Key words: Computer attitude, Competence, Relationships.

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Research Output of Academic Staff in the South-South Zone of Nigeria

Bassey Usang*, Akuegwu Basil, Udida Lucy and Udey Franca .U.

International Journal of Education Research and Reviews ISSN 2329-9843 Vol. 13 (3), pp. 001-006, March, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Research Output of Academic Staff in the South-South Zone of Nigeria

Bassey Usang1*, Akuegwu Basil1, Udida Lucy1 and Udey Franca .U.2

1Department of Educational Administration and Planning, University of Calabar, Calabar Nigeria. 2Department of Educational Foundations and Administration, Guidance and Counseling, Cross River State University of Technology, Calabar, Nigeria

Accepted 2 January, 2025

This study examined academic staff research productivity in Universities in South-South zone of Nigeria. Ex post facto design was adopted for this study. Three hypotheses were formulated to guide this study. The sample size comprised of 480 academic staff drawn from a population of 3120. Data collection was carried out using a researcher – constructed instrument called Academic Staff Research Productivity Inventory (A.S.R.P.I.), which was validated and pilot tested. The data obtained were treated statistically using Independent t -test and contingency Chi-square (X2) analyses. Results indicated that male and female academic staff differed significantly in their research productivity; married and single academic staff differed significantly in their research productivity and there is a significant influence of areas of specialization on academic staff research productivity. It was recommended that academic staff in universities should be encouraged to carry out research work irrespective of their gender, marital status and areas of specialization.

Key words: Academic staff, research productivity, South South zone, Nigerian Universities.

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