ABUBAKAR SADEEQ

Background: Cancrum oris is a rapid and devastating infectious disease of the orofacial region, which can be life threatening in its fulminant stage. Infection of bone (osteomyelitis) is a possible sequelae of Noma (cancrum oris) and is more likely due to late presentation especially in our environment. A literature search revealed scanty research describing osteomyelitis in Noma patients. Objective: To analyze the clinico–pathology of osteomyelitis in Noma patients diagnosed and treated at Noma Children Hospital, Sokoto. Methods: The design was a 2-year retrospective study of records of Thirty–two patients who had sequestrectomy secondary to osteomyelitis in Noma (Cancrum oris). Age, gender, jaws affected and side of involvement were analyzed Results: The age ranged from 2–11 years with mean ±standard deviation 5.47 ± 2.68 years was recorded. Osteomyelitis in Noma patients was found among 17 (53.10%) males compared to 15 (46.90%) females. In 20 (62. 50%) of the cases, anterior maxi...

This review presents a brief trend in Minna Municipal solid Waste (MSW) management. Municipal solid waste is a major environmental problem in Minna as in many developing towns. Although strict regulations on the management of solid waste are in place, primitive disposal methods such as open dumping and discharge into surface water are still being used in various parts of the town. The review also presents the MSW management structure together with the present situation of generation composition, collection, disposal and treatment. It also provides a brief discussion on the future challenges. Waste generation increases by more than 200 % within two decades and increase in budgetary allocation is not proportional to the waste generation increase. The waste management agency did not have enough resources to tackle the ever increasing Municipal Solid Waste. The collection process is deficient in terms of manpower and vehicle availability. Bin capacity provided is inadequate and their lo...

The standard penetration test (SPT) results (SPT N-values) used in this study were corrected to the standard average energy of 60% (N60) before using them to correlate soil properties and evaluate foundation settlement characteristics and bearing capacity in the North Central zone of Nigeria. Based on the corrected N-values, some geotechnical design parameters including the allowable bearing pressure and elastic settlement of foundations were predicted at varying applied foundation pressures of 50, 100, 200, 300 and 500 kN/m using conventional analytical models and numerical modelling. The numerical analysis results using Plaxis 2D, a finite element code, shows that Meyerhof’s and Peck’s et al. analytical/empirical methods of estimating the allowable bearing pressure of shallow foundations provide acceptable results. Results obtained show that an average bearing capacity value of 150 – 350 kN/m can be used for shallow foundations at embedment depth of 0.6 to 3.6 m in the North Centr...

Diarrhea remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality globally, and still poses a significant threat to the health, wellbeing and survival of under-fives in many developing countries, especially in Africa. This is despite the existence of simple, effective treatment – zinc plus ORS. A comparative cross- sectional design was used to collect information from 302 caregivers. Data was analysed using SPSS version 20. Utilization of zinc plus ORS by caregivers was found to be good (73.5%) in both settings; up to 120 (78.9%) of the caregivers in the urban community compared to over two-thirds 102 (68.0%) of those in the rural community had used zinc plus ORS. This difference was statistically significant between urban and rural caregivers (P=0.01). Caregivers having poor knowledge of zinc plus ORS were 98% less likely to use zinc plus ORS (P=0.00, AOR=0.02, 95% CI=0.00-0.12), caregivers whose children had non severe diarrhoea are 80% less likely to use zinc plus ORS (P=0.00, AOR=0.20, ...

eHealth solutions that use internet and related technologies to deliver and enhance health services and information are emerging as novel approaches to support healthcare delivery in sub-Saharan Africa. Using digital technology in this way can support cost-effectiveness of care delivery and extend the reach of services to remote locations. Despite the burgeoning literature on eHealth approaches, little is known about the effectiveness of eHealth tools for improving the quality and efficiency of health systems functions or client outcomes in resource-limited countries. eHealth tools including satellite communications are currently being implemented at scale, to extend health services to rural areas of Nigeria, in Ondo and Kano States and the Federal Capital Territory. This paper shares the protocol for a 2-year project ('EXTEND') that aims to evaluate the impact of eHealth tools on health system functions and health outcomes. This multisite, mixed-method evaluation includes a...

Background.  Fomites are objects that can become colonized and serve as vectors in the transmission of pathogenic microorganisms. Literature examining the knowledge of healthcare personnel about this method of spread of infection is lacking. We conducted a study to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practices of healthcare personnel across different areas of patient care regarding the spread of infections at a tertiary care hospital in Karachi, Pakistan.Methods.  A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted among healthcare personnel using a self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire contained sections pertaining to demographic details and knowledge, attitude, and practices regarding fomites and their role in the transmission of pathogens.Results.  Three hundred and fifty-three participants completed the questionnaire: 168 were male and 185 were female. Laboratory coats, stethoscopes, and bedside curtains were most frequently identified as fomites by the participants....

Large quantities of agricultural waste are generated daily, and their safe disposal raised much global concern. The popular trends in the stabilization or modification of construction materials, especially soil, have resulted in innovative techniques of utilizing the solid waste materials. This paper presents an experimental investigation into the use of Rice Husk Ash (RHA) as filler to replace Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) in Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (RAP). Results of preliminary tests on RAP showed that its properties for pavement mix design were below the standard specification for road works. For correction, RAP was reconstituted with fresh aggregate. Rice Husk Ash (RHA) was used as partial replacement for Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC). Marshall stability tests were performed on various mixes to investigate the pavement performance indices of the blended materials. The most effective combination of mix constituents that meets all design requirements was 70% RAP, 27% fresh ag...