bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Placenta percreta with attachment to the small bowel and spontaneous uterine rupture: A case report
Authors: Attah RA
Published: September 2023

Placenta percreta is quite an uncommon and potentially dangerous condition in pregnancy, which could lead to morbidity and mortality. It can adhere or invade the structure(s) adjacent to the uterus including the urinary bladder, rectum, and small intestine. The invasion of bladder is common but that of small bowel is extremely rare. This report presents a case of placenta percreta with small bowel attachment and spontaneous uterine rupture at 35 weeks gestation in a pregnancy conceived through invitro fertilization with history of previous myomectomy which was managed without intestinal resection.
Patients’ reactions to digital rectal examination of the prostate
Authors: Udoh EA  , Peter OO
Published: September 2023

Background: Digital rectal examination (DRE) of the prostate is a simple, fast, cost effective and safe procedure, however, because of previous painful experience, some men may refuse it. Other negative factors include cultural barriers, fear of discovering cancer and embarrassments. However, some men accept DRE because of their symptoms and wishes to contribute to science. The aim of this study was to examine how previous experience of DRE could influence a repeat and to further evaluate their impression before and after DRE including pain score.Patients and Methods: We evaluated one hundred patients who met the inclusion criteria using a structured questionnaire that detailed information on patients biodata, their previous DRE experiences, expectations before and reactions after a repeat. Pain score was also examined using visual analog scale of 0 to 10. Data were collated and analysed using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 20.0. P-value was set at <0.05.Results: Mean age of patients was 64.88±7.53 years ranging from 46 to 82 years. Forty five percent of them complained of pain from previous DRE while 55% reported no pain. Forty one percent of the men anticipated pain before this present procedure but only 8% of them reported that it was painful and humiliating after the procedure. Fifty nine percent had good impression before DRE and after the procedure 92% reported good impression. All patients expressed their willingness to repeat DRE in future if need be and to encourage friends who may need DRE evaluation of their condition. Mean pain score was 0.59 ± 1.349 (0 – 9).Conclusion: Patients previous experience of DRE could negatively influence a repeat procedure because of pain, improper counseling apart from some cultural barriers. DRE in the hands of Urologists has been better tolerated than other clinicians. This calls for proper exposure of medical students to this procedure and need for continuous medical education for other clinicians for skills improvement.
Fixed-prosthodontics in Nigerian private practice settings
Authors: Ikusika OF  , Idon PI  , Alalade O  , Sotunde AO  , Akinpelu MA  , Igweagu CE
Published: September 2023

Context: Private practice dentistry is predominant in Nigeria. Audits of fixed-prosthodontic practice in these settings are rare and will highlight capacity and guide training. This study aimed to assess the scope and quality of fixed-prosthodontic practice in such settings in Nigeria.

Objectives: The study sought to assess:

Participants’ sociodemographic and their diagnostic and preoperative practices.

The quality of impression making and operative technique, reviews and maintenance, temporization practices and communication with the laboratory.

The range of treatments given and provision of advanced treatments.

Materials and Methods: An adapted questionnaire was administered electronically on Nigerian dentists practicing fixed-prosthodontics in private practice settings. Retrieved data underwent descriptive statistics and associations were tested with the Fischer’s Exact and Chi-Square tests using IBM SPSS Statistics version 21. Statistical significance was set at p≤0.05.Results: A total of 100 valid responses with a male:female ratio of 2.1:1 from 16 states were retrieved. Fifty-nine participants had only first degrees and mean experience was 14.3±9.5 years. There were 27 adequate responses with regards to range of treatments offered. Sixty-three participants practiced direct temporization. Twenty-one and 14 participants regularly practiced implantology and CAD/CAM dentistry respectively. Direct temporization was significantly associated with increasing education (X2=6.03, p=0,05) and experience (X2=13.2, p=0.03).Conclusion: Only a few Nigerian dentists in private practice gave an adequate range of treatment. Most of them prefer direct temporization. Implantology and CAD/CAM dentistry practice are improving, but are still not very common.
Correlates of exclusive breast feeding among nursing mothers attending child health clinic at a general hospital in Rivers State Nigeria
Authors: Ogbondah BO
Published: September 2023

Background: Early initiation of breast feeding and feeding exclusively for six months have great implication for the survival, well-being and growth of new borne. Factors such as maternal age, occupation, religion, spouse age, spouse occupation, parity, antenatal care (ANC) attendance, mode of delivery (MOD) and birth order are significantly associated with exclusive breast feeding (EBF)

Methodology: The study is a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted among nursing mothers attending child health clinic in General Hospital Bonny, in Bonny Island, Rivers State, Nigeria. All eligible nursing mother who presented at the clinic were enlisted for the study. Enlistment of eligible participants was done on every child welfare clinic day. Data was collected using a pretested, interviewer administered, structured questionnaire which was adapted and prepared in English Language. Categorical data was analyzed using multinomial logistic regression model with statistical significance set at 0.05.

Result: Results from this study identified significant association between EBF and some maternal variables such as age, occupation and religion. Spouse age and occupation were significantly associated with EBF. ANC attendance, gestational age, MOD, parity and birth order were also significant variables associated with EBF.

Conclusion: Maternal variables such as age, occupation, religion, parity, MOD, ANC attendance including spouse age and occupation significantly influence EBF of new borne.
Cadmium and Mercury Exposure: Oxidative, Neurobehavioural and Histological Alterations to the Cerebellum of Wistar Rats
Authors: Enogieru AB  , Inneh CA
Published: September 2023

Background: The unprecedented increase in metal exposure has been aided by modern industrialization and anthropogenic activities. Cadmium and mercury are recognized as two of the most common heavy metals with destructive impacts on most organ systems. The present study was designed to investigate and improve existing literature on the possible deleterious effects of cadmium and mercury exposure.

Methods: Adult Wistar rats were treated with cadmium chloride (5 mg/kg/day) and mercury chloride (4 mg/kg/day) for 14 days. Body, brain and cerebellar weights, motor deficits, antioxidant and lipid peroxidation activities as well as histological alterations to the cerebellum were evaluated at the end of the experiment.

Results: Findings showed a significant reduction in body and brain weights, dysregulation of antioxidant enzymes activity and impaired locomotion and exploratory activity in treated rats. Also, an increase in lipid peroxidation and degeneration of Purkinje cells of the cerebellum was observed in treated rats.

Conclusion: Overall, these results corroborate previous findings that cadmium and mercury induce deleterious effects on the cerebellum and central nervous system. In addition, this study helps to provide an anatomical perspective and information on the exact cerebellar changes induced by cadmium and mercury in Wistar rats.
Histopathological pattern of endoscopic gastric biopsies in dyspeptic patients in a Nigerian population
Authors: Raphael S  , Amadi DC
Published: September 2023

Background and Objective: Dyspepsia is one of the most common complaints encountered in the general outpatient and gastroenterology clinics in Nigeria. Histopathological assessment of endoscopic gastric mucosa biopsy is crucial to delineate the exact cause of dyspepsia to guide patients’ management. This study aimed to determine and document the histopathological basis of dyspepsia among dyspeptic patients at our facility.

Material sand Methods: This was a three year descriptive retrospective study and the materials consisted of all gastric endoscopic biopsies taken from clinically diagnosed dyspeptic patients sent to the Department of Histopathology of the Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, Nigeria.

Results: The biopsies were from 64 (53.2%) male patients and 56 (46.8%) female patients, giving a male to female ratio of 1.14:1. The age range of the patients was 28-82 years with a mean of 56 years at presentation. Helicobacter Pylori (H. Pylori) bacilli were identified in the samples of 42 (35%) patients but absent in samples of 78 (65%) patients. The histopathological pattern of the aetiological basis of dyspepsia in this study consisted of gastritis (96, 80%), functional (17, 14.2%), adenocarcinoma (4, 3.3%) and polyps (3, 2.5%). H. Pylori bacilli were seen only in patients with gastritis (42/96, 43.8%), and it affected 19 (45.2%) male patients and 23 (54.8%) female patients. Chronic active H. Pylori associated gastritis (24, 25%) was the most common form of gastritis seen during the study period.

Conclusion: The main organic cause of dyspepsia in our setting was chronic gastric followed in the distant by gastric adenocarcinoma and polyp. Dyspepsia and H. Pylori associated gastritis did not show a significant gender predilection.
Knowledge and Attitude towards Pregnancy Care and Delivery among Male Commercial Motorcyclists in Ibadan, Nigeria
Authors: Ibirongbe DO  , Ogunwale BE  , Akeke FA  , Asuzu MC
Published: September 2023

Background: Men’s influences are gradually being recognised in pregnancy and delivery care. The study aims to determine the knowledge and attitude of male commercial motorcyclists on pregnancy care and delivery of women.

Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among married male commercial motorcyclists, operating in Ibadan North Local Government Area selected using a cluster sampling technique. Data was collected using a pre-tested, structured interviewer-administered questionnaire, and analysed using SPSS version 16. Each section was evaluated using rating of a three-point Likert scale with each item scored based on responses ranging from disagree to agree. Results were presented in tables and charts.

Results: Four hundred and fifty three male commercial motorcyclists were interviewed. The mean age was 34.2±7.3years, 301 (66.4%) had secondary education, while 390 (86.1%) were in a monogamous marriage. Thirty 30(6.6%) respondents did not know when their wives registered for ANC while majority, 444(98.1%) did not know the duration of their wives’ labour. Few respondents 46 (10.2%) recognized vaginal bleeding as a common danger signs in pregnancy while 277 (61.1%) agree that women should have at least four ANC visits before delivery. Many of the respondents 315 (69.6%) had good knowledge, and 304 (67.1%) had positive attitude towards antenatal and delivery care.

Conclusion: Educational efforts on maternal health care should also focus on the men to improve their knowledge, attitude and involvement in antenatal and pregnancy.
Biochemical aspect of crime: a case study of testosterone levels among rapists in Enugu State
Authors: Nwachukwu CF  , Ulumma O
Published: September 2023

Testosterone concentration is a contributing factor to rape tendency. Our research aimed to determine the plasma testosterone concentrations in male rapists. Subjects (100) recruited from Enugu state prison grouped viz: Violent-rapist (VR), nonviolent-rapist (NVR), violent child-molester (VCM), nonviolent child-molester (NCM), and none rapist (NR). The blood sample was collected in the morning (8-9) for four months by veno-puncture and used in the determination. The testosterone levels determination was by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. The results indicated the mean age of 33 (VR), 34 (NVR), 46 (VCM), 47 (NCM), and 32 (NR). The age at first intercourse was highest in NCM (18) and lowest in VR (13). Heterosexuals were highest in VR (14) and lowest in NCM (6). Homosexuals were highest in NCM (4) and non in VM, NVR, and NR (0). In bisexuals, NVR and NCM were the highest (4), the NR (1) was the lowest. The concentrations of testosterone (in ng/100ml) were 8.65 (VR), 9.23 (NVR), 9.63 (VCM), 7.73 (NCM) and 7.95 (NR). The testosterone concentration of the VR, NVR, and VCM is higher than NR. The NCM was lower than the NR. This result suggests that VR, NVR, and VCM are associated with higher testosterone concentrations in males. The modest associations indicate that there might be other influencing factors. The relationship between testosterone levels in rapists and child molestation is, at best, tentative. In some people, hormonal factors might influence the likelihood of rape and child molestation.
Initiation, maintenance and continuation of exclusive breast feeding: Socio-demographic and maternal correlates for abandonment
Authors: Ogbondah BO
Published: September 2023

Background: Exclusive breast feeding (EBF) has been shown to be an important and effective feeding practice essential for infant development. Initiation, maintenance and continuation of EBF were associated with several maternal and socio-demographic characteristics which influence EBF abandonment.

Methodology: The study is a prospective cross-sectional study conducted at the child health clinic in general hospital Bonny, in Bonny Island. The study population were nursing mothers of infants six months and below. All eligible nursing mothers that presented to the clinic were enlisted into the study until the required sample size was achieved. Study tool was a structured interviewer administered questionnaire. Multinomial regression analysis was done using SPSS with statistical significance set at 0.05.

Result: Results reveal significant statistical association between duration of EBF and some maternal variables such as parity, ante-natal attendance, breast feeding counselling, birth interval, gestational age and mode of delivery. Also, significant association was seen between duration of EBF and socio-demographic characteristics such as maternal occupation, income, education and marital status.

Conclusion: Abandonment of EBF before and its continuation up to six months can be influenced by socio-demographic factors such as maternal occupation, income and marital status. Other maternal variables which also influence EBF include ante-natal care attendance including the number of times of breast-feeding counselling, mode of delivery, gestational age, parity and birth interval.
Anthropometry of thyromental distance of adult Ibibios and Annangs in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria
Authors: Ekanem AU  , Inoh MI  , Inoh EE  , Etukudo SD
Published: September 2023

The thyromental distance (TMD) is defined as the distance from the thyroid notch to mental prominence with the head fully extended. The objective of this study was to investigate thyromental distance among adults of Ibibio and Annang Ethnic groups of southern Nigeria. A total of 600 volunteers consisting of 313 (52.2%) males and 287 (47.8%) females, aged between 21-50 years were measured. Annang males and females had higher thyromental distance of (7.27 ± 0.06 cm; 6.91±0.05 cm) compared to the Ibibio males and females (7.13±0.06cm; 6.82±0.05 cm), respectively. The mean thyromental distance of the Annang subjects was significantly higher at p˂ 0.03 than that of the Ibibio adults. In most cases the highest mean thyromental distance was recorded within the 31-40 years age range.
Sonographic Measurement of the Spleen in the healthy adult Nigerian Population in Enugu State, Nigeria
Authors: Obiozor AA
Published: September 2023

Context: measurement of the spleen with ultrasound in order to obtain normal lengths (nomogram) is possible because ultrasound is devoid of ionizing radiation, it is real time, readily available, cheap easily reproducible and has high specificity and high sensitivity values.

Aim: Sonographic measurement of the spleen was carried out in 500 healthy adult Nigerians in Enugu State in order to determine the nomogram for the spleen and to correlate the measurements with the sex, age, height, weight and body mass index, so as to find out whether there is a significant difference in the size of this organ as compared to other races in the reviewed literature.

Materials and Methods: Measurement of the spleen was carried out in 500 healthy adult Nigerians comprising 195 males (39%) and 305 females (61%). The individuals were not less than twenty (20) years as at the time of data collection. The data was analyzed using SPSS statistical package version 20.0. The mean, median, variance, standard deviation of the spleen sizes were evaluated and correlated with the age, sex, weight, height and body mass index of the subjects.

Results: the mean splenic length for males was 104.1±14.5mm and 103.3±13.4mm for females with P values of 0.515. The mean splenic width was 62.9±12.8mm for males and 60.3±10.6 for females with P values of 0.013 which is significant showing that males have longer splenic width than females. There was a significant relationship between age and spleen width in both sexes with P values of 0.001. There is also a significant correlation of the spleen dimension with body mass index in both sexes with P values <0.05. Furthermore, the result shows that there was a correlation of the splenic length and width with age. There was also positive correlation of the splenic length with Body Mass Index P values 0.014, height P values 0.000 but not with subject’s weight P values 0.311.

Conclusion: There is significant correlation of the spleen width with height, weight but not with body mass index. Males have greater splenic width than females. There is also a significant correlation of the splenic length and width with age.
COVID-19 Vaccination: Infectivity and Symptomaticity of SARS- COV-2 among residents in Bonny Island, Rivers State, Nigeria
Authors: Ogbondah BO  , Owhonda G  , Luke A  , Jaja ID  , Green P  , Pius OM
Published: September 2023

Background: In December 2019, the severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-COV-2) popularly called COVID-19 emerged. The disease is associated with asymptomatic, mild to severe respiratory symptoms. Use of Vaccine is essential in its control and in Bonny Island, the AstraZeneca chAdOx 1 novel Coronavirus 2019 vaccine was used. Study objective is to determine the effectiveness of this vaccine in preventing infection and symptoms associated with the virus on residents of Bonny Island.
Method: Study is a facility based cross-sectional study, conducted between May and October 2021, at General Hospital Bonny, a COVID 19 testing and vaccination center. Study population were respondents who had previously been vaccinated for Covid-19 that visited the facility for COVID-19 PCR test. All eligible respondents were enlisted into the study until the sample size of 623 was achieved. Interviewer administered questionnaire was used to collect information on socio-demographics and medical history including vaccination status. Multivariate regression analysis using SPSS version 21.0 was used to analyze data with statistical significance set at 0.05. Ethical clearance and permission for the study were granted by appropriate authority while informed consent was extracted from respondents.
Result: There was statistically significant association between COVID-19 vaccination and negative COVID-19 PCR test result (OR 5.98), married couple and age (0-20 and 21-30 years the most and least compliant respectively). There was no significant relationship between symptoms associated with COVID-19 infection and vaccination status.
Conclusion: COVID-19 vaccination uptake protects against COVID 19 infection but does not have any significant effect on symptoms associated with the infection. Married couple and respondents aged 0-20 years were more compliant to vaccine uptake.
Computed tomographic evaluation of head injury patients in Umuahia, Abia State Nigeria
Authors: Obiozor AA  , Imo A  , Aka CK
Published: September 2023

Background: Trauma to the scalp, skull and brain is defined as head injury. Head injury is a silent killer, especially in patients that have intracranial hemorrhage with mass effect on the brain parenchyma. It is a major health challenge worldwide especially in places where there is lack of medical insurance, ignorance and non availability of the right imaging modality. Before the advent of Computed Tomography (CT), plain radiographs had been the imaging modality available for the evaluation of head injury. Plain radiographs give limited information about head injury because apart from skull fractures, plain radiographs cannot confirm diagnosis of intracranial collections, brain contusions and others. CT scan was chosen because its four dimensional images can be reconstructed with volume rendering, bone details can be evaluated, and with the Hounsfield unit, measurements of collections, haematomas can be evaluated. There are not much reports on head injury findings in Umuahia and hence this study is set to contribute to the data on head injury in and around Umuahia.

Materials and methods: This is a retrospective study of patients with head injury that came for head CT scan examination in Umuahia from January 2022 to December 2022. Patients were scanned with 160 slides Canon Aquilion CT Scanner; patients were made to lie in supine position. 3mm axial slices were taken from the base of the skull to the vertex with reformatted images. No contrast was used because it is contraindicated in traumatic brain injury. Patients gender, age, aetiology of injury and findings of radiologists were collected as data and entered into Microsoft Excel data base and statistically analyzed using statistical package for social sciences for windows (SPSS inc., USA) version 21.0, and results tabulated.

Results: Out of the total population studied (108), 82.4% were males while 17.6% were females. Majority of the cases fell within the age group of 51yrs- 60yrs(20.4%), followed by 21yrs-30yrs(19.4%) and the least being below1yr (1.9%). Road traffic accident was the commonest cause of head injury (64%), followed by fall from height (19.4%), trauma to the head with weapons (13.9%) while glass bottle trauma and unknown causes were the least having (0.9%) and (1%) respectively. CT findings revealed that 52.1% of the cases resulted in hemorrhages, 18.6% resulted in hematoma formations, 6.5% were soft tissue injuries, 5.4% were pneumo-cephalus and 1.6% resulted in cerebral edema.

Conclusions: Computed Tomography (CT) scan is a very useful tool in the evaluation of patients with head injury. The study showed that more males were involved with head injuries than females and that the most common cause of head injury in Umuahia, Abia State, is road traffic accident with intra-cerebral haemorrhage being the commonest CT finding.
retrospective histomorphologic study of meningeal masses in Benin City, Nigeria
Authors: Udoh MO
Published: September 2023

Background: The rarity of many histologic entities and the common discordance between histologic appearance and biologic behaviour make the diagnosis of meningeal masses challenging. Except for a few common entities like meningioma and meningeal metastases, data on the prevalence of meningeal mass lesions is limited, and most exist as case reports and small case series. This study presents the pattern of meningeal masses in our environment, in the hope of adding to knowledge and awareness of the differential diagnoses of meningeal masses in our environment.

Materials and methods: A retrospective study of meningeal masses histologically diagnosed at the the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin city, Nigeria, based on clinical, demographic and histomorphologic data obtained over a 15-year period.

Results: Total of 140 meningeal masses; 137 neoplastic and 3 non-neoplastic mass lesions. Ages ranged from 3-86 years. Mean age was 45.85 ± 18.16 years. There were 52 males and 88 females with an overall male-female ratio of 1:1.7; but non-meningothelial tumours were more common amongst males. Most common tumour was Meningioma (78.6%), then metastatic tumours (15%), non-meningothelial mesenchymal tumors (4.3%), and hypertrophic pachymeningitis (2.1%). Meningioma, hemangioblastoma and embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma were the most common tumours in children.

Conclusion: Rare histologic entities arising in the meninges, can easily be overlooked in the differential diagnosis of meningeal mass lesions, while the common ones like meningioma and meningeal metastases, are at risk of becoming ‘waste basket’ or ‘safety net’ diagnoses for meningeal tumours. There is need for continuous evaluation and audit of histological diagnoses of meningeal tumours to avoid missing the rare entities that may occasionally be encountered.
Assisted Reproduction in Kano, North-Western Nigeria: A Four-year retrospective study
Authors: Abdullahi HM  , Egwuda K  , Suleiman M  , Warshu IH  , Ladan ZF  , Dayyabu AL  , Miko M  , Yusuf A  , Sheriff A  , Jibril A
Published: September 2023

Background: Infertility is a global problem and it poses severe physical and mental discomfort to the victims. Although considered a breakthrough, the assisted reproductive treatment of infertility such as in-vitro fertilization has been marred by a high failure rate even in technologically advanced societies.

Objective: This research was conducted to understand some of the factors that influence the outcome of in-vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF & ET) and Intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)

Material and method: It is a 4-year retrospective study (April, 2017 to March 2021) which explored information from case notes of patients who underwent IVF& ET treatment at Getwell Fertility center. Information was collected and summarized using a specially designed proforma.

Results: It was discovered in this study that of the 109 IVF treatment offered, the 2 weeks pregnancy rate was 24 (22.9%), the Live birth rate was 19 (18.29%) and miscarriage was 5 (4.5%). The remaining 77.06% had failed procedures.

Conclusion: This study showed that advanced age above 32 years, and obese level of body mass index BMI, were the independent negative predictors of IVF success.
Comparative evaluation of predictors of dental caries among adult population in a metropolitan city in North West Nigeria: A case-control study
Authors: Sotunde OA  , Iliyasu Z  , Idon PI  , Akinboboye BO  , Ikusika OF  , Makanjuola JO  , Enone LL  , Alalade O  , Igweagu CE
Published: September 2023

Background: Dental caries as a disease entity has not been eradicated but controlled worldwide. The predictors of dental caries play a significant role in the holistic approach in the management of dental caries. The aim of this study is to evaluate the predictors of dental caries among adult population in North West Nigeria.

Material and Methods: The study populations consist of adults between 20-60 years old, with diagnosis of dental caries (case) and those without dental caries (control), both were confirmed after intraoral examination. A multistage sampling technique was employed to select the study respondents. Mouth mirror and caries explorer (dental probe) were used for intraoral examination to confirm diagnosis of dental caries. An initial calibration of the research assistants was done on intraoral examination by the principal researcher, assessing the same respondents examined by the research assistants. Data was analyzed using SPSS Statistical software version 20.0.

Results: The older age groups were 4% less likely to have caries (p <0.001, AOR= 0.96, 95% CI =0.94-0.98) while participants that took local sweet drinks were 2.8 times more predisposed. Respondents without scaling and polishing were 4.8 times more likely to have caries (p=0.01, AOR= 4.82 95% CI=1.45-16.05) while those who received oral hygiene instructions were 72% less likely to have caries (p<0.001, AOR=0.28 95% CI= 0.11-0.67).

Conclusion: Age, family history, teeth cleaning method, use of fluoride toothpaste and source of oral health maintenance were found to be independent predictors of dental caries.
Compliance with directly-observed therapy short course regimen and recovery from pulmonary tuberculosis among clients of an infectious disease hospital
Authors: Peters GE  , Ekpeyong AU  , Nabuk NM  , Peters EJ
Published: September 2023

Background: The aim of this study was to assess the compliance with directly-observed therapy short course (DOTS)-regimen and recovery from pulmonary tuberculosis among clients of infectious Diseases Hospital, Ikot Ekpene, Nigeria.

Methods: A descriptive design was used for the study and a total of 100 pulmonary tuberculosis patients who came for medical checkup between August and September 2021 were studied using convenience sampling technique. The instrument used for data collection was a researcher constructed questionnaire with 20 items grouped into sections A and B. Section A, elicited information on the demographic data of the respondents while section B focused on the level of compliance and recovery rate of the patients. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics of percentages on frequency tables and chart while Pearson product Moment Correlation formula was used to analyse the results at 0.05 level of significance.

Results: Findings from the study revealed that majority (72.2%) of the patients had knowledge, 70.6% complied with DOTS regimen and 68.2% recovered from pulmonary tuberculosis. There was no significant relationship between patient’s knowledge of the disease and compliance with DOTS.

Conclusion: It is therefore recommended that adequate information should be given to all pulmonary tuberculosis patients on the need for strict compliance with DOTS in order to recover completely from the infection after treatment.
Effect of chronic formaldehyde exposure on some pulmonary functions among medical students in a tertiary institution in Edo State, Nigeria
Authors: Ebojele FO  , Iyawe VI
Published: September 2023

Background: The effect of formaldehyde exposure on some pulmonary functions among medical students in a tertiary institution in Edo State, Nigeria was studied.
Materials and Methods: 150 subjects were studied which was divided into three groups A, B, and C with 50 subjects in each group. Group A served as control with nil exposure while groups B and C served as the test groups with 0-9 months exposure and 10-18 months exposure respectively. The pulmonary functions measured included Respiratory Rate, Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second (FEV1), FEV1/FVC ratio, Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR) and Forced Expiratory Flow (FEF25-75) and these were obtained with the aid of a digital spirometer. Test results were given as measured values in litres and as percentages of predicted values. Statistical analysis was done using Graph Pad Prism version 5.0. Results were presented as Mean ± SEM. Analysis of Variance was used to compare the means of test and control values while post hoc test was done using Student Newman Keul’s test and a P-value of less than 0.05 was considered as statistically significant.
Results: Results showed significant decrease in FEV1, FEV1/FVC, PEFR and FEF25-75. However, there was a significant increase in Respiratory Rate.
Conclusion: It was therefore concluded that exposure to formaldehyde has deleterious effects on the respiratory health of medical students.
महाकवि महेश कृत ‘जनरामायन’
Authors: पाण्डेय परेश कुमार
Published: September 2023

राम भारतीय संस्कृति के पर्याय एवं मूलाधार हैं। देश के अनेक महान चरित्रों में वे अन्यतम हैं। यहाँ की सनातन संस्कृति ने समय-समय पर उनके चरित्र का रूपायन एवं गायन किया है- ‘हरि अनंत हरि कथा अनंता।’ वे मर्यादा-पुरुषोत्तम के रूप में यहाँ के जन-मन में रमे हुए हैं। राम की जनप्रिय, लोकप्रिय कथा हिन्दी-प्रदेश की विविध उपभाषाओं व बोलियों में ही नहीं अपितु विदेशों में भी लोकप्रिय रही है।
आश्रम पद्धति विद्यालय, राजकीय विद्यालय और अनुदानित विद्यालयों के छात्राओं में आत्म प्रत्यय:एक तुलनात्मक अध्ययन
Authors: त्रिपाठी अभिलाषा
Published: September 2023

समाज कल्याण विभाग की स्थापना वर्ष 1955 में हुयी। सामाजिक-आर्थिक एवं अन्य स्तर से निर्धन दलित व अन्य वर्गो को कल्याणकारी योजनाओं के माध्यम से समाज की मुख्य धारा में लाने का दायित्व सरकार द्वारा इस विभाग को सौंपा गया। 1955 में अस्तित्व में आकर यह विभाग समय-समय पर परिवर्तित एवं परिवर्धित होकर वर्ष 1995-96 में समाज कल्याण के नाम से अस्तित्व में आया। जैसा कि नाम से ही स्पष्ट है कि इसका मूल उद्देश्य समाज के निर्धन वर्गो के हितार्थ कल्याणकारी योजनाओं को लाकर उन्हें लाभान्वित करना होता है जिससे वह एक सम्मानित नागरिक के रूप में अपना जीवन-यापन कर सकें। समाज को प्रगति एवं विकासोन्मुखी बनाने में शिक्षा की अहम भूमिका होती है। इसी को ध्यान में रखते हुए विभाग ने एक योजना बनाई। इसके अन्तर्गत आश्रम पद्धति विद्यालय की स्थापना वर्ष 1975 में की गई जिसका मुख्य उद्देश्य समाज में ऐसे निर्धन परिवारों के छात्रों को शिक्षित एवं संस्कारित करना होता है जो परिवार अपने बच्चों का भरण पोषण एवं शिक्षा दिलाने में असमर्थ होते हैं।
सुलतानपुर जनपद (उत्तर प्रदेश) की साक्षरता में विद्यमान क्षेत्रीय विषमताएँ
Authors: उपाध्याय श्वेता
Published: September 2023

सुलतानपुर जनपद में साक्षरता देश की साक्षरता दर से कम है एवं राज्य औसत के समान है। विकास खण्ड स्तर पर साक्षरता में विषमता देखने को मिलती है। जनपद में साक्षरता की वृद्धि दर भी कम है। साक्षरता की कमी और असमान वितरण के कारण जनपद में विकास की गति मन्द है। साथ ही साथ साक्षरता की कमी इस क्षेत्र के विकास में बाधक है। अतः यदि जनपद का सम्यक विकास करना है तो शिक्षा एवं साक्षरता की दिशा में सुधार लाना होगा।
कालिदास एवं दाम्पत्य
Authors: यादव मोहित कुमार , सिंह सीमा
Published: September 2023

निखिल कवि चक्रचूड़ामणि कवि कुल गुरू नाटककार कालिदास भारतीय साहित्य के जाज्वल्यमान रत्न हैं। काव्य मर्मज्ञों ने इन्हें कविता कामिनी का विलास कहा है। और प्राचीन कवियों की गणना में इन्हें कनिष्ठकाधिष्ठित बताकर उनकी तुलना में ठहराने वाले किसी अन्य प्रतिस्पर्धी कवि के  अस्तित्व की सम्भावना का प्रत्याख्यान किया है-

        पुरा कवीनां गणना प्रसंगेकनिष्ठिकाधिष्ठित कालिदासा।

        अद्यापि तत्तुल्य कवेरभावादनामिका सार्थवती बभूव।।1
अनुसूचित जातियों के सामाजिक समावेशन की चुनौतियाँ एवं संवैधानिक प्रावधानों का अध्ययन
Authors: मिश्रा यतीन्द्र
Published: September 2023

प्रस्तुत अध्ययन अनुसूचित जातियों के सामाजिक समावेशन हेतु संवैधानिक प्रावधानों की स्थिति का आकलन करने से सम्बन्धित है जिसमें उनकी विभिन्न समस्याओं को दूर करने हेतु बनाये गये संवैधाानिक कानूनों के क्रियान्वयन एवं इसका उनके सामाजिक समावेशन पर प्रभाव को मूल्यांकित किया गया है। प्रस्तुत अध्ययन के परिणाम से यह पता चलता है कि अनुसूचित जातियों के सामाजिक समायोजन में अनेक बाधाएँ हैं जिसमें ग्रामीण क्षेत्रों में सामाजिक संरचना की जटिलता, गाँवों में विभिन्न धार्मिक एवं सांस्कृतिक कार्यक्रमों अनुसूचित जातियों की भागीदारी न होना, विभिन्न पूजा-पाठ एवं अन्य अनुष्ठानों के लिए उन्हें अयोग्य माना जाना एवं विभिन्न क्रियाकलापों के लिए उन्हें अयोग्य मानना एक प्रमुख चुनौती है। यद्यपि इसके लिए विभिन्न संवैधानिक उपबन्ध बनाये गये हैं, कानून लागू किये गये हैं, सजा निर्धारित की गयी है, इसके बावजूद भी इनके प्रति जागरूकता न होना, शैक्षिक रूप से कमजोर होना, आर्थिक समस्या युक्त होना एवं समाज की जटिलता को कम करने की स्थिति न होने से विभिन्न उपबन्धों का अनुपालन नहीं हो पाता है। गाँवों में आजभी अनुसूचित जातियों की स्थिति सामाजिक रूप से निम्न एवं दयनीय है। इसके लिए वास्तविकता के धरातल पर जन जागरूकता एवं संवैधानिक अधिकारों के प्रति चैतन्यता का विस्तार कर उन्हें मुख्य धारा में लाने की आवश्यकता है।
Investigaciones fenomenológicas sobre el sentido y el lenguaje
Authors: Álvarez Mateos M. Teresa , Canela Morales Luis A. , Quezada Medina Armando I.
Published: September 2023

El conjunto de investigaciones filosóficas que componen este libro tiene como hilo conductor relativo, directa o indirectamente, la relación entre la fenomenología y el lenguaje. La fenomenología, corriente filosófica fundada por Edmund Husserl, describe el modo en que los sujetos conscientes experiencian la realidad en tanto dotada de sentido. Se dirige al campo de los fenómenos, a las realidades que aparecen ante la conciencia en su respectivo modo de aparecer. De ahí que, junto a la descripción de los actos de atención y percepción, y sus correspondientes correlatos intencionales, las diversas formas de representación simbólica, mediante las cuales la experiencia vivida se constituye como un conjunto de fenómenos dotados de significación, sean también objeto de descripción y análisis fenomenológico. Se asiste, pues, a una distinción fundamental en los correlatos de la conciencia: por un lado, esta se dirige hacia los fenómenos sentidos en su inmediatez y, por otro, hacia los fenómenos que son representados de forma simbólica.
Something for everyone? The different approaches of academic disciplines to Open Educational Resources and the impact on widening participation
Authors: Coughlan Tony , Perryman Leigh-Anne
Published: September 2023

This article explores the relationship between academic disciplines’ representation in the United Kingdom Open University’s (OU) OpenLearn open educational resources (OER) repository and in the OU’s fee-paying curriculum. Becher’s (1989) typology was used to subdivide the OpenLearn and OU fee-paying curriculum content into four disciplinary categories: Hard Pure (e.g., Science), Hard Applied (e.g., Technology), Soft Pure (e.g., Arts) and Soft Applied (e.g., Education). It was found that while Hard Pure and Hard Applied disciplines enjoy an increased share of the OER curriculum, Soft Applied disciplines are under-represented as OER. Possible reasons for this disparity are proposed and Becher’s typology is adapted to be more appropriate to 21st-century higher education.
Resilience as a quadripartite responsibility: Indigenous students and distance education
Authors: Willems Julie Anne
Published: September 2023

Considerations of educational resilience are often linked to student participation, retention, and outcomes in distance higher education, in spite of adversity, equity issues, or ‘invisible fences’ that students may face. This paper further develops the quadripartite model of educational resilience (Willems, 2010; Willems & Reupert, forthcoming); that is, educational resilience as the shared responsibility of students, educators, institutions, and communities—as a means to help assess and promote educational resilience and minimise student attrition in a specific cohort of distance learners, namely indigenous peoples. Through this lens the experiences of an online indigenous distance learner are explored.
Understanding the context of distance students: Differences in on- and off-campus engagement with an online learning environment
Authors: Palmer Stuart
Published: September 2023

While a growing number of higher education institutions are providing online modes of study for both on- and off-campus students, there are very real differences in demography, technology experiences, reasons for study, etc. between on- and off-campus students, and research into engagement with online learning environments (OLEs) indicate differences in the way that on- and off-campus students interact with OLEs.  In Australia, Deakin University is a major provider of distance and online education, and provides a case study of a higher education institution with a mature and large-scale OLE implementation providing support to both on- and off-campus students.  Deakin Studies Online (DSO) is Deakin University’s OLE.  Based on a representative sample of 1322 responses to the 2011 DSO evaluation survey, this paper presents a large-scale, up-to-date and fine-grained investigation of impact of mode of study on the student experience of using an OLE.  It was found that the primary place of access to DSO for both groups was home, mobile access to DSO seems likely to be of growing importance to both groups, and there was no statistically significant difference in the mean satisfaction ratings between on- and off-campus students for virtually all DSO functions.  Off-campus students gave significantly higher mean ratings of importance (though not satisfaction) to a range of DSO functions that could be viewed as ‘value adders’ by off-campus students, enhancing their overall learning experience.  For more than half of the DSO functions surveyed, on-campus students reported statistically significant higher mean frequency of access than off-campus students.  The finding that elements of the institutional OLE are not universally perceived and used the same way by all students groups challenges the value of standard, one-size-fits-all institutional policies and templates relating to the use of OLEs.
E-learning and higher education: Understanding and supporting organisational change in New Zealand
Authors: Marshall Stephen
Published: September 2023

Over an 18 month period four educational institutions, a New Zealand University, PTE (Private Tertiary Enterprise), Wānanga, and ITP (Institute of Technology or Polytechnic), have engaged in a process of change influenced by technology. Their e-learning capability was benchmarked using the e-learning Maturity Model (eMM) and this information used to stimulate change activities. The project has worked with the staff of participating institutions to understand and support the explicit and implicit processes used to change and improve the e-learning experiences of students and staff. The resulting case studies, discussed in this paper, illustrate the issues that face tertiary organisations and leaders engaging with the opportunities and challenges of e-learning. Five factors have been identified as significant influences on the ability of organisations to change in response to technology in the current political and educational landscape of the New Zealand tertiary sector.
A case study of blended teaching and learning in a New Zealand secondary school, using an ecological framework
Authors: Zaka Pinelopi
Published: September 2023

This paper reports on the findings of a case study that investigated how blended teaching and learning was implemented in a New Zealand secondary school. An ecological perspective was taken, in an attempt to clarify the complexity of blended teaching and learning implementation, by researching the roles of students, teachers, school leaders and other educational stakeholders, within and beyond the school itself. An ecological framework was developed that gives rise to several recommendations for individuals and groups within the three levels of the school's multi-level ecology; the classroom, the school and the wider ecosystem in which the school is embedded.
Take AIM and Keep Your Students Engaged
Authors: Nash Catherine Theresa Mary
Published: September 2023

This paper outlines the benefits to distance education teachers of formatting a weekly online newsletter in accordance with motivational learning theory. It reflects on the delivery of weekly AIM newsletters to undergraduate economics students at the Open Polytechnic of New Zealand via Moodle. The acronym, AIM, stands for Academic content, Information for the course and Motivation—three critical elements required to meet the challenges of effective course facilitation. The AIM newsletter integrates all three of these key components in one easy-to-use product. The object of AIM is to keep students engaged in economics and reduce the perceived distance from distance education. This article discusses the context, underpinning theory, practicalities, and the way forward for AIM.
Supporting Distance Learners: Making Practice More Effective
Authors: Pratt Keryn
Published: September 2023

This paper reports on a qualitative evaluation of the postgraduate courses offered by distance in one university department. The types and amount of support provided to students was evaluated and compared with Simpson’s (2008a) Proactive Motivational Support model (PaMS). While students were largely satisfied with the support they received during their studies, their perceptions of the levels and effectiveness of that support varied. They also perceived a variation in the levels of support between individual courses. A number of areas where support could be improved were identified, including those that met the characteristics of the PaMS model.
Language Pedagogy and Non-transience in the Flipped Classroom
Authors: Cunningham Una
Published: September 2023

High connectivity at tertiary institutions, and students who are often equipped with laptops and/or tablets as well as smartphones, have resulted in language learners being able to freely access technology and the internet. Reference tools such as dictionaries, concordancers, translators, and thesauri, with pronunciation and usage tips, are available at the touch of a screen. The web brings a virtually endless corpus of authentic written and spoken target language usage, and instant communication with target language speakers anywhere. Video recordings of teaching or materials created for language learners can be viewed and reviewed at the learner’s convenience and reused by the teacher, freeing contact time for interaction. This paper distinguishes between asynchrony and non-transience and discusses which material can best be offered to language learners in tertiary education in a non-transient or enduring form rather than as live teaching, why this might be a good idea, and how to create and curate non-transient resources for individualised language learning.
Measuring Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Efficiency: Developing a Framework
Authors: Clayton John , Liu Guimei
Published: September 2023

The growing demand for an increasingly skilled competitive workforce and the associated demand for change and responsiveness in the provision of technical vocational education and training (TVET) has led to the development of stronger links between New Zealand and the People’s Republic of China. A collaborative model programme project aims to improve TVET provision in the two countries through curriculum re-design, joint programme development, and the delivery of quality New Zealand qualifications in China. Because there is there is often a gap or disconnect between policy intent and classroom reality, a critical activity of the model programme project aims to identify and measure when, how, and where this disconnect occurs. This paper identifies the performance indicators that are used to measure learner and institutional success, highlights the strategies used to evaluate the learning environments created, and reports on the development and validation of a user-driven, flexible, internet-based, learning environment instrument for use in multi-national TVET settings. It argues that this instrument provides model programme stakeholders with sufficient data to understand, economically and efficiently, the actual effect of change at the point of delivery.
Professional development across the islands of the South Pacific: A perspective of a blended learning facilitator
Authors: Hoffmann-Dumieński Kamila
Published: September 2023

Access to information and communication technology (ICT) is becoming an increasingly important factor for education and training in the South Pacific region. While many studies have examined the attitudes and understanding of educators towards using ICT in their profession and for their professional development, studies that specifically deal with these matters in the socio-economic and cultural context of the South Pacific island states are rare. This study aims to address the gap in the literature by examining the professional development of blended learning facilitators working in remote and isolated communities of the Cook Islands. The research outcomes of this study are based on the analysis of in-depth, semi-structured interviews, and the theoretical foundation of this project is grounded in the social and situated theory of learning. The central finding of the study suggests that participation in online communities of practice offers ongoing opportunities for learning and development, and reduces the feeling of isolation associated with the geographical conditions of the South Pacific region.