bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Aspects épidémiologique et clinique des uvéites au Niger : analyse rétrospective d’une série de 127 cas colligés sur 5 ans
Authors: Adam Nouhou Diori , Haboubacar Abdou Moussa , Laminou Laouali , Soumana Yacouba , Yakoura Abba Kaka H , Abdou Amza
Published: January 2024

Context and objective : Little is known about Uveitis in Niamey. This study aimed to analyze the epidemiological and clinical aspects of uveitis.
Methods : This was a retrospective, descriptive study of 127 records of patients followed up for uveitis at the Niamey Lumière Clinic over a 5-year period (2015 - 2020). Sociodemographic, clinical and therapeutic parameters were collected.
Results : The hospital frequency of uveitis was 0.21%. The sex ratio was 1.01. The mean age of patients was 40.76 years. Ocular pain was the most frequent reason for consultation, accounting for 51.97 %. The majority of patients (57.48%) had presented with 2 episodes of uveitis. Involvement was unilateral in 70.97 %, and anterior uveitis was the most frequent, at 66.93 %. Etiologies were identified in only 7.87 % of patients, of which tuberculosis accounted for almost half. Complications occurred in 33.07 % of patients.
Conclusion : This study shows that uveitis affects mainly young adults, and its etiologies are undetermined in most cases. Anterior forms are more frequent.
Contexte & objectif : L’uvéite est peu très peu documentée en Niamey. L’objectif de la présente étude était de décrire les aspects épidémiologique et clinique des uvéites.
Méthodes : Il s’agissait d’une étude rétrospective et descriptive portant sur 127 dossiers des patients suivis pour uvéites à la clinique lumière de Niamey sur une période de 5 ans (2015 - 2020). Les paramètres sociodémographiques, cliniques et thérapeutiques ont été recueillis.
Résultats: La fréquence hospitalière des uvéites était de 0,21 %. Le sex-ratio était de 1,01. L’âge moyen des patients était de 40,76 ans. La douleur oculaire représentait le motif de consultation le plus fréquent avec 51 ,97 %. La majorité des patients avait présenté 2 épisodes d’uvéites soit 57,48 %. L’atteinte était unilatérale dans 70,97 % et les uvéites antérieures étaient les plus fréquentes 66,93 %. Les étiologies étaient identifiées chez seulement 7,87 % des patients dont près de la moitié était la tuberculose. 33,07 % des patients avaient présenté des complications.
Conclusion. Il ressort de cette étude que l’uvéite touche plus des jeunes adultes, ses étiologies sont indéterminées dans la majorité de cas. Les formes antérieures sont plus fréquentes.
Cuban Litera- ture in the Age of Black Insurrection: Manza- no, Plá cido, and Afro-Latino Religion
Authors: Pettway Matthew
Published: January 2024

No Abstract
¿(A)gentes del saber al servicio del poder? El papel político de Lorenzo Galíndez de Carvajal (1472–1527)
Authors: Corral Sánchez Nuria
Published: January 2024

Este trabajo pretende realizar un acercamiento a las figuras intelectuales del período de transición entre la Edad Media y la Edad  Moderna y su relación con el po- der. Se presta especial atención al ámbito castellano y, concretamente, a la figura del jurista y cronista  Lorenzo Galíndez de Carvajal. Primero, se realiza un balance teórico sobre el colectivo a veces denominado gen- tes del saber y su  consideración como grupo social. Después, se analiza su papel junto al poder en la Castilla tardomedieval, al tiempo que se destaca su  participación en la elaboración de una ideología que fortalecía la soberanía real. Todo esto sirve de base teórica y contextual para  estudiar la influencia de Galíndez de Carvajal como consejero político y autor de textos jurídicos e historiográficos que respaldaron los  pro- yectos de la monarquía hispánica. En definitiva, se busca poner en valor su papel político en un momento clave de transición    dinástica y secular.

English title: (A)gents of Knowledge at the Service of Power? The Political Role of Lorenzo Galíndez de Carvajal (1472–1527)

In this study, we aim to examine the relationship between power and intellectual figures during the transition between the Middle Ages  and the Early Modern Era. The Castilian context is emphasized, with a focus on jurist and chronicler Lorenzo Galíndez de Carvajal. First, a  theoretical discussion is provided regarding the collective sometimes referred to as the people of knowledge and their consideration as  a social group. In the next section, the role they played alongside power in Late Medieval Castile is analyzed, highlighting their contribution to the development of an ideology that boosted the power of the monarch. All of this serves as a theoretical and contextual framework to examine the influence of Galíndez de Carvajal as a political advisor and author of legal and historiographical texts that  supported the Hispanic Monarchy. Ultimately, the study seeks to under- score his political significance in a crucial period of dynastic and  secular transition
El Ateneo de Madrid. Los intelectuales en la construcción de la nación en la España liberal (1835-1898)
Authors: Muñoz Sanz-Agero María
Published: January 2024

El término intelectual ha quedado ligado a los opositores del orden político establecido. Sin embargo, existieron figuras de la cultura que  participaron en el Estado liberal del siglo XIX español. En este artícu- lo profundizaré en los vínculos entre cultura y política a través de  los socios del Ateneo de Madrid.

 

English title: The Ateneo de Madrid. Intellectuals in the National Construction in the Liberal Spain (1835-1898)

The term intellectual has been associated with opponents of the established political order. However, there were cultural figures who  participated in the liberal state of the Spanish 19th century. In this article I will delve into the links between culture and politics through  the members of the Ateneo de Madrid.
Time to treat the climate and nature crisis as one indivisible global health emergency.
Authors: Abbasi Kamran , Ali Parveen , Barbour Virginia , Benfield Thomas , Bibbins-Domingo Kirsten , Hancocks Stephen , Horton Richard , Laybourn-Langton Laurie , Mash Robert , Sahni Peush , Sharief Wadeia Mohammad , Yonga Paul , Erhabor Gregory E. , Zielinski Chris
Published: January 2024

No abstract.
Quality of compassionate care among children with chronic heart failure at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital: A cross-sectional analysis
Authors: Tadele Henok , Moges Tamirat
Published: January 2024

Background: Compassion is a deep awareness of the suffering of another coupled with the wish to relieve it. Heart failure/HF is a progressive clinical and pathophysiological condition caused by cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular abnormalities. The study aimed to assess compassionate care among children with chronic HF at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital.

Methods: This observational cross-sectional study employed an Amharic 12-item Schwartz Center Compassionate Scale (SCCS) to assess compassionate care. Children aged 7years and above were included in the study. Logistic regression models were used to assess predictors.

Results: The study included 155 chronic HF subjects, females 56.1% (87). Majority of the re-spondents,75.5% (117), lived in an urban setting within 100-kilometers from health facility, 58.7% (91). The mean age at diagnosis and duration of follow-up was 5.2±3.8years and 5±3.5years, respectively. Congenital heart diseases, 55.5% (86) and rheumatic heart disease, 36.1% (56) were common causes for chronic HF. Successful compassionate care was reported in 25.2% (39) (95% CI: 18.5-32.8) of study subjects. Study subjects who lived within 100-kilometers from the follow up health facility had two times higher odds of reporting successful compassionate care, [AOR: 2.24, 95% CI: 1.06-4.75, P 0.035)]

Conclusion: In this study, only one fourth of study subjects with chronic heart failure had received compassionate care. Distance from the follow up health facility predicted successful com-passionate care. Modalities to improve access including decentralization of clinical services for children with chronic heart failure and further mixed studies are recommended to assess how distance from a health facility relate to compassionate care.
Knowledge and practices on diabetic care among the caregivers of children with type 1 diabetes mellitus: A cross sectional study
Authors: Girma Bonsa , Berhane Melkamu
Published: January 2024

Background: Diabetes mellitus care in children requires parental support and involvement as young children cannot independently handle all of their diabetes cares; the diabetic cares given to these children entirely depend on the knowledge and skills of the care givers. This study was conducted to determine the knowledge and practices on diabetic care and associated factors among the caregivers of children with type 1 diabetes mellitus attending the follow-up clinic at Jimma Medical Center, Southwest Ethiopia.

Methods: Institution-based prospective cross-sectional study was conducted from July 10 to October 10, 2022. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using statistical packages for social sciences software Version 25.0. Bivariate and stepwise multivariate analysis was performed to test associations between the dependent and independent variables.

Results: One hundred fifty-eight caregivers of children with type 1 diabetes mellitus participated in the study; over half of the participants (93, 58.9%) were females. Over half of caregivers have a poor level of knowledge (56.3%) and practice (58.6%) about diabetes cares. Participants residing in the urban area are found to have better knowledge (p<0.001; 95%CI:1.81-6.86), whereas being female caregiver (p=0.03; 95%CI:1.04-4.22), attending diabetic education sessions (p=0.035; 95%CI:1.17-79.66) and, those who had good diabetes knowledge (p=0.04; 95%CI:1.03-4.04 ) were found to have a better practice.

Conclusion: The knowledge and practices of caregivers regarding diabetic care among caregivers of children with type 1 diabetes mellitus were found to be low. Structured diabetes care education should be given to all caregivers to improve their knowledge and practices.
Vitamin d levels in pediatric epilepsy patients on the anti-epileptic drugs at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Authors: Miftah Mohammed , Tefera Muluwork , Legas Mohammed , Moges Ayalew
Published: January 2024

Background: Epilepsy is a common neurological disorder of childhood repeatedly necessitating prolonged use of anticonvulsants. This study was done to evaluate the status of vitamin D in epileptic children. We targeted to describe the prevalence and risk factors for vitamin D deficiency among children with epilepsy.

Methods: A hospital-based descriptive cross-sectional study design with prospective data collection was used among children with epilepsy on anti-epileptic drugs attending the Pediatric Neurology Clinic and their primary caretakers. For this study, a sample of 226 children and adolescents were included in the study and a blood sample for the determination of serum vitamin D was taken. The participants were interviewed, and medical records were thoroughly reviewed. Descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression analysis was done to assess determinants of vitamin D deficiency. .

Results: In this study, the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was found to be 42%. Children on polytherapy (AOR = 4.3 (1.2 - 16)), 3 or more AEDs (AOR = 0.1 (0.0 - 0.8)), female sex (AOR = 1.8 (1.7 - 2.6)), age >15 years (AOR = 2.12 (1.0 - 1.5)), 4 months of exclusive breastfeeding (AOR = 5.6 (4.9 - 36)), family diet (AOR = 0.3 (0.1 - 0.8)) and non-ambulation (AOR = 1.7 (1.8 - 3.6)) were factors associated with being in the vitamin D deficiency group.

Conclusion: According to this study patients who take Anti-Epilepsy drugs are at a higher risk of a poor vitamin D status. Based on this finding, the need for timely and appropriate vitamin D supplementation and periodic follow-up seems to be very evident.
Discharge against medical advice in pediatric wards at tertiary center in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: A retrospective cross-sectional survey.
Authors: Feleke Helen , Moges Tamirat
Published: January 2024

Background: Children are at high risk of problems related to discharge against medical advice (DAMA). Because they are not part of the decisions their best interests may be violated. This study is aimed to determine the prevalence, clinical outcomes, and factors associated with discharge against medical advice.

Methods: We cross-sectionally described 123 admissions in which caretakers decided to discharge against medical advice. A mixed data collection method from the patient's charts and telephone interviews was employed. A pretested semi-structured questionnaire tool was used. The data was manually cleaned and analyzed using SPSS software version 25, USA. The frequency and percentage of categorical data were calculated, as well as the mean, median, SD, and IQR of the continuous variable. A multivariate regression analysis was performed, with an adjusted odds ratio of 95% CI and a statistical significance of 0.05.

Results: Hospital prevalence of DAMA was 1.42%. The median age was 11(±59) months—eighty-one percent of the caretakers signed before leaving the hospital. The median hospitalization was 7 days (IQR=13 days). The majority of the caretakers were discharged during working hours (71%). Discharge was registered in all seasons: winter (31%), spring (28%), summer (23%), and autumn (18 %). Hemato-oncologic conditions, infectious, and neonatal problems were common. Most of the cases were reported from pediatric emergency and neonatology wards. Patients’ poor clinical response and the caretaker's financial constraints were the main reasons for signing DAMA. Death was significant when the DAMA occurred in fast-improving cases and infants; (AOR=6.909, 95% CI-2.191-21.782), and AOR=1.3, 95% CI -0.48-3.3) respectively.

Conclusion: DAMA in the Pediatric wards of Tikur-Anbessa Specialized Hospital was similar to the reported data elsewhere. However, death was very high which could be due to insufficient fol-low-up after DAMA.
Policy, health facility and community implications of the findings of the study of illnesses in preterm (sip project): Summary recommendations from a dissemination workshop
Authors: Muhe Lulu M , Mekasha Amha , Worku Bogale , Eshetu Beza , Gidi Nestanet Workneh , Abayneh Mahlet , Metaferia Gesit , Demtse Asrat , Gebeyehu Solomon , Tadesse Yared , Solomon Meles , Negesso Abebe , Zelalem Meseret , Nigussie Assaye K
Published: January 2024

The Study of Illness in Preterm (SIP) was designed in 2015 to identify the major causes of morbidity and mortality in preterm babies. Preterm complications are the commonest cause of neonatal mortality. The SIP study investigators in collaboration with Federal Ministry of Health-Ethiopia (FMOH) organized a dissemination workshop during the world prematurity day between Nov 17-18, 2021.

The objective of the SIP dissemination workshop was to conduct a policy dialogue with policy makers and program implementers to support policy and practice changes. Five publications that have immediate policy and practice implications were selected and discussed in a dissemination workshop. These were hypothermia, preterm nutrition, bacterial isolates and antimicrobial resistance (AMR), antenatal corticosteroid utilization and respiratory distress syndrome (RDS).

For each topic, the workshop assessed and documented the magnitude of the burden of disease, operationally feasible recommendations at policy, facility and community levels and potential implementation research ideas that could help facilitate rapid scale up of interventions.
Effects of Explicit Language Instruction on Students’ Vocabulary Retention and Reading Comprehension Skills
Authors: Yirssie Shambel Demlie , Demssie Yoseph Mezegebu , Luele Solomon Admasu
Published: January 2024

The study investigated the effects of explicit vocabulary instruction on students’ vocabulary retention, and on their reading comprehension in 11th grade at Shinta Preparatory School, Gondar. The study was a quasi-experimental in design. Out of the five sections, two sections (11th C= and 11th E=: a total of 93 students) were randomly selected. Explicit instruction was used for the experimental group whereas conventional methods were used for the control group. In addition, vocabulary retention and reading comprehension tests were used to collect data. Accordingly, the results of the independent sample t-test showed that there was a statistically significant difference between the experimental, and the control groups in their vocabulary retention (P < 0.05, i.e., p = 0.003), and in their reading comprehension (p < 0.05, i.e., p = 0.000) respectively. Similarly, a paired sample t-test was used to compare post-test, and delayed post-test results. The result of the comparison showed that the experimental group retained more vocabulary than the control group since the mean difference between the tests was close to zero (i.e., 0.120) and p > 0.05. Finally, the overall test results indicated that explicit instruction improved students’ vocabulary retention and reading comprehension than conventional methods. Thus, the findings from this study pointed out that explicit vocabulary instruction was one of the most effective methods for improving students’ vocabulary retention and reading comprehension.
The Relationship between Amharic Reading Self-concept and Reading Comprehension Achievement on Grade Seven Students
Authors: Tiruneh Ephriem
Published: January 2024

The general objective of this research was to investigate the relationship between Amharic reading self-concept and reading comprehension achievement. To achieve this objective, grade 7th students of Community School were selected usng purposive sampling technique. Data were collected using reading self-concept questionnaire and reading comprehension test. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation coefficient and Simple linear Regression. The result of reading comprehension score showed that students’ reading comprehension level was very low. There was a statistically significant relationship (P= 0.010) which is found between the students’ reading self-concept and their reading comprehension achievement. Similarly, reading self-concept (P= 0.015) was found as the highest predictor of students’ reading comprehension achievement. From the findings, it was recommended that teachers should understand the relationship between reading self-concept and reading comprehension to improve their students’ reading comprehension achievements.
Exploring the Past and the Present: Examining Preservation, Management and Resistance practices in the Simien Mountains National Park, Ethiopia
Authors: Girmay Marshet , Teshome Endalkachew , Yoseph Dawit
Published: January 2024

This study was conducted to explore the dynamic relationship between society and biodiversity in the Simien Mountains National Park (SMNP). As the local communities who inhabited the environs of the SMNP struggle for survival, they have altered the environment, and they caused for biodiversity revival as well. SMNP was exempted from the UNESCO “red list” in 2017 as a result of significant conservation efforts, but intensive grazing and farmland expansions are still affecting the sustainability of the natural environment. In order to alleviate this problem, qualitative research approach with in-depth interview was employed. Similarly, both diachronic and synchronic perspectives were implemented in analyzing changes in continuities as a result of biodiversity-society interaction. Archival documents were also meticulously consulted to corroborate data which were collected in interview. In the SMNP, thus, it is found that the connectedness has persisted for a long time while the nature of relationship has changed as human society evolves in terms of organization, structure and technological innovation. The early years in the origin of the SMNP were characterized by resistance from the local communities due to the attempt to impose unfriendly conservation ethos by the international conservation experts. The nature of biodiversity and society interaction in the SMNP is characterized by reciprocity relationship in which there is mutual affection between the two for many years. The life of the local community is largely dependent on the environment’s ability to provide welfare demands (food, shelter, and clothing). The judicious use of the physical environment’s plentiful resources by people on the other hand is correlated with the sustainability of biodiversity, and it assures community’s’ fundamental source of ongoing existence.
The Making of Urban boundaries in Ethiopia: The case in Addis Ababa and Dire Dawa, 1974-2018
Authors: Kassie Adane , Sishaw Tegegne , Bogale Wagaw , Cheru Tamrat
Published: January 2024

The making/remaking of administrative boundary is a long practiced tradition of human beings. The making/remaking of the administrative boundaries of Addis Ababa and Dire Dawa has been a subject of great controversy in the administrative history of Ethiopia. The objective of this study was to investigate boundary making/remaking in Ethiopia focusing on Addis Ababa and Dire Dawa cities from 1974 to 2018. This is important because there were/are unprecedented interests between different groups following the 1991 ethno linguistic administrative boundary making/remaking. Moreover, there is lack of well documented research output regarding boundary making/remaking in Ethiopian cities. A qualitative research approach was employed to meet the objectives of the study. Primary and secondary data were collected through in-depth interview tools and document analysis. Several administrative policy documents enacted between 1907 and 2018 were consulted and meticulously analyzed for this study. It was observed that administrative boundary making/remaking become more frequent after 1991. This phenomenon also holds true for Addis Ababa and Dire Dawa cities where oromia region has an interest on both cities and Somali region on Dire Dawa city. The process and the procedures followed and individuals involved as committee members are not clear. With regard to Dire Dawa, beginning from 1993 the city was responsible to and was directed by the Federal government. These facts suggest that competition over these two cities and boundary making/remaking are still unclear and lack involvement of the wider residents of these cities. It is therefore suggested that the participation of concerned communities in any decision making pertaining to boundary making/remaking and other similar issues is indispensible.
Reducing the risks of nuclear war—the role of health professionals
Authors: Abbasi Kamran , Ali Parveen , Barbour Virginia , Bibbins-Domingo Kirsten , GM Olde Rikkert Marcel , Gong Peng , Haines Andy , Helfand Ira , Horton Richard , Mash Bob , Mitra Arun , Monteiro Carlos , N. Naumova Elena , J. Rubin Eric , Ruff Tilman , Sahni Peush , Tumwine James , Yonga Paul , Zielinski Chris
Published: January 2024

In January, 2023, the Science and Security Board of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists moved the hands of the Doomsday Clock forward to 90 s before midnight, reflecting the growing risk of nuclear war. In August, 2022, the UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned that the world is now in “a time of nuclear danger not seen since the height of the Cold War. The danger has been underlined by growing tensions between many nuclear armed states. As editors of health and medical journals worldwide, we call on health professionals to alert the public and our leaders to this major danger to public health and the essential life support systems of the planet and urge action to prevent it.
Postnatal foot length in the estimation of gestational age in relation to intrauterine growth pattern among Nigerian neonates
Authors: T Kuponiyi Opeyemi , A. Ogunlesi Tinuade
Published: January 2024

Objectives: To determine the relationship between postnatal foot lengths and estimated gestational age (EGA) in relation to intrauterine growth patterns determined at birth among Nigerian neonates.Design: Hospital-based, cross-sectional.Setting: Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu, Nigeria.Participants: 260 neonates with EGA 30- 42 weeks within 48 hours of life.Interventions: Postnatal foot lengths (FL) were measured with Vernier digital calliper in millimetres. The intra-uterine growth pattern was determined using the Lubchenco chart. Pearson correlation and regression analysis tests were performed.Main outcome measures: Postnatal foot length in relation to Intra-Uterine Growth PatternResults: The mean postnatal FL had a strong positive correlation with the EGA from 30 through 42 weeks (r = 0.855, p < 0.001). The overall mean foot length for preterm neonates was 65.44 (6.92) mm, while that of term neonates was 77.92 (4.24) mm. The linear regression equation was generated as: EGA = 9.43 + (0.37 × FL), p < 0.001. The EGA as measured by FL had the highest positive correlation with Small for Gestational Age (SGA) intra-uterine-growth pattern, followed by Appropriate for Gestational Age (AGA) and least by Large for Gestational Age (LGA) respectively (r = 0.936> 0.861 > 0.666).Conclusion: The postnatal foot length correlated well with estimated gestational age, and the correlation was best among SGA infants.
Public perception, knowledge and factors influencing COVID-19 vaccine acceptability
Authors: Kleebayoon Amnuay , Wiwanitkit Viroj
Published: January 2024

survey of public perception, knowledge and factors influencing COVID-19 vaccine acceptability in five communities in Ghana”.1 The study selected families in five Accra areas using a modified cluster-sampling method. This sampling strategy may create selection bias and limit the findings’ generalizability to the Ghanaian population. The chosen localities may not be typical of the country, potentially impacting the study’s external validity. The survey has 997 participants, which may not be enough to provide an in-depth view of the public’s perspective and knowledge of COVID-19 in Ghana.
Risk factors for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in a tertiary health institution in Lagos, Nigeria
Authors: B. Ozoh Obianuju , K. Dede Sandra , A. Ekete Ogochukwu , O. Ojo Oluwafemi , G. Dania Michelle
Published: January 2024

Objective: To describe the clinical characteristics and identifiable risk factors for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) in a real-world clinical setting.Design: Cross-sectional study among patients with COPD.Setting: The Respiratory clinic of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital.Participants: Consecutive patients with spirometry confirmed COPD on follow-up for ≥3 months. There were 79 participants.Intervention: NoneMain outcome measure: COPD risk factors, disease severity, comorbidities, and the severity of airflow limitation.Results: The mean age of the participants was 63.3± 12.4 years, and 47 (59.5) were male. There was a high symptom burden (73.4% had COPD assessment test (CAT) score >10), 33 (41.8%) and 4 (5.1%) had GOLD 3 and GOLD 4 airflow limitation, respectively. Risk factors were identified for 96.2% of the participants: history of asthma in 37 (46.8%), tobacco smoking 22 (27.8%), occupational exposure 15 (19%), biomass exposure 5 (6.6%), post-tuberculosis 3 (3.8%), old age (3.8%), and prematurity 1 (1.3%). Fifty-nine (74.7%) had Asthma COPD Overlap (ACO). There were no significant associations between the risk factors and disease severity. Participants with ACO had lower lung function and a high frequency of allergic rhinitis.Conclusion: Asthma was the most commonly identifiable risk factor for COPD, underscoring asthma risk reduction and management optimisation as priorities toward COPD burden mitigation. Future studies need to validate these findings and identify the predominant COPD phenotypes in our setting.
Blood pressure and electrocardiographic profile of children with sickle cell anaemia in steady-state and vaso-occlusive crisis
Authors: T. Adeniyi Adewuyi , A. Adegoke Samuel , S. Olatunya Oladele , O. Babatola Adefunke , B. Ajite Adebukola , O. Ogundare Ezra , O. Oluwayemi Isaac , A. Abe-Dada Adedolapo , A. O. Okeniyi John
Published: January 2024

Objective: To compare the cardiovascular features of patients with sickle cell anaemia (SCA) in steady-state with those in vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC) at the Wesley Guild Hospital (WGH).Design: A descriptive cross-sectional, matched, case-control study among children with SCA at the WGH, a tertiary health facility in southwest Nigeria.Setting: The participants were recruited from the children’s emergency unit and paediatric haematology clinic of the WGH.Participants: Consisted of 93 children with VOC (cases) and 93 age and sex-matched in steady state (controls), aged 5 – 15 years.Main outcome measures: Cardiovascular parameters, including pulse rate, blood pressure, and electrocardiographic profile, were assessed and compared using the appropriate statistical tests.Results: The mean (SD) age of the cases and controls were 8.8 (3.2) years and 9.0 (3.1) years, respectively (p= 0.106). There was no significant difference in the mean height of the groups. The mean pulse rate, diastolic, systolic, and mean arterial pressures were significantly higher in the cases than in the controls. A significantly higher proportion of the cases than the controls also had a higher frequency of heart blocks, prolonged QTc interval, ST elevation or depression, and T wave abnormality (p = 0.018, 0.039, 0.041, 0.009, respectively). The prevalence of chamber enlargements was not significantly different between the two groups.Conclusion: Cardiovascular dysfunction is worse during VOC when compared with steady state. Physicians should look for these dysfunctions in SCA children with VOC to reduce mortality from the disease.
Comparative analysis of clinical characteristics of COVID-19 among vaccinated and unvaccinated patients in a major treatment facility in Ghana
Authors: NL Calys-Tagoe Benedict , Oliver-Commey Joseph , NK Ghartey Georgia , G. Mohammed Abdul , Bandoh Delia , Owoo Christian , Kenu Ernest
Published: January 2024

Objectives: To compare clinical characteristics of COVID-19 among vaccinated and unvaccinated patients in a major treatment facility in Ghana.Design: A retrospective study drawing on data from COVID-19 patients’ records visiting the facility from March 2021 to December 2021.Setting: Ghana Infectious Disease Centre, Ga East Municipality, Greater Accra Region, Ghana.Participants: In-patients and outpatients who reported to the facility from 1st March 2021 to December 2021 were included in the study, and patients with missing data on vaccination were excluded.Outcome measures: underlying conditions, symptoms, case management information, hospital service rendered (OPD, HDU or ICU), length of hospital stay, treatment outcomeResults: The study included 775 patient records comprising 615 OPD and 160 hospitalised cases. Less than one-third (26.25%; 42) of the patients hospitalised were vaccinated compared to almost 40.0% (39.02%; 240) of the patients seen at the OPD. Vaccinated individuals were nearly three times (aOR = 2.72, 95%CI:1.74-4.25) more likely to be managed on an outpatient basis as compared to the unvaccinated. The death rate among the vaccinated group and the unvaccinated were (0.71%; 2) and (3.45%; 17), respectively, with a significant reduction in the risk of dying among the vaccinated compared to the unvaccinated (aOR = 0.13, 95%CI: 0.028 0.554).Conclusions: Less than half of the in-patient and OPD patients were vaccinated. Mild infections, fewer days of hospitalisation, outpatient treatment and higher chances of survival were associated with being vaccinated against SARSCoV- 2. Prudent measures should be implemented to encourage the general public to take up SARS-CoV-2 vaccines.
Estimation of aquifer parameters from electrical resistivity data and lithologs in Idah area, Northern Anambra basin, Nigeria
Authors: Obasi A. I. , Aigbadon G.O. , Chinyem F. I. , Chukwu C.N. , Ahmed II J. B. , Abubakar S.O. , Attah F.D. , Akudo E.O.
Published: January 2024

The parameters of the aquifers in Idah area were characterized by integrating resistivity and litholog data. To achieve this, a total of twenty-three (23) Soundings were conducted by applying the 1-D Schlumberger resistivity array and integrating it with borehole lithologs to empirically determine the aquifer parameters in the Idah area, Northern Anambra Basin, Nigeria. The results of the analyses indicate that the aquifer zone resistivity ranges from 36.65 – 2065.31 Ωm while the aquifer thickness is between 15.60 m and 66.66 m. Its values of the longitudinal conductance (S), transverse resistance (TR), and hydraulic conductivity (k) are 0.01-1.13 mhos, 1518.90-90265.88 Ωm2 , and 0.31-13.44 m/day, respectively. The transmissivity (T) values vary from 4.88 to 2 557.78 m /day. T is inversely proportional to TR with a correlation coefficient of 0.28. The result of the reflection coefficient is in the range of -0.79 to 0.66, while that of the fractured contrast is between 0.11 and 5.06. The results suggest that an aquifer system that is predominantly fracture-based is underlying the region. Lithification and diagenesis influence the hydrological properties. The northern–central portions of the map are more suitable for groundwater exploration /exploitation than the southern/eastern ends.
Assessment of stream order and drainage pattern of flood prone areas of Ebonyi state, Southeastern Nigeria
Authors: Nwankwagu J. O. , Okoro E. O. , Agunanna H. I.
Published: January 2024

This study evaluates stream order and drainage pattern of flood in Ebonyi state, Southeastern Nigeria. The drainage network within Ebonyi State was identified using the Shuttle Rader Topographic Mission (SRTM), the stream order and flood drainage pattern with the aid of the Digital Elevation Model (DEM), and the Topographic analysis of Spatial Analyst on Hydrology. The data was acquired using Geometric Positioning and the LANDSAT downloaded from the United States Geological Survey (USGS) Earth Explorer 2019 and Thematic Mapper (TM) 2009. The result shows that the map of the eastern part of Ebonyi State houses the Cross River basin as a main consequent river draining to the Atlantic Ocean. The drainage gets darker down the slope as more volumes of water move into the traversing drainage channels in their corresponding orders. As flood magnitude increases, the velocity decreases because more water from different river orders or tributaries has been added to the adjusting river channels. It proves that consequent rivers like the Enyim River of Izzi, Iyiokwu River of Abakaliki, Alcor River  of Ikwo, Iyere River of Afikpo South, and Esu Umuchimaewuze River of Ohaozara Local Government areas slope down through the adjourning tributaries when the basin is saturated. The map legend shows a thick blue outcome indicating that the flood originates from the Enyim River of Izzi, Iyiokwu River of Abakaliki, Alchor River of Ikwo, Iyere River of Afikpo South, and Esu Umuchimaewueze River of Ohaozara. Therefore, urgent adjustments and construction of drainage systems are needed to accommodate more water volumes.
Metamorphic evolution of a metabasite dyke from Ogbagi Akoko area, Southwestern Nigeria
Authors: Oziegbe E. J. , Ocan O. O. , Adetunji A. , Oziegbe O.
Published: January 2024

Petrography, mineral chemistry and whole rock analyses were conducted on a metabasite dyke hosted by pelitic gneiss (metapelite) in Ogbagi Akoko area with the aim of determining its metamorphic evolution. The dyke is about 40 cm wide and traceable for some meters along strike. It has a discordant contact relationship that is pencil sharp with the host pelitic gneiss and lack any internal fabric. The mineral assemblage includes: garnet +biotite + plagioclase + quartz + orthopyroxene + K-feldspar + ilmenite, with apatite occurring as an accessory mineral. Plagioclase has anorthite content of about 76 (An76) suggesting bytownite (An76 Ab24 Or0) while garnets are poikiloblastic almandine-pyrope rich with XFe of 0.73-0.75. Orthopyroxene has a composition of Wo0 En50 Fs50 suggesting hypersthene that is depleted in Ca. The mineral assemblage, presence of bytownite, absence of amphibole and lack of internal fabric indicate that the rock has undergone metamorphism at a high temperature and moderate pressure without deformation at granulite facies metamorphism. The absence of deformation structure in the dyke is an indication that the intrusion occurred after the cessation of the regional metamorphism but prevalent high temperature that recrystallized the rock. The whole rock composition and some elemental ratios of the dyke indicate that the metamorphism had little or no effect on the bulk chemistry of the rock.
An efficient reducing mechanism for energy consumption in data center using hybrid consolidation techniques
Authors: Oyekanmi E.O. , Adegoke O.M.
Published: January 2024

The rise in internet user demand is a major factor in the expansion of infrastructure and the upsurge in energy use in cloud, colocation, and some business data centres. The advent of 5G has compounded the situation, as it substantially gives room for many new types of digital services, resulting in a need for richer consume a lot of energy when no scaling method is applied. Services such as mail, data storage and retrieval and other cloud services also require a lot of high energy consumption which eventually result into carbon(IV) oxide (CO2) emissions to the environment. This research therefore, focuses on lowering the energy usage of a data centre with heterogeneous power awareness either in an idle server state or high-performance state using a novel hybridized algorithm called “DyVoFesLoReMu”, comprising Dynamic Voltage Frequency Scaling (Dvfs) and a modified Local Regression Minimum Utilization (LrMu). A real dataset (workload) obtained online from PlanetLab consisting of hosts and Virtual Machines (VM) was simulated on a data center in CloudSim 3.0.3. Tool kit with preset parameters consisting of VM Allocation Policy and VM Selection Policy was used. The tool kit was utilised to create cloud infrastructure and simulate the essential features of a cloud environment. The Cloudsim was installed on Eclipse Integrated Development Environment (IDE) 2019 version on Windows 10 operating system. The hybridized algorithm was compared with other five (5) existing energy reducing algorithms and it was found to be more efficient with a range of 41-90% reduction in energy usage from the ten days workload traces and in comparison with the existing algorithms used for the simulation.
Revitalizing community forestry in the Amhara Region of Ethiopia: A property right perspective
Authors: Amsalu Tadesse
Published: January 2024

Severe deforestation, land degradation, and the lack of forest products in Ethiopia have necessitated the implementation of a community forestry program since the 1980s by mobilizing the local communities. However, there have been incidents indicating that many of the community forests are either degrading or remaining unproductive. While community forests are, in principle, the collective property of the local community, empirical evidence concerning how property rights impact their management and their role in enhancing rural livelihoods and environmental rehabilitation is lacking. This study aims to investigate the performance of community forestry through the lens of property rights and tenure security, in order to uncover the challenges impeding community forestry in Ethiopia, with a focus on community forests in the Amhara Region. The study gathered primary data on community forest management from two community forests located in East Gojam and North Wollo, using questionnaires, focus group discussions, key informant interviews, and field observations. Additionally, secondary data on legal frameworks were collected from institutions involved in community forestry. The data analysis employed descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. The findings of the study revealed that a majority of respondents (91%) lacked clarity regarding the objectives of establishing community forests, and about 95% claimed that community forests belong to the state. These incidents have led to diminished interest in continuing the program. The study highlighted that the community forestry program suffers from inadequate policy and legal provisions, chronic institutional instability, overlapping mandates, and limited community engagement. These factors have weakened property rights, which are reflected in tenure insecurity and the absence of individual household benefit packages. Consequently, it can be concluded that community forest interventions have been promoted based on general belief in the importance of trees for rural livelihoods and ecosystem rehabilitation, rather than as part of a deliberate and directed policy and strategy. In summary, revitalizing community forestry in Ethiopia necessitates a thorough understanding of property rights and tenure security issues. In this regard, it is imperative for government agencies to enact a clear national strategy for community forestry development and adopt a supportive role to enable communities to establish robust community forestry institutions to safeguard their rights while fostering community forestry and environmental protection activities.
Productivity, economic performances and survivability of exotic chicken breeds under small-scale chicken production system in South Gondar Zone, Ethiopia
Authors: Matebie Birtukan , Moges Fisseha , Tassew Asaminew , Tegegne Firew
Published: January 2024

The study was conducted to evaluate the growth, survivability and egg production performance of Bovans Brown and SassoT44 commercial chicken breeds reared in small-scale chicken production enterprises in selected districts of South Gondar Zone in Ethiopia. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to collect data in the year 2019. A total of 21 small-scale chicken farms and 350 chickens were selected for the survey and monitoring-data collection, respectively. The survey data was analyzed using SPSS Version 20 and the GLM procedure of SAS 9.2 was used for the monitoring data. The majority of the producers (71.4%) reared Sasso T44 breed. Most of the farms (90.5%) used commercial feed even though they are challenged by feed shortage and increased feed cost. The interaction effect of breed-district was significant on the body weight and daily weight gain of chickens that the body weights of Sasso T44 chickens at different ages in Addis Zemen district was significantly higher than the other two districts. The overall mortality rate of the chickens up to the 22th weeks of age was 13.2% and 11.5% for Sasso T44, and Bovans Brown, respectively. The average egg production per hen up to the 45th weeks of age was significantly (P<0.05) higher for Bovans than Sasso T44. The overall hen day egg production in the first phase (up to the 45th weeks of age) was 65.6% and 57.8% for Bovans Brown and Sasso T44, respectively. There was a significant difference (P<0.0001) in age at first egg between the two breeds that Bovans Brown (132 days) was better than Sasso T44 (164 days) breed. In general, chicken in Addis Zemen performed better both in growth and egg production. Sosso T44 breed was better in growth performance while Bovans Brown were better in egg production traits.
Environmental empowerment: A new approach to poverty eradication in Africa
Authors: Cornelius Dudzai
Published: January 2024

Most of the rural population in Africa is affected by poverty. High levels of poverty are witnessed through food shortages, low life expectancy and environmental degradation. Arguably, poverty in general and in Africa specifically is partly caused by a poor environment. An environment that is poor impoverishes its population. There are two types of poor environments in Africa; an environment that is inherently poor and another which is made poor by human beings. To deal with poverty and underdevelopment in Africa, social workers must empower the natural environment. An empowered environment capacitates community development. As it stands, social work in Africa focuses on empowering the poor who reside within an impoverished environment and to that effect, social work empowerment programmes are ineffective.How to cite using ASWNet styleDudzai, C. (2023). Environmental empowerment: A new approach to poverty eradication in Africa. People centred – The Journal of Development Administration (JDA), 8(3), 93. Social Work and Development Student Conference (SWDSC), 16 June 2023. https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/jda.v8i3.8

Conference AbstractSocial Work and Development Student Conference (SWDSC), Held on 16 June 2023, Day of the African Child (DAC), Organised by Africa Social Work and Development Network (ASWDN).

Conference Organising Committee: Danzel Rademan, University of the Free State, South Africa (Chairperson); Atuhairwe Collins, Student, Master of Social Work, Makerere University, Uganda (Vice-Chairperson); Never Winnie James Sebit, South Sudan; Bachelor in Social Work, RCSS, India (Secretary); Tatenda Sukulao, Bachelor of Social Work, Midlands State University, Zimbabwe (Vice-Secretary); Norman T. Manyika, Student, Bachelor of Social Work, University of Zimbabwe (Committee member) & Takudzwa Banda, Bachelor of Social Work, University of Zimbabwe (Committee member).

Visit journal website: https://jda.africasocialwork.net
Pathological report of acute traumatic bovine reticulo-pericarditis in a 4½-year-old Bunaji (White Fulani) cow
Authors: Saleh A. , Fatihu M. Y , Sani N. A. , Abalaka S. E.
Published: January 2024

Traumatic reticulo-pericarditis (hardware disease) is produced by a sharp object such as a piece of wire or a nail that pierces through the wall of the reticulum, and diaphragm, and gains access to the heart. A carcass of 4½-year-old White-Fulani was presented to the Necropsy unit of the Department of Veterinary Pathology, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria for post-mortem examination. Gross findings revealed a shaft of an 18- gauge x 1½inch hypodermic needle within fibrinous tissue extending from the pericardial sac. Other findings include oedema in the jowl and brisket region, ascites, haemothorax, yellow and turbid fluid within the pericardial sac with fibrin flake showing a typical ‘bread and butter’ appearance. Histopathological observation of affected organs showed fibrinous pericarditis with severe fibrin deposition and fibrous tissue proliferation between the cardiac muscle fibres along with infiltration of neutrophils, lymphocytes, plasma cells and hepatic centrilobular necrotic changes. The result of the post-mortem examination revealed that the cow died of traumatic pericarditis. Acute traumatic pericarditis was diagnosed with cardiac tamponade as the possible cause of death. Cattle herders should be familiarized with the causes and symptoms of hardware disease and prompt action to save lives and avoidance of huge economic losses.