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I. Egba Simeon ¹, U. Njoku Obioma ², Emmanuel N. Tufon ³, E. Okonwachi Fidelia, , Y. Waindim Nyianbam

Affiliations
1 Department of Biochemistry, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, NG
2 Department of Biochemistry, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, NG
3 Department of Medical Biochemistry St Louis University of Health and Biomedical Sciences, NG

Abstract

Insecticide an organic chemical used in agriculture, medicine, industries and household has bio-pharmacological effects such as inducing stress, hormonal imbalance and/or physiological effects and reproductive toxicity. This study therefore investigated the possible effects of exposure to insecticides on hormonal responses in rats. Albino rats were exposed to insecticides through drinking water for continues twenty one days and the following hormone concentrations determined using standard ELISA methods; thyrotropin, total thyroid, total thyroxine, follicle stimulating, progesterone, prolactin and luteinizing. The results obtained showed that the concentration of thyrotropin, total thyroid and follicle stimulating hormones significantly decreased (p<0.05) while total thyroxine, prolactin and progesterone concentrations significantly increased (p<0.05) compared to the control. The change in the concentration of luteinizing hormone was insignificant (p>0.05) in the group of rats exposed to insecticide when compared to the unexposed group. In conclusion, the exposure of rats to insecticides resulted in adverse changes in their hormonal concentrations.

Keywords

Hormones, Hormonal Changes, Insecticide Exposure and Albino Rats

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Emmanuel N. Tufon ¹, N. Ogugua Victor ², E. Nwa Marilyn ²,

Affiliations
1 Department of Medical Biochemistry, St. Louis University Institute of Health and Biomedical Sciences, Mile 3 Nkwen, Bamenda, CM
2 Department of Medical Biochemistry, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, NG

Abstract

Poisonings from household chemicals such as cleaning products and cosmetics are common occurrences and can cause acute respiratory infections and cancer. This study was therefore aimed at evaluating the level of prevention and management of accidental poisoning from household chemicals in the Nkwen Area in Bamenda, Cameroon. A cross-sectional population based descriptive study was undertaken in miles three and four Nkwen, Bamenda in which 110 households were randomly selected to take part. The evaluation was carried out by the use of a questionnaire survey. From the results obtained, detergents and cosmetics were the most available chemicals used in these areas, with cosmetics contributing to 32.22% of poisoned cases while detergents contributed to 51.11% of the poisoned cases. It was also found that most of the poisoned cases were not taken to the hospital. In conclusion, this study had shown that the level of prevention and management of accidental poisoning from household chemicals in the study areas were generally poor.

Keywords

Household, Chemicals, Poisoning, Prevention, Management, Miles Three And Four, Bamenda, Cameroon.

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Emmanuel N. Tufon ¹, N. Ogugua Victor ², F. Lukong Kinyuy ²

Affiliations
1 Department of Medical Biochemistry, St. Louis University Institute of Health and Biomedical Sciences, Mile 3 Nkwen, Bamenda, CM
2 Department of Medical Biochemistry, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, NG

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the practice of radiation protection and compare it with the stated norms of radiation protection. A cross - sectional hospital based descriptive design was undertaken in four hospitals in Yaounde, Cameroon in which all the technologists (17) working in the x - ray department of the selected hospitals took part in the study. The assessment was carried out by the use of a questionnaire survey. From the results obtained, all the hospitals had lead aprons and shields but only one hospital gonad shield and lead gloves. 47.06% had been trained for at least three years. Radiation protection supervisors were present in two of the four hospitals but only one hospital had a warning red light in good working condition. In conclusion radiation protection in conventional radiography is not properly practiced as not all norms are respected and therefore remains a problem that needs to be solved.

Keywords

Radiation, Protection, Conventional Radiography, Yaounde, Cameroon.

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Emmanuel N. Tufon ¹, A. Nji Nancy ¹, N. Ndonhui Noel ¹,

Affiliations
1 Department of Medical Biochemistry, St. Louis University Institute of Health and Biomedical Sciences, Mile III Nkwen, Bamenda, CM

Abstract

Hepatitis B virus is a major cause of liver disease worldwide and the infection may go unnoticed because more than 50% of the cases are asymptomatic. Infected people therefore either unconsciously contribute to the transmission of the virus or do not seek medical attention resulting in liver cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma. This study therefore evaluated the occurrence of HBV amongst blood donors attending the Bamenda Regional Hospital. This cross - sectional hospital based study involved 100 blood donors who randomly selected to participate. Screening for HBV was done using the One Step Hepatitis B Surface Antigen Test Strip (DiaSpot). From the results, the prevalence of HBV was found to be 14.0%. Majority of the participants were males (83.0%) within the age range of 25 - 31 years (35.0%). Also from the positive cases of HBV identified, majority of them were male replacement donors (12.0%) who were within the age range of 25 - 31 years (6.0%) and were singles (8.0%). In conclusion, the prevalence of HBV in this study was high (14.0%) with the highest prevalence amongst male replacement donors within the age range of 25 - 31 years.

Keywords

Hepatitis B Virus, Blood Donors, Bamenda, Regional Hospital.

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Emmanuel N. Tufon ¹, N. Maguiateu Teguia ¹, O. Samje Moses ²

Affiliations
1 Department of Medical Biochemistry and Research, St. Louis University of Health and Biomedical Sciences, Mile Three Nkwen Bamenda, CM
2 Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Bamenda, CM

Abstract

Pre - eclampsia is a condition that cause complications in pregnancy such as preterm delivery, low weight babies and perinatal death. This study therefore was aimed at evaluating the occurrence and associated risk factors of pre - eclampsia amongst pregnant women in their third trimester of gestation. A cross - sectional hospital based design involving 160 randomly selected pregnant women. Data on demographic and risk factors were collected using a well - structured pretested questionnaire while proteinuria and blood pressure were determined using combi - 2 dip strip and sphygmomanometer respectively. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 17. From the results obtained, the prevalence of pre - eclampsia was shown to be 6.3% and the predisposing risk factors were maternal age, body mass index, past history of pre - eclampsia, family history of diabetes mellitus, family history of hypertension, husbands age, paternity and work stress. In conclusion, the occurrence of pre - eclampsia was high with the most important risk factors being maternal age ≥35 years, family history of hypertension and past history of pre - eclampsia.

Keywords

Eclampsia, 3^rd Trimester, Pregnancy, Gestation, Bamenda, Nkwen.

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Kimbi R. B. Ambola ¹, Nabila V. S. Ajong ¹, Emmanuel N. Tufon ²

Affiliations
1 Department of Medical Biochemistry and Research, St Louis University of Health and Biomedical Sciences, Mile Three Nkwen, Bamenda, CM
2 Department of Nursing, St Louis University of Health and Biomedical Sciences, Mile Three Nkwen, Bamend, CM

Abstract

Pain is the most frequent reason for seeking health care and it can significantly interfere with the patient’s physical, emotional and spiritual well-being. Pain management is a very important aspect of nursing care and it has been documented that nurses use non – pharmacological interventions which have unique advantages in relieving pain that medications do not have such as giving the patients a more active role in managing their pain. This cross – sectional study therefore was aimed at evaluating the non – pharmacological interventions for pain management used by nurses at the Mezam polyclinic Bamenda, Cameroon. 30 male and female nurses were randomly selected to take part in this study. Data was collected using a self – administered questionnaire composed of both open and closed ended questions and was analyzed using SPSS version 20.0. The results showed that most of the nurses were females (70.0%) in the age range of 20 – 29 years (53.0%) who had mostly obtained a diploma in nursing (43.3%). Majority of the nurses had been trained on non – pharmacological pain management (87%). Most of the nurses reported using combined non – pharmacological pain management interventions such as counselling, distraction and massage (56.0%) with heat/cold compress (20.0%) being the most common single non – pharmacological therapy used followed by distraction (13.0%). The main health care system barriers to the use of non – pharmacological intervention was nurses’ work load (40.0%) while the main patient related barrier was patient’s strong believe in analgesics (50.0%). In conclusion, majority of the nurses at the Mezam polyclinic have been trained on non – pharmacological pain management (87%) with most of them using combined non – pharmacological pain management interventions such as counselling, distraction and massage (56.0%). The main barriers to the use of non – pharmacological interventions were nurses’ work load (40.0%) and patient’s strong believe in analgesics (50.0%).

Keywords

Ganoderma, Albino Rats, Intoxicated, Intraperineally, Scavenging.

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Victorine M. Ngachangong ¹, Tabe E. Orock ¹, Emmanuel N. Tufon ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Nursing, Bamenda University of Science and Technology, Mile Three Nkwen Bamenda, CM

Abstract

Family planning in the past year was thought to be a woman's prerogative, consequently most studies on family planning focused on women as the subject of interest. However, men's participation in crucial to the success of family planning programs and women's empowerment. Hence, this study assessed the awareness and attitude of married men towards family planning. This employed a community based cross - sectional descriptive design using a structured household questionnaire to collect data from 99 male study participants. Data was analyzed using IBM SPSS version20.0 and results obtained showed that most of the men were within the age range of 18 - 35 years (46.5%) who were employed (69.7%) and had 1 - 5 children (46.5%). Most of the married men were aware of family planning (85.9%) with the main source of information being wives (35.3%). Also most of the men had used a family planning method (63.6%) with majority of them using condoms (63.0%). Most men had an overall positive attitude (50.0%) towards family planning with 40% being neutral and 10% with a negative attitude. In conclusion, the level of awareness of family planning amongst married men living within the Nkwen health area was high (85.9%), 63.6% had used a family planning method and 50% had a positive attitude towards family planning.

Keywords

Awareness, Utilization, Attitude, Married Men, Family Planning, Nkwen, Bamenda.

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Emmanuel N. Tufon ¹, Awah D. Bih ¹, Mbi Alice ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Nursing, Bamenda University of Science and Technology, Mile Three Nkwen, Bamenda, CM

Abstract

The hallmark of HIV infection is immunosuppression which predisposes patients to opportunistic infections. These opportunistic infections are responsible for morbidity and mortality amongst people living with HIV/AIDS. This study therefore evaluated the occurrence and risk factors for opportunistic infections in HIV patients attending the Bamenda Regional hospital, Cameroon. A descriptive cross - sectional hospital based study involving 160 HIV infected patients was used. Data on socio - demographic, clinical and laboratory findings were obtained through history taking. The mean age of the participants was 41.5 ± 11 years with majority in the range of 33 - 50 years (80.0%) and were mostly females (66.9%). Out of the 160 participants 83 (51.9%) had opportunistic infections. The leading conditions were infective diarrhea greater than one month (32.2%), oral candidiasis (16.5%), tuberculosis (16.5%) and herpes zoster virus (14.9%). The risk factors for opportunistic infections identified in this study were belonging to World Health Organization clinical stage III - IV (68.8%), living in a household greater than 5 persons (46.9%), CD₄ cell count less than 200 cells/μl (36.2%) and non - adherence to antiretroviral therapy (61.3%). In conclusion, the occurrence of opportunistic infections was 51.9% with protozoal infection being the most frequent type seen as infective diarrhea greater than one month. Thus there is a need for early detection and treatment of these opportunistic infections to improve the quality of life of the patients as well as the need for health education on the importance of personal and food hygiene on the prevention of common opportunistic infections.

Keywords

HIV, Opportunistic Infections, Risk Factors, Bamenda, Cameroon.

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Emmanuel N. Tufon ¹, Achoutam B. Tifuh ², Victorine M. Ngachangong ³

Affiliations
1 Department of Medical Biochemistry and Research, St Louis University of Health and Biomedical Sciences, Mile Three Nkwen Bamenda, CM
2 Department of Nursing, Bamenda University of Science and Technology, CM
3 Department of Nursing, St Louis University of Health and Biomedical Sciences, Mile Three Nkwen Bamenda, CM

Abstract

This study assessed breastfeeding awareness, initiation, duration and challenges of exclusive breastfeeding amongst women within the Bamenda health district. Two hundred consenting mothers who have had at least one child between the ages of six months and two years were randomly selected to take part in this cross - sectional community based study. A self - administered questionnaire was used to obtain information from participants and data collected analyzed using SPSS version 17.0. Results showed that 75% of the respondents had heard about exclusive breastfeeding from hospitals (71%). The rate of breastfeeding initiation 1 - 2 hours after delivery was 62.0% with 60.5% exclusively breastfed for at least six months. Based on the challenges on the practice of exclusive breastfeeding, most women reported low milk supply (37.5%) as the main physical problem with their breasts and the fact that they have to return to work (43.5%) as the major social challenge. As per their culture, some women reported that breast milk makes a child foolish (28%). In our study, the awareness of exclusive breastfeeding was high (75%) and majority of the mothers initiated breastfeeding 1 - 2 hours (62%) and exclusively breastfed for six months (60.5%). On the challenges to exclusive breastfeeding, low breast milk production was the main physical problem with the breast, the fact that they have to return to work as the main social challenge and some women based on their culture said breast milk makes a child foolish.

Keywords

Exclusive Breastfeeding, Initiation, Duration, Challenges, Bamenda Health District, Cameroon.

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C. Enechi Osmond ¹, Emmanuel N. Tufon ¹, N. Ogugua Victor ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Biochemistry, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, NG

Abstract

Since animals and animal products are very expensive sources of nutrients especially in developing countries, it is very important to exploit other sources of acquiring nutrients that will be less expensive. This work was therefore aimed at evaluating the nutritional and toxicological potentials of Mucuna pruriens seed in view of proposing a less expensive source of nutrient in developing countries. The phytochemical analysis was carried out using the method of Harbourne et al. (1973). The proximate analysis, elementary analysis and determination of toxicants were determined using standard biochemical methods. Results of the phytochemical analysis showed the presence of alkaloids, proteins, carbohydrates, saponins, tannins in high concentration; flavonoids in moderate concentration while cyanogenic glycosides and steroidal aglycones were absent. Proximate analysis revealed high percentage of crude protein (30.1±0.25%) while ash (8.2±0.2%), moisture (7.67±0.34%) and fiber (3.2±0.01%) were in moderate percentages. The mineral composition indicated the presence of iron (33.75±0.18μg/100g), potassium (700.02±48.7μg/100g) and phosphate (622±7.29μg/100g). The results also showed the presence of some toxicants, oxalate (11887.5±517.1μg/g) in high concentration while phytate (61.3±0.45μg/g), hemagglutinin (14.67±0.69μg/g) and cyanogenic glycosides (0.013±0.59μg/g) were present in low concentrations. We therefore conclude from our results that well processed Mucuna pruriens seed would not only be a less expensive source of nutrient in developing countries but may also provide medical benefits.

Keywords

Toxicology, Mucuna pruriens, Nutrients, Toxicology, Phytochemistry.

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