Chika F. Ubajaka

Prevalence and pattern of bacteria and intestinal parasites among food handlers in the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria

Background: In developing countries, biological contaminants largely bacteria and other parasites constitute the major causes of food-borne diseases often transmitted through food, water, nails, and fingers contaminated with faeces. Accordingly, food-handlers with poor personal hygiene could be potential sources of infections by these micro-organisms. Objective: This study was aimed at determining the prevalence and pattern of bacteria and intestinal parasites among food handlers in the Federal Capital Territory. Materials and Methods: The study was a descriptive one in which a multistage sampling technique was employed to select 168 food handlers of various types. Subjects’ stool, urine, and fingernail analyses were carried out and the result scientifically scrutinized. Results: Fingernail bacteria isolates include: E. Coli (1.8%), coagulase-negative staphylococcus (17.9%), Staphylococcus aureus(7.1%), Klebsiella species (2.4%), Serratia species (1.2%), Citrobacter species (1.2%), and Enterococcus species (1.8%). The subjects’ stool samples tested positive: For A. lumbricoides (14.9%), T. trichuria (1.8%), S. starcolaris (3.0%), E. histolytica (10.7%), G. lambilia (1.8%), S. mansoni (1.2%), and Taenia species (4.8%). Furthermore, 42.3% and 15.5% of the stool specimen tested positive for Salmonella and Shigella species, respectively. Conclusion: Food establishments should screen and treat staff with active illness, and regularly train them on good personal and workplace hygiene practices.

Parents' Perceptions of Timing of Initiation of Sexuality Discussion with Adolescents in Anambra State, South Eastern Nigeria

STUDY OBJECTIVE This study was aimed at determining the perception of the timing and practice of sexuality discussion among parents in South Eastern Nigeria. DESIGN A cross-sectional, descriptive, community-based study. SETTING The study was carried out in 3 randomly selected Local Government Areas in Anambra State, South Eastern Nigeria. PARTICIPANTS The study participants were parents with adolescent children resident in the study areas for at least 2 years. RESULTS Most parents opined that sexuality discussion should be initiated after puberty. Only 20% of them discussed reproductive health issues often with their adolescents, while another 20% never discussed such issues with their adolescent children. Topics most commonly discussed bordered on the adverse consequences of sex rather than measures for preventing them. About half of parents were willing to discuss contraception with their adolescent child. Predictors of parent-child communication were age, gender, and educational status. CONCLUSION Common reasons for low parental involvement in sexuality discussions were due to their lack of capacity and the perception that discussing such issues before puberty is ill timed. Therefore, measures should be taken to improve the capacity of parents to engage in such conversations to provide sexuality information to their teens.

Evaluation of risk factors of cerebral palsy in a tertiary health facility, Nnewi, Nigeria: a case-control study

Background: Cerebral palsy is the most commonly diagnosed condition in children presenting with disability. This could be attributed to the lack of awareness on the quantifiable and largely preventable risk factors associated with it and poor knowledge of simple public health measures against these factors. Objective: To evaluate the risk factors associated with cerebral palsy in Nnamdi Azikwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Anambra state, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: This is a case–control study carried out with 40 case study population of children diagnosed with cerebral palsy and 80 control group of children who do not have cerebral palsy. The study was carried out using a pro forma to access and collect relevant data from the records (folders) of these individuals. Result: There is a statistically significant relationship between cerebral palsy and the following risk factors—birth asphyxia (X2 = 18.98; P < 0.01; OR = 7.71), neonatal jaundice (X2 = 5.958; P