SCHOOL OF BASIC MEDICAL SCIENCES

Giardiasis is a disease of public health importance, a common cause of acute and chronic human diarrheal. In some developing countries, infection and mortality rates among young children can be quite high. This study was carried out to determine Giardia lamblia infection among children in rural and urban areas in Benin City, Edo State, A comparative study was done, using the microscopy method and ELISA technique, 288 primary school children consisted of (194) males and (94) females were enrolled in this study, Stool specimen was collected from each participant into a sterile universal bottle and sent for analysis to the
laboratory department of City of Hope Medical Centre, Benin city. The age of participants ranged from 6-14years. A well-structured questionnaire bothering on the bio-data and socio-demographic characteristics was administered on each
participant prior to the collection of Specimen. Informed consent was obtained from the parent or guardian of each participant. The stool specimens were analyzed using microscopy and ELISA technique. A prevalence of 5.6% of Giardia lamblia infection was observed among children in the Study Areas. Comparative studies of the microscopy method and ELISA techniques showed a
p-value of < 0.05 (0.001) which was significant. There was a significant difference in the age group 10-11 years old presenting with the highest prevalence of 13.7% in comparison to other age groups with p-value < 0.05 (0.014). Hand hygiene was highly prevalent (12.5%) with p-value <0.05(0.000) which was significant, which showed that those who observed poor hand hygiene are with the high odds of being infected than those who practice good hand hygiene. Epidemiological factors such as Residential locations, settlement type, type of toilet, proximity of kitchen to toilet facility, diarrhoea, and Food source significantly affected the prevalence of G. lamblia infection. Increased Awareness, personal hygiene and good sanitary practices, particularly among mothers and children, should be encouraged as this would curb the spread of giardiasis. ELISA with sensitivity of 95% to 100% and specificity over 90% when compared with direct microscopy provides a relevant alternative method to the routine ova and
parasite examination in diagnosing giardiasis. Based on this, detection of giardiasis should not solely be based on microscopy; more effective methods such as ELISA could be employed.

Globally, many unplanned pregnancy end up being aborted some in unsafe conditions leading to death and serious complications thus emergency contraception could be crucial in preventing unplanned pregnancy in cities where abortion is illegal. This study aims to assess the knowledge and perception of emergency contraceptives among undergraduate female students in the
Faculty of Engineering, University of Benin. Descriptive research design was used for the study. A sample size of 100 was selected from a target population of 135 using simple random sampling technique and a self- structured questionnaire as an instrument of data collection. Analysis was done with statistical package for social sciences (SPSS). Chi-square statistics was used in testing
the hypothesis. The study revealed that 5.0% of the respondents have good knowledge, 22.0% have fair knowledge, while the remaining 73.0% have poor knowledge. This shows that the respondents have poor knowledge of emergency contraceptives. The study also shows that 50% of the students have good perception about emergency contraceptives while 50% have bad perception. There was no significant difference between knowledge and perception of emergency contraceptive among the students. It is therefore recommended that there should be adequate creation of public awareness on the importance and proper use of emergency contraceptives.

An Experimental Study in Adult Wistar Rats Metal poisoning and its impact on human health have increased due to industrialization and anthropogenic activities. This study aims to investigate the effect of glycine on cadmium-induced gastric damage in adult Wistar rats. Thirty rats were divided into six groups, including control, cadmium only, glycine only, and combinations of cadmium and glycine. Various biochemical markers were assessed, including oxidative stress indicators (SOD, MDA, CAT) and total protein. Histological analyses were performed on stomach tissues. Cadmium administration led to reduced body weight and increased malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, indicating oxidative damage. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity decreased, revealing compromised antioxidant defenses. However, catalase activity was largely unaffected by cadmium. Interestingly, glycine administration showed positive effects. It attenuated cadmium-induced MDA increase, maintained glutathione levels, and improved SOD activity. It also increased total protein levels. Histological observations demonstrated that cadmium induced inflammatory responses, muscle degeneration, and congestion in the stomach. Glycine treatment mitigated these effects, leading to near-normal tissue architecture. This study demonstrates that cadmium exposure can lead to oxidative stress and cellular damage, while glycine supplementation can exert a gastro-ameliorative effect by enhancing antioxidant defenses, maintaining glutathione levels, and mitigating histological alterations. These findings offer insight into the potential therapeutic benefits of glycine against cadmium-induced gastric damage. Glycine's availability and safety make it a promising avenue for further research and development of affordable gastro-ameliorative interventions

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are prevalent bacterial infections affecting millions globally, particularly females due to their unique anatomical features. Prevention and early
intervention are crucial for managing UTIs and reducing healthcare burdens. The aim of this study is to investigate the awareness and preventive practices of UTIs among female undergraduates of the Faculty of Law at the University of Benin. A cross-sectional study design was employed, utilizing convenience sampling technique to select 237 respondents. Data collection was conducted using a self-structured questionnaire to address the research questions. The findings revealed varying levels of awareness among respondents, with 18.8%having good awareness, 47% moderate, and 34.1% poor awareness. Most respondents (96.1%) have heard of UTIs, with information primarily obtained from family/friends (9.13%) the internet (42.4%), and healthcare professionals (33%). The study reveals a high level of preventive practices among respondents, with 60% exhibiting a high level of preventive practices. Notably, practices such as keeping the genital area clean and dry, changing underwear daily, and staying hydrated scored highest, while practices related to menstrual hygiene scored lower. Factors influencing preventive practices include awareness of UTIs (88.6%), education/training (85.6%), living environment (67%), barriers/challenges (52.4%),misconceptions/myths (57.8%), stress/lifestyle factors (54.1%), and lack of support from resources/healthcare services (62.9%). Overall, there is no significant relationship between UTI awareness and preventive practices among these students (p=0.556, thus, failing to reject the null hypothesis. In conclusion, the findings indicate that while there is a moderate level of awareness of UTIs, there is a need for improvement in the understanding of risk factors and prevention strategies. It is therefore recommended that healthcare providers need to collaborate with educational institution in developing comprehensive UTI prevention programs, ensuring accurate information to the undergraduates.
Keywords: Awareness, Urinary tract infections, Preventive practices, Female undergraduates.

The study investigated the impact of daily intake of aqueous fruit pulp extract of Picralima nitida on the total antioxidant capacity in experimental rats. Picralima nitida, known for its rich phytochemical composition, was chosen for its potential health benefits. Thirty- five rats were divided into control and experimental groups, with the latter receiving daily doses of the aqueous fruit pulp extract. After a specified duration, blood samples were collected for the assessment of total antioxidant capacity. The results revealed a significant increase in the total antioxidant capacity in the experimental group B and compared to the control, suggesting a positive influence of Picralima nitida extract on the antioxidant defense system. This enhancement in antioxidant capacity may be attributed to the diverse bioactive compounds present in the fruit pulp extract, such as alkaloids, flavonoids, phenolics, and zinc known for their antioxidant properties

Malaria continues to be a major public health and development issue. Pregnant women, their developing fetus, and new babies are all at increased risk of malaria infection, which is a serious public health issue. The most severe symptoms and results of malaria typically affect pregnant women; they include greater rates of miscarriage, intrauterine mortality, early delivery, low-birth- weight infants, and neonatal death. They are also more likely to experience severe anemia and pass away during pregnancy. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge and utilization of insecticide-treated nets in the prevention of malaria among pregnant women attending St. Philomena’s Catholic Hospital, Benin City. A cross-sectional descriptive survey design was used for this study. The sample size was 262 pregnant women attending antenatal at St. Philomena’s Catholic Hospital and a non-probability accidental sampling technique was used with a self-administered questionnaire. Pregnant women in this study were quite knowledgeable about malaria and its causes, prevention, and control. Pregnant women in the study could identify some symptoms and causes of malaria. Only a considerable number of pregnant women in the study had the insecticide-treated net while only a minimal number were making use of it. The primary source of the insecticide-treated net was the government, with the study being carried out at a privately-owned hospital being a potential reason for the rather low ownership of ITNs by pregnant women. There was a moderate level of knowledge of malaria and ITN among pregnant women. However, there was poor utilization of ITNs in the prevention of malaria among pregnant women. Barriers to the use of insecticide treated nets ranged from a lack of awareness to insecticide-treated nets being uncomfortable to sleep under.

Fasting is a deliberate abstinence from normal meal(s) i.e. food and drinks, or failure to eat/drink for an unusual length of time. It is a common practice in Nigeria and other parts of the world by various groups and for various reasons ranging from spiritual, health, to experimental purposes. This study was aimed at evaluating the effect of fasting the sexual performance of male Wistar rats. Eighteen (18) adult wistar rats were randomly selected into a control group (group A) containing six (6) animals and two experimental groups (B and C) each containing six animals (n= 6 per group). Group A received normal rat feed and water, Group B were subjected to fasting for a period of six (6) hours per day for two weeks and Group C were subjected to fasting for a period of twelve (12) hours per day for two weeks. The result of this experiment showed that observable Teratozoospermia in Group B rats and Teratozoospermia with Asthenozoospermia in the Group C rats. Sperm cell count and liveability significantly decreased (p<0.05) in Group C rats. Sperm cell motility across the 3 groups of rats during this experiment showed statistically significant difference (p<0.05) in the progressive motility and of rats in Group A and
Group C. In conclusion, the study showed that subjecting the rats to fasting for 6-Hours per day had little to no consequential effect whereas subjection of the rats to 12-Hours fasting per day greatly affected the sexual performance of the rats with varying clinical presentations.

ABSTRACT
Transfusion Transmissible Infections (TTIs) pose a significant risk to the safety of blood transfusions and public health. This therefore, underscores the need for stringent blood safety measures to mitigate potential infection transmission risks. The aim of this study was to assess the seroprevalence and types of transfusion-transmissible infections among prospective donors in the blood bank of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital. This study utilized a retrospective study design to investigate the seroprevalence of TTIs over a 12-month period. Coordination was established with the blood bank staff and hospital administration to gain access to the required blood bank records. Specific variables were identified for analysis, including donor ID, donation date, and test results for HIV, HBsAg, HCV, and VDRL, and demographic information such as age and gender. During the initial laboratory investigations, Donor samples were subjected to rapid testing kits and the ABBOTT machine was used to re-affirm positive cases. During the 12 month study period from July 2022 to June 2023, a total of 3241 blood donors were registered. Testing showed an infection-positive test of 248, which gives an overall prevalence of 7.65%. The seroprevalence of Transfusion-Transmissible infections were found to be 0.93%, 2.35%, 1.85% and 2.53%, for HIV, HBsAg, HCV and syphilis as respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in the trend of donors over the months. Of the 2707 male donors recorded the seroprevalence of HIV, HBsAg, HCV and syphilis were found to be 0.99%, 2.11%, 1.81%, and 2.66% respectively. While 534 female donors recorded, the prevalence of HIV, HBsAg, HCV and syphilis was found to be 0.75%, 3.56%, 2.05%, and 1.87% respectively. Correlation analysis showed no statistically significant association between TTI rates and Gender groups (p>0.05). Correlation Analysis shows a significant association (p = 0.01) between the prevalence of TTI and donor categories considered to be replacement donors and voluntary donors. The findings underscore the importance of continuous vigilance in maintaining blood safety standards and highlight the variable prevalence rates of HIV, HBsAg, HCV, and syphilis among different demographic groups. This study emphasizes the critical role of targeted interventions to mitigate infection transmission, ensuring the safety of the blood supply and the well-being of recipients. Efforts should be continually intensified in ensuring maximum safety of blood for transfusion. This can be achieved by screening, counselling and creating awareness on the need for regular testing of TTIs to reduce transmission among prospective donors

ABSTRACT
Mercury is a common element in the environment that causes oxidative stress in those who are exposed, which in turn causes tissue damage. The role of natural antioxidants, especially those derived from plants is gaining a lot of attention with scientific evidence showing that vegetables, fruits and teas have protective effects and promote good health. Aspalathus linearis, commonly known as Rooibos, is well known for its rich content of different compounds with antioxidant properties. Studies have shown that it has anticarcinogenic, antimutagenic, anti-diabetic, antioxidant, cardio-protective effects. In this study, the neuroprotective activities of Aspalathus linearis (rooibos) was investigated in mercury chloride-induced neurotoxicity in experimental animals. Forty two adult Wistar rats, which weighed an average of 161g, were used for this study. The rats were grouped into seven groups (A, B, C, D, E, F and G), of six rats each. Group A served as the control and were given 1ml of sterile water, Group B (HgCl2) were given 4mg/kg bodyweight of Mercury chloride only, Group C (RBT + HgCl2) were administered 250mg/kg bodyweight aqueous leaf extract of Aspalathus linearis and 4mg/kg bodyweight of Mercury chloride, Group D (RBT + HgCl2) were administered 500mg/kg bodyweight aqueous leaf extract of Aspalathus linearis and 4mg/kg bodyweight of Mercury chloride, Group E (RBT) were administered 500mg/kg bodyweight aqueous leaf extract of Aspalathus linearis only, Group F (Vit E + HgCl2) were administered 500mg/kg bodyweight of vitamin E and 4mg/kg bodyweight of Mercury chloride and Group G(Vit E) were administered 500mg/kg bodyweight of vitamin E only. All administrations were given orally, through an orogastric tube and the experiment lasted for 28 days. At the end of the study period, the rats were weighed and open field test was performed. The rats were euthanized through cervical dislocation and their brains dissected out. Brain weight was recorded and antioxidant parameters such as MDA, GPx and SOD was investigated. Histology of the cerebellum was also examined in all groups. Result shows, in the neurobehavoural activity, for rearing and ambulation a decrease (P < 0.05) was observed in group B when compared with control, however in rearing and ambulation an increase (P > 0.05) was observed in group C, D and F when compared with group B. For grooming and immobility an increase (P > 0.05) was observed in group B when compared with control, however in grooming and immobility a decrease (P < 0.05) was observed in group C, D and F when compared with group B. Result for antioxidant activity showed oxidative stress ( low antioxidant activity) in group B whereas the Control, RBT and Vit. E groups increase in antioxidant activity. Result from histology showed degeneration of the purkinje cells in the purkinje cell layer of the cerebellum in group B when compared with control, however treatment with RBT and Vit. E reversed the effect. In conclusion the findings showed Aspalathus linearis (rooibos) help to attenuate the neurotoxic effect of mercury-chloride on the cerebellum of adult Wistar rat

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has become a major global health concern and a menace
to the efficacy of existing antimicrobials, necessitating the exploration of alternative
agents. Medicinal plants have the potential to provide novel therapeutic options against
microbial infections. Cymbopogon citratus (lemongrass) and Picralima nitida (Akuamma)
are widely recognized for their antimicrobial effects, among other pharmacological
activities. This study aimed at evaluating the antimicrobial activity of a bi-herbal
formulation of Cymbopogon citratus (lemongrass) and Picralima nitida (Akuamma)
against selected pathogenic microorganisms. Aqueous and ethanol leave extracts of
Cymbopogon citratus and Picralima nitida were used. An inoculum size of 10
5 CFU/ml
was applied. Antimicrobial susceptibility test was carried out using agar well diffusion
method with some modifications. The results showed that the MICs of the aqueous and
the ethanol leave extracts on Staphylococcus aureus were 200 mg/ml and 20.83 mg/ml
with zones of inhibition of diameters 11.50 mm and 11.33 mm, respectively. Also, the
MICs of the aqueous and the ethanol leave extracts on Bacillus subtilis were 150 mg/ml
and 6.37 mg/ml with zones of inhibition of diameters 15.00 mm and 15.50 mm, respectively. The MIC of the aqueous extract on C. albicans was 75 mg/ml with a zone of
inhibition diameter of 12.00 mm; however, the ethanolic extract did not produce any zone
of inhibition. No zones of inhibition were observed in K. pneumonia and Aspergillus
niger. In conclusion, both the aqueous and ethanol bi-herbal formulations of
Cymbopogon citratus and Picralima nitida leaves possess antimicrobial property against
Gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis, although these
organisms were more susceptible to the ethanol extract. The formulation is not effective
against Gram-negative organisms such as Klebsiella pneumonia and Escherichia coli, as
well as fungi such as Aspergillus niger but had slight activity against Candida albicans. Further research is recommended to elucidate the efficacy, safety, and toxicity of this
formulation.