scholarly journals Evaluation of Microbial Contamination of Combs and Brushes in Beauty Salons within the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

2019 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
H. O. Stanley ◽  
T. T. Oba ◽  
C. J. Ugboma
Keyword(s):  
Microbial Contamination ◽  
Bacterial Isolates ◽  
Port Harcourt ◽  
Bacillus Spp ◽  
Health Significance ◽  
Beauty Salons ◽  
The University ◽  
Rivers State ◽  
Penicillium Spp

Beauty salons may provide a suitable medium for the growth and transfer of pathogenic microorganisms which may be of public health significance. This study was aimed at investigating the microbial contamination of beauty salon tools within the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. Nutrient agar was used for the determination of total culturable heterotrophic bacterial counts and Potato dextrose agar was used for the determination of total spore counts. Bacterial isolates were subjected to different biochemical tests while the fungal cultures were identified by macroscopy and microscopy. Results revealed bacterial load obtained from combs and brushes across the three campuses studied ranged from 6.3x105 to 2.8x106 CFU/swab area and 5.8x105 to 1.8x106 CFU/swab area respectively. Total spore counts obtained from combs and brushes across the three campuses ranged from1.8x105 to 1.0x106 CFU/swab area and 4.2x105 to 9.3x105CFU/swab area respectively. The bacterial isolates obtained from the salon tools include Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus spp., Micrococcus spp.,Serratia spp.,Citrobacter spp., Proteus spp. and Shigella spp., while the fungal isolates include Aspergillus flavus, Penicillium spp., Tricophyton spp. and Microsporium spp. Staphylococcus aureus (27.7%) and Bacillus spp.(22.2%) were the predominant bacterial isolates in the study while Aspergillus flavus (36.3%) and Penicillium spp.(27.3%) were the most occurring fungi. The study showed that fomites used in beauty salons harbour significantly high microbial load including microorganisms of possible public health significance.

scholarly journals Biodeterioration of Classroom Wall Surfaces in the University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria

2019 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
B. C. Anele ◽  
P. O. Okerentugba ◽  
H. O. Stanley ◽  
C. J. Ugboma
Keyword(s):  
Physicochemical Parameters ◽  
Biochemical Characterization ◽  
Diffusion Method ◽  
Frequency Of Occurrence ◽  
Bacterial Isolates ◽  
Port Harcourt ◽  
Aspergillus Fumigates ◽  
Bacillus Spp ◽  
Antibiotics Susceptibility ◽  
The University

Aim: This study investigated the biodeterioration of classroom wall surfaces in the University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Study Design: Scrapings from selected classroom wall surfaces were analyzed for their microbiological and physicochemical parameters. Isolated bacteria were screened for their antibiotics susceptibility. Place and Duration of Study: This study was carried out at the University of Port Harcourt between March - June 2018. Methods: The population of culturable bacterial and fungal biodeteriogens was determined by plating. Physicochemical parameters were determined using standard methods. Antibiotic susceptibility pattern of the bacterial isolates was determined using the disc diffusion method. Results: The total culturable heterotrophic bacterial counts ranged from 6.48 to 8.23 log CFU/g while the total fungal counts ranged from 5.00 to 7.28 log CFU/g. The bacterial isolates identified by biochemical characterization and their frequency of occurrence are Micrococcus spp. (7.3%), Citrobacter spp. (3.2%), Bacillus spp. (39.1%), Serratia spp. (3.2%), Corynebacterium spp. (10.9%), Staphylococcus aureus (20.1%), Proteus spp. (9.2%) and Shigella spp (7.0%). The fungal isolates and their frequency of occurrence are Aspergillus flavus (39.1%), Penicillium spp. (20.1%), Microsporium canis (14.3%), Coccidioides spp. (10.9%), Aspergillus fumigates (3.2%) and Tricophyton spp (3.2%). All antibiotics used showed activity against all bacterial isolates except Proteus spp. From the results of the physicochemical parameters, pH values ranged from 6.15 to 9.01, nitrate ranged from 5.30 to 14.83 mg/kg, phosphate ranged 2.19 to 5.94 mg/kg, sulphate ranged from 12.97 to 19.07 mg/kg and Total Organic Carbon ranged from 74.89 to 119.43 mg/kg. Conclusions: This study has shown the potential public health risk associated with classroom building deterioration owing to the presence of pathogenic microorganisms. Therefore, measures towards prevention and mitigation of classroom building biodeterioration should be in place.

scholarly journals C-Reactive Protein as an Inflammatory Biomarker for the Assessment of Malaria Parasitemia in a Tertiary Health Care Facility in Rivers State, Nigeria

2019 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Dada A. Emmanuel ◽  
Eze N. Chinwe ◽  
Akawa B. Ayodeji
Keyword(s):  
Falciparum Malaria ◽  
Teaching Hospital ◽  
C Reactive Protein ◽  
Reactive Protein ◽  
Malaria Parasitemia ◽  
Port Harcourt ◽  
Test Kit ◽  
The University ◽  
Rivers State ◽  
Serum Crp

Aim: To use C-Reactive Protein (CRP) in assessing` malaria and malaria parasitemia among out-patients in the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH). Study Design: Cross-sectional descriptive study. Place and Duration of Study: This study was carried out at the Out Patients Department (OPD) of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. It was conducted between November 2017 and April 2018. Methodology: This study was done on 400 subjects between the ages of 11 and 60 years which consisted of 254 falciparum malaria infected patients and 164 non-infected patients. Quantitative analysis of Serum CRP was done using the High Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (HsCRP) enzyme immunoassay test kit (Biocheck©) while malaria diagnosis was done using microscopy Giemsa thick and thin film prepared on separate slides, slides were observed under the ×10 and ×100 objectives of the light microscope. Slides viewed under a high power field with parasite density less than three (<3), between 3 and 10 (3-10), from eleven to nineteen (11-19) and greater or equal to 20 (≥20) were classified as scanty, one plus (+), two pluses (++) and three pluses (+++) respectively. Data analysis was done using statistical packages for social science (SPSS) version 21. Results: The results showed a significant (p<0.001) overall mean high serum CRP concentration (25.63±14.40 mg/l) in the malaria infected patients compared to 3.74±1.02 mg/l in the non-infected group, with a direct increment of the CRP level from the scanty to the three pluses with 9.50±0.37 mg/l, 13.51±1.6 mg/l, 44.19±2.62 mg/l and 53.84±1.75 mg/l recorded for scanty, one plus, two pluses and three pluses respectively. CRP correlated positively and significantly with malaria parasitemia (r = 0.89; p < 0.001). Conclusion: The abnormally elevated level of CRP in the infected patients showed that CRP is a positive biomarker for Plasmodium falciparum malaria and can be used as an indicator of the disease coupled with other febrile symptoms.

scholarly journals Determination of Arsenic Content in Different Brands of Rice Sold in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

2019 ◽  
pp. 437-443
Author(s):  
Waribo, Helen Anthony ◽  
George, Daye Mandy ◽  
Selbut, Selchak Danjuma
Keyword(s):  
Anthropogenic Activities ◽  
Arsenic Concentration ◽  
Atomic Emission ◽  
Arsenic Content ◽  
Major Health ◽  
Port Harcourt ◽  
Rice Samples ◽  
Rivers State ◽  
Mean Concentration

Arsenic, a naturally occurring element seen in the environment and cycled by water has been seen to be a pollutant in soil, water and air. The inorganic form of arsenic is associated with major health problems and cancer mainly arising due to its anthropogenic activities. The content of arsenic was assayed in six rice brands sold in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. The rice samples were ground to powdered forms and subjected to acid digestion before analysis. The Agilent Micro Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrophotometer (MP-AES) was used to analyze the digested samples. Results showed mean arsenic concentration in Vico Rice, the highest as 1.0073. This was followed by Local Rice 0.9420, Marori Benz 0.9140, Golden Stallion Rice 0.861 and the Cap Rice 0.8077 while the least mean concentration of arsenic was recorded in African Princess Rice 0.6417, all in mg/kg. The mean concentration was significantly different in the six brands of rice (P<0.05). The arsenic content in the different rice brand was within the tolerable concentration of 1.4 mg/kg as in cereals and vegetables. This concentration did not exceed the Maximum Permissible Limit of 1 mg/kg hence considered safe for consumption except Vico rice with a higher concentration above 1 mg/kg. This shows that rice brands sold in Port Harcourt pose no health risk for consumers with respect to arsenic content.

scholarly journals Personality Traits As Predictors Of Burnout Syndrome Among Nurses In The University Of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital Rivers State

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 35-42
Author(s):  
R. O. Ekechukwu ◽  
Osuagwu Isabella
Keyword(s):  
Personality Traits ◽  
Teaching Hospital ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Simple Random Sampling ◽  
Openness To Experience ◽  
Burnout Syndrome ◽  
Daily Work ◽  
Port Harcourt ◽  
The University ◽  
Rivers State

The study investigated personality traits as predictors of burnout syndrome among nurses in the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital Rivers State. The study used the correlational research design. The population of the study comprised of all 750 nurses in the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital. A sample of 300 nurses from Paediatrics Ward, Male Ward, Female Ward and Intensive Care Unit (ICU), were randomly selected using the simple random sampling technique (balloting). Two instruments titled; Maslach Burnout Scale (MBS) by Maslach (1996) and Personality Inventory (NEO) by Costa and McCrae (1992) were used to collect data for the study. The Cronbach Alpha reliability was used to establish the internal consistency reliability coefficients of 0.87 and 0.81respectively. Responses to the research questions were analyzed with mean and standard deviation, while the hypotheses will be tested with multiple regression associated with independent sample t-test statistics. The findings of the study revealed that personality traits (neuroticism, extraversion, openness to experience) jointly predict burnout syndrome among nurses in University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital. Further analysis of the result showed that when personality traits of neuroticism, extraversion, openness to experience where looked at independently, only neuroticism and extraversion relate significantly predict burnout syndrome while openness to experience did not. Based on the findings of the study it was recommended among others that counsellors, psychologists and others in the helping profession should readily offer practical assistance to nurses experiencing burnout to enable them cope with the stressful experience they encounter in their daily work assignments.

scholarly journals Survey of quality of swine feed mixes

2002 ◽  
Vol 56 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 41-52 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zoran Masic ◽  
Dobrila Jakic-Dimic ◽  
Vidica Stanacev ◽  
Zlatan Sinovec
Keyword(s):  
Microbiological Analysis ◽  
Fusarium Spp ◽  
Copper Manganese ◽  
Bacillus Spp ◽  
Swine Feed ◽  
The Republic ◽  
Staphylococcus Spp ◽  
Penicillium Spp

The paper presents the results of analyses of the chemical composition of 455 samples, microbiological analysis of 412 samples, and mucotoxicological analyses of 212 samples of feed mixes for different categories of swine which arrived for control at authorized laboratories from the territory of the Republic of Serbia during the period from 2000 until 2001. The analyses of 455 swine feed mix samples showed that as many as 185 feed mixes do not meet the quality condition on protein content envisaged by legal regulations, and the highest discrepancy was determined in feed mixes for piglets. Analyses of Ca, P and NaCl contents showed that the mixes in a large number of cases contain insufficient quantities, and in a considerable number even quantities which are not permitted. Analyses of the contents of certain microelements showed that mixes contain insufficient quantities in a large number of cases, especially of copper, manganese and zinc. The number of saprophytic bacteria greatly varied depending on the type of feed mix but all examined samples contained a permitted number of saprophytic bacteria. These analyses most often isolated Bacillus spp., Staphylococcus spp., coliform bacteries, and Micrococcus spp.. Most examined samples contained a permitted number of clostridia, and a smaller number of samples mostly for piglets, showed an impermissible number of clostridia. The quantity of mold fungi in mixes was significantly higher in mixes for young animals, and the determination of fungi most frequently resulted in the isolation of Penicillium spp., Aspergillus spp., Fusarium spp., and Mucor spp.. The mucotoxin analysis of 212 feed mixes showed that only 30.2% were within permitted levels, and the differences between the mixes for young and adult animals were not significant. The mucotoxins most often present were zearalenon and ochratoxin, and all mixes in which aflatoxin and trychotecenes were identified contained these toxins in quantities above permitted levels.

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