ASSESSING AND IMPROVING THE PERFORMANCE OF HEALTH MAINTENANCE ORGANIZATIONS IN THE NIGERIAN NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE SCHEME: THE HEALTH PROVIDER’S PERSPECTIVES.

^1*Adebimpe, Wasiu Olalekan and ²Adebimpe Mujidat Adebukola

¹Department of Community Medicine, Osun State University, Osogbo. Nigeria

²Ministry of Finance, Osun State Secretariat, Osogbo Nigeria

e-mail: lekanadebimpe@yahoo.com and lekanadebimpe@gmail.com com

ABSTRACT

Quality issues are bound to occur in the complex relationship between the different stake holders in the NHIS scheme. Such issues could affect choice of HMOs among health care providers and clients. The objective of this study is to determine factors influencing mode of operation and choice of HMOs among NHIS primary health care service providers in Osogbo in southwestern Nigeria. This was a qualitative, descriptive cross sectional study was carried out among hospital workers focal persons in charge of HMOs activities. Three focus group discussions of eight eligible respondents each were performed using a focus group discussion guide. Analysis was presented in simple proportional forms. All the HMOs were reported to have good reputation with the health care providers in terms of their strong financial base and service coverage. While most offer both capitation and fee for services, very few operates only fee for services. Only few of HMOs defaults in their monthly payments, which may necessitate non provision of services to clients. Referral systems were in place by all NGOs but with weal referral feedback loop. Monitoring activities by HMOs was also been carried out. Clients have had reasons and course to apply for a change of HMOs. HMOs should always arrange an avenue with clients (or body of clients) to discuss their operations, their successes and weakness before making a choice of a HMO.

Keywords: Health maintenance organizations (HMOs), National Health Insurance scheme                              (NHIS), primary health care service providers

INVESTIGATION ON THE EFFECTS OF EXTRACTS OF ASPARAGUS SETACEOUS KUNTH AND CEASALPINIA VOLKENSII HARM ON TOTAL AND DIFFERENTIAL WHITE BLOOD CELL COUNTS IN RATS

Kenneth O Ogila^a ;Zipporah Ng’ang’a^b and Josephat Shililu^a

^aDepartment of Zoology, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, Kenya.

^bDepartment of Medical Laboratory Science, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology Nairobi, Kenya.

Email: k_ogila@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

Asparagus setaceous and Caesalpinia volkensii grows in several parts of Kenya. Extracts of these two plants have been suggested to be effective in the treatment of bacterial infections. To examine the mechanism by which these herbal remedy might be effective in combating bacterial infections, the capacity of aqueous and organic extracts of these plants to elevate white blood cell (WBCs) counts in rats were investigated. Aqueous, ethanol and methanolic extracts from both plants were found to significantly elevate WBCs counts in rat. These results of in vivo finding are very exciting. They indicate that the plant kingdom may be a potential source of general immunomodulators which may be useful in combating a myriad of tropical diseases, including the opportunistic infections associated with AIDS.

Key words: extracts, infectious diseases, WBCs counts and immunomodulators

PHYTOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES AND ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITIES OF PHYSCIA GRISEA ON CLINICAL ISOLATE OF SALMONELLA TYPHI

¹Eze, E. I. and ²Orjioke, C.

¹Department of Crop Science, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria

²Department of Science Laboratory Technology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria

ABSTRACT

Physcia grisea were ground, extracted with ethanol, and some bioactive components determined before the extract was screened for phytochemical and antimicrobial activities on Salmonella typhi using Agar Cup Diffusion Technique. Chloramphenicol was used as a standard antibacterial agent for comparison. The phytochemical compounds found in the extract include tannins, flavonoids and alkaloids. The result of antimicrobial screening showed that P. grisea has antibacterial activity against S. typhi like chloramphenicol. However, P. grisea has a lower antimicrobial action than chloramphenicol.

Keywords: Physcia grisea, phytochemical, antimicrobial activities and Salmonella typhi

RURAL-URBAN DIFFERENTIAL IN MATERNAL MORTALITY ESTIMATE IN NIGERIA, SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA

Adebowale S. A.; Fagbamigbe F. A.; and Bamgboye E. A.

Department of Epidemiology, Medical Statistics and Environmental Health

University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria

email:adesteve2006@yahoo.com

       ABSTRACT

In developing countries, the traditional sources of demographic statistics in which the estimates of demographic indices are based are either non-existence or incomplete. Data requirements on maternal deaths are always very large and costly. The indirect method (sisterhood method) for estimating maternal deaths was designed primarily as check to these problems. The study used Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), 2008 data. A total of 18,250 (6,894 urban and 11,356 rural) adults responded to questions essential for the estimation of maternal mortality. The P/F ratio method was used to adjust the total fertility rates (TFR) in urban and rural areas. Thereafter, the life-time risks of maternal deaths (LTRMD) were estimated for the two areas. These were later converted to maternal mortality ratio (MMR). Data analyses revealed that the adjusted total fertility rates for urban and rural areas were 5.26 and 7.12 respectively. The LTRMD in urban was 0.0221 (1 in 45) whereas, in rural area it was 0.0309 (1 in 32). These results correspond to MMR of 424/100,000 and 440/100,000 live births in urban and rural areas respectfully. These are not far from the national estimate of 436/100,000 live births as evidence in this study. This method provided a robust estimate of MMR in both urban and rural areas and shows that the MMR in Nigeria is reducing. However, the figures at the two locations are still high. Government and international agencies should put appropriate mechanisms in place for further reduction in the prevalence. 

Keywords: life-time risks, adjusted total fertility rate, maternal mortality.

Table of contents

Bacteraemia among In-Patients of University of Maiduguri Teaching

Hospital: The Pathogens Involved, Their Susceptibilitiesto Antibacterial

 Agents and Multi-Drugs Resistant Patterns

Ohieku, John David; Nnolim, Miriam Ifeoma; Gadzama Bala Galadima

 and  Bassi Peter usman…………………………………                                                                       1 – 8

Microbial Analysis of Sliced Pineapples and Pawpaw in Ogun State, Nigeria

Jolaoso A.A, Kareem S.O, Ogunmuyiwa S.I.O,Ajayi J.O

and Osifeso O.O. ……………………………………………………………………..                           9 – 14

In Vitro Studies of the Influence of Manganese on the Lipid

Profile of Trypanosoma Congolense

Ishaya Y. Longdet, Gregory E. Anekwe and Mariam Solomon ……………………….                  15 -20

The Antiplasmodial Activity of Buchholzia Coriacea

Okoli, B.J, Okere. O.S and Adeyemo.S.O…………………………………                                     21-29

Comparism of the Hypocholesterolemic Effect of Kolaviron

(A Garcinia Kola Seed Extract) with Questran

Nwaneri, V.O.; Anyanwu, K. C; Adaramoye, O.A. and Emerole, G.O. ………..                           30-36

Effect of Aqueous Leaf Extract of Ocimum Gratissimum in

Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Wistar Rats

Luka, C. D; Onireti, J. O and Adoga, G. I. ……………………………………….                             37-45

Effect of Preservation Methods and Storage on Nutritional

Quality and Sensory Properties Leafy Vegetables Consumed in Nigeria

Sobowale, S.S, Olatidoye, O.P, Olorode, O.O and Sokeye, O.K            …………….                              46-56

Assisting Women Living With HIV to Meet Sexual and 

Reproductive Needs: A Challenge to Health Care Providers

Nworuh Blessed Okwuchi …………………………………………………………                               57-63

Antimicrobial Properties of Ethanolic and Aqueous Extracts

Of Cymbopogon Citratus on Selected Bacteria and Fungi

Owoseni, Abimbola A. and Ajayi, Adebola ……………………………………..                             64-73

Rural-Urban Differential in Maternal Mortality Estimate

in Nigeria, Sub-Saharan Africa

Adebowale S. A.; Fagbamigbe F. A.; and Bamgboye E. A. …………………                             74-92

Phytochemical Properties and Antimicrobial Activities of

Physcia Grisea on Clinical Isolate of Salmonella Typhi

Eze, E. I. and Orjioke, C. ……………………………………………………….                                 93-98

Efficacy of Postural Drainage Combined with Percussion and

Active Cycle of Breathing Technique in Patients with Chronic Bronchitis

Tela B.A, Osho O.A, Abiose J.O and Akinbo S.R.A ……………………….……..                                99-107

Investigation on the Effects of Extracts of Asparagus Setaceous Kunth

and Ceasalpinia Volkensii Harm on Total and Differential White Blood Cell

Counts in Rats

Kenneth O Ogila ;Zipporah Ng’ang’a and Josephat Shililu………………….…                                 108-122

Assessing and Improving the Performance of Health Maintenance

Organizations in the Nigerian National Health Insurance Scheme:

The Health Provider’s Perspectives.

Adebimpe, Wasiu Olalekan and Adebimpe Mujidat Adebukola ………….……                                123-126

 ASSISTING WOMEN LIVING WITH HIV TO MEET SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE NEEDS: A CHALLENGE TO HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS 
  
   
    
      
Nworuh Blessed Okwuchi
 Department of Public Health Technology
 Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria 
 


 ABSTRACT 
 Women living with HIV have unique sexual and reproductive health needs, because they are more vulnerable to certain sexual and reproductive problems than people who are not infected with HIV. This paper identifies the area of sexual and reproductive need of women living with HIV and the ways that the health care providers can assist them by providing needed health services. These areas include: Sexual and reproductive health counseling, advocating for condom use, child delivery care and assisted conception for positive couples. Recommendations include: Efforts to reduce stigma and discrimination from health providers as well as the general public will be important in scaling up access to the sexual and reproductive health services. Health providers should also be committed to giving complete information to HIV positive women regarding their sexual and reproductive possibilities. 


 
  
  
   
    
   
  
   
 





 
  
  
   
    
  
 

EFFECT OF PRESERVATION METHODS AND STORAGE ON NUTRITIONAL QUALITY AND SENSORY PROPERTIES LEAFY VEGETABLES CONSUMED IN NIGERIA

Sobowale, S.S^1*, Olatidoye, O.P², Olorode, O.O¹ and Sokeye, O.K³

¹Department of Food Science and Technology, Moshood Abiola polytechnic, Nigeria

²Department of Food Science and Technology, Igbinedion University Okada, Nigeria

³Department of Food Technology, Federal polytechnic, Ilaro, Nigeria.

E-mail: waledoye@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

In Nigeria, leafy vegetables are preserved by sun-drying and used like freshly harvested vegetables in soups. An experiment to investigate the effect of different drying methods on the nutritional quality and sensory qualities of leafy vegetable (Celosia argentea, fluted pumpkin leaf (Telfaria accidentalis) andwaterleaf (Talinum triangulare) was conducted. The leafy vegetables were washed, shredded, weighed and divided into four equal parts. one part (1kg) was subjected to sun drying for 5 hrs daily for 2 days, while the other three parts(1kg each) was subjected to blanching, cooking and  oven drying at a temperature of 45⁰C until constant was attained. The dried leafy vegetables (sun-dried and oven-dried) were milled into coarse using hand milling machine. Samples (250g each) of fresh (raw), sun-dried, oven-dried, blanched and cooked vegetables were used separately to prepared soup for 5min in soups.  K, Fe, Na, Mg and Ca were the predominant mineral elements analyzed. Sun drying caused significant (P ≤ 0.05) reductions in the K, Na, Ca, Mg, Zn, Fe, and P contents of the vegetables and accounted for 44.8-47.1% loss of vitamin C while oven drying accounted for 36.8–39.6% respectively.   Among the treatments, cooking accounted for 64.3–67.5% loss of vitamin C while blanching and sun drying accounted for 44.8-47.1% and 36.8–39.6% respectively. Panelists rated the soups significantly (P≤ 0.05) higher for colour, taste, texture, flavour and overall acceptability. Fresh fluted pumpkin soup was rated significantly (P≤ 0.05) higher for colour, taste, texture and flavour characteristics, while fresh water leaf vegetable soup was highly rated for taste, flavour and overall acceptability. When compared with other dried vegetable soups, dried water leaf vegetable soup had the highest score for flavour and taste while dried fluted pumpkin soup had the highest score for colour and overall acceptability.  Generally, panelists preferred the fresh to dried vegetable soups.

Keywords: Sun-dried, Oven-dried, Blanching, Cooking, Nutritional quality, sensory properties,                 Leafy-vegetables

EFFECT OF AQUEOUS LEAF EXTRACT OF OCIMUM GRATISSIMUM IN ALLOXAN-INDUCED DIABETIC WISTAR RATS

Luka, C. D; Onireti, J. O and Adoga, G. I

Department of Biochemistry

University of Jos, Jos, Nigeria

ABSTRACT

The effect of aqueous extract of leaves of Ocimum gratissimum in alloxan- induced diabetes Wister rats was investigated. Sixteen (16) adult male albino Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups (A-D). Group A and C were administered alloxan (150mg/kg) intraperitionally to induce diabetes in them. Groups A and Group B were later treated with the aqueous extract (400mg/kg) for 22 days, while groups C and D served as negative and positive controls respectively. The extract treated diabetic rats group showed  significant improvement in body weight  and the blood glucose levels decreased significantly (P< 0.05) when compared with the diabetic control group. Blood cholesterol and triglycerides level decreased significantly (P< 0.05) in diabetic rats group treated, except for the HDL-cholesterol level which increased when compared with the diabetic control group. The extract treated groups showed no significant difference (P>0.05) in AST and ALT activity when compared with the normal control group except for ALP activity which decreased when compared with the normal control. Also, PCV and RBC level increased significantly (P< 0.05) in diabetic rats group treated as compared with the diabetic control group untreated. This study showed that the leaf extract posses hypoglycaemic and hypocholesterolemic activity as claim by Nigerian traditional herbal medicine practitioners that Ocimum gratissimum leaves have hypoglycaemic properties.

keywords: Ocimum gratissimum, Diabetes mellitus, Alloxan, hypoglycaemia

COMPARISM OF THE HYPOCHOLESTEROLEMIC EFFECT OF KOLAVIRON

(A GARCINIA KOLA SEED EXTRACT) WITH QUESTRAN

¹Nwaneri, V.O.; ²Anyanwu, K. C; ²Adaramoye, O.A. and ²Emerole, G.O

Salem University, Lokoja, Kogi State

Department of Biochemistry University of Ibadan, Ibadan

Email: victoriaoby@yahoo.com

 ABSTRACT

The cholesterol lowering potentials of kolaviron; a biflavonoid complex from Garcinia kola seeds and Questran; a hypolipidemic therapeutic drug, administered orally to cholesterol-fed rats for a period of 8 consecutive weeks was investigated.Thiobarbituric acid-reacting substances (TBARS), cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and triglyceride levels were determined in the plasma. The result showed that kolaviron 100 and 200mg/kg produced over 80% reductions in plasma cholesterol while questran produced 20% decrease in plasma cholesterol. Similarly, kolaviron at the same doses decreased plasma LDL-C levels by over 90% whereas questran exhibited 24.1% reduction in plasma LDL-C. Furthermore, kolaviron inhibited lipid per oxidation by over 40% while quest ran exhibited 21.5% inhibition. The result of the present study demonstrates that kolaviron exhibits a greater efficacy in lowering plasma cholesterol levels than questran and thus suggest a possible use as a dietary supplement for the management and control of hypercholesterolemia.

KEY WORDS: Kolaviron, Questran Hypolipidemic, hypercholesterolemic, garcinia kola.