Background:Cervical cancer is a public health problem that disproportionately affects women in less-developed countries despite the availability of effective screening tools. The objective of this study was to determine the level of knowledge of cervical cancer and uptake of the Papanicolaou (Pap) smear test among teachers in public secondary schools in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.Methodology:This was a cross-sectional descriptive study among 370 female teachers in public secondary schools in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Data were collected with a self-administered questionnaire and were analyzed using Stata software version 10.Results:The mean age of respondents was 37.9 ± 7.9 years. More than two-thirds (71.0%) of the respondents had low knowledge of cervical cancer risk factors, whereas 168 (57.9%) respondents had low knowledge of the symptoms. Among the 226 (77.9%) respondents who knew that cervical cancer was preventable, only 65 (28.8%) had high knowledge of preventive measures. About 42.2% of respondents were aware of the Pap smear test and only 8.4% had ever had a Pap smear test. There were significant associations between knowledge of symptoms, prevention of cervical cancer, and the uptake of the Pap smear test (P < 0.05).Conclusion:The levels of knowledge of risk factors, symptoms, and methods of prevention of cervical cancer were low in this study. This may have accounted for the low uptake of the Pap smear test. Regular and comprehensive health education concerning cervical cancer and its prevention is advocated in the media and clinics to encourage higher uptake of the Pap smear test.

<p class="abstract"><span lang="EN-US">Organophosphates are often constituents of pesticides and insecticides. Some of these products are sold by unregistered vendors on the streets and in market places in sub-Saharan Africa. When purchased, and improperly stored, children may easily have access to, and inadvertently consume them. The clinical features of organophosphate poisoning include diarrhoea, diaphoresis, urination, miosis, bronchorrhoea, bronchospasm, bradycardia, emesis, lacrimation and salivation. Atropine administration is an important cornerstone of the management of this condition, with a good outcome in this instance. A case of organophosphate poisoning is herein reported to illustrate the effect of the predisposing factors to accidental childhood poisoning. It is hoped that this will help make an urgent case to raise public awareness on the prevention of accidental childhood poisoning, as well as the enforcement of regulations on the production, labeling, distribution and sale of these organophosphate compounds.</span></p>

Aims: To determine the materials used in singeing meat, reasons for their use and knowledge of the health and environmental effects of using old tyres in meat singeing by butchers in Uyo, Nigeria. Study Design: The study used a descriptive cross-sectional study design. Place and Duration of Study: Uyo capital city territory, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria from August                       1st  to 30th, 2019. Methodology: We recruited 42 butchers (all males; mean age 25+/-6 years) from an abattoir, 2 slaughter slabs and meat processing sites on 2 major streets in Uyo capital city territory. Data collection was done using interviewer administered questionnaires and interview guide. Data was analyzed with Stata statistical software version 10.0. Results: The major singeing materials for goat hides were plastics 19 (45.2%) and old tyres 10 (23.8%) while firewood 13 (31.0%) was used for cattle hides. Reasons for preference of singeing materials were: old tyres burn fast 10 (100.0%), cheaper than firewood 10 (100.0%) and left no cracks on hides 10 (100.0%); Plastics were available 17 (89.5%), longer duration of flame 16 (84.2%) and the cheapest 15 (78.9%) compared to tyres and firewood while firewood was preferred because it burnt slowly. Twenty five butchers (59.5%) had poor knowledge of the effect of use of old tires in singeing on health and environment. Reported symptoms associated with singeing were cough 17 (56.7%), dizziness 16 (53.3%) and itchy eyes 14 (46.7%). Key informant interview revealed that number of animals singed, duration of flame and cost of singeing material were the major determinants of the type of singeing materials used. Conclusion: Plastics, old tyres and firewood were mainly used by butchers in singeing hides. Poor level of knowledge of effects of use of old tires in singeing was seen. Capacity building of butchers and ban of use of these materials is recommended.

Tuberculosis (TB) is a significant public health problem globally, especially in developing countries. Every day, up to 200 children (aged less than 15 years) lose their lives to tuberculosis – a preventable and curable disease. Disseminated TB is a potentially life-threatening form of TB, and it is common in infants and children. Contact tracing and the examination of household contacts, particularly of known sputum smear-positive cases, is highly effective in tuberculosis control. Unfortunately, in many high-burden countries, little effort is directed towards identifying contacts of newly diagnosed TB patients. Indeed, TB contact investigations are rarely and inconsistently carried out in resource-limited settings. This failure places children at significant risk. A case of disseminated TB in a child is herein reported, aiming to highlight the pertinent aspects of the history, clinical presentation and outcome, which ultimately underscore the need for active contact tracing. Contact tracing must be strongly advocated for, as this will go a very long way in reducing the burden of childhood TB.