Objective: This study examined the pattern of physicians' prescription of antihypertensive drugs and its possible effects on blood pressure control as well as physicians' compliance with recommended guidelines. Methods: Records of 145 patients aged 17-91 (mean: 52.6 ± 14.6) years, with male to female ratio of 1:1.2 were randomly selected. Information on antihypertensive prescriptions was recorded. Blood pressure control was defined as systolic and diastolic blood pressure less than 140 mm Hg and 90mmHg, respectively. Results: Of the 145 patients studied, 20% (29) were on monotherapy and 80% (116) on combination therapy. Of the patients on combination therapy, 61.2% (71), 33.6% (39) and 5.2% (6) were on 2, 3 and 4 drugs, respectively. Diuretic was the most frequently prescribed drug either as a single agent (44.8%) or as combination therapy (88.8%). Mean reductions in both systolic and diastolic blood pressures were more in patients on calcium channel blocker than those on diuretic monotherapy (t = 2.5 and 3.6 for reductions in systolic and diastolic BP, respectively; P < .05 for both), and, in patients on combination therapy than those on monotherapy (t = 3.64 and 3.27 for reductions in systolic and diastolic BP, respectively; P < .01 for both). Blood pressure control rate was 30.5%. Conclusion: Our results are consistent with the previously observed benefits of antihypertensive combination therapy, and demonstrate an apparent higher efficacy of calcium channel blocker monotherapy than diuretic monotherapy in blood pressure lowering in the study population. Major limitations of this work include its retrospective nature and the inability to determine the actual patients' adherence to therapy. Page | 129 8%) ou en combinaison avec d'autres agents antihypertenseurs. La réduction moyenne dans les deux cas de systolique et diastolique était plus élevée chez les patients prenant les diurétiques tout court. (= 2.5 et, 3.6 pour la réduction en systolique et diastolique respectirement; p<0.05 pour les deux cas), et chez les patients en thérapie combinée que chez ceux en monothérapie (t = 3,64 et 3, 27 pour la réduction en systolique et diastolique respectivement; p< 0.01) pour les deux cas_. Le taux de contrôle était 30, 5%. Conclusion: Nos résultats correspondent aux bénéfices déjà observés dans le régime de la thérapie antihypertensive combinée, et montre une efficacité clairement élevée de beta-bloquants de calcium (la chaine de bloquants de calcium) utilisés en monothérapie que les diurétiques utilisés en monothérapie dans l'abaissement de la tension artérielle au sein de l'échantillon de l'étude.

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Background: This study examines the diagnosis of malaria and pattern of prescription of antimalarial drugs in the most vulnerable age group (the under 5 children) in the study environment in order to identify the possible shortcomings and suggest solutions so as to improve the treatment outcome in future. Methods: The hospital records of 430 children with malaria infection admitted for treatment in a chosen tertiary health facility between January to December 2005 were selected for study. Forty-eight case records were excluded due to incomplete information. Data on demographic, clinical features of disease, diagnostic procedures, drug administration and the treatment out come were collected from the patients' records. Results: Analysis of the data revealed that more male (213) than female (169) children were admitted for malaria treatment: Fever with convulsion (55.8%) was the commonest presenting symptoms, and anemia was the most frequent complications of malaria recorded. Chloroquine was found to be the most prescribed antimalarial agent and overall antemisinin-based drug was prescribed either as a first or second line treatment in only 18.2% of the cases. The death rate recorded was 16%. Conclusion: The pattern of antimalarial drugs prescription in the study center in most cases did not meet the recommended guidelines. The prescriptions were predominantly chloroquine, instead of artemisinin based. The death rate was comparatively high. Measures to raise the level of awareness among the practitioners on the current National policy on malaria treatment through seminars and workshops were suggested.

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BackgroundFicus platyphylla Delile (family- Moracea) commonly called gutta percha tree is a deciduous plant found in savannah areas. It grows widely in the Northern part of Nigeria, up to 60 ft. high and is known as 'gamji' by the Hausas. The seeds, bark and leaves have been used traditionally in combination to promote fertility. Scientifically, the plant has been shown to have analgesic, anti-inflammatory and CNS effects. The present study was to validate the use of this plant to promote fertility in female Rattus norvegicus Wistar strain using various fertility parameters.MethodsFemale Rattus norvegicus Wistar strain weighing between 150-180 g were randomly selected and divided into two major groups. Each group was subdivided into 5 treatment groups of 100, 200, 400 mg/kg BW of aqueous extract of F. platyphylla and a control group of 5 ml/kg of distilled water. A positive control of clomiphene citrate was used. Treatment of the first group was discontinued after 15 days prior to mating (pre-mating treatment group), while the other was treated continuously till delivery (continuous treatment group). At the 10th day, females were sacrificed and implantation sites were checked and embryos counted. Upon delivery, litter sizes were determined and the pups weighed and checked for deformities. Other reproductive indices were calculated. Data were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance and students T-test. Proportions were analysed by Chi square. Statistical evaluations were performed using STATS programs and Graphpad prism, and a difference was considered statistically significant at P < 0.05.ResultsThere was a significant reduction in the percentage post implantation losses of both the pre-treatment and the continuous treatment groups when compared to their distil water controls. The litter size of the pre-treatment group was similar to the distil water group while at 400 mg/kg, the continuous treatment group showed an increase in the litter size similar to that of the clomiphene group. There were no observed external deformities in the pups.ConclusionsAdministration of aqueous extract of F. platyphylla promotes fertility by reducing post implantation loss and by increasing litter size in female Rattus norvegicus Wistar strain.

Aqueous extract of Abrus precatorius leaf is being used by Nupe community of Nigeria to treat infectious diseases including malaria, pneumonia, typhoid, diarrhoea, wound and candidiasis. The aim of the research was to study immunomodulatory potentials and histopathological effects of the extract. Forty-two mice of either sex weighing 28.25+5.92 g used for the study were divided into 6 groups of seven mice each administered 0, 12.5, 25, 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg bodyweight for a period of 3 weeks. The body weight and blood samples of the mice were obtained prior to the administration of the extract and subsequently weekly. One-third milliliter (0.33 ml) of blood was obtained from the tail vein of each mice and placed in ethylene diamine tetra acetate (EDTA) sample bottles for haematology. Liver, lung, spleen and heart were harvested for histopathology. Observed are significantly increased (p