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Background: Geophagy is wide spread among pregnant women in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Objective: The aim of this study was to assess intestinal nematode infections among geophagous pregnant women in Southern Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Methods: Pregnant women were aged 17-45 years at gestational ages of ≥ 14 to 24 weeks on hospital enrolment were sampled. Data on geophagy was collected using structured questionnaire. Gastrointestinal nematode status of the participants was determined by stool analyses. Soil types ingested were examined for intestinal nematode ova / larvae. Results: The prevalence of geophagy (46.4%) was associated with socio-demographic characteristics. Ascaris lumbricoides and hookworm were associated with geophagy while Trichuris trichiura and Strongyloides stercoralis had no association. Prevalence of A. lumbricoides, T. trichiura and S. stercoralis differed significantly (p<0.05) between geophagous and non-geophagous women. The soil types consumed had eggs / larvae of A. lumbricoides and T. trichiura. Geophagy is a risk behaviour directly associated with A. lumbricoides, hookworm, T. trichiura, and to a lesser extent S. stercoralis infection among pregnant women. Conclusion: Sensitization and mass education of pregnant women on the dangers of geophagy is needed. Furthermore, deworming of pregnant women should be integrated into the healthcare delivery system of the State.

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The proximate composition, functional and physical properties, as well as sensory evaluation of breads based on blends of wheat and 'orarudi' (Vigna sp) flour were investigated. Batches of 'orarudi' (Vigna sp) were separately put in a container and subjected to natural lactic acid fermentation in deionized water in a ratio of 1:3 (w/v) at 28 ± 2°C for 24 h. The fermented samples were manually dehulled and the cotyledons dried at 55 ± 2°C in a drought air oven, hammer milled into flour (500 µm mesh screen) and stored in a refrigerator (5 ± 2°C). The blends were formulated thus, the 'orarudi' flour (ORF) substituted 5, 10, 15, and 20% wheat flour (WF). The 100% WF served as the control. The parameters investigated were evaluated using standard methods. The data obtained were statistically analyzed. The results showed that fermentation and food supplementation enhanced both the proximate, minerals and vitamin contents of the experimental breads. The physical parameters indicated that fermentation and type of supplements had negative effect on the test breads relative to the control. The results revealed that the experimental breads had higher nutrient quality than the 100% wheat bread, probably due .to food-to-food fortification/supplementation.

A four months research survey of arthropod pests infesting dried fish sold in a tropical urban community market (Ogige), Nsukka, N geria showed that 10 genera o dried freshwater fish (Synodontis, Hemisynodontis, Oreochromis, Hepsetus, Gymnarchus, Labeo, Protopterus, Heterobranchus, Alestes, Heterotis) and two species of cod fishes sold in the market were arthropod infested. The pests were extracted by i umination and cracking methods and identif ed using relevant taxonomic keys. Voucher specimens were kept n the Museum of Natural History, Department of Zoology University of Nigeria. Each of the fish genera harboured at least one of the following arthropods: Dermestes maculatus, Necrobia rufipes, Lardoglyphus konoi, Theridion saxatile and Tribolium castaneum. T. castaneum was found only in fish bones in the stall. Besides the resident pests, Perip aneta americana, Lucilia spp, Calliphora spp and Musca domestica were visiting pests of the dried fish sampled. D. maculatus was the dominant res dent pest accounting or 57.07 % of the col ected arthropods wh le Necrobia rufipe was next in importance, accounting for 21.54 % The pests were identified using keys and voucher methods.