The study analyses the health risk assessment of the concentration of Iron, Lead, Copper, Chromium, and Cadmium heavy metals in vegetables grown near dumpsites of Jimeta and Ngurore areas of Adamawa State, Nigeria. Vegetables mainly Spinach (Spinacia oleracea) and lettuce (Lactuca sativa) were collected in triplicates and analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer Buck 210VGP (AAS). The result revealed that heavy metals detected in spinach at Jimeta dumpsite decreased in the following order: Fe (3.7 mg/kg) > Pb (0.18 mg/kg) > Cu (0.12 mg/kg) > Cr (0.07 mg/kg) > Cd (below limit of detection), compared to the metal concentration in spinach at Ngorure dumpsite with lower concentration of heavy metal which decreased in the order of: Fe (2.5 mg/kg) > Pb (0.16 mg/kg) > Cu (0.14 mg/kg) > Cr (0.02 mg/kg) > Cd (below limit of detection). Other result for Spinach in Jimeta decreased in the order Fe (3.31mg/kg) > Pb (0.2mg/kg) > Cu (0.11mg/kg) > Cr (0.05mg/kg) > Cd (ND) beyond the limit of detection while Lettuce decreased in the order Fe (22.54mg/kg) > Cu (0.31mg/kg) > Pb (0.12mg/kg) > Cr (0.07mg/kg) > Cd (ND) beyond the limit of detection. Fe is the most abundant element in the vegetables with a mean value of 21 mg/kg followed by Pb (0.177 mg/kg). The analyses of paired T-test for vegetables in Ngurore and Jimeta at 0.05 level of significant confirmed that Cu and Cr showed no statistically significant difference in their concentration level while Fe and Pb confirmed that there was statistically significant difference in their concentration level. However, the detection of heavy metals in these vegetables calls for close environmental monitoring and adequate public awareness. This is necessary to discourage further pollution which could lead to high metal concentration and metal poisoning in vegetables and invariably humans that consume them. Keywords: Spinacia oleracea, Lactuca sativa, Heavy metal, Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer

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Malaria and geohelminths are known to be associated with pregnancy within all age groups. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of malaria and geohelminths co-infection among pregnant women. The study was conducted on 252 pregnant women who came for antenatal visits at Federal Medical Center and Specialist Hospital within Yola metropolis from July to November 2015. Socio-demographic information of the pregnant women was collected. Capillary blood from finger prick was used for malaria screening by microscopy. Geohelminths were determined by stool examination using wet mount and formal ether concentration techniques. Malaria, geohelminths and co-infecion had 20.2%, 21.4%, and 6.3% prevalence, respectively. Those within 20-24 and 25-29year age group had high rate of coinfection of 2.4% each. The results show no association between age and coinfection p<0.05. Malaria was significant in this study at p<0.05. The result show relatively low rate of coinfection of malaria and geohelminths prevalence. © JASEM https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/jasem.v21i3.7

ABSTRACT:The objectives of the study were to determine the prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis in the different communities, the intensity of infection, prevalence among gender and age groups and to relate infection with parent's occupation. A study on the prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis was conducted in four villages around Kiri Lake in Shelleng Local Government Area, Adamawa State, Nigeria. Two hundred and thirty two urine samples were collected from four primary school children randomly selected from within the four study communities. Overall, prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis was 48% (111/232), with males recording 49% (69/142) and females 47% (42/90). The total mean egg count (MEC) was 8.3. There was no significant difference in prevalence between males and females (P˃0.05). Prevalence was higher among age groups, with the 13-15 year old age group having the highest 62.96% (17/27) and the 4-6 year old age group had the least 37% (19/52). There was no statiscally significant difference in prevalence among the different age groups (P>0.05). Infection was also high among children of fishermen 59.09% (13/22), followed by farmers' children 56.25% (45/80) and the least prevalence was among children of teachers 20% (3/15). Old Banjiram had the highest infection of 91% (21/23), while Kwadadai had the least 36.8% (21/57) (P<0.05). Old Banjiram and children in the 10-12 years age group had the highest mean egg count of 10.6 and 9.4 respectively. The study reveals a high prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis. And therefore portable water source should be made functional in all communities surrounding the lake. While rehabilitation and repair of the existing water borehole system in the community should be effected as well as drilling new additional boreholes to serve their water needs. Commun JASEMity participatory health education on this neglected tropical disease in the area is needed on knowledge of the disease, the intermediate host and transmission pattern. Since school children harbour infection and are a source of infection of schistosomiasis in endemic communities, planning and provision for their treatment should be considered in control programmes. © JASEM http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/jasem.v21i1.14