Missed opportunities for Intermittent Preventive Treatment of Malaria among pregnant women with the recommended number of antenatal care visits in Nigeria: Secondary Analysis of Malaria Indicator Survey 2021.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Missed opportunity (MO) for IPTp SP remains high in Nigeria even among pregnant women with four or more ANC visits. We assessed the current MO rate and its predictors, using data from the 2021 MIS. METHODS: We carried out a secondary analysis of data of women who had at least one live birth and at least 4 ANC visits. Bivariate analyses assessed the relationship between socio-demographic characteristics, type of ANC facility, type of ANC provider, knowledge of malaria prevention, awareness about IPT, and missed opportunity using the Chi-square test. Multivariate analyses were presented as odd ratios at 95% CI, (P value <0.05). RESULTS: Nearly half (47%) had only primary education or none at all. About 30% were poor. Most had their 1st visit ANC in the 2nd trimester (58%). The missed opportunity rate was 55%. Predictors included age 20 to 34 years [aOR 1.3(1.1-1.67)], being very poor [aOR 1.6(1.1-2.4)], late ANC (in 2nd or 3rd trimester) [aOR 0.57(0.4-0.89)], ignorance about malaria prevention [aOR 1.8(1.4-2.4)], ignorance about IPT [aOR 1.3(1.3-2.5)] and residence in the South South and North East [aOR 0.46(0.31-0.68)] regions. CONCLUSIONS: The missed opportunity was high. Place of residence, poor knowledge of malaria prevention and IPT use, late commencement of ANC, poverty, and young age (20 to 34 years) contributed to the burden. Recommendations include stressing the importance of IPT during health talks. Provision of cups and drinking water for the IPT DOT policy by the Government and partners. There is a need for further research to unravel the reasons for the higher MO rates in some regions.

CONTEXTE: Les opportunités manquées (OM) pour le TPIp SP restent élevées au Nigéria, même parmi les femmes enceintes ayant effectué quatre visites ou plus aux soins prénatals. Nous avons évalué le taux actuel d'OM et ses prédicteurs en utilisant les données de l'Enquête sur les Indicateurs du Paludisme de 2021. MÉTHODE: Nous avons réalisé une analyse secondaire des données des femmes ayant eu au moins une naissance en vie et au moins quatre visites de soins prénatals. Les analyses bivariées ont évalué la relation entre les caractéristiques sociodémographiques, le type d'installation de soins prénatals, le type de prestataire de soins prénatals, la connaissance de la prévention du paludisme, la sensibilisation à propos du TPIp, et les opportunités manquées en utilisant le test du chi-carré. Les analyses multivariées ont été présentées sous forme de cotes ajustées avec un intervalle de confiance de 95 % (valeur de p<0,05). RÉSULTATS: Près de la moitié (47 %) avaient seulement une éducation primaire ou n'en avaient pas du tout. Environ 30 % étaient pauvres. La plupart ont effectué leur 1ère visite prénatale au cours du 2ème trimestre (58 %). Le taux d'opportunités manquées était de 55 %. Les prédicteurs comprenaient l'âge de 20 à 34 ans [aOR 1,3 (1,1-1,67)], être très pauvre [aOR 1,6 (1,1-2,4)], début tardif des soins prénatals (au 2ème ou 3ème trimestre) [aOR 0,57 (0,4-0,89)], ignorance de la prévention du paludisme [aOR 1,8 (1,4-2,4)], ignorance du TPIp [aOR 1,3 (1,3-2,5)] et résider dans les régions du Sud-Sud et du Nord-Est [aOR 0,46 (0,31-0,68)]. CONCLUSION: Les opportunités manquées étaient élevées. Le lieu de résidence, la méconnaissance de la prévention du paludisme et de l'utilisation du TPIp, le début tardif des soins prénatals, la pauvreté et l'âge jeune (20 à 34 ans) ont contribué à cette charge. Les recommandations incluent de souligner l'importance du TPIp lors des entretiens de santé. La fourniture de gobelets et d'eau potable pour la politique de l'administration directe du TPI par le gouvernement et les partenaires. Il est nécessaire de poursuivre la recherche pour découvrir les raisons des taux plus élevés d'OM dans certaines régions. Mots-clés: Paludisme pendant la grossesse, traitement préventif intermittent, sulfadoxine-pyriméthamine, opportunité manquée, soins prénatals.

Ultrastructure Organization of Collagen Fibrils and Proteoglycans of Stingray and Shark Corneal Stroma.

We report here the ultrastructural organization of collagen fibrils (CF) and proteoglycans (PGs) of the corneal stroma of both the stingray and the shark. Three corneas from three stingrays and three corneas from three sharks were processed for electron microscopy. Tissues were embedded in TAAB 031 resin. The corneal stroma of both the stingray and shark consisted of parallel running lamellae of CFs which were decorated with PGs. In the stingray, the mean area of PGs in the posterior stroma was significantly larger than the PGs of the anterior and middle stroma, whereas, in the shark, the mean area of PGs was similar throughout the stroma. The mean area of PGs of the stingray was significantly larger compared to the PGs, mean area of the shark corneal stroma. The CF diameter of the stingray was significantly smaller compared to the CF diameter in the shark. The ultrastructural features of the corneal stroma of both the stingray and the shark were similar to each other except for the CFs and PGs. The PGs in the stingray and shark might be composed of chondroitin sulfate (CS)/dermatan sulfate (DS) PGs and these PGs with sutures might contribute to the nonswelling properties of the cornea of the stingray and shark.

Accuracy of electronic apex locators in primary teeth: a meta-analysis.

AIM: To conduct a meta-analysis on the accuracy of electronic apex locators (EALs) in determining working length in human primary teeth. METHODOLOGY: An electronic literature search was conducted using a combination of the terms 'primary teeth', 'root canal length' and 'electronic apex locators'. Additional eligible articles were identified using a manual search. The full texts of identified articles were screened according to inclusion criteria. RESULTS: Overall, 19 studies met the inclusion criteria and were subjected to further data extraction. Meta-analysis of studies that reported mean lengths and difference in mean lengths between EAL and actual root canal length (ARCL) revealed a significant difference (P = 0.015) between the two readings whilst those studies that evaluated intraclass correlation (ICC) suggested a high correlation (P < 0.0001) between the EAL and ARCL readings. A subgroup analysis revealed that the presence of root resorption did not affect the accuracy of EALs (P = 0.567). CONCLUSION: Electronic apex locators offer an acceptable level of accuracy in the measurement of root canal length in primary teeth.

Some biomedical applications of Balanites aegyptiaca grown naturally in radioactive area, Southeastern Desert, Egypt.

Balanites aegyptiaca is a naturally grown desert plant at some radioactive places in Wadi El-Gemal area, Southeastern Desert. The aim of the present study was to highlight on the B. aegyptiaca species grown naturally at radioactive places in Wadi El-Gemal area (fruit part) on the ability of using the fruit in some biomedical application (glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and diabetes). The investigated plant was collected from different location at Wadi El-Gemal area. The uranium content was determined previously and different concentrations from the fruit with highest uranium content were used to examine the effect of B. aegyptiaca (fruit part) on the glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol (HDL and LDL-cholesterol) levels using experimental rats. Different analysis techniques were used in order to determine different parameters. The obtained data suggest the beneficial role of B. aegyptiaca fruit as an anti-diabetic and hypo-lipidimic agent.

Rubber dam usage for endodontic treatment: a review.

Rubber dam has been available to the dental profession for over 140 years. During this time, the use of rubber dam has been perfected, universally taught and recommended by professional organizations. Unfortunately, its consistent use has been rejected by many in the profession. The literature suggests that rubber dam is not used routinely by dental practitioners for root canal treatment. Many unfounded reasons have been cited for its lack of use, including concerns over patient acceptance, time required for application, cost of equipment and materials, insufficient training, difficulty in use and low treatment fees. Failure to use rubber dam has been shown to influence the choice of root canal irrigant, has a negative impact on treatment outcome and places the patient at risk of swallowing or aspirating materials and instruments. Methods to popularize rubber dam amongst general practitioners are discussed.