Knowledge, attitude and adherence to COVID-19 prevention among community health workers in Nigeria.

Introduction: community health workers play important roles in curtailing the spread of COVID-19. This study therefore investigated the knowledge, attitude and adherence to practice of COVID-19 prevention-protocols among community health workers in selected States of Nigeria. Methods: purposive sampling method was adopted. A cohort of community health workers testing and enrolling human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive-clients into care were involved in the study. Questionnaire on Microsoft forms was completed by 366 participants. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical methods. Results: key findings revealed that 87.80% have good knowledge of COVID-19; 96.10% positive attitude towards COVID-19 prevention-protocols and 97.20% adhere to the protocols. Demographics variables have significant positive effect on adherence to COVID-19 prevention-protocol among the respondents as follows: marital status (X2: 21.91; p: <0.05), gender (X2: 9.01; p: 0.003), ethnic group (X2: 17.45; p: <0.05), State of residence (X2: 32.51; p: <0.05), education status (X2: 18.44; p: 0.005). Findings revealed there is no significant relationship between knowledge of COVID-19 and the anxiety status of community health workers (p=0.90). There is positive relationship between knowledge of COVID-19 and attitude to guidelines and adherence to COVID-19 prevention-protocols. R=0.20 (<0.05) and 0.195 (<0.05) respectively. Conclusion: the high knowledge of COVID-19, positive attitude and adherence to the prevention-protocols among community health workers provides assurance of their ability to provide factual information to the community and their ability to promote good attitude and adherence to the prevention-protocols. Key sociodemographic variable like marital status, gender, ethnic groups, educational status and State of residents play significant roles in adherence to COVID-19 prevention-protocols.

To what extent will contaminated water affect physical, haematological and lipid properties of Clariasgariepinus?

Some haematological and physical properties of Clarias gariepinus cultivated in water contaminated with phthalate, benzene and cyclohexane over a period of 56 days were examined. The haemoglobin (Hb) and packed cell volume (PCV) concentrations of test animals were found to be significantly lower than those of control (p<0.05). The gain in body weight of male C. gariepinus cultivated in uncontaminated water (control), water contaminated with phthalate, benzene and cyclohexane was found to be 11.88 ± 0.55, 13.5 ± 0.62, 21.60 ± 1.03 and 27.54 ± 1.22 g, respectively. Serum cholesterol concentrations of fish cultivated in contaminated water were found to be significantly higher than those of control (p<0.05). The experimental results suggested that the pollutants may cause anaemia in the fish as evident in the Hb and PCV results. It could also be inferred that the gain in body weight may be due to impaired fat metabolism which might have led to elevated levels of serum cholesterol and triglycerides in the fish. It is our view that consumption of such fish may cause hypercholesterolemia.

Biochemical evaluation of leachate-contaminated groundwater on the kidney of Albino rats.

The effect of leachate-contaminated groundwater on the cells of the kidney was evaluated. Serum Na(+) concentration of control rats was observed to be 120+/-1.0 nmol/l while that of rat placed on simulated leachate was 180+/-4.0 nmol/l. Serum K(+), urea and creatinine concentrations of rats placed on simulated leachate and leachate-contaminated groundwater were significantly higher(p<0.05) than those of control rats. The activity of Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) of the kidney and serum, respectively, observed for the control rats were (237+/-3.70 and 0.37+/-0.01)nmol/min/mg protein while (116+/-4.20 and 3.17+/-0.20)nmol/min/mg protein was the ALP activity of kidney and serum, respectively, observed for the rats placed on simulated leachate. Histological examination of the kidney of the control rats showed no visible lesion while that of rats placed on simulated leachate showed extensive necrosis of muscle fibres and cellular infiltration by macrophages. It is viewed that leachate-contaminated groundwater may damage kidney cells and impair renal function.

Effect of Clarias gariepinus cultured in contaminated water on rats.

In this study, African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) were cultured in water contaminated with phthalate, benzene and cyclohexane (10 microg/mL), respectively, over a period of 65 days. They were, thereafter, used as protein source to formulate feed for albino rats (Wistar strain) for 28 days. The weights of the body and selected tissues of the rats were monitored and standard enzyme assays were conducted for some enzymes in the serum. Results showed that rats in cyclohexane group gained 58% whereas the control group gained 46% of body weight. Liver weight (absolute and relative) of test rats were found to be significantly lower than that of control (p < .05). Enzyme activity of serum of test rats was found to be significantly higher than that of control (p < .05). Experimental evidence suggests leakage of enzymes from the liver to the serum, thus the elevated serum enzyme activity and that the contaminants may damage the liver.