Health

So Far So Good - A National Review on Issues Affecting Nigeria

We can decide to make rants, asking what could be the major problem of Nigeria and what our fifty nine years of independence has taught us? The reality in Nigeria has shown us the hard side of life with no remorse whatsoever.

You ask further - Could it be we are accursed?

Without argument, it is said that predominant happenings in Nigeria are on the highly negative side, giving lesser or no hope to an aspired future. Going from the nature of social problems, developmental problems, economic crisis, political unrest, security problem, etc, we are certain that life itself has imparted a sense of adversity to Nigerian citizens.

The major uproar now in Nigeria is the pandemic across the world affecting the four walls of Nigeria COVID-19. The pandemic came to Nigeria first month of this year and according to Nigeria Centre for Disease Control ( NCDC) the confirm cases has grown to four thousand one hundred and fifty one (4151) as at 9th may, 2020 with a discharged cases of seven hundred and forty five (745) and the death of one hundred and twenty eight (128) .

Does this speak volume of hope to the nation?

The lock down is another issue her citizen would not want to adhere to mainly because of the lack of trust she has on her leadership. During the first lock down, her citizen took upon herself through social media on the necessity of getting food on the tables as eighty percent of her population live on a daily income. The second lock down declared by the president on Monday, 13th April, 2020 opened the nation to insecurity problems as the AWAWA BOYS and ONE MILLION BOYS became the fear of the day.

What was the reason for the fear?

Why the cause of commotion?

To some, it was food. Some said it was the boredom and yet another came saying it was a political plot of the leaders to her citizens. The issue is yet to be settled as the Ogun and Lagos States Commissioners released in statements in the early hours of the morning 13th of April 2020, saying it was just uproar and a false alarm by the citizen that the nation is at peace with her. However, the citizens would not have it as vigilante groups were formed at different areas in the Abule egba axis, Iyana ipaja, Sango, and Ogun environs. On social media, videos of apprehending the thieves were sent across to show what stay the country is indeed is. 27th of April of the year 2020 was another day of the delivery of the President's speech which reduced the tension of her citizen on the ease of the lock down on the 4th of may of the year 2020.

The issue which is predominant had shove every other problem that is faced by the country for now and the people strongly believe that this could be a sign of rest that the nation leader should take advantage of and give thought to solution and attention to problems of the nation.

Should we hope they make use of the advantage?

The pandemic also didn't leave the students out as academic curriculum is left to an halt due to lock down of public places and gatherings of more than twenty people. It has shown the level in full picture the level of our academic student. As social media which has been a major tool during this lock has it how patiently the citizens of the nation wait for current from the developed countries. Although, the reaction the citizen has is the fact that there might not be no pandemic which is just a general myth by the nation's citizen because of the level of interest of the government. The vaccine that was rumoured to be a possible cure for the for the affected cases was said to be tested in Nigeria pioneer by Bill Gates. The people went a full force in rejecting such act because of lack of trust and the reasoning of who among the affected countries beeds it the most?

The coming of the Chinese doctors is another issue that brings the lack of sincerity on the part of the government towards her citizen. On Twitter it was attend that their was no need of the doctors coming over, even while the doctor's of her beloveth country Nigeria gave their non approval of the coming if the doctor's it came as a shock when the minister of health on channels gave his talk on the government not knowing the coming of the doctors neither did the government invite them but they were a gift from a Chinese company.

Who are our leaders?

We may not say all is bad. We only have a positive position to all that is happening and continually say, "Where there is life there is hope"

Exposure to Pesticides causes low sperm count – Health Expert

Prof. Suleiman Ambali of the Department of Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Ilorin, has warned that continuous exposure of humans to pesticides causes a decline in male sperm count.

Ambali disclosed this in his paper presentation at the 192nd Inaugural Lecture of the University, entitled: "Preventing pesticides from poisoning away our health and future – the oxidative approach".

The don, who lectures in the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the university, warned that there was evidence that human species was approaching a fertility crisis based on trends in male reproductive health.

He said based on the troubling data from laboratory, clinical epidemiology studies, it was obvious that the world would witness fertility crisis.

To corroborate his reports, he explained that some Danish scientists' research had also indicated that sperm counts of men have declined by about 50 per cent since 1940 worldwide.

"The researchers analysed the result of sperm counts between 1938 and 1991. Since then several other studies have confirmed the decline.

"Environmental causes including pesticides especially those that cause endocrine changes in fetal and pre-puberty life prior to birth or during childhood or during breastfeeding are involved in the decline of semen quality," he said.

According to him, the effect of chemical pesticides on 'birth sex' is in favour of more females than males.

He explained that this trend was worrisome as human activities continue to change the natural demography in favour of women, as a lesser number of male births occur.

Ambali said that the use of pesticides by people had led to a reduction in the quantity and quality of food available.

The expert in Toxicology who quoted WHO said about three million workers in agriculture in the developing world experience pesticide poisoning annually with about 18,000 deaths.

He also disclosed that there were estimated 250,000 deaths annually from pesticide self-poisoning worldwide, accounting for about 30 per cent of the suicide rates globally.

Coronavirus and the Politics of Life

Since the Coronavirus pandemic has taken over the world like a raging storm with over five million confirmed cases worldwide. The disease which started in the later part of 2019 in Wuhan, a town in the Hubei province of China is said to be a respiratory disease and has claimed more than two hundred thousand lives in the world. It is a Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (SARS-Cov-2) and in its contracted form, it is COVID-19. The disease has made the world's economies to be on a standstill as most countries are either partially or totally locked down.

On January 30, 2020, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the virus a pandemic which needed international attention. A new name for the disease, COVID-19 was announced by WHO on February 11, 2020. Nigeria confirmed its first case of the disease on 27 February, 2020 when an Italian citizen in Lagos was tested positive for the virus. Since then, Nigeria has experienced a rise of the disease. As at May 7, Nigeria had a total of 3526 confirmed cases with 601 discharged cases and 103 deaths across 34 states and

the FCT

Right from the confirmation of the first case in Nigeria, government officials and politicians alike showed signs of irresponsibility. Many politicians started off playing politics with the virus without cares that the time was not right for any form of politicking going by the happenings in countries with far more developed health systems. Politicians downplayed the presence of the disease in Nigeria, simply calling it a hoax and that it was a well coordinated effort of the government to embezzle public fund. Days later, another case was confirmed by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

As the cases rose, it began to scare well informed Nigerians, but the rise didn't stop these politicians from inciting the public against the government with plenteous rubbish. People, believing in the 'madness' of these politicians started demanding for the pictures of the Italian and others who were confirmed infected with the disease. This continued until Muhammad Abubakar, the son of the former president of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar was tested positive for the virus.

As the World's Health Organisation (WHO) had declared the virus a pandemic with information and guidelines as the virus could be transmitted from person to person, one of the standard prevention procedures was that anyone who had visited any countries with confirmed cases of the virus should self isolate for 14 days upon return to their countries. Around early March, the Chief of Staff to the president, Abba Kyari returned from his Germany's official trip. On his return to the country, he was supposed to self isolate, but he didn't do so. He instead attended theKogi state governor's mother's 3-day Fidau prayer the next day. Some days later, it was reported that he had tested positive for the virus. Also, at the time when the virus had gained momentum in Lagos, PDP held a rally in Ibadan, Oyo State where Seyi Makinde, the Oyo State governor was quoted to have said that the PDP members were immuned to the virus. Three days later, a case of the virus was confirmed in Bodija, Ibadan, Oyo State and many days after, the governor himself confirmed he has tested positive for the virus through his social media handle. This means that if we assume that he was a ticking time bomb when the rally was held, then, we can not doubt the reality of having a thousand cases in Oyo state at this moment to grace.

While the Sanwo-Olu Lagos State Government and the administration of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) increased their testing strength as a way to curtail the spread of the disease, the northern states except Kaduna and Borno states did practically nothing to prepare for the advent of the virus in the state. The Kano state governor didn't lift a finger except closing the state's border, a move that was quite ineffective until the deaths in the state became alarming. Concerned corners thus raised questions at the time as regards the lateness before actions were made.

Government and politicians once again showed cold hearts in the distribution of relief materials and palliatives which were intended to help reduce of the effect of the lockdown declared in the country. Lagos was first to roll out its plan to distribute palliatives which was 'hijacked' by politicians. Streets with over a hundred dwellers were given small sacks of rice, few tubers of yam and loaves of bread in the most ridiculous manner. The same happened in Osun state where a household was given a cup of rice and far as a governor who asked his citizens to buy 'gaari' if they didn't have the money to stock their homes.

With 774 local government heads, 36 state governors (including the ministers of the FCT), 109 senators, 365 house of representative members and 36 state assemblies, shouldn't there be concerns about the welfare of those who elected them?

Nigeria has a track record of having one of the worst health systems in the world despite billions of naira that is being pumped to it every year. Instead of improving the health systems, government and politicians busy themselves with funds to embezzle. The Coronavirus has highlighted how weak our health systems are. Truth is, with the present health systems in Nigeria, we will be overwhelmed by the virus way before we reach ten thousand confirmed cases.

On a final note, the Coronavirus has shown how inhumane and incompetent our politicians are. It shows politicians are only interested in sharing the national cake. The coming of this virus should be an eye opener for leaders in power corridors and politicians alike to plan ahead for future possibilities.

HealthWise: 5 Reasons Why You Should Take Vaccines

Vaccines are substances,when injected into the body, help fight the body against diseases and infections. There are different vaccines for different diseases. When the body is exposed to pathogen, the injected vaccine help stimulate the production of antibodies that helps fight the disease.

Below Are 5 Reasons You Should Take Vaccines

1. Protection against Diseases and Infection

To protect yourself against diseases that could have serious negative effect on your health: Getting immunined will not only be beneficial to you but also to people around you. You gets saved from getting infected from people around you and you also save people from getting infected by you due to the fact that you had been vaccinated hence, everyone is safe .

2. Protection against Spread of Disease/Infection

Vaccines protect you from having being tagged as a disease spreader: When your body get exposed to pathogenic organisms and there were already substances to stimulate the production of antibodies to help fight against the organisms (i.e you are vaccinated), this saves you from getting infected by the disease and it also save people around you from getting infected by the disease. If everyone or half of the population gets vaccinated, everyone feels save and there is reduction in the rate of spread of diseases.

3. If collected once , you get protected for many years: It is very important for one to get vaccinated for it keeps you protected for many years or even for a lifetime. But there are some vaccines that can only keep you protected for limited years, hence,their dosses will be boosted at every required time.

4.Vaccine-preventable diseases have not gone away
The viruses and bacteria that cause illness and death still exist and can be passed on to those who are not protected by vaccines. Getting yourself vaccinated will protect you from such viruses and bacterial because your immune would have been able to identify the do called virus hence, you'll be safe.

5. It makes you Stay healthy

Many health organizations had recommended vaccines for protection over many diseases. It is important for you to always go to the hospital for boosting of dosses if you are not subjected to a lifetime vaccination. When you ignore this,you leave yourself vulnerable to all forms of harmful and dangerous diseases.

In summary, the use of vaccines are very important to everyone just as food.

5 Reasons Why You Should Invest in Skin Care Products

As the name suggests, Skin care simply means the care of the skin. You can simply take care of your skin with any kind of skin products that comes your way but I'd advice that you take care of your skin with quality skin care products that will have no effect on your skin or better still, you visit the dermatologist for effective skin care routine. The skin is the largest organ of the body that protect against light,heat and other factors that can cause infections or harm the body. You should take care of your skin just as you'll take care of your and every other organ in your body as it is as important as other organs too. Everything that happens abnormally in the internal body showed through the skin hence, while taking care of your skin by using quality skin care products, you should take care of your cells too. Still not bothered why you should take care of your skin? Read on and see 5 reasons you should invest in skin care products

1. It Boosts your self confidence

The use of quality skin care products boost your self confidence. When you look at yourself and you see the the beautiful effect of the skin care products you use, you feel happy looking at yourself and hence , you believe more in yourself.

2. It makes you feel younger

Old age bring about shrinking of the skin but the use of quality skin care products will improve the texture of your skin and gives it quality radiant that makes you feel happy about yourself. And happiness they say makes one feel healthier and happier.

3. It prevents you from infections

Invest now in using quality skin care products and save yourself and family against nursing skin infections in future. Also you'll save from yourself the stress of visiting the hospital to treat infections. Remember,health is wealth.

4. It puts your skin in good condition

The use of high quality skin care products will make your skin look attractive,it will increases its radiant,prevent it from acne,treat wrinkles and your skin will be just perfect.

5. It makes You look more beautiful

Cosmetics give your skin everything it need to be radiant, to glow, to improve it appearance, texture,prevent it from ance, and even improve the mental health. Now tell me why you won't look beautiful with the use of high quality skin care products.

Because you are advised to use skin care doesn't mean you should use anyhow skin care products. One of the reasons to use skin care products is to save you from infections hence you should be careful on what skin care products to use. As earlier stated, it is important to see a dermatologist for effective high quality skin care products rather than using less quality skin care products or using skin care products that you are allergy to which will at the end not serve the reason of investing in quality skin care products.

Top 5 Health Benefits of Starchy Foods for Nigerians by Haroon Nafeesah

Starch is a type of carbohydrate consisting of glucose molecules. Glucose provide cells with energy and helps nerve cells in the brain function properly.

Starchy foods are a good source of energy and the main source of a range of nutrients in our diet. Some of these starchy foods should be eaten every day as part of a healthy balance diet. Starchy foods come in many forms, and people often consume them as staple foods in diets worldwide. Legumes, grains, and root vegetables are all examples of them.

However, too much consumption of these starchy foods are linked to a higher risk of diabetes, heart disease and weight gain. In addition, they can cause blood sugar to spike rapidly and then fall sharply. This is especially important for people with diabetes and prediabetes, since their bodies can't efficiently remove sugar from the blood. For example, those with diabetes need to be more aware of their starchy food intake than others. This does not mean they must avoid starchy foods, it simply means that because their bodies are more sensitive to carbohydrates, they need to pay close attention to what they consume.

In this article, the benefit of consuming starchy foods will be discussed in order for to know the usefulness of consuming starchy foods and the educate the Nigerians that total avoidance of starchy foods are not good for the proper function of the body system.

Health Benefits of Starchy Foods

Starchyfoods are an essential part of a nutritious diet. They are a vital source of energy and nutrition and provide the basis for a satisfying, balanced meal. As recommended by doctors,eating plenty of starchy foods as part of a balanced diet provide energy and fiber, as well as to increase feelings of fullness. Here are various reasons why starchy foods are crucial as part of a balanced diet:

1. Energy

Starchy foods are a suitable source of energy because of their high carbohydrate. When the body digest starch, it converts it to glucose which is the main human fuel. It goes through the bloodstream and give energy to almost all the cells in the body. The body can use this glucose right away or store it in the liver for later use.

2. Fiber

Many starchy foods, such as whole grains, fruits, and beans, are high in fiber. Fiber is a type of carbohydrate with a unique molecular structure. Because of its unique structure, it's glucosec molecules are bound tightly together, hence, it passes through the digestive system because it can't be easily broken in the small intestine. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) states that most people in the United States do not include enough fiber in their diet and it also says that fiber helps move waste through the digestive system. High fiber diets can also reduce a person’s risk of developing cardiovascular disease.

3. Satiety

Satiety is the feeling of being full after eating. Certain foods make a person feel more satiated after eating them. Research suggests foods containing fiber increase satiety. They also offer other health benefits, including improving the body’s insulin sensitivity and reducing fat storage.Some of the top foods include potatoes, porridge, and brown pasta.

Starch is a carbohydrate and a natural component of most plants, including fruits, vegetables, and grains. Starchy foods are an essential part of a balanced diet, as they provide energy, fiber, and a sense of fullness.

The body breaks down starch molecules into glucose, which is the body’s primary fuel source. The brain, in particular, requires a considerable amount of glucose each day. Starchy foods are safe for most individuals and present no risks or side effects. However, it is important that people with diabetes or CSID carefully consider their starch intake.

5 Negative Effects of Antiseptics

As we adjust to the new normal since the COVID-19 pandemic, everyone is practically meticulous, so to say, especially when it comes to water. However, it is pertinent to know that no matter how clean water appears to be, there is every possibility that there are germs in it cloaked in invisibility. With the knowledge that water is always contaminated, most people have imbibed the habit of the regular use of Antiseptic liquid as a means to "kill germs". Is it really possible to totally kill germs 99.9%, does the Antiseptic liquid have the perceived belief of totally exterminating germs? These are questions most people have failed to ask. They have been made to believe via adverts on TV that adding few drops of these Antiseptic liquids to water kills germs and reduces the risk of contracting skin infections of different types; thereby giving us a germ free skin, but this belief has been discovered to be mythical.

In a recent tweet, precisely last week by a Nigerian Doctor. He stated that the use of Antiseptic liquids in bath water cause more harm than the "believed cure". He further confirmed that it has not been stated anywhere adding Antiseptic to bath water makes it the safest. Doctor Olufunmilayo, unequivocally re-stated that there are helpful bacteria which protect our skin and a woman's vagina from infection. But the use of Antiseptic liquid kill these protective agents, leaving the skin vulnerable to other infections and the vagina begins to emit discharge, foul smell and causes severe itching.

Finally, he advised that just as the frequent use of antibiotics can be bad for one’s health, so also is the frequent use of Antiseptic liquid and soap is bad for one’s skin. He doesn't totally condemn the use of Antiseptic, but condemns the frequent use of Antiseptic and places emphasis on its severe side effects.

5 Ways to Actively Include Men in Family Planning Discussions

Family planning refers to use of modern contraceptives or natural techniques to limit or space pregnancies. Modern methods of contraception include the pill, female and male sterilization, IUD, injectables, implants, male and female condom, diaphragm, and emergency contraception. Traditional methods include periodic abstinence, withdrawal and folk methods.

Reason for not using contraception

Preferred method of contraception for future use

Heard family planning on radio and television or in a newspaper or magazine

Acceptability of media messages on family planning

Contact of non-users with family planning providersP

lanning is being used

Was family planning use mainly the woman's/the husband/partner's or a joint decision

Informed choice of family planning methods

Unmet need for family planning Spotting between periods. Breakthrough bleeding, or spotting, refers to when vaginal bleeding occurs between menstrual cycles.

What is male involvement in family planning?

Male Involvement through spousal communication and approval about family Planning. In the current study, nearly 60.0% of men were involved in family planning through spousal communication and approval. Among all respondents, more than half (54.0%) of men have never discussed FP with their partner.

Why is male involvement in family planning important?

Male engagement in family planning (FP) is a subset of male engagement in reproductive health. Gender experts agree that men should be encouraged to be supportive partners of women's reproductive health while also meeting their own reproductive health needs, and engaged as agents of change in families and communities. Men are also recognized to be responsible for the large proportion of ill reproductive health suffered by their female partners. Male involvement helps not only in accepting a contraceptive but also in its effective use and continuation.

Step 1: Define the behavioral aim of your initiative.

Common behavioral aims of male engagement programming include increased male participation as:

Contraceptive users (e.g., condoms and vasectomy) or as partners using methods requiring active cooperation (e.g., Standard Days Method)

Partners engaged in open communication and decision-making about family planning and contraceptives

Advocates for gender equality and family planning in their families and communities

Step 2: Assess mens and boys knowledge and attitudes related to reproduction and contraception.

Knowledge of individual methods, how they work, and their side effects. Ideal family size. Beliefs about how contraception affects health, work, and future fertility

Knowledge of, preferences for, and perceptions of family planning services, for example:

3: Assess how gender norms affect male engagement in family planning.

Men play an important role in challenging inequitable gender norms and fostering positive norms, particularly among their peers and with their children. Failure to address issues such as womens subservient social status, economic dependence on men and limited agency, household power dynamics, and harmful masculine norms are common reasons that investments in family planning service delivery fail to achieve expected results.

4. Identify programming approaches that engage men and boys.

After clarifying the relevant norms, identify the people whose opinions matter to men and may influence those particular behaviors. Such individuals could include community leaders, parents/in-laws, religious leaders, health care providers, or positive deviants (i.e., those already practicing the desired behavior). Also, identify the sources and locations where men and boys prefer to receive sexual and reproductive health information and services.