Assessment of Clients Satisfaction in Family Planning Service Delivery in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Background: Client satisfaction is considered as one of the desired outcomes of health care service delivery and it is directly related to the utilization of any health services. The family planning clinic remains one of the important health care delivery outlets where client satisfaction guarantees continuation of usage, hence this study. Objective: The objective of this study is to assess the determinants of client satisfaction with the family planning (FP) services provided in Port Harcourt. Materials and methods: This was a descriptive prospective cross-sectional study conducted between 18th of June 2018 and 18th of July 2018. The target population is women of reproductive age group (15 - 49) who visited 11 randomly selected family planning health facilities in Port Harcourt during the study period. A set of exit interviewer-administered questionnaire (pretested for reliability and validity) was used for data collection from a sample size of 195 respondents;and analyzed using SPSS 22.0. Standard deviation was used for continuous variable while categorical variables were presented in simple percentages and frequencies. The P value was set at <0.05 and confidence interval was 95%. Results: Age range 30 - 39 years constituted the largest proportion of 51.3%. A large proportion of the women (87.2%) expressed satisfaction with FP services provided. All respondents said the facilities were easily accessible, clean and were treated respectfully. However, only about half of the clients (51.3%) received their chosen contraceptive product after 1 hour. Conclusion: A huge proportion of family planning clients expressed satisfaction with family planning service delivery in Port Harcourt;not minding the longer waiting time. Implication of this is continued use and by implication improved contraceptive prevalence.

Short-Term Air Quality Gains of COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdown of Port Harcourt, Nigeria

The air quality index (AQI) of a location informs how clean or unhealthy the ambient air is. While COVID-19 pandemic on one hand threatened the health of mankind globally, on the other hand was a respite to poor air quality of most cities. This study evaluated the positive effects of the brief COVID-19 lockdown on the air quality of Port Harcourt city, Nigeria. Air quality parameters aimed at assessing air quality index of Port Harcourt Metropolis before, during and after COVID-19 pandemic lockdown were monitored and compared. Data were analysed and AQI of sampled locations computed using the US EPA recommended standard procedure. Results from the study showed that, the ambient air quality of Port Harcourt was hazardous for breathing before lockdown. During shutdown of activities, the air quality improved to unhealthy status, with an average reduction AQI of 261.7 points. However, an average increase of 100.7 points, resulting to very unhealthy air status for residents after lockdown was observed. The unhealthy status during lockdown shows that anthropogenic activities were still on despite the Pandemic shutdown of economic activities. Also, decrease in levels of the criteria air pollutants was observed. Before lock down, the range levels of SO3, NO2, CO, O3, PM2.5 and PM10 were <0.1 - 1.2 ppm, <0.1 - 0.1 ppm, 8 - 28 ppm, <0.1 ppm, 20 - 140 μg/m3, 15 - 135 μg/m3, respectively. In the period of lockdown, the levels reduced considerably, especially CO and PM2.5 and PM10 (1 - 12 ppm, 5 - 60 μg/m3, and 10 - 50 μg/ m3). Conversely, after lockdown, there was upsurge in levels of the pollutants, especially CO and PM2.5 and PM10 (4 - 16 ppm, 10 - 110 μg/m3, 10 - 90 μg/m3). Authorities are expected to establish routine air quality measurements stations and communicate daily air quality to residents, for public health precaution purposes. Shutdown of industrial activities instituted by Government in curtailing the surge of COVID-19 pandemic could likely be a novel environmental model for mitigating air pollution in highly hazardous air pollution emergency domains.

Physicochemical and Microbiological Assessment of Borehole Water in Rumukalagbor, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

The physicochemical and microbiological assessments of thirteen accessible boreholes in Rumukalagbor in Port Harcourt were ascertained. The studies were carried out in April （onset of the rains） and June （peak of the rains） and the results obtained showed that all the water samples tested were acidic （pH 3.12-5.18） with the samples having lower values in June. Eight boreholes （61.5%） had high conductivity values and all boreholes recorded high TDS （total dissolved solids）.These are indications of the presence of dissolved minerals/polluting agents. TH （total hardness） values for all the borehole samples were very low （20 mg/L-60 mg/L）, which are below WHO （World Health Organization） set limit of 200 mg/L. The levels of Ca and Mg ions were determined using AAS （atomic absorption spectroscopy） and these were also observed to be very low. Ca ion concentrations were 0.15 mg/L-20.1 mg/L and Mg ion concentrations were 0.10 mg/L-10.3 mg/L. All the samples but one exceeded the WHO limit for chloride ion concentration for potable water. These high levels can account for the high pH and conductivity values and since water from some boreholes are soft, they are prone to plumbosolvacy. Sulphate and nitrate concentrations in the samples are within the WHO allowable limits. The water samples showed minimal microbial load with 38.5% not having any microbial load.

Spatial Distribution of Black Soot and Its Health Effects in Port Harcourt Metropolis, Nigeria

This research presents a novel approach to assessing the health implications of black soot using a MiniVol air sampler.The MiniVol air sampler was used to collect PM from the ambient air at six monitoring sites in Port Harcourt,Nigeria.Sampling was conducted every day for seven days,for a period of 24 hours.PM_(2.5) concentrations at Uniport Junction,GRA Junction,Slaughter Roundabout,Abuloma Jetty,Rumuomasi Roundabout,and New Road Borokiri were 38.6 g/m^(3),28.3 g/m^(3),93.7 g/m^(3),72.9 g/m^(3),30.6 g/m^(3),and 31.3 g/m^(3),respectively.PM_(10) concentrations ranged from 71.2 g/m^(3) to 60.6 g/m^(3),with 103.3 g/m^(3),85.5 g/m^(3),40.1 g/m^(3),and 35.2 g/m^(3) being the highest.The level of PM_(2.5) and PM_(10) pollution in the ambient air was high across the six sampling sites,with mean PM_(2.5) and PM_(10) concentrations exceeding the WHO(2011)guideline.The flame atomic absorption spectrometry(FAAS)technique was used.The presence of heavy metals,such as mean metal concentrations of lead,cadmium,chromium,mercury,and nickel,ranged from 0.009 g/m^(3)-0.532 g/m^(3),0.002 g/m^(3)-0.544 g/m^(3),0.002 g/m^(3)-0.338 g/m^(3),0.001 g/m^(3),and 0.001 g/m^(3)-0.432 g/m^(3),across the six sampling sites.The GC-MS was used to determine the presence of PAHs in particulate matter.Correlation results revealed a strong positive correlation between PM_(2.5) and PM_(10).The findings also revealed a positive relationship between the metals as well as between the metals and PAHs,resulting in asthma,lung cancer,breathing difficulties,and miscarriages among pregnant women,which have affected the health implications of the people living in the environment.

Distribution of heavy metals in soils of Port Harcourt and its environs, Niger Delta, Nigeria

Geochemical evaluation of the distribution of heavy metals in soils of Port Harcourt and its environs in the Niger Delta region is presented in respect of anthropogenic factor and index of geoaccumulation. Sixteen (16) soil samples were collected from two horizons (0-10 cm and 100 cm) from the various grids and analyzed. The geo-chemical analyses showed the vertical and horizontal distributions of heavy metals. The results showed the ranges of the metals determined as follows: Pb (6.86-2.49)×10-6, with an average of 4.63×10-6; Cd (0.05-0.00)×10-6, with an average of 0.02×10-6, As (0.01-0.00)×10-6, with an average of 0.00×10-6. Cu (15.36-10.80) ×10-6, with an average of 13.36×10-6, and V (1.36-0.20)×10-6, with an average of 0.94×10-6. Quantification of the degree of pollution was carried out using anthropogenic factor (AF) and index of geoaccumulation (Igeo). The Igeo values of 0.06, 0.02 and 0.00 for Pb, Cd and As, respectively indicate low-level contamination while Zn (1.14) and V (1.40) show me-dium-level contamination. The sources of contamination are attributed to urbanized anthropogenic activities. The majority of the samples analyzed show that the AF values are less than 1 with the exception of vanadium (V) whose AF values range from 2.73 to 13.60×10-6. Vanadium is more enriched than As, Cd, Pb, and Cu. The order of degrees of anthropogenic contamination and index of geoaccumulation in the soil is V >Zn >Pb >Cu >Cd >AS. Metals were retained near the top soil and their concentrations in the deepest horizons were lower and normal for uncontaminated soils. Metal concentrations in the top soil horizons were significantly related to distance from the industrial and hu-man activities.

Combined Oral Contraceptive Use at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt, Southern Nigeria: A-20 Year Review

Background: While the combined oral contraceptive pill (COCP) is one of the most commonly used methods of birth control especially in the developed countries, robust and current information on the pill use in developing countries including Nigeria is at best lacking. Objectives: The study was conducted to determine the prevalence rate, efficacy and side effects of COCP at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), Port Harcourt, Southern Nigeria. Methods: It was a retrospective analysis of all clients who used the COCP between 1st January 1997 and 31st December, 2016, at the family planning clinic of UPTH Port Harcourt. Data on sociodemographic profile, side effects and source of information were extracted from the clients’ case notes coded and fed into Excel spread sheet and analysed. Results: Of the 8310 new acceptors of modern contraceptive methods in UPTH, 399 clients used the COCP, giving a prevalence rate of 4.8%. The mean age of the acceptors was 26.42 ± 4.27 years while the mean parity was 1.90 ± 0.36. Menstrual disruption was the most common complications with 78 episodes constituting 47.0% of all the complications. One unintended pregnancy occurred during the period of observation, giving a Pearl index of 0.01. Conclusion: The study showed that although COCP is very effective, readily available, safe and reliable method of fertility control, the acceptance rate is very low and the patronage rapidly declining and may therefore go into extinction as a family planning method in Port Harcourt, Southern, Nigeria.

Pattern of Cervical Cytology and High Risk Human Papillomavirus Strains in Non HIV Positive Women Presenting for Cervical Cancer Screening in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Background: The high risk human papilloma virus (hrHPV) is largely associated with cervical cancer with identifiable dysplastic changes on cytology. The use of cervical cancer screening strategies has largely improved the general outcome of cervical malignancies globally. Objective: To compare cervical cytological features against human papilloma virus genotypes in non HIV positive patients presenting for cervical cancer screening in UPTH. Method: A cross sectional prospective study of 82 non HIV positive women who presented for cervical cancer screening at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching hospital. A prestructured questionnaire was used to obtain socio demographic information. Cytobrush extracts of cervical samples were subjected to cytology and human papilloma virus DNA genotyping using real-time polymerase chain reaction. The information obtained was analyzed using SSPP version 20 and results presented as frequency tables, percentages and tested for significance using student t-test and chi square with p value Results: The mean age of the women was 36.61 ± 7.75 with an age range of 22 - 58 years. The prevalence of HrHPV was 4.88%. Twenty-two of the respondent have abnormal cytological pattern. While the 4 cases of HrHPV positivity were of normal cytological pattern and occurred in respondents that were in their reproductive age, the 22 that showed abnormal cervical cytology were mainly of low grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LGSIL). There was no case of high grade squamous cell intraepithelial lesion (HGSIL). Conclusion: HrHPV prevalence rate of 4.88% occurring in low socioeconomic class patients. All the cervical abnormalies were of LGSIL, hence the risk of transformation into cervical cancer is equally low. There may be no correlation between hrHPV and cervical cytology in low risk patients.

A Decade of Jadelle Subdermal Implant Contraception in a Tertiary Health Institution in Port Harcourt, Southern Nigeria

Background: Jadelle, a long acting reversible progesterone contraceptive, has been in use in our centre for over 10 years and has not been comprehensively evaluated. Objectives: To determine the acceptance, efficacy, and safety profile associated with the use of Jadelle contraceptive implant in the University of Port Harcourt Teaching hospital, Port Harcourt. Methods: This is a 10-year retrospective study of clients who accepted and used Jadelle for contraception in the university of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), Port Harcourt. The case files were retrieved and information on their socio demographic profile, source of information, side effects, failures and reason for removal were extracted using a proforma. Data were filled into a spread sheet, analyzed using SPSS version 21.0 and presented in tables of frequencies and percentages. Results: Within the period under review, March 2007 to February 2017, 569 clients used Jadelle out of the 3829 women who accepted and used modern contraceptive in the UPTH. The mean age of users was 33.7 ± 4.2, 536 (94.2%) were multipara with a mean parity of 4.5 ± 3.8 while 541 (95.1%) had secondary education and above. The major side effect was irregular vaginal bleeding 36 (60.9%) while the main reason for removal of the device was expiration of method 272 (53.9%). A pregnancy was recorded during this period giving a pearl index of 0.002. Conclusion: Jadelle is a popular and a very effective means of contraception with increasing acceptance among our clients. The safety profile is high.

Acute Chest Syndrome in Children with Sickle Cell Anaemia: An Audit in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Acute chest syndrome (ACS) is a leading cause of death from sickle cell disease worldwide accounting for about 25% of all deaths. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence, clinical features and outcome in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A retrospective cohort study during a five year period. Records of all patients with sickle cell anaemia (SCA) admitted into the Wards were examined. Those enrolled for the study satisfied two criteria: 1) lower respiratory tract symptoms and 2) new pulmonary infiltrates on the chest radiograph. Sociodemographics, genotype, clinical and laboratory features, treatment given and outcome were obtained. Data were analysed by descriptive statistics. Variables were compared by students’ t-test. P value ≤ 0.05 was regarded as significant. Results: A total of 345 children with sickle cell anaemia were admitted during the 5 year period. Twelve of them had acute chest syndrome (3.5%). Majority 7 (58.3%) of them were under 5 years. There were more males 8 (66.7%) than female 4 (33.3%). The most common clinical features were fever 12 (100%), cough 10 (83.3%), chest pain 5 (41.7%), pulmonary consolidation 12 (100%), and respiratory distress 12 (100%). The admitting diagnosis were bronchopneumonia 6 (50%), severe malaria 3 (25%) and vaso-occlusive crises 3 (25%). There were very high levels of leukocyte. Received ceftriaxone or ampicillin + gentamicin ± oral erythromycin), paracetamol 12 (100%), ibuprofen 8 (66.7%), tramadol 3 (25.0%), pentazocine 8 (66.7%) and blood transfusion 9 (75%). The average length of stay was 7 days (range 4 - 14 days). One patient died (8.3%). Conclusion: ACS is not uncommon in children with SCA in Port Harcourt. Education of parents on the need to recognize early symptoms of the disease is essential. Clinicians must be trained to correctly diagnose and manage it promptly and efficiently to avoid its related disastrous consequences.

Climate and Epidemiology of Malaria in Port Harcourt Region, Nigeria

The study examines the effect of climate on the occurrence of malaria in Port Harcourt. To achieve this, the study adopted the survey designs which involved the use of archival data of climate parameters and the survey of hospitals for epidemiological data of malaria cases reports within Port Harcourt and environs. The archival weather data on temperature and rainfall were collected from the Nigeria Meteorological Service Agency (NIMET) for a period of sixty-five (65) years (1950-2014), and those for medical records of malaria cases were extracted from the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospitals (UPTH), Braithwaite Memorial Hospital (BMH) and some renowned private hospitals in Port Harcourt and environs for a period of sixty-five (65) years. The multiple regression analysis was used to determine the relative effect of rainfall and temperature on malaria incidence. The polynomial and linear trend analysis was used for the trend pattern of malaria cases, rainfall and temperature. The results revealed an annual rainfall of 2375 mm, with an increase of 1581 mm of rainfall from 1950 till date. It also showed an urban warming of 3&deg;C from 1950 to 2014, and a mean of 27.2&deg;C in temperature in Port Harcourt. The results of the multiple regression reveal that the prevalence of malaria is significantly dependent on the increase in rainfall and temperature in Port Harcourt. There are double maxima of malaria cases with 1006 cases in July and 1540 cases in September, which coincide with the months with double rain maxima. On this premise and health care planning and development, it is recommended that regular clearing of drains and the surrounding environment on monthly basis should be intensified, as well as the distribution of mosquito’s insecticide net by the three tier of government.

Analysis of Lower Tropospheric Lapse Rate Trend over Port Harcourt Coastal City, Nigeria

Understanding the spatial distribution of temperature, especially the relationship between temperature and altitude, is essential for understanding both climatological and hydrological processes and their variabilities. This is because those processes are sensitive to air temperature, especially in sub humid tropical regions, where air temperature influences the movements of pollutants and controls exchanges of energy and water fluxes between land and atmosphere particularly within the lower troposphere. This study examined the trend of lower tropospheric lapse rate in the coastal area of Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Six years’ data (2010-2015) for temperature between 1000 mbar and 850 mbar pressure levels was retrieved from era-interim re-analysis platform for the analysis. The data was acquired at 6-hourly synoptic hours: 0000H, 0600H, 1200H and 1800H at 0.125° grid resolution. Findings from the computed environmental lapse rate (ELR) show that conditional instability with an annual lapse rate of 5.5°C/km persists at the area from January to December. It was revealed that the months of December and January constituted the highest ELR trends of 6.5°C/km and 5.9°C/km respectively. This indicates that the month of December assumes a normal tropospheric lapse rate trend. The average range of lapse rate trend in the area which is close to the moist adiabatic lapse rate (MALR) of 5.0°C/km than the dry adiabatic lapse rate (DALR) shows that the study atmospheric environment is rich in water vapour. The 6-hourly synoptic analysis of the ELR pattern shows that lapse rate range between 1°C/km - 6.4°C/km and 6.5°C/km - 10°C/km dominates throughout the year at 0000 - 0600 Hrs and 1200 - 1800 Hrs respectively. This demonstrates a higher and lower lapse rate trend during the day and night periods respectively. Relating study findings to the potential of air to disperse emissions in the area suggests that air emissions will be conveyed through far and near distances across the boundary layers due to the moderate dispersive potential of air regarding the closeness of the average ELR to the MALR. Policies that will ensure that pollutants are dispersed aloft especially emission stacks above 50 m is advocated in the city of Port Harcourt.

Contraceptive Trends and Preferred Methods among Users in Port Harcourt, Niger Delta Region of Nigeria

Background: Family planning has clearly been a major public health success as evidenced by substantial fertility decline and reductions in maternal mortality in countries with high contraceptive prevalence rates. Nigerian governments have continued to expand the scope and improve accessibility and availability of contraceptive commodities to improve uptake, giving the numerous benefits. Objective: To determine the trends in contraceptive usage and the preferred method among clients visiting the family planning clinic of University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), Nigeria. Method: It was a cross sectional study of all clients who accepted contraceptive methods at the UPTH, between 1st January 2000 and 31st December, 2015. Results: During the period, a total of 9190 clients accepted contraceptive methods, and 40,334 women were delivered in the maternity unit giving an acceptance rate of 1 in 4 deliveries or 22.8%. The acceptors of modern contraceptives increased steadily from 491 clients in 2001 to a peak in 2008 with 1477 clients and sharply declined to 381 in 2009 before increasing gradually again to 519 clients in 2015. The most commonly used method was the male condom by 3194 clients (37.9%), followed by injectables, which was accepted by 2185 clients (23.8%) while 1752 clients (19.1%) used the IUD. Implant contraceptive was used by 915 clients (9.9%), followed by oral contraceptive pills used by 547 (6.0%). Female sterilization was the least commonly used method by 302 clients (3.3%). There was no vasectomy over the 15 years period. Conclusion: Contraceptive trend in Port Harcourt has an ambivalent acceptance pattern. Although male condom and injectable contraceptives are the most commonly used method over time, the subdermal implants are increasingly becoming very popular in recent time. Female sterilization remains the least common method with no record of vasectomy.

Cardiovascular System Mortalities in Nigeria;Case Study of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital

Background: Studies have suggested epidemiological transition in the mortality pattern in Nigeria from communicable to non-communicable diseases of which Diseases of the cardiovascular system (DCVS) is prime. DCVS is?thus a growing public health concern but its mortality profile is under-studied?in Port Harcourt. This study was therefore designed to review the mortality profile of DCVS in Port Harcourt. Methodology: A retrospective case controlled study of deaths ascribed to DCVS at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) between January 2012 and December 2017. The composite diseases were grouped using the ICD10 scheme and analyzed using SPSS version 23. Minitab version 16 was used for trend analysis. Results: Of the overall 1902 deaths recorded within the period, 566 (29.8%) were cardiovascular system related. Of these, 301 (53.3%) were males and 265 (46.7%) were females. The elderly of 50 - 99 years were most commonly affected (65.5% of the mortalities). Cerebrovascular accidents (CVA) accounted for 322 deaths (56.9%);various types of shock caused 116 deaths (20.5%) while?congestive cardiac failure (CCF) accounted for 114 deaths (20.1%). Pulmonary?embolism, myocardial infarction, carotid aneurysm, and hypertensive encephalopathy caused 1.8%, 0.4%, 0.2%, and 0.2% deaths respectively. Peak annual mortality of 143 (25.3%) was recorded in 2013. Although the trend of mortality was undulating, there was an overall increase in annual incidence over the years.?Conclusion: DCVS constitute the commonest systemic cause?of death in Port Harcourt. Governmental and donor agencies involved in public health policy planning and implementation should scale-up strategies for the prevention and control of DCVS in order to stem the rising tide of associated mortalities.

Evaluation of Condom Use among University Undergraduates in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Background: Barrier contraception has the beauty of dual protection—against pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. Following the persisting burden of unsafe abortion and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), much sensitization/campaign has been ongoing in the past few decades by government and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in Nigeria against unprotected sexual intercourse. The youth are generally assumed to have high risk sexual behaviour, hence this study on Port Harcourt university undergraduates. Objectives: To determine the awareness and use of condom among University undergraduates in Port Harcourt. Methods: The study was a prospective descriptive cross-sectional study of 636 undergraduate students of the University of Port Harcourt and Rivers state University, South-south Nigeria. The multistage sampling technique was used to randomly select participants and data collected using a pretested structured self administered questionnaire. Data was analyzed using version 23.0 SPSS and reported in means, frequencies and percentages. Probability value was set at 5% (p χ2 = 200.602). Only 5.5% of the respondents in this study were willing to know their HIV status. Conclusion: There is a high level of condom awareness among Port Harcourt University undergraduates. Surprisingly, their practice of unprotected sexual intercourse is still high.

Pattern of Dermatophytes Isolated in the Medical Microbiology Laboratory of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Rivers State, Nigeria

Dermatophytoses are the most common dermatological conditions but they are however not life threatening or debilitating hence medical care is sought usually due to aesthetic reasons and chronicity of the lesions despite several self-medications. The purpose of this study was to determine the distribution pattern of dermatophytes isolated in the medical microbiology laboratory of University of Port Harcourt teaching hospital (UPTH). This is a 5-year desk review of the Dermatophytes isolated in the medical microbiology laboratory of UPTH. Relevant Patients’ data were retrieved and analyzed. A total of seventy (70) dermatophytes were isolated over the five-year period as follows: Trichophyton species accounted for 55 (79%), Epidermophyton species were 8 (11%) and Microsporum species 7 (10%). The peak age range of patients from which dermatophytes were isolated was 31 - 40 years with a male to female ratio of 1:1.7. The majority of patients being 49 (70%) were referred from the dermatology outpatient clinic (DOPC) and the most frequent clinical diagnosis was Tinea corporis. Trichophyton species were the commonest cause of dermatophytoses in adult patients in Port Harcourt where the most common clinical presentation was Tinea corporis.

Socio-Economic Impacts of Flooding on the Residents of Port Harcourt Metropolis in Rivers State, Nigeria

Floods are naturally occurring phenomena that are part of the physical and biological process which have shaped our nation’s landscape. It occurs in Nigeria environment when there is heavy rain fall for prolonged period of time. The data collection for this research was by use of primary and secondary information;questionnaire was administered by face to face interviews and key informant surveys. Analytical technique was the univariate statistical methods. The results revealed that there is clear evidence of damages to properties and that there are hazards and risks faced by these households as shown in Tables 1-4 respectively. Table 3 specifically shows the financial losses incurred annually by residents to the tune 5 million naira and above. However, the continued hazards and risks as a result of flood incidence have affected their overall income which hitherto is found within (N20000.00 - N25000.00) about 22.8% of the respondents fall in this income bracket. Furthermore, the research also revealed that about 30% say the flood has affected their income, while 29.4% say their buildings are affected. Also about 37.8% of respondents say that the flood incidence occurs all through the rainy season. The research recommends an aggressive review of the Port Harcourt Master Plan and the implementation of the development control tools in the 1992 Urban and Regional Planning Law.

Geo-spatial Analysis of the Impacts of Urbanization-induced Activi­ties on Soil Quality in Port Harcourt Metropolis,Rivers State-Nigeria

The study examined the impacts of urbanization-related activities on soil quality in Port Harcourt Metropolis-Rivers state,Nigeria.Experimental and survey research designs were implored in the study utilizing GIS and spatial analysis approaches.Both primary and secondary sources of data were used.The primary data were generated through laboratory analysis of soil samples from 15 randomly selected sites within the metropolis;and 800 valid copies of socio-economic questionnaire administered to 800 respondents.Also,public hospitals were visited to ascertain the commonest soil borne diseases in the area.Four research questions,four specific objectives and two hypotheses guided the study.The hypotheses were tested with one sample t-test and one sample chi square using SPSS.Standard scientific and laboratory procedures were followed in the collection and analysis of soil samples.Findings of the study include:urbanization-related activities(e.g.waste dumpsites,mechanic workshops,abattoirs,etc.)cause significant changes on soil quality in the area;and this result to the emergence of soil borne diseases(e.g.Vascular witts,Ascaris lumbricoids,Trichuris trichiura,Strongloids stereoralis)which affects residents’wellbeing.However,there is significant difference in the perceived socio-economic effects of the diseases across the area.Specifically,laboratory results for soil analysis show that(mean values):pH 7.22,temperature 25.62℃,PO_(4)0.342 mg/kg,Pb 120.62 mg/kg,K 66.81 mg/kg,NO_(3)mg/kg.The study recommended for enforcement of physical planning and development control laws;regular evaluation of the quality of the soil,and restriction on the location of mechanic workshops and waste dumpsites around the metropolis.

The Minimum and Maximum Temperature Forecast Using Statistical Downscaling Techniques for Port-Harcourt Metropolis, Nigeria

This study centers on applying the statistical downscaling technique to the daily minimum and maximum temperatures of Port Harcourt from the period 1985-2014. To select the period of calibration, the wilby and wigley assumption of 2014 was adopted. However, the Bruckner circle assumption was adopted in selecting the normal under review. Secondary data of minimum and maximum temperatures for Port Harcourt were collected from the archive of Nigerian meteorological agency (NIMET). The grid cell of the HadCM3 corresponding to the Port Harcourt meteorological station was selected from the HadCM3 website to generate the largescale predictors. Data for temperature was there after normalized for the period of calibration. To analyze data, ANOVA and Paired t tests were used. Result showed that, the model was significant at p °C from 1960-2080, while for B2 the increase will be 0.18°C for same period. For minimum temperature, the ANOVA also showed a difference of 0.21°C and 0.11°C for A2 and B2 respectively. The paired t test statistics showed that these variations in temperatures for both maximum and minimum at A2 and B2 scenarios are significant at p < 0.05. Reforestation, afforestation, carbon sequestration are strongly advocated.

Contraceptive Prevalence and Pattern among HIV Positive Women in Port Harcourt, South-South Nigeria

Objective To evaluate the prevalence rate and pattern of contraceptive use among HIV positive women in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Methods Anonymous self administered questionnaires were applied to HIV positive women receiving care at HIV clinic of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital between September and November 2010. Results A total of 228 questionnaires were retrieved out of 250 distributed. The grouping age 29-34 years accounted for 47.8% of the respondents, 51.3% had secondary education, 55.5% were married while 43.4% were nulliparous. The mode of acquiring HIV was unknown in 60.1% and 34.2% of their partners were HIV positive. Majority （64.0%） of the patients did not use any form of contraception before diagnosis while 42.1% used male condoms after diagnosis. Contraceptive methods used were female condom （0.4%）, oral contraceptive pills （16.2%）, abstinence （14.5%） and rhythm method （1.8%）, Only 6.1% used the dual method, which is the simultaneous use of two methods and one of which must be a condom. Contraceptive prevalence rate （CPR） was 81.1%. Conclusion Though the overall use of contraception in HIV positive women in Port Harcourt is high, the dual method use which protects against pregnancy and transmission of HIV is low. Dual method is the recommended method for HIV positive women who do not intend to get pregnant. Therefore the use of dual method should be advocated.

Tuberculosis among School Age (6 - 18 Years) Children Seen in University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital: A Need for Effective School Health Services

Introduction: Tuberculosis (TB) still causes significant morbidity and mortality amongst adults and children despite all the efforts which have been put into the control of the disease. However, the prevalence of the disease in school age children is unknown because of scarcity of TB screening surveys in Nigerian schools. The aim of this study was to evaluate the proportion of school age children treated for TB in the Directly Observed Treatment Short Course (DOTS) clinic of University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH). Methods: The records of all children 6 to 18 years who were treated in the DOTS clinic from 2011 to 2014 were reviewed. Information sought included age, sex, sputum Acid Fast Bacillus (AFB) status, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) status and treatment outcome. Results: One hundred and forty children aged 6 to 18 years were treated in the University Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital DOTS clinic, representing 41.79% of childhood TB cases seen over the study period. Seventy one (50.71%) patients were males and 69 (49.29%) were females. Their mean age was 12 ± 3.86. Thirty-one (22.14%) had smear positive TB. Sputum smear positivity was commonest (54.84%) among those who were 16 years and above compared to the other age groups and this is statistically significant (x2 = 17.72, p = 0.001). Forty-one (35%) patients were HIV positive and 6 (4.29%) were positive for both HIV and AFB. Ninety (64.29%) patients recovered fully following treatment, 48 (34.29%) were referred to other DOTS centres and 2 (1.43%) died. Gender, age group, AFB and HIV status showed no relationship with treatment outcome. Conclusion: School age children 6 to 18 years made up a large proportion of childhood TB cases seen within the study period in the DOTS clinic. More than one third of them were HIV/TB co-infected. An effective School Health Services should be established in schools in Port Harcourt to curb the spread of TB and other communicable diseases within the schools.