Ecological Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals Concentrations in Topsoil of Makurdi and Its Environs

This work examined the concentrations of As, Cd, Cr, Hg and Pb pollution in soil and estimated the potential ecological risks of these metals in Makurdi and its environs, using established pollution indices. The information derived from pollution indices will help to assess the extent, and intensity of anthropogenic contaminant deposition on surface soil in the study area. The soil samples were collected from sixteen (16) locations across the investigated sites, sampled as appropriate and treated using established methods and analyzed using atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). The findings have revealed that the concentrations of the metals in the topsoil samples were arranged in the sequence from increasing to decreasing order thus: Cr > Pb > Cd > Hg > As. It was observed that the pollution levels of As and Hg were insignificant, while, the level of pollution caused by Cd, Cr and Pb ranged from low level of contamination to high level of contamination across the investigated sites, except, for the control site (BZ) whose pollution level was insignificant with respect to the heavy metals studied. The results could be used as preliminary baseline data for heavy metal concentrations for future assessment and monitoring. Therefore, there is an urgent need to effect mitigation measures to reduce the ecological environmental risks, taking into consideration that human activities which are the main source of pollutants are still ongoing in the study area.

GIS Mapping, Biomonitoring and Distribution of Heavy Metal Concentrations Using Neem (Azadirachta indica) Bark in Makurdi Town, Benue State, Nigeria

The present work determined the concentration and spatial distribution of heavy metals (As, Hg, Cr, Cd and Pb) in soil samples from Makurdi and its environs using geographic information system (GIS). The specific objective is to produce the spatial distribution maps showing the spatial distribution of toxic heavy metals in the study area. Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW), a GIS technique was used to produce dotted maps showing the spatial distribution of heavy metals in neem bark for better visualization of contamination zones and non-contamination zones. The map reveals few hotspot areas showing areas of high concentrations of the heavy metals investigated which were identified in red colours, the following concentration ranges were obtained;As (4.71 - 6.43 mg/kg), Cd (13.9 - 16.84 mg/kg), Cr (46.3 - 60.84 mg/kg), Hg (3.70 - 5.05 mg/kg) and Pb (24.02 - 31.34 mg/kg). These hotspot areas were found close to business outlets, fuel filling and service stations, farm sites where the application of fertilizers and pesticides were persistent coupled with heavy traffic of vehicles and other machinery which was associated with As, Hg, Cd, Pb and Cr been released into the environment thus, suggesting anthropogenic activities controlling the concentration of these heavy metals in the study areas. The cumulative effect of these heavy metals into the barks of neem could pose as danger, because this plant is used as herbs in folk medicine.

Assessment of Heavy Metals, pH, Organic Matter and Organic Carbon in Roadside Soils in Makurdi Metropolis, Benue State, Nigeria

Roadside soil samples were collected from four sites (heavy traffic area (Wurukum);industrial site (Gboko road);residential area (Federal Lowcost) and FederalMedicalCenter(Wadata) representing different activities across the Benue Metropolis. At each of the sample site, roadside soils were collected at different distance from the edge of the main road (2, 10, 30, 40 and 60 meters). In each of the distance, roadside soil were collected at three depth of 0 -1 cm, 2 -4 cmand 4 - 6 cm for the determination of pH, organic matter, organic carbon, Cu, Cd, Fe, Pb, As, Mn, Zn, Cd and Ni. pH, electrical conductivity (EC), organic matter and organic carbon were determined using standard procedures, while heavy metals were determined using Perkin-Elmer Analyst 300 Atomic Absorption spectroscopy (AAS). Zinc was observed to show the higher levels in all the sampling sites, such higher level can be related back to the wear-and-tear of vehicle components as a result of the stop-start traffic patterns and brake pads. The concentrations of all the metals in the four sampling sites decreased exponentially with distance from the edge of the road and dropped to the minimum levels at about 60 meters. Similarly, mean concentrations of Cu, Fe, Pb, As, Mn, Zn, Cd and Ni were significantly higher around the industrial area (Gboko road) and heavy traffic (Wurunkum) areas than other sampling areas followed an increasing trend with the increase in depth. The vertical movement of all the metals, exhibited predominant association with soil pH and organic carbon. From the results of this study, the pH of the roadside soils from all the sampling points ranged from 4.56 to 7.71, which enhances increased of heavy metals down the soil profiles. Organic carbon content ranged of 0.27% to 5.44% across all the sampling points appears to increase the mobility of all the metals to a depth6 cm. The values of the heavy metals suggest that automobiles and traffic activities are a major source of these metals in the roadside soil within the study area. Also, with the exception of Pb, Fe and Cd, the levels of Cu, As, Mn, Zn and Ni in the present study were lower as compared with results found by other researcher in various countries worldwide.

Knowledge and risk factors of intestinal parasitic infections among women in Makurdi,Benue State

Objective:To assess women’s perceptions and risk factors that could expose them to intestinal parasitic infections in Makurdi,Benue State.Nigeria.Methods:A total of 750 faecal samples were collected from women at different reproductive stages(pre-menstrual.menstrual and post-menstrual), and the faeces were tested by the formol ether concentration technique.Results:A total of 426(56.8%) samples were found positive for various intestinal parasites with hookworm (4.8%),Ascaris lumbricoides(9.3%),Taenia sp(2.1%),Entamoeba histolytica(18.9%) and Entamoeba coli(21.6%).Women at pre-menstrual and post-menstrual stages recorded higher prevalence rates with 72.8%and 63.9%,respectively.No significant difference in prevalence was observed between women at different reproductive stages and women infected by different parasites(χ~2=30.6.P】 0.05).Sweet things,rotten fruits and improperly cooked meat were perceived as the causes of intestinal parasitic infections among the pre and post menstrual women.Sources of drinking water like river,well,water bought from vendors and patronizing food vendors were observed as risk factors contributing to the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections among women.Factors like not washing hands before eating and after defaecation,use of leaves and ordinary papers for cleaning after defaecation were also observed to be contributing to the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections.Conclusions:Persuasive health education and rigorous hygiene measures should be employed in schools,maternity clinics and among the populace to reduce transmission and infection with intestinal parasites.

Prevalence of Plasmodia and hepatitis B virus co-infection in blood donors at Bishop Murray Medical Centre,Makurdi,Benue State,Nigeria

Objective:To evaluate the prevalence of co-infection of hepatitis B and Plasmodia among potential blood donors in Benue State,and Nigeria at large and offer suggestions and containment methods.Methods:Three hundred and thirty seven(337) potential blood donors,comprising 229(67.95%) Males and 108(32.05%) Females were screened for co-infection with hepatitis B virus(HBV) and Plasmodia between the months of July and December,2009 using standard laboratory methods.Results:An overall co-infection rate of 137(40.67%) was observed among the donors.The month of December showed highest co-infection rates 59(17.51%).Highest rates of infection was observed in males at 129(38.30%) to 8(2.37%) in females.Statistical analysis showed significant difference in infection rates between males and females(P【0.05).The more youthful age groups 18-22,23-27 and 28-32 had higher prevalence of infection at 11.90%,13.05% and 6.53%,respectively.Irrespective of age group,males showed higher rates of infections than females in corresponding age groups.Conclusions:The high rates of co-infection imply that these infections are threats the health of citizens and should be adequately addressed by adoption of strategies to combat and control them.Further,blood should be rigorously screened before transfusion to safeguard the health of recipients.

Assessment of Heavy Metals in Indoor Settled Harmattan Dust from the University of Agriculture Makurdi, Nigeria

Indoor settled harmattan dusts at seven sampling stations from the University of Agriculture Makurdi were collected between November, 2014 to March, 2015 (five months) using the wipe sampling methodology. Gravimetric measurement of the dust samples from all the sample locations revealed that dust loading within the institution during the period of assessment ranges from 4.475 - 6.533 g/m2. Masses of indoor settled dust were expectedly higher along high traffic, untarred roads and construction sites as well as in older buildings than others during the period of this study. AAS analysis of the dust samples shows that heavy metal concentrations (mg/kg dry weight) throughout the sampling stations during the period of investigation range from 0.2372 - 0.7152 for Cu, 293.6 - 884.9 for Fe, 4.265 - 68.55 for Mn and 4.239 - 42.53 for Zn. The concentrations of all the metals investigated were found to be lower when compared with related values in literature and were within acceptable limits during the period of this study. Pearson correlation matrix also shows positive correlation between the possible metal pairs at 95% level of confidence, indicating a similar source which may be from anthropogenic activities within and outside the area.

Impact of Urbanization on Agricultural Land in Makurdi Local Government Area of Benue State,Nigeria

This study assessed the impact of urbanization on agricultural land in Makurdi local government area of Benue State.The data collected were population figures and land use for three Epoch(1997,2007 and 2017).The satellite images were sourced from the National Center for Remote Sensing and Geographic Information System,Jos.In the analysis,cross change detection analysis and overlay analysis using ArcGIS 9.0 was performed to detect where land-use change has occurred and which type of land use agricultural land has transformed too.The GIS analysis revealed that there is an increase in settlement and a decrease in Agricultural land from 1997–2017.It also revealed that 99.51ha of agricultural land use has been converted to settlement between 1997 and 2017.The results reveal that urbanization has significant effects on Agricultural Land in the study area and these effects include;decreasing agricultural land,decreasing agricultural activities and decrease in farm size.If the growth in the population of Makurdi LGA continues unchecked,agricultural land will be significantly depleted in the future.The study recommended that there should be effective law and policy to control population growth sustainably to minimize the negative impact of urbanization in the study area.Also,urban agriculture should be encouraged to sustain the food supply in urban areas.

Clinical and Brain Computed Tomographic Profile of Stroke Patients in a Tertiary Hospital, North Central Nigeria

Background: Stroke is a common neurological disorder associated with high morbidity and mortality worldwide. Aim: The study set out to characterize the clinico-radiologic pattern of stroke patients as well as to determine the correlation between the clinical and computed tomographic (CT) scan findings in a tertiary hospital in Makurdi, North central Nigeria. Method: This was a retrospective study of 145 patients with clinically suspected stroke, who underwent CT imaging at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi Nigeria between December 2020 and June 2022. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26. Results: Of the 145 clinically diagnosed cases of stroke, 122 (84.1%) were confirmed on CT. 7 (4.8%) were stroke mimics and 16 (11.0%) were normal. There were 65 (53.3%) males and 57 (46.7%) females with a male: female ratio of 1.1:1. The mean age at presentation was 58.7 ± 12.87 years with age range of 69 - 78 years being affected most. Few cases of stroke were seen below the age of fifty years. Ischaemic stroke was the commonest 77 (63.1%) followed by primary intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH) 38 (31.4%) then sub arachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) 5 (4.1%). Most infarcts were below 10 cm2, while for ICH volume those below 10 cm3 and above 100 cm3 occurred in equal proportion. Hypertension was the main risk factor for stroke with respective frequency of 31 (21.4%) and 94 (64.8%) in isolation or associated with other risk factors like Diabetes mellitus (DM), hyperlipidemia, alcohol, and smoking among others. There was significant correlation between clinical and radiological diagnosis of stroke (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The result showed slight male preponderance with majority of suspected stroke confirmed by CT;these were mostly of ischaemic type. There was significant correlation between clinical and radiologic diagnosis of stroke while hypertension was the main risk factor identified.

An Eight-Year Review of the Frequency and Outcome of Dog Bite and Clinical Rabies in a Teaching Hospital in North Central Nigeria

Introduction: Rabies is a neglected tropical disease that is highly fatal and yet it is under-reported in the developing countries like Nigeria. The domestic dog is the primary reservoir host as well as the most important source of infection usually conveyed by saliva through bites. Aim: This study sought to determine the frequency and outcome of dog bite injury and clinical rabies presented to the Accident and Emergency unit of Benue State University Teaching Hospital Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria. Methods: This retrospective hospital-based study reviewed the medical records of all patients with dog bite who presented over an eight-year period from August 2014 to July 2022. Rabies virus infection was diagnosed on clinical basis. A structured proforma was used to extract relevant information and data was analysed using the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 21. Result: Mean and median age was 27.03 ± 10.98 and 29 years respectively, range of 2 - 47 years and 11 (73.3%) were males. There were 15 cases of dog bite out of 17,187 patients making frequency of 1.14 per 1000 persons constituting 0.09% or about 2 cases yearly. Seven (46.7%) of this total number had clinical rabies infection with 7 (100.0%) mortality. All 7 (100.0%) with clinical rabies had a furious (encephalitic) form. Rabies immunoglobulin was prescribed in 8 (53.3%), 6 (40.0%) received them while 13 (86.7%) received post-exposure rabies vaccine. Conclusion: Dog bite is an uncommon reason for Accident and Emergency visit in our facility with male preponderance. However, about 46.7% of the dog bite victims developed clinical symptoms suggestive of furious (encephalitic) form of rabies with 100.0% fatality.