Direct Research Journal of Health and Pharmacology

In vitro Anthelmintic Activity of Carica papaya Leaf and Seed Extracts on Ascarid Eggs

2026-01-09T14:11:33+00:00

This study was conducted to comparatively assess the In vitro anthelmintic activity of Carica papaya leaf and seed extracts on Ascarid (Ascaridia galli and Ascaris suum) eggs. Five concentrations of methanol and aqueous extracts of the plant parts (3.125 mg/ml, 6.25 mg/ml, 12.5 mg/ml, 25 mg/ml and 50mg/ml) were prepared and tested against embryo inhibition of the eggs of Ascaridia galli and Ascaris suum using albendazole as the positive control and 0.1% sulphoric acid solution as the negative control. Phytochemical investigation showed the presence of alkaloids, saponins, fixed oils and reducing sugars of glycosides present in all the crude extracts of Carica papaya. All the crude extracts prepared were able to inhibit embryo in eggs of Ascaris of pigs and poultry. The Interaction of Pawpaw leaf and seed extract at varying concentration on cumulative embryonation of eggs of Ascaridia galli and Ascaris suum in-vitro was highly significant (3.44+ 0.183; 3.95+ 0.154) values with aqueous seed extracts when compared with albendazole (4.24+ 0.000; 3.95 + 0.000) P<0.05 while the Interaction of Pawpaw leaf and seed extract at varying concentration on cumulative unembryonated egg of Ascaridia galli and Ascaris suum in-vitro also showed a high significant difference (19.69+ 0.052;19.54+ 0.053) P<0.05 when compared with albendazole (19.43+ 0.000; 19.54+ 0.000). Furthermore, there was no statistiscal difference (P>0.05) in the interaction of Pawpaw leaf and seed extract at varying concentration on unembryonated egg of Ascaris suumand Ascaridia galli in vitro as all activities on inhibition embryonation were same with increase in concentration from 3.125 mg/ml to 50 mg/ml. The outcome of the current study has provided a scientific justification for the preference of the seeds of Carica papaya for the treatment of helminth infections and has shown that the fixed oils present in the seeds could be responsible for such activity.

Electronic Health Records Implementation in Government own Hospitals Across Calabar Metropolis, Cross River State, Nigeria

2026-04-14T16:56:20+00:00

This study assessed the level of Electronic Health Records (EHR) implementation in Government own hospitals across Calabar Metropolis, Cross River State, Nigeria. A cross-sectional descriptive design was adopted, involving 334 healthcare workers from five public hospitals. Data were collected using a structured, validated questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics and multivariate regression. Approximately 50.3% of respondents reported moderate EHR implementation, while 49.7% reported low implementation. Personnel resources were identified as the most available (45.51%), while inadequate funding was the greatest challenge (31.94%). Manual data transmission dominated at 90.42%. Significant variations in implementation levels were observed across professional categories, staff status, and years of service. The study recommends targeted capacity building, infrastructural investment, and inclusive implementation strategies.

Evaluation of Herbal Medicine Efficacy and Safety Claims from User’s Perspective: A Qualitative Semi-Structured Interview Study in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria

2026-06-13T19:45:05+00:00

Herbal medicines remain widely used in Nigeria because of their affordability, accessibility, cultural acceptance, and perceived therapeutic benefits. However, increasing commercialization has raised concerns regarding the validity of efficacy claims and the safety of herbal products. This study explored users’ perceptions of the efficacy and safety of herbal medicines among residents of Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, southeastern Nigeria. A qualitative study employing semi-structured in-depth interviews was conducted between July and September 2025 among adult herbal medicine users in Abakaliki. Participants were purposively recruited from churches and selected health centres, with maximum variation sampling used to ensure diversity in demographic characteristics and herbal medicine experiences. Eligibility criteria included being aged 18 years or older, resident in Abakaliki, and having used herbal medicine within the preceding 12 months. Data collection continued until saturation was reached, resulting in 35 participants (51.4% female; mean age 34.7 ± 12.1 years). Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using thematic content analysis. Herbal medicine use was deeply embedded in participants’ health-seeking practices, with most reporting use since childhood. Key perceived advantages included accessibility and availability (n = 28), absence of side effects (n = 25), affordability (n = 22), and ease of self-medication (n = 18). Dissatisfaction with conventional healthcare was linked to high healthcare costs (n = 12) and long waiting times (n = 10). Family members (n = 24) and traditional healers (n = 15) were the primary sources of information. Perceived efficacy was highest for remedies obtained from relatives and trusted traditional practitioners, whereas commercially marketed products were more frequently associated with inconsistent outcomes. Safety concerns were mainly attributed to misuse, contamination, adulteration, and improper preparation rather than the remedies themselves. The findings demonstrate that herbal medicine use is shaped by accessibility, cultural beliefs, and personal experiences. Strengthening regulatory oversight, improving community-based safety education, and incorporating users’ perspectives into policy development may promote the safe and rational use of herbal medicines.

Prevalence and Associated Factors of Teenage Pregnancy among Female Students in Public Secondary Schools in Uturu, Isuikwato Local Government Area, Abia State

2026-08-04T15:15:26+00:00

Background: Teenage pregnancy remains a major public health concern because of its adverse health, educational, and social consequences for adolescent girls, their children, families, and communities. Evidence from school-based populations in Uturu, Isuikwato Local Government Area, remains limited. Objective: This study determined the prevalence of teenage pregnancy, identified factors associated with teenage pregnancy, and examined educational implications among female students in Uturu, Isuikwato Local Government Area, Abia State. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among female students in five public secondary schools. A total of 216 respondents participated in the study (response rate: 100%), and data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis. Results: Respondents aged 17 years constituted the largest age group (51, 23.6%). Participants were Christians (185, 85.6%), resided in rural areas (149, 70.0%), and were in senior secondary school (145, 67.1%). Among respondents who had ever had sexual intercourse (148, 68.5%), 82 (55.4%) reported pregnancy. The most frequently reported factors associated with teenage pregnancy were poverty (24, 29.3%), peer pressure (14, 17.1%), and sexual abuse (10, 12.2%). School withdrawal (41, 50.0%) and below-average academic performance following pregnancy (35, 42.7%) were the most commonly reported educational implications. Conclusion: Teenage pregnancy was common among female students and was associated with educational and health-related challenges. Comprehensive sexuality education, strengthened parent-child communication, adolescent-responsive reproductive health services, poverty-sensitive interventions, and measures to prevent sexual abuse may contribute to reducing teenage pregnancy and its associated consequences.

Prevalence and Selected Risk Factors Associated with Hypertension among Adults in Ogbia Town, Bayelsa State, Nigeria: A Community Based Cross-Sectional Study

2026-08-09T16:40:35+00:00

This study determines the prevalence and some factors associated with hypertension among adults residing for the past three years and above in Ogbia town, Bayelsa State. Methods: The method adopted for this study was a cross-sectional design to select all 234 consented participants within the ages of 30-60 years and above using simple random technique. Digital blood pressure instrument (Omron) was used to take the blood pressure from the left arm in a sitting position; bathroom weight scale, structured questionnaire etc were among the instrument used to obtain all required data for this study. Results: The outcome from this study shows that adult within the ages of 30-39yrs (36.8%) and 50-59yrs (17.5%) make-up the highest and least population among the considered adults male and female in this study. Trading (22.2%) and civil service work (22.2%) was their main occupation followed by farming (17.1%) and artisan (4.7%) as the least. The respondent’s monthly income was mostly between 30,000-50,000 (32.0%) naira. The blood pressure of the participants statistically shows significant p-value ≤0.00 pre-hypertension of 134/84mmHg with a percentage difference of 21.84% among the male adults compared with the females of 127/66mmHg systolic and diastolic blood pressures respectively. The BMI among the males (26.08kg/m²) was also significantly (≤0.00) higher than their female (21.79kg/m²) counterparts. The percentage prevalence of overall hypertension among the adults was 29.1% and 76.5% pre-hypertension. The associated factors identified with the participant’s elevated blood pressure were regular excessive salt (78.2%) and alcoholic (63.2%) consumption intake followed by stress (76.9%), overweight (26.08 kg/m²), smoking (28.6%) and lack of regular exercise while some major identifiable symptoms associated with hypertension among participants with high blood pressure during measurement was frequent headache (82.5%), blurred vision (76.5%), dizziness (76.1%) and fatigue (74.0%) respectively. Conclusion: Health workers in the community in collaboration with the state ministry of health should address the knowledge gap on excessive consumption of alcohol and salt intake by creating awareness campaign measures and seminar presentations to the adult residents of Ogbia town on the importance of moderation in dietary and sedentary life style habits.