The antimicrobial activity of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of leaves of Piper guineense was determined on some bacteria and fungi, namely, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus subtilis, Candida albicans and Saccharomyces cerevisiae, using agar well diffusion method and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). The ethanolic extract was found to show more activity than the aqueous extract on all the isolates. The diameter of zones of inhibition for the ethanolic extract ranged between 2 and 12 mm, while that of aqueous extract ranged between 5 and 8 mm. The MIC of the ethanolic extract was from 2.5 to 10 mg/ml, while for aqueous extract, the MIC was 10 to 20 mg/ml. Escherichia coli was found to show the greatest sensitivity, while P. aeruginosa showed the least sensitivity of all the isolates. The phytochemical analysis carried out on P. guineense leaves revealed the presence of alkaloids, tannins, saponins, glycosides and flavonoids. The presence of these phytochemicals supports the use of this plant as antimicrobial agent. P. guineense can therefore be used as antimicrobial agent.

Background: A study on the biochemical indices of albino mice infected with Plasmodium berghei and treated with Alstonia boonei aqueous and ethanolic extracts was undertaken. Methods: 216 males mice were randomly assigned to six treatment groups each containing six mice for both aqueous and ethanolic extracts experiments. P. berghei NK-65 was inoculated into the mice intraperitoneally and establishment of infection confirmed. Administration of extracts of was done after phytochemical and acute toxicity tests at varying concentrations, for both suppressive and curative tests. Blood samples collected by ocular puncturing were examined for the biochemical indices; ALT, AST, ALP, creatinine and total protein using the standard procedures. Results: A. boonei extracts suppression of P. berghei in mice was comparable to the standard drug. Significantly higher (p<0.05) recovery of mice treated with A. boonei extracts was observed. The biochemical indices examined all had signif- icantly (p<0.05) increased concentration after 7 days post-infection, except for total protein concentration which had no significant increase or decrease due to A. boonei extracts administration. Conclusion: The antiplasmodial potentials of A. boonei leaf and root extracts were dosage and duration-dependent, and have demonstrated satisfactory normalization of altered biochemical indices due to malaria. Keywords: In vivo; anti-malaria; Alstonia boonei; biochemical; Plasmodium berghei; mice.

Aim: To evaluate predisposing factors, burden and management of malaria amongst pregnant women in some agrarian settlements southeast Nigeria. Study Design: Cross-sectional survey conducted in 4 randomly selected agrarian communities was conducted. Place and Duration of Study: Isi-Uzo Local Government Area (Eha-Amufu, Ikem, Mbu, Neke and Umualor). The study lasted six months. Methodology: A total of 385 respondents participated. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 4 randomly selected agrarian communities was conducted. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Results: Obstetric and socio-demographic characteristics of the participants showed that majority were age-bracket 25-34 (42.6%), 1st trimester (56.4%) and multigravidae (52.8%), primary education group (32.2%), secondary education group (55.6%), farmers (73.1%) and Christians (93.5%). All the respondents (100%) agreed to the presence of overgrown bushes in their environs, many farming activities which is the main source of income and staying out late at night for relaxation. A high percentage of the women experienced fever (57.9), headache (61.6), cough & catarrh (54.5) and anorexia (53.8) monthly reflecting high malaria frequency in the locale. 20.3% had experienced stillbirth, 82.6% neonatal death and 65.5% infant mortality once, twice or more. And according to (58.7%) and (38.7%) of respondents, malaria moderately and highly affects their productivity during pregnancy respectively. Respondents that seek health/treatment in hospitals (50.9) differ insignificantly from those that seek health through traditional remedies (49.1). Cost of treatment was reported to be high and moderate by 31.9% and 65.5% respondents respectively. Poor health care delivery was implicated as major dissatisfaction with treatment by 76.4% of respondents. Conclusion: Malaria is a major health problem encountered by pregnant women in agrarian locales. Hence, girls should be exposed to malaria awareness programs an earlier stage of life.

Aims: Despite all efforts made globally by governments of various nations and all concerned agencies through preventative measures, quick testing, isolation, shutting down of societies and economy, the virus still succeeded in spreading through communities perhaps due to the wrong perspective, in addition to surveillance, prevention and management challenges. This study evaluated the perception and practices of covid-19 in rural areas of southeastern Nigeria. Study Design: The study adopted a community-based cross-sectional survey design that investigated awareness, perspective, surveillance challenges, prevention, management and economic impact in rural settlement areas of south-east, Nigeria. Place and duration of study: This study was be conducted in rural settlement areas of south-east Nigeria (Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo states). February – April, 2021. Methodology: Data was collected by the use of the questionnaire. Five hundred copies were administered per state. Results: Most participants (2464, 98.6%) heard first of COVID-19 through radio/television (1409, 56.3%), social media (539, 21.5%) and their friends/relatives (418, 16.7%); 1896 (75.8%) believed in the existence of COVID-19 infection. However, the majority in Ebonyi state (309, 61.8%) had their disbelief on the existence of COVID-19. Participants confirmed having knowledge of COVID-19 testing (2319, 92.8%) and isolation centers (2299, 92.0%), however, a major challenge was lack of (1698, 67.9%) or no awareness (550, 22.0%) of masses testing centre in their areas. A few individuals (392, 15.7%) reported having experienced one or two COVID-19 symptoms about 3 months ago. Knowledge on how to prevent contracting COVID-19 is relatively high (66.7%) among the respondents. COVID-19 induced economic burden amongst residents were mainly as a result of the imposition of lockdown to movements and businesses (1098, 43.9%), disruption of studies (959, 38.4%), increased hunger (950, 38.0%), high expenditure (894, 35.8%) and loss of job/income (816, 32.6%). Conclusion: It is concluded that the majority of the people in southeast Nigeria are aware of the possible existence of Covid-19 in their area.