The study aims to evaluating the impact of guidance and counseling services on the academic performance of students in some selected secondary schools in Sokoto metropolis. Causal-comparative (Ex-post facto) research design was adopted for this study. This study involves a total of 200 subjects comprising 5 principals, 25 class teachers, 10 teacher counselors, and 160 students from the five selected schools. Data were collected using the four sets of questionnaires. Data analysis was done using descriptive and inferential statistics. The finding revealed that eighty percent (80%) of the students responded that their academic performance was changed after receiving counseling services. Seventy-two percent (72%) of the class teachers perceived the level of students’ academic performance after counseling as good, while 20% perceived it very good and 8% rated it bad. Guidance and counseling services have positively influenced the academic performance of the students and should be strengthened to improve the students’ performance in national examinations.

Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is a rare but devastating cardiac failure of indeterminate etiology occurring in late pregnancy or early puerperium. The prevalence of PPCM in Northern Nigeria could be attributed to the unique customary puerperal practices of prolonged consumption oflarge quantities of Guiera senegalensis and Natron. This study investigated the effect of decoction of G. senegalensis with and without Natron on cardiac markers, lipid profile and histology ofheart in postpartum female albino rats using standard methods.Thirty-five (35)female albino rats of body weights 190-200 g of five month were randomly grouped into seven (7) of five rats each. Group 2, 3 and 4 were orally administered with 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg body weight of G. senegalensis. Group 5, 6 and 7 were orally administered with 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg body weight (1:1) of G. senegalensis and Natron by gavage, whereas group 1 received distilled water. The study revealed significant (p< 0.05) decrease in triglyceride(TG) in group 2 to VII, high density lipoproteincholesterol (HDL-c) in group 2, 5 and 6, very low density lipoprotein- cholesterol (VLDL-c) in group 3 to V, couples with significant (p< 0.05) increase in low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) in group 2, 3, 5 and 7, and for (AIX) in group 2, total cholesterol(TC) in group 2, 3 and 7 when compared with control. Significant (p< 0.05) increase in Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in group 3 to 7, and Myoglobin (MB) in group 3 was observed. Significant (p< 0.05) decrease in Troponin I (TnI) in group 2 and 4 was seen. There were no significant (p>0.05) changes in Troponin T (Tn T), aspartate amino transferase (AST) and Creatine Kinase(CK-NAC) of the treatment group when compared to control group. Histopathological examination of section of the heart revealed ventricular dilatation, hypertrophied with enlarged nuclei, stretched, and irregular and mural thrombi in group 2 to 4 and 7. Inflammation in group 5 and 7, Pigment deposited in group 4 to 7 and Mild fibrosis in group 3 were observed. The study demonstrates that consumption of G. senegalensis and Natron for 28 days’induces dyslipidemia and causes changes in the heart of postpartum rats and thus may contribute to the pathogenesis of PPCM.