Impact of occupational heat exposure on selected haematological parameters of bakery workers: A comprehensive study in Ilorin, Kwara State

The Occupational Health and Safety Administration has identified indoor industries at risk of experiencing heat-related illnesses due to the presence of heat-generating appliances; these include bakeries, kitchens, laundries, and furnaces. This study aimed to assess the effects of heat stress on haematological parameters and erythrocyte sedimentation rates (ESR) of bakery workers in Ilorin, Kwara State. It was a cross-sectional study, involving laboratory analysis, which lasted for 3 months. A total of 60 Male and female bakery workers aged between 18 and 65 years with 1 or more years of working experience were recruited for this study. Full blood count estimation was carried out using haematological analyzer (Sysmex-2000) and the ESR was carried out using the Westergren method in the Haematology unit, Kwara State University, Malete. Results were analyzed using SPSS version 20. This study found the bakery workers to have low ESR (2.13 ± 1.28) compared to (10.05 ± 4.95) of the control, the RBC was high (6.708 ± 2.08) compared to (5.46 ± 1.12) of the control group. TWBC was also found to be high (7.425 ± 1.74) compared to (6.95 ± 2.49) of the control population. Findings from this study concluded that working under high temperatures negatively affected the health of bakery workers with reports of heat stress-related symptoms and also affected ESR and haematological parameters. A comprehensive and effective national occupational health and safety program that includes relevant policies, decrees, and proper enforcement is needed to ensure the worker's safety and health both in the formal and the fast-growing informal sectors.

Distribution of ABO and rhesus blood grouping with HIV infection among blood donors in Ekiti State Nigeria

Erythrocyte antigens, particularly those which give rise to different blood group systems, are potentially known to perform as receptor sites for different types of disease-causing agents. It is for this reason that this study was carried out to determine the distribution of different blood groups and how susceptible they are to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. For this study, data were retrieved from different blood bank registers at 4 major blood banks in Ekiti State (National Blood Transfusion Services, Ado, State Specialist Hospital, Ikole, State Specialist Hospital, Ijero, State Specialist Hospital, Ikere. All in Ekiti State). Demographic data such as age and gender were collected on 2388 individuals who were recruited at the above stated facilities over a 2-year period. Their blood groups (Rhesus and ABO) and HIV status were equally recorded. Results of the ABO blood group analysis of the subjects showed that Blood Group O had the highest population (78.2%) while blood Group AB had the lowest (0.9%). The percentages of Rhesus positive and negative persons observed in this population were 94.7% and 5.3%, respectively. The total sero-prevalence of HIV infection was 0.81%. However, there was no significant difference in the prevalence of HIV among the different ABO and Rhesus blood types. This study revealed no association between ABO and Rhesus blood groups and HIV infection.

Herbal Supplements as Treatment Options for COVID-19: A call for Clinical Development of Herbal Supplements for Emerging and Re-Emerging Viral Threats in Sub-Saharan Africa

The advent of Corona virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) distorted health systems of many countries. Efforts have been made to either develop new treatment solutions such as vaccines or repurpose previously adopted drugs. Challenges in accessing available treatment, inadequate, non-existent, or overstretched healthcare facilities, long COVID disease, cultural practices and beliefs about vaccination, vaccine hesitancy, availability, accessibility and perceived safety of herbal supplements seem to be major factors propelling individuals to use herbal supplements. Published reports advocating for clinical development of herbal supplements for COVID-19 and other emerging and re-emerging viral diseases are sparse. This paper aims to review the pathogenesis of COVID-19, use of herbal products during the pandemic and make case for clinical development of herbal supplements through the adoption of modern and acceptable technologies and research processes.

This was a scoping review. Database searches of Google Scholar, PubMed and ResearchGate among others were performed using related keywords to identify relevant journals and lists of primary articles. Clinical trial databases:-Clinicaltrial.gov, Pan African Clinical Trial Registry (PACTR) and WHO international clinical trial registry (ICTRP) were reviewed to extract data.

The use of herbal supplements during COVID-19 was not only peculiar to individuals living in Sub-Saharan Africa, but a global practice. Herbal supplements recommended to manage COVID-19 have not been validated using clinical trials. Available data showed that the number of herbal supplements undergoing clinical trial for COVID-19 indication in Africa was low.

The availability of medicinal plants in Sub-Saharan Africa if well explored has great potentials to address various emerging and re-emerging viral diseases confronting the region. The economic potential of clinically validated herbal supplements are huge, and tapping into this opportunity created by preference of population to herbal supplement could increase export of herbal supplement and gross domestic product (GDP) of respective countries in Africa.