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Background: Obesity prevalence among oil and gas industry workers over the past decade globally has been on the increase, adversely affecting workers' well-being and productivity. Therefore, necessitates the increased need for both occupational, and public health policymakers to take action. Data on obesity prevalence rates among workers in the oil and gas industry of the Niger-Delta region needed to drive public and occupational health policies regarding obesity is scarce. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of obesity and its risk factors among oil and gas industry workers in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria. Methodology: A cross-sectional study of 280 oil and gas industry workers in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria aged 29 -to 61 years, from November - to - December 2017 was done. A structured survey data of Body Mass Index (BMI) measurements and socio-demographics was collected. Statistical analysis with Chi-Square and Multinomial Logistic Regression tests was used. Results: Results indicated that the Obesity prevalence rate among the oil and gas industry workers of the Niger Delta region was 49.6% (p=0.002). Obesity was significantly associated with a family history of cardiovascular diseases (OR=2.761, p=0.001, 95%CI=1.491-5.112). Conclusion: The Obesity prevalence of 49.6% (p=0.002) among oil and gas industry workers in the Niger-Delta region, is statistically significantly high. Therefore, concretive preventive measures are needed to reduce obesity prevalence among workers.

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Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are widely distributed compounds with two or more fused aromatic ring, being some of them classified as carcinogenic. In the present study, the concentrations of 16 PAHs and the sum of them (∑PAHs) were determined in samples of food, feed, plant and soil collected in six different heavily polluted areas (Choba, Khana, Trans Amadi, Eleme, Uyo and Yenagoa) of the Niger Delta Region (Nigeria). Principal component analysis (PCA) was then used to identify groups of variables (PAHs) and groups of samples that were the best in rendering the environmental pollution in that Region of Nigeria. In addition, PAHs food consumption and the derived carcinogenic risks were assessed in a probabilistic way. The highest ∑PAHs (mg/kg) were: 16.7 in cow meat, 8.06 in goat meat, 25.4 in chicken meat, 7.72 in fish, 28.70 in fish feed, 15.3 in chicken feed, 8.42 in plant, and 8.80 in soil. In most of the Nigerian areas, cooked cow meat, chicken and chicken feed presented the highest impact regarding PAHs contamination. The highest intake of PAHs was through meat consumption, with a very high and unassumable carcinogenic risk, which is quite above 10-5 for some PAHs, including benzo [a]pyrene. The results of the present survey highlight the importance of reducing PAHs content in food, specially in meat, in the Niger Delta region.

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BACKGROUND: Infertility is a public health challenge and it is a distressing personal tragedy for couples, more so for the female partners. Risk factors and causes of infertility vary from region to region. Reactive species is of current interest in the pathogenesis and management of infertility, especially in the Niger-Delta Region of Nigeria where environmental hazards of oil exploration exists. AIM: The overall goal of this study was to determine and compare the serum reactive species levels (nitric oxide) in fertile and infertile women attending the infertility clinic at the Delta State University Teaching Hospital, Oghara, and Central Hospital, Warri. METHODS: This was a prospective case-control study in which 70 women evaluated for infertility were recruited into the study. A fertile patient matched for age and body mass index (BMI) attending family planning clinic was selected as control. Serum nitric oxide estimation was done using the BioVision Nitric Oxide Colorimetric Assay Kit. Statistical analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). Student's t-test was applied to compare the serum levels of nitric acid and the differences were considered significant if P < 0.05. RESULTS: Infertile women had significantly higher mean serum nitric oxide levels than fertile women: 34.33 (SD 5.93) µmol/L versus 18.27 (SD 2.63) µmol/L (P < 0.001). Women with secondary infertility had significantly higher mean levels of nitric oxide than those with primary infertility: 38.13 (SD 3.39) µmol/L versus 22.72 (SD 4.36) µmol/L (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The study showed that serum nitric oxide level was significantly elevated in women with infertility compared to women of proven fertility. Hence, oxidative stress from reactive species may be a contributory factor to infertility in women in the Niger-Delta Region of Nigeria.

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BACKGROUND: Sex workers, like others, are facing economic hardships and anxiety about their health and safety due to coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19), an infectious disease caused by a novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Universally, most sex work has largely reduced, moved online, or undertaken covertly because of lockdown measures and need for social distancing to break the transmission of SARS-CoV-2. However, the ability of sex workers to protect themselves against COVID-19 depends on their individual and interpersonal behaviors and work environment. In this study, we sought to determine the relationships between COVID-19 knowledge, awareness and prevention practice (KAP) among female commercial sex workers (FCSW) in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria to inform the development of prevention interventions for this vulnerable population. METHODS: Data used in this study were obtained from a cross-sectional survey of 604 FCSW operating in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. We used descriptive and inferential statistics to assess their socio-demographic characteristics and COVID-19 KAP adopted against the novel coronavirus. Latent class analysis was used to systematically classify participants' attributes and behaviors into the most likely distinct clusters or risk groups. RESULTS: The majority of the FCSW were singles (86.8%) of childbearing ages, 21-35 years (86.2%), with almost three quarters (73.2%) of them having sex with 3-4 clients per day during the COVID-19 pandemic. Overall, almost three quarters of the participants had both good knowledge and awareness about COVID-19 but less than half of them (41.1%) implemented good practice to prevent the spread of the disease. However, a highly significant and positive relationship was recorded between COVID-19 knowledge (r=0.90, p<0.0001) and awareness (r=0.65, p<0.0001), and preventive practice of FCSW, respectively. About 89.1% of the participants were not very familiar with the symptoms of COVID-19 (p<0.0001). Only 10.9% of the FCSW indicated that they wear facemask at all times, while 45.2% of them do not wear facemask during sexual intercourse with their clients (p<0.0001). Based on the FCSW attributes and behaviors, we identified three distinct clusters or risk groups (p<0.0001), namely, low-risk takers (Cluster 1), high-risk takers (Cluster 2) and very high-risk takers (Cluster 3) with latent class prevalence rates (γc) of 41.13% (95% CI: 37.26-45.10), 33.17% (95% CI: 29.53-37.02) and 25.71% (95% CI: 22.38-29.34), respectively. CONCLUSION: Sex work has high transmission potentials for SARS-CoV-2 because of its operational nature, which does not permit social distancing, and thus, renders certain preventive measures practically ineffective. This is a major challenge in the fight against COVID-19 in this high-risk group and calls for the development of operational guidelines and targeted intervention strategies to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 in the Niger Delta region.

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The isotopic compositions of oxygen (δ 18O) and hydrogen (δ 2H) of precipitation were determined from three different locations in the western Niger Delta (Warri, Ughelli and Abraka) between 2014 and 2015. 18O and 2H in wet season precipitation were more depleted compared to the dry season. Similarly, d-excess computed for wet season precipitation is lower than that for the dry season. The δ 18O and δ 2H variations in precipitation suggest the effect of the convective system and north-easterly and south-westerly trade winds. The decrease in δ 18O and δ 2H was also observed in precipitation data of a continuous rain event of two successive days. The local meteoric water lines estimated for Warri, Ughelli and Abraka were δ 2H = 8.8 δ 18O + 9.1 ‰ (R 2 = 0.93), δ 2H = 6.9 δ 18O + 10.7 ‰ (R 2 = 0.98) and δ 2H = 7.9 δ 18O + 11.3 ‰ (R 2 = 0.87), respectively. The Niger Delta regional meteoric water line of δ 2H = 7.7 δ 18O + 10.2 ‰ (R 2 = 0.91) was derived from the monthly average from the three locations. The provided local meteoric water line for the Niger Delta from unweighted stable isotopic data represents a baseline for regional water resources studies.

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Objective: To investigate the level of heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Fe Mn Ni, Pb and Cd) in muscles, gills and liver tissue of Croaker fish from oil spilled rivers of Bonny and Finima, Niger Delta region, Nigeria. Methods: Twenty four Croacker fishes (Genyonemus lineatus) weighing between 250 and 260 g and 24–26 cm length were collected from each sampling sites (Bonny and finima rivers). The frozen fishes were thawed and dried at 105 ℃ until they reach a constant weight. The dried samples were homogenized and digested with 10 ml tri-acid mixture (HNO3: HClO4:H2SO4), and then the digested samples were diluted to 100 ml with deionized water. Heavy metals (Cu, Ni, Zn, Pb, Mn, Iron Fe, and Cd) concentrations were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Results: Our results revealed that concentrations and distribution patterns of all heavy metals studied varied significantly (P < 0.05) amongst the fish tissues analyzed and sampling sites. Moreover, liver tissue of fish caught from Finima creek accumulated the highest concentrations of Cu (52.64 ± 3.01μg/g dry wt), Zn (166.50 ± 6.45μg/g dry wt) and Fe (801.50 ± 14.15μg/g dry wt) in comparison to the liver of fish caught from Bonny river in which the levels of Cu, Zn and Fe were (45.00 ± 2.79), (49.90 ± 2.91) and (216 ± 6.11μg/g dry wt), respectively. In addition, Mn, Ni, Pb and Cd exhibited their highest concentrations in gills from both locations. As expected, muscle tissue contained the least concentrations of all metals investigated from both sampling sites. Furthermore, all the metals investigated exhibited highest concentration in fish collected from Finima creek. These abnormal high level heavy metals accumulation observed in this location could be linked to the frequent crude oil spills as well as industrial activity around the area which might get discharged into Finima creek. In general, the mean concentrations of some toxic heavy metals investigated exceed the recommended maximum permissible limits set by the Joint FAO/WHO committee. However, some metals are within the acceptable limits. Conclusions: In conclusion, our data showed the abnormal higher concentration of these metals and this might be toxic to the fish and other aquatic organisms directly or by extension to humans that frequently consumed such contaminated fishes.

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Objective To investigate the level of heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Fe Mn Ni, Pb and Cd) in muscles, gills and liver tissue of Croaker fish from oil spilled rivers of Bonny and Finima, Niger Delta region, Nigeria. Methods Twenty four Croacker fishes (Genyonemus lineatus) weighing between 250 and 260 g and 24–26 cm length were collected from each sampling sites (Bonny and finima rivers). The frozen fishes were thawed and dried at 105 °C until they reach a constant weight. The dried samples were homogenized and digested with 10 ml tri-acid mixture (HNO

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BACKGROUND: The prevalence of malnutrition is high in the Niger delta region of Nigeria, in spite of the region's oil wealth and nutrition intervention programs have been found to be effective in similar circumstance. AIM: This study is to assess the nutrition intervention program, implemented by UNICEF in some rural communities of Bayelsa State, one of the six States in the Niger delta region of Nigeria. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The study was carried out in 2009 in Toruorua and Gbaranbiri, two rural riverine communities, in Baylesa State. Toruorua benefited from the nutrition intervention program of UNICEF between 1999 and 2008, while Gbaranbiri did not benefit. A comparative, cross-sectional study design was used, with the data collected using anthropometry and semi-structured questionnaire, administered on 105 respondents, chosen with the cluster sampling technique, popularized by UNICEF, from each of the study communities. Data were analyzed using EPI-INFO version 2002, Microsoft Excel software, and manually. Differences between the study communities were tested using the student's t-test for means, and Chi-square test for proportions. Significant values were set at P <0.05. RESULTS: A total of 210 questionnaires were administered and retrieved from both study communities, and the anthropometric measurements of equal number of under-five year children were also taken. There were no significant differences in the occupations of the respondents, and in the sizes of their households. The prevalence of wasting, under-weight and stunting were however found to be significantly higher in the reference community, as 20.0% (21/105) of the children were found to be wasted, compared to 5.0% (6/105) in the intervention community (P < 0.01); 17.1% (18/105) were found to be underweight, compared to 9.5% (10/105) in the exposed community (P = 0.01); while 24.8% (26/105) were stunted, compared to 10.5% (11/105) in the exposed community (P = 0.01). CONCLUSION: Nutrition intervention program delivered in a primary health care facility can positively change nutrition behavior and prevent childhood malnutrition.

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BACKGROUND: Erectile Dysfunction (ED) is one of the major social problems causing significant distress in men. Despite the increasing difficulty in management, knowledge, and understanding of factors responsible for its development are important for prevention and care. OBJECTIVES: To assess the prevalence and risk factors for ED among men in Niger Delta Region of Nigeria, in order to determine its contextual variables. METHODS: Subjects included 400 male patients attending the general outpatients' clinic (GOPC) of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital. Respondents completed the abridged version of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5). RESULTS: A total of 166 (41.5%) subjects had ED; 66 (16.5%) had mild; 32 (8.0%) mild to moderate; 24 (6.0%) moderate; while 45 (11.3%) had severe 37 (9.2%) resulted from hypertension and its medications; 29 (7.3%) from diabetes; 49 (12.2%) from a combination of both and their therapies (P=0.044); 24 (6.0%) had history of previous surgery; while for 27 (6.8%) it was from undiagnosed medical conditions (p=0.001). The ED increases with age and is more among married and educated men. CONCLUSION: ED is a common problem among men in Niger Delta region. Therefore, efforts must be made to reduce the incidence by dealing with the factors responsible for its development.

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