Category Archives: International Journal of Sciences and Advanced Innovative Research 2017

A Review of a Decision Support System for Diagnosis (DSS) of Tropical Diseases

^*1Olaniyan Olatayo M.; ²Ogunleye Gabriel O.; ³Fagbola Tayo   & ⁴Omodunbi B. A

^1&4Department of Computer Engineering, Federal University, Oye-Ekiti,

^2&3Department of Computer Science, Federal University, Oye-Ekiti,

E-mail: olatayo.olaniyan@fuoye.edu.ng

*Corresponding Author: Dr. Olaniyan O.M

ABSTRACT

Tropical diseases account for some of the major causes of death in Africa. However, most existing decision support systems (DSS) for early diagnosis of tropical diseases are less effective owing to its vagueness and unstructuredness in making decisions. In this study, a decision support system, which is capable of addressing vagueness and confusion associated with early diagnosis of tropical diseases, was proposed. Information overload in medicine has long been acknowledged and remedies sought. One option is to devise medical expert system programs that reason for the doctor. For complex specialized areas we may be content to compartmentalize the knowledge and embed it in a machine that provides doctors with high-quality solutions as long as the machine can explain those solutions to the doctor’s satisfaction. One of the problems that characterized the traditional method of medical diagnostic is inaccuracy and imprecision which has claimed many life. The advent of computer has led to the development of several algorithms, models and technologies to ensure accuracy and precision and this has greatly reduced the death rate of patients daily in numbers the hospitals. This paper carried out a brief review of the research work done in knowledge based system in the field of medical diagnosis of tropical diseases.Various techniques used in some of the clinical systems that have being developed over time were discussed and the limitations were identified. In conclusion, Fuzzy-Ahp approach was proposed for optimal diagnosis of the diseases.

Keyword: Tropical Disease, DSS, Medical Experts, Fuzzy logic, Ahp

A Mathematical Model for Cholera Transmission Dynamics considering Primary and Booster Vaccinations as Controls

O. Abu & E. Jalija

Department of Mathematics and Statistics

Federal Polytechnic, Idah, Nigeria

Email: abuonoja2008@yahoo.com

Corresponding Author: O. Abu

ABSTRACT

Cholera is an acute diarrheal illness caused by infection with the bacteria vibrio cholerae. In this paper, a mathematical model for cholera transmission dynamics with an arbitrary contact rate function, considering primary and booster vaccinations as controls is formulated and analyzed. First, a constant contact rate function was assumed and the equilibrium analysis and numerical simulation were carried out. Secondly, a seasonally forced contact rate function was assumed and the numerical simulation was performed. In the first case, the analytical results showed that the disease-free (respectively endemic) equilibrium state is locally and asymptotically stable for  (respectively ). These analytical results were also buttressed by the results of the numerical simulation. In the second case, the numerical results showed the seasonal variations in the number of infected people when there is no control. However, with effective primary and booster vaccinations, the spread of cholera can be controlled. The findings in this study suggest that effective primary and booster vaccination programs are crucial for the control of cholera.

Keywords: mathematical model, booster vaccination, disease-free equilibrium, endemic equilibrium

Relationship between Abdominal Conditioning and Prevalence of Diastasis Rectus Abdominis during Pregnancy among Primigravids

¹Usman Abubakar Modibbo (B.Sc) & ²Dr ShmailaHanif (Ph.D)

¹Department of Physiotherapy, Federal Medical Centre, Katsina

²Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences

College of Health Sciences, Bayero University, Kano

E-mail: ptmodibbo@gmail.com, shelllshelll@yahoo.com

Corresponding Author: Dr. Shmaila Hanif

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to determine the relationship between abdominal conditioning and the prevalence of Diastasis Rectus Abdominis during pregnancy among primigravids. A total of 310 primigravids were recruited from Antenatal clinic, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano. Eight of the participants were diagnosed to have diastasis recti abdominis (DRA) and more than half of the participants of this study were found to be abdominally not conditioned. DRA status was classified as present and absent according to Noble’s criteria whereas abdominal conditioning status of the participants was categorized as conditioned and not conditioned with respect to McArdle, Katch and Katch criteria. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics of mean, standard deviation and simple percentage to describe the participants’ physical characteristics. Inferential statistics of spearman’s correlation described the relationship between abdominal conditioning and prevalence of DRA; Chi-square was computed to determine difference in prevalence of DRA across the trimesters. The result of the study indicates that most of the subjects were in their second trimester. Also, abdominal conditioning is related to prevalence of DRA in primigravids such that pregnant women with weakened abdominals can easily develop DRA. DRA is more prevalent in third trimester. Based on the results obtained from this study, it was recommended that all pregnant women should be examined for the presence of DRA and physiotherapists should design both prenatal and postnatal exercises. 

Keywords: Diastasis rectus abdominis, prevalence, trimester, pregnancy.