Objectives: UTIs could be wrongly diagnosed by chromogenic dipsticks especially in the case of early infection. Hence, the need to evaluate the sensitivity of the dipstick in comparisms to conventional method, microscopy. Methods: Sample size was obtained using standard normal distribution within 95% CI. Three hundred and seventy urine samples were collected after obtaining consent and ethical approval. WBCs and RBCs were counted after staining the slide and view at high-power microscope. All the positive samples were subjected to urinalysis using chromogenic dipsticks with ten biomarkers. The data was processed using descriptive statistics and represented with Graph Pad Prism version 6.01. Results: The gender distribution 33.5% and 66.5% for male and female respectively while age ranges from less than 1 year to greater than 60 years. Only two hundred (200) had WBCs by microscopy with 0-4 cells (73.5%), 5-9 (9.5%) and 10+(17%). These positive samples were subjected to urinalysis. Among other biomarkers, protein and nitrite are 49.5% and 36% respectively. High alkalinity (pH 9) was observed in the 18% of the urine sample investigated. Out of the positive samples to microscopy, only 27.5% were confirmed positive by chromogenic dipsticks. Conclusion: The sensitivity of the dipstick cannot be absolutely relying upon because of undetectable level of some enzymes required for the colour change. This can result into false negative in the diagnosis of UTIs.

Increase in NPLs rate is the main reason of reduction in earnings of banks. The reason behind the bad debts was low repaying capacity of borrowers, which in turn was the result of uneconomic use of loans, low per capital, and high interest rate. Extra flexible credit rationing policy could also be the reason of high NPLs rate. Non-Performing loan rate was the most important issue for banks to survive. It was important to understand the phenomena and nature of non-performing loans; it has many implications, as fewer loan losses was indicator of comparatively more firm financial system, on the other hand high level of non-performing loans was an indicator of unsecure financial system and a worrying signal for bank management and regulatory authorities. This study examined the effect of interest rate on non-performing loan of deposits money banks listed on the Nigeria stock exchange from 2010 to 2019. The methodology of the study make use of ex-post facto research design. Thirteen (13) deposit money banks was selected based while panel regression models estimation of pooled effect model, fixed effect model and random effect model was utilized on the basis of Hausman test. The empirical findings from the first model shows that Bank’s Lending Rates has positive and significant effect on Non-performing Loan of the selected money deposit banks [β = 0.480; Pval = 0.045]. However, with the inclusion of liquidity and loan growth rate, the findings shows that Bank’s Lending Rates [β = 0.524; P_val = 0.034] becomes stronger though as it remains positive and statistically significant. In this same model, the coefficient of Loan Growth Rate (LGR) [β = 0.048; P_val = 0.036] was seen to be negative and statistically significant Conversely, the relationship between Loan – to Deposit Ratio (LDR) and Non-performing Loan (NPL) is not found to be statistically significant though; positive [β = 0.090; P-val = 0.103]. The study recommended that by hook or by crook, bank's management need to maintain a low level of NPLs by maintaining low Bank’s Lending Rates to avoid financial crisis to happen.

Background: Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is one of the causative agent of acute viral hepatitis in humans. HEV is an important public health disease in many parts of the world because it is transmitted faeco-orally. Majority of the documented studies on hepatitis E virus in Nigeria have focused on pregnant women and animal handlers with limited data among food handlers. Thus the current study aimed at investigating the prevalence of HEV infection among food handlers operating within the premises of a tertiary care facility.Methods: One hundred and seventy seven (177) food handlers were screened using commercial Enzyme-Linked Immuno-Sorbent Assay (ELISA) to detect IgM antibodies to Hepatitis E. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to assess risk factors for HEV infection.Results: HEV IgM antibodies were detected in 16 (9.0%) of the participants. Age-specific HEV IgM seroprevalence appeared to decrease with age, however there were no significant differences in HEV IgM seropositivity regarding age (P=0.251), gender (P = 0.231), marital status (P=0.735) and religion (P = 0.906). Significant risk factors for HEV IgM seropositivity included source of water for drinking (P=0.03) and the use of soap for hand washing (P=0.02).Conclusion: Our findings suggest that HEV remains a public health problem, as the virus circulates at low but considerable levels especially among food handlers; thus posing a threat to potential contacts. Proper hand washing practices as well as provision of portable water are important factors for the control of Hepatitis E.