Goodluck A.K. Ohanube

By Obeta M. Uchejeso, Ikeagwulonu R. Chinaza, Ohanube A.K. Goodluck and Jwanse I. Rinpan

Coronavirus (COVID-19) has shaken the world not minding the strength of the global health system leading to over 824, 000 deaths amidst the search of a cure and total prevention. The Igbo states in Nigeria has the average prevalence of 711 cases of COVID-19 with the highest 1096 (Enugu) and least 207 (Anambra) as at 26th August, 2020. This chapter studied some Igbo indigenous plants in use since the outbreak and presents Bitter kola, Garlic, Giloy, Ginger, Lime, and Turmeric which are having anti-COVID-19 properties. The authors suggest that these plants have the properties that alter the PH on the interface between the virus spike proteins and the human respiratory surfaces causing a brake on the interaction with human ACE-2 and where interaction has taken place, the replication and translation stages are disrupted. The plants thus are potential modifiers of this milieu and inhibitor of the main protease and endoribonuclease via epigenetics and homeostasis. These plants consumption should be encouraged as prophylactic or curative measures pending the discovery of a definitive cure. The chapter recommends that the search for COVID-19 cure should not be limited to conventional medicines, rather should be extended to some indigenous plants in Igbo land.

Part of the book: Alternative Medicine

By Goodluck A.K. Ohanube and Uchejeso M. Obeta

The pandemic of the Coronavirus disease 2019 has been quite devastating. Assessing the success of the public health measures put in place by different nations has become a herculean task, especially as there is no effective index to determine that. The existing public health indices such as the Case fatality ratio and Mortality rate have not proven efficient in ascertaining the progress made in the early implementation of some public health measures. Hence, the index Deaths Per Million, an estimated mortality rate, is considered an alternative tool to ascertain the progress made at the onset and peak of the pandemic. In this case study, we have compared these three indices to know which best fits the pandemic. We also elucidated when and how deaths per million can be efficiently utilized during a pandemic to know the most appropriate time to impose lockdowns and other public health measures. This is considering the tendency for lockdowns to affect the psycho-social skills of humans and adversely impact economic activities both locally and globally. This work further provided evidence why the index Deaths Per Million is preferred during a pandemic over case fatality ratio and mortality. This was done using statistics from various countries for one year. These countries were selected based on their population and their peculiar nature.

Part of the book: Psychosocial, Educational, and Economic Impacts of COVID-19

By Ohanube Goodluck A.K., Agimogim Kelvin Ojong and Ikeagwulonu Richard Chinaza

Studies in the last two decades show the relationship between malnutrition and the debility of some diseases. While some scholars believe it contributes to the virulence of infectious diseases, others opine that it plays a role in the deteriorating conditions of some metabolic or noncommunicable diseases. In recent times, the term malnutrition has been expanded to cover a broader spectrum, ranging from the double burden, which includes undernutrition and overnutrition, to the triple burden, in which the duo and micronutrient deficiency are considered. This review elaborates on the broader definition of malnutrition, the determinants of malnutrition, the triple burden of malnutrition coupled with the tandem effects of malnutrition on the immune system. Where possible, we used examples to clarify and conceptualize this review, bringing in some real-life context in which these burdens are applicable. We discussed the cellular implications of the micronutrient deficiencies and buttressed using body mass index as a rough guide in estimating overweight and underweight.

Part of the book: Combating Malnutrition through Sustainable Approaches