TITLE:
Natural background radiation dose rate levels and incidences of reproductive abnormalities in high radiation area in Abeokuta, Southwestern Nigeria
AUTHORS:
Nnamdi Norbert Jibiri, John Bamidele Famodimu
KEYWORDS:
High Background Radiation; Gamma Radiation Dose Rates; Reproductive Abnormalities; Abeokuta Nigeria
JOURNAL NAME:
Natural Science,
Vol.5 No.11,
November
4,
2013
ABSTRACT: A 10 y (1999-2008) birth
records from two public and most accessible maternity hospitals locally in
the city of Abeokuta, Nigeria were used to investigate the possible association
of high outdoor gamma radiation exposure on reproductive abnormalities in the
city. From the delivery record of 11,923 births in the period under study, a
total number of 485 incidences of reproductive abnormalities were recoded.
These incidences comprise 228 multiple births, 190 still births and, 67
premature births. Using the available terrestrial gamma radiation exposure data
for the city and different reproductive abnormalities, regression assessment
was carried out using the Pearson Product Moment (PPM) correlation statistics.
The correlation showed that the incidences of reproductive abnormalities and
the radiation dose levels were negatively correlated and correlation
coefficient values were very low for each of the reproductive abnormalities
considered. Factors such as socio-economic potentials of patients, dietary
and other environmental factors may have substantial influence on the
reproductive defects in the area other than radiation. However, the present
study has added to the radiometric information needed in understanding the
relationship between natural outdoor radiation exposure and occurrences of
reproductive abnormalities in areas of high radiation in the country.