Comparative study of the effect of dry and wet ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) spice on the proximate and microbial safety of soybean beverage

Soybean beverage, most common nutritious local beverage in Nigeria and in the world, is a high protein beverage used as a dairy milk substitute with the limited utilization due to natural or ambient conditions that serve as growth medium for microorganisms. Hence, it has a short shelf life. This study examines the shelf life of soybean beverage preserved with the ginger spice (dried at 70 ˚C, 80 ˚C, 90 ˚C and 100 ˚C, and 2 g and 4 g of fresh/wet ginger respectively) over 7-week period. The samples were (A: plain soybean beverage; B: 200 ml soybean beverage + 2 g of ginger dried at 100 ˚C; C: 200 ml soybean beverage + 2 g ginger dried at 90 ˚C; D: 200 ml soybean beverage + 2 g ginger dried at 80 ˚C; E: 200 ml soybean beverage + 2 g ginger dried at 70 ˚C; F: 200 ml soybean beverage + 2 g fresh ginger; and G: 200 ml soybean beverage + 4 g fresh ginger respectively). The proximate, pH, microbial and sensory analyses of samples ranged as follows: 87.35% - 90.83% for the moisture content; 0.58% - 0.65% ash content; 4.65% - 4.96% protein; 0.10%-0.26% fibre content; 2.06% - 2.98% crude fat and 1.68% - 4.17% carbohydrate, and pH values ranged from 6.2 - 6.5. Microbiological analysis over storage period showed that the control sample ranged from 0.4×106 -8.3×106 cfu/ml, and treated samples from 0.4×106 to 2.4×106 cfu/ml. Low values of the samples treated with dry ginger spice were preserved better than others, probably due to preservative and anti-microbial properties of the spice. Sensory evaluation, carried out by twenty-eight persons, showed that the sample E: (200 ml soymilk+ 2 g ginger dried at 70 ˚C) was most preferred (with respect to taste, aroma and overall acceptability), while there was a significant difference in the appearance of the samples

Individual and Technological Factors Affecting Undergraduates' Use of Mobile Technology in University of Ilorin, Nigeria

The proliferation and utilization of handheld mobile technology among undergraduates for mobile learning cannot be underestimated. This study was geared towards investigating individual and technological factors affecting the perceived usefulness of mobile technology by undergraduates in university of Ilorin. The study was a descriptive research of the survey type. Samples were randomly drawn from all students in the 15 faculties. A total of 100 undergraduates were sampled. Two research questions, and one hypothesis was tested. Mean was used to answer the research questions; while Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) was used to test the relationship between the technological and individual factors. Findings from the study revealed that the technological and individual factors positively affected the perceived usefulness of mobile technology among undergraduates. More so, there was a positive relationship between technological and individual factors that affected perceived usefulness of mobile technology. Based on the findings, it was concluded that both the individual and technological factors affected the perceived usefulness of mobile technology positively. It was recommended that students should be encouraged in the use of Mobile technology devices for learning

Effect of partial substitution of dried plantain flour on the sensory and functional properties of maize flour based snack (Kokoro)

The study is focused on the effect of partial substitution of dried plantain flour on the sensory and functional properties of maize flour based snack (kokoro).Snacks are food substances usually consumed in between meals and usually have low nutritional values . Kokoro is a maize based snack widely consumed in the south western part of Nigeria. Due to the need to encourage regular consumption of snacks such as Kokoro, nutritional improvement of snacks should be embarked upon. In this case, improving the nutritional value and crunchiness of kokoro snack was studied by blending it with plantain (sun dried and oven dried) flour in the ratio (90:10, 80:20, 70:30) respectively, while Kokoro made from 100% maize serves as(control). The bulk density, water absorption capacity, oil absorption capacity, solubility and swelling index of the blends were: (0.60% to 0.65%), (2.13 to 2.47), (1.96 to 2.08), (2.81 to 7.65), and (212.30 to 333.25) respectively, while the control had 0.64, 2.53, 2.37, 4.57, and 324.60. Kokoro made from pure maize (100% maize flour) was found to be the most acceptable overall which could likely be due to its familiarity to the consumers. Blend of 90:10 maize flour to sundried plantain flour (sample B) was the next acceptable. The least accepted were 90:10 and 70:30 oven dried samples. It is concluded that plantain flour can be successfully blended with maize flour for the production of good kokoro product. Recommendation is made for the large scale production of fortified kokoro.Keywords: Kokoro, crunchiness, fortification, plantain flour, maize, dryin

Determinants Of Audit Quality Among Consumer Goods Companies Listed On The Nigerian Stock Exchange

This study examined the determinants of audit quality among Consumer goods companies listed on the Nigerian stock exchange from 2009 to 2018. This study made use of secondary data obtained from fact books, annual reports, and account of selected consumer goods company under study. The relevant data were subjected to statistical analysis Pearson Correlation while the diagnostics test conducted were Multicollinearity, Autocorrelation, Normality, and Heteroscedasticity Test. The study’s findings showed that board size and company liquidity have a substantial positive influence on financial results, while audit fees, firm size, and audit committee meetings have a negative but non-significant impact. The study concluded that, since board size has a substantial positive effect on audit quality, the governmental body should track firms to ensure that the required board size is met as part of strategies to enhance audit quality among Nigeria’s publicly traded consumer goods companies

Vitamin A deficiency among under-five Nigerian children with diarrhoea

Background: Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) and diarrhoea are still important contributors to childhood deaths in Africa, and vitamin A deficient children are at increased risk as well as severity of diarrhoea.Objectives:To determine the prevalence of VAD and identify the associated factors among children with diarrhoea.Methods: The study was a hospital-based cross-sectional descriptive study. Consecutive children with diarrhoea were recruited, provided they met the inclusion criteria. Serum retinol levels were determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) in one hundred and seventy under-five children who presented with diarrhoea at the Wesley Guild Hospital, Ilesa, Nigeria. Results: The serum retinol levels of the children ranged from 0.29 – 2.35 µmol/L with a mean ± SD of 1.07 ± 0.42 µmol/L. Twenty seven (15.9%) were vitamin A deficient with three (1.8%) of these having severe VAD. Wasting was significantly associated with a higher prevalence of VAD [p = 0.023, OR (95% CI) = 3.08 (1.21 - 7.79)]. A significantly greater proportion of the subjects who had VAD were hospitalized, compared with the non-deficient ones [p = 0.001, OR (95% CI) = 4.40 (1.82 - 10.66)]. The only subject who died was vitamin A deficient.Conclusion: Wasting and hospitalization are factors that may indicate the presence of VAD in a child with diarrhoea. Vitamin A supplements should therefore be given, as part of the treatment for diarrhoea, to children who have wasting, especially when they require hospitalization.Keywords: Vitamin A deficiency, Nigerian children, diarrhoea

Inequalities of Time Allocation among Male and Female Headed Household in Ibarapa East Local Government Area, Oyo State, Nigeria: The Welfare Implications

This study examines how male and female headed household in rural Area of Oyo state, Nigeria allocate their time to various activities in each day and the welfare implication. A time use survey was carried out among 240 headed households-174 male headed household and 66 female headed household using multistage random sampling from 10 villages. The objectives include the socio-economic characteristics of the respondent; the different activities people engage in during the day and the number of hours allocated; factors determining the number of hours allocated to each activity and gender disparity in time use. Analytical tools are descriptive statistics and regression model.Based on the findings for male headed household, the level of education and the number of hours allocated to paid work are statistically significant at 1%, for female headed household, level of education (1%) and secondary occupation (5%) are statistically significant. The more educated are able to manage their time more judiciously vis-à-vis a person with lower education. Male allocated more time to paid work and earn more while female headed household allocated more time to secondary occupation to make ends meet has the major economic supporter of their household and more time to unpaid work that has no financial compensation. Female headed operates smaller land holdings due to the challenge of social norms and values. Men enjoy leisure more than women because unpaid work (housework) has occupied their time. Based on the findings, unpaid work should not be gender biased, and FHH should be treated with passion under social norms and values. In addition, unpaid work should be monetized in System of National Account. Keywords: time use, male headed household, female headed household and welfare

Knowledge and control practices of hypertension among diabetic attending LAUTECH teaching hospital Osogbo, Nigeria

Background: Hypertension in diabetes is an added burden and the comorbidity a faster genesis of many cardiovascular diseases that exposes the diabetics to several complications, disabilities and higher mortality rate than the non-diabetics. This study therefore asses the knowledge and control practice of hypertension among the hypertensive diabetics attending the endocrine clinic of LAUTECH Teaching hospital Osogho, Osun state.Methods: A quantitative descriptive survey design was adopted and a total enumeration method was used in recruiting 102 hypertensive diabetics. A structured questionnaire was administered and used to collect data. Descriptive statistics was used to answer the research questions.Results: The overall knowledge level of hypertension among the hypertensive diabetics was above average with overall mean score of 54.01 (65.9%). The control practice level was fair with overall mean score of 45.1%.Conclusions: Efforts to increase the knowledge and control practices of hypertension should not focus only on general health education, but individual specific knowledge needs. practical sections that show case the lifestyle practices that will explain what hypertension self-care maintenance, monitoring and management practices such as exercise sections, diet sections actually means should be incorporated in the clinic routine

Congenital orbital teratoma: a case report and challenges of its management in a resource limited setting

We report a case of congenital immature teratoma of the orbit in a female neonate who presented on the second day of life. She was successfully managed by modified exenteration. The patient was lost to follow-up intermittently over a 24-month period without recurrence of the tumour. However the patient could not be traced again after 24 months of follow up. This happened despite concerted efforts to educate the parents. The possible implications of this and other social factors, in a challenging and resource limited setting, on the prognosis of the disease and cosmetic outcome are considered.Pan African Medical Journal 2012; 12:

Attribution Patterns, Attitude and Knowledge of HIV/AIDS on Sexual Behavioural Change Among Students of Covenant University, Ota, Nigeria

Sexual behavioural change is central to HIV/AIDS control programme. This study was carried out among students (n = 603; average age = 18.9) of Covenant University, Nigeria. The study was designed to examine the impact of attribution patterns, attitude and knowledge of HIV/AIDS on sexual behavioural change. Three hypotheses were raised. Regression analysis, analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Pearson’s r were used to analyze the data. The results show that attribution patterns and attitude towards HIV did not influence sexual behavioural change. In effect, knowledge of HIV was the best predictor of sexual behavioural change of respondents. The study also revealed that there was a significant effect of gender on sexual behavioural change of respondents while there was no significant effect of age. Another result shows that there was a strong correlation between perceived benefits and all the other variables. Fourteen percent (14%) of the respondents are sexually active, 520 or 86% indicated they are not sexually active. Eighty-nine percent (89%) of the respondents do not know of anyone who is HIV positive or died from AIDS while 11% knows someone who is HIV positive or had died from AIDS related complications. This study shows that young people using the perceived benefits variable in the Health Belief Model (HBM) coupled with adequate knowledge of HIV knowledge have the power and ability to change their risky sexual behaviour. Key words: Attribution patterns, Attitude, Knowledge, HIV/AIDS, Students, Young people, Perceived benefits and Sexual behavioural change

Students' perceptions of the learning environment in two Nigerian medical schools offering different curricula

Objective: Compare the results of administering the DREEM questionnaire in two Nigerian medical schools offering traditional and student-centred curricular respectively, to identify any differences in the learning environment and appreciate advantages of the more modern curriculum.Methods: A survey design was used. Data was analysed using the DREEM scoring rubric. The independent t-test was used to compare results. Setting: The DREEM questionnaire was administered to final year medical students at two participating centres. Participants: Final year students of a teacher-centred and a student-centred medical school. Results: There were 138 respondents – 50 (96.2% of the final year students) from the teacher centred school and 88 (59.1% of the final year students) from the student-centred school. The mean total DREEM score was 117+22.3 in the former and 119 +23.6 in the latter (p = 0.798). Mean age of students in the teacher centred school was 28 ± 5.28 years, while that of the student-centred school was 23 ± 1.83 years (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The mean total DREEM score proximity between the schools suggests that the younger students using a more student-centred curriculum have less of an appreciation of their improved learning environment than is expected. Thus, the hidden curriculum could be lagging behind the written one. The older students in the teacher centred environment have a more mature appreciation of their learning climate.  Funding: Personal sourcesKeywords: medical education, Nigeria, curriculum, DREE