Growth and Yield of Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) as Influenced by Population Density of Component Cowpea in a Sesame-cowpea Mixture

Aim: To study the effects of population density on the growth and yield of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) intercropped with cowpea (Vigna unquiculata L. Walp). Materials and Methods: A field trial was carried out at the Teaching and Research Farm of kwara State University, Malete (08° 42ᶦᶦ 48.5N and 004° 26 17.9ᶦᶦ E) in the southern Guinea savannah agro-ecological zone of Nigeria in 2014 cropping season. The treatments consisted of full population of sesame intercropped with 100%, 75%, 50%, and 25% full population of cowpea. Sole sesame and cowpea were also included as control. Cowpea populations were introduced into sesame at two weeks after planting. The treatments were arranged in a randomized complete block design and replicated three times. Efficiency of intercropping was evaluated using land equivalent ratio (LER) and percentage yield difference indices (PYD). Results: Intercropping significantly influenced growth and yield of cowpea, meanwhile, growth and yield of sesame were not affected by intercropping. The highest height of cowpea, 22.30 cm, was recorded when full populations of both crops were mixed. Combinations of full population of both crops produced lowest number of branches (1.03) and pods (1.87) per plants in cowpea and also recorded highest LER (1.30) and PYD (31%). Sole cowpea significantly out-yielded other treatment combinations in the intercrop. Conclusion: The study demonstrated the suitability of intercropping sesame with cowpea in all the component population ratios tested with the best ratios when full populations of both crops were mixed

Perilaku Pengunjung pada Objek Wisata Air Panas Suaman di Desa Pawan Kecamatan Rambah Kabupaten Rokan Hulu Provinsi Riau

This research purpose to determine behaviour Of The visitors as a tourist object Air Panas Suaman in Pawan Village Rambah districts Rokan Hulu district Riau Province.This research uses a descriptive quantitative method to study the issue discussed. The sample in this research is 100 respondents which were taken by using accidental sampling. While data collection techniques in this research using observation, questionnaire by using a likert scale as a measure to determine the length of the short interval.Based on the research that has been done, behaviour Of The visitors as a tourist object Air Panas Suaman in Pawan Village Rambah districts Rokan Hulu district Riau Province. are included in the category of less agree, because Air Panas Suaman many deficiency.Keywords : Behaviour Visitors ,Tourism, Rokan Hulu district, Air Panas Suama

Comparative training needs’ assessment of actors within the Ecological Organic Agriculture value chain in Northern Nigeria

Inadequate technical know-how, increased demand for labour, costly certification and access to international markets are amongst major constraints faced by practitioners of ecological organic agriculture (EOA) which constitute major restriction for the organic systems in attainment of sustainable agricultural development in developing countries. The current study in a bid to addressing these issues assessed the training needs of EOA practitioners in Northern Nigeria, with a view to identifying core areas where interventions are required. Purposive sampling procedure was used in selecting one state from each of the three (3) zones in Northern Nigeria, viz; Yobe state in North-east, Kebbi state in North-west and Niger state in North-central because these states are prominent in practicing organic farming in Northern Nigeria. Simple random sampling procedure was then used to select fifty-one (51) farmers, fifty-two (52) extension agents and fifty-two (52) marketers across the states, giving a total of one hundred and fifty-five (155) respondents sampled for the study. Data was collected with aid of structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistical tool while ‘Response Mapping’ of mean score was used for comparative analysis of actors’ training needs. Results showed that majority of the respondents were male {farmers (92.2%), extension agents (82.7%) marketers (76.9%)}. Mean age of farmer was 53.9 years, while those of extension agent and marketers were 39.0 years and 40.1 years, respectively. EOA actors mostly sourced information through training/workshop, NOAN and TV. Response mapping of training needs indicated that ‘composting/vermin composting’, ‘Biological method of Pest and Disease control’, ‘Bio-fertilizer’ and ‘Bio-rotation method of Pest and Disease management techniques’ were EOA components where actors mostly needed training. The study concluded on an urgent need for gender mainstreaming and young farmers’ involvement in organic agriculture. Similarly, concerned stakeholders need to organize capacity building and training workshops/seminars for practitioners covering all identified areas of training needs to enhance their skills and technical capabilities in the practice of organic agriculture

Sleep quality and psychological morbidity among physicians in southwest Nigeria

Objectives: The role of the physician has increasingly become more expansive, and demanding. These demanding schedules have played a heavy toll on sleep patterns and increased psychological stress. The objective of the study was to assess sleep quality and psychological morbidity among Physicians.Method: A cross-sectional survey of 95 voluntary consenting physicians from different specialties during a 2-day conference. We administered Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and General Health Questionnaire-12.Results: About 13.6% (n=13 out of 95) had a score above 2 on General Health Questionnaire-12, indicating psychological morbidity. Those who reported poor sleep quality (>5) made up 36.8% (n=35) of the respondents, There were positive significant correlation between hours spent on call and total scores on GHQ at r=0.230, p=0.03. Only subjective sleep quality (component 1) was significantly correlated with total GHQ scores at p=0.001Conclusion: The findings in our study showed a relationship between sleep quality (component 1) psychological morbidity. We observed that long work schedules was the only factor associated with psychological morbidity and sleep quality. It is imperative for work-time stress management to be instituted among physicians.Keywords: Sleep quality, psychological morbidity, physicians, work schedules, Nigeri

The effect of farmyard manure and urea on grain yield and agronomic characteristics of maize (Zea mays)

Combining organic and inorganic fertilizer has been proved to be an effective and sustainable soil management strategy for increased crop yield and safe environment. Field experiments were conducted in two locations in Nigeria namely Malete and Shao during 2018 and 2019 seasons. This was to find out the efficacy of organic and inorganic fertilizer (including prilled and granular urea) and their various combinations on grain yield and agronomic characteristics of maize. The use of full dose of P and K + 75% N through Granular Urea + 25 % N through farmyard manure improved most of the soil chemical properties with high economic returns. It was concluded from the experiment that a combination of organic and inorganic fertilizers is an environmentally friendly practice and could lead to high yields and improve farmers’ income and their livelihoods

Quality of sleep and psychological morbidity among paramedical and medical students in Southwest Nigeria

Objective: The objective of this study was to compare the quality of sleep and psychological morbidity between medical students and paramedical students.Methods: A cross sectional survey of one hundred and eighty-six students of the College of Medicine, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ogun State, Nigeria, were surveyed using socio-demographic questionnaires, Pittsburgh Sleep Questionnaire and General Health questionnaire.Results: The mean ages among paramedical students was 20.63±1.6 and medical students was 22.80±2.93 respectively. Medical Students had a higher percentage of those who had poor sleep quality (86.7% ,≥ 5, n=85) than the paramedical students (38.6%, n=34) and higher mean scores on General Health Questionnaire, M(SD) = 8.75(5.01) than the Paramedical group, M(SD) = 6.53(2.97) respectively.Conclusion: The findings in our study showed that medical students had poorer sleep quality and higher psychological morbidity in comparison to paramedical students, efforts should be made to reduce academic stress and improving sleep quality.Keywords: Sleep, Psychological Morbidity, Medical Students, Paramedical Students, Medical Educatio

A study of disease pattern in a tertiary level Gastroenterology and Hepatology Out-Patient Unit

Background: Diseases affecting the gastrointestinal tract and its accessory organs like the liver, gall bladder and the pancreas have become a global concern as they are characterized by morbidities with high burden to both the individual and the economy. Objective: To describe the pattern of various gastrointestinal and hepatic diseases at a tertiary institution. Methods: A retrospective study of consecutive new referrals for ambulatory clinic visits to a Gastroenterology and Hepatology Clinic between May 2014 and May 2016 was conducted. Results: There were 259 new cases comprising 148 (57.1%) males and 111 (42.9%) females, aged 16-89 years with a mean age of 42.0 ±15.5 years. The commonest reasons for referral included asymptomatic chronic Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infection (35.9%), chronic liver disease (CLD) (12.4%), hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) (11.6%) and dyspepsia (10%). Asymptomatic HBV infection, CLD and HCC were more frequent among the males, whereas dyspeptic complains were more prevalent among the females (p = 0.008). Conclusion: Asymptomatic chronic hepatitis B virus infection, which is the leading cause of chronic liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma, was the most common reason for ambulatory gastroenterology and hepatology consultation in this study. Therefore, more effective measures for the eradication of the hepatitis B virus are desired

Monitoring the referral system through benchmarking in rural Niger: an evaluation of the functional relation between health centres and the district hospital

BACKGROUND: The main objective of this study is to establish a benchmark for referral rates in rural Niger so as to allow interpretation of routine referral data to assess the performance of the referral system in Niger. METHODS: Strict and controlled application of existing clinical decision trees in a sample of rural health centres allowed the estimation of the corresponding need for and characteristics of curative referrals in rural Niger. Compliance of referral was monitored as well. Need was matched against actual referral in 11 rural districts. The referral patterns were registered so as to get an idea on the types of pathology referred. RESULTS: The referral rate benchmark was set at 2.5 % of patients consulting at the health centre for curative reasons. Niger's rural districts have a referral rate of less than half this benchmark. Acceptability of referrals is low for the population and is adding to the deficient referral system in Niger. Mortality because of under-referral is highest among young children. CONCLUSION: Referral patterns show that the present programme approach to deliver health care leaves a large amount of unmet need for which only comprehensive first and second line health services can provide a proper answer. On the other hand, the benchmark suggests that well functioning health centres can take care of the vast majority of problems patients present with