Navigating the Legal and Ethical Terrain of Artificial Intelligence in Enhancing Patient Safety in Nigeria

The emergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) significantly impacts the understanding of medical errors, minimizes their occurrence, and provides contextual solutions for patient safety in Nigeria.Given the country's expanding population and constrained healthcare resources, the potential significance of AI in enhancing patient safety in Nigeria cannot be overstated. There is a rapid trend to integrate AI into Nigeria's healthcare system, however, this raises concerns about algorithm bias and privacy. This study explores the ethical and legal implications of deploying AI for patient safety in Nigeria and assesses how the existing Nigerian legal frameworks address these concerns. This research shows that although bias and discrimination are generally prohibited by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and other legal instruments, algorithmic bias which arises from the use of AI is not catered for by these laws. In addition, despite current privacy and confidentiality safeguards, AI in healthcare presents unique and novel challenges that the legislation does not yet address. Therefore, developing a new legal and governance structure to address both present and prospective challenges of AI in the health sector is extremely useful

Demand for African Nutmeg and Scent Leaf Spice among Households in Imo State, Nigeria

Spices are potential sources of some micronutrients of which Nigeria ranks low in consumption and this could be as a result of low demand. The objective of this study was therefore to analyze the demand for African Nutmeg (AN) and Scent Leaf (SL) in Imo State, Nigeria. A well-structured pretested questionnaire was used to gather information on household socio-economic characteristics (age, household size, income and educational level), household food expenditure, quantity of spice consumed and price per unit from a total sample size of 340 households. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and double hurdle model at α0.05. The study revealed that age, household size and monthly income were 50.5 ± 11.0 years, 6.5 ± 2.5 and N104, 699.0 ± N84,104.0 respectively. Households’ health awareness on spices was relatively low (17.4%) for AN while it was high (65.6%) for SL. Scent leaf had a higher Expenditure Share on spices (ES) (27%) and Per Capita Expenditure (PCE) (N56.40/month) than AN with an ES (24%) and PCE (N40.32). Per capita expenditure, income class, location and prices of African nutmeg and scent leaf respectively influence household’s decision to consume and subsequently demand AN and SL in Imo state. Rural-urban differences exist in the demand for both spices by households in Imo state. The study however recommends an increased awareness on the nutritional and medicinal properties of the selected spices which invariably would lead to an increase in its demand. Keywords: Household demand, Double hurdle, Micro-nutrients and Imo stat

Educational Buildings Defects and Health Impact on Users: A Case of Lagos State Polytechnic, Nigeria

Education serves as the bedrock for future socio-economic development of any society. Student’s learning behaviour and effectiveness is affected by functionality of educational buildings. During the lifecycle of buildings its performance is affected by defects, hence, it is paramount to have effective maintenance policies and practices. Thus, in order to retain sustainable educational building, defects diagnosis and management is paramount. The study seeks to identity defects and its associated health issues in Lagos State Polytechnic campuses. The objectives were achieved using questionnaire survey, responses of 200 participants were coded and analysed with SPSS 17. The study reveals that plumbing installations, indoor environment and aesthetic related issues are critical problems that need attention in the institution. Based on the responses, heat, discomfort and body pain were significant health problems experienced by users of facilities. This is an indication of areas the management of the institution has to address in order to achieve its vision

Market level characteristic factors influencing smallholder coffee marketers in Kogi State, Nigeria

The study assessed the market level characteristic factors influencing coffee marketing among coffee farmers in the study area. The study was carried out in Kogi State and purposive sampling technique was used to select eighty four respondents. Data were collected from the respondents with the use of structured questionnaire and the data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics (frequency and percentages) as well as multi-variate regression analysis. Result of the descriptive analysis shows that the mean age of the farmers was 64 years while 60% of the farmers had no access to formal education. Regression analysis revealed that farm size, variety of coffee, marketing channels, trading experience, membership of association, price satisfaction and selling method constituted major characteristic marketing factors influencing coffee marketing in the study area and they all affected coffee marketing at 1% significant level. Based on the findings, the study therefore recommended that efforts should be made to assess variety of coffee that is more preferred by the buyers. Also, farmers should be given incentives to increase their farm holdings for higher productivity

Estimation of Global Solar Radiation in Ibadan, Nigeria using Angstrom - Prescott and Glover - Mcculloch’s Model

In this study, the data of mean daily bright sunshine hour for Ibadan was obtained from the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) at Ibadan. It was used to estimate the monthly mean global solar radiation for Ibadan (latitude and longitude ). The data considered were for a period of 2008 to 2012. Angstrom-Prescott, and Glover & McCulloch’s Models were then used to estimate the mean monthly global solar radiation at Ibadan based on the monthly mean bright sunshine hour data of Ibadan. A new sunshine based model is also proposed to estimate global solar radiation at Ibadan for a period of five years (2008 – 2012). The performance of the models are evaluated by some statistical analysis like mean bias errors, root mean square error, mean percentage error, Nash- Sutcliffe error and coefficient of correlation in order to know the most suitable model. It was discovered that the month of August is the least amount of measured global solar radiation averaged for five years (2008 – 2012) at Ibadan is 9.77kW/m2. The most suitable model for Ibadan is Model 2 (Glover & McCulloch’s Model). The results obtained were validated with data of monthly mean global solar radiation data for Ibadan, obtained from the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Ibada

PERCEPTION OF WOMEN OF CHILDBEARING AGE (15-45years) ON CAUSES AND CONSEQUENCES OF INFERTILITY IN OSOGBO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF OSUN STATE, NIGERIA

Infertility brings about low self-esteem, sense of powerlessness, discrimination and stigmatization as well as threatens the woman’s identity, status, marital and emotional security. This study examined the perception of women of childbearing age on causes and consequences of infertility. A descriptive non experimental research design was used. A sample frame of 40 respondents was selected using purposive sampling technique among women of childbearing age. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Three null hypotheses were tested using student t-test at 5% level of significance. The study revealed that irregular sexual intercourse, irregular menstruation, untreated sexually transmitted diseases, late marriage especially above 30years of age, fibroid, low sperm count, unsafe abortion, and promiscuity were factors contribute immensely to increase infertility rate. Majority of the respondents opined that infertility could result in divorce or separation of couple which can lead to extinction of that family name, husband’s family inherit his property after his death, polygamy or polyandry, loss of hope, lack of joy and happiness in the family. The findings of this study revealed that there is no significant difference in the age religion of women under study and their perception on causes and consequences of infertility with t-calculated>t-tabulated (2.54 > 4.3); as well as, there is no significant difference was found between the age at marriage of women under study and their perception on causes and consequences of infertility with t-calculated>t-tabulated (2.56 > 4.3). The results also revealed that there is significant difference in the religion of women under study and their perception on causes and consequences of infertility with t-calculated<t-tabulated (7.64 < 4.3). It was concluded that sound family life education should be given to the public especially women and adolescents teenagers with emphasizes on causes, prevention and management of infertility

Evaluation of Mechanical Properties and Chemical Composition of Some Selected Steel Reinforcements Used in Nigeria

Mechanical properties and chemical composition of some selected steel reinforcement bars used for construction works in Nigeria were investigated. Six nominal sizes of bars from four selected brands, including: Real steel reinforcing pty Limited, code name Red; Phoenix steel mills, code name White; Pulkit alloy and steel limited, code name Blue; and African foundries limited, code name Black were evaluated. The tensile test was carried out at the mechanical engineering department, University of Ilorin using Universal Testing Machine (UTM) while the chemical compositions of the steel samples were analyzed using optical emission spectrometer at the laboratory of African foundries limited, Ikorodu Lagos State. The results obtained were compared with BS 449:2005 +A3:2016 standard provision. The outcome of the study showed that 70.8 % of the tested steel bars failed the characteristic tensile strength test, though with a very good percentage elongation satisfying the required specification. Chemical composition tests revealed that most of the failed samples contained low carbon content or excess phosphorus composition plus other impurities.

Temperature Performance Evaluation of Parabolic Dishes Covered with Different Materials in Iwo, Nigeria

Solar radiation reaching the earth is considered to be affected by some parameters like diffusion. This radiation is reflected or scattered by air molecules, cloud and aerosols (dust). Parabolic dishes made of different materials (glass, foil and painted surface) were used to concentrate energy on a copper calorimeter filled with water. A thermometer was inserted in each of the copper calorimeter placed at the focus of the dishes. The experiment was performed from March to April (a period of five weeks), from 9:00am to 5:00pm daily with readings obtained at intervals of 30 minutes every day for one week and was later changed to hourly readings for the remaining four weeks. The initial and final temperatures of the water were determined. The parabolic dish with glass material gave the highest temperature of 56.9oC followed by foil with an average temperature of 48.7oC and painted silver colour with an average temperature of 45.1oC for the daily variation. For the other weeks, the average temperature of the dish with glass was 57.6oC  for foil, 46.9oC and painted silver colour, 40.8oC. The parabolic dish with glass is able to generate a higher temperature compared with foil and painted silver colour. Keywords: Glass, Foil, Silver Colour and Parabolic Dish

Characterisation and Soil Pollution in Agrarian Floodplain of Ibadan Peri-Urban in South Western Nigeria

Ibadan metropolis in Nigeria has population of about 6millons people. There is increasing concern about lowland soils around Ibadan periurban where most of the industrial wastes transported  majorly by River Ona were deposited. These soils are used for dry season farming and  contribute to food security. This research was carried out to characterise and  determine the vulnerability of periurban lowland  soils to industrial pollution . The area was studied using 50mx50m  grid. Surface samples were taken at 50m interval. Representative profile pits were dug and described using USDA method. Particle size analysis and chemical analyses including Phosphorus, Nitrogen , exchangeable Cations (Ca, Mg, Na, K,),  Mn and heavy metals such as Pb. Cu, Zn, Cr, Fe, Cd determinations were carried out. The results shows that the surface soil of the flood plain was fertile with high N (0.35cmol/kg), P (51.25 cmol/kg), K (0.61 cmol/kg) with very high to toxic levels of phosphorous in the soil which range between 28.99 to 87.70 ppm. Average lead concentration was (34.30 mg/kg), Zn (171.20 mg/kg), Fe (83.97 mg/kg), Cu (19.11 mg/kg), Mn (31.10 mg/kg), Cr (0.69 mg/kg), Cd (0.3 mg/kg). The predictions from soil-plant heavy metal transfer coefficient (Pb:35-343; Cr:0.46-4.6; Zn:171-1712; Cu:19-191; Fe:83-840; Mn:31-281; Cd:0.1-10)  shows that there might be toxic level in crops in the area but the high yield and health of plant from field evidence and farmers interaction indicate that the  high level of P (28.99-87ppm) must have inhibited uptake of some metals such as Pb, Zn and Cu. Keywords: Fadama, Urban waste, Heavy metals, Soil pollution, Peri-urban farmin

Alcoholic Beverages and the Health of Young Persons: How Do Undergraduate Students in Remo, Southwest Nigeria See It?

Background: Young people were hitherto assumed to be very healthy until various lifestyle-related illnesses were reported among them. Excessive alcohol intake, often driven by a wrong perception of its consequences, is associated with several diseases and nutritional disorders. This study, therefore, assessed the perception of alcoholic beverages and their associated factors among undergraduate students in the Remo area of Ogun State. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 420 undergraduate students in the Remo Area of Ogun State, southwest, Nigeria, selected via multi-stage sampling. Data was collected using a validated, semi-structured, self-administered questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS 23.0. Relevant descriptive and inferential statistics were calculated, with p&lt;0.05. Results: The mean age of respondents was 20.12±2.2 years. About 98% of respondents were full-time students. Alcoholic beverages were perceived to be stress relievers (55.1%); social drinks (57.1%); aphrodisiacs and performance enhancers (71.5%); promoters of male-female bonding (43.9%). Less than 5% were willing to recommend them to friends. Conclusion : Perception of alcohol consumption was good (83%) among respondents. It was associated with a history of alcohol consumption and religion. Adequate and targeted nutrition education should be made available to undergraduate students of tertiary institutions on the ills of excessive alcohol consumption