Ergonomic Consideration of the Effect of Flour Dust on Peak Expiratory Flow Rate of Bakers in Abeokuta, Ogun State

Flour dusts are one of the most harmful chemicals in the bakery industries which could lead to serious heart and lung diseases. This study investigated the effect of flour dust on Peak Expiratory Flow Rate of male bakers in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria with the relationship to the anthropometrical parameters. A total of One hundred Eighty (180) male participants were investigated, where ninety (90) participants were bakers and ninety (90) individuals as control group. The Peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) and anthropometrical parameters of the participant were measured using mini-Wright peak flow meter (PFM 20, OMRON) and Detecto PD300MDHR (Cardinal Scale manufacturing company, USA) column scale with digital height rod was used to measure body mass [kg] and height (cm) respectively. The PEFR and anthropometrical parameters of the bakers and control groups were analysed using descriptive statistics and T-test with SPSS. The results showed that lower PEFR, 182.67 ± 16.34 L/min existed in bakers compared to 287.67 ± 17.02 L/min in the control study. The result also showed that a significant correlation exist between body mass, height and age (P < 0.01), PEFR, height (P < 0.05) and years of exposure (P < 0.01) of the bakers respectively. Furthermore, the results also showed that workers in the dusting and mixing of flour are at a risk of developing related pulmonary function impairment such as asthma. The study concluded that there is need to develop an effective intervention strategy, treatment seeking behaviour through awareness programs to prevent lung impairment diseases among the bakery workers

Management Style And Demographic Factors As Predictors Of Managerial Efficiency In Work Organizations In Nigeria

This study investigated the influence of management style and demographic characteristics (gender, educational achievement and work experience) on managerial efficiency in work organizations in Nigeria. The adopted research design is the descriptive survey method. A set of questionnaire titled “Management Style and Managerial Effectiveness Scale (MSMES)” which was developed by Jordan (1997) was utilized for data collection. The questionnaire was modified by the researcher for the purpose of the study. The author reported reliability coefficient of 0.87. But for the present study, Cronbach’s alpha of 0.88 was obtained. Out of 260 copies of the questionnaires that were administered, 243 were duly completed and utilized for analysis using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software. The findings reveal that management style was found to have significantly influenced managerial efficiency, F (1,136) =22.61; P&lt;0.05). Besides, the finding shows that there was no significant relationship between gender and perceived managerial efficiency, F (1,136) =3.11; P&gt;0.05). Also, there was a significant relationship between educational achievement and perceived managerial efficiency of the respondents, F (1,136) =28.81; P&lt;0.05). It was also found that work experience has been found to have significantly influenced managerial efficiency of the respondents, F (1,136) =30.26; P&lt;.05). Based on the findings of the study, it is recommended that participatory management style should be adopted with appropriate communication structure in order to enhance workers participation in decision making process vis-à-vis managerial efficiency. Also, promotion of workers, both male and female, to managerial positions should be based on number of years of experience and educational qualification. Finally, since knowledge and skills are strong determinants of managerial competence and efficiency, workers at all levels of management (lower, middle and top management cadres) should be motivated by the employers to participate in continuing education and training programmes in order to afford them to acquire necessary knowledge and skill required for effective and efficient management of organizational resources

Managerial Capacity And Perceived Workers` Productivity In Industrial Organizations In Nigeria

This study investigated the influence of managerial capacity on perceived workers` productivity in industrial organizations in Nigeria. This study adopted the descriptive survey research design. A total of 325 respondents were selected for the study using stratified sampling technique. Two sets of questionnaires were used for data collection. Regression Analysis, Pearson Product Moment Correlation and t test statistics were used to test the hypothesized research questions generated for the study. Findings of the study revealed that managerial capacity predicts workers` productivity in industrial organizations in Nigeria. Besides, there is a significant relationship between managerial capacity and perceived workers` productivity. Also, there is a significant difference between workers` productivity in public and private organizations on the basis of managerial capacity. Based on the findings of the study, it was recommended that the managers and workers should be exposed to capacity building programmes on a continuous basis in order to update their skills and knowledge for improved job performance and productivity. More so, the monitoring unit of the organizations should be empowered toward adequate utilization of the scarce resources through effective supervision of workers for efficiency and effectiveness on their jobs

EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE AND PRODUCTIVITY OF LIBRARIANS IN PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES IN NIGERIA: A CORRELATIONAL APPROACH

This study investigated emotional intelligence as correlates of productivity of librarians in Nigerian public universities. A correlational survey research design was adopted. The study population consisted of 1,254 librarians in public university libraries in Nigeria, from which 923 were selected using simple random sampling. The research instrument used was a self-developed questionnaire. The questionnaire validation was subjected to the scrutiny of the experts in the areas of the variables studied; it gave a reliability coefficient of 0.91 for Emotional Intelligence and 0.94 for Productivity. A response rate of 67.2% was achieved. Data were analysed using descriptive (percentage, mean, average mean and standard deviation) and inferential (Pearson Product Moment Correlation) statistics. The study revealed a significant relationship between emotional intelligence and productivity (r = 0.032, P &lt; 0.05) of librarians in public university libraries in Nigeria. The study concluded that contrary to general belief, emotional intelligence and productivity levels of librarians in university libraries were high. It is recommended that university library management should continue to promote values that would improve emotional intelligence and productivity of its workforce.  Article visualizations

Computer Aided Plumbing Design

This study has been used to eliminate the rigorous activities and time consuming mathematical analysis involved in Plumbing design. The various mathematical steps employed in the design of plumbing systems has been converted into easily interpreted hand user computer program that can be used to generate automatically all the various parameters needed for full design work, when the input data such as head available, various number of fittings, actual length of pipe run and assumed pipe diameter are provided. This has been used to provide a pathway to easy plumbing desig

Influence Of Host Community On Industrial Relations Practices And Policies: A Survey Of Agbara Community And Power Holding Company Of Nigeria (PHCN)

This study investigated the influence of host community on industrial relations practices and policies using Agbara community and Power Holding Company of Nigeria PLC as a case. The study adopted both the qualitative and quantitative methods. A total of 120 samples were drawn from the population using the simple random sampling technique in which case every member of the population was given an equal and independent chance of being chosen. However, 75 questionnaires were returned upon which the data analysis was based. This was supplemented with the interwiew method. The response rate is 62.5%. With respect to the reliability of the instrument, the coefficient alpha or Cronbachs alpha is 0.73, which implies that the instrument is 73% reliable. The data analysis was carried out with the aid of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The Chi-square statistical technique was used to test the hypotheses at 5% level of significance. In testing the first hypothesis that PHCN industrial relations policies and practices are independent of its host community, the following variables were subjected to Chi-square test: 1) PHCN industrial relations policies are influenced by public opinion through the use of suggestion schemes (?2= 33.07 with 4 df; p &lt; .05) and 2) customs/traditions of host community influence PHCN industrial relations policies (?2 = 60.93 with 4 df; p &lt; .05). In testing the second hypothesis, the result of the chi-square test shows that an inclusive stakeholders approach is often used in resolving matters of mutual interest involving host community and PHCN (?2 = 54.23 with 3 df; p &lt; .05). These results are statistically significant. Therefore, there is evidence to reject the null hypotheses and to conclude that PHCN industrial relations policies and practices are dependent or contingent on its host community. PHCN industrial relations policies and practices are influenced by its host community. The authors therefore recommend the inclusion of the host community as one of the actors in industrial relations. This was relegated to the background by Dunlop (1958) in his categorization of actors in industrial relations

Managing Human Capital Development In Small And Medium-Sized Enterprises For Sustainable National Development In Nigeria

This study investigated the challenges confronting human capital development in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria. The authors adopted the survey research design. An instrument was designed using the 5-point Likert scale ranging from strongly agree (5) to strongly disagree (1). The instrument has two sections. Section A has nine items which sought the views and opinions of respondents on the challenges of human capital development in SMEs and Section B has eight items which elicited the demographic profiles of respondents. A total of 165 questionnaires were distributed to the target population using the purposeful (judgmental) sampling technique. Out of the 165 questionnaires administered, 140 were returned upon which the analysis was based. This represents an 85% response rate. Data analysis was carried out with the aid of SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences). It was found that human capital development in Nigerian SMEs leaves much to be desired. Based on the analysis of data, it was found that 79% of respondents agreed and strongly agreed that many SMEs have negative training philosophy and pay lip service to human resource development. Seventy percent of the respondents agreed and strongly agreed that many SMEs do not have laid-down policies governing training and development programmes, while 52% of the respondents agreed and strongly agreed that SMEs engage in human capital development haphazardly, without embarking on need analysis. The authors recommended the need to address the issues of human capital development in SMEs and for SMEs to embrace the investor in people criteria if the desired corporate and national goals are to be realized

Rights versus Responsibilities of Health Care Workers in Nigeria: Changing the Narrative in the COVID-19 Era

The outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in December 2019 and its spread to 216 countries within the first eight months has created a huge strain on health systems across the world. Health care workers (HCWs) at the fore-front of combating the pandemic are largely at risk of infection with the number of infected HCWs increasing daily in many countries. Prior to the outbreak of COVID-19, focus of laws and policies have largely been on the responsibilities of HCWs with little or no attention paid to their rights and protection. The increased rate of infection among health workers and the inadequate conditions under which HCWs have carried out their lifesaving responsibilities during the pandemic has created the need to change the narrative by focusing on policy formulation and implementation to ensure that HCWs rights are protected. We endorse the widespread use of the WHO recommendations on Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Outbreak: Rights, Roles and Responsibilities of Health workers, including key considerations for occupational safety and health. Keywords: Coronavirus, health policies, protection of health care workers, rights of health care workers L'épidémie de la maladie à coronavirus (COVID-19) en décembre 2019 et sa propagation dans 216 pays au cours des huit premiers mois ont créé une énorme pression sur les systèmes de santé à travers le monde. Les agents de santé (TS) à l'avant -garde de la lutte contre la pandémie sont largement exposés au risque d'infection, le nombre de TS infectés augmentant chaque jour dans de nombreux pays. Avant l'épidémie de COVID-19, les lois et les politiques se concentraient largement sur les responsabilités des travailleurs de la santé avec peu ou pas d'attention accordée à leurs droits et à leur protection. L'augmentation du taux d'infection parmi les agents de santé et les conditions inadéquates dans lesquelles les agents de santé ont assumé leurs responsabilités vitales pendant la pandémie ont créé le besoin de changer le discours en se concentrant sur la formulation et la mise en oeuvre de politiques pour garantir la protection des droits des agents de santé. l'utilisation généralisée des recommandations de l'OMS sur l'épidémie de maladie à coronavirus (COVID-19): droits, rôles et responsabilités des agents de santé, y compris des considérations clés pour la sécurité et la santé au travail. Mots-clés: Coronavirus, politiques de santé, protection des travailleurs de la santé, droits des travailleurs de la sant

Lipid profile in pre-dialysis chronic kidney disease patients in southern Nigeria

Background: Dyslipidaemia is one of the cardiovascular risk factors responsible for cardiovascular disease and rapid progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) to end stage renal disease. Early detection and management of dyslipidaemia will reduce cardiovascular burden and retard progression of CKD.Aims: To determine the prevalence and pattern of dyslipidaemia in pre-dialysis CKD patients in a tertiary hospital in southern Nigeria.Methods: This was a case-control study that involved 105 consecutive pre-dialysis CKD patients recruited over two years and 105 age and sex matched control subjects. Data obtained from participants included demographics, body mass index, and aetiology of CKD. Blood sampling was done for the determination of creatinine and fasting serum lipids. P values &lt; 0.05 were taken as significant.Results: The mean age of the CKD and control subjects were 46.98±16.81 and 47.57±15.97 years respectively with a male:female ratio of 1.7:1. The median atherogenic index of plasma (AIP), low density lipoprotein-cholesterol and triglyceride (TG) were significantly higher in the CKD patients while mean high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) was significantly lower in the CKD patients (p &lt;0.001). The overall prevalence of dyslipidaemia in the CKD patients was 60% which was significantly higher than 39% in the control (p=0.002). The prevalence of high AIP, elevated TG and reduced HDL C increased with worsening renal function. Dyslipidaemia was commoner in female CKD patients (p=0.02) and those who were ≥ 45years (p=0.94).Conclusion: Dyslipidaemia is common in pre-dialysis CKD especially in female and older patients. Some lipid abnormalities increased with worsening kidney function.Keywords: dyslipidaemia, pre-dialysis, chronic kidney disease, Nigeri