Psychometric assessment of the Wagnild and Young's resilience scale in Kano, Nigeria

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Resilience seemed to lie at the core of the recent promotion of positive mental health and wellbeing. This concept has been well studied in western countries and less in developing countries, particularly Nigeria. The aim of the study is therefore, to demonstrate the internal consistency and concurrent validity of the Resilience Scale (RS) and its 14-item short version (RS-14) in a Nigerian sample.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The RS, RS-14, the Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale (HADS) and two screening questions on experience of recent and upcoming distress were administered to 70 clinical students who consented to participate after a major professional examination. Internal consistency and convergent validity were assessed. The participants mean age was 22.50 years (SD = 0.60). The mean score of RS and RS-14 were 130.23 (SD = 17.08) and 74.17 (SD = 10.14) respectively. Cronbach's alpha coefficient for the RS was 0.87 and that of the RS-14 was 0.81. The mean RS score by gender was 132.04 (SD = 19.08) and 126.52 (SD = 11.50) for males and females respectively and the difference was significant (t = 2.50; p = 0.012). The correlation of RS with RS-14 (r = 0.97; p = 0.000), the HADS depression (r = -0.28; p = 0.017) and anxiety (r = -0.26; p = 0.028) subscales, were significant. The corresponding t-test values for the means of RS and RS-14 scores for both cases and non-cases as determined by HADS, were significant at p < 0.05 and p < 0.01 for the depression and anxiety subscales respectively. The difference between RS means of those who experienced distress (38/125.69) to those that did not (32/134.05) from the recent clinical examination was also significant (t = 2.01; p = 0.045).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The study confirms that the RS and RS-14 may be potentially useful instruments to measure resilience in Nigerians.</p

An Empirical Examination of Women Entrepreneurial Drive on the Production and Sales of Smoked Fish in Badagry and Epe Local Government Areas of Lagos

The significance of women entrepreneurial drive in economic development and growth cannot be underestimated as they have become income earners, employer of labour, reducing poverty rate, raising standard of living and contributing to national income through tax payment. Nigeria like any other Africa countries is with high rate of unemployment and underemployment, weak qualitative educational advancement, insecurity and poor infrastructural development in most cities and nearly all the rural setting. In traditional and religious arrangement in Africa women engagement in trading are limited and not encouraged as women role are seen to be domestic. The twentieth and twenty-first centuries have shown new drive in the women fold as most of them are trying to be economically relevant in their various ways of life (Smith and Hunter, 2006) by finding their ways into risk taken ventures, labour market and demanding for women right to freedom to associate and be involved in activities outside the basic home keeping (Bragger, 1996), (Buttner and Moore, 1997), these make them to be self-driven with entrepreneurial activities and initiative. At the moment, the number of women entrepreneurs are gaining momentum and increasing all over the world. Countries like Canada and U.S have women entrepreneurs contributing to national development. Asian Tigers were not left out as several entrepreneurial initiative programmes are implemented to support this drive. Few African countries like Nigeria are coming up on realization of the importance of women in business and their contributions to important financial family issues. It was opined by Mass and Herington (2006) that women entrepreneurs are growing faster than the male counterpart making efforts to create fortune and better living conditions for their respective families. The degree of intensity of women in business led to the renewed focus on gender flexibility in entrepreneurial activities and ensuring adequate support and intervention for sustainability. Globally, different policies are formulated nationally and internationally to stimulate and encourage private ownership and innovativeness haven believed that is the corner stone of economic development of any nation. Male presence in business activities are seen in virtually all sector of the economy. Despite men dominance of business activities, most countries of the world especially Africa nations now encouraged women participation in business activities which is believed to be outside the primary responsibility of a woman as a wife in a traditional setting like Nigeria. But with women contributions to the living standard of their various homes, reducing poverty level and encouragement from developed economy for women empowerment (McConnell, 2007) the view that women have tendency of bringing prosperity and contributing to standard of living and economic growth in the world at large therefore suggest women entrepreneurial drive be encouraged. Considering this argument, Downing and Daniel (1992) note that activities of women entrepreneurs in some cities in Africa like Lesotho in South Africa are still very low. However, there is the need to explore the relative involvement of women in smoking of fish and sales relative to their male counterpart that were traditionally recognized as the original operators of such business and to examine how that has improved the economic standard of the women that are involved in fish smoking and sales and to what extent has it reduce poverty level, create jobs, and contributing to economic development of their locality. Research on women entrepreneurs in this area remain insignificant as no much write up exist. It was recently that few researches exist on women entrepreneurship in this part of the world but not on the fish smoking and sales in Badagry area of Lagos State. This justifies the reason for earnest investigation into the involvement of women in fish smoking and sales in Badagry Local Government area of Lagos State. The purpose of this study is to empirically examine the level of women engagement in fish smoking and sales and how it has elevated their entrepreneurial consciousness and enhances their earnings, reduce poverty level, raise standard of living and generating income for the government and to consider the level of women entrepreneur discrimination and socio-cultural constraints. HO: women entrepreneurial drive has not reduce poverty level and raise standard of living of the families HA: women entrepreneurial drive has reduce poverty level and raise standard of living of the families HO: women entrepreneurial development is not affected by socio-cultural constraints HA: women entrepreneurial development is affected by socio-cultural constraint

Thermal characterization of straight and curve edge blade liquid fuel swirl burner

Accurate monitoring and controlling of the temperature in the combustion chamber can raise the burner efficiency, combustion intensity, fuel consumption and reduce pollutant emission. However, except combustion is accurately monitored and controlled, high concentration of pollutant gases and products like carbon monoxide (CO) and soot can form in the combustion chamber. This paper compares the combustion thermal profiles in a liquid fuel swirl burner using developed straight edge and curve edge blade swirlers at (20,&nbsp;30,&nbsp;40,&nbsp;50 and 60)° for 6,&nbsp;8,&nbsp;10 and 12&nbsp;number of blades in order to optimize the temperature of the burner. Measurements were made in straight and curve blades liquid fuel swirl burner in order to study and compare the thermal characteristics of the straight and curve edge blades in optimizing the combustion dynamics. Similarly, measurements were made for burner without swirl generator and the combustion temperature assessed. Thermal profile was measured in the direction of flow via the six axial ports at distance ((d) =150, 350, 550, 750, 950 and 1150&nbsp;mm) from the burner exit using Chromium-Zinc thermocouple. Results showed that the wavelength and oscillation of temperature decay in the same type of blade followed the same trend and the peak of combustion intensity is nearer the nozzle for curve edge blades than the straight edge blade. Six (6) blades performed best with the highest temperature in all the ports, while 12&nbsp;blades gave the least performance. Findings further show that curve edge blade swirlers gave better performance than straight edge blade swirlers with highest temperature of (1065 and 1015)&nbsp;°C, respectively. Hence, it is recommended especially where high temperature and stability application is desirabl

Disordered eating attitudes: demographic and clinico-anthropometric correlates among a sample of Nigerian students

Objectives: We set out in this study to determine the demographic and clinico-anthropometric correlates of disordered eating attitudes among undergraduate students of two higher institutions in Lagos, Nigeria.Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 1,054 participants after written informed consent. A socio-demographic questionnaire, the Eating Attitude Test (EAT-26) and 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) were administered to the participants. In addition, their blood pressure, height and weight were measured, and body mass index (BMI) was calculated.Results: The study participants comprised of 561(55.6%) males with median age of 21.4 years. The mean (±SD) score on EAT-26 was 11.52(±8.54), and 16% of all the respondents were categorized as having disordered eating attitude. A significant relationship was found between disordered eating attitude and age (p= 0.027), gender (p= &lt;0.001), institution of study (p= 0.005), systolic blood pressure (p=0.019), BMI (p= 0.027) and psychological distress (p=0.005).Conclusion: Our study observed disordered eating attitude to be prevalent among young adults, and demographic along with clinico-anthropometric factors constituted associated factors. Our findings strengthen the basis to incorporate health awareness programs aimed at improving nutrition and eating behavior among the young adult population. Future research is needed.Keywords: Anthropometric, correlates, disordered eating attitudes, Nigeria, student

Mental Health Burden and Resilience among Nigerians undergoing COVID-19 Isolation in Kaduna-Nigeria

Background: The coronavirus pandemic and Its “pandemic-fear,” is expected to come with lots of mental health challenges. Despites several global health vanguards sounding this alarm, there is paucity of systematic analysis of mental health distress and resilience being experienced by individuals undergoing treatments in isolation centres for coronavirus disease (COVID-19).Objectives: This study evaluated the pattern of mental distress and resilience in COVID-19 patients undergoing isolation-care in some treatment facility in Kaduna-Nigeria.Method: Data were collected cross-sectionally from 261 participants. These were sociodemographic and clinical variables, measures of mental distress (i.e. depression and anxiety), and well-being (i.e. resilience). Statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS version 21.Results: The mean age of participants was 35.6 years (SD = 11.1), with majority being males (73.6%) and without prior chronic medical condition (73.9%). Mental distress rates were 33.0% for depression and 19.2% for anxiety. Majority (97.1%) had good resilience characteristics. Significant variable associated with low mental distress and high resilience is belonging to age group 40 years and above. Also, resilience was moderately and significantly related to mental distress.Conclusion: Mental distress is relatively high among COVID-19 patients undergoing isolation-treatment. This rate is associated with age group of below 40 years and having low resilience characteristics. Efforts to boost resilience among COVID-19 might institute preventive measures against mental distress

Biological Resolution of Virulence Genes of Salmonella Species from different Microbiomes

The pathogenic promiscuity of virulence associated macromolecules in Salmonella infection is a key driver to their wide epidemiology and curtailing&nbsp; such distribution is contingent upon proper clarification of these virulence genes. This study was therefore aimed at determining the virulence&nbsp; genes of Salmonella species from different microbiomes. To achieve this, a total of three hundred (300) biological specimens were aseptically&nbsp; collected and processed for Salmonella presence using the BAM USFDA technique prior to their genotypic characterization while virulence gene&nbsp; detection was carried out in a primer specific polymerase chain reaction. Results obtained depict the distribution of the following Salmonella species&nbsp; viz; Salmonella gallinarum 19(26.39%), Salmonella heidelberg 19(26.39%), Salmonella enteritidis 18(25%) and Salmonella typhimurium&nbsp; 16(22.22%) while the occurrence of the virulence genes (InvA, SopE, AgfA and SpvC) were Salmonella enteritidis ( 7(38.8), 6(33.3), 9(50), 3(16.7),&nbsp; Salmonella typhimurium ( 5(26.3), 3(15.8), 2(10.5), 7(36.8)), Salmonella heidelberg (0(0), 8(50), 4(25), 4(25), and Salmonella gallinarum (12(63.2),&nbsp; 6(31.6), 2(10.5), 7(36.8)) respectively. It was however found that the different microbiomes analyzed were ubiquitously rich in virulence genes&nbsp; associated Salmonella species. &nbsp; La promiscuité pathogène des macromolécules associées à la virulence dans l’infection à Salmonella est un facteur clé de leur large épidémiologie&nbsp; et la réduction de cette distribution dépend de la clarification appropriée de ces gènes de virulence. Cette étude visait donc à déterminer les gènes&nbsp; de virulence des espèces de Salmonella de différents microbiomes. Pour ce faire, un total de trois cents (300) échantillons biologiques ont été&nbsp; collectés et traités de manière aseptique pour la présence de Salmonella à l’aide de la technique BAM USFDA avant leur caractérisation génotypique&nbsp; tandis que la détection du gène de virulence a été effectuée dans une réaction en chaîne par polymérase spécifique à l’amorce. Les résultats&nbsp; obtenus décrivent la distribution des espèces de Salmonella suivantes, à savoir ; Salmonella gallinarum 19(26,39%), Salmonella heidelberg&nbsp; 19(26,39%), Salmonella enteritidis 18(25%) et Salmonella typhimurium 16(22,22%) alors que la présence des gènes de virulence (InvA, SopE, AgfA et&nbsp; SpvC) était Salmonella enteritidis ( 7(38,8), 6(33,3), 9(50), 3(16,7), Salmonella typhimurium ( 5(26,3), 3(15,8), 2(10,5), 7(36,8)), Salmonella heidelberg (0(&nbsp; 0), 8(50), 4(25), 4(25) et Salmonella gallinarum (12(63.2), 6(31.6), 2(10.5), 7(36.8)) respectivement. différents microbiomes analysés étaient&nbsp; ubiquitairement riches en gènes de virulence associés aux espèces de Salmonella&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp

Disordered eating attitudes: demographic and clinico-anthropometric correlates among a sample of Nigerian students.

Objectives: We set out in this study to determine the demographic and clinico-anthropometric correlates of disordered eating attitudes among undergraduate students of two higher institutions in Lagos, Nigeria. Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 1,054 participants after written informed consent. A socio-demographic questionnaire, the Eating Attitude Test (EAT-26) and 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) were administered to the participants. In addition, their blood pressure, height and weight were measured, and body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Results: The study participants comprised of 561(55.6%) males with median age of 21.4 years. The mean (\ub1SD) score on EAT-26 was 11.52(\ub18.54), and 16% of all the respondents were categorized as having disordered eating attitude. A significant relationship was found between disordered eating attitude and age (p= 0.027), gender (p= &lt;0.001), institution of study (p= 0.005), systolic blood pressure (p=0.019), BMI (p= 0.027) and psychological distress (p=0.005). Conclusion: Our study observed disordered eating attitude to be prevalent among young adults, and demographic along with clinico-anthropometric factors constituted associated factors. Our findings strengthen the basis to incorporate health awareness programs aimed at improving nutrition and eating behavior among the young adult population. Future research is needed

Psychometric validity of the distress thermometer and problem check list in ART-na\uefve HIV infected patients in Northern Nigeria

Background: HIV diagnosis comes with a lot of worry and distress. Ability to objectively estimate this distress by non-psychiatrist will enhance early detection of psychological distress for intervention. Objectives: To investigate the validity of the Distress Thermometer (DT) and its problem checklist in achieving early detection of mental distress among ART-na\uefve HIV infected patient. Materials and Methods: A total of 90 ART-na\uefve HIV infected patients completed the DT and its problem check list, Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale (HADS), Oslo Social Support Scale and the 14-item Resilience Scale. Results: The DT was positively correlated with all the measures of distress and reversely correlated with all the positive wellness in this study. The correlations were only significant for the negative measures of psychological wellness. The internal consistency of the DT\u2019s problem list overall and sub-categories were within acceptable range (i.e. \u3b1 &gt; 0.50). The Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves and Area Under the Curves (AUC) analysis were significant and found the DT and Problem List to respectively differentiate between cases of distress, anxiety and depression. The DT\u2019s cut-off was &gt;5.0 with AUC range (0.754 \u2013 0.709); sensitivity range (81.0% \u2013 70.4%); specificity range (68.3% \u2013 65.2%) for distress, anxiety and depression as determined by HADS. And the Problem List cut-off was &gt;6.0 with AUC range (0.854 \u2013 0.821); sensitivity range (90.5% - 85.7%); specificity range (68.3% - 65.2%) for distress, anxiety and depression as measured by HADS. Conclusion: The DT and Problem List were found to be valid measures of distress in ART-na\uefve HIV infected patients

Prison types and inmates' psychosocial profiles: A comparison between medium and maximum security prison

Studies on the impacts the type of prison's environment had on the psychosocial well-being of their inmates were few. To contribute more study on this, the current study explored the psychosocial health profiles of inmates and the type of prison environment by comparing inmates' psychosocial profiles of a medium security prison to a maximum security correctional facility located in north central Nigeria. Participants were male inmates of medium security prison located in Bida, Niger-State and Jos maximum security facility in Plateau-State. All the participants filled the study instruments (i.e., a sociodemographic questionnaire, the ten-item personality inventory, resilience scale, and Oslo Social Support Scale) after obtaining informed consent from them. There was a significant positive association of prison types with resilience and social support which was reversed for spirituality. The multivariate analysis showed that inmates of medium security prison had significantly higher resilience and social support scores compared to those in maximum security correctional facilities. There was no difference in the five dimensions of personality among the inmates and in their experience of spirituality. The findings add to extant knowledge on the impact that the level of “indigenous” deprivations had on inmates psychosocial wellness factors. The study hence advocated to the department of correctional services to modify the indigenous measures that promote resilience and social support without compromising security