Impact of Microfinance Banks on Poverty Alleviation in Selected Local Government Areas of Oyo State, Nigeria

The study examined the impact of microfinance banks on poverty alleviation in selected Local Government Areas of Oyo State. Standard of living of the respondents was examined; relationship between size of loans and standard of living and the extent to which women has benefitted from microfinance bank activities were also evaluated. The study was carried out in three Local Government Areas which were selected using stratified and purposive sampling techniques. 150 customers of microfinance banks were selected. Primary data were analyzed using Foster Greer Thorbecke; Matching Framework Analysis and Partial Correlation. The results revealed that poverty index of the respondents reduced from 0.1668 to 0.1551 after collection of loans which implied that microfinance banks has impacted positively on their living standards. The extent at which women has benefitted from microfinance banks ranges from 65% to 74% between 2007 and 2010. The result indicated that women are increasingly benefitting from microfinance activities in contrast to yester years when there was gender disparity skewed against women. Moreover, the relationship between size of loan, asset acquisition and profit after loan were positive and significant with P = 0.085 and r = 0.152, this revealed that as the size of loan increases, asset acquisition and profit also increases. It was recommended that the size of loans given to customers should be increased in order to enhance their standard of living and consequently alleviate poverty. Microfinance banks should encourage formation of cooperative societies through which they can give out loans to customers. Keywords: Microfinance bank, Poverty, Living standard, Nigeri

Disclosure of Depression in Primary Care: A Qualitative Study of Women’s Perceptions

Background Health care providers are better able to diagnose depression and initiate treatment when patients disclose symptoms. However, many women are reluctant to disclose depressive symptoms. Little is known about the experience of disclosing depression symptoms in primary care among racially and ethnically diverse women across the life course. We qualitatively explore experiences of disclosure of depressive symptoms to primary care providers among self-identified African American, Hispanic and non-Hispanic White women. Methods Twenty-four women with depression were recruited for open-ended interviews. We recorded, transcribed, and coded interviews using inductive content analysis. Findings Two distinct domains emerged: participant factors that hinder and facilitate disclosure and provider cues that encourage and dissuade discussing depression. Participants described perceptions about primary care not being the appropriate place, fear of not having a choice in treatment decisions, and the emotional cost of retelling as impediments to disclosure; perceiving an increased likelihood of getting help was described as a facilitator. Women identified provider behaviors of asking about depression and showing concern as facilitators, and provider time constraints as a barrier to disclosure. Conclusions Women perceive that primary care is not the appropriate place to disclose depression symptoms. Increased public education about behavioral health management in primary care, as well as more robust integration of the two, is needed. Efforts to improve depression disclosure in primary care must also encompass systematic use of depression screening tools and implementation of targeted interventions to cultivate provider empathy

Foreign aid, human capital and economic growth nexus: Evidence from Nigeria

This study investigates the link between aid and human capital in promoting economic growth of Nigeria. The study used two models; the first model was used to test the validity of the medicine model in Nigeria; while the extended model was used to investigate the effect of aid and human capital shocks on growth using Engle-Granger and Vector Error Correction Model (VECM) estimation techniques respectively. The findings from the first model suggest that persistent increase in foreign aid flows beyond a particular point (the optimal point) may adversely affect growth thus confirming the proposition of the Medicine Model. Evidence from the study’s extended model indicates that growth in Nigeria is sensitive to human capital shock via education while the response from aid shock is trivial in the long run. The mechanism through which aid impacts economies is influenced by many heterogeneous factors, notably; the role played by the recipient governments is often not considered. Our implication from the obtained results is that government expenditures on education with additional inflows of aid can promote economic growth in Nigeria. However, there is also an indication that attainment of economic growth might be challenging for this aid-dependent country

Pollution Studies on Ground Water Contamination: Water Quality of Abeokuta, Ogun State, South West Nigeria

Changes in water levels in wells reflect changes in recharge to, and discharge from an aquifer. Generally groundwater is rain water or water from surface water bodies, like rivers, lakes or streams that permeate into the soil and bedrock and is stored underground in the pores spaces between soil particles. Groundwater pollution occurs when hazardous substances come into contact and dissolve in the water in the soil or on the surface. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to contamination and pollution when compared to surface water, naturally impurities in rainwater or surface water which replenishes groundwater systems, get removed while infiltrating through soil strata. In Nigeria, groundwater is used intensively for irrigation and domestic purposes, a variety of land and water-based human activities are causing pollution of this precious resource. Its over-exploitation is causing aquifer contamination in certain instances, while in certain others its unscientific development with insufficient knowledge of groundwater flow dynamic and geo-hydro-chemical processes has led to its mineralization. Adequate supply of safe and portable fresh water is an inevitable factor for socio economic development.  Although the recent global attention focuses on how the current and foreseeable water crisis and associated consequences would be addressed, quite a lot of factors such as  low level of education, insufficient budgetary funding, inefficient government policies,  drought are increasingly contributing to the pollution of domestic water in Nigeria. Keywords: Nigeria, Groundwater, Pollution, soil strata, Qualit

ENTERPRISE OUTSOURCING STRATEGIES AND MARKETING PERFORMANCE OF FAST FOOD INDUSTRY IN LAGOS STATE, NIGERIA

There is now more pressure on business practioners to justify that marketing function contributes to shareholders value by the firms. Management of firms are interested in assessing the extent to which cost of business can be minimized and how that could help in reducing marketing expenditure and ultimately increase return on marketing investment (ROMI). The study attempted to ascertain the link between outsourcing and marketing performance. Copies of questionnaire were distributed purposively to ten fast food outlets in Lagos, Nigeria. Two hypotheses were developed and were subjected to descriptive and regression analysis. It was discovered that outsourcing contributed to increase in marketing performance. The study makes useful policy recommendations for marketing professionals, entrepreneurs and top executives of fast food outlets in Nigeria

Anthropometric characteristics of roadside auto-mechanics: a case study

The study evaluated the relevant/corresponding anthropometric characteristics of the people involved in engine-repair activities. The study was carried out on the selected roadside auto-engine repairers along Lagos-Ibadan express way, in Nigeria. This was with a view to providing ergonomic design data for optimal working condition among this set of workforce and redesigning the mechanics inspection-pit. Material and methods: The static and the functional anthropometric characteristics of the mechanics were measured. The data obtained from 110 auto-mechanics, randomly selected, were employed to evaluate efficient design parameter for roadside workstations. Results: The results indicated that inspection-pit is about 1626 mm deep; seat height ranges between 375 mm and 405 mm; optimal work posture sitting is between 483 mm and 622 mm. Conclusions: Adopting the data presented in this paper in optimizing the auto-mechanics working conditions for effective workplace comfort and productivity among the roadside auto-mechanics in Nigeria will be of immense advantage

Analysis of short-term quality of life in post-surgical androgen deprivation therapy in advanced prostate cancer: a comparison of bilateral sub-capsular orchidectomy and bilateral total orchidectomy

INTRODUCTION: The use of Androgen Deprivation Therapy (ADT) in treating advanced prostate cancer poses a host of challenges that can affect the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of these patients. Previous studies have demonstrated poor quality of life (QoL) of patients after ADT; however, there is a scarcity of the literature which compares HRQoL following bilateral subcapsular orchidectomy (BSCO) and bilateral total orchidectomy (BTO) in sub-Saharan Africa. This study aimed to compare the HRQoL of patients with advanced prostate cancer following treatment with BSCO and BTO.METHODS: A randomized, single blind study concerning 64 patients with advanced prostate cancer; the subjects were randomized into BTO and BSCO treatment groups. The study was conducted over a period of ten months at a tertiary hospital situated in the North-central zone of Nigeria. Structured and validated instruments (FACT-PI and Karnofsky) were used to assess HRQoL during patient follow-up visits over a period of six months to obtain data regarding HRQoL and patient satisfaction. Statistical analysis using a chi-squared test and paired t-test were done to allow the comparison of HRQoL assessment scores and patients’ satisfaction ratings between the two groups.RESULTS: The mean age of the subjects were 71.63 ± 7.56 years and 70.06 ± 8.79 years for the BTO and BSCO group respectively (p = 0.449). Also, mean Gleason’s score was 7.44 vs. 7.31 respectively (p =0.714). Health Related QoL assessment with FACT-PI and Karnofsky showed significantly better outcome after BSCO (p < 0.001). Only 17% of the participants had psychological compromise after ADT.CONCLUSION: The two techniques of orchidectomy differ significantly in their short term QoL response to treatment; BSCO was associated with better patient outcomes compared to BTO

Assessment of Calcium Carbide Waste and Calcined Clay as Stabilizer in Flexible Pavement Construction

Stabilization techniques have often been used globally to enhance properties of weak subgrade materials for flexible pavement construction. This study assessed the blend of calcium carbide waste (CCW) and calcined clay (CC) to serve as an effective stabilizer of Subgrade material (S) sourced from a section along Ota-Idiroko road. Subgrade material was initially modified with CCW in different percentage replacements by weight (0, 4, 8, 12, 16 and 20%) and the resulting blends were subjected to Atterberg’s limits test to determine the blend with optimum plasticity index reduction which would be tagged optimum subgrade lime blend (OSLB). The blend of S + 8% CCW was tagged OSLB because it exhibited optimum plasticity index reduction. The OSLB was thereafter blended by weight with CC in the following percentage replacements 3, 6, 9, 12, 15 and 18% in order to activate the pozzolanic potentials of CC for strength enhancement. The resulting blends were subjected to Atterberg’s limits, Compaction, California bearing ratio (CBR) and Unconfined compressive strength (UCS) tests with the strength specimens cured for 0, 3, 7, 28, 56 and 90 days. The results showed that OSLB-CC blends reduced the Plasticity index from14.8 to 8.4 %, Maximum dry density from 1.82 to 1.54 Mg/m3, Optimum moisture content, 23.7 to 17.9 % and increased soaked CBR, 0 to 418.2% and UCS, 201.59 to 5660.84 kPa of natural subgrade respectively. Furthermore, the blends showed great improvement with reduction in PI less than standard value of 10% and increment in standard CBR and UCS values of 180% and 1700 kPa respectively for base course material. Therefore, stabilized blends at 7 days curing period could improve the natural subgrade to subbase and base for pavement construction

Assessment of antibiotics sensitivity of microbial isolates from fish hatcheries

The study assessed the antibiotics sensitivity of bacterial isolates from fish hatcheries. The result revealed that bacteria of public health importance were isolated, however, the TVC did not exceed 105 CFU/g. A total of 16 isolates were detected. Thirteen (13) antibiotics recorded over 50% resistance, with the highest resistance (100%) observed in amoxicillin clavulanate (AUG). Ofloxime (OFX), gentamycin(GN) and levofloxacin (LBC) recorded the lowest resistance of 18.75%, 37.5% and 43.75% respectively. Only these antibiotics with least recorded resistance had susceptibility ranging between 50% (LBC) and 68.75% (OFX). The overall average resistance of the isolates to antibiotics was 68.75%; susceptibility 26.67% and intermediate 4.58%. Isolates 15 showed the highest resistance of 100%, followed by isolates 12 and 10 with 93.33% and 93.33% resistance, respectively. Resistance range of 60% to 86.67% was observed in isolates 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 13, 14, 16 and 17. Isolates 3, 8 and 11 had resistance below 50% ranging between 26.67% and 46.67%. The highest multiple antibiotic resistance index (MARI) was observed in isolate 15 with MARI of 1. Isolates 10 and 12 had MARI of 0.93. This was followed in descending order by isolates 2 and 9 (0.86), isolate 5 (0.8), isolate 14 (0.73), isolates 6 and 7 (0.67) and isolates 4, 13, 16 and 17 (0.6). The least MARI recorded were observed in isolates 3 and 11 (0.47) and isolate 8 (0.27), respectively. The emergence of antibiotic resistance on fish farms in Ijebu-Ode region calls for public health intervention strategies.Keywords: antibiotic; fish health; isolates; resistance