Evaluation of revenue channels and challenges in Osun State Forestry Service, Nigeria

Forest revenue system is a tool for obtaining maximum benefits from the management of forest resources, meanwhile its collection has been inadequate and lack proper coordination of achieving sustainable production of forest resources in Osun State. Therefore, various tapped and untapped revenue channels, challenges associated with effective collection and remittance were investigated. A total of 113 forest officials were identified and reached (100%) in all the forestry administrative zones in Osun State, including the headquarters through a set of questionnaire: Ilesa (21), Ile-ife (26), Ikirun (14), Ikire/ Iwo (28) and Headquarters in Osogbo (24). Secondary data were also collected. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and logit regression at α0.05. The average age of the respondents was 35±8.4 years, mostly male (67%) and had tertiary education (44%). Identified tapped revenue channels included timber tariff and firewood permit, while untapped revenue channels identified were gravel/sand’s evacuation and harvesting of Non-Timber Forest Products. Challenges confronting effective collection included improper law enforcement, location of resources and executive fiat with odds-ratio of 8.60, 3.52 and 1.70 respectively. Problems facing adequate revenue remittance included printing of fake receipts, improper remittance by the account staff, and inadequate mobility of field staff and lack of incentives for field officers with odds-ratio of 13.10, 3.30, 3.13 and 2.62 respectively. The study revealed various untapped revenue channels; it is therefore necessary for the State forestry service to utilize these sources to improving the revenue inclination in the State and also address the identified challenges facing collection and remittance.Keywords: Revenue channels, Revenue Collection, Revenue remittance, untapped sources, Tapped source

Adaptive strategies to deforestation among Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPS) collectors across gender line in Oluwa Forest Reserve Area of Ondo State, Nigeria

Forest and the goods and services they provide are essential for human livelihood and wellbeing. An assessment on the likely impact of  deforestation on NTFPs along gender line is therefore imperative for effective adaptations for NTFPs collectors. The study examined the adaptive strategies to deforestation stress employed among NTFPs collectors across gender line in Oluwa Forest Reserve area of Ondo State, Nigeria. Multistage sampling technique was used to select respondents for the study. Data were collected with the aid of well-structured interview schedule on 181 NTFPs collectors (94 males and 87 females) and analysed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. The data targeted socio-economic characteristics, level of availability of (NTFPs) in the mist of deforestation currently and 30 years ago as well as adaptive strategiesemployed by the respondents in the study area. Findings revealed that average age of male and female respondents were 48 and 43 years, respectively. Bitter Kola, Kola Nut, Mango and Walnut were NTFPs available in abundant 30 years ago. In recent years, the study discovered that only Mango and Walnut were available in excess despite persistent deforestation in the study area. Deforestation impacted more on female collectors compared to their men counterpart. The finding also shows that female collectors employed more of domesticated NTFPs and indigenous protection methods as adaptive strategies against deforestation. The study recommended training on scientific domesticated system of planting (NTFPs) for both male and female NTFPs collectors as well as community policing to cope against deforestation in the study area. Key words: adaptive strategies, deforestation, non-timber forest products (NTFPs), gende

Cost and return structure in sawmill industry in Ijebu Ode, Ogun state, Nigeria

The study focused on the cost and return structure in the timber industry in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State. The study made use of both the primary and secondary data. The instrument used for collecting the primary data was a set of structured questionnaire. A Multistage Sampling Technique was used in sample enumeration. Descriptive and inferential statistical methods were employed in analyzing the data in the study. The finding showed that 32.6% of the industries were retailers while 30.4% were wholesalers of timbers and both had regular supply of the products. The working capital among the timbers business was N3,641,905.6 and the average annual income was N1,682,064.2. The budgetary analysis revealed that the total annual profit for timber traders ranged between N1,273,103.63 and N2,394,341.77 for 2010 to 2014. . Government policy, high cost of transportation, inadequate credit facilities and high cost of energy and power were some of the constraints faced by timber industries in the study area. The use of modern equipment and machines are needed to replace the outdated equipment in order to increase the output and profit. The level of access to credit facilities should be improved upon by encouraging the respondent to form cooperative societies so that they can mobilize enough working capital for their business.KEY WORDS: Cost and return, Timber, Industry, Structure, Constrain

Socio-economic impacts of timber harvesting in Ago’owu Forest Reserve and its environs In Local Government Area of Osun State, Nigeria

The socio-economic impacts of timber harvesting in Ago’Owu Forest Reserve and its environs were investigated. Simple random sampling  technique was used to select 100 forest dwellers from 3 adjoining communities of Ago’Owu Forest Reserve. Sample was drawn in proportionate to size. A set of structured questionnaire was used to obtain data on various timber species in Ago ‘Owu Forest Reserve, impacts of timber harvesting on the livelihood of forest dwellers and challenges of the timber harvesting in the Forest Reserve. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square and logistic regression at α0.05. The average age of the respondents was 36.7±8.9 years, mostly male (87.1%) and married (53.4%) while  34.7% and 34.7% had secondary and primary education respectively. Harvested timber species in the area were Gmelina arborea, Tectona grandis and Triplochiton scleroxylon. Results on socio-economic impacts revealed that timber harvesting has positively affected the livelihood of the respondents in terms of income generation (22.8%), rural development (20.8%), improved standard of living (19.8%), poverty alleviation (19.8%) and job opportunity (15.5%). Relationship between socio-economic characteristics and the impact of timber harvesting in Ago ‘Owu Forest Reserve revealed that there was significant association among nativity (χ2 =6.75), occupation (χ2 =21.21), work experience (χ2 = 16.84) and impact on timber harvesting in Ago ‘Owu Forest Reserve. Identified challenges facing timber harvesting were poor road network, high tariff, transportation of products and capital intensive nature of the harvesting process with odd-ratios of 1206.0, 81.3, 26.7 and 23.4, respectively. Timber harvesting and  trade in the Forest Reserve were found to have highly impacted the livelihood of the forest dwellers positively, although still confronted by some  challenges. However, government should encourage plantation establishment, review tariff, repair road network and address other problems faced by timber contractors and loggers. Keywords: Forest Reserve, Timber harvesting, Challenges involved, Forest dwellers, Rural livelihoo

Giant gastric bezoar: A case report

Background: We report a case of gastric bezoar in a patient with underlying schizophrenia who presented with features mimicking gastric tumour in Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Keffi, Nigeria.Methods: This is a report of gastric bezoar who posed a diagnostic conundrum to the managing clinicians. Radiological investigation gave a lead point to the diagnosis and intra-operative finding eventually confirmed the diagnosis of gastric bezoar.Results: A huge gastric bezoar weighing 2,000g was found. This comprised of different components on nonbiodegradable materials.Conclusion: Diagnosis of gastric bezoar requires a high index of suspicion by the managing physicians especially in mentally unstable patients.Keywords: Gastric bezoar, Schizophrenia, Diagnosi

On The Statistical Analysis of Ante-Natal Care Use in Nigeria: Multilevel Logistic Regression Approach

Ante-Natal Care usage among women has a great impact on the survival rate of both mother and the new born child. Inadequate usage influences the mortality rate of both woman and infant thus affecting both economic and health status of any population, Nigeria in particular. Attaining and even surpassing the minimum number of Ante Natal Care (ANC) visits as specified by World Health Organization, WHO helps to ensure healthy outcomes for women and newborns. Multilevel logistic regression models were applied to data involving women who make ANC visits who participated in the 2013 National Demographic Health Survey (NDHS) in Nigeria. Results show that location, women education, religion and wealth index of participant were significant factors that influence the probability of women meeting and/or surpassing the required number of ANC visits required by WHO. We also found that husband’s level of educational attainment and the frequency of information gathering by such women also influenced their chances of making more ANC visits. Keywords: Ante-Natal Care, Multilevel, Logistic Regression, Intra-class correlatio

Assessment of students' satisfaction with university health care services in a medical university in southern Nigeria

Objectives: Assessment of patients' satisfaction with health services helps to identify deficiencies in health care delivery and provides invaluable feedback to health care providers. Level of satisfaction of students with the health services provided by a University in Southwest Nigeria was assessed with the aim of providing feedbacks to the health workers.Methods: The study is a cross-sectional descriptive study that assessed satisfaction of students with University health services between April 2016 and March 2017 using the Short Assessment of Patient Satisfaction (SAPS) questionnaire. Data generated was analyzed using the statistical package for social sciences version 17.0.Results: One hundred and forty-one students participated in this study with male: female ratio of 1:1.6 and mean age of 18.70±3.25 years. Their mean SAPS score was 18.70±3.25. One-hundred and ten (78%) of the respondents were satisfied with the effect of the treatment received, 95(67.4%) were satisfied with their communication with the doctors, 102(72.4%) were satisfied with physical examination by their doctors, 105(74.6%) were satisfied with their involvement in decision making concerning their health, 83(58.9%) were satisfied with the respect accorded to them by the doctors, 57(40.4%) were satisfied with duration of time spent by the doctor with them. Overall satisfaction using the total SAPS scores showed that 73(51.7%) were satisfied with the care.Conclusion: About half of the respondents were satisfied with the health services received. Domains with the lowest scores were those related to short duration of time spent with patients during consultation and respect for patients.Keywords: Students, satisfaction, University, healthcare, service

Tuberculosis of the breast: A case report

Tuberculosis of the breast is a rare disease. It is often misdiagnosed because it exhibits features that mimic a carcinoma both clinically and radiologically. This in the past has led to unnecessary mastectomies. The objective is to report a patient who presented with left breast mass and ipsilateral axillary swellings that was confirmed to be tuberculosis. The index patient is a 20- year old female who presented with left breast mass predated by ispilateral axillary swellings of 7 weeks duration prior to presentation. Excision biopsy of both the breast mass and axillary swellings revealed tuberculous mastitis. She was commenced on antituberculous treatment with significant improvement. With a high index of suspicion, a diagnosis will be established. It is therefore advised that surgeons should always think of this disease entity as a  differential diagnosis when dealing with breast masses.Keywords: Tuberculosis, Breast, Histopatholog

Firearm injuries at Keffi: observations from a tertiary health facility in north-central Nigeria

Background: The occurrence of firearm injury is on the rise both within and outside Nigeria. This has led to a significant increase in the number of casualties presenting to health facilities. This study aims at looking at the magnitude and pattern of injuries sustained from firearms in our centre.Methods: This is a prospective cross-sectional study carried out over a period of 36 months (January 2016- December 2018) on patients that presented with gunshot injuries. Patients were stabilised and definitive procedures were carried out accordingly. Multi-disciplinary management modality was employed where necessary.Results: A total of 67 patients were seen comprising of 49 males and 18 females (M:F=2.7:1). The abdomen was far more involved than other regions of the body (27, 40%) followed by the extremities (11, 16%). Procedures carried out include laparotomy (39, 58.2%), thoracostomy (20, 29.9%), wound exploration and debridement (22, 32.8%) as well as fracture stabilization (11, 16.4%).Conclusion: The extent of firearm injuries from our study is proven evidence that the society at large is endangered. A holistic approach from both government and the citizenry is required in curtailing this trend.Keywords: Firearms, Injuries, Management, Keff

Presentation and management of splenic injuries: a review of literature

Background: The burden of managing splenic injuries has been on the rise. Most patients with blunt abdominal trauma do sustain splenic injuries with varying degrees of severity. The success in managing such depends on a sound clinical judgment and early intervention.Method: An in-depth search and review of relevant literature on splenic injuries was carried out. Also used in literature search were selected texts as well as online searches using Pubmed and African journal online (Ajol)Results: Splenic injuries have been reported from all over the world. Majority of splenic trauma in our environment are due to vehicular accidents. Tropical spleen enlargement in malaria endemic regions is an identified predisposing factor to sustaining splenic injuries. Splenic conservation methods have evolved over the years ranging from operative to minimally invasive techniques. The management of post-splenectomy complications has also witnessed modifications over the last two decades.Conclusion: Successful management of splenic injuries anchors on good understanding of both structural and function derangement that accompany such. Timely intervention and appropriate treatment is invaluable.Keywords: Spleen, Trauma, Grades of injuries, Classification, Treatment, Prophylaxi