Influence of Family Structure and Functionality on Immunization Status of Infants Attending GOPC of BMC Saki

Introduction: Vaccine-preventable diseases are endemic in Nigeria, and contribute greatly to childhood morbidities and mortalities. Good family structure has been reported to improve children's wellbeing, health and eating habit, but the contribution of family structure together with family functionality on immunization status has not been documented. Overall, the goal of the research was to determine the level of immunization status in the study population, assess their knowledge of immunization and determine what influence family structure and functionality have on children's immunization status.Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in 2016 in the General outpatient clinic (GOPC) of Baptist Medical Centre (BMC), Saki, Oyo State. Family APGAR Scale and self-design questionnaire were used to collect data from 299 respondents using systematic sampling technique. A SPSS (version 21) was used for the analysis.Results: Our results showed that 82.9% of the respondents were fully immunized and 98% had knowledge about Immunization. Majority of the respondents came from functional families, accounting for 85.6% of cases. The following factors were found to be statistically significantly  associated with immunization status: family functionality (X2 = 101.694, P = 0.000), family type (p value =0.000), family size (p value = 0.000), ethnic group (p value = 0.000) and number of children (P value = 0.000)Conclusion: Our findings showed that there is an adequate knowledge of immunization in the study population, and that a child's immunization status is significantly influenced by the family structure and functionality. However, given the fact that this is a single, hospital-based study, several multi-center studies would have to be employed not just to validate this conclusion but also to inform policy making. Keywords: Immunization status, family structure, family functionality, vaccine, health facility, Nigeria   French Title: Influence de la structure familiale et de la fonctionnalité sur le statut de vaccination des nourrissons assistant au GOPC de BMC, Saki Les morts évitables par la vaccination restent endémiques et contribuent de manière significative à la morbidité infantile au Nigéria et il a été reconnu qu'une bonne structure familiale améliore le bien-être, la santé et les habitudes alimentaires des enfants, mais la contribution de la structure et de la fonctionnalité de la famille au statut vaccinal n'est pas encore établie. Le but de cette étude est de déterminer le niveau  d'immunisation des répondants, d'évaluer leurs connaissances en matière d'immunisation et de déterminer l'influence de la structure et de la fonctionnalité de la famille sur l'état de vaccination. Méthode de l'étude: Une étude descriptive transversale a été menée en 2016 dans la clinique externe générale (GOPC) du Baptist Medical Center (BMC), Saki, dans l'état d'Oyo. L'échelle familiale APGAR et le questionnaire d'auto-conception ont été employés pour recueillir des données auprès de 299 répondants à l'aide d'une technique d'échantillonnage systématique. Un SPSS (version 21) a été utilisé pour l'analyse. Résultats de l'étude: Les résultats ont révélé que la majorité (82,9%) des répondants était entièrement immunisée et que 98% avaient des connaissances sur la vaccination. La majorité des répondants (85,6%) étaient issus de familles fonctionnelles. La fonctionnalité de la famille était statistiquement significative sur le statut vaccinal (X2 = 101,694, P = 0,000) ainsi que sur certaines composantes de la structure familiale: type de famille (P = 0,000), taille de la famille (P = 0,000), groupe ethnique (P = 0,000), et nombre d'enfants (P = 0,000)Conclusion: Les répondants avaient une connaissance adéquate de la vaccination. De plus, la fonctionnalité familiale et la structure familiale influencent le statut vaccinal des nourrissons. Par conséquent, d'autres études devraient être menées sur l'influence de la fonctionnalité et de la structure de la famille sur le statut vaccinal en utilisant une approche multicentrique. Mots-clés: Immunisation, fonctionnalité familiale, structure familiale, vaccin

Internet Use among Undergraduates in Nigeria: The Role of Policy

This study investigates appropriate and inappropriate use of Internet among undergraduates in Nigeria. There is a growing concern that the amount of time spent on Internet by undergraduates does not translate to effective use. The instrumentality of policy could be used to ensure that undergraduates make the best use of internet. Two universities, Lagos State University and Babcock University were chosen as case study. A total of one hundred and twenty (120) questionnaires were administered to final year students in four faculties common to both universities. Ninety-seven (97) questionnaires were completed and returned. Simple percentages were used to analyse data and answers were provided to five research questions. T-test was used to test the only research hypothesis raised.   The Study showed that there are many advantages brought by the advent of Internet into learning and research by undergraduate students in Nigeria. There is need for a comprehensive national information policy to address the abuse of Internet by undergraduates.   Keywords- Internet, Addiction, Undergraduates, User studies, Libraries, Information policy

Crop Energy analysis

Energy inputs and yield relationship in cassava production was investigated to establish correlation between inputs and outputs in cassava production in Nigeria. Production data of energy inputs and crop yields were collected from 54 cassava farms in twelve cassava producing villages through site visits, interaction with the farmers and physical measurements for three production seasons (2013-2016). The data were analyzed statistically. Amount of inputs per hectare were calculated and multiplied by coefficients of energy equivalents. Total energy inputs in cassava production were 36482.8 MJ ha-1 while average output of cassava tubers was 32022.6 kg ha-1 . Energy use ratio, energy productivity and specific energy of the surveyed farms were 4.9, 0.9 kg MJ-1 and 1.1 MJ kg-1 respectively. Shares of direct and indirect energy inputs were 5.7% and 94.2% respectively. Human labor, fertilizer, cassava stem, machinery and fuel had positive effects on output. Fertilizer, cassava stem and machinery variables were significant at 0.1%, 1% and 5% significant levels respectively. R-squared was 0.93 and Durbin Watson statistic indicates no autocorrelation at 5% significant level, indicating that variables in the model were not dependent of each other and changes in the value of one variable did not have any meaningful effect on other variables. All the variables contributed independently to the output

Community survey of childhood injuries in North-Central Nigeria

Background and purpose: Childhood injury is of great significance globally and epidemiological data on the subject in most developing countries are inadequate. Informed demographics can help direct resources toward research and programs most likely to reduce the burden.Methods: A survey to determine the prevalence, mechanism of injury, and intervention measures was conducted using pretested questionnaires distributed to consented parents/guardians of children 15 years and younger who presented at six selected hospitals (representing public and private and low or high income clientele hospitals) for healthcare needs for any reason. Results were analyzed using Epi Info (6.04) and SPSS software (version 15).Results: There were 1088 respondents comprising parents (96.5%) and guardians (3.5%). Most were 21–40 years old (86.2%) and 51.9% of them had more than three children living with them. Over 50% had witnessed injuries of their wards within the previous 12 months and about a quarter admitted that a child was injured more than once. The risk of injury was twice in the male child mainly in the 1–4 years age group. Most injuries (65.2%) occurred at home, with 98% being unintentional from falls (62.6%) and 71.9% of the times the parents witnessed the injury as it occurred. The intentional injuries (2%) followed assaults during fights among peers. Treatment was provided at home in  58.5% of children by the parents, whereas only 27.5% took their wards to the hospital; 12.6% received treatment at patent medicine stores and 1.3% from the herbal/ traditional bone setters’ home. Two deaths resulted from the injuries from fall, whereas six children had residual deformity as a result of home injury. Three-quarter (74.8%) of the respondents believed childhood injuries were preventable.Conclusion: Childhood injuries are not uncommon in the community. The significant proportions of respondents using inappropriate means of treatment and who believed that injuries are not preventable represent targets for health education and counseling in the community.Keywords: childhood injury, epidemiology, injury education, preventio

Energy output-input analysis

Energy inputs and yield relationship in cassava production was investigated to establish correlation between inputs and outputs in cassava production in Nigeria. Production data of energy inputs and crop yields were collected from 54 cassava farms in twelve cassava producing villages through site visits, interaction with the farmers and physical measurements for three production seasons (2013-2016). The data were analyzed statistically. Amount of inputs per hectare were calculated and multiplied by coefficients of energy equivalents. Total energy inputs in cassava production were 36482.8 MJ ha-1 while average output of cassava tubers was 32022.6 kg ha-1 . Energy use ratio, energy productivity and specific energy of the surveyed farms were 4.9, 0.9 kg MJ-1 and 1.1 MJ kg-1 respectively. Shares of direct and indirect energy inputs were 5.7% and 94.2% respectively. Human labor, fertilizer, cassava stem, machinery and fuel had positive effects on output. Fertilizer, cassava stem and machinery variables were significant at 0.1%, 1% and 5% significant levels respectively. R-squared was 0.93 and Durbin Watson statistic indicates no autocorrelation at 5% significant level, indicating that variables in the model were not dependent on each other and that changes in the value of one variable did not have any meaningful effect on other variables. All the variables contributed independently to the output

Biochar, soil properties, and crop yield.

Among agricultural soil amendment that can enhance crop productivity and soil sustainability is biochar. Hence, two-year field experiments were conducted on a sandy loam Alfisol at Owo, southwest Nigeria, to evaluate the effects of biochar produced from hardwood on soil physical and chemical characteristics, erosion potential, and cocoyam (Xanthosoma sagittifolium (L.) Schott) yield. (e study was a 2 × 4 factorial experiment with two years (2017 and 2018) and four biochar levels (0 (control), 10, 20, and 30 t ha− 1 ). (e treatments were laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Results indicated that biochar application significantly in both years improved yield of cocoyam and soil physical (bulk density, porosity, moisture content, mean weight diameter (MWD) of soil aggregates, dispersion ratio, and infiltration rate) and chemical (soil organic matter, pH, N, P, K, Ca, Mg, and CEC) properties and erosion resistance. Soil characteristics and cocoyam yield improved with level of biochar from 0–30 t ha− 1 . When 2018 is compared with 2017 in terms of soil loss, in the amended plots, 2018 reduced soil loss by 7.4, 20, and 73.5%, respectively, for 10, 20, and 30 t ha− 1 biochar, whereas there was an increase of 2.7% in soil loss in the control plot in 2018 compared with 2017. (therefore, an application rate of 30 t ha− 1 biochar is considered as suitable for severely degraded soil because this application rate efficiently improves cocoyam yield and soil properties and reduces soil loss

An Assessment of Cassava Processing Plants in Irepodun Local Government Areas, Kwara State, Nigeria

An assessment of cassava processing plant was conducted in Irepodun local Government Area of Kwara State, Nigeria to evaluate different cassava processing machinery being used by the processors, the common machines, and costs of machines, type of prime movers and sex of machine operators. The study was carried out in five communities and five cassava processing centres were selected from each of the community to give a total of twenty–five processing centres. Many of the processing centres were owned by private individuals. 292 cassava processing machines were observed altogether during the study and most of these were obsolete equipment. Grating machine, dewatering machine and milling machines were more prominent in the Local Government. The diesel engine was the only prime mover in all visited centres. Cassava processors preferred diesel despite its high cost, this may be as a result of incessant petrol scarcity and constant absence of electricity supply from Power Holding Company of Nigeria. This assessment showed that inappropriate and unaffordable cassava processing machinery is responsible for low level of cassava processing and utilization in Nigeria which is the largest cassava producer

Family support and blood pressure pattern in adult patients attending Baptist Medical Centre, Saki

Background: Hypertension has been reported to be a major problem of the black race. Hypertension has a high impact on the economy and quality of life of individuals with important implications for resource expenditures. The prevalence of hypertension is increasing worldwide but awareness, treatment and control rates are very poor. Hence, this study aimed to determine the pattern of hypertension and level of family support among adult patients at Baptist Medical Centre Saki, with the aim of improving their management with family involvement.Methods: Two hundred and fifty four adult patients aged 18 years and above were recruited into the descriptive cross sectional study through a systematic random sampling. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire and family APGAR questionnaire. The diagnosis of hypertension was based on blood pressure (BP) threshold of 140/90 mmHg according to JNC VII guidelines definitions. Data was analyzed using Stata statistical software (Version 10).Results: The mean age and BP of the participants were 40.5±13.4 years and 131/84 mmHg respectively. Of the participants, (21.3%) had a BP of greater than or equal to 140/90 mmHg. Only 21.7% of respondents had good knowledge and awareness of hypertension. Majority, 76.8% of respondents had good family support while most of the respondents with poor to fair family support had stages I and II hypertension. Hypertension was significantly associated with age, obesity, family history of obesity and hypertension, consumption of stimulants, educational level and socio economic class.Conclusions: This study showed that hypertension is still prevalent in the primary care population. Family involvement in the management is very important to the family physician to be able to care adequately for the varied patients seen in clinical practice.Keywords: Hypertension, Family Support, Awareness, Control, Family Physicia

Family support and blood pressure pattern in adult patients attending Baptist Medical Centre, Saki

Background: Hypertension has been reported to be a major problem of the black race. Hypertension has a high impact on the economy and quality of life of individuals with important implications for resource expenditures. The prevalence of hypertension is increasing worldwide but awareness, treatment and control rates are very poor. Hence, this study aimed to determine the pattern of hypertension and level of family support among adult patients at Baptist Medical Centre Saki, with the aim of improving their management with family involvement.Methods: Two hundred and fifty four adult patients aged 18 years and above were recruited into the descriptive cross sectional study through a systematic random sampling. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire and family APGAR questionnaire. The diagnosis of hypertension was based on blood pressure (BP) threshold of 140/90 mmHg according to JNC VII guidelines definitions. Data was analyzed using Stata statistical software (Version 10).Results: The mean age and BP of the participants were 40.5±13.4 years and 131/84 mmHg respectively. Of the participants, (21.3%) had a BP of greater than or equal to 140/90 mmHg. Only 21.7% of respondents had good knowledge and awareness of hypertension. Majority, 76.8% of respondents had good family support while most of the respondents with poor to fair family support had stages I and II hypertension. Hypertension was significantly associated with age, obesity, family history of obesity and hypertension, consumption of stimulants, educational level and socio economic class.Conclusions: This study showed that hypertension is still prevalent in the primary care population. Family involvement in the management is very important to the family physician to be able to care adequately for the varied patients seen in clinical practice.Keywords: Hypertension, Family Support, Awareness, Control, Family Physicia