An Appraisal of Ozone Layer Depletion and Its Implication on the Human Environment

Ozone layer depletion is a reality which poses threat to human survival if not curtail. However, it has received international attention and cooperation in which nation states have come up with series of conventions and protocols. It is no more gainsaying that the protection of the environment is a duty of all as no one can be left behind.This paper examines the ozone depletion substance, the impacts and implications of ozone layer depletion on human health and environment, and possible suggestion out of the challenges. The methodology adopted is basically doctrinal with primary sources from various international instruments relating to ozone layer depletions. The secondary sources are mainly from articles in journals, commentaries and online publications.It is our humble conclusion that ozone layer protection is a global and continuous assignment in which all hands must be on deck in order to meet the desirable target. The international communities’ cooperation in this regard is commendable. DOI: 10.7176/JLPG/83-02 Publication date:March 31st 201

Socio-psychological effects of acne among undergraduates of the University of Ibadan

Background: Acne is a skin disorder that is common among adolescents. The  various degrees of distortion of facial appearance could have some socio-psychological effects on sufferers.Objectives:The objectives of this research, within the study population  (undergraduates of the University of Ibadan), were: To determine the gender  prevalence of acne, to evaluate the socio- psychological effect of acne and to  evaluate socio-psychological effects of acne in relation to the severity of the  condition.Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study with pre-tested questionnaires administered to 100 undergraduate students of the University of Ibadan.  Descriptive statistics was used to summarize data and categorical variables were compared with Chi-square at a level of significance of p < 0.05.Results: The response rate was 100%. Gender prevalence showed that 70% of the students with acne are females with 30% being males. Twenty-seven (27%) of the respondents indicated high social effects, 8 (8%) indicated average score while 65 (65%) showed a high social effects. Fourteen (14%) of the respondent had low  emotional effects, 1 (1%) had average score while 85 (85%) had a high emotional effects. Twenty respondents (20%) had low psychological effects, 6 (6%) had an average response and 74 (74%) had high psychological effects.Conclusions: Acne is more prevalent in females than in males among undergraduate students of the University of Ibadan. The socio-psychological effect of acne was  found to be more in students with milder form of acne.Keywords: Socio-psychological, acne, Ibadan, undergraduat

Self-efficacy and antiretroviral therapy adherence among HIV positive pregnant women in South-West Nigeria: a mixed methods study

Background: In Nigeria, an estimated 60,000 paediatric HIV infections occur annually mainly through mother-to-child transmission.  Adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) in pregnancy is crucial in preventing new paediatric HIV infections. We investigated HIV-treatment adherence self-efficacy and ART adherence among HIV-positive pregnant women in South-West Nigeria.Methods: A mixed method approach was employed using a sequential explanatory strategy in which HIV-positive pregnant women were recruited from three facilities providing Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) services. Self-efficacy and adherence were assessed using the HIV-Treatment Adherence Self-efficacy Scale and the Centre for Adherence Support Evaluation Index Tool, respectively. A focus group discussion and key informant interviews were used to explore barriers and motivating factors to ART adherence in pregnancy. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression at 5% significance level, while thematic content analysis was used to analyse qualitative data. Results: A total of 126 women participated in the study. The mean age and mean gestational age of respondents were 32.7 ± 4.58 years and 24.4 ± 7.41 weeks, respectively. The prevalence of good adherence and HIV-treatment adherence self-efficacy were 70.6% and 26.2%, respectively. Low self-efficacy (OR=0.2, 95%CI=0.05– 0.53, p<0.05) was statistically associated with poor adherence. Planned pregnancy (OR=3.1, 95%CI=1.23-7.72, P<0.05) increased the likelihood for ART adherence. Looking healthier and protecting unborn babies were motivators to adherence while stigmatization and negative spousal influences were barriers to adherence.Conclusion: Low HIV-treatment adherence self-efficacy was related to poor adherence in pregnancy. Interventions aimed at improving adherence in pregnancy should also focus on HIV-treatment adherence self-efficacy

Biocomposite production from waste low-density polyethylene sachets and Prosopis africana pods biomass residue

Plastic litter has become a major concern in solid waste management in recent times due to the adverse effect on the environment. In most developing countries, low-density polyethylene (LDPE) waste bags and sachets constitute a significant portion of plastic wastes that are generated daily, leading to an unnecessary environmental burden that needs to be addressed. In this study, we report the use of Prosopis africana pod particles as fillers in LDPE matrix (obtained from waste plastic sachets) for biocomposite production.  Biocomposites were produced from 150µm average filler size for 10, 20, 30 wt% filler contents, using hand lay-up method. The compression, flexural, impact, and tensile strengths; water absorption and the biodegradability characteristics of the prepared biocomposites were determined using ASTM standards. In comparison with the control sample, the prepared biocomposites samples exhibited 103% improved impact strength of 34.3 J and better resistance to deformation (flexural modulus of 348.9 N/mm2; Young’s modulus of 237.9 N/mm2) at 30 wt % filler content. Biocomposite sample with the 10 wt% gave the highest tensile strength of 8.3 N/mm2. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analysis of the fractured sample shows good adhesion in the matrix.  Findings from this work indicate that valorization of LDPE waste sachet and prosopis pods agricultural residues can be a value-addition, affordable waste management method for producing biocomposites towards indoor applications

What is the link between malaria prevention in pregnancy and neonatal survival in Nigeria?

Neonatal mortality has been recognized as a global public health challenge and Nigeria has the highest prevalence in Africa. Malaria during pregnancy jeopardizes neonatal survival through placental parasitaemia, maternal anaemia, and low birth weight. This study investigated association between the malaria prevention in pregnancy and neonatal survival using a nationally representative data - Nigeria Demographic Health Survey 2013. Child recode data was used and the outcome variable was neonatal death. The main independent variables were the use of at least 2 doses of intermittent preventive treatment in pregnancy with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (IPT-SP) and proportion of pregnant women who reported Insecticide Treated Net (ITN) use the night before the survey. Data were analyzed using Pearson Chi-square (x 2 ) test of association and survival analysis techniques. Total neonatal mortality rate was 38 per1000 live births. Cox proportional hazard model showed that low birth weight (HR 1.49, 95% CI (1.15 – 1.93 p=0.003) and adequate number of ANC visits (≥ 4 visits) (HR 0.68, 95% CI (0.53 – 0.93) were associated with neonatal survival. The use of at least 2 doses of IPT-SP was not an independent factor for neonatal survival (HR 0.72, 95% CI (0.53 – 1.15). Malaria prevention in pregnancy is crucial for neonatal survival through the prevention of low birth weight. Keywords: Malaria Prevention, Pregnancy, Intermittent Preventive Treatment in pregnancy with Sulfadoxine-Pyrimethamine, Insecticide Treated Net, Neonatal Mortality, Nigeria La mortalité néonatale a été reconnue comme un problème de santé publique mondial et le Nigéria connait la prévalence la plus élevée d'Afrique. Le paludisme pendant la grossesse compromet la survie néonatale par la parasitémie placentaire, l'anémie maternelle et l'insuffisance pondérale à la naissance. Cette étude a examiné l'association entre la prévention du paludisme pendant la grossesse et la survie néonatale à l'aide de données représentatives au niveau national - Enquête démographique sur la santé au Nigéria de 2013. Les données de recodage des enfants ont été utilisées. Les principales variables indépendantes étaient l'utilisation d'au moins 2 doses de traitement préventif intermittent pendant la grossesse par la sulfadoxine-pyriméthamine (IPTSP) et la proportion de femmes enceintes qui avaient déclaré avoir utilisé une moustiquaire imprégnée d'insecticide (MII) la nuit précédant l'enquête. Les données ont été analysées à l'aide du test de Pearson sur le chi carré (x2 ) des techniques d'analyse d'association et de survie. Le taux de mortalité néonatale total était de 38 pour 1 000 naissances vivantes. Le modèle de risque proportionnel de Cox a montré qu'un faible poids à la naissance (HR 1,49, IC à 95% (1,15 - 1,93 p = 0,003) et un nombre adéquat de visites ANC (≥ 4 visites) (HR 0,68, IC à 95% (0,53 - 0,93) étaient associés `a la survie néonatale. L‘utilisation d‘au moins deux doses d‘IPT-SP n‘est pas un facteur indépendant de la survie néonatale (HR 0,72, IC à 95% (0,53 - 1,15). La prévention du paludisme pendant la grossesse est cruciale pour la survie néonatale à travers la prévention du faible poids à la naissance.Mots-clés: Prévention du paludisme, grossesse, traitement préventif intermittent par la sulfadoxine-pyriméthamine pendant la grossesse, moustiquaire imprégnée d'insecticide, mortalité néonatale, Nigéria

Utilization of Digital Information Resources by Undergraduates at Lead City University, Ibadan Nigeria

The innate need for growth and the growing popularity of digital information resources have prompted many academic libraries, including Lead City University to invest on the provision of digital information resources. However, studies have shown that provision of digital information resources does not automatically guarantee utilization. This study therefore investigates the utilization of digital information resources among undergraduate students at Lead City University, Ibadan Nigeria. The study adopted a quantitative research method with a questionnaire used as research instrument. The study sample consists of 342 undergraduate students and the data collected was analysed with aid of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The findings show that there is a low level of digital resources utilization among the undergraduates. It was also found that challenges such as lack information retrieval skills, slow internet and inadequate computer system are among the challenges affecting the utilization of digital information resources by the undergraduate students

Preparation and characterization of steam activated chicken eggshell for gaseous pollutant adsorption

Air pollution is a major issue because it can immediately cause health problems. The primary pollutants are oxides of nitrogen, Sulphur, carbon, and oxidants. The collection, preparation, and characterization of chicken eggshell for the production of activated carbon useful in air purification, was carried out. The preparation was done in succession from raw uncarbonized to carbonized and then to steam activated form for adsorption of air pollutants. Powdered Eggshell was Carbonized at different temperatures in the range of 150-600 ºC to achieve optimum and effective temperature for best carbon content from its char. The best carbon yield was gotten at 450 ºC/1 hour in a carbolite type muffle furnace which gives less room for air flow. Thermal / steam activation of the carbonized eggshell was done at 500 ºC for 1 hour. The ash content, bulk density, electrical conductivity, pH, and moisture contents were analyzed respectively. The samples were characterized for their surface area and pore volume. The ash contents for the three samples were in the order Uncarbonized (41.76 %) > Carbonized (32.62 %) > Stean Activated (29.47 %) while the bulk density followed Carbonized (1. 19 g/ml) > Steam Activated (1.11 g/ml) > Uncarbonized (0.79 g/ml). All the three samples had the same value of 0.31 mS/cm for the electrical conductivity while two of the samples (carbonized and activated) had the same pH (8.1) and uncarbonized had a lower pH (7.9). The moisture contents ranged from 2 to 9 % with steam activated sample having the least and uncarbonised, the highest. Tapping density, surface area, pore volume, iodine number, % iodine absorbed values followed the order Steam active > Carbonized > Uncarbonized samples. The steam activated sample having the highest values of all these parameters showed it possesses high adsorption capacity for gaseous pollutants

Applications of 3-D Structural Interpretation and Seismic Attribute Analysis to Hydrocarbon Prospecting Over X – Field, Niger-Delta

Complexly faulted subsurface configuration is capable of causing erroneous deductions in the absence of a well packaged interpretation approach and workflow for an oilfield exploration programme, thus a well prepared analysis saddled on the use and integration of sufficient data is indispensable to the unravelling of complex field subsurface structure as the search for oil and gas progresses into deeper waters. Suite of signatures from wireline logs and seismic volume was employed to gain more insight into the complexities of the hydrocarbon hosting units within and outside the vicinity of well control in the X-field Niger Delta. Horizons and fault interpretation were carried out to produce subsurface structure maps. Amplitudes of the horizons mapped were extracted and were used to study the distribution of the hydrocarbon sand. Three hydrocarbon bearing reservoirs were delineated within the study interval, namely: ROJ A, ROJ C and ROJ D. Well to seismic tie revealed that these reservoirs tied direct hydrocarbon indicators (bright spots) on the vertical sections. The structure maps produced revealed a series of NW-SE and E-W trending growth faults and fault echelons, most of which dip to the south. Fault assisted closures were revealed at the southern part of the field, which correspond to the crest of roll over structures and possibly served as the trapping mechanism for the reservoirs. The reflection amplitude of the studied horizons shows a fine network of anomalies that can be correlated to the prediction of the lateral distribution of the hydrocarbon sand. The conclusion of the study was that the western part of horizon ROJ A is a highly prospective area as bright spots were observed in the region. Also in the adjacent southern direction of this horizon, hydrocarbon accumulations have been confirmed from wells. These gas sands are possibly trapped in anticlinal closures located in the same area. On the other hand, the results from the study of horizon ROJ C suggest development opportunities in the southern area. High amplitude gas sands are seen to spread to the south and stratigraphy was assumed to play a major role in hydrocarbon migration. The study over horizon ROJ D reveal likely geologic features like regional sand pinch outs and channels in the southern part of the field. Spectral decomposition interpretation was suggested to be used further in improving the delineation of the thin reservoir sand bodies and for better outlining of their geometries but was not available on the workstation used The study has shown the feasibility of integrating structural interpretation and instantaneous amplitude in prospect identification and reservoir prediction

Contraceptive use among Nigerian women with no fertility intention: interaction amid potential causative factors

High fertility (HF) remains a public health problem and intention to reduce fertility is a global phenomenon. The health hazards and economic burden of HF on women are enormous. Contraceptive is widely known as a fertility reduction method. Achieving desirable MDGs and PoA of 1994 ICPD will be an illusion if research on the relationship between fertility intention and contraceptive use is neglected. The study which focused on 2,257 women of childbearing age who do not have any intention to bear more children utilized Nigeria Demographic Health Survey, 2008 dataset. Data was analysed using Chi-square, binary and multinomial logistic regression (=5.0%). Mean age of the women and children ever born were 40.91±5.73 years and 6.28±2.62 respectfully. The prevalence of Current Use of Any Contraceptive Method (CUACM) was 37.6% with 12.4% and 25.2% currently using natural and modern family planning methods respectively. About 7.0% of women in poorest wealth quintile are CUACM compared to 61.8% of those in richest wealth quintile. Current use of modern contraceptive prevalence rate was strikingly higher among Yorubas (41.8%) than the Hausas (3.6%). Multivariate analysis identified age, region, residence, education, ethnicity and family planning media exposure as significant predictors of CUACM. In addition; religion and decision on how to spend family income were identified as predictors of current use of modern contraceptive method (p<0.05). The use of contraceptive is not adequately practiced in Nigeria. The identified predictors of contraceptive use in this study should be considered while designing strategies to improve contraceptive prevalent rate in Nigeria