Factors affecting the use of modern contraception among women of reproductive age in Odigbo local government area, Ondo state, Nigeria

Background: Modern contraception, one of the components of reproductive health, and an essential one for that matter, affects the health of women positively. It consists of modern contraceptive methods which are of different products or medical procedure that inhibits pregnancy following sexual intercourse. The study assessed the factors affecting the use of modern contraception among women of reproductive age in Odigbo local government area (LGA), Ondo State, Nigeria. Methods: A cross sectional descriptive research design was adopted for the study and the study population were women of child-bearing age between the ages of 19-45 years. A formula was used to calculate the sample size, with 420 derived, and a simple random sampling was used to select the respondents. A semi-structured instrument with its reliability tested by test re-test was used for collection of data from the respondents. The data collected was analyzed using frequency and percentage presented in tables. Results: The study revealed a mean age of 27±1.1. Also, it revealed good knowledge (90%) and practices (65.7%) as well as positive attitude (75%) towards the use of modern contraceptives among the respondents, but these were hindered by lack of support from spouses (27.4%), belief that it promotes promiscuity (29.5%), causes infertility (22.4%) and infection (46.2%). Conclusions: Based on these findings, there is need for male involvement in family planning matters and health education on modern contraceptives

Staffing Processes on Workers’ Retention in Federal Polytechnic Ede, Osun State, Nigeria

The study investigates the influence of staffing processes on workers’ retention at the Federal Polytechnic in Ede, Osun State. The study was a survey that employed a descriptive design. Its target population comprises all employees who have spent at least three years at the Federal Polytechnic in Ede, Osun State. A total of 140 respondents were selected for the study using a proportionate stratified random sampling method. A questionnaire format was used to obtain the relevant data. Out of 140 copies of the questionnaires, 127 copies were returned and utilised for the study. The collected data was analysed using Regression Analysis, Pearson Moment Correlation with the aid of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25.0. The findings show that the staffing process (recruitment and selection) significantly influenced workers’ retention at the Federal Polytechnic, Ede. Based on the study’s findings, it was concluded that the staffing process (recruitment and selection practices) significantly influenced employee retention at the Federal Polytechnic in Ede, Osun State. It was recommended that all applicants be given equal opportunities; favourites and other such things should be avoided while providing a level playing field

Risk Perceptions of Antibiotic Usage and Resistance: A Cross-Sectional Survey of Poultry Farmers in Kwara State, Nigeria

Overwhelming empirical evidence has highlighted the contribution of indiscriminate antibiotic usage (ABU) in food animals to the overall burden of antibiotic resistance (ABR) in humans, thus making antibiotic use the main selective pressure driving antibiotic resistance. The social and behavioral perspective on antibiotic use and resistance in poultry is limited. Our study therefore aimed at obtaining information on antibiotic usage, awareness of ABR, and the attitude and perceptions towards prudent antibiotic usage and ABR. A cross-sectional survey using a structured questionnaire was conducted in 125 poultry farms in Kwara state in December 2019. Most farmers (69.6%, n = 87/125) were aware of ABR and had satisfactory knowledge about ABR with a mean knowledge score of 3.2 ± 1.5. Age (older farmers; OR: 1.1, 95% CI: 1.0, 1.2) and gender (male respondents, OR: 8.5, 95% CI: 3.0, 23.9; p < 0.01) were more likely to have satisfactory knowledge of ABR. Tertiary education was significantly associated with ABR awareness (OR: 4.7; 95% CI: 0.1, 0.7; p = 0.007) and the ABR knowledge level (OR: 7.8; 95% CI: 3.3, 18.7; p < 0.01). Higher flock size was significantly associated with a satisfactory knowledge of ABR (OR: 9.5; 95% CI: 3.8, 23.6; p < 0.01). Most of the poultry farmers (68%) had positive attitudes towards prudent antibiotic use with a mean score of 2.7 ± 0.9. On the contrary, only 32.8% of poultry farmers had a desirable perception of ABR with a mean perception score of 4.9 ± 1.1. The ABR knowledge level was significantly associated with the perceptions of farmers (p < 0.05) but not their attitudes toward ABU and ABR (p = 0.083). There was evidence of unprescribed use of antibiotics in poultry and a failure to observe antibiotic withdrawal periods. These constitute a risk of exposure to unacceptable levels of drug residues from poultry products and an increased risk of ABR. Improving education and communication on antibiotic stewardship programs are crucial to prevent the looming antibiotic threat

Travel Behaviour of Rural People in Developing Countries.

Travel patterns in rural areas of developing countries are dominated by trips required to access basic needs and services. Studies revealed that the time spent on such travel is relatively constant throughout the year. Any community with less than 20,000 people is said to be rural, while settlement with population of over 20,000 people is regarded as an urban centre. In many developing countries, national transport policies do not address the travel needs of rural people. This is either due to lack of awareness or total ignorance of government. In some countries, after the construction of rural roads, travel behaviour of rural communities change in order to meet their day-to-day basic needs. The rural travel is usually done with goods. The perspective of rural transportation planning in developing countries has changed from a ‘road-and-car’ approach to a ‘needs-led’ approach. This paper examines the travel pattern of rural dwellers in developing countries through review of literature on the subject, in order to suggest measures to enhance the travel behaviour of the rural dwellers. Keywords: Travel, trips, community, rural, behaviour, planning, population, developin

Comparative assessment of quality of life of patients with schizophrenia attending a community psychiatric centre and a psychiatric hospital

Background: Over the past few decades, there has been an emphasis on the de-institutionalisation of psychiatric care with a focus on community care. With Quality of Life (QoL) as an outcome measure, this study compared the QoL of patients with schizophrenia attending a psychiatric hospital and a community psychiatric centre.Design: This was a cross-sectional study in two psychiatric facilitiesMethods: Data were obtained through a socio-demographic and clinical questionnaire; the QoL was assessed with the WHOQOL-BREF and patient satisfaction with care with CPOSS. Total and domain scores of WHOQOL-BREF for each group were calculated and compared with each other and other group characteristics. Diagnosis of schizophrenia was based on ICD-10.Results: Participants from the two centres did not differ significantly on any of the socio-demographic characteristics measured. Similarly, there was no significant difference in their overall mean WHOQOL-BREF scores as well as the mean WHOQOL-BREF of domain scores. However, the married and females from both centres significantly had higher mean WHOQOL-BREF scores than their male counterparts. Patients in remission for more than two years or those on a single type of medication (either oral or depot preparation) from both centres significantly had higher mean WHOQOL-BREF score compared with those who had less than two years of remission or on both oral and depot preparations.Conclusion: Overall QoL of patients managed at the two centres was comparable, with similar socio-demographic as well as clinical variables influencing QoL. This suggests that patients with schizophrenia can be well managed at community psychiatric centres.Keywords: schizophrenia, quality of life, community psychiatric care, psychiatric hospital, patient satisfaction, treatment outcomesFunding: None declared

DESIGN AND PRODUCTION OF ASBESTOS FREE BRAKE PAD USING CASHEW NUTSHELL

A brake is a mechanical device used in controlling the speed of a moving vehicle using a frictional material and dissipates the absorbed kinetic energy as heat to the surroundings. A new brake pad composition has been developed with the Cashew Nutshell (CNSL), Silicon Carbide (SC), Steel Dust (SD), Carbon Black (CB), Epoxy Resin and Hardener (ERH). Five different samples of varying constituents were made with two different sieve sizes for each sample was investigated. The result showed that sample D of the 100 μm with composition 55g of (CNSL), 15g of (SC), 10g of (SD), 5g of (CB) and 15g of Epoxy resin and hardener had the best properties. The Brinell hardness value, Coefficient of Friction, Porosity, Ash content, Density and Wear rate were 75.65, 0.3528 1.925, 45.6, 1.521 kg/m3 &nbsp;for 100 μm and 1.17&nbsp; respectively. These values are acceptable, though the 75μm samples fared better in many of the test results but lacked in the aspect of density when compared with the other sieve grades.&nbsp; This shows that Cashew Nutshell can be used as filler in the production of eco-friendly brake pads

EMPIRICAL STUDY OF PSYCHOTIC DISORDER PATIENTS IN NIGERIA

A study on psychotic disorder ailment was carried out in this research paper where the target population consists of all patients that has any of the following five psychotic disorders: Menial Brain Dysfunction (MBD); Schizophrenia; Vascular Dementia; Bipolar; and Insomnia. The sample consist of five hundred (500) psychotic patients that were selected from the entire number of psychotic patients in the hospital records (files) from January, 2010 to December, 2014. They were selected based on their peculiar ailments with symptoms of psychotic disorders. The main aim of this paper is to examine the possible existence of association among these psychotic disorders. The specific objectives are to: determine the demographic factors that influence the levels of each of these psychotic disorders; propose appropriate model for each psychotic disorder; and determine the level of correct classification using each of these models. We observed that there exist strong association among these psychotic disorders except for MBD and Vascular Demetria. Nearly all the demographic factors under consideration are one way or the other influence the levels of any psychotic disorder except divorce, injury, and genetic. The percentages of correct classification using each of the models proposed ranges between 70.8% and 91.2%

Preparation, Release Pattern and Antibacterial Activities of Chitosan-Silver Nanocomposite Films

The present study examined the preparation of chitosan-silver   nanocomposite films as carriers for silver release pattern. Chitosan a biopolymer   having immense structural possibilities for chemical and mechanical modifications   to generate novel properties, functions and applications. Chitosan–silver   nanocomposite films has been synthesised by reduction method, which is a simple   and inexpensive method. The chitosan-silver nanocomposite films was   characterized in terms of its surface plasmon resonance and crystalline structure by   using UV-Visible spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared and   Scanning electron microscope. Swelling and release studies were carried out on   crosslinked and un-crosslinked nanocomposite films. Antibacterial activities of   chitosan-silver nanocomposite films were investigated on some pathogens:   Staphylococcus aureus, Shigella dysenteriae, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhii   and Klebsiella pneumonia using agar well diffusion method. crosslinked chitosan-silver nanocomposite demonstrated a slower release pattern relative to un-crosslinked chitosan-silver nanocomposite. The crosslinked and un-crosslinked   nanocomposite became dislodged and completely released at 120 minutes and 90   minutes respectively. The results of the antibacterial activities revealed that the   cross-linked chitosan-silver nanocomposite films has higher antibacterial   properties than un-crosslinked chitosan-silver nanocomposite films. This study   provides nanocomposite films potentially useful for delivery system.</p

Condition-Based Monitoring of Kiln Induced Draft Fan in A Dry Process Cement Plant for Efficient Utilization

Associated downtime and economic loss caused by replacement/maintenance of equipment necessitated pro-active technique known as Condition-Based Monitoring to prevent/reduce failures. This study evaluated the vibration of Kiln Induced Draft (KID) of cement plant before and after failure. Vibration data was acquired using accelerometer probe and data obtained were analyzed statistically by employing t-Test at 95% confidence. Results showed that vibration signals measured in mm/s for KID motor and fan bearings (non-drive and drive ends) in the horizontal plane recorded higher values than vertical and axial planes when measured before failure occurrences. After failures, horizontal plane values increased by more than 120% while those measured in the vertical and axial planes increased by less than 100%, making horizontal plane vibration measurement a more suitable parameter for predicting the machinery health condition. The t-Test conducted showed that mean differences in values of vibration signal data before and after failure are not zero but negatives (signal before failure &lt; signal after failure). Outputs from tests of significance using two-tailed t-Test indicated that the differences in values of vibration data signals are not significant at (p≤ 0.05) when considering “equal variance not assumed”. The non-significance of these mean differences may indicate that the present operational vibration signal level should be maintained at values in order that significant difference may be observed between periods before failure and after failure for efficient prediction of failure, as the present 1.5-3.5 mm/s range is likely not a good range for efficient failure prediction

COMPARATIVE STUDY OF CORROSION PERFORMANCE OF ALUMINIUM- ZINC COATED, GALVANIZED AND ELECTROPLATED STEELS IN TOMATO JUICE

Metallic materials are given prominent considerations in agro-based machinery especially in fruit juice processing, storage and use as disposable cans. Such metallic materials include Electroplated Steel (ES), Galvanized Steel (GS) and Aluminum-zinc coated steel (Aluzinc). This study evaluated the corrosion performance of Aluzinc, GS and ES in tomato juice. The medium was chosen due to its social and economic importance. Samples of Aluzinc, GS and ES were prepared by cutting into 3 x 3 cm2 from 1 mm thick plate. Three of each of the prepared samples were used for Potentiostatic Polarization Experiments (PPE) while 18 samples each were used for Weight Loss Method (WLM). Each of the prepared samples for WLM was cleaned, weighed and immersed in the media for 30 days. The samples were removed at the end of immersion, cleaned and reweighed. The results obtained for the corrosion rates in mm/y using PPE in tomato juices were 0.0061, 0.0065 and 0.0148 for Aluzinc, GS and ES respectively. The measured pH values for the media ranged from 4.1 to 8.3. Aluzinc had the lowest corrosion rate in tomato juice followed by GS and ES after 30 days of immersion using WLM