Assessment of Groundwater System Characteristics in Ilorin Metropolis, South-Western Nigeria

Geochemical analysis of shallow groundwater from Ilorin metropolis was carried out with the aim of assessing the hydrogeochemical characteristics of the groundwater. Thirty (30) boreholes were examined and samples were collected from these boreholes. These samples were subjected to chemical analyses to determine both cations and anions compositions of the groundwater. The concentrations of cations (trace elements) were determined using AAS at the Department of Geology while major cations were determined using flame photometry emission at the Centre for Multidisciplinary Research Laboratory University of Ibadan. The compositions of anions in the samples were analyzed using titration method at the National Geo-Hazard Research Laboratory, Ibadan. Some physical parameters such as TDS, pH, EC as well as colour and odour were determined insitu. The results of the physical parameters show that EC ranged from 44.3 - 1079μs/cm; TDS 10.6 – 501.0mg/l. The results of the chemical analysis in mg/l for trace elements showed that Cd (0.57 – 0.58), Co (3.84 – 3.87), Cr (3.41 – 3.79) and Ni (0.00 – 0.11); Major elements: Ca (1.20 – 6.60); Mg (2.40 – 5.53); K (1.45 - 5.86) while the results of the anions showed that concentrations (mg/l) of Cl ranged from (6.00 – 229.95), HCO3 (0.20 – 2.18), SO4 (0.01 – 1.47) and NO3 (0.09 – 0.35). Further evaluation of the results shows that samples from areas that are densely populated and dominated with lot of commercial activities have high concentrations of chloride, nitrate, Cd and bicarbonate. The results of the analysis were compared with the WHO Standards and it was observed that Cd and chloride were far greater than WHO Standards recommended for safe drinking wate

A community survey on maternal perception about the initiation of dental home for infants in Lagos, Nigeria

Introduction: because efforts directed toward oral health promotion and disease prevention are fundamentally superior to dental rehabilitation after disease development, early preventive dental visits are widely encouraged by dental professional and academic stakeholders. Aim: this study aimed to determine the perceptions and practices of mothers with regards to the establishment of dental home at four local government areas (LGAs) in Lagos, Nigeria. Methods: was a community-based descriptive household survey conducted amongst mothers in Alimosho, Ikorodu, Surulere and Epe LGAs of Lagos State. Socio-demographic data, information about the importance of primary teeth, knowledge about dental home as well as their child´s age at first dental visit and reasons for attending was obtained with a validated, structured interviewer administered questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square and multivariable regression analysis were conducted, and the level of significance was set at P<0.05. Results: the highest proportion of the mothers were aged between 26-30 years (27.4%; mean age: 34.58±7.8 years) and had a tertiary level of education (n=206, 59.9%); most respondents (n=80, 51.4%) did not know the age a child should be taken to the dental clinic for the first time and had not taken their child for any dental visit (n=229, 65.4%). Out of those who had previously taken their child for dental visits, the greater proportion (n=115, 95.0%) took the child when he/she was older than one year of age. Overall, only 126 (36.0%) respondents had a good perception about oral health and the need for a dental home while 224 (64.0%) respondents had poor knowledge. Logistic regression analysis of predictor variables that showed mothers with a tertiary level of education (OR=0.108; CI=0.0023-0.495) and those with 2-3 children (OR=0.482; CI=0.253-0.920) had significant lower odds of poor perception about the importance of a dental home. Conclusion: maternal knowledge and practices with regards to dental home were poor and inadequate. It is necessary to create more awareness among parents/caregivers, especially through antenatal and immunization clinics to establish the concept of dental home

Transformational Leadership Style and Employee Innovative Behaviour in Nigerian Banking Industry

This research study investigates the employee innovative behaviour effects of transformational leadership and its dimensions (idealized influence, inspirational motivation, intellectual stimulation, and individual consideration) in the Nigerian banking industry. Data were gathered from 350 full-time employees working in the banking industry in South-West region of Nigeria. Multiple regression analysis was utilized to examine the theoretical hypotheses. The empirical results showed that transformational leadership stimulates employee innovative behaviour. The findings further provide empirical support for the significant role of transformational leadership in improving employee innovative work behaviour. Furthermore, the direct effect of idealized influence and inspirational motivation on employee innovative behaviour is statistically significant at the conventional level whereas intellectual stimulation and individual consideration were found significant at 10% level. Thus, there is need for banking managers to ensure an environment that encourages the subordinates to enhance individualized consideration and intellectual stimulation practices. To identify the needs, desires and motives of employees, transformational managers need to assist subordinates to grow their skills and abilities towards the organizational demands, growth and sustainability. Keywords: Transformational leaders, charisma, inspirational motivation, intellectual stimulation, individual consideration, employee innovative behaviour. DOI: 10.7176/JRDM/83-04 Publication date:March 31st 2022

Awareness and Preferred Mode of Getting Information on First Aid Management of Avulsed Permanent Teeth: Survey of Nigerian Mothers

Objective: To determine the awareness and sources of information on first aid management of avulsed permanent teeth in a group of South-western Nigerian mothers. Material and Methods: An 18-item interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to survey 385 mothers attending the antenatal and immunization clinics on their perception towards dental avulsion, its management, sources, and preferred mode of receiving information on first aid. The effect of all significant factors was inferred at p<0.05. Results: Mothers who had previous information on the first aid management of dental avulsion had significantly higher knowledge (p=0.000). Majority (80.8%) of the mothers did not know that an avulsed permanent tooth could be replanted, though mothers whose children had not experienced dental trauma had significantly higher knowledge (p=0.003). The knowledge of first aid management of avulsed permanent tooth was low, regardless of age, education and employment status of the respondents. Conclusion: There was low knowledge among mothers regarding the first aid measures in the management of avulsed permanent teeth. Their main preference for receiving information was through social media and television. There is a need to increase oral health educational campaigns targeted towards mothers

Awareness and Preferred Mode of Getting Information on First Aid Management of Avulsed Permanent Teeth: Survey of Nigerian Mothers

Objective: To determine the awareness and sources of information on first aid management of avulsed permanent teeth in a group of South-western Nigerian mothers. Material and Methods: An 18-item interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to survey 385 mothers attending the antenatal and immunization clinics on their perception towards dental avulsion, its management, sources, and preferred mode of receiving information on first aid. The effect of all significant factors was inferred at p<0.05. Results: Mothers who had previous information on the first aid management of dental avulsion had significantly higher knowledge (p=0.000). Majority (80.8%) of the mothers did not know that an avulsed permanent tooth could be replanted, though mothers whose children had not experienced dental trauma had significantly higher knowledge (p=0.003). The knowledge of first aid management of avulsed permanent tooth was low, regardless of age, education and employment status of the respondents. Conclusion: There was low knowledge among mothers regarding the first aid measures in the management of avulsed permanent teeth. Their main preference for receiving information was through social media and television. There is a need to increase oral health educational campaigns targeted towards mothers

Recall and decay of consent information among parents of infants participating in a randomized controlled clinical trial using an audio-visual tool in The Gambia.

Communicating essential research information to low literacy research participants in Africa is highly challenging, since this population is vulnerable to poor comprehension of consent information. Several supportive materials have been developed to aid participant comprehension in these settings. Within the framework of a pneumococcal vaccine trial in The Gambia, we evaluated the recall and decay of consent information during the trial which used an audio-visual tool called 'Speaking Book', to foster comprehension among parents of participating infants. The Speaking Book was developed in the 2 most widely spoken local languages. Four-hundred and 9 parents of trial infants gave consent to participate in this nested study and were included in the baseline assessment of their knowledge about trial participation. An additional assessment was conducted approximately 90 d later, following completion of the clinical trial protocol. All parents received a Speaking Book at the start of the trial. Trial knowledge was already high at the baseline assessment with no differences related to socio-economic status or education. Knowledge of key trial information was retained at the completion of the study follow-up. The Speaking Book (SB) was well received by the study participants. We hypothesize that the SB may have contributed to the retention of information over the trial follow-up. Further studies evaluating the impact of this innovative tool are thus warranted

Effect of Entrepreneurship Education on Self-Employment Initiatives among Nigerian Science & Technology Students

Entrepreneurship education is introduced into Nigeria educational system to provide the necessary skills, competence, understanding, and prepare the Nigerian graduate for self-reliant, thereby contributing in nation building. This paper examines the effect of entrepreneurship education on self-employment initiatives among science and technology students of Gateway Polytechnic, Saapade Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria. Data obtained for analyses was obtained through self-administered questionnaires. In addition, simple percentage ranking, correlation and regression analysis techniques were used to analyse the questionnaires. The result obtained indicates that entrepreneurship education is a good policy and it has positive effect on self-employment initiatives. This study recommends that students should be encouraged beyond entrepreneurship school training projects to business ventures start-ups at micro and small-levels. Also, the Polytechnic management should collaborate with existing entrepreneurs and business organizations in providing entrepreneurship training to the students. Lastly, the polytechnic management, the government and other stakeholders can give special recognition, awards and sponsorship assistance as motivation to students whose projects are realistically outstanding. This will stimulate self-employment drives among graduates. Keywords: entrepreneurship education, self-employment initiatives, science and technology students

Production of a new Plant-Based Milk from Adenanthera pavonina seed and evaluation of its nutritional and health Benefits

A new plant milk was discovered from the seed of Adenanthera pavonina. The physicochemical and nutritional properties of the new pro-milk extract were assessed, and their biochemical effects were compared with those of soy bean extracts. Eleven groups of three albino rats each were used to assess the health benefits of the pro-milk. Groups were separately administered 3.1, 6.1, and 9.2 μl/g animal wt. pro-milk extract from A. pavonina seed, 6.1 μl/g animal wt. milk extract from soybean, and 6.1 μl/g animal wt. normal saline for 7 or 14 days. The “baseline” group consisted of those sacrificed on day 0. Among the physical properties considered, the pro-milk from A. pavonina had significantly higher (P < 0.05) hue color value and significantly lower (P < 0.05) L* than that from soy bean did. The pro-milk from A. pavonina had a significantly higher (P < 0.05) level of protein (36.14 ± 0.12%), Ca (440.99 ± 0.93 mg/l), Mg (96.69 ± 0.03 mg/l), K (190.41 ± 0.11 mg/l), Na (64.24 ± 0.24 mg/l), and Cu (0.55 ± 0.24 mg/l), and a significantly lower (P < 0.05) level of Mn (0.04 ± 0.01 mg/l) and vitamins A (undetectable), C (1.87 ± 0.01 mg/100 g), and E (0.12 ± 0.01 mg/100 g) compared to those of soy milk. The daily consumption of the pro-milk extract from A. pavonina for 14 days significantly reduced (P < 0.05) Ca2+-adenosine triphosphate synthase (Ca2+-ATPase) at low dose (3.1 μl/g animal wt.), but significantly increased (P < 0.05) Mg2+-ATPase at high dose (9.2 μl/g animal wt.). Daily administration of the A. pavonina extract for 14 days caused a significant reduction (P < 0.05) in acetylcholinesterase activity in the liver, intestine, heart, and kidney, suggesting that the pro-milk may facilitate ions transportation across the membrane. The pro-milk offers promising beneficial effects for patients with neurological diseases, as well as supporting general health owing to the high protein and mineral content. Vitamins fortification is recommended during production

Evaluation of Missed Physiotherapy Appointment and Its Influence on Cost, Efficiency and Patient Outcomes

Evaluation of Missed Physiotherapy Appointment and Its Influence on Cost, Efficiency and Patient Outcomes Fatoye F1, Gebrye T2, Fatoye C3, Mbada C4, Afolabi O5, Fasuyi F5 1Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, LIN, UK, 2Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK, 3Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, LAN, UK, 4Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife,, Nigeria, 5University of Medical Sciences, Ondo, Nigeria OBJECTIVES: Missed appointments (MAs) contribute to the rising costs of physiotherapy and are a significant challenge to healthcare administration, organisational workflow and health outcomes for patients. This study assessed prevalence and pattern of missed physiotherapy appointments, wait time, and its impact on cost, efficiency and patient outcome in Nigeria. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted at the Outpatient Physiotherapy Clinic of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. A total of 3243 physiotherapy appointments booked between 2009 and 2018 were assessed. Data were collected on socio-demographic and patient outcomes related to Mas. MAs was defined as any appointment where a patient did not show up at all, or attend to follow up appointment or notify staff of a cancellation. The total revenue loss due to MAs was calculated as a product of the total of MAs and per treatment cost. Descriptive of mean, standard deviation and frequency and inferential statistics of t-test were used to analyse the data. RESULTS: MAs constituted 1701 (52.5%) of all appointments and the average wait time for first appointment was 9.6 ± 23.2 days. The proportion of MAs was higher among females (50.2%), middle-aged adults (34-55 years) (31.7%), patients who were not resident close to the clinic (45.3%), patients with orthopaedic conditions (56.2%) and patients referred from orthopaedic surgeons (32.8%). There were significant associations (p < 0.05) between MAs and age, sex, location of patient’s residence and the source of referral. Considering the per treatment schedule cost of 1000 naira, a 52.5% MAs rate resulted in a lower efficiency of 76.6% with an efficiency ratio of 0.23. CONCLUSIONS: MAs for physiotherapy treatment poses a significant challenge on costs, efficiency and patients’ outcome. Thus, an innovative reminder system may help reduce patients’ non-attendance of physiotherapy and its consequences

Influence of neighborhood environment and social support on physical activity among patients with diabetes mellitus

This study was aimed to determine the relationship of physical activity (PA) with the neighborhood environment and social support for PA among patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). A total of 193 consenting individuals with DM attending endocrinology clinic in a Nigerian tertiary hospital participated in this cross-sectional study. The international physical activity questionnaire short form, physical activity neighborhood environment scale (PANES), and physical activity and social support scale (PASSS) were used to assess the PA level (low, moderate, and high), neighborhood environment and social support for PA, respectively. The results of bivariate analyses showed that all elements of built environment and social support were significantly associated with PA. Regression model analyses indicate that PANES score was associated with moderate (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 10.76; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.82-30.32) to high (aOR: 45.73; 95% CI: 12.14-172.27) PA. In addition, easy access to quality walking facilities (aOR: 46.53; 95% CI: 3.89-557.32; aOR: 46.13; 95% CI: 2.65-802.40) and easy access to recreation infrastructure (aOR: 46.89; 95% CI: 3.95-487.83; aOR: 17.99; 95% CI: 1.28-252.98) were associated with moderate to high PA, respectively, while safety from crime (aOR: 0.21; 95% CI: 0.07-0.64) and easy access to services and shops (aOR: 21.90; 95% CI: 1.83-262.59) were associated with moderate and high PA. Informational social support was associated with moderate PA (aOR: 1.44; 95% CI: 1.04-2.00). In conclusion, the neighborhood environmental and social support factors were associated with the PA activity level among Nigerian patients with DM