Navigating the Legal and Ethical Terrain of Artificial Intelligence in Enhancing Patient Safety in Nigeria

The emergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) significantly impacts the understanding of medical errors, minimizes their occurrence, and provides contextual solutions for patient safety in Nigeria.Given the country's expanding population and constrained healthcare resources, the potential significance of AI in enhancing patient safety in Nigeria cannot be overstated. There is a rapid trend to integrate AI into Nigeria's healthcare system, however, this raises concerns about algorithm bias and privacy. This study explores the ethical and legal implications of deploying AI for patient safety in Nigeria and assesses how the existing Nigerian legal frameworks address these concerns. This research shows that although bias and discrimination are generally prohibited by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and other legal instruments, algorithmic bias which arises from the use of AI is not catered for by these laws. In addition, despite current privacy and confidentiality safeguards, AI in healthcare presents unique and novel challenges that the legislation does not yet address. Therefore, developing a new legal and governance structure to address both present and prospective challenges of AI in the health sector is extremely useful

Estimation of Global Solar Radiation in Ibadan, Nigeria using Angstrom - Prescott and Glover - Mcculloch’s Model

In this study, the data of mean daily bright sunshine hour for Ibadan was obtained from the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) at Ibadan. It was used to estimate the monthly mean global solar radiation for Ibadan (latitude and longitude ). The data considered were for a period of 2008 to 2012. Angstrom-Prescott, and Glover & McCulloch’s Models were then used to estimate the mean monthly global solar radiation at Ibadan based on the monthly mean bright sunshine hour data of Ibadan. A new sunshine based model is also proposed to estimate global solar radiation at Ibadan for a period of five years (2008 – 2012). The performance of the models are evaluated by some statistical analysis like mean bias errors, root mean square error, mean percentage error, Nash- Sutcliffe error and coefficient of correlation in order to know the most suitable model. It was discovered that the month of August is the least amount of measured global solar radiation averaged for five years (2008 – 2012) at Ibadan is 9.77kW/m2. The most suitable model for Ibadan is Model 2 (Glover & McCulloch’s Model). The results obtained were validated with data of monthly mean global solar radiation data for Ibadan, obtained from the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Ibada

Temperature Performance Evaluation of Parabolic Dishes Covered with Different Materials in Iwo, Nigeria

Solar radiation reaching the earth is considered to be affected by some parameters like diffusion. This radiation is reflected or scattered by air molecules, cloud and aerosols (dust). Parabolic dishes made of different materials (glass, foil and painted surface) were used to concentrate energy on a copper calorimeter filled with water. A thermometer was inserted in each of the copper calorimeter placed at the focus of the dishes. The experiment was performed from March to April (a period of five weeks), from 9:00am to 5:00pm daily with readings obtained at intervals of 30 minutes every day for one week and was later changed to hourly readings for the remaining four weeks. The initial and final temperatures of the water were determined. The parabolic dish with glass material gave the highest temperature of 56.9oC followed by foil with an average temperature of 48.7oC and painted silver colour with an average temperature of 45.1oC for the daily variation. For the other weeks, the average temperature of the dish with glass was 57.6oC  for foil, 46.9oC and painted silver colour, 40.8oC. The parabolic dish with glass is able to generate a higher temperature compared with foil and painted silver colour. Keywords: Glass, Foil, Silver Colour and Parabolic Dish

PERCEPTION OF WOMEN OF CHILDBEARING AGE (15-45years) ON CAUSES AND CONSEQUENCES OF INFERTILITY IN OSOGBO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF OSUN STATE, NIGERIA

Infertility brings about low self-esteem, sense of powerlessness, discrimination and stigmatization as well as threatens the woman’s identity, status, marital and emotional security. This study examined the perception of women of childbearing age on causes and consequences of infertility. A descriptive non experimental research design was used. A sample frame of 40 respondents was selected using purposive sampling technique among women of childbearing age. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Three null hypotheses were tested using student t-test at 5% level of significance. The study revealed that irregular sexual intercourse, irregular menstruation, untreated sexually transmitted diseases, late marriage especially above 30years of age, fibroid, low sperm count, unsafe abortion, and promiscuity were factors contribute immensely to increase infertility rate. Majority of the respondents opined that infertility could result in divorce or separation of couple which can lead to extinction of that family name, husband’s family inherit his property after his death, polygamy or polyandry, loss of hope, lack of joy and happiness in the family. The findings of this study revealed that there is no significant difference in the age religion of women under study and their perception on causes and consequences of infertility with t-calculated>t-tabulated (2.54 > 4.3); as well as, there is no significant difference was found between the age at marriage of women under study and their perception on causes and consequences of infertility with t-calculated>t-tabulated (2.56 > 4.3). The results also revealed that there is significant difference in the religion of women under study and their perception on causes and consequences of infertility with t-calculated<t-tabulated (7.64 < 4.3). It was concluded that sound family life education should be given to the public especially women and adolescents teenagers with emphasizes on causes, prevention and management of infertility

The Pricing of Audit Services in Nigeria Commercial Banks

This  study investigates the determinants of audit fees in commercial banks in Nigeria.  Data were collected from a sample of banks mostly quoted on Nigerian Stock Exchange.  Consistent with previous studies, the result of our data analysis showed that bank size,  degree of bank complexity and transaction and saving accounts to total deposit ratio are positively related and statistically significant to audit fees charged by the auditors.  Even though , non performing loan  is positively related to audit fees , it is statistically insignificant.  While, the risk weighted capital adequacy ratio is negatively related and statistically insignificant to audit fees. Keywords: Audit fees, commercial banks, firm size, subsidiaries, auditor

Market level characteristic factors influencing smallholder coffee marketers in Kogi State, Nigeria

The study assessed the market level characteristic factors influencing coffee marketing among coffee farmers in the study area. The study was carried out in Kogi State and purposive sampling technique was used to select eighty four respondents. Data were collected from the respondents with the use of structured questionnaire and the data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics (frequency and percentages) as well as multi-variate regression analysis. Result of the descriptive analysis shows that the mean age of the farmers was 64 years while 60% of the farmers had no access to formal education. Regression analysis revealed that farm size, variety of coffee, marketing channels, trading experience, membership of association, price satisfaction and selling method constituted major characteristic marketing factors influencing coffee marketing in the study area and they all affected coffee marketing at 1% significant level. Based on the findings, the study therefore recommended that efforts should be made to assess variety of coffee that is more preferred by the buyers. Also, farmers should be given incentives to increase their farm holdings for higher productivity

RADIATION FROM DIFFERENT PARTS OF LAPTOPS

Radiation from laptop cannot be seen by the naked eyes, but it can pose real dangers to our health. If only we are a few feet away to our laptops, otherwise when laptops are placed and used directly on our laps, it exposes us to quite more intense radiation that are harmful. It has been said that the amount of radiation emitted by desktop computers is generally higher than that which is emitted from Laptop or notebook computers. And the use of small-sized components, a Light Emitting Diode (LED) or Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) are some of the main reasons why that is so. Furthermore, since these laptops are battery operated and this plays a major role in reducing the rate of radiation emitted from these portable computers. But internal parts of laptop heat up and radiate. There is a generation of Extremely Low Frequency (ELF)by laptop from storage and computing processing. Placing the laptop on the lap make to be very close to the genitals, skin and muscles. Prolonged exposure to this radiation may produce biological effects on human health. This work used Cell Sensor manufactured by Action Electronic, USA to detect ELF from fourteen (14) laptops and mini laptops. It was found that the keyboard of the laptop emitted highest value of ELF radiation while the back of the laptop had the lowest ELF radiation. The highest ELF at 0 cm for different parts measured are 5 mG, 5 mG,3.5 mG and 0.7 mG for laptop keyboard, mouse pad, fan and screen respectively. There is no ELF measured at the back of the laptops except in AMP with ELF of 0.1 mG at 0 cm. Mini laptops were observed emit less ELF radiation than laptops of size ranging from 14 inches – 17 inches. Therefore, the study suggested that less often the laptops are placed on the laps the more the health and safety of the users are guaranteed

Alcoholic Beverages and the Health of Young Persons: How Do Undergraduate Students in Remo, Southwest Nigeria See It?

Background: Young people were hitherto assumed to be very healthy until various lifestyle-related illnesses were reported among them. Excessive alcohol intake, often driven by a wrong perception of its consequences, is associated with several diseases and nutritional disorders. This study, therefore, assessed the perception of alcoholic beverages and their associated factors among undergraduate students in the Remo area of Ogun State. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 420 undergraduate students in the Remo Area of Ogun State, southwest, Nigeria, selected via multi-stage sampling. Data was collected using a validated, semi-structured, self-administered questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS 23.0. Relevant descriptive and inferential statistics were calculated, with p&lt;0.05. Results: The mean age of respondents was 20.12±2.2 years. About 98% of respondents were full-time students. Alcoholic beverages were perceived to be stress relievers (55.1%); social drinks (57.1%); aphrodisiacs and performance enhancers (71.5%); promoters of male-female bonding (43.9%). Less than 5% were willing to recommend them to friends. Conclusion : Perception of alcohol consumption was good (83%) among respondents. It was associated with a history of alcohol consumption and religion. Adequate and targeted nutrition education should be made available to undergraduate students of tertiary institutions on the ills of excessive alcohol consumption

Efficacy of Group Therapy in the Psycho-Social Management of Patients with Mental Illness in Federal Medical Centre, Owo Ondo State. Nigeria

Introduction:- To escape isolation, an individual must become a member of a group in which he/she must be able to relate easily with other people which will help the individual to use the going experience to solve his/her psychological, emotional or social problem. Therefore, this study investigated the efficacy of group therapy in the psychosocial management of parents with mental illness. Methodology: This is an experimental research design. The subject consisted of sixty (60) mentally ill patients that were group into experimental and control groups. Three (3) null hypotheses were showed tested at 0.05 level of significance using chi-square test using SPSS window 17. Results: The results of the three (3) null hypotheses showed that:- 1.             There was significant efficacy of group therapy in the psychosocial management of Patients with mental illness (x2=19.54, df=1; P&lt;0.05 There was significant difference in the level of mental health of patients who attended Group Therapy sessions (x2 = 13.46, df = 1; P&lt;0.05There was significant difference in the recovery of patients who attended group therapy sessions and who did not attend group therapy sessions (x2 = 37.6, df = 1; P&lt;0.05. Conclusion Based on the findings of the research it was concluded that intensive group therapy should be given to the mentally ill patients by the health care givers most importantly psychiatric nurses and clinical psychologist. Key words: Efficacy, Group therapy, psychosocial managements, Mental illness

Evaluation of Antibacterial and Antifungal Properties of Alchornea laxiflora

Alchornea laxiflora leaf extract was tested against a range of microorganisms using standard microbiological methods for antimicrobial activities. The extract inhibited the growth of all the bacterial and 15 fungal isolates tested. The zones of inhibition exhibited against the test bacteria ranged between 12 mm and 24 mm and between 11 mm and 24 mm for the extract and the antibiotic streptomycin, respectively. The zones of inhibition observed against the fungal isolates by the extract ranged between 12 mm and 23 mm. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and the minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBCs) exhibited by the extract against test bacteria ranged between 0.78 mg/mL–25 mg/mL and 1.56 mg/mL–25 mg/mL, respectively, while the MICs and minimum fungicidal concentrations (MFCs) values for the test fungi ranged between 8.75 mg/mL–35.00 mg/mL and 8.75 mg/mL–35.00 mg/L, respectively. The preliminary phytochemical screening of the extract revealed the presence of alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, saponins, and reducing sugars as major phytoconstituents in the extract. A. laxiflora leaf extract is a potent source of antibacterial and antifungal compounds; further studies on the extract are ongoing in our laboratories to elucidate the probable mechanism(s) of action on bacteria and fungi found to be susceptible to the extract