MINERALOGICAL AND GEOCHEMICAL STUDIES OF SANDSTONE IN IMOBI STUDY AREA AND ITS ENVIRONS, SOUTHWESTERN NIGERIA.

The combination of mineralogical and geochemical data of sedimentary rock can reveal the nature of source rocks, the tectonic settings of the sedimentary basins and the Paleoclimatic conditions. The aim of this research is to determine the geochemistry and mineralogy of the Imobi sandstones and to infer the provenance and possible depositional environment for these sand stones. Eight rock samples were collected from the study area, some portion were used for geochemical analysis to determine the chemical composition using X-ray fluorescence and the remaining portion were also used for mineralogical analysis to determine the mineralogical compositions and to estimate the modal percentages of minerals in the Imobi sandstone samples with the aid of the Petrological microscope. From the geochemical analysis, sixteen (16) elements and oxides were revealed and they includes SiO2, Al2O3, Fe2O3, CaO, V2O5, ZrO2, SO3, K2O, Br, P2O5, CuO, TiO2, MnO, Rb2O, As2O3, Cr2O3, while the mineralogical study show the presence of three minerals along with accessory minerals, they include quartz, iron oxide, microcline and accessory minerals. The presence of element and oxides like Br, V2O5, ZrO2, CuO, Rb2O, As2O3 and MnO (especially Br which occurred in a recognizable quantity of about 12%-27%) suggests the depositional environment of the Imobi sandstone to be a shallow marine or near marine environments.  However the abundance Of Fe2O3 infers the derivation of the sediments from a metamorphic source. The Petrography study reveals the presence of microcline, a feldspathic mineral commonly found in metamorphic rocks, and is consistent with the inference made from the geochemical composition that the provenance of these sandstones is from a metamorphic origin Key words: Geochemical, Sandstone, Aluminum, Bromine, Marine, Quartz, Provenance

PETROGRAPHY AND GEOCHEMICAL APPRAISAL OF AFOWO SANDSTONE FACIES, DAHOMEY BASIN, SOUTHWESTERN NIGERIA

Sandstones are sedimentary rocks formed by the cementation of sediment by material cements and they show a great deal of variation in mineral composition, degree of sorting and roundness. A petrographic and geochemical study of sandstones in the Afowo Formation of Dahomey basin southwestern Nigeria was carried out to infer the various elemental compositions, mineralogical composition, degree of sorting and degree of roundness of the sandstones in order to classify them. Seven (7) samples were collected and subjected to standard laboratory preparation and analytical method which include geochemical x-ray fluorescence for (trace and major elements analysis), and thin section petrography. The result of the geochemical analysis revealed the presence of some major elements (SiO2,Al2O3,Fe2O3,CaO,Br,and TiO2) and trace elements (V2O5,SO3,P2O5,CuO,MnO,Rb2O, and AS2O3) respectively. The mineral compositions obtained from the petrographical analysis are Quartz, Aluminum oxides, and high percentage of Iron oxides acting as the cementing material. The high percentage of Fe2O3 indicates that the sandstone is ferruginous while high concentration of Bromine ( Br) suggest a shallow marine environment of deposition of the sandstone. Key words: Petrography, Sand stone, Aluminum, Bromine, Marine, Quartz

Outcome of an educational training programme on blood glucose monitoring among nurses in the management of hypoglycaemia and hyperglycemia

Introduction. Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder that can lead to an increased length of hospital stay, delayed healing, and exacerbation of co-morbidities with complications arising if not properly managed. Better understanding and maintenance of normal blood glucose by nurses can positively influence care outcomes. The study aimed to assess nurses’ knowledge on the management of diabetes and skills in blood glucose monitoring. Materials and method. A structured pre- and post-questionnaire was used to assess nurses’ knowledge on the management of diabetes, and a structured checklist was used to assess their skills in blood glucose monitoring. Three hundred and thirty- eight (338) participants directly involved in the provision of care to diabetic patients were randomly selected for the study. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results. The study revealed that 58.9% of the respondents scored above the mean score of 33.1±3.5 during pre-assessment, which shows they had a good baseline knowledge of blood glucose. A post-intervention finding showed 64.8% scored above the mean score of 36.3±3.1. Assessment of nurses’ knowledge of blood glucose monitoring proficiency showed that 70.1% scored above the mean score of 11.4. Conclusions. The educational intervention programme with a practical training session was an effective method of approach for improving blood glucose management among the participants. However, it is recommended that protocols and practice guidelines should be placed at strategic locations, and methods of empowering nurses, such as providing them with equipment needed to sustain this practice, should be heightened