Aerosols Loading Trends and its Environmental Threats Over Cotonou-Benin.

Environmental security is totally relegated in countries of West Africa. The monitoring of the aerosols loading over Cotonou was the aim of this study. The outcome of our finding has salient links to food security, aviation and communication industry, thermal comfort and climate system of Benin. Cotonou is located on longitude 2.43°E and latitude 6.37°N. Fifteen years data were obtained from the multiangled spectro-reflectometry (MISR). The aerosol loading was monitored using analytical and statistical techniques. The aerosols retention over Cotonou was high in 2000 (69.91%), 2008 (72%) and 2013 (42.45%). This means that there is the possibility of higher rising sea levels and exposure to coastal erosion due to a twisted cloud formation

Exposure to job-related violence among young female sex workers in urban slums of Southwest Nigeria

BACKGROUND: In Nigeria, many young girls are engaged in commercial sex work as a means of livelihood and support of dependent relatives. Although studies have documented some of the violence related issues among commercial sex workers, the plight of adolescent and young sex workers particularly in urban slums may be different in context and depth. OBJECTIVE: This study explored the lived experiences of violence and health related harm among vulnerable young female sex workers in urban slums in Ibadan and Lagos, Southwest Nigeria. It also analyzed their coping strategies and survival mechanisms. DESIGN: The study is cross-sectional and applied an interpretive phenomenological approach to this qualitative study through in-depth interviews. PARTICIPANTS: Young female sex workers ages (15-24 years) who reported having experienced violence were recruited for the study. Twelve participants completed the interviews out the 20 initially contacted. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Primary data were collected using in-depth interviews (IDIs). Data were transcribed using a phenomenological framework analysis. Participants' reports based on life experiences were identified: lived experience "daily brothel life experience"; sources of violence such as law enforcement agents' intermittent raids; violence experience with clients who often demanded sexual acts beyond the agreed scope; and coping strategies employed to mitigate the challenges. SETTINGS: The study was conducted in brothels of two selected slum areas in Ibadan and Lagos, Southwest Nigeria. RESULTS: The results showed that the major motivation for engaging in commercial sex work was for economic reasons. However, there are inherent risks involved particularly for the vulnerable young people. Stigmatization from the community, clients' uncontrolled-aggressive behavior and harassment from law enforcement agents are some of the frequent violence experiences reported. Self-help coping strategies are usually employed to prevent or mitigate the challenges. CONCLUSION: The plight of this young people required policy and program attention towards alternative economic empowerment to rehabilitate those willing to leave the profession. Also the need to develop arm reduction interventions towards protection of young sex workers against violence

Dynamics of Wind Strength and Wind Direction on Air Pollution Dispersion

The aim of the study is to examine the wind dynamics of Ota to understand certain atmospheric influences. An average volume of about four hundred and eighty thousand (480,000) wind speed data from the Davis weather station data logger of the department of physics, covenant university were considered. The data studied were divided into eight hour period, namely, night time (10pm to 6am following day); day time (6am to 2pm) and noon/evening time (2pm to 10pm). Of the three periods studied, wind speed at night time was observed to be the least. December, January and February (DJF) data set was statistically analyzed. The correlation coefficient values recorded with the wind flow for the months of DJF are 0.28 for December, 2012, 0.20 for January, 2013, and 0.39 for February, 2013. While a significant low correlation coefficient values observed for the months of March, April and May (MAM) are 0.02 for March, 0.01 for April and 0.04 for May. A further daily analysis was conducted for February. A significant occurrence of atmospheric stagnation was observed in the night time readings of February 3, 2013 with an exceptional low average wind speed of 0.143 ms-1. While February 17, 2013 recorded all day normal air ventilation with wind speed of 1.443 ms-1, 1.998 ms-1, 4.482 ms-1 for night, day and noon/evening time respectivel

Ergo-effects of designed school furniture and sitting positions on students behaviour and Musculo-Skeletal Disorder in Nigerian tertiary institutions

Improper design of school furniture is one of the contributing factors to back pain among students as indicated in some studies. In the case of designing school furniture where sitting constitutes a considerable time in the school, seat becomes important for comfort. This study is carried out in three selected institutions in Nigeria to determine level of musculoskeletal disorder in students’ and the furniture that they use. 720 questionnaires with 240 students (120 boys and 120 girls) drawn from each participating institutions were administered and 675 responses were received. The results show that the number of students having MSD, accounted for 93.75%. However, the distributions of pain in the body parts in each school were different. The musculoskeletal pain, mostly concentrated on neck, right shoulders right elbow right wrist right hand, upper back and lower back. The result also reveals that most of the students are sitting on chairs with seat that are too high and too deep or too shallow and of tables that are too high. However, it is recommended that further study on effect of designed school furniture and sitting position in larger sample of students’ representative in Nigeria tertiary institutions should be carried out in order to reduce the effect of body pains

USE OF FISH WASTE MEAL AS A REPLACEMENT FOR FISH MEAL IN THE PRACTICAL DIETS OF AFRICAN MUD CATFISH Clarias gariepinus FINGERLINGS

A feeding trial was conducted to investigate the effect of fish waste meal (FWM) on growth performance, nutrient utilization, hepatosomatic index and blood parameters of Clarias gariepinus. 150 fingerlings of C. gariepinus of average weight of 5.2±0.13g were stocked. Five (5) iso-nitrogenous diets containing 40% crude protein in which fish meal protein (67.70%) was replaced by fish waste meal protein (45.94%) at 0% (FWM0), 25% (FWM25), 50% (FWM50), 75% (FWM75) and 100% (FWM100) levels were formulated. The fingerlings were fed at 5% body weight per day for 56 days. Values for growth response and nutrient utilization parameters decreased (p<0.05) with increasing levels of FWM in diets from 50% FWM inclusion level. Feed conversion ratio showed no significant difference (p>0.05) between fish fed diets FWM0 (1.25), FWM25 (1.26) and FWM50 (1.30). Net protein utilization was highest in fish fed diet FWM0 (43.62%) but not different (p>0.05) from fish fed diets FWM25 (42.82%) and FWM50 (41.11%). Hepatosomatic index was highest significantly (p>0.05) in fish fed diet FWM100 (1.13%) and lowest in fish fed diet FWM50 (0.65%). The haematological profile was higher (P<0.05) in all parameters in fish fed diets FWM0 and FWM50. Pack cell volume (PCV) was 36.2% in fish fed diet FWM0. This was statistically similar only to 35.9% of fish fed diet FWM50. From the study, it is concluded that fish waste meal can replace as much as 50% of fish meal in the diet of African catfish, C. gariepinus.    Â

Hysterosalpingography findings among women presenting for gynecological imaging in Ado-Ekiti, South western Nigeria

Background: Hysterosalpingography (HSG) is a valuable radiological procedure for imaging the female reproductive tract. This study highlights the spectrum of HSG findings among women presenting for gynaecological imaging in a tertiary health institution in Ado-Ekiti, South western Nigeria.Methods: A prospective cross sectional study was conducted between October 2014 and September 2015. The study population consisted of 134 women presenting at the Radiology department with request forms for HSG. Pelvic ultrasonography was done using a 3.5MHz transducer prior to HSG. Imaging findings were documented, results were entered into a spread sheet and analysed using SPSS version 20. Chi square was used to determine association between tubal occlusion, age, type of infertility and previous history of surgery. Statistical significance was set at p-values <0.05.Results: The age range of the study participants was between 23 to 50 years with a mean age of 34.9±5.53years. Age group 30-34 years (n=43, 32.1%) constituted a majority. Secondary infertility (n=84, 62.7%) was the most common clinical indication for HSG. The predominant relevant past surgical history was uterine evacuation (n= 41, 30.6%). Normal HSG findings were seen in 34 (25.4%) of the patients while others (n=100, 74.5%) had various abnormalities, the most common of which were tubal pathologies (n=89, 66.4%). There was a significant association between age and tubal occlusion (P=0.02).Conclusions: HSG is still a relevant gynecological imaging modality in resource limited settings. Tubal occlusion was the most common abnormal HSG finding in this study. There is a need for continuous advocacy on preventive measures targeted at reducing the incidence of tubal pathologies among women in developing countries

PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF TROPICAL BIOFUELLED FISH SMOKING STRUCTURES

Environmental and hygienic concerns associated with traditional fish smoking structures restrict the sale and consumption of smoked products to local markets. This study evaluated the performance of three(improved kiln oven (IKO), mud-type ovens (MTO) and extended drum ovens (EDO)) locally available Biofuelledfish smoking structures and proposed modifications to improve product quality.Three groups of prepared freshwater catfish (Clarias gariepinus) with average live weights of 1.93 kg±46 g, 1.92 kg±50 g and 1.86 kg±50 g was used as test samples. Smoking profiles, final moisture content (FMC), smoking time, smoking temperatures, percentage weight loss (WL) and organoleptic evaluation (ORE) were the performance indicators used during evaluatio

Shifts in age pattern, timing of childbearing and trend in fertility level across six regions of Nigeria: Nigeria Demographic and Health Surveys from 2003-2018.

Nigeria's population is projected to increase from 200 million in 2019 to 450 million in 2050 if the fertility level remains at the current level. Thus, we examined the shifts in the age pattern of fertility, timing of childbearing and trend in fertility levels from 2003 and 2018 across six regions of Nigeria. This study utilised the 2003, 2008, 2013, and 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey datasets. Each survey was a cross-sectional population-based design, and a two-stage cluster sampling technique was used to select women aged 15-49 years. The changes in the timing of childbearing were examined by calculating the corresponding mean ages at the birth of different birth orders for each birth order separately to adjust the Quantum effect for births. The Gompertz Relational Model was used to examine the age pattern of fertility and refined fertility level. In Nigeria, it was observed that there was a minimal decline in mean children ever born (CEB) between 2003 and 2018 across all maternal age groups except aged 20-24 years. The pattern of mean CEB by the age of mothers was the same across the Nigeria regions except in North West. Nigeria's mean number of CEB to women aged 40-49 in 2003, 2008, 2013 and 2018 surveys was 6.7, 6.6, 6.3 and 6.1, respectively. The mean age (years) at first birth marginally increased from 21.3 in 2003 to 22.5 in 2018. In 2003, the mean age at first birth was highest in South East (24.3) and lowest in North East (19.4); while South West had the highest (24.4) and both North East and North West had the lowest (20.2) in 2018. Similar age patterns of fertility existed between 2003 and 2018 across the regions. Nigeria's estimated total fertility level for 2003, 2008, 2013 and 2018 was 6.1, 6.1, 5.9 and 5.7, respectively. The findings showed a reducing but slow fertility declines in Nigeria. The decline varied substantially across the regions. For a downward change in the level of fertility, policies that will constrict the spread of fertility distribution across the region in Nigeria must urgently be put in place. [Abstract copyright: Copyright: © 2023 Olowolafe et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

Geochemistry and mineralogy of the Campanian Sandstone of Lokoja-Basange Formation, Middle Niger Basin (Lokoja sub-basin), Nigeria: Implications for provenance, weathering, tectonic setting and paleo-redox condition

Twenty six road-cut sandstone samples from two lithological sections of Lokoja-Basange Formation in Middle Niger Basin (Lokoja sub-basin) situated by the side of Auchi-Igarra road (07º 07.201'N, 006º 13.011'E) were investigated using integrated mineralogical, geochemical and pore water chemistry studies. The medium to coarse grained sandstone bodies are poorly sorted suggestive of deposition in a low energy setting, probably in a shelf or floodplain. The observed variations in the sandstone colourations are attributed to the nature of the cementing materials. Based on the mineralogical composition, two specific geochemical intervals were established; the first interval revealed quartz and kaolinite as major crystalline minerals with traces of hematite. The second geochemical interval showed quartz and kaolinite as the major crystalline minerals with minor quantities of grossite and halloysite. The geochemical datasets obtained revealed mature, lithic arenites including sub-greywacke and protoquartzites. The inverse correlation between redox potential (Eh) and electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS) and Mg (at 0.05 significant levels) suggest well oxygenated environment of deposition. The high chemical index of alteration (CIA), plagioclase index of alteration (PIA), and chemical index of weathering (CIW) indices revealed high detrital input dominated by intense chemical weathering. This process eventually led to the formation of clay minerals by hydration and leaching of all major cations, such as Ca+2, K+, and Na+, present in feldspar minerals. The average mineralogical index of alteration (MIA) values are indicative of intense to extreme weathering of mineralogical component of the detrital materials from the source areas. The studied sandstones samples are plotted in the field of the active and passive continental margin settings. The mean ratio of Ti/Zr also corroborates active and passive continental margin settings. The higher ratios of La/Y and La/Th and corresponding lower ratios of La/Co and Th/Co indicates felsic source rock. Moreover, the lower ratios of Ba/Sr, Cr/Zr, Ti/Zr and higher ratio of Zr/Y probably suggest felsic source rock. Based on the previously established thresholds, the low Cu/Zn ratios in the studied sandstone samples suggest deposition under oxidizing conditions. Keywords: Lokoja-Basange Formation, Middle Niger Basin, Mineralogy, Geochemistry, Pore water chemistry, provenance, tectonic setting, weathering, Redox proxy