Impact of Quality Information Resources on Students\u27 Academic Performance in Tertiary Institutions in Niger State, Nigeria

The study was carried out to investigate the quality information resources and its impact on academic performance of students in tertiary institutions in Niger State. The objectives of the study were to ascertain the availability of information resources, find out the impact of the quality of information resources on students’ academic performance among others. Three research questions were formulated, and one null hypothesis was tested at 0.05 level of significance. The study adopted survey research design. The population of the study comprised of undergraduate students of the tertiary institutions in Niger State which as at 2014/2015 academic session was 69,061. Multistage sampling technique was used to sample 373 respondents. Questionnaire was used for data collection. A total 373 copies of the questionnaire were administered out of which 326 copies were dully filled and returned correctly representing 87% response rate. Mean (x) was used to analyze data in respect of the three research questions formulated. The findings from the study revealed that most of the information resources were not available in the academic libraries. Other findings revealed that quality of information resources and its utilization has positive impact on the academic performance of undergraduate students. The hypotheses tested showed significant relationship between quality of information resources, and students’ academic performance in tertiary institutions in Niger State. Drawn from the findings, it was recommended that libraries in tertiary institutions in Niger State should be adequately equipped with quality information resources among others

Exploring the Benefits of Library Consortium: The Information Resource Sharing.

This paper examines the cardinal benefits of library consortium which is the resource sharing. Resource sharing aims at maximizing collection and services of libraries and information centres at minimum cost. Various sources of information (primary and secondary literature) were perused to view the essentiality of resource sharing in carrying out effective and efficient library and information services to users. The paper also highlighted the requirements needed for successful resource sharing practices among libraries. The significance/benefits of resource sharing as it relates to economic, developmental, academic/research as well as social life of librarians and library personnel were clearly stated. An ideal library networking model for resource sharing as well as examples such as DELNET, INFLIBNET, GILLDDNET and NULIB were presented. Various challenges militating against effective resource sharing were highlighted. The study concluded that resource sharing is inevitable and absolutely a necessary tool for enhancing an all time effective and efficient library and information services. The study proffered recommendations as remedies to factors militating against effective resource sharing in libraries

Groundwater quality in shallow unconfined sedimentary aquifers in Bida, Nigeria

A study on the water quality of unconfined shallow aquifers was conducted with the aim of assessing physicochemical and bacteriological contamination of groundwater as a result of poor design of water and sanitation facilities in Bida, Nigeria. The study was conducted using a grid-based approach on wells, boreholes, surface water and households. The water has a high Total Dissolved Solids. Slightly acidic pH and mean distance of wells to waste disposal facilities is 12m. Chemical parameters that occur in high concentrations are sulphates, chlorides, nitrates and sodium and total coliform is very high. Contamination of deeper sources of water from the dug wells is both lateral and vertical with contamination plume spreading to better planned areas. Surface water has the least contamination and is proposed for water supply. Sanitation facilities should be upgraded from pit to ventilated improved pit latrines

Prevalence of bacteria isolates in water and some biota of Lapai-Agaie Dam, Nigeria

Lapai-Agaie dam play a pivotal role as primary source of domestic water supply, agricultural (irrigation and fisheries) activities to the host communities. Therefore, this study assessed the prevalence of bacterial isolates in water and on some biota (macrophytes and fishes) in order to provide basic information on bacterial diversity of the dam. The water pH and temperature of the identified sample sites were determined. Water sample for bacteria isolation was collected across water surface at each sites into 500ml sterile container. Macrophytes from the sampling sites were wholly collected with forceps into a sterilized plastic container; while fish samples were obtained from the landing site and placed in sterilized polythene bag for subsequent analyses. The standard procedures for bacteria sampling and identification were employed using phenotypic identification techniques. Water pH was significantly different (p<0.05) between sampling sites. Six bacteria isolates were identified from the two water sampling sites. Site A recorded the highest average bacterial colony count of 0.96x22x108 cfu/ml with Escherichia coli (12(29 %)) as the most frequent isolate. A total number of seventeen (17) genera of fishes where eleven bacteria were isolated. The fish coded FS3 recorded the highest distribution bacteria isolates. Three species of macrophytes were identified in the dam, with the highest bacteria population of 1.85±0.24x107cfu/ml in the stem of Leerisia havedra as it had the highest bacterial population of 16.42±0.43x107 cfu/ml. Twelve (12) bacteria isolates where identified from the macrophytes with Klebsiella pneumonia recording the highest frequency of 8(16 %). However, the distribution of pathogenic bacteria in water was lower than that on the fishes and macrophytes. An indication that the biota may act as causative agent of epidemic disease. Therefore, the existence of these isolates pose challenges to human health, if proper hygiene and implementation of aquatic water policy and regulations are not properly enforced to discourage anthropogenic pollution.Keywords: Lentic, Biodiversity, Fish, Macrophytes, Bacteri

Impact of Quality Information Resources on Students\u27 Academic Performance in Tertiary Institutions in Niger State, Nigeria

The study was carried out to investigate the quality information resources and its impact on academic performance of students in tertiary institutions in Niger State. The objectives of the study were to ascertain the availability of information resources, find out the impact of the quality of information resources on students’ academic performance among others. Three research questions were formulated, and one null hypothesis was tested at 0.05 level of significance. The study adopted survey research design. The population of the study comprised of undergraduate students of the tertiary institutions in Niger State which as at 2014/2015 academic session was 69,061. Multistage sampling technique was used to sample 373 respondents. Questionnaire was used for data collection. A total 373 copies of the questionnaire were administered out of which 326 copies were dully filled and returned correctly representing 87% response rate. Mean (x) was used to analyze data in respect of the three research questions formulated. The findings from the study revealed that most of the information resources were not available in the academic libraries. Other findings revealed that quality of information resources and its utilization has positive impact on the academic performance of undergraduate students. The hypotheses tested showed significant relationship between quality of information resources, and students’ academic performance in tertiary institutions in Niger State. Drawn from the findings, it was recommended that libraries in tertiary institutions in Niger State should be adequately equipped with quality information resources among others

Sickle cell disease and pulmonary hypertension in Africa: A global perspective and review of epidemiology, pathophysiology, and management

Secondary pulmonary hypertension (PAH) has been shown to have a prevalence of 30% in patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) with mortality rates of 40% at 40 months after diagnosis in the United States. The burden of SCD is highest in sub-Saharan Africa, especially in Nigeria (West Africa), where approximately 6 million people are afflicted. The true global incidence, prevalence, and burden of SCD and Its associated end organ complications however remain unknown. Chronic hemolysis represents a prominent mechanistic pathway in the pathogenesis of SCD-associated pulmonary hypertension via a nitric oxide (NO) scavenging and abrogation of NO salutatory effects on vascular function, including smooth muscle relaxation, downregulation of endothelial adhesion molecules and inhibition of platelet activation. Many known infectious risk factors for PAH are also hyperendemic in Africa, including Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS), chronic hepatitis B and C, and possibly malaria. Interactions between these infectious complications and SCD-related hemolysis could yield an even higher prevalence of pulmonary hypertension and compound the existing global health systems challenges in managing SCD. Indeed, our preliminary analysis of African immigrants currently in the United States suggests that pulmonary hypertension represents a significant complication of SCD in the African subcontinent. There is clearly a need to include Africa and other parts of the world with high SCD prevalence in future comprehensive studies on the epidemiology and treatment of end organ complications of an aging SCD population world-wide

Prevalence and risk factors for pulmonary artery systolic hypertension among sickle cell disease patients in Nigeria

Pulmonary artery systolic hypertension is common and associated with increased mortality among adult sickle cell disease (SCD) patients in the United States. Although the prevalence of SCD is highest in sub-Saharan Africa, the frequency of pulmonary artery systolic hypertension and the risk factors for the development of pulmonary hypertension have not been reported from Africa. We studied 208 hydroxyurea naïve Nigerian SCD patients at steady state and 94 healthy controls. Pulmonary artery systolic hypertension was defined prospectively as tricuspid regurgitant jet velocity ≥2.5 m/sec. Results were compared with a previously published US prospective SCD cohort. Only 7% of Nigerians compared with 46% of US adults with SCD were \u3e35 years. Tricuspid regurgitant jet velocity was ≥2.5 m/sec in 25% of Nigerian SCD patients. Higher jet velocity was associated with greater serum globulin (P = 0.002), blood urea nitrogen (P = 0.019) and lactate dehydrogenase concentrations (P = 0.026) and with inability to walk \u3e300 m in 6 min (P = 0.042). Compared with the US cohort, Nigerian patients had more hemolysis as indicated by lower hemoglobin and higher lactate dehydrogenase concentrations (P ≤ 0.003). Pulmonary hypertension is common among Nigerian SCD patients. The public health implication of this finding is significant considering the potential number of individuals at risk for this complication. Better understanding of the long term outcome of pulmonary hypertension and causes of death in SCD and the institution of preventive measures are major public health challenges for Africa. The inclusion of African sites in sickle cell pulmonary hypertension clinical trials should be encouraged. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc

NT-proBNP as a marker of cardiopulmonary status in sickle cell anaemia in Africa: Research paper

N-terminal (NT) pro-brain natriuretic peptide (proBNP) ≥160 ng/l has a 78% positive predictive value for pulmonary hypertension and is associated with increased mortality in US sickle cell disease patients, but the importance in sickle cell disease patients in Africa is not known. In a cross-sectional study at Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Shika-Zaria, Nigeria, we studied 133 hydroxycarbamide-naïve Nigerian sickle cell anaemia patients aged 18-52 years at steady-state and 65 healthy controls. Twenty-six percent of patients versus 5% of controls had NT-proBNP ≥160 ng/l (P = 0·0006). By logistic regression among the patients, human immunodeficiency virus seropositivity, higher serum ferritin and lower haemoglobin or higher lactate dehydrogenase independently predicted elevated NT-proBNP. After adjustment for haemoglobin concentration, elevated NT-proBNP concentration was associated with an estimated 7·8-fold increase in the odds of severe functional impairment, defined as an inability to walk more than 300 m in 6 min (95% confidence interval 1·5-32·6; P = 0·005). Similarly, elevated tricuspid regurgitation velocity was associated with an estimated 5·6-fold increase in the odds of functional impairment (95% confidence interval 1·5-21·0; P = 0·011). In conclusion, NT-proBNP elevation is common and is associated with markers of anaemia, inflammation and iron status and with severe functional impairment among sickle cell anaemia patients in Nigeria. © 2010 Blackwell Publishing Ltd