Re-Engineering Technical Vocational Education And Training (TVET) Towards Safety Practice Skill Needs Of Sawmill Workers Against Workplace Hazards In Nigeria.

The study was carried out to identify safety practice skill needs of sawmill workers against workplace hazards in Nigeria. Survey research design was used for study. Three research questions and three null hypotheses guided the study. A structured questionnaire was used for data collection. The population of 96 comprised 54 sawmill workers and 42 woodwork teachers. The instrument was face validated by three experts in University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Cronbach Alpha was used to establish the reliability which yielded a reliability coefficient of 0.88. The data collected were analyzed using mean to answer the research questions and t-test to test the null hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. It was found that all the safety practice skills identified are needed by the sawmill workers for effective and functional operations against workplace hazards. It was recommended that the safety practice skills identified be put to use by sawmill workers through enforcement by Forestry Services Department in Nigeria. The safety practice skills should be integrated into the curriculum of woodwork in Technical Colleges. KEYWORDS: Safety, Skill, Sawmill, Workplace Hazards, Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET), Re-engineering

Studies on Prevalence and Risk Factors for Hepatitis B Surface Antigen among Secondary School Students in North-central, Nigeria

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) Infection is one of the major global public health problems, with its attendant risks especially among the young adults. This study was therefore carried out to assess the sero-prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and associated risk factors among students of a secondary school in Jagindi Tasha, Kaduna State, Nigeria. One hundred and ninety (190) apparently healthy students were screened and sera samples obtained were separated and analysed for HBsAg using a commercially available Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA)-based kit (Dialab). Information was obtained for risk factors using structured questionnaire. Out of the 190 samples screened, 35 (18.4%) were sero-positive. Subjects aged 13-15 years recorded 6.8% positivity (x2 = 1.084; p>0.05) and male subjects had 25.5% positivity compared to 10.9% positivity for females (x2 = 6.768; p<0.05). Risk factors such as blood transfusion was 32.0% among male subjects compared to 30.0% in females (x2 =18.07; p-value = 0.113). Furthermore, alcoholic consumption, the predominant lifestyle of the youths in this community was 20.0% among male subjects as compared to none in females. Unfortunately, the prevalence of HBV appears high among the studied population. This suggests that public awareness on the virus be accorded urgent attention, while vaccination programme should be improved in the community

Effect of Electrode Types on the Solidification Cracking Susceptibility of Austenitic Stainless Steel Weld Metal

The effect of electrode types on the solidification cracking susceptibility of austenitic stainless steel weld metal was studied. Manual metal arc welding method was used to produce the joints with the tungsten inert gas welding serving as the control. Metallographic and chemical analyses of the fusion zones of the joints were conducted. Results indicate that weldments produced from E 308-16 (rutile coated), E 308-16(lime-titania coated) electrodes, and TIG welded joints fall within the range of 1.5≤Creq./Nieq.≤1.9 and solidified with a duplex mode and were found to be resistant to solidification cracking. The E 308-16 weld metal had the greatest resistance to solidification cracking. Joints produced from E 310-16 had Creq./Nieq. ratio < 1.5 and solidified with austenite mode. It was found to be susceptible to solidification cracking. E 312-16 produced joints having Creq./Nieq. ratio > 1.9 and solidified with ferrite mode. It had a low resistance to solidification cracking

Studies on Prevalence and Risk Factors for Hepatitis B Surface Antigen among Secondary School Students in North-central, Nigeria

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) Infection is one of the major global public health problems, with its attendant risks especially among the young adults. This study was therefore carried out to assess the sero-prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and associated risk factors among students of a secondary school in Jagindi Tasha, Kaduna State, Nigeria. One hundred and ninety (190) apparently healthy students were screened and sera samples obtained were separated and analysed for HBsAg using a commercially available Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA)-based kit (Dialab). Information was obtained for risk factors using structured questionnaire. Out of the 190 samples screened, 35 (18.4%) were sero-positive. Subjects aged 13-15 years recorded 6.8% positivity (x2 = 1.084; p>0.05) and male subjects had 25.5% positivity compared to 10.9% positivity for females (x2 = 6.768; p<0.05). Risk factors such as blood transfusion was 32.0% among male subjects compared to 30.0% in females (x2 =18.07; p-value = 0.113). Furthermore, alcoholic consumption, the predominant lifestyle of the youths in this community was 20.0% among male subjects as compared to none in females. Unfortunately, the prevalence of HBV appears high among the studied population. This suggests that public awareness on the virus be accorded urgent attention, while vaccination programme should be improved in the community

The efficacy of insecticide-treated window screens and eaves against Anopheles mosquitoes: a scoping review

Background: Female mosquitoes serve as vectors for a host of illnesses, including malaria, spread by the Plasmodium parasite. Despite monumental strides to reduce this disease burden through tools such as bed nets, the rate of these gains is slowing. Ongoing disruptions related to the COVID-19 pandemic may also negatively impact gains. The following scoping review was conducted to examine novel means of reversing this trend by exploring the efficacy of insecticide-treated window screens or eaves to reduce Anopheles mosquito bites, mosquito house entry, and density. Methods: Two reviewers independently searched PubMed, Scopus, and ProQuest databases on 10 July, 2020 for peer-reviewed studies using insecticide-treated screens or eaves in malaria-endemic countries. These articles were published in English between the years 2000-2020. Upon collection, the reports were stratified into categories of biting incidence and protective efficacy, mosquito entry and density, and mosquito mortality. Results: Thirteen out of 2180 articles were included in the final review. Eaves treated with beta-cyfluthrin, transfluthrin or bendiocarb insecticides were found to produce vast drops in blood-feeding, biting or mosquito prevalence. Transfluthrin-treated eaves were reported to have greater efficacy at reducing mosquito biting: Rates dropped by 100% both indoors and outdoors under eave ribbon treatments of 0.2% transfluthrin (95% CI 0.00-0.00; p \u3c 0.001). Additionally, co-treating window screens and eaves with polyacrylate-binding agents and with pirimiphos-methyl has been shown to retain insecticidal potency after several washes, with a mosquito mortality rate of 94% after 20 washes (95% CI 0.74-0.98; p \u3c 0.001). Conclusions: The results from this scoping review suggest that there is value in implementing treated eave tubes or window screens. More data are needed to study the longevity of screens and household attitudes toward these interventions

Investigation of the Effect of Aqeous Mistletoe Leaf Extract on Glucose and Cholesterol Levels in Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Rabbits

Aqueous leaf extract of the mistletoe was investigated for hypoglycaemic and hypocholesterolaemic effect in diabetic rabbits. Diabetes mellitus was induced in rabbits in groups I-II by a single intraperitoneal injection of alloxan monohydrate at 100mg/kg body weight. Following confirmation of hyperglycaemia, groups I and II were treated with the extract at 1.32 and 2.64g/kg body weight for three consecutive days. After the last treatment, rabbits were fasted for 12 hours and bled at 0, 2, 6 and 24 hours. Serum glucose levels were determined by the glucose oxidase method and cholesterol levels by Liebermann-Buchard method. The results showed statistically significant decreases (P0.05), when compared to control group III. Aqueous leaf extract of the mistletoe (an epiphyte of lemon trees) may be recommended for frequent consumption in the management of insulin-dependent diabetes. Keywords: Mistletoe Extract, Glucose, Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Rabbits Journal of Medical Laboratory Sciences Vol. 14 (1) 2005: pp. 28-3

Adopting green building constructions in developing countries through capacity building strategy: survey of Enugu State, Nigeria

Green building (GB) constructions seeks to address housing demands of the growing populace with better qualities, energy efficiency, using recycled and recyclable materials, improve building lifespan and health of occupants. But GB adoption lags in developing countries. This study focused on driving the adoption of GB constructions in developing countries through capacity building strategy: survey of Enugu State, Nigeria. Structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 135 building workers in educational and industrial sectors across the registered construction companies and higher institutions in Enugu State. Mean and rank were used to answer the research questions, while t-test was used to test five null hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. Results revealed that there is need for capacity building in: GB design, GB site, GB construction, GB operation and maintenance, and GB construction and demolition waste management. Cluster t-test analysis showed discrepancies in the agreement of educational and industrial sector workers on GB design and GB construction needs. The implications for not adopting GB are continual conventional constructions with maximal exploitations and resource depletion. Thus, there is a gap in knowledge where sustainable development advocates, government and pioneers of green construction practices could channel efforts toward assisting the developing countries

Prevalence of Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAg) Amongst Alcohol Consumers at Bassa LGA, Plateau State, Nigeria

The prevalence of Hepatitis B surface Antigen was studied amongst alcohol consumers and non&#8211; consumers (Control subjects) in Bassa Local Government Area (LGA) of Plateau State. Three hundred and five (305) subjects comprising 255(83.61%) alcoholics and 50(16.39%) non-alcoholic control subjects were screened for HBsAg using the one step rapid immuno-chromatographic strip. Questionnaires covering gender, age, educational status, history of blood transfusion, and evidence of sexual transmitted disease, were administered to each subject. Overall result showed that 54(17.71%) of the subjects tested positive for HBsAg. The prevalence rate of 43(14.10%), was recorded amongst male subjects, while the female subjects had 11(3.61%). Furthermore, the study showed that prevalence of HBsAg was higher among the 19-30 years age group, conversely, the lowest prevalence rate was recorded among the elderly. Notably, alcohol consumers recorded the highest prevalence of 43(14.10%) out of 255(83.61%), while the non-consumers had a prevalence rate of 11(3.61%). The serum amino transferases (ALT/AST) levels in positive subjects were significantly high. Values for both AST and ALT obtained showed elevations in 14(4.59%) HBsAg positive subjects. These results show health implication of Hepatitis B Virus infection, especially in alcohol consumers in the study area. Therefore, the populace needs to be educated on the effect of this infectious agent of medical importance and the need for vaccinating individuals against the Virus.Keywords: Prevalence, hepatitis B, surface antigen, alcoholics, Nigeria International Journal of Natural and Applied Sciences, 5(3): 276-280, 200

Studies on Prevalence and Risk Factors for Hepatitis B Surface Antigen among Secondary School Students in North-central, Nigeria

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) Infection is one of the major global public health problems, with its attendant risks especially among the young adults. This study was therefore carried out to assess the sero-prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and associated risk factors among students of a secondary school in Jagindi Tasha, Kaduna State, Nigeria. One hundred and ninety (190) apparently healthy students were screened and sera samples obtained were separated and analysed for HBsAg using a commercially available Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA)-based kit (Dialab). Information was obtained for risk factors using structured questionnaire. Out of the 190 samples screened, 35 (18.4%) were sero-positive. Subjects aged 13-15 years recorded 6.8% positivity (2 = 1.084; p>0.05) and male subjects had 25.5% positivity compared to 10.9% positivity for females (2 = 6.768; p<0.05). Risk factors such as blood transfusion was 32.0% among male subjects compared to 30.0% in females (2 =18.07; p-value = 0.113). Furthermore, alcoholic consumption, the predominant lifestyle of the youths in this community was 20.0% among male subjects as compared to none in females. Unfortunately, the prevalence of HBV appears high among the studied population. This suggests that public awareness on the virus be accorded urgent attention, while vaccination programme should be improved in the community