The importance of research in university's webometric ranking: UNIOSUN case study

Objective: Cybermetrics or webometrics is an emerging discipline concerned with the quantitative analysis of the internet and web contents related to ranking of the World Universities which from an academic and scientific point of view are very important and informative. The aim of the study is to elucidate the role of research in the webometric ranking of Universities.Methods: A review of literature was conducted.Results: Websites are the most efficient and cheapest way for boosting all the three academic missions: teaching, research and technology transfer. Web indicators are used for ranking purposes; they are not based on number of visits or page design but on the global performance and visibility of the universities. The current composite indicator include impact variable (50%) based on link visibility of the University and web activity (50%) on a ratio 1:1. The activity variable comprises of web presence, openness and excellence. Clearly, the research mission plays a central role in the definition of World-class university status; academic papers published in high impact international journals are very important in the ranking. Many indicators serve the purpose of ranking, but most observers know that research matters more than anything else in defining the best institutions.Conclusion: A large web presence is made possible only with the effort of a large group of authors. All academic staff should be involved in quality research activities. Availability of infrastructure, scientific collaborations at all levels are most important in increasing the capacity of scientific productivity and visibility which are the major components in ranking.Keywords: Research, role, webometrics, UNIOSUN, universitie

Systematic significance of the leaf cuticle of Hypodaphnis zenkeri (Engl.) Stapf (Lauraceae) and a record of its volatile organic compounds

Hypodaphnis zenkeri is a monotypic taxon whose position is basal in the phylogenetic tree of the family Lauraceae. Cuticular information on the plant is lacking. Given the systematic relevance of this character in the family and absence of its record for the species, the leaves of the species were investigated with the aid of light and scanning electron microscopy. Also, volatile organic compounds in leaves and fruits were studied with Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), for the first time. Taxonomically useful cuticular features of the species include long stomatal rim and aperture, granulated periclinal walls on the adaxial surface and superficial stomatal orientation. The leaves and fruits of the plant are rich in volatile organic compounds such as 1,2-benzene-dicarboxylic acid, hexadecanoic acid ester and stigmasta-3,5-diene. Based on these features, the species can be distinguished from other related taxa in the family

Barriers to use of modern contraceptives among women in an inner city area of Osogbo metropolis, Osun State, Nigeria

EO Asekun-Olarinmoye,1 WO Adebimpe,1 JO Bamidele,2 OO Odu,2 IO Asekun-Olarinmoye,3 EO Ojofeitimi41Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, Osun State University, Osogbo, Osun State, Nigeria; 2Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria; 3Department of Community Health, School of Public and Allied Health, Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria; 4Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Osogbo, Osun State, NigeriaObjectives: To determine the knowledge and attitudes on modern contraceptive use of women living in an inner city area of Osogbo.Materials and methods: Three hundred and fifty nine women of childbearing age were studied utilizing a community-based, descriptive, cross-sectional study design. A multistage random sampling technique was used in recruiting respondents to the study. A four-part questionnaire was applied dually, by interviewers and by respondents' self administration, and the data was analyzed using the SPSS software version 17.0.Results: The mean age of respondents was 28.6 ± 6.65 years. The majority (90.3%) of respondents were aware of modern methods of family planning (FP), 76.0% claimed awareness of where to obtain FP services, and 74.9% knew of at least five methods. However, only 30.6% had ever used contraceptives, while only 13.1% were current users. The most frequently used method was the male condom. The commonly perceived barriers accounting for low use of FP methods were fear of perceived side effects (44.0%), ignorance (32.6%), misinformation (25.1%), superstition (22.0%), and culture (20.3%). Some reasons were proffered for respondents' nonuse of modern contraception. Predictors of use of modern contraceptives include the awareness of a place of FP service provision, respondents' approval of the use of contraceptives, higher education status, and being married.Conclusion: Most of the barriers reported appeared preventable and removable and may be responsible for the reported low point prevalence of use of contraceptives. It is recommended that community-based behavioral-change communication programs be instituted, aimed at improving the perceptions of women with respect to bridging knowledge gaps about contraceptive methods and to changing deep-seated negative beliefs related to contraceptive use in Nigeria.Keywords: childbearing age, family planning, fertility desires, perception, knowledge, attitude, benefit

Patrons’ Perception of Service Delivery of Medical Tourism Sites in Metropolitan Lagos

This study examined the patrons' perception of service delivery of medical tourism sites in Lagos metropolis, Nigeria. Data were collected through questionnaire administration. Systematic sampling technique was employed to select 15 specialized private hospitals and 14 Public hospitals in the study area, resulting to a sample size of 29 hospitals. Ten (10) patrons were contacted in each of the selected hospitals; consequently, 290 patrons were sampled. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive (Patron Satisfaction Index (PSI)) and inferential statistic (Multiple Regression Analysis). Findings established that patrons are satisfied with Efficiency of Medical Treatment (PSI = 3.55), Satisfactory service (PSI = 3.87), and Standard level of medical staff (PSI = 3.46). While also expressed their dissatisfaction towards cost of treatment (PSI = 3.04), waiting time at the hospital (PSI = 2.92), and Good Laboratory (PSI= 3.31). Service delivery influences decision of patrons on choice of hospital to visit, this is as established by the result of multiple regression model R² = 0.898 (89.8%), F (7 & 282) = 355.004, p ≤.000. The study concluded that there exists a strong positive correlation between service delivery and destination choice. Keywords: Tourism, Medical Tourism, Hospital, Healthcare Service Delivery, Patrons’ Perceptio

Subjective assessment of childhood fever by mothers utilizing primary health care facilities in Osogbo, Osun state, Nigeria.

To assess the accuracy of tactile examination bymothers as amethod of fever determination in their children and thus determine the reliability of mothers' history about the presence or absence of fever in their children. A descriptive cross-sectional study conducted in four health centers randomly selected in Osogbometropolis.Three hundredmotherswere studied, a semi-structured questionnairewas utilized. The study found the sensitivity and specificity of tactile examination for mothers as a means of detecting fever in their children to be 82.3% and 54.1% respectively. Mother's socio-demographic characteristics and the age of child did not affectmother's subjective assessment of childhood fever (p>0.05). Mothers are able to provide accurate information about the presence or absence of fever in their children by palpation without the use of a thermometer. Tactile examination was found to be adequate for mothers as ameans of detecting fever in their children. Physicians should accept as reliablemothers' history of fever and give promptmanagement.Keywords: Subjective assessment, childhood fever, tactile examination,mothers, sensitivity, specificit

Prevalence of hypertension in the rural adult population of Osun State, southwestern Nigeria

EO Asekun-Olarinmoye,1 PO Akinwusi,2 WO Adebimpe,1 MA Isawumi,3 MB Hassan,3 OA Olowe,4 OB Makanjuola,4 CO Alebiosu,2 TA Adewole51Department of Community Medicine, 2Department of Medicine, 3Department of Surgery, 4Department of Microbiology, 5Department of Chemical Pathology, College of Health Sciences, Osun State University, Osogbo, Osun State, NigeriaBackground: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of hypertension in two rural communities of Osun State, Nigeria.Methods: A consenting adult population of the Alajue and Obokun rural communities in southwestern Nigeria that presented for the screening exercise participated in this community-based cross-sectional descriptive study. Two hundred and fifty-nine respondents aged older than 18 years completed a standardized, pretested, structured questionnaire as part of activities celebrating World Kidney Day and World Glaucoma Day in 2011. Anthropometric data and blood pressure were recorded, and the data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 17.Results: The mean age of the respondents was 49.7 &plusmn; 1.6 years, 100 (38.6%) were males, 84 (32.4%) were farmers, and 111 (42.9%) were traders. The prevalence of hypertension was 13.16% (present in 34 respondents). Seventeen (6.6%) had isolated systolic hypertension, while 11 (4.2%) had isolated diastolic hypertension. Two hundred and thirty-six (91.1%) undertook daily exercise lasting at least 30 minutes and 48 (18.5%) had ever taken antihypertensive drugs on a regular basis. Four respondents (1.6%) claimed a family history of hypertension. The average body mass index (BMI) among respondents was 23.4 &plusmn; 4.9 kg/m2, 51 (19.6%) had a BMI of 25.0&ndash;29.9, and 30 (11.5%) had a BMI &ge; 30. A significant association existed between age older than 40 years and having hypertension (P < 0.05), while no relationship existed between age and BMI or between gender and hypertension (P > 0.05). Rates of older age and high BMI were significantly higher among hypertensives than among normotensives. Respondents with BMI < 25 had at least a three times greater likelihood of developing hypertension than those with BMI < 25 (odds ratio 2.9, 95% confidence interval 0.007&ndash;0.056, P = 0.011).Conclusion: The prevalence of hypertension is high in this study population and we recommend scaling up primary prevention efforts to reduce this in Nigerian communities.Keywords: prevalence, hypertension, anthropometry, body mass index, rural communit

Sultana v. Atty Gen USA

Agenc

The Internet and International Broadcasting: Towards a Global Public Sphere

This paper interrogates the nexus between the internet, international broadcasting and the quest for a sustainable global sphere, especially as it pertains to Nigeria. It examines the importance of shifting from a public to a global public sphere in international broadcasting. ‘Sphere’ in international broadcasting is being constantly re-defined and reviewed on account of the introduction of the internet and new media forms into broadcasting, and which have consequently globalised hitherto ‘localized’ public discussions of issues. The introduction of new communication technologies have considerably expanded the public space for discussions and debates. This paper therefore recommends that Nigeria broadcasting stations that offer international broadcasting services should make more and effective use of new media platforms for their broadcasts as well as properly utilize new communication technologies to package programme contents in order to be more relevant and involved in international broadcasting. Keywords: International broadcasting, Internet, Global sphere, Public sphere, New media, Nigeri

Health status of children aged under two years cared for in day-care centres and the home environment in Ibadan, Nigeria

Background: As a result of the increasing numbers of Nigerian women in the labour force and also the gradual disintegration of the extended family system, a demand for alternative means of caring for children is being created. Day-care as an alternative source of childcare has now become a necessity rather than an option. Objectives: To assess and compare the health status of two groups of children under two years old cared for in two different rearing environments, home environment and day-care centres. Methods: A descriptive comparative study design was used. Two groups of children from comparable low socio-economic backgrounds were recruited into the study. Using simple random sampling, 91 under two-year old children attending day-care centres in a middle-high density area of Ibadan and 91 under two-year old children cared for in the home environment in a settlement in the junior staff quarters of the University of Ibadan were enrolled in the study. Anthropometric data, immunisation status and morbidity patterns for various childhood illnesses were obtained for children in both groups in the study. Results: Statistically insignificant higher percentages of children cared for in the day-care centres were underweight and wasted, while significantly more children cared for at home were stunted {Relative risk RR=1.46, (95% Confidence Limit CL = 1.10-1.93), p=0.018}. Except for measles immunisation coverage which was lower in the day-care group, there was comparability in the immunisation status of children in both groups. Day-care attendance was found to be a significant risk factor associated with the occurrence of diarrhoea (RR=1.74, (95% CL =1.34-2.26), p=0.0016) and upper respiratory tract infections (RR=2.31, (95% CL = 1.62-3.30), p=0.0000004) in these children. Measles occurred only in children attending day-care centres and there was an outbreak during the study period. Conclusions: Given the higher risk of infections among children cared for in day-care centres, strategies should be put in place to train the child minders and ensure regular supervision of the Keywords: day-care, home environment, health status immunisation status, morbidity pattern, under two-year old childJournal of Community Medicine and Primary Health Care 2005, 17(1): 33-3