Impacts of soil compaction on emitter performance in sub-surface drip irrigation system

This research focuses the effect of soil compaction on performance of the Subsurface Drip Irrigation (SDI) system; since the emitters in this system are buried, by operating heavy farm machineries on the field, compaction is bound to occur and secondly finding methods of improving emitter performance, mainly in circumstances where the soil is compacted. Subsurface drip irrigation provides the required amount of water and fertilizer, directly onto the plant root zone with a high efficiency. However, SDI Mperformance is often affected by poor distribution uniformity of emitters. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the variation of the emitters’ discharge rate and wetting patterns on SDI system performance due to soil compaction. To achieve this objective an experiment consisting of an air tank, water reservoir, digital flow meter,digital penetrologger, pressure gauge, emitters with three discharge rates of 2, 4, and 8 L/hr, three different soil samples loosely packed in lysimeters were carried out. Emitters were buried at a depth of 10 cm, 20 cm, and 30 cm in the lysimeters. External load was applied onto the soil srface while monitoring the discharge rate of emitters using the digital flow meter. The soil cone index was determined at different soil depth using the digital penetrologger. Data collected from these two devices were then used to establish a relationship between soil cone index and emitter discharge coefficient. Using the relationship developed, by imputing cone index (MPa) into the equation; the decrease in emitter discharge rate q can be predicted. A significant negative correlation was found between the cone index and emitter discharge rate. For all experiments using three soil samples, a substantial decrease in emitter discharge and emitter wetting diameter was observed. A decrease of 60% to 100% in the emitter discharge rate depending on the soil exposure to loading was recorded and 15% to 50% decrease in wetting diameter were recorded depending on the soil type and decrease in emitter discharge rate. Data obtained from the experiment was further fed into the HYDRUS software to simulate the wetting pattern of the emitters before and after compaction. A significant decrease in emitter discharge rate with the increase in a soil cone index was observed and consequently, a decrease in emitter wetting diameter. This study has shown a greater effect of compaction on emitter discharge rate compared to emitter wetting diameter. To ameliorate the effect of compaction on the emitter performance,the emitter operating pressure was increased from 1 bar to 1.5 bars; even at higher soil cone index, emitter discharge rate increases with the increase of operating pressure. Emitters buried at deeper lateral depth, have shown a higher resistance to soil compaction. In conclusion, this study has shown that emitter discharge rate and wetting diameter decreases with the increase in soil cone index and encourages deeper lateral depth and higher operating pressure depending on a soil cone index

Prevalence of Boko Haram crisis related depression and post-traumatic stress disorder symptomatology among internally displaced persons in Yobe state, North East, Nigeria

Background: Conflicts and disasters often result in large-scale population displacement due to destruction of properties, means of livelihood and the environment. Internal displacement has a significant effect on the mental health of affected populations. Depression and Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) increase from 10% in the general population to 15%-20% in the crisis-affected population. Aim: To determine the Prevalence depression and PTSD symptomatology and factors that predispose to symptomatic depression and PTSD. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study of 450 internally displaced persons (IDPs) was conducted, using a multistage sampling technique. The Hopkins symptom checklist was used to screen participants for symptoms of depression, and the Harvard trauma questionnaire was used to diagnose PTSD. Result: The mean age of the IDPs was 35± 15years.With 55.1% being females. About 94.2% met the criteria for symptoms of PTSD while 98.4% met the criteria for symptomatic depression. Some factors that predispose to both depression and PTSD were female gender and having symptoms of depression while having non-overcrowded accommodation has a protective effect. However only having symptoms of depression remained statistically significant. Conclusion: The study revealed that, PTSD and depression symptomatology were highly prevalent among the internally displaced persons. It is recommended that, Yobe State Government through Emergency Management Agency should develop psychosocial intervention program aimed to reach out to those IDPs for rehabilitation to avoid complications such as suicidal attempts

Factors associated with health-seeking patterns among internally displaced persons in complex humanitarian emergency, Northeast Nigeria : a cross-sectional study

Background: Currently, over two million persons are internally displaced because of the complex humanitarian emergency in Nigeria’s northeast region. Due to crowded and unsanitary living conditions, the risk of communicable disease transmission, morbidity, and mortality among this population is high. This study explored patterns and factors associated with health-seeking among internally displaced persons (IDPs) in northeast Nigeria to inform and strengthen disease surveillance and response activities. Methods: In a cross-sectional study conducted during June–October 2022, we employed stratified sampling technique to select 2,373 IDPs from 12 IDPs camps. A semi-structured tool was used to collect data on health-seeking patterns, socio-demographics, households, and IDPs camps characteristics. We classified health-seeking patterns into three outcome categories: ‘facility care’ (reference category), ‘non-facility care’ (patent medicine vendors, chemists, traditional healers, religious centers), and ‘home care/no care’. We performed complex survey data analysis and obtained weighted statistical estimates. Univariate analysis was conducted to describe respondents’ characteristics and health-seeking patterns. We fitted weighted multivariable multinomial logistic regression models to identify factors associated with health-seeking patterns. Results: Of 2,373 respondents, 71.8% were 18 to 39 years old, 78.1% were females, and 81.0% had no formal education. Among the respondents, 75.7% (95% CI: 72.9–78.6) sought ‘facility care’, 11.1% (95% CI: 9.1–13.1) sought ‘non-facility care’, while 13.2% (95% CI: 10.9–15.4) practiced ‘home care/no care’. Respondents who perceived illness was severe (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) = 0.15, [95% CI: 0.08–0.30]) and resided in officially-recognized camps (AOR = 0.26, [95% CI: 0.17–0.39]) were less likely to seek ‘non-facility care’ compared to ‘facility care’. Similarly, respondents who resided in officially-recognized camps (AOR = 0.58, [95% CI: 0.36–0.92]), and received disease surveillance information (AOR = 0.42, [95% CI: 0.26–0.67) were less likely to practice ‘home care/no care’ rather than seek ‘facility care’. Conclusions: This population exhibited heterogeneous patterns of health-seeking at facility and non-facility centers. Perception of illness severity and camps’ status were major factors associated with health-seeking. To enhance surveillance, non-facility care providers should be systematically integrated into the surveillance network while ramping up risk communication to shape perception of illness severity, prioritizing unofficial camps.Peer reviewe

Knowledge, risk perception and uptake of COVID-19 vaccination among internally displaced persons in complex humanitarian emergency setting, Northeast Nigeria

Abstract Background Owing to crowded and unsanitary conditions, internally displaced persons (IDPs) have an increased risk of COVID-19 infection. Adoption of COVID-19 preventive measures among this population is premised on accurate information, adequate knowledge, and risk perception. We assessed COVID-19 knowledge and risk perception and investigated the association between risk perception and COVID-19 preventive measures, including vaccination among IDPs in Northeast Nigeria. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study during July–December 2022 and sampled 2,175 IDPs using stratified sampling. We utilized a 12-point assessment tool to evaluate COVID-19 knowledge. Participants who scored ≥ 6 points were considered to have adequate knowledge. We used a 30-item Risk Behavior Diagnosis Scale to assess COVID-19 risk perception and evaluated each item on a 5-point Likert scale. Participants were divided into risk perception categories by the median of Likert scale scores. We performed weighted logistic regression analysis to identify factors associated with risk perception. Pearson’s chi-squared with Rao-Scott adjustment was used to determine the relationship between risk perception and COVID-19 preventive measures. Results Of 2,175 participants, 55.7% were 18–39 years old, 70.9% were females, and 81.7% had no formal education. Among the IDPs, 32.0% (95% CI: 28.8 – 35.0) were considered to have adequate COVID-19 knowledge, and 51.3% (95% CI: 47.8 – 54.8) perceived COVID-19 risk as high. Moreover, 46.3% (95% CI: 42.8 – 50.0) had received one dose of COVID-19 vaccine, and 33.1% (95% CI: 29.8 – 36.0) received two doses. Adequate knowledge (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) = 2.10, [95% CI: 1.46 – 3.03]) and post-primary education (AOR = 3.20, [95% CI: 1.59 – 6.46]) were associated with risk perception. Furthermore, high risk perception was significantly associated with wearing face masks (χ2 = 106.32, p-value < .001), practicing hand hygiene (χ2 = 162.24, p-value < .001), physical distancing (χ2 = 60.84, p-value < .001) and vaccination uptake (χ2 = 46.85, p-value < .001). Conclusions This study revealed gaps in COVID-19 knowledge, risk perception, and vaccination uptake but demonstrated a significant relationship between risk perception and COVID-19 preventive practices. Health education and risk communication should be intensified to improve knowledge, elicit stronger risk perception, and enhance COVID-19 preventive practices

Additional file 1 of Knowledge, risk perception and uptake of COVID-19 vaccination among internally displaced persons in complex humanitarian emergency setting, Northeast Nigeria

Supplementary Material 1