Coverage and Framing of Emerging STI and STEM by Four Major Nigerian Newspapers and Implications for National Development

In Nigeria, there is a gross deficit of empirical research on emerging STI content in the media. This study investigated four prominent newspapers in Nigeria to ascertain the extent to which STEM and emerging STI are covered and framed. We posed the following research questions covering reportage, sourcing, framing, and implications. The methodology involved a content/framing analyses of Daily Trust, Leadership, The Guardian and The Punch. A census sampling of 728 newspaper issues was conducted covering a period of six months spanning between December 1, 2020 and May 31, 2021. The results indicate a near zero coverage of emerging STI in the four dailies. Other results show that of the eight areas of STEM examined, medical/health sciences (48%), agricultural sciences (24%) and ICTs/engineering (19%) received more coverage. Earth/environmental sciences, physical and chemical sciences, marine, space, and mathematical sciences were accorded near zero coverage. On sourcing of STEM stories in the four dailies, 54% was sourced in-house by the journalists, 33% came from national STI institutions, while 13% was obtained from foreign and internet sources. On framing, 42% of STEM stories were framed in terms of health, risk, and safety; 39% in economic and political frame, while academic, environmental, ethical and “other frames scored between 7% and below. The conclusion of the study is that newspaper coverage of emerging STI was near zero reflecting and projecting the dismal status of emerging STI in Nigeria while the coverage and framing of STEM depicted the media agenda of concentration on medical, agricultural, and ICT endeavours to the neglect of others

Coverage and Framing of Emerging STI and STEM by Four Major Nigerian Newspapers and Implications for National Development

In Nigeria, there is a gross deficit of empirical research on emerging STI content in the media. This study investigated four prominent newspapers in Nigeria to ascertain the extent to which STEM and emerging STI are covered and framed. We posed the following research questions covering reportage, sourcing, framing, and implications. The methodology involved a content/framing analyses of Daily Trust, Leadership, The Guardian and The Punch. A census sampling of 728 newspaper issues was conducted covering a period of six months spanning between December 1, 2020 and May 31, 2021. The results indicate a near zero coverage of emerging STI in the four dailies. Other results show that of the eight areas of STEM examined, medical/health sciences (48%), agricultural sciences (24%) and ICTs/engineering (19%) received more coverage. Earth/environmental sciences, physical and chemical sciences, marine, space, and mathematical sciences were accorded near zero coverage. On sourcing of STEM stories in the four dailies, 54% was sourced in-house by the journalists, 33% came from national STI institutions, while 13% was obtained from foreign and internet sources. On framing, 42% of STEM stories were framed in terms of health, risk, and safety; 39% in economic and political frame, while academic, environmental, ethical and “other frames scored between 7% and below. The conclusion of the study is that newspaper coverage of emerging STI was near zero reflecting and projecting the dismal status of emerging STI in Nigeria while the coverage and framing of STEM depicted the media agenda of concentration on medical, agricultural, and ICT endeavours to the neglect of others

Coverage and Framing of Emerging STI and STEM by Four Major Nigerian Newspapers and Implications for National Development

In Nigeria, there is a gross deficit of empirical research on emerging Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) content in the media. This paper focuses on investigating four prominent newspapers in Nigeria to ascertain the extent to which Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) and emerging STI are covered and framed. We posed research questions covering reportage, sourcing, framing, and implications. The methodology involved content/framing analysis of Daily Trust, Leadership, The Guardian, and The Punch newspapers. A census sampling of 728 newspaper issues was conducted covering a period of six months spanning between December 1, 2020, and May 31, 2021. The results indicate a near zero coverage of emerging STI in the four dailies. Other results show that of the eight areas of STEM examined, medical/health sciences (48%), agricultural sciences (24%), and ICTs/engineering (19%) received more coverage. Earth/environmental sciences, physical and chemical sciences, marine, space, and mathematical sciences were accorded near zero coverage. On sourcing of STEM stories in the four dailies, 54% was sourced in-house by the journalists, 33% came from national STI institutions, while 13% was obtained from foreign and internet sources. On framing, 42% STEM stories were framed in terms of health, risk, and safety; 39% in economic and political frame; while academic, environmental, ethical and “other” frames scored between 7% and below. The conclusion of the study is that newspaper coverage of emerging STI was near zero reflecting and projecting the dismal status of emerging STI in Nigeria while the coverage and framing of STEM depicted the media agenda of concentration on medical, agricultural, and ICT endeavours to the neglect of others. Deeper coverage and broader framing of emerging STI are germane to national development

Serum Level of Antioxidant Vitamins (Vitamin A, C and E) in Plasmodium falciparum Malaria Infected Children in Owerri, Eastern Nigeria

The levels of antioxidant vitamins were estimated in Plasmodium falciparum malaria infected children. Forty-three children with P.falciparum infection were selected based on the clinical symptoms. Twenty-two apparently healthy children with no malaria parasitaemia were included as the control subjects. P.falciparum parasitaemia and serum levels of the antioxidant vitamins (vitamin A, C and E) were determined using standard procedures. It was observed that all parameters measured were significantly lower in malaria infected children when compared with the respective control values. The relationship between malaria parasitaemia and serum concentration of vitamin E were positively correlated (r= 0.42), but vitamin A (r= -0.05) and C (-0.06) were negatively correlated. Children within 0-5 years of age had higher malarial parasitaemia (7379.82 \ub1 918 99/\ub5L) than those between 6-12 years of age (5026.19 \ub1 1514.58/\ub5L), and these children had lower concentrations of vitamin A (21.27 \ub1 8.68 \ub5g/dL), C (0.45 \ub1 0.19 mg/dl) and E (0.69 \ub1 0.22 mg/dL) when compared with children between 6-12 years (vitamin A = 25.19 \ub1 8.12 \ub5g/dL, vitamin C = 0.53 \ub1 0.16 mg/ dL and vitamin E = 0.86 \ub1 0.41 mg/ dL). Results suggest that in Owerri, Eastern Nigeria, the degree of malaria parasitaemia in especially children between 0-5 years could comprise immunity (as judged by the correlation) and reduce serum antioxidant vitamin levels. Health care providers should recognize these effects in planning malarial treatment and control programs. Changes in serum antioxidant levels during post-treatment periods should be investigated and documented

Serum Level of Antioxidant Vitamins (Vitamin A, C and E) in Plasmodium falciparum Malaria Infected Children in Owerri, Eastern Nigeria

The levels of antioxidant vitamins were estimated in Plasmodium falciparum malaria infected children. Forty-three children with P.falciparum infection were selected based on the clinical symptoms. Twenty-two apparently healthy children with no malaria parasitaemia were included as the control subjects. P.falciparum parasitaemia and serum levels of the antioxidant vitamins (vitamin A, C and E) were determined using standard procedures. It was observed that all parameters measured were significantly lower in malaria infected children when compared with the respective control values. The relationship between malaria parasitaemia and serum concentration of vitamin E were positively correlated (r= 0.42), but vitamin A (r= -0.05) and C (-0.06) were negatively correlated. Children within 0-5 years of age had higher malarial parasitaemia (7379.82 ± 918 99/µL) than those between 6-12 years of age (5026.19 ± 1514.58/µL), and these children had lower concentrations of vitamin A (21.27 ± 8.68 µg/dL), C (0.45 ± 0.19 mg/dl) and E (0.69 ± 0.22 mg/dL) when compared with children between 6-12 years (vitamin A = 25.19 ± 8.12 µg/dL, vitamin C = 0.53 ± 0.16 mg/ dL and vitamin E = 0.86 ± 0.41 mg/ dL). Results suggest that in Owerri, Eastern Nigeria, the degree of malaria parasitaemia in especially children between 0-5 years could comprise immunity (as judged by the correlation) and reduce serum antioxidant vitamin levels. Health care providers should recognize these effects in planning malarial treatment and control programs. Changes in serum antioxidant levels during post-treatment periods should be investigated and documented

Assessment of Preschool Librarians’ Library Disciplining Strategies for Effective Use of Preschool Library

Effective use of school libraries is very germane in achieving effective teaching and learning at various levels of education. Most importantly, the cultivation of the habit of using library by preschool children at the foundation phase will go a long way in patterning the reading habits of the children as they advance in their education. Currently, most preschool children exhibit unruly traits which are potential threats to effe3ctive management of preschool library. However, literature is scarce on the disciplining practices of the preschool Librarians for effective management of school library. Thus, this study was necessitated to explore the library disciplining practices adopted by preschool Librarians for effective use of preschool library. The study adopted a quantitative research approach and specifically a descriptive survey research design using a sample of 156 preschool Librarians in Nsukka Education Zone. Necessary data for the study were collected using a structured instrument titled Library disciplining practices of preschool Librarians’ questionnaire”. The instrument was properly face validated and trial-tested yielding an internal consistency reliability index of 0.85 using the Cronbach Alpha method. Data obtained from the fieldwork were analysed using mean and t-test of independent samples to provide answers to the research questions and test the associated null hypothesis. The findings of the study revealed that the disciplining practices adopted by preschool Librarians are review/reorganization/self-examination, dialogue/discussion, punishment, and recognition/reward. It was thus recommended that the Local Government Education Authority should encourage other preschool Librarians to use mostly those identified library disciplining practices for effective management of preschool library