Factors influencing breastfeeding preparedness among primigravidae attending antenatal clinic, at university of Port Harcourt teaching hospital, Rivers state, Nigeria

Background: This is a descriptive survey to determine the factors influencing breast feeding preparedness among primigravidae attending ante natal clinic at University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital. Three objectives and one hypothesis were formulated to guide the study.Methods: A purposive sampling technique was used to select 108 respondents for the study. The instrument used for data collection was a self-structured questionnaire. The validity of the instrument was ascertained while the reliability confirmed through test- re-test which yielded a coefficient of 0.99 which was considered appropriate. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics while relationship was tested using inferential statistics and results presented in tables.Results: Findings revealed that only 4 (14.3%) aged between 24-29 years were ‘‘well prepared’’ to breast feed their babies; others were either ‘‘fairly or poorly prepared’’. Breastfeeding preparedness was also observed to be associated with maternal occupation. The findings showed that the unemployed and petty traders ranked highest in being well prepared, 8.3% and 12.5% respectively as compared to their counterparts. Also, result of the study revealed that preparedness is higher among women that had secondary and tertiary education, 61.6% and 50.1% respectively.Conclusions: Based on these findings it was recommended among others that midwives should be involved in appropriate education of expectant mothers especially new ones to help improve breastfeeding preparedness among them; women should be engaged in occupation that allow them enough time to breastfeed and employers should make adequate provisions for breastfeeding mothers in order to encourage them

Software Selection and Deployment for Library Cooperation and Resource Sharing Among Academic Libraries in South-West Nigeria

This study assessed software selection and seployment sractices for library cooperation and resource sharing among aacademic libraries in South-West Nigeria. The purposive sampling technique was adopted and data collection instruments were questionnaire and interview. All of the 39 universities in the South- West zone were chosen and copies of questionnaire were administered to a representative of each academic library. 37 questionnaires were received. The descriptive statistical method of analysis was used. It was discovered that there is no form of cooperation and resource sharing among the academic libraries presently. The study recommends that National Universities Commission (NUC) should make automation a requirement for all academic libraries in Nigeria and recommend particular software(s) for cooperation and resource sharing to be possible among academic libraries among other

Information Access for Rural Women in Nigeria

Adequate access and effective use of information is succinctly linked to sustainable development and empowerment of rural women. Analysis of the situation reveals that Nigerian rural women face marginalization as far as information access is concerned. This chapter identified some channels and preferred sources of information for the rural women with their inherent challenges. Some implications were also discussed ranging from exploitation and trafficking of women, inability to access and harness agriculture and health information, credit facilities and government programs. Some challenges of information provision to rural women as identified include lack of basic infrastructure, poverty, illiteracy, culture, and religion. The study recommended some strategies for improvement as regards quality access to information: establishment of vibrant public libraries in rural areas, continuous research on information seeking behaviour of rural women, information repackaging, provision of adult educational centres. The chapter concluded that neglect of rural women can only portend dange

Biocidal effects of dennettia tripetala, zingiber officinale and benlate on seedborne fungal pathogen (fusarium moniliforme) of watermelon (citrullus lanatus) varieties.

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of plant extracts, African pepper fruit (Dennettia tripetala) and Ginger (Zingiber officinale) on seed borne fungal pathogens of Watermelon (Citrullus lanatas) seeds. Watermelon seeds were extracted for seed health test using blotter paper method. The antifungal effects of ethanol and acetone extracts of the two plant extracts and synthetic fungicide were studied under in- vitro experiment against the seed borne fungal pathogen of Watermelon at 0%, 50% and 75%. It was a 3x3 factorial experiment at 5% Probability level laid out in a Completely Randomized Design experiment with three replications Ninety percent germination was obtained in the germination and seed health test of Watermelon seeds. Seed borne fungal pathogen (Aspergillus spp. and Fusarium spp.) were identified. The potential of these organisms for pathogenicity were tested using Kock’s postulate. The result of the pathogenicity test showed that Fusarium spp. was pathogenic. All plant extracts and Benlate inhibited the fungus (Fusarium moniliforme) in culture. The inhibition was also greater as concentration increased from 50% to 75%.  It was also observed that ethanol extraction solvent did better than acetone. Generally, Dennettia tripetala extract performed better than Zingiber officinale. It could therefore be recommended that the two plant extracts used in this investigation which were very effective in the control of Fusarium moniliforme of watermelon could be an alternative to the synthetic fungicide. It could also be suggested that further studies be carried out to isolate, identify, characterize and standardize the bioactive components of these phytochemicals in a bid to commercializing their production

BLENDED LEARNING IN HIGHER EDUCATION: IMPLICATION AND STRATEGIES FOR ACADEMIC LIBRARY SUPPORT

Following advances and extensive use of information and communication technology (ICT) in education and the current tech savvy generation of learners in higher institutions of learning, blended learning is gaining popularity as it is adjudged effective in improving both teaching and learning process in higher institutions of learning. It has the potential to expand access to quality education and break learning barriers in developing countries. Blended learning has created a paradigm shift in library services, however, not all academic libraries in developing countries have understood their roles in blended learning environment. Academic library can play significant roles in collaboration with faculty. The paper examined innovative strategies that academic libraries can adopt to make effective use of blended. The paper examined the state of academic libraries in developing countries with emphasis on their ability to participate in an embedded learning environment, it revealed that traditional learning methods is still prevalent in many developing countries, the paper considered factors that enhance and hinder academic libraries intervention in a blended learning environment. Competencies and skills required by academic librarians to be relevant in an embedded learning environment were discussed. The paper proffered workable recommendation for implementing a blended learning environment. In conclusion, the paper recommends that librarians in developing countries must be intentional about skills acquisition so as to be well equipped to join their counterparts in other developed climes to play a significant and principal role in the ever dynamic sophisticated learning environment

Sexual Behavior and Abuse: A Case Study of University Undergraduates in Tertiary Institutions in Imo State, Nigeria

Introduction: In young people including adolescents, risky sexual behavior has been recognized as an important health, social and demographic concern in the developing world. Aim: To assess sexual behaviors and their association with current and life-time occurrence of sexual abuse among female undergraduates in tertiary institutions in Imo State, Nigeria. Methodology: This was a school based cross sectional study involving 600 female students selected from tertiary institutions in Imo State Nigeria, using the multistage sampling technique. Data was collected using a semi-structured, self-administered questionnaire and analyzed using a data software (EPI-INFO version 3.3.2). Descriptive variables were presented using summary indices, frequency tables/percentages, and graph while associations between variables were done using the Chi-square and binary regression. A p-value of 0.05 was considered significant. Results: The mean age of the students was 21.73.2 years. About 65.2% of the respondents have initiated sexual intercourse and of this proportion, 75.6% were sexually active in the last one year preceding survey. The mean age at initiation of sexual debut among the students was 18.93.8 years and the commonest form of sexual act practiced was penile/vaginal sex. About 15.2% of the students had been currently abused. Predictors of current sexual abuse were; ever had sexual intercourse (OR.4.63), being within 14-19 years of age at first sexual initiation, (OR: 0.42), had first sexual exposure with a casual partner (OR: 12.38), and being sexually active in the last 1 year preceding study, (OR: 2.16). Conclusion: Risky sexual behaviors were prevalent and were found to influence the occurrence of sexual abuse, among the students. Thus, there is need to institute appropriate prevention strategies to limit risky sexual behaviors and it consequences among adolescents and young adults

Clinical effects of Garcinia kola in knee osteoarthritis

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Objectives</p> <p>Over the past years, there has been a growing number of knee osteoarthritis (KOA) patients who are not willing to comply with long-term non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) treatment and wish to use herbal anti- rheumatic medicine. This study assessed the clinical effects of <it>Garcinia kola </it>(GK) in KOA patients.</p> <p>Patients and methods</p> <p>Prospective randomized, placebo controlled, double blind, clinical trial approved by the institutional medical ethics review board and written informed consent obtained from each patient. All KOA patients presenting at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital complex were recruited into the study. The patients were grouped into four (A = Placebo, B = Naproxen, C = <it>Garcinia kola</it>, D = Celebrex). The drugs and placebo were given twice a day per oral route. Each dose consisted of 200 mg of <it>G. kola</it>, Naproxen (500 mg), Celebrex (200 mg) and Ascorbic acid (100 mg). The primary outcome measure over six weeks study period was the change in mean WOMAC pain visual analogue scales (VAS). Secondary outcome measures included the mean change in joint stiffness and physical function (mobility/walking).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>143 patients were recruited, 84 (58.7%, males – 24, females – 60) satisfied the selection criteria and completed the study. The effect of knee osteoarthritis bilateralism among the subjects was not significant on their outcome (p > 0.05). The change in the mean WOMAC pain VAS after six weeks of <it>G. kola </it>was significantly reduced compared to the placebo (p < 0.001). Multiple comparisons of the mean VAS pain change of <it>G. kola </it>group was not lowered significantly against the naproxen and celebrex groups (p > 0.05). The onset of <it>G. kola </it>symptomatic pain relief was faster than the placebo (p < 0.001). However, it was slower than the active comparators (p > 0.05). The duration of therapeutic effect of <it>Garcinia kola </it>was longer than the placebo (p > 0.001). <it>G. kola </it>period of effect was less than naproxen and celebrex (p < 0.001). <it>G. kola </it>subjects had improved mean change mobility/walking after six weeks better than the control group(p < 0.001). The mean change in mobility of the <it>G. kola </it>group when compared to the active comparators was not significantly better (p < 0.05). The mean change of knee joint stiffness (p < 0.001) and the change of mean WOMAC score (p < 0.001) were improved on <it>Garcinia kola </it>as compared to the placebo. The mid term outcome of eleven <it>Garcinia kola </it>subjects after cessation of use had a mean pain relief period of 17.27 +/- 5.15 days (range: 9–26 days). There was no significant cardiovascular, renal or drug induced adverse reaction to <it>Garcinia kola</it>.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p><it>Garcinia kola </it>appeared to have clinically significant analgesic/anti-inflammatory effects in knee osteoarthritis patients. <it>Garcinia kola </it>is a potential osteoarthritis disease activity modifier with good mid term outcome. Further studies are required for standardization of dosages and to determine long-term effects.</p

Alstonine as an Antipsychotic: Effects on Brain Amines and Metabolic Changes

Managing schizophrenia has never been a trivial matter. Furthermore, while classical antipsychotics induce extrapyramidal side effects and hyperprolactinaemia, atypical antipsychotics lead to diabetes, hyperlipidaemia, and weight gain. Moreover, even with newer drugs, a sizable proportion of patients do not show significant improvement. Alstonine is an indole alkaloid identified as the major component of a plant-based remedy used in Nigeria to treat the mentally ill. Alstonine presents a clear antipsychotic profile in rodents, apparently with differential effects in distinct dopaminergic pathways. The aim of this study was to complement the antipsychotic profile of alstonine, verifying its effects on brain amines in mouse frontal cortex and striatum. Additionally, we examined if alstonine induces some hormonal and metabolic changes common to antipsychotics. HPLC data reveal that alstonine increases serotonergic transmission and increases intraneuronal dopamine catabolism. In relation to possible side effects, preliminary data suggest that alstonine does not affect prolactin levels, does not induce gains in body weight, but prevents the expected fasting-induced decrease in glucose levels. Overall, this study reinforces the proposal that alstonine is a potential innovative antipsychotic, and that a comprehensive understanding of its neurochemical basis may open new avenues to developing newer antipsychotic medications