An Assessment of the Psychological Aspects of Health Communication among Port Harcourt City Residents

This study set out to find out how mass communication messages on health and health-related issues have resulted in attitudinal and behavioural changes among Port Harcourt (Nigeria) residents. It was a survey research which used the questionnaire as research instrument. Out of a population of 3,000,000 residents in Port Harcourt, 1,200 respondents were sampled through purposive and accidental sampling methods to assess the impact of health messages on the psychology of the residents. To achieve the set objectives of the study, three research questions were posed, and the data collected were analysed using simple percentages as statistical tool. The study indicated that in spite of the various efforts made by the government, healthcare givers and other change agents to improve the health conditions of Nigerians through attitude and behaviour change, these messages were found not to have diffused evenly among the populace. This was due to poor choice of communication channels, inappropriate and poorly co-ordinated communication strategies. It was, therefore, recommended that efforts should be intensified and health communication approach redefined and readjusted to meet the health needs of the people. Finally, it was also recommended that the people be reached through communication channels readily available and accessible to them.Key Words: Health, Communication, Psychological Principles, Attitude change

Nodal anatomy of eight Nigeria species of Vigna savi (Leguminosae – Papilionoideae)

An investigation on the nodal anatomical features of eight Vigna species namely: V. ambacensis, V. gracills, V. racemosa, V. reticulata, V. subterranae, V. triloba, V. unguiculata and V. vexillata that are common in Eastern Nigeria were carried out. The model anatomy showed that these taxa possess useful taxonomic characters that can be used to establish inter specific relationships among the investigated taxa. V. ambacensis possessed crystal sand and vessels, V.gracillis has both aggregate and crystal sand crystal with numerous vessels. V. racemosa is characterized with aggregate, crystal sand crystals and vessels while V. reticulata has only aggregate crystals and vessels. V. subterranea has vessels with cells that are irregular in shape while V. triloba has aggregate crystals and vessels. In V. unguiculata, there are rectangular and crystals sand crystals and vessels while V. vexillata has rectangular crystals and vessels. Moreso, the epidermal walls of V. gracillis, V. reticulata, V. vexillata and V. triloba have multiseriate pentagonal cells. The presence of these nodal anatomical features is discussed in relation to their taxonomic significance. Keywords: Anatomy; node; Vigna species; taxonomy; NigeriaInternational Journal of Natural and Applied Sciences Vol. 2 (3) 2006: pp. 178-18

Petiolar anatomy of eight Nigerian species of Vigna savi (Leguminosae-papilionoideae)

An investigation on the petiole anatomy of eight Vigna species namely V.ambacensis, V.gracillis, V. racemosa, V. reticulata, V. subterranea, V. triloba, V. unguiculata and V. vexillata were carried out. Anatomically significant features were found in the petioles of the taxa investigated. The presence of crystal sand crystals in the petioles of V. ambacensis, V. triloba and V. unguiculata distinguished these three taxa from V. gracillis with aggregate crystals and V. racemosa with rectangular and crystal sand crystals. The absence of any form of crystal in the petioles of V. reticulata and V. subterranae is also a taxonomic character that can be used to distinguish these two taxa from the rest of the taxa studied. Another interesting feature of the anatomical studies of the petioles is the similarities in tissue distribution in V. reticulata, V. unguiculata, V. racemosa and V. subterranea suggesting that these taxa have inter specific relationships. Keywords: Anatomy; Vigna; petiole; species; taxonomy International Journal of Natural and Applied Sciences Vol. 2 (3) 2006: pp. 193-19

Evaluating smallholder brood- and- sale poultry operation using crossbred local chicken genotypes in South East, Nigeria.

A total of 92 crossbred pullet chicks of normal feather (44), naked neck (27) and frizzle (21) were used to evaluate early growth performance and monetary returns of a simulated smallholder brood-and-sale poultry production operation. Average day-old (D.O.) weight of chicks were 34.57±0.98g, 35.28±0.59g and 35.38±1.02g for the normal feather, naked neck and frizzle, respectively and these D.O. weights were not significantly (P>0.05) different. However, at 6 weeks of age, the frizzle pullets weighed significantly (P<0.05) heavier (402.10±17.54g) than the naked neck (385.88±5.91g) but the latter were not different from the normal feather pullets (388.45±14.90g). The frizzle pullets consumed significantly more feed and had better feed conversion ratio than the naked neck and normal feather pullets. Cost of day-old chicks was on the average higher for the frizzle and naked neck chicks (*₦250.00 and ₦175.00 /chick, respectively) than the normal feather (₦120.00/chick). However, the frizzle and naked neck birds attracted higher revenues (₦1250.00 and ₦850.00, respectively) and higher gross margins (₦580.00 and ₦231.00, respectively) than the normal feather pullets (₦121.00). Thus indicating that raising frizzle and naked neck pullets would be more profitable to a smallholder poultry farmer especially in South Eastern igeria where these rare chicken genotypes are considered as premium birds.(*$1 = ₦155.00).Keywords: Local chicken, crossbreeding, brood-and-sale operation, smallholder poultr