An assessment of the use of ICT tools by students to the study of business education

An Assessment of the Use of ICT Tools by students to the study of Business Education in Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education. The study adopted a descriptive survey design approach. To guide in the achievement of the purpose of the study, four research questions were raised. The target population of the study was eight hundred and eight (808) students. However, the researchers purposively sampled eighty (80) 300 level students of Business Education of the institution for the study. Data were collected using a questionnaire of a four point rating scale and experts in Department of Measurement and Evaluation of the institution validated the instrument. The reliability index of the questionnaire was calculated using the Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient statistics and it gave 0.68. The researchers administered the instrument to the respondents while data were analyzed using the frequency counts, percentages and mean statistical tools. Generally, the study revealed that few ICT Resources were available in the department of Business Education of the institution; students of the department of Business education have access to browser phone and e-mail services only, the students as a result, use the available tools i.e. browser phone and e-mail services for their study on daily basis and challenges like inadequate power supply, expensiveness of ICT facilities, lack of infrastructure etc confronts them. Based on these findings, the researchers recommended among others, lecturers and teachers should assist the College management and government in providing ICT Resources for their personal use in instructional delivery in tertiary institutions

Comparative Assessment of Rural Development Programs of Selected NGOs in Plateau State, North-Central, Nigeria

The study examined the extent to which the rural development programs of Evangelical Church of West Africa-People Oriented Development (ECWA-POD) and Country Women Association of Nigeria (COWAN) contribute to the development of rural communities in Plateau State. A comparison of the non-governmental organizations (NGOs) was done to examine the factors that explain variation in the organizations. A total of 150 respondents made up of community members and staff of the organizations randomly selected from four Local Government Areas responded to the structured questionnaire. The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The study revealed that the major rural development programs of the NGOs were agricultural programs, health programs, human resource development, community development, and industrial and trade promotion programs. Analysis carried out showed a significant relationship (P 2=0.023; p#0.05) in the program orientation of the two organizations. Majority (57.8 percent for ECWA-POD and 75.6 percent for COWAN) of the respondents considered the programs of the organizations as beneficial and benefitted more concerning potable water and community sanitation facilities. Participation of the community members at various stages of the program and type of participation was also identified. The perceived level of goal attainment of the organization was higher (t=2.72; p#0.05) in COWAN than ECWA-POD. It was recommended that government should collaborate with NGOs through the Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA) concerning project identification, design, and implementation of rural development programs

Availability and Use of Internet-based Library Services among Lecturers in Selected Polytechnics in Ogun State Nigeria

The Internet has become a vital tool in teaching, research and learning process in Nigeria higher institutions and across the whole world. Research has indicated that most users tend to begin their information searches via the internet, using various search engine such as Google, Wikipedia etc. rather than using WebPAC or Card catalogue in the library. For such users, a visit to their library is unnecessary and a waste of precious time. This has led to a great challenge in the academic libraries. This study investigate the Availability and Use of Internet Base Library Services among Lecturers in Selected Polytechnic in Ogun State Nigeria. Descriptive research design was used in this study, with the use of a structured questionnaires. The population of the study comprises all lecturers from Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, Moshood Abiola Polytechnic and Gateway Polytechnic in Ogun State. The population to be studied is 548, due to the large number of the sample size, stratified random sampling techniques will be used to select 155. The researcher employs the use of table, frequency distribution (bar and percentages) and simple percentage for data interpretation. The study revealed that Internet-based library services are available in the polytechnics and the most frequently highly used Internet-based library resources by the lecturers are for access to OPAC/WEBPAC, e-journals, e-mails and for access to online current awareness services in the library. Also the table revealed that polytechnic lecturer’s in Ogun State do not use the internet-based resources provided to them in the library for instructional purposes and for online lectures with students

Timeliness of diagnosis of breast and cervical cancers and associated factors in low-income and middle-income countries: a scoping review protocol.

INTRODUCTION: Breast and cervical cancer are leading causes of morbidity and mortality in women globally, with disproportionately high burdens in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). While the incidence of both cancers increases across LMICs, many cases continue to go undiagnosed or diagnosed late. The aim of this review is to comprehensively map the current evidence on the time to breast or cervical cancer diagnosis and its associated factors in LMICs. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This scoping review (ScR) will be informed by Arksey and O'Malley's enhanced ScR methodology framework. It will be reported in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews. We will conduct a comprehensive search of the following electronic databases: MEDLINE (via PubMed), Cochrane Library, Scopus and the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL). Two reviewers will independently screen all abstracts and full texts using predefined inclusion criteria. All publications describing the time to diagnosis and its associated factors in the contexts of breast or cervical cancer will be considered for inclusion. Evidence will be narratively synthesised and analysed using a predefined conceptual framework. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: As this is a ScR of publicly available data, with no primary data collection, it will not require ethical approval. Findings will be disseminated widely through a peer-reviewed publication and forums such as conferences and community engagement sessions. This review will provide a user-friendly evidence summary for understanding the enormity of diagnostic delays and associated factors for breast and cervical cancers in LMICs, while helping to inform policy actions and implementation of interventions for addressing such delays

Investigations into the influence of temperature on the optical properties of NiO thin films

Nanocrystalline thin films of nickel oxide (NiO) have been deposited on glass substrates in polyvinylpyrrolidon (PVP) matrix solution by chemical bath deposition technique. The films have been annealed at 373 K–573 K and changes in their optical properties have been studied. Investigation reveals that the optical properties of the films have been irregularly influenced by heat treatment. They show varied transmittance for different annealing temperatures making them useful for applications in optoelectronic devices. The structural property of the films has been obtained by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), while the elemental composition has been deduced from Rutherford back scattering spectroscopy (RBS). XRD analyses of the film annealed at 375 K show that the films are crystallized and have rhombohedral structure. The crystallite size of the film has been determined and found to be 89.90 nm. The films band gaps range from 2.30 eV – 2.95 eV, which are lower than that of their solid materials. This however makes them useful for antireflection coatings and other applications

Community Library Services Delivery and Adult Library Education for the Aged in Rural Communities in Nigeria

This study investigated the provision of community library services and adult literacy education for aged people living in rural communities in Nigeria. Public services librarians are in charge of overseeing the library\u27s programs and services geared toward the aged. The researchers adopted a conceptual framework for the study to determine the literacy objectives and the significance of the topic for people of advanced age who live in rural communities. The challenges encountered by librarians in providing library services to the aged were discussed. The paper discussed how to help aged people in Nigeria who live in rural areas learn to read and write better

Frequency and Pattern of Gynecological Cancers in Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, Nigeria

Background: Gynecological cancers are common and are among the leading causes of cancer‑related deaths worldwide. Aim: The objective of this study was to determine the pattern and relative frequencies of gynecological cancers as seen at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A 2‑year retrospective study of female genital tract malignancies was conducted at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki. The case notes of patients admitted for female genital tract malignancy between January 1, 2012 and December 31, 2013 were retrieved from the ward admissions and discharge books and the operating theater record books. The data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS), IBM SPSS statistics Version 20, IBM incorporation and licensors 1989,2011 New York USA and the results expressed in descriptive statistics by simple percentages. Result: A total of 1,178 women were seen during the study period, while 99 were found to have gynecological malignancy. The proportion of gynecological malignancies was 8.4%. Majority of the patients were in the 5th and 6th decades of life, most (60.6%) had cervical cancer, followed by ovarian cancer (19.2%), endometrial cancer (10.1%) vulva cancer (7.1%), and the least was choriocarcinoma (3.0%). Tumors of fallopian tube and vagina were not seen during the study period. Majority of the patients presented late and the common presentation was vaginal bleeding. Conclusion: Despite the preventable nature of cancer of cervix, it remained the most common female genital tract malignancy in Abakaliki, southeast Nigeria. Education and public enlightenment on the importance of routine screening and treatment of premalignant lesions of the cervix are necessary tools to reduce the incidence and mortality of cervical cancer.KEY WORDS: Abakaliki, cancer, frequency, gynecologic, gynecological cancer, Nigeria, patter

Occult cancer with cervical lymph node metastasis: histologic profile of cervical lymph node and pan-endoscopic biopsies at university college hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria

Background: Occult cervical lymph node metastasis is a relatively rare oncologic disease presenting as a neck lump without an obvious mucosal lesion. Most cases arise from the upper aerodigestive tract and affect all ages. It is often a diagnostic dilemma when there is no facility to carry out a thorough evaluation.Methods: A prospective study of all patients with neck lump with unknown primary tumor site evaluated within the periods, January 2010 to December 2012 at the ENT/Head and Neck Department of University College Hospital, Ibadan. The patients went through clinical, radiological and endoscopic assessments. Fine Needle Aspirate and Cytology (FNAC) of neck node and random pan-endoscopic specimens obtained were cytological and histological analysed.Results: The prevalence of cervical nodal metastasis with unknown primary site was 9.7%. We found no gender predilection in the study. Majority of the patients with occult cervical node metastases were in the third decade of life. The histological yield of pan-endoscopy biopsy specimen was 72%. Undifferentiated nasopharyngeal squamous (39%) cell carcinoma was the commonest diagnosis following random biopsy during pan-endoscopy.Conclusion: Despite limitations arising from lack of FDG PET, the yield from pan-endoscopy biopsy specimen was appreciable. Inadequate immunohistological stains and lack of FDG PET scan may have diminished the histological yield of the blind pan-endoscopy biopsy specimens.Keywords: Cervical nodal metastasis with unknown primary site, pan-endoscopy biopsy, occult cancerJos Journal of Medicine, Volume 7 No.

Prevalence and Parasite Density of Asymptomatic Malaria Parasitemia among Unbooked Paturients at Abakaliki, Nigeria

Background: Malaria in pregnancy has contributed significantly to maternal morbidity and mortality in our environment.Aim: This study was aimed at determining the prevalence, and parasite density of asymptomatic malaria parasitemia among unbooked paturients at Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki. Subjects and Methods: This was a prospective cross‑sectional study conducted in the labor ward complex of the Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki over a period of three months from March to May 2012. Two hundred and fifty unbooked women presenting in labor at term and willing to participate were consecutively recruited. A structured data collection sheet was administered to each parturient. Thick and thin blood films were prepared for quantification and speciation of parasitemia respectively. Results: A total of 250 unbooked parturients participated in the study. The mean age of the parturients was 28.2 (7.2) years. One hundred and seven 107/250 (42.8%) were primigravid, 111/250 (44.4%) were between para 1‑4 while 32/250 (12.8%) were para 5 and above. Majority of the parturients 236/250 (95.2%) were of low socio‑economic class. The prevalence of asymptomatic malaria parasitemia was 77.6%. Asymptomatic malaria parasitemia was most prevalent among paturients of social class 5 (24/32 (75%) and primigravid paturients (93/107 (86.9%)) and the association of asymptomatic malaria parasitemia with parity (χ2 = 10.8, P = 0.01) and social class (χ2 = 10.88, P = 0.02) was statistically significant. Conclusion: There was high prevalence of asymptomatic malaria parasitemia in the study. Preconceptional care and early antenatal booking are advocated with emphasis on prevention of malaria infestation through health education and effective use of insecticide treated nets and intermittent prophylaxis therapy for malaria during pregnancy.Keywords: Asymptomatic malaria parasitemia, Nigeria, prevalence, unbooked paturient