Indigenous knowledge in flood disaster risk reduction in Kaduna Town Nigeria

In the year 2003, the UN General Assembly adopted resolution 58/124 which specifies that there is a need for enhancing education regarding the use of indigenous knowledge for disaster risk reduction. In relation to flood control, over the years, most attention has been given on the use of structural and non-structural approaches. Thus, this study adopts a qualitative phenomenological approach, using Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and semi-structured interviews to explore indigenous knowledge for flood disaster risk reduction in Kaduna floodplain. The data generated was analysed using Nvivo 11 software. The analysis of the FGDs revealed that the major flood adaptation strategy in Kaduna is community work. The analysis also revealed that waste dumping in drainages was found to be the major environmental problem. This is related to community work involving local drainage construction, which causes blockages. Additionally, solutions were proposed for the effective use of indigenous flood adaptation strategies, in which public enlightenment was proposed as the means of resolving major waste dumping in local drainages. In addition, it was found in the analysis of the interviews that the major indigenous flood early warning signs identified in Kaduna floodplain are by the weather such as continuous downpour, black thick cloud and position of clouds. These are not based on meteorological stations but on past experiences of living with flood disaster in the floodplain of Kaduna. Also, the analysis indicates various indigenous coping techniques in relation to farming, such as early farming, buildings with raised foundation and relocating animals to safer places. The findings of the study are integrated to form a model that promote civic participation with the use of bottom up approach for flood disaster risk reduction. This study can assist the Kaduna State Emergency Management Agency in policy formulation relating to enhancing civic participation in flood disaster risk reduction alongside structural and non-structural approaches

Importance of indigenous knowledge in flood risk reduction: a review

Interest in Indigenous Knowledge (IK) system has been particularly highlighted in flood disasters, due to the likely increase of flood events resulting from anthropogenic climate change through heavy precipitation, increased catchment wetness, and sea level rise. Therefore, bringing IK of flood risk reduction into focus and context to deepen the understanding of how people manage their own changing circumstances can bring more pertinent information about flood risk reduction. This paper reviews the significance of IK in flood risk reduction. Specifically, the paper discusses IK flood forecasting, early warning signs, adaptation and coping strategies in flood risk reduction around the world. The Methodological approach employed for this paper is the review of existing literature on IK in flood Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), and then a summary of the outcomes of the studies reviewed was discussed. However, it was deduced from the review undertaken, the need for an intensive empirical study to be conducted to explore how efficient these strategies or techniques are, in relation to flood risk reduction, which this paper strongly recommends for further investigation. Additionally, the paper concludes by emphasizing that although the IK of flood risk reduction is embedded in varied regions around the globe, still there is a need for further study to be carried out in order to unveil why the similarities and variations in flood risk reduction practices/strategies between regions

Urban greenery a pathway to environmental sustainability in sub Saharan Africa: a case of Northern Nigeria cities

The Northern Region of Nigeria, which is located south of Africa biggest desert - the Sahara, is highly vulnerable to adverse impacts of climate change for some reasons. This paper attempts to review the variance between urban greenery, urban development and the quest for environmental sustainability. A critical review of relevant materials related to the study was carried out. The quantitative nature of the study was backed empirically. Findings from the study reveal that physical development plans for some urban areas have been very ad-hoc and loosely defined. Allocation of open green spaces is not in harmony with the urban population and it mostly characterized by a low percentage. Abuja master plan, for instance, has the highest allocation of 32.87%, while allocation in other master plans fall below 30% with Suleja master plan counts 2.5% only. Outdated master plan and the lack of will power from urban authority in plan implementation has often resulted in the distortion, encroachment, and conversion of green areas to other land uses. Increase carbon emission and pollution especially from the transport sector has been marked by a decline in greenery. Therefore, reducing the sequestration capacity of the urban area, weak urban planning and harsh climatic condition could be regarded as critical challenges. This study suggests the strict adherent to sustainable urban planning that integrates physical development and environmental consideration to enhance greenery. The study also recommends the placement of urban greenery on the same platform with the urban grey infrastructure by urban stakeholders

Reducing the burden of diarrhea among children under five years old: lessons learned from oral rehydration therapy corner program implementation in Northern Nigeria

Background: In Nigeria, diarrhea remains one of the leading causes of death among children under five years old. Oral Rehydration Therapy (ORT) corners were introduced to health facilities in Bauchi and Sokoto states to serve as points of treatment for sick children and equip caregivers with necessary skills in case management of diarrhea and diarrhea prevention. Objectives: The operations research study examined the effect of facility-based ORT corners on caregivers\u2019 knowledge and skills in management of simple and moderate diarrhea at home, as well as caregivers\u2019 and service providers\u2019 perceived facilitators and barriers to utilization and delivering of ORT corner services. It also examined whether ORT activities were conducted according to the established protocols. Methods: This quantitative study relied on multiple sources of information to provide a complete picture of the current status of ORT corner services, namely surveys with ORT corner providers (N = 21), health facility providers (N = 23) and caregivers (N = 229), as well as a review of service statistics and health facility observations. Frequency distribution and binary analysis were conducted. Results: The study revealed that ORT corner users were more knowledgeable in diarrhea prevention and management and demonstrated better skills for managing diarrhea at home than ORT corner non-users. However, the percentage of knowledgeable ORT users is not optimal, and providers need to continue to work toward improving such knowledge. ORT corner providers identified a lack of supplies as the major barrier for providing services. Furthermore, the study revealed a lack of information, education and communication materials, supportive supervision, and protocols and guidelines for delivering ORT corner services, as well as inadequate documentation of services provided at ORT corners. Recommendations: Recommendations for ORT corners program planners and implementers include ensuring all ORT corners have oral rehydration salt (ORS) packages and salt, sugar, and zinc tablets in stock, a secured commodity supply chain to avoid stockouts, and adequate policies and procedures in place

Effect of Oral Administration of Artesunate on the Histology of the Kidney in Albino Rat

Abstract: The effect of oral administration of Artesunate on the histology of the Kidney of Albino Rat was determined histologically. Thirty Albino rats weighing 80-175g were divided into five groups (A-E) of five rats each. Group A (control) was give equal volume of distilled water daily. Group B received 4mg/kg/day of Artesunate for 5 days and were sacrificed on the 6th day. Group C were given 4mg/kg of Artesunate for the 1 st day, then 3mg/kg/day of Artesunate for 8 days and sacrificed on the 10 th day. Group D received 4mg/kg/day of Artesunate for the 1 st day, then 3mg/kg/day of Artesunate for 12 days and sacrificed on the 14 th day. Group E served as recovery group which received equal treatment as group D above and were left for 10 days later on vital feed and water and were sacrificed on the 23 rd day. The route of administration was orally by the use of the orogastric tube. The kidneys were removed and transferred immediately into 10% formalin. There were no marked differences between the change in weight of the control and the experimental. Administration of Artesunate to rats produced moderate to severe glomerular degeneration, focal haemorrhage, oedema, congested blood vessels, cloudy swelling of the tubules, necrosis of the tubule both in cortex and medulla. These findings were observed to be dose dependent. Artesunate may have acted as toxin to the neurons, affecting their structural integrity. It is therefore recommended that further studies aimed at corroborating this findings be carried ou

Trends in newborn umbilical cord care practices in Sokoto and Bauchi States of Nigeria: the where, who, how, what and the ubiquitous role of traditional birth attendants: a lot quality assurance sampling survey

Abstract Background Neonatal infections caused by unsafe umbilical cord practices account for the majority of neonatal deaths in Nigeria. We examined the trends in umbilical cord care practices between 2012 and 2015 that coincided with the introduction of chlorhexidine digluconate 7.1% gel in Bauchi and Sokoto States. Methods We obtained data from three rounds of lot quality assurance samples (LQAS) surveys conducted in 2012, 2013 and 2015. Households were randomly sampled in each round that totaled 1140 and 1311 households in Bauchi and Sokoto States respectively. Mothers responded to questions on cord care practices in the last delivery. Coverage estimates of practice indicators were obtained for each survey period. Local Government Area (LGA) estimates for each indicator were obtained with α ≤ 5%, and β ≤20% statistical errors and aggregated to State-level estimates with finite sample correction relative to the LGA population. Results Over 75 and 80% of deliveries in Bauchi and Sokoto States respectively took place at home. The proportion of deliveries in public facilities reported by mothers ranged from 19% in 2012 to 22.4% in 2015 in Bauchi State and from 12.9 to 13.2% in 2015 in Sokoto State. Approximately 50% of deliveries in Bauchi and more than 80% in Sokoto States were assisted by traditional birth attendants (TBAs) or relatives and friends, with little change in the survey periods. In Bauchi and in Sokoto States, over 75% and over 80% of newborn cords were cut with razor blades underscoring the pervasive role of the TBAs in the immediate postpartum period. Use of chlorhexidine digluconate 7.1% gel for cord dressing significantly increased to the highest level in 2015 in both States. Health workers who attended deliveries in health facilities switched from methylated spirit to chlorhexidine. There were no observable changes in cord care practices among the TBAs. Conclusion Unsafe umbilical cord care practices remained prevalent in Bauchi and Sokoto States of Nigeria, although a recent introduction of chlorhexidine digluconate 7.1% gel positively changed the cord care practices toward safer practices among public health providers. TBAs, friends and relatives played the strongest immediate postpartum roles and mostly retained the unsafe cord care practices such as use of ash, cow dung and hot compress. We recommend that existing TBAs are retrained and refocused to forge stronger links between communities and the primary health centers to increase mothers’ access to skilled birth attendants

Covid-19 Resilience: A Review

The world-wide occurrence of Covid-19 has made prevention and mitigation of the pandemic an issue of serious concern universally. This paper reviews literature on Covid-19 resilience with a view to exploring the varied aspects been put in place to curtail or mitigate the disastrous tendencies associated with the prevalence of this contemporary disease. The sources of data for this paper were purely secondary with particular reference to covid-19 resilience. From the review it was inferred that aspect of Covid-19 resilience in relation to physical planning, tourism and community resilience have been undertaken significantly but aspect that relates to health resilience more especially which concerns people with terminal diseases needs adequate attention for further exploration as well as researches on Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Covid-19 resilience in relation to the environment also needs to be conducted the more. &nbsp

Prospective observational cohort study on grading the severity of postoperative complications in global surgery research

Background The Clavien–Dindo classification is perhaps the most widely used approach for reporting postoperative complications in clinical trials. This system classifies complication severity by the treatment provided. However, it is unclear whether the Clavien–Dindo system can be used internationally in studies across differing healthcare systems in high- (HICs) and low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Methods This was a secondary analysis of the International Surgical Outcomes Study (ISOS), a prospective observational cohort study of elective surgery in adults. Data collection occurred over a 7-day period. Severity of complications was graded using Clavien–Dindo and the simpler ISOS grading (mild, moderate or severe, based on guided investigator judgement). Severity grading was compared using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Data are presented as frequencies and ICC values (with 95 per cent c.i.). The analysis was stratified by income status of the country, comparing HICs with LMICs. Results A total of 44 814 patients were recruited from 474 hospitals in 27 countries (19 HICs and 8 LMICs). Some 7508 patients (16·8 per cent) experienced at least one postoperative complication, equivalent to 11 664 complications in total. Using the ISOS classification, 5504 of 11 664 complications (47·2 per cent) were graded as mild, 4244 (36·4 per cent) as moderate and 1916 (16·4 per cent) as severe. Using Clavien–Dindo, 6781 of 11 664 complications (58·1 per cent) were graded as I or II, 1740 (14·9 per cent) as III, 2408 (20·6 per cent) as IV and 735 (6·3 per cent) as V. Agreement between classification systems was poor overall (ICC 0·41, 95 per cent c.i. 0·20 to 0·55), and in LMICs (ICC 0·23, 0·05 to 0·38) and HICs (ICC 0·46, 0·25 to 0·59). Conclusion Caution is recommended when using a treatment approach to grade complications in global surgery studies, as this may introduce bias unintentionally