Privacy Concerns About Genetic Testing: Does Ethnicity Matter?

The direct-to-consumer genetic testing market is predicted to reach $340 million by 2020 (Seward, 2018). DTC genetic tests (DTC-GTs) are DNA kits purchased and taken by consumers in their homes to learn about their ancestry, trait/disease propensity, etc. Although, many companies state in their privacy policies that they share genetic information with third parties, it’s not evident that consumers completely understand how their information will be used e.g., for research or law enforcement. Prior research has found some ethnicities have low awareness of DTC-GTs e.g., African Americans and Hispanic Americans (Salloum et. al, 2018) but it’s not clear if this also impacts their privacy concerns. The role of ethnicity is important due to historical reasons e.g., the case of Henrietta Lacks (Rao, 2016), medical experimentation on slaves, and the Tuskegee Syphilis Study (Gamble, 1997). This research aims to address this research gap, by examining the impact of ethnicity and attitudes toward privacy on consumers’ purchase of DTC-GTs. After reviewing literature, the researcher developed a conceptual model and testable hypotheses. The researcher then surveyed 103 participants and deployed statistical techniques e.g., t-tests and correlation analyses. Based on the study’s findings, non-users of DTC-GTs don’t possess higher privacy concerns about genetic testing than users. Also, while African Americans are more aware of unethical medical experimentation involving African Americans, the study revealed they’re unlikely to have higher privacy concerns about genetic testing and as likely to purchase DTC-GTs. This research contributes to our understanding about privacy-related challenges in the rapidly evolving DTC-GT market

PSYCHOSOCIAL FACTORS AS DETERMINANTS OF MARITAL STABILITY AMONG COUPLES IN LAGOS AND OGUN STATES, NIGERIA

Fewer persons in modern times are opting for marriage. Ironically, stability in marriage culminates in stable and productive society. The study examined psychosocial factors determining stability among couples. 332 participants, (133 males and 199 females) were selected from Lagos and Ogun States using convenient sampling method. Descriptive survey research design was adopted and the instrument used titled Psychosocial Factors of Marital Stability Questionnaire (PFMSQ) was developed by the researcher. The instrument consists of 4 sections (A – Demography, B – Communication scale, C – Marital Stability scale, and D – Open-ended questions). Four null hypotheses were raised and tested using descriptive and inferential statistic at 0.05 significant level. Hypothesis was tested with logistic regression and hypotheses 2, 3 and 4 were tested with multiple regression.The findings from the tested hypotheses revealed that the combination of communication, age of spouse, and length of marriage predicted marital stability at F(3,328)= 93.534; p=0.05;communication and marital stability revealed at F(1,330) = 280.79; p=0.05;age of spouse predicted marital stability at F(1,330).=3.292; p=0.10 and length of marriage predicted marital stability at F(1,330).= 4.391; p= 0.05. The 4 null hypotheses were thus rejected. The study concluded that communication, age of spouse and length of marriage determine marital stability. It is therefore recommended that government across the 3 tiers (local, state, and federal), non-governmental organizations, marriage counselors therapists, the family and society at large should promote programmes that would enhance marital stability which would give rise to a healthy society

Socio-Economic Status of Parents as Predictor of Achievement Motivation of Students of Covenant University Ota, Ogun State

The research investigated the socio-economic status of parents as predictor of achievement motivation of students of Covenant University Ota, Ogun State. Data for the study were collected using an adapted version of Achievement Motivation Scale Questionnaire by Atkinson & McClelland. Stratified random sampling technique was used for selecting the sample. The sample consists of 300 students from 3 colleges in the university. Two null hypotheses were raised and tested using Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient. Findings indicated that there is a significant correlation between parents' income and achievement motivation and also, a significant relationship between parents' type of accommodation and achievement motivation of the students. The null hypotheses raised were rejected which contradicts popular assumptions that students from higher socio-economic status have higher achievement motivation. Based on the findings, the study recommends that further research be carried out to determine the likely factors that may be responsible for low achievement motivation among students of high socio-economic background

Citizenship And Self-Determination: A Longitudinal Study Of Southern Cameroon Agitation

The Southern Cameroon agitation, otherwise known as Anglophone crisis or Ambazonia crisis is a culmination of perceived marginalisation and suppression of the English-speaking Cameroonians. The problem forms part of the colonial hangover resulting from the partitioning of Africa by some European powers. Essentially, the paper is a longitudinal study pivoted on historical design and relied on secondary sources of data which were analysed textually. Findings show that the Reunification of Francophone Cameroon with the Anglophone parts amounted to a marriage of unequal and unwilling partners‟ underscored by „domination‟ and „subterfuge‟ spanning almost six decades. It is imperative for the African Union, Economic Community of Central African States, United Nations and international organisations of allied mandates to take more than a passing interest in this issue with the intent of effectively playing mediatory roles. Other recommendations are capable of attenuating or addressing the crisi

Xenophobia and Migrants' Irritants in Nigeria-South Africa Relations: A Discourse

The paper interrogates the undercurrents of xenophobia and its nexus with irritations from migration, and how these impinge on Nigeria-South Africa relations. The study is predicated on historical design with a reliance on secondary data which were thematically and textually analysed. The adoption of Realist Conflict Theory with emphasis on conflictual outcomes in the struggle for limited resources illuminated the discussion and findings of the paper. It is observable that Nigeria and South Africa are regional hegemons, and the relationship between them has been oscillating between competition, cooperation and rivalry. The two countries as economic giants in Africa would require sustainable framework for robust collaboration and timely response to manage issues or irritants that occasionally dampens their relations. Deliberate efforts and strategies are canvassed to neutralise anti-migrant sentiments that could exacerbate xenophobic tendencies which diplomatic instruments are currently attenuating

Socio-Economic Status of Parents as Predictor of Achievement Motivation of Students of Covenant University Ota, Ogun State

The research investigated the socio-economic status of parents as predictor of achievement motivation of students of Covenant University Ota, Ogun State. Data for the study were collected using an adapted version of Achievement Motivation Scale Questionnaire by Atkinson & McClelland. Stratified random sampling technique was used for selecting the sample. The sample consists of 300 students from 3 colleges in the university. Two null hypotheses were raised and tested using Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient. Findings indicated that there is a significant correlation between parents' income and achievement motivation and also, a significant relationship between parents' type of accommodation and achievement motivation of the students. The null hypotheses raised were rejected which contradicts popular assumptions that students from higher socio-economic status have higher achievement motivation. Based on the findings, the study recommends that further research be carried out to determine the likely factors that may be responsible for low achievement motivation among students of high socio-economic background

Displacement and Children's Rights: Advancing Media Advocacy for Inclusive Education for Sustainable Development in Nigeria

This chapter examines the relationship amongst displacement, education, and sustainable national development. It pays attention to the effects of displacement on the rights of children to education in Nigeria. Data for the study were obtained via in-depth interviews from key informants and focus group discussions (FGDs) amongst internally displaced women in a government-managed and faith-based IDP camps in the Adamawa State as well as informal settlements in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja on the quality of education offered in the camps. Findings from the study show that wide gaps exist between the education received by displaced children and the expectations of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The study argues that the educational exclusivity of displaced children would have adverse effects on the sustainable development of the Nigerian state as it would decrease awareness of values about their civic duties needed for sustainable development. It thus recommends for increased media advocacy in pushing for better implementation of inclusive education in Nigeria

A Review of Functional Neuroimaging in People with Down Syndrome with and without Dementia

BACKGROUND: Individuals with Down syndrome (DS) are at high risk of dementia which is difficult to diagnose in DS. Neuroimaging has been identified as a potential tool to aid diagnosis by detecting changes in brain function. We carried out a review comparing functional neuroimaging in DS individuals with and without dementia. SUMMARY: A literature search was conducted using PubMed to identify relevant studies. In DS subjects with dementia, fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography (PET) studies showed glucose hypometabolism particularly in the parietal and/or temporal regions whilst magnetic resonance spectroscopy studies showed increased myoinositol and decreased N-acetylaspartate. Ligand-based PET studies revealed significant Pittsburgh compound B binding in DS subjects over the age of 40, particularly if they had dementia. KEY MESSAGES: Neuroimaging may aid the early detection of dementia in DS; however, further longitudinal studies are required