Substance use among secondary school adolescents in Gwagwalada Area Council, Abuja, Nigeria

Background: Adolescent substance use is a growing epidemic that is placing heavy burdens on individuals, families and communities hence the stimulus for this study.Aim/Objectives: To determine the prevalence and pattern of substance use among secondary school adolescents in Gwagwalada Area Council, Abuja, Nigeria.Methods: A questionnaire-based, cross-sectional, descriptive study done over a three-month period among secondary school adolescents aged 10 to 18 years old after obtaining appropriate ethical approvals, consent and assent.Results: A total of 1,196 questionnaires were analysed, of which 641 (53.6%) were females and 1,052 (87.96%) from public schools. The overall prevalence rate for lifetime use was 72.7%. The substance with the highest prevalence rates for lifetime, annual and current use was kola nut (44.3%, 24.4 and 11.0%, respectively) and lowest for heroin (0.7%, 0.6% and 0.5%, respectively). There was a statistically significant male preponderance for licit substance use and a non-statistically significant female preponderance for illicit substance use. 507(42.4%) students were single substance users while 363 (30.35%) students were multiple substance users. Age at first use was at ten years of age or less.Conclusion and recommendations: There is need for strengthening substance use prevention programmes and implementing regulatory laws on sale and use of substances. Stiffer penalties for offenders are recommended.Keywords: Prevalence;substance use; adolescent; secondary school; Nigeri

Opportunities and hurdles of edible insects for food and feed

Entomophagy, the consumption of insects, is promoted as an alternative sustainable source of protein for humans and animals. Seminal literature highlights predominantly the benefits, but with limited empirical support and evaluation. We highlight the historical significance of entomophagy by humans and key opportunities and hurdles identified by research to date, paying particular attention to research gaps. It is known that insects present a nutritional opportunity, being generally high in protein and key micronutrients, but it is unclear how their nutritional quality is influenced by what they are fed. Research indicates that, in ideal conditions, insects have a smaller environmental impact than more traditional Western forms of animal protein; less known is how to scale up insect production while maintaining these environmental benefits. Studies overall show that insects could make valuable economic and nutritional contributions to the food or feed systems, but there are no clear regulations in place to bring insects into such supply systems. Future research needs to examine how the nutritional value of insects can be managed systematically, establish clear processing and storage methodology, define rearing practices and implement regulations with regard to food and feed safety. Each of these aspects should be considered within the specifics of concrete supply and value chains, depending on whether insects are intended for food or for feed, to ensure insects are a sound economic, nutritional and sustainable protein alternative – not just a more expensive version of poultry for food, or soya for feed

Adsorption of Pb2+, Zn2+ and Ni2+ from Aqueous Solution by Helix aspera Shell

The adsorption capacity of Helix aspera shell for Pb2+, Zn2+ and Ni2+ has been studied. This shell has the potential of adsorbing Pb2+, Zn2+ and Ni2+ from aqueous solution. The adsorption potentials of Helix aspera shell is largely influenced by the ionic character of the ions and occurred according to the order Pb2+ > Ni2+ > Zn2+. The adsorption of Pb(II), Zn(II) and Ni(II) ions from aqueous solutions by Helix aspera shell is thermodynamically feasible and is consistent with the models of Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherms. From the results of the study, the shell of Helix aspera is recommended for use in the removal of Pb2+, Zn2+ and Ni2+ from aqueous solution

Assessment of the Quality of Water Treated and Distributed By the Akwa Ibom State Water Company

The quality of water treated and distributed by the Akwa Ibom Water Company has been assessed by analyzing samples of water collected from different distribution points for their physiochemical parameters, major ions, nutrients and bacteriological quality. The observed values were compared with standard values given by the World Health Organization for portable water. The quality of the analysed water is found fit for human consumption

Anti-nutritional factors and potassium bromate content in bread and flour samples

Abstract: The aim of the study is to evaluate the anti-nutritional composition factors and potassium bromate content of some selected bread and flour samples in Uyo Metropolis. The result of the analysis shows that, though the concentration of phytic acid and tannins was high in both the bread and flour samples their concentrations did not exceed lethal doses. The potassium bromate content was minimal in all the bread and flour samples and within safe limits of residual bromide found in flour as specified by the US Food and Drug Administration. The concentrations of the anti-nutritional factors in the bread and flour samples were partially different from each other when subjected to the students t-test statistics

Thermodynamic Study on the Adsorption of Pb2+ and Zn2+ From Aqueous Solution by Human Hair

Adsorption of Pb(II) and Zn(II) ions from aqueous solutions was studied in a batch system using modified human hair. The optimum conditions for the adsorption of Pb(II) and Zn(II) ions from aqueous solution by human hair were investigated by considering the extent of adsorption with respect to contact time, initial metal ion concentration and temperature. The results obtained indicates that the extent of metal ions removed decreases with increasing contact time but increased with increase in the initial metal ion concentration. The adsorption equilibrium data best fitted Freundlich adsorption isotherm. The adsorption of Pb(II) and Zn(II) ions onto human hair is endothermic, spontaneous and is characterised by increasing degree of orderliness

Anti-Nutritional Factors and Potassium Bromate Content in Bread and Flour Samples in Uyo Metropolis, Nigeria

The aim of the study is to evaluate the anti-nutritional composition factors and potassium bromate content of some selected bread and flour samples in Uyo Metropolis. The result of the analysis shows that, though the concentration of phytic acid and tannins was high in both the bread and flour samples their concentrations did not exceed lethal doses. The potassium bromate content was minimal in all the bread and flour samples and within safe limits of residual bromide found in flour as specified by the US Food and Drug Administration. The concentrations of the anti-nutritional factors in the bread and flour samples were partially different from each other when subjected to the students t-test statistics