ASSESSMENT OF IMPACT OF COVID-19 CHALLENGES ON PSYCHOSOCIAL WELL-BEING OF NIGERIANS

Assessment of the impact of COVID-19 challenges on the psychosocial wellbeing of the Nigerian populace are the focus of this paper. There are diverse reasons for the essence of assessment of this pandemic; however, the major reason is to document it for future generations. This study, therefore, examined the challenges faced by the populace as a result of COVID-19 pandemic in the South-Western zone and Nigeria as a whole. The study was conducted using a volunteering sampling technique and 335 participants were used using telephone inquiry. Those who completed the interview were 203 (60.6%) males and the rest 132 (39.4%) were female respondents. The instrument has a reliability coefficient of 0.76. Some of the challenges or impacts of COVID-19 on Nigeria populace are hunger, lawlessness, arm robbery, economic crisis, political crisis, financial problem, and hike in the price of essential commodities, young adults resulting in abuse of drugs, raping, pool betting, and internet fraudsters. The spiritual houses like churches, mosques, and shrine were closed up, couples that have given up raising child still found themselves in it as a result of lockdown order and finally the loss of love ones due to CORONA Virus. Based on these findings it was concluded that COVID-19 among the citizenry had cost Nigerians a lot of havoc.  Article visualizations

Evaluation of Enrolment and Performance Patterns of Male and Female Graduates in Guidance and Counseling Programme: A University of Ibadan Study

The purpose of this study is to review the enrolment pattern and performance of male and female students in the guidance and counselling programme of university of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria. The participants sampled for the study consisted of graduate students in the department of guidance and counselling of faculty of education, university of Ibadan, Ibadan which had undergone the programme from 2008/2009 - 2012/2013 academic sessions. Two hundred and thirty-seven students’ results for the periods in question were used which comprises of ninety-seven males and one hundred and forty female students. The data was extracted from departmental records of admission and graduation lists. To examine the enrolment pattern and their performance pattern, frequency and t-test statistical tools were used. Results on enrolment pattern favoured the female and that there is no significant difference in the academic performance (t=0.536, df + 235 and p = 0.59). This study suggests that the course is not meant for women alone and those females are not significantly performed better than male counterparts. It is recommended that Counselling Association of Nigeria (CASSON) should try as much as possible to educate masses on the importance and usefulness of the course and profession at large for human race. Finally, the schools responsible for producing guidance counsellors should make adequate provision for the counsellors in trainee to be well trained in both theory and practical. Keywords: Enrolment, Performance, Guidance & Counselling, Programme, Gender

EVALUATION OF EDUCATIONAL INPUT, PROCESS VARIABLES AND LEARNING OUTCOME AS DETERMINANTS OF QUALITY EDUCATION IN NIGERIA

This study is designed to examine the composite and relative effects of educational input, process variables and learning outcomes on quality of secondary school education among selected employers of labour in south west, Nigeria. Descriptive research design of correlational type was employed to investigate the relationship that exists between the educational input, process variables and learning outcomes on quality of secondary school education among the selected employers of labour in south west, Nigeria. 518 employers of labour in south west, Nigeria were used for the study with 323 males and 195 females. Primary data were collected from the concerned individuals using questionnaire tagged “Perception of Employers’ of Labour on input, process variables and learning outcomes on quality of secondary school education in Nigeria”. This instrument was divided into five sections viz the demographic, input, processing, product and quality of secondary school education sections, all together has a test-re-test reliability coefficient of 0.71. Correlation and multiple regression analysis were used to analyze the three research questions that were raised at 0.05 levels of significances. The result revealed significant composite effect and relative contributions with curriculum as the most potent predictor (β = 0.544; t= 7.692; p< 0.05), followed by teachers quality (β = 0.531, t=12.767, p<0.05) followed by school friendly environment (β = 0.445, t= 5.696, p<0.05) followed by evaluation of learners (β = 0.405, t= 3.924, p<0.05), followed by learners support (β = 0.107, t= 1.987, p<0.05) and learners’ discipline (β = 0.176, t= 2.369, p<0.05). Based on the findings of this study, it was recommended that parents should see to the education need of their children early enough. Also, that teachers’ quality should be looked into on issues of teaching-learning; curriculum implementation, learners support and learners discipline. Also, that curriculum should be prepared so as to make it relevant to individuals, cooperate existence and at large for national development.  Article visualizations

Knowledge Sharing among Librarians in Federal University Libraries in Nigeria

The paper examined knowledge sharing among librarians in federal universities in Nigeria. Eighteen (18) federal university libraries were selected and all 412 librarians in these libraries constituted the sample size. Out of 412 copies of questionnaire administered, 362 copies were found usable representing 87.9% response rate. The study reveals that librarians in federal university libraries in Nigeria had positive perception about knowledge sharing but averagely share knowledge. Majority of the respondents 140 (38.6%) shared knowledge through verbal discussion while 90 (24.9%) shared knowledge during staff meeting and the least respondents 10 (2.8%) shared knowledge through community of practice. There were no incentives given to those who share knowledge hence; the level of knowledge sharing was low among them. Recommendations are made to improve knowledge sharing among librarians in the university libraries. Keywords: Knowledge sharing, Librarians, University, Libraries, Nigeria.

EVALUATION OF UNIVERSITY FRESHMEN SCHOLASTIC ACHIEVEMENT BASED ON SSCE, UTME, GENDER AND AGE IN SOUTH WEST NIGERIA

This study is designed to examine the composite and relative effects of SSCE result, UTME score, age and gender on academic performance of University freshmen. Descriptive research design of ex-post facto type was employed to investigate the relationship that exists between the performance in SSCE, UTME, age and gender and university freshmen academic performance. University freshmen in the federal universities in south west Nigeria were used, 2518 participants 1423 males and 1095 females. Secondary data were collected from the concerned universities’ records office. Correlation and multiple regression analysis were used to analyze the three research questions that were raised at 0.05 levels of significances. The result revealed significant composite effect and relative contributions with SSCE result as the most potent predictor (β = 0.0140; t= 7.241; p< 0.05), followed by age (βeta = -0144, t=7.024, p<0.05). However, sex and UME scores were not potent predictors of academic performance of University freshmen. Furthermore, the findings showed that there is significant difference in the academic performance of university freshmen that holds SSCE result by WAEC and NECO, (t = 6.795, df=1869, p< 0.05). However, there was no significant difference in the academic performance of male and female university freshmen. Based on the findings of this study, it was recommended that parents should see to the education need of their children early enough. Also, that SSCE exam should be looked into on issues of teaching-learning; conduct and marking of the examination papers. Also, that JAMB organization should be sanitized so as to be able to perform the roles it is expected of her.  Article visualizations

Prescriptions involving analgesic drugs at a secondary health facility in Ibadan, Nigeria

Introduction: Pain is a cardinal feature of inflammation and is responsible for majority of hospital visits. The non-opioid analgesics possess antipyretic and anti-inflammatory activity and thus are often employed for such purpose of controlling inflammation as well as antipyretic. The non-opioid analgesics are freely available devoid of causing dependence but their potential harmful effects can sometimes be serious. The needfor rational drug use is paramount and requires evaluation of physicians practice to serve as basis for continue medical education.Methods: A retrospective assessment of pattern of prescription at a secondary health facility owned by one of the 36 states of the federation of Nigeria. The age, sex, the drugs prescribed per patient were recorded and prescriptions involving analgesics were further analyzed. Proportions were compared using X2 and statistical significance was set at

Social meaning and consequences of infertility in Ogbomoso, Nigeria

Background: This study examined the meaning of infertility from layman’s perspective, and experiences of women suffering from infertility among reproductive age women seeking care at the gynaecology unit of the Bowen University Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, Nigeria.Materials and Methods: It was a cross-sectional study. Quantitative and qualitative data collection methods were employed. Quantitative data collection was by the aid of a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire among 200 women seeking care for infertility at the hospital. Qualitative data collection was by Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and Key Informant Interviews (KIIs).Result: Approximately 40% and 60% of the respondents seeking care for infertility were suffering from primary and secondary infertility respectively. Perceived meaning and etiologies of childlessness were multidimensional, but 33% of the respondents not sure of the causal factor. Seventy-nine percent were under pressure to become pregnant. The high premium placed on fertility within marriage has placed a larger proportion of them under pressure from their husbands (25%), their mother-in-laws (40%), and the community (14%).Conclusion: This study concluded that women regard infertility to be caused by multiplicity of factors. Most of these etiologies were unscientific and unverifiable. Fruitful expectations also put enormous burden on those women suffering from infertility including adverse psychosexual effects. The unceasing pressure due to infertility in this group of patients calls for urgent intervention as most of these women become susceptible to high risk sexual behavior, depression and other severe consequences.Keywords: Social meaning, consequences, infertilit

Prevalence, predictors, and perceived susceptibility to placental malaria parasitemia among pregnant women in a tertiary hospital in South-Western Nigeria

Objective: Is to determine the prevalence and predictors of placental malaria among pregnant women.Methodology: The study was cross-sectional in design. It was carried out over six months. We administered Pretested questionnaire to 300 eligible subjects. The researchers took maternal peripheral blood for malaria parasites while cord and placental blood sample at delivery for neonatal packed cell volume (PCV) and Malaria parasite. Data were analyzed using STATA 10.Result: One hundred and forty-four (48%) participants had placental malaria parasitemia, while 173 (57.7%) had peripheral malaria parasitemia. Maternal age less than 20 years (P=0.008), low parity, and hemoglobin type AA (P=0.002) were significantly associated with a higher prevalence of placental parasitemia. Maternal secondary and tertiary education (P=0.013), perceived susceptibility to placental malaria and IPT use (p=0.014) were significantly associated with lower prevalence.Conclusion: This study has shown that placental parasitemia is a significant problem in pregnancy as it is strongly associated with certain maternal factors. There is the need to intensify control efforts aimed at reducing malaria in pregnancy in Nigeria, and mothers with increased risk factors should receive more focused attention. Keywords: Prevalence, risk factors, placental malaria, pregnanc

Social Meaning and Consequences of Infertility in Ogbomoso, Nigeria

Background: This study examined the meaning of infertility from layman's perspective, and experiences of women suffering from infertility among reproductive age women seeking care at the gynaecology unit of the Bowen University Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, Nigeria.Materials and Methods: It was a cross-sectional study. Quantitative and qualitative data collection methods were employed. Quantitative data collection was by the aid of a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire among 200 women seeking care for infertility at the hospital. Qualitative data collection was by Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and Key Informant Interviews (KIIs).Result: Approximately 40% and 60% of the respondents seeking care for infertility were suffering from primary and secondary infertility respectively. Perceived meaning and   etiologies of childlessness were multidimensional, but 33% of the respondents not sure of the causal factor. Seventy-nine percent   were under pressure to become pregnant. The high premium placed on fertility within marriage has placed   a larger proportion of them under pressure from their husbands (25%), their mother-in-laws (40%), and the community (14%).Conclusion: This study concluded that women regard infertility to be caused by multiplicity of factors. Most of these etiologies were unscientific and unverifiable. Fruitful expectations also put enormous burden on those women suffering from infertility including adverse psychosexual effects. The unceasing pressure due to infertility   in this group of patients calls for urgent intervention as most of these women become susceptible to high risk sexual behavior, depression and other severe consequences