Public Enlightenment Education on the acceptance of Fingerprint Biometric Technology for administration in academic institutions and other organizations

This research presents the overview of the origin of fingerprint biometric technology, the opinion of the public on the acceptance of fingerprint biometric technology and the means of instilling confidence on the public for the total acceptance of the technology.  Data was collected with the aid of a lecture and structured questionnaires distributed to 50 respondents in NewLine Computer training Center Ltd. Abakpa. There were lectures and interviews conducted by the researcher and questionnaires completion by the selected population of 50 people comprising of age between 18 and 65 years. The 50 people consist of individuals from education, technology and government organisations.   The organisation was done by the Researchers and three members of staff of NewLine Computer training Center Ltd. Abakpa Nike Enugu. The lectures enlightened the 50 participants/respondents that fingerprint is a discontinuous variation and that no two persons have exactly the same fingerprint. The study revealed that it is obvious that confidence will be instilled in the public if there is public enlightenment as the number of respondents who believe that fingerprint cannot be stolen or copied is 92% although 8% of the respondents is still biased after the lectures. The research will instil confidence in the use of fingerprint biometric technology and will break the shackles of currently being a misunderstood novelty to a widespread, mainstream personal identity authentication tool. Keywords: Authentication, Biometric Technology, Chip Implantation, Fingerprint Acquisition, Identity Management

Internet as an effective tool for modern educational and business administration

This paper presents the effectiveness of Internet in the promotion of academic institutions and local business in Enugu through website development and its services. The three organizations chosen for the study were Doma internet services Ltd. Abakpa, Annunciation Specialist Hospital, Emene, Enugu and Information and Communication Technology unit of the department of Urban and Regional Planning, Enugu State university of Science and Technology, Agbani, Enugu.  In the qualitative study carried out in these three organizations, data collections were made by direct observations, filling of structured questionnaires and interviews. 20 chosen respondents were interviewed in each of the organizations to examine the objectives that organisations achieve with websites, what drives the development of websites of organizations and the effectiveness of the website development. 3 respondents out of the 20 chosen respondents were the members of the management of the selected unit and the research questions in Table 5.7, Table 5.8 and Table 5.9 were directed strictly to the members of the management. The work revealed the effectiveness of web site in advertisement, effective communication, administration, business transaction and the creation of awareness on the existence of an organization locally and internationally. Keywords: Administration, Communication, Internet, marketing, Website

Economic Globalization: Its Impact on the Growth of Non-Oil Supply in Nigeria

The study examined the impact of economic globalization on the growth of non oil supply in Nigeria.  Specifically, it sought to find out how economic globalization has impacted on changing the structure of domestic production in favour of non oil supply in Nigeria in the period 1970-2011. The study employed ordinary least square (OLS) and Vector Error Correction Model (VEC) in a bid to delineate the long run relationship between growth of non-oil supply (NOX), economic globalization (proxied by index of openness) (OPN), relative prices (RP), gross domestic product (GDP), capital goods import (CG), world income (WI), exchange rate (EXR) and oil export (OX).  The results show that a 1% increase in economic globalization will grow non-oil supply by 36% but t-statistics of 1.115 is indicative of an insignificant impact both in the long run and short run.  Equally, a 1% increase each in GDP, RP, CG, and EXR will grow NOX by 108%, 012%, 004% and 08% respectively, while a 1% increase in WI and OX will depress the NOX by 149% and 02% respectively. The depressing effect of WI on NOX is indicative that WI elasticity for Nigerian NOX is negative, that is, as WI grows tastes and preferences change in favour of non Nigerian NOX.  The weak impact of CG in explaining the contemporaneous changes in the growth of NOX implies that the latter may increase in the short run without necessarily increasing the importation of the former – a good case for dependency driven Nigerian economy. Though diversification and increased openness are recommended, improving on the quality, packaging and marketing of Nigeria’s NOX is imperative in order to reverse the WI growth-Nigerian NOX demand relation and so gain from greater integration and trade. Keywords: Globalization, Non-oil supply, oil export, openness, GDP

Primary Health Care under One Roof: Knowledge and Predictors among Primary Health Care Workers in Enugu State, South East, Nigeria

Background: The concept of “Primary Health Care Under One Roof” (PHCUOR) is a new governance reform to improve primary health care (PHC) implementation and integration. This study aimed at assessing the level of knowledge of this concept and its predictors among PHC Workers. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study of PHC workers in Enugu State. Respondents were selected using systematic sampling method. Data were collected with self-administered questionnaire and analyzed using IBM-SPSS version 25. Levelof statistical significance was set at 5% and confidence interval (CI) of 95%. Results: A total of 292 responses out of 337 questionnaires were retrieved, giving a response rate of 86.6%. Majority of the respondents were female (257, 88.0%) and greater than half were in the age range of 41–50 years (151, 51.7%). Most of the respondents had overall good knowledge of PHCUOR (210, 71.9%) but there was poor understanding of some concepts. Bivariate analysis showed that having good knowledge of PHCUOR was associated with duration of practice (χ2= 6.013, P = 0.018) and age (χ2 = 4.495, P = 0.036) but on binary logistic regression, males were found to be 2.8 times more likely to have good knowledge of the concept compared to females (adjusted odds ratio = 2.763.; 95% CI = 1.022–7.469, P = 0.045). Conclusion: There was overall good knowledge of PHCUOR but the knowledge of rationale, gateway, and minimum service package (MSP) was poor. Males were approximately 2.8 times more likely to have good knowledge compared to females. Regular training of PHC workers on the concepts of PHCUOR especially the rationale, gateway, and MSP is needed to improve their knowledge and service delivery. Keywords: Enugu, knowledge, predictors, primary health care under one roof&nbsp

Effects of Agro-based Adsorbents on the Biochemical Profiles of Wistar Rats Exposed to Cyanide

Background: Cyanide is a very toxic chemical that reacts with the ferric cytochrome oxidase in the mitochondrial system to form a stable complex. This complex inhibits the process of oxidative phosphorylation, thereby interrupting aerobic respiration in the organism. It is postulated that activated charcoal (AC) intercepts the ingested cyanide in the gastrointestinal tract before it is absorbed into the system. Methods: A single dose of 3 mg/kg body weight of potassium cyanide (KCN) was orally administered to the rats in each of the five groups, each consisting of 6 rats. After 15 minutes, all rats in each group were given AC from different agro-based materials. The control group (group 1) received standard commercial AC orally at 1 g/kg. group 2 received AC from plantain peels, group 3 received AC from castor oil seed shell, group 4 received AC from coconut shell and group 5 received a combination of AC from plantain peels, castor oil seed shell, and coconut shell. Blood samples were collected sequentially from rats in each group for biochemical assays using standard procedures. Results: The control group, which received KCN and standard commercial AC, exhibited the highest alanine transaminase (ALT) value (60.09±0.10 U/L) on day seven. Similarly, the highest aspartate transaminase (AST) value (196.28±0.72 U/L) was observed in the control group. Alkaline phosphate (ALP) levels followed a similar pattern. On day seven, the serum creatinine levels were 3.81±0.11 mg/dL for group 1 and 3.45±0.05 mg/dL for group 5. Subsequently, all biochemical parameters decreased after day 7, with the lowest levels recorded in rats that received AC derived from coconut shells. Conclusion: The administration of locally prepared agro-based adsorbents to Wistar rats after exposure to sublethal doses of cyanide significantly mitigated the effects of the cyanide on the liver, kidneys, and heart, as indicated by the biochemical parameters of the albino Wistar rats in the study

Factors limiting the gains of MDGs in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: KEY DETERMINANT AND PITFALLS FOR FRAGILE STATES

The Human Development Index in 2013 ranked Democratic Republic of the Congo 186th out of 187 in the United Nations Development Programme. The categorization came as a result of the deteriorating conflict that pushed the country towards a failed state realm. According to the 2015 Fragility Index of thePeaceFund, Democratic Republic of the Congo was among the nations ranked on the high alert (highly vulnerable andvolatile),  consequently to as a result of non-provision of basic services. In addition to the deteriorating growth and development trajectory, infrastructural and systems failures have unabatedly limited service provision, resulting in inadequacies in humanitarian interventions. The study aims to evaluate the gains of MDGs in Democratic Republic of the Congo, taking into cognizance key deliverables, pitfalls, and prospects for development in fragile states. The study uses thematic reviews cushioned with elements of quantitative approach in providing answers to the study. On surface value, the study shows that 72% of rural households live in abject poverty. Additionally, more than 40% of children in rural areas suffer from chronic malnutrition, hunger and squalor. The study contends that without sustainable public institutions, systems and structure in the administration of services, DRC could likely remain in unending retrogression

Antibacterial and toxicological evaluation of the ethanol leaf extract of Anthonotha macrophylla

Introduction: The leaves of Anthonotha macrophylla which are widely used in folkloric medicine in Africa were evaluated for antibacterial activity and its toxicological profile.Methods: Antibacterial activities of the leaves against clinical strains of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, Klebsiella pneumonia, Streptococcus pyogenes and Bacillus subtilis were compared with cefoxitin. Toxicological profiles were determined following the administration of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg of the leaf extract and distilled water, as control, to male Albino rats for 28 days. Biochemical and hematological indices and body weights were determined and the vital organs were examined.Results: The ethanol leaf extract of A. macrophylla demonstrated antibacterial activity against the pathogenic bacteria tested. Toxicological investigation of the leaf extract showed no significant alterations in hematological and biochemical indices, and the vital organs as well. The LD50 in rats was more than 5000 mg/kg.Conclusion: Findings suggest that the ethanol leaf extract of A. macrophylla possess good antimicrobial activity which supports the traditional use of this plant across Africa. The plant is also considered safe following oral exposure after 28 days

Using community theater to improve demand for vaccination services in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria

Abstract Introduction Despite abundant evidence showing immunization as a lifesaving public health measure, a large proportion of Nigerian children are still not or fully vaccinated. Lack of awareness and distrust of the immunization process by caregivers are some of the reasons for poor immunization coverage which need to be addressed. This study aimed at improving vaccination demand, acceptance and uptake in Bayelsa and Rivers State, both in the Niger Delta Region (NDR) of Nigeria through a human-centered process of trust building, education and social support. Methods A quasi-experimental intervention christened Community Theater for Immunization (CT4I) was deployed in 18 selected communities between November 2019 and May 2021 in the two states. In the intervention localities, relevant stakeholders including the leadership of the health system, community leaders, health workers and community members were engaged and actively involved in the design and performance of the theaters. The content for the theater showcased real stories, using a human-centered design (HCD) of ideation, co-creation, rapid prototyping, feedback collection and iteration. Pre- and post-intervention data on the demand and utilization of vaccination services were collected using a mixed method. Results In the two states, 56 immunization managers and 59 traditional and religious leaders were engaged. Four broad themes implicating user and provider factors emerged from the 18 focus group discussions as responsible for low immunization uptake in the communities. Of the 217 caregivers trained on routine immunization and theater performances, 72% demonstrated a knowledge increase at the post-test. A total of 29 performances attended by 2,258 women were staged with 84.2% of the attendees feeling satisfied. At the performances, 270 children received vaccine shots (23% were zero-dose). There was a 38% increase in the proportion of fully immunized children in the communities and 9% decline in the proportion of zero-dose children from baseline. Conclusion Both demand- and supply-side factors were identified as responsible for poor vaccination in the intervention communities. Our intervention demonstrates that caregivers will demand immunization services if they are engaged through community theater using a human-centered design (HCD). We recommend a scaling up of HCD to address the challenge of vaccine hesitancy

Private sector malaria RDT initiative in Nigeria: lessons from an end-of-project stakeholder engagement meeting

Abstract The malaria rapid diagnosis testing (RDT) landscape is rapidly evolving in health care delivery in Nigeria with many stakeholders playing or having potential for critical roles. A recent UNITAID grant supported a pilot project on the deployment of quality-assured RDTs among formal and informal private service outlets in three states in Nigeria. This paper describes findings from a series of stakeholder engagement meetings held at the conclusion of the project. The agreed meeting structure was a combination of plenary presentations, structured facilitated discussions, and nominal group techniques to achieve consensus. Rapporteurs recorded the meeting proceeding and summaries of the major areas of discussion and consensus points through a retrospective thematic analysis of the submitted meeting reports. Key findings indicate that private providers were confident in the use of RDTs for malaria diagnosis and believed it has improved the quality of their services. However, concerns were raised about continued access to quality-assured RDT kits. Going forward, stakeholders recommended increasing client-driven demand, and continuous training and supervision of providers through integration with existing monitoring and supervision mechanisms