Determinants of productivity among honey producers in Abia State, Nigeria

The study examined the profitability of honey in Abia State. Data were collected using structured questionnaire. Purposive sampling techniques were used in selecting one hundred and twenty (120) honey farmers from the study area. Data collected were analyzed using such statistical tools as Net return and Benefit-cost Ratio and Ordinary least squares (OLS) multiple regression analysis. The results showed that 45.8% of the farmers possessed 1-5 hives which is a small-scale for honey business. About 30% had between 6-10 hives while 12.5% had 21 and more hives. The result further revealed that the total revenue per farmer per season was ₦265,334.28 per annum with an annual gross margin of ₦206,806.43 and the net farm income per farm per season was ₦186,177.02 and the benefit-cost ratio was ₦3.35: ₦1.00 indicating that for every ₦1 invested in honey production, ₦3.35 was realized, which implies that honey production in Abia state is profitable. The OLS multiple regression revealed that education was positive and significant at 5% level of probability. This implied that any increase in the level of education will lead to a corresponding increase in productivity among the honey producers. Gender was positive and significant at 1% level. Hence, it was recommended that since the enterprise was found to be profitable, policies aimed at encouraging more rural households in honey production as a way of creating employment and reducing poverty should be made.Keywords: Profitability, Honey Production and Productivit

IMPACT OF TECHNOLOGY ON IMPROVING HIV AND TUBERCULOSIS HEALTH OUTCOMES AMONG AFRICAN COUNTRIES

This study used health analytics approach to evaluate the association between population health outcomes and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructures at a country level. This study used aggregate data obtained from the World Bank database, and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) database for 53 African countries for the periods 2000 to 2016, and quantitatively explored the impact of ICT infrastructures’ diffusion on population health outcomes. ICT data was obtained from the ITU database. Similarly, population health attributes were retrieved from the World Bank database. ICT infrastructure variables used in this study include: internet access, mobile phone use, and fixed telephone subscriptions. However, population health outcome variables for this study include: HIV prevalence, access to antiretroviral therapy, Tuberculosis incidence, and mortality rates. Econometric study methodology involved a Dynamic Panel Model (DPM). Study findings showed that promoting ICT use among the public has opportunities for improving Tuberculosis (TB) and HIV health outcomes. However, the impact of each ICT infrastructures on improving TB and HIV health outcomes differed, which this study inferred to be as a result of different functionalities of the ICT infrastructures, as well as the peculiar features of the health outcomes studied. This study also did an Exploratory Spatial Data Analysis (ESDA) of TB treatment completion rates among health systems in Africa to help visualize trends and identify patterns, clusters and outliers. It evaluated spatial relationships between mobile phone use and TB treatment completion rates using differential local Moran’s I and bivariate Moran’s I techniques. Study result identified statistically significant positive autocorrelation values for the periods evaluated, as well as varying cluster patterns in TB treatment completion rates. The cluster patterns increased across the three-time periods among geographically referenced data evaluated in this study. This study also identified a direct relationship between mobile phone use and TB treatment completion rates among relevant African countries studied. Thereby, necessitating the need to strengthen national policies that promote TB and HIV medication adherence and completion using eHealth strategies among African health systems. Another important policy implication of this study for African governments is that investing in eHealth, including educating the masses on ICT use, could be an alternative policy to improve population health

Microbiological assessment of air-conditioners used in Calabar, Nigeria

Background: There is a rising heat level in Nigeria that has been associated with climate change which has a global reach, exposing millions of people to the risk of several health problems. Usually air conditioners are deployed in human dwellings to eradicate heat conditions but may serve as potential reservoirs of infection if not appropriately used and maintained.Aim: This study was aimed to evaluate in-use air conditioners in Calabar, Nigeria for their role in the transmission of microbial infections between April and August, 2021.Methodology: A cross sectional study was conducted to examine 100 air conditioners’ filters and 50 filtered air samples of the same air conditioners in use for potential bacterial and fungal pathogens. Each filter was wiped with sterile cotton wool swab moistened with sterile peptone water, while the filtered air samples were collected by placing the appropriate culture media plates against the air conditioner air stream in use. The culture plates were incubated at 370C for 24-48hours and one Sabouraud Dextrose agar plate at room temperature for 2-7 days. Identification of the isolates was done using standard bacteriological and mycological methods.Results: Comparatively, the filters were more significantly contaminated with bacteria 100 (100.0%) and fungi 73(73.0%), respectively (x2=62.567, P=0.00001) than the filtered air samples 24(48.0%) and 17(34.0%), respectively (x2=21.13, P=0.00001). All (100%) of the 100 air conditioner filter samples studied carried bacteria compared to 73(73.0%) which carried fungi (x2=31.12, P=0.0001). Also, air conditioner’s air stream samples carried insignificantly more bacteria 24 (48.0%) compared to fungi 17(34.0%) (x2=2.0258, P=0.1546). The most frequently encountered bacteria and fungi in the study were Bacillus species (50.8%) and Aspergillus niger (60.0%), respectively. Others were Aspergillus flavus (40.0%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (20.2%), Staphylococcus aureus (13.7%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (9.7%), and Escherichia coli (5.6%).Conclusion: This study concludes that air conditioners in-use in Calabar can play role in the transmission and spread of air borne infections. Measures should be taken to ensure implementation of the recommended healthy, periodic cleaning and maintenance as well as from microbiological screening of in-use air conditioners

Why are emerging countries popular for clinical research?

Background. The business of clinical research has changed in the past two decades, shifting from industrialised Western countries to so-called emerging markets such as Eastern Europe, Latin America and Africa. An appraisal of the trends could identify associated factors that may have implications for the local populations and their endemic diseases.Objectives. To identify potential reasons why emerging countries have become attractive places for international sponsors to conduct their clinical trials.Methods. Using ClinicalTrials.gov, the Pan African Clinical Trials Registry, the National Health Research Database and the Nigeria Clinical Trials Registry, trend data on clinical research development were determined for two emerging African markets, Nigeria and South Africa (SA), from 2010 to 2018. Also, health data on the two countries from the fact sheets of health statistics of the World Health Organization were compared, as well as regulatory and ethical conditions. Available data were analysed using descriptive statistics and trend analysis.Results. The impact of globalisation is evident from the upward trend in clinical trials in SA before 2010, and the clear downward trend thereafter. One reason for this change could be the alignment of SA’s regulatory and ethical frameworks with the Western world. In contrast, the upward trend is only just beginning in Nigeria, with the introduction of ethical/regulatory frameworks, and supportive institutions making the business of clinical research more attractive on an international level. Although the number of international and local sponsors increased in Nigeria from 2010 to 2018, only the latter increased in SA, with the former decreasing over the same period. Overall, there is a mismatch between country-specific diseases and the drugs being tested, to the extent that leprosy, which is endemic in Nigeria, and tuberculosis in SA were not in the list of top 10 study areas in either country.Conclusions. The globalisation trend is evident in the clinical trials business, but cannot be generalised to all emerging countries. Timing and intensity vary from country to country relative to factors that advance the existing profit-orientated business models of the sponsors. Furthermore, various diseases have been localised, which entails a diversely increasing need for research

DETERMINATION OF HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES OF MANAGERS OF SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES IN ANAMBRA STATE, NIGERIA

Small and medium enterprises are making positive contributions to economic growth and development in Nigeria, but the rate of failure is high. This failure rate may be attributed to lack of planning, employee participation in decision making and poor management. To survive and compete in this globalized world, SMEs require managers with vast experiences in human resource practices. This study determined the human resource management practices of managers of small and medium enterprises in Anambra State. Two research questions guided the study and four null hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of significance. Descriptive survey research design was adopted using a population of 2, 610 managers of SMEs in Anambra State. Taro Yamane formula was utilized to select a sample size of 347. A structured questionnaire developed by the researcher was used for data collection. Cronbach Alpha was used to establish the reliability of the instrument. The reliability index obtained was r = 0.85 and 0.82. Data were analyzed using mean, standard deviation, t-test and ANOVA. Mean was used to answer the research questions and standard deviation used to explain how the responses of the respondents varied. t-test and ANOVA were used to test the hypotheses at 0.05 level of significant. The results showed that managers agreed on the human resource management practices (resourcing and employee development) they adopted in their small and medium scale enterprises in Anambra State. The results also showed that there was no significant difference in the mean responses of managers on the human resource practices (resourcing and employee development) they adopted in their small and medium scale enterprises in Anambra State based on size of enterprise and years of experience. Based on the findings, the researchers recommended, among others, that managers of SMEs’ in Anambra State should embark on capacity building of their members to ensure better understanding of the relevance of human resource practices on organizational growth and performance.  Article visualizations

Mothers’ perception of recovery and satisfaction with patent medicine dealers’ treatment of childhood febrile conditions in rural communities

Background Infant mortality in rural areas of Nigeria can be minimized if childhood febrile conditions are treated by trained health personnel, deployed to primary healthcare centres (PHCs) rather than the observed preference of mothers for patent medicine dealers (PMDs). However, health service utilization/patronage is driven by consumer satisfaction and perception of services/product value. The objective of this study was to determine ‘mothers’ perception of recovery’ and ‘mothers’ satisfaction’ after PMD treatment of childhood febrile conditions, as likely drivers of mothers’ health-seeking behaviour, which must be targeted to reverse the trend. Methods Ugwuogo-Nike, in Enugu, Nigeria, has many PMDs/PHCs, and was selected based on high prevalence of childhood febrile conditions. In total, 385 consenting mothers (aged 15–45 years) were consecutively recruited at PMD shops, after purchasing drugs for childhood febrile conditions, in a cross-sectional observational study using a pre-tested instrument; 33 of them (aged 21–47 years) participated in focus group discussions (FGDs). Qualitative data were thematically analysed while a quantitative study was analysed with Z score and Chi square statistics, at p < 0.05. Results Most participants in FGDs perceived that their child had delayed recovery, but were satisfied with PMDs’ treatment of childhood febrile conditions, for reasons that included politeness, caring attitude, drug availability, easy accessibility, flexibility in pricing, shorter waiting time, their God-fearing nature, and disposition as good listeners. Mothers’ satisfaction with PMDs’ treatment is significantly (p < 0.05) associated with mothers’ perception of recovery of their child (χ2 = 192.94, df = 4; p < 0.0001; Cramer’s V = 0.7079). However, predicting mothers’ satisfaction with PMDs’ treatment from a knowledge of mothers’ perception of recovery shows a high accord (lambda[A from B] = 0.8727), unlike when predicting mothers’ perception of recovery based on knowledge of mothers’ satisfaction with PMDs’ treatment (lambda[A from B] = 0.4727). Conclusions Mothers’ satisfaction could be the key ‘driver’ of mothers’ health-seeking behaviour and is less likely to be influenced by mothers’ perception of recovery of their child. Therefore, mothers’ negative perception of their child’s recovery may not induce proportionate decline in mothers’ health-seeking behaviour (patronage of PMDs), which might be influenced mainly by mothers’ satisfaction with the positive attributes of PMDs’ personality/practice and sets an important agenda for PHC reforms

Detection of plasmid-borne NDM-1 gene in clinical isolates of Enterobacteriaceae and their carbapenem antibiogram in cross river state, Nigeria

Background: Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) are considered by the World Health Organization to be a critical global health concern. New Delhi Metallo-beta-lactamase (NDM) enzymes are capable of conferring resistance to almost all β-lactam antimicrobial drugs which are often considered drugs of last resort for the treatment of serious infections. Aim: This study investigated the presence of blaNDM-1 gene on plasmids of multiple antibiotic resistant clinical isolates of Enterobacteriaceae in Cross River State, Nigeria. Methodology: Seventy-nine Enterobacteriaceae which were obtained from urine and stool samples of patients in secondary and tertiary hospitals in Cross River State, Nigeria, were identified and tested for their susceptibility to three carbapenem antibiotics. Their ability to produce carbapenemase was determined by the Modified Hodges Test (MHT), re-modified Hodges Test (rMHT) and PCR. Results: Two Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates from two separate urine samples obtained from two patients who had previously visited India, harboured the blaNDM-1 gene; both were resistant to the three carbapenems tested. Conclusion: The detection of blaNDM-1 gene in Enterobacteriaceae confirms the circulation of the gene in Calabar. It further underscores the origin of the gene and its rapid spread. This has grave public health implications for Nigeria as India remains a major medical tourism destination for Nigerians

Management of childhood pain and healthcare providers’ willingness to use topical anaesthetic cream for minor procedural pain in Nigeria

Objective: To determine providers’ willingness to use (WTU) topical anaesthetic cream (TAC) to alleviate childhood pain. This information will be useful for successful implementation of TAC in Nigeria.Subjects and Methods: The study was undertaken in hospitals in southeast Nigeria. Intervieweradministered questionnaire was used to collect information: on the providers’ preferred waiting time and their WTU TAC. Likert scale was used to assess the providers’ level of uneasiness when performing painful procedures and their WTU the TAC. Multiple regression analyses were performed to measure the relationship of WTU with the different independent variables, after creating a binary option for some variables.Results: Providers surveyed were 232. Majority (94.8%) wanted the pain alleviated and 87.9% had made some attempts to alleviate the pain. Only one respondent (1%) knew about TAC, but none had used it before. Over 94% of the respondents were WTU TAC. The mean maximum preferred waiting time was 37.03 minutes. Many (68.8%) were concerned about the prolonged waiting time required and 19.8% and 12.5% with its availability and affordability respectively. In linear multivariate analyses, WTU was not statistically associated with designation, age, average weekly procedure and scale-rating of the childhood pain (p &gt; 0.05).Conclusion: The WTU TAC was high, but the mean time willing to wait was lesser than mean recommended time of 45 minutes. If this latter limitation is circumvented, it may aid implementing the use of TAC in routine pediatric care.Keywords: Nigeria; Willingness to Use; Topical Anaesthetic Cream; Providers

Bacteriology of urinary tract infection and antimicrobial sensitivities in under-five children in Enugu

Background: Urinary tract infection (UTI) is one of the serious bacterial infections in febrile young children, which may cause chronic morbidities. Studies from different parts of Nigeria have shown varying pattern in itsbacteriology and antibiotic sensitivities. Antimicrobial resistance rate among uropathogens is an increasing problem limiting therapeutic options, and underscores the need to determine local bacteriological pattern that will guide empiric antibiotic choices.Objectives: To identify the bacterial pathogens responsible for UTI in febrile under-five children in Enugu as well as their antibiotic sensitivity patterns.Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive hospital based study of eligible febrile children aged one to 59 months. Urine samples were collected using mid-stream and suprapubic aspiration methods. Standard laboratory  procedures were used to culture the urine specimens, identify the bacterialpathogens as well as their antibiotic sensitivity patterns. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the outcome.Results: Significant bacteriuria occurred in 22 (11%) of the 200 samples. Escherichia coli isolates were the most common organisms in 7(31.8%) of the 22 positive samples. Others were Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella spp and Streptococcus faecalis isolated in 5 (22.7%), 3(13.6%), and 3(13.6%)of the positive samples respectively. Most of the isolates were sensitive to ofloxacin (90.9%), ciprofloxacin (81.8%), nitrofurantoin (77.3%) and ceftriaxone (72.7%). High levels of resistance to ampicillin, cotrimoxazole,amoxicillin, nalidixic acid and clavulanate-potentiated amoxicillin were observed.Conclusion: Escherichia coli is the most common cause of UTI in febrile under-five children studied. Ciprofloxacin and ceftriaxone showed better sensitivities are advocated for the empiric treatment of febrile UTI in Enugu.Key words: UTI, under-fives, bacterial pathogens, antibiotic sensitivitie

Urinary tract infection in febrile under five children in Enugu, South Eastern Nigeria

Background: Fever is a common symptom of urinary tract infection (UTI) in children less than 5 years of age. Little attention is however paid to UTI as a cause of fever in this age group.Objective: The objective of the following study is to determine the  prevalence of UTI in febrile children less than 5 years of age and relate it to demographic and clinical characteristics.Materials and Methods: Urine specimen of febrile children aged 1.59 months obtained by suprapubic or midstream methods were analyzed using standard laboratory methods of microscopy, culture and sensitivity.Results: A total of 200 children were enrolled; nearly 56% (112/200) were males. The mean age of the subjects was 31.14 } 17.96 months. The prevalence of UTI was 11% and was significantly higher in females than in males (P = 0.049). Children below 12 months of age had a higher rate of UTI than those 12 months and above (P = 0.028). The common clinical features were vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, urinary frequency and urgency but none had a significant association with UTI.Conclusion: UTI is common in febrile under.fives especially among females and infants. No association was apparent between the occurrence of UTI and clinical parameters.Key words: Fever, under.five children, urinary tract infectio