Overcrowding, Age and Gender Differences in the Manifestation of state Anxiety among Undergraduate Students in a Nigerian Public University

Most students in tertiary institutions in Nigeria have a hard time procuring adequate accommodation. Hence, they are usually left with the option of having to share a room with many people resulting inover-crowded hostels. This study sought to examine the effect of over-crowding, age and gender on the state anxiety levels of undergraduates in a Nigerian public university. 192 participants were selected from male and female students residing in the hostels and off-campus with age range of 16 – 30 (mean age = 22.80; SD = 2.70). Average person per room was used to determine how crowded the room was and the State Trait Anxiety Inventory form Y – 1 (STAI – Y1) was administered on the participants. A three-way ANOVA showed a non significant interaction effect between overcrowding, age and gender on the manifestation of anxiety among university undergraduates, F(2, 180) = 2.22, p = 0.11. The result also revealed a significant main effect of gender on the manifestation of state anxiety among undergraduates, F(1, 180) = 18.212, p = 0.00, where males manifested more anxiety than female undergraduates. There was also a significant interaction effect of overcrowding and gender F(1, 180) = 5.67, p = 0.02. It was concluded that university undergraduates should be provided with adequate accommodation in higher institutions they attend in order to reduce overcrowding and state anxiety among undergraduates

Analysis of Risks and Impacts of Flooding with Satellite Remote Sensing

In recent times there have been extreme climatic conditions due to climate change. As a result of this, the intensity of rainfall has increased tremendously causing flooding in many areas and countries worldwide. It is therefore prudent that such a natural hazard is addressed in a way to reduce the impact it causes on people and the environment. Adequate geographic information on hazards and areas vulnerable to hazards is required to be able to prepare for disasters.  Flood  vulnerability  mapping  is  fundamental  in  flood  risk  management because  it  identifies areas vulnerable  to  flood disaster.   In this study, efforts were made to provide information that can assist government agencies in determining types of land use and land cover types that may be affected at different levels of flood risk inundation in event of flood disaster. Landsat-7ETM+ of 2012 was classified. Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) image of 2000 was resampled to 28.5m resolution of Landsat image and used to generate the Digital Elevation Model (DEM) and slope gradient of the study area.  The DEM and slope gradient map were reclassified and combined through series of analysis to generate different levels of flood risk. The different land cover classes were overlaid with the flood risk map in order to know the land cover type that will be mostly affected in the event of flood disaster. It is recommended among others that communities that fall within the very high risk flood inundation should be identified and possibly relocated to higher ground elevation. Keywords: Flood, Satellite image, Risk, GIS and DE

Proteinuria and haematuria in apparently healthy primary school children in Enugu, Nigeria

Background: Mass screening for proteinuria and haematuria is advocated, especially in resource-poor countries with non-existent health insurance policy, to enhance awareness of renal diseases. This screening increases the chance for early detection and treatment, which in turn reduces incidences of resultant kidney failures. Objective: To determine the prevalence of asymptomatic proteinuria and haematuria in apparently healthy primary school children in Enugu. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional descriptive survey involving apparently healthy primary school children in Enugu, aged 6 to 12 years, conducted from January 2018 and March 2018 through a pre-tested, caregiver administered questionnaire. Subjects were clinically examined, and samples of on-the-spot mid-stream urine collected from each participant for dipstick urinalysis. The data obtained were analyzed using the Software Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 22 for Windows Results: One thousandchildren comprising, 437 (44%) males and 563 (56%) females were selected with an age range of 6 to 12 years and a mean of 10.13 ± 1.81 years. A total of 190(19%) urinary abnormalities were noted existing as isolated proteinuria, isolated haematuria or as a combination of both. These urinary abnormalities were more in the females, higher among the early adolescents (9-12 years) with proteinuria predominating.Conclusion: Asymptomatic urinary abnormalities can easily be detected early in the course of renal disease development. A urine dipstick is an important tool in the screening program for everybody, including children of school age. It is important that screening programs be organized for these children at regular intervals and those with positive findings referred immediately for appropriate management. Keywords: Proteinuria, Haematuria, Primary school children, Prevalence. Running title: Proteinuria and haematuria in school-aged children in Enugu

Agricultural extension needs of farmers in Telfairia production and marketing in Enugu State, Nigeria

The study assessed agricultural extension needs of farmers in Telfairia production and marketing in Enugu State, Nigeria. Multistage sampling technique was used to select 160 Telfairia farmers for the study. Structured interview schedule was used to collect data. Data was analysed by use of descriptive statistics and factor analysis. Results show that farmers sold their products directly to consumers through village or local markets (56.9%), village squares (27.6%), at roadside stands (16.2%), while 11.2% sold them at farm gate. Only 3.6% sold their products through cooperative societies. The quantity and price of sale of produce varied depending on the season of the year (26.6%) in which the crop was produced, number of buyers (20.0%) and quality of produce (16.2%). About 63% of the respondents did not have extension contact in the last one year. Extension needs of farmers were indicated in the following areas: sourcing of farm input (M= 3.62), sourcing appropriate marketing channel (M= 3.18), sourcing of improved farm tools (M= 3.11), expansion of scale of production (M= 3.07), receiving information on appropriate cultural practices (M=3.06), and sourcing farm credit (M= 3.00). Infrastructural, technical, logistic and financial challenges hindered effective production and marketing of Telfairia among farmers. There is need for extension to assist farmers to source farm inputs and establish or explore viable markets where farmers will sell their products at a favourable price

Agricultural extension needs of farmers in Telfairia production and marketing in Enugu State, Nigeria

The study assessed agricultural extension needs of farmers in Telfairia production and marketing in Enugu State, Nigeria. Multistage sampling technique was used to select 160 Telfairia farmers for the study. Structured interview schedule was used to collect data. Data was analysed by use of descriptive statistics and factor analysis. Results show that farmers sold their products directly to consumers through village or local markets (56.9%), village squares (27.6%), at roadside stands (16.2%), while 11.2% sold them at farm gate. Only 3.6% sold their products through cooperative societies. The quantity and price of sale of produce varied depending on the season of the year (26.6%) in which the crop was produced, number of buyers (20.0%) and quality of produce (16.2%). About 63% of the respondents did not have extension contact in the last one year. Extension needs of farmers were indicated in the following areas: sourcing of farm input (M= 3.62), sourcing appropriate marketing channel (M= 3.18), sourcing of improved farm tools (M= 3.11), expansion of scale of production (M= 3.07), receiving information on appropriate cultural practices (M=3.06), and sourcing farm credit (M= 3.00). Infrastructural, technical, logistic and financial challenges hindered effective production and marketing of Telfairia among farmers. There is need for extension to assist farmers to source farm inputs and establish or explore viable markets where farmers will sell their products at a favourable price

Influence of fatigue on adolescents sleep habits in Nigeria

IntroductionAdolescents in Nigeria tend to report feelings of mental, physical and general fatigue without having correspondingly exerted themselves to trigger this. This tiredness has been observed to also affect their sleep habits.AimWe set out to investigate how the report of tiredness by in-school adolescents tends to affect their sleep habits both on weekdays and weekends.MethodsThe Tripartite Fatigue Scale (TFS) and a modified version of the School Sleep Habits Survey (SSHS) were administered on 606 (272 males and 334 females) secondary school adolescents in Lagos and Ogun states of Nigeria aged between 12–19 years (χ2 = 15.24; SD = 1.42) in their classrooms.ResultsA multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was used to analyse the effect of fatigue on the sleep habits of adolescents. The result shows that fatigue significantly affects the sleep habits of adolescents during weekends and weekdays, F (3, 602) = 20.068, P ≤ 0.01; Pillai's Trace = 0.91, partial η2 = 0.91. The adolescents also reported general inadequate sleep (χ2 = 6.29 SD = 2.32), less than the required amount of adequate sleep their age. Additional Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) result showed that fatigue significantly affected the students self-reported grade F (3, 605) = 5.32, P = 0.01.ConclusionsThe present study has empirically highlighted that the consistent complaint of tiredness by secondary school adolescents in Nigeria emanates from fatigue marked mostly by insufficient sleep.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.</jats:sec

Peak Expiratory Flow Rate in Normal Hausa-Fulani Children and Adolescents of Northern Nigeria

Background: Peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) is a useful parameter for assessing respiratory function in health and disease. However there are few studies reporting normal values of this parameter in Northern Nigeria in general and the North western zone in particular. Also prediction formulae for predicting PEFR from anthropometric parameters are not available for this population. The present study was therefore designed to measure Peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) in normal Hausa-Fulani children and adolescents in Sokoto and to derive prediction formulae for this population. Methods: Apparently healthy boys (n=376) and girls (n=240) aged between 6 and 18 years were randomly selected and their height, weight and chest circumference determined. PEFR was measured at ambient temperature and pressure saturated with water vapour (ATPS) in the erect position. Regression analyses were carried out on the relationship between PEFR and each anthropometric parameter and prediction formulae with the least standard error of estimates chosen. Data obtained in this study were also subjected to prediction formulae derived from Nigerian populations elsewhere. Results: PEFR (L/min) was significantly (P&lt;0.001) higher in boys (382.5 \ub1 118.3) than in girls (332.6 \ub1 88.3). It correlated positively and significantly with age, height, weight and chest circumference in both sexes. The prediction formulae derived from the present data in boys and girls respectively are: PEFR (L/min) = 85.83 + 8.25 x weight (kg) (\ub1 3.15) and PEFR (L/min) = 3.67 + 28.15 x age (years) (\ub1 3.51). The predicted PEFR values obtained using earlier formulae were generally lower than the observed values. Conclusion: PEFR has been obtained in normal healthy Hausa-Fulani children and adolescents in Sokoto and prediction formulae derived for use in this population. The results of this study suggest that the usefulness of prediction formulae may be limited to the ethnic group or locality from which they were derived.Fond : Le d\ue9bit expiratoire maximal (DEM) est un param\ue8tre utile pour \ue9valuer la fonction respiratoire dans la sant\ue9 et la maladie. Cependant, il y a peu d'\ue9tudes indiquant des valeurs normales de ce param\ue8tre au nord du Nig\ue9ria en g\ue9n\ue9ral et la zone occidentale du nord en particulier. En outre les formules de pr\ue9vision pour pr\ue9voir le DEM des param\ue8tres anthropom\ue9triques ne sont pas disponibles pour cette population. La pr\ue9sente \ue9tude a \ue9t\ue9 donc con\ue7ue pour mesurer le d\ue9bit expiratoire maximal (DEM) dans les enfants et les adolescents normaux de hausa-Fulani-Fulani \ue0 Sokoto et pour d\ue9river des formules de pr\ue9vision \ue0 cette population. M\ue9thodes : Les gar\ue7ons apparent en bonne sant\ue9 (n=376) et les filles (n=240) \ue2g\ue9s entre 6 et 18 ans ont \ue9t\ue9 al\ue9atoirement choisis et leur circonf\ue9rence de taille, de poids et de coffre ont \ue9t\ue9 d\ue9termin\ue9es. Le DEM a \ue9t\ue9 mesur\ue9 \ue0 la temp\ue9rature ambiante et \ue0 la pression satur\ue9es avec la vapeur d'eau (TAPS) en position droite. Des analyses de r\ue9gression ont \ue9t\ue9 effectu\ue9es sur le rapport entre le DEM et chaque param\ue8tre anthropom\ue9trique et formules de pr\ue9vision avec la moindre erreur type des \ue9valuations choisies. Des donn\ue9es obtenues dans cette \ue9tude ont \ue9t\ue9 \ue9galement soumises aux formules de pr\ue9vision d\ue9riv\ue9es des populations nig\ue9rianes ailleurs. R\ue9sultats : Le DEM (L/min) \ue9tait de mani\ue8re significative (P&lt;0.001) plus haut dans les gar\ue7ons (382,5 \ub1 118,3) que dans les filles (332,6 \ub1 88,3). Il s'est corr\ue9l\ue9 positivment et de mani\ue8re significative avec l'\ue2ge, la taille, et la circonf\ue9rence de poids et de coffre dans les deux sexes. Les formules de pr\ue9vision d\ue9riv\ue9es des donn\ue9es actuelles dans les gar\ue7ons et dans les filles respectivement sont : DEM (L/min) = 85,83 + 8,25 x poid (kilogramme) (\ub1 3,15) et DEM (L/min) = 3,67 + 28,15 x \ue2ge (ann\ue9es) (\ub1 3,51). Les valeurs du DEM pr\ue9vues obtenues en utilisant des premi\ue8res formules \ue9taient g\ue9n\ue9ralement inf\ue9rieures aux valeurs observ\ue9es. Conclusion : Le DEM a \ue9t\ue9 obtenu dans les enfants et les adolescents de sant\ue9 normale d' Hausa-Fulani \ue0 Sokoto et les formules de pr\ue9vision d\ue9riv\ue9es pour l'usage dans cette population. Les r\ue9sultats de cette \ue9tude sugg\ue8rent que l'utilit\ue9 des formules de pr\ue9vision puisse \ueatre limit\ue9e au groupe ou \ue0 la localit\ue9 ethnique desquels ils ont \ue9t\ue9 d\ue9riv\ue9s