On Some Socio-Economic Factors Affecting Household Sanitation in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria

Different sanitation programmes introduced by government at various levels are ill-conceived and are abandoned prematurely due to numerous attitudinal, institutional and economic factors. This study examines the relationship of some socio-economic factors and house sanitation in Ado-Ekiti. Using simple bar chat and Chi-Square test of independence, the research reveals that though there seems to be variations among various socio-economic classes in relation to waste household sanitation technique, the relationship is found not to be statistically significant. It is therefore concluded that the general attitude of resident of Ado-Ekiti towards household sanitation and waste disposal is indifferent. Hence, the government and various non-governmental organizations involved in environmental sanitation and its impact should not relent in their effort in sensitizing the general public irrespective of their social and economic status.   Key words: household sanitation, social status, chi-squar

An Examination of Relevant Issues in Nigeria’s Fiscal Federalism

Nigeria’s fiscal arrangement accommodates the interaction between the federal government and the federating units in addressing critical issues of revenue assignment from natural resources, expenditure assignment, regional disparities, and national unity. Fiscal federalism in Nigeria is characterized by extensive vertical and horizontal intergovernmental relations which have become very contentious and volatile because subnational governments lack financial autonomy in the current fiscal architecture. This paper examines such issues as principles of fiscal federalism, decentralization and assignment of revenue from natural resources, decentralization and corruption, decentralization, regional disparities and national unity. The practice of fiscal federalism has been contentious in Nigeria due to overbearing influence of the federal government, unevenly distribution of endowment of natural resources, the sharing of which often puts considerable strains on national unity, and also tends to generate rivalries between the constituent units of the Nigerian state. The paper concludes that if the country can establish the institutions that will make decentralization work with a reasonable degree of efficiency, then decentralization can be a good policy

Effect of milling parameters on the dispersion characteristics of multi-walled carbon nanotubes in transition metal oxides

Abstract: In this research investigation on milling parameters to achieve uniform dispersion of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) was conducted. High-energy ball milling (HEBM) technique was adopted to disperse 1 wt. % MWCNTs in titanium and manganese oxides with ball to powder ratio (BPR) of 10:1 at 6 and 9 hours milling times. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were used to characterize the as-received MWCNTs and admixed composite powders. The results indicated that HEBM was an effective route to disperse MWCNTs in transition metal oxides. In addition, the characteristics of admixed powders evidently showed that the increase of milling time effectively dispersed the MWCNTs in titanium and manganese oxide respectively, however deformation of sidewalls of MWCNTs was observed due to harsh milling conditions that resulted on non-sp2 defects in the MWCNTs

Nutritional status and morbidity in children 0-5years seen in Jos University Teaching Hospital

Malnutrition underlies more than 50% of childhood mortality in Nigeria. It contributes significantly to mortality rates in children less than 5years of age. Prevalent childhood illnesses beyond the neonatal period are acute respiratory infections amongst other and outcome of treatment is invariably related to nutritional status. We sought to  determine the morbidity pattern and nutritional status of children 5 years and below admitted into the children emergency unit without primary diagnosis of malnutrition. Consenting subjects over a one year period between  0-5years were recruited into the study. Data retrieved included age, sex, weight, length/height and mid-upper arm circumference, clinical diagnosis amongst others. Seventy three subjects 5years and below were recruited out of 113 patients seen during the period. Mean age 21.518.5months. Most (43.8%) were infants. Acute respiratory infections (pneumonia, bronchiolitis and pharyngotonsillitis) accounted for 51.4% of admission, malaria 22.3% sickle cell  anaemia 8.3% and UTI 6.1% amongst others. Malnutrition was seen in 48.9% using WHZ, 15.1% had severe acute malnutrition, 10.9% were overweight while 9.6% had severe stunting. Most cases of SAM were seen in patients with pneumonia (35.7%). Malaria had mainly subjects with MAM (60%). Over-nutrition was seen more in subjects with UTI (50%), pneumonia (28.4%), bronchiolitis (33.3%) and malaria (20%). Severe stunted was noted among  subjects with pneumonia (21.4%), UTI (25%) and bronchiolitis (33.3%). Malnutrition remains an underlying  co-morbidity in children 5years and below. Intensified efforts at community and clinical management of  malnutrition in all children is needed

Densification behavior of spark plasma sintered duplex stainless steel reinforced with TiN nanoparticles

Abstract: Duplex stainless steel (SAF 2205) reinforced with titanium nitride (TiN) nanoparticles ranging from 0 to 8 wt% were fabricated in vacuum via spark plasma sintering (SPS) using optimized SPS process parameter of 1150 oC, 10 min and 100 oC/min. The influence of TiN addition on the densification and shrinkage mechanism of the fabricated duplex stainless steel composite were evaluated. The results indicate even dispersion of the TiN nanoparticles in the steel matrix during tubular mixing. The displacement and shrinkage rates showed three densification stages relating to micro-nano particles rearrangement, plastic deformation of the particles and rapid densification of the composite. The steel composite samples displayed relatively high densities in the range of 96-99 % of the calculated theoretical density but were noted to decrease with TiN content

An appraisal of blood pressure control and its determinants among patients with primary hypertension seen in a primary care setting in Western Nigeria

Background: Achieving guideline-recommended blood pressure is imperative in reducing the rising tide of uncontrolled hypertension and its attendant sequelae, which are major causes of morbidity and mortality globally. The aim of the study was to describe the pattern of blood pressure control and identify the factors influencing blood pressure control among patients with primary hypertension seen at family medicine clinics of FMC, Abeokuta.Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional hospital-based study. A systematic random sampling technique was used in selecting 360 hypertensive respondents over four months. Data were collected through a pre-tested interviewer-administered questionnaire. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 17.0 was used to analyse data.Results: Blood pressure was controlled in 167 (46.4%) of the respondents. The independent predictors of blood pressure control were female gender (p = 0.001, OR = 2.494, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.477–4.214), regular use of medication (p = 0.001, OR = 2.900, 95% CI = 1.508–5.577), regular clinic attendance (p < 0.001, OR = 3.512, 95% CI = 1.772–6.960), and absence of diabetes mellitus (p < 0.001, OR = 7.357, 95% CI = 3.190–16.966).Conclusions: The rate of blood pressure control among the hypertensive respondents was low. Multiple independent predictors of controlled blood pressure call for a team-based approach as well as multiple approaches including education of patients, expansion of a community-based health insurance programme and intensification of treatment efforts when managing hypertensive patients.Keywords: blood pressure control, family medicine clinics, primary hypertensio

Erosion-corrosion behaviour of dual phase medium carbon steel using a designed slurry pot

Abstract: A slurry pot has been designed, fabricated and evaluated for erosion-corrosion investigations. A variable voltage controller was used to vary the input voltage into the one-horse-power motor that controls the slurry pot. The actual speed of the slurry pot shaft was also calibrated using a non-contact digital tachometer. Voltages of 100 and 200 V resulted in rotational speeds of 1100 and 2100 rpm, respectively employed for the subsequent erosion-corrosion tests. Erosion-corrosion of a dual-phase carbon steel was investigated with the aid of the slurry pot in aerated 3.5 wt.% NaCl environments. The sample was normalised at 850 oC and then cooled in air to room temperature. Prior to the test, the normalised samples were heated to 700, 725, 750, 775, 800 and 825 oC, respectively and quenched in oil. Erosion-corrosion rates of between 0.027 to 1.26 g/cm2.hr at 1100 rpm and 0.57 to 1.9 g/cm2.hr at 2100 rpm were recorded. It was also observed that as hardness increased there was reduction in weight loss of the heat treated alloy

Fiscal Decentralization and Economic Growth in Nigeria: A Multivariate Co-Integration Approach

This paper examines the long run and causal relationship between fiscal decentralization and economic growth in Nigeria for the period 1970 to 2012 using time series data. Results from a multivariate VAR model provide evidence of long run relationship between fiscal decentralization and economic growth in Nigeria. The three measures of fiscal decentralization have a positive and significant relationship with economic growth, Granger Causality test reveals long run unidirectional link running from fiscal decentralization to economic growth. The study recommends the need for government to urgently address the constitutional issue of fiscal powers among the three tiers of government to further strengthen the fiscal base of the state and local governments and increase further the level of fiscal decentralization

HIV Seropositivity in Children with Sickle Cell Disease

Background: Blood transfusion forms an integral part of management of sickle cell disease. Blood transfusion is also established as a route of transmission of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), especially in developing nations that are lacking in properly organized blood transfusion services. Methods: A retrospective study of randomly selected sickle cell anaemia patients screened for HIV antibodies in the paediatric haematology clinic of A.B.U.T.H., Zaria, Nigeria. Results: Twenty-nine (52.7%) males and 26 (47.3%) females were studied. Mean age (\ub1 1 standard deviation) was 68.5 \ub137.0 months. One (1.8%) of 55 patients was HIV-seropositive. The parents of this patient were HIV-seronegative. Twenty-five (45.5%) had positive history of blood transfusion and 22 (40.0%) had intramuscular injections outside the teaching hospital setting. Conclusion: The HIV-seropositive rate in this study is well below national estimates but highlights the continued risks of inadequate blood banking systems.Fond : La transfusion sanguine fait partie int\ue9grale du traitement de la dr\ue9panocytose. La transfusion sanguine est \ue9galement \ue9tablie comme voie de la transmission du virus d'immunod\ue9ficit humain (VIH), particuli\ue8rement dans les pays en voie de d\ue9veloppement qui manquent les services de transfusion sanguine proprement organis\ue9s. M\ue9thode : Une \ue9tude r\ue9trospective des malades dr\ue9panocytose al\ue9atoirement choisis et interview\ue9s pour des anticorps de VIH dans la clinique p\ue9diatrique de h\ue9matologie d'A.B.U.T.H., Zaria, Nig\ue9ria. R\ue9sultats : Vingt-neuf (52,7%) m\ue2les et 26 (47,3%) femelles ont \ue9t\ue9 \ue9tudi\ue9s. L'\ue2ge moyen (\ue9cart type de \ub1 1) \ue9tait de 68,5 \ub137,0 mois. Un (1,8%) de 55 malades \ue9tait VIH-s\ue9ropositif. Les parents de ces malades \ue9taient VIH-s\ue9ropositifs. Vingt-cinq (45,5%) ont eu l'histoire positive de la transfusion sanguine et 22 (40,0%) ont eu des injections intramusculaires \ue0 l'ext\ue9rieur de l'h\uf4pital d'enseignement