An Assessment of Alternative Water Source for Domestic Used in Minna Metropolis, Niger State, Nigeria

Making freshwater available in urban centre are major challenge to be faced in 21st century globally. Population growth and industrialisation have put a lot of pressure on water resources the world over. Minna, the capital city of Niger State Nigeria, has witnessed population growth due to the influx of people from the various regions to seek greener pastures. The population growths have resulted in an inadequate water supply to the populace by conventional means. These problems result in an individual effort to meet their daily water demand. To explore this problem, structured questionnaire were distributed to two hundred households purposively selected from six areas in the town and semi-structured interviews were administered on five water analyst. Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) was used to analyze the data collected. The study reveals that inadequate budgetary allocation to ministry of water resources is the major problem hindering water availability in Minna. The three alternative sources of water supply for domestic use identified were well water, water from vendors and boreholes. Consequently increase in resource allocation to the ministry of water resources in a way of policy framework that guaranty private investment in water sector, among others to improve water availability in the study area. Key words: alternative, water, sources, domestics, borehole, well, vendor

Isolation, Characterization and Heavy Metals Tolerance Indices of Indigenous Fungal Flora from a Tannery located at Challawa Industrial Estate of Kano State, Nigeria

Seven fungal species (Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus versicolor, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus fumigatus, Rhizomucor pusillus, Trichophyton equinum and Rhizopus oryzae) were isolated from the tannery effluent collected at a tannery industry located at Challawa industrial estate of Kano State, Nigeria. Aspergillus niger had the highest percentage occurrence frequency of 36% (31) while Trichophyton equinum had the least percentage occurrence frequency of 4% (5). Consequently, Aspergillus niger recorded the highest mean tolerance indices of 1.175, 0.830, 0.580, 0.780 and 0.630 while Rhizomucor pusillus had the least of the tolerance indices of 0.675, 0.375, 0.346, 0.450 and 0.255 for chromium, cadmium, manganese and lead respectively. Accordingly, furthermore the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and biomass yield of the seven tested fungi isolates cultured in the presence of the five heavy metals used in this study showed different level of growth pattern. Hence the high resistant potentials and tolerance to the selected heavy metals exhibited by the fungal species isolated in this study is an indication that indigenous fungal floral isolated from tannery effluent if properly harnessed may offer a feasible solution to the serious environmental pollution problems associated with the presence of heavy metals in tannery effluent

Knowledge Assessment of Anti-snake Venom Among Healthcare Practitioners in Northern Nigeria

Introduction: Anti-snake venom (ASV) is the standard therapy for the management of snakebite envenoming (SBE). Therefore, the knowledge of ASV among healthcare practitioners (HCPs) is essential for achieving optimal clinical outcomes in snakebite management. This study aimed to assess knowledge of ASV among the HCPs in northern Nigeria. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study involving eligible HCPs from different healthcare settings in northern Nigeria. The participants were recruited into the study using a combination of online (via Google Form) and face-to-face paper-based survey methods. The ASV knowledge of the respondents was measured using a validated anti-snake venom knowledge assessment tool (AKAT). Inadequate overall knowledge of ASV was defined as scores of 0-69.9%, and 70-100% were considered adequate overall knowledge scores. The predictors of ASV knowledge were determined using multiple logistic regression. Results: Three hundred and thirty-one (331) eligible HCPs were included in the study analysis (310 from online and 21 from paper-based survey). Overall, an estimated 12.7% of the participants had adequate knowledge of ASV. Adequate ASV knowledge was higher among physicians compared with other HCPs (21.7%; X-2 =8.1; p=0.04). Those without previous training on ASV (adjusted odds ratio [a0R], 0.37; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.18-0.73; p= 0.004) and who have not previously administered/dispensed ASV (aOR, 0.31; 95% CI, 0.15-0.63; p \u3c 0.001) were less likely to have adequate knowledge of ASV. Conclusion: The knowledge of ASV among healthcare practitioners in northern Nigeria is grossly inadequate. Experience with administering or dispensing ASV predicts ASV knowledge. Therefore, appropriate interventions are needed to improve ASV knowledge, particularly among the HCPs, for optimal healthcare outcomes

Relationship Between Psychological Factors and Entrepreneurial Intentions of University Undergraduates in North East, Nigeria

The purpose of the study was to determine the psychological factors predicting entrepreneurial intentions of University undergraduate students. The design for the study was a correlation survey design. The area for the study covered all Federal Universities of Technology in North East Nigeria, with a population of 3700, when split, 2000 and 1700 are from ATBU, Bauchi and MAUTECH, Yola respectively. Stratified proportionate sampling technique was employed to arrive at 348 students, using Krejcie and Morgan table for determining sample. When split, 188 and 160 students are from ATBU and MAUTECH respectively. Two structured questionnaires, namely, PFQ and EIQ used for data collection were adapted from four different authors. The PFQ comprises of 41, while the EIQ contains 12 items. Results obtained in the pilot tested questionnaires revealed Cronbach’s alpha of PFQ and EIQ to be 0.784 and 0.730 respectively. Data collected were analyzed using SPSS (Version 20). Findings of the study revealed that all the three independent variables were found to be significant with the dependent variable, as well as all variables combined were found to have been positive in predicting the dependent variable. Finally, conclusions were reached and recommendations made

Resource Curse in WAIFEM Member Countries: An Application of Seemingly Unrelated Regression

Even though empirical evidence has shown that naturally endowed countries growth slower than their less naturally endowed counterparts, the scenario tagged as “resource curse hypothesis”, but it seems there are exceptions. Therefore, this study examines the confirmation or disputation of resource curse hypothesis among the West African Institutes for Financial and Economic Management (WAIFEM) member countries during the period 1986-2016. The study applied seemingly unrelated regression (SUR) and unraveled the strengthened effect of natural resources on output growth in Gambia, Ghana, and Sierra Leone. But, the study revealed a negative and statistically significant effect on economic growth in Liberia and Nigeria, thereby upholding the presence of resource curse hypothesis only in Liberia and Nigeria. Therefore, an overall “umbrella” policy recommendation inappropriate, but individually designed strategy that would help in managing the resources rents effectively in order to boost economic growth particularly in Liberia and Nigeria where their resource endowment serve as a curse rather than a blessing is recommended.   Received: 27 October 2022 | Revised: 8 March 2023 | Accepted: 13 March 2023   Conflicts of Interest The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest to this work

AN ANALYSIS OF THE EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE DEPRECIATION ON BALANCE OF PAYMENT IN NIGERIA

This paper analyses the effect of exchange rate depreciation on balance of payment in the Nigeria spinning the period 1981-2021. Autoregressive Distributed Lag Model of data analyses is used after conducting unit root test. ARDL bound result indicates a long term association among the macroeconomic models. Empirical evidence reveals that exchange rate depreciation had a positive and significant effect on balance of payment both in the long and short run. Moreover, the results revealed that depreciation of exchange rate improves balance of payment and that Marshall-Lerner (ML) condition subsists for Nigeria. The paper advocates that the Nigerian government should adopt import substitution strategy in order to discourage importation so as to promote local production as well as balance of payment, Nigerian government should also encourage growth of local industries that will satisfy the domestic demand and also compete in a global market, increase investment in agriculture and manufacturing sector as well as promote entrepreneurial skills so as to correct the deficit in the balance of payment account

Randomized controlled trial of fixed low-vs moderate-dose hydroxyurea for primary stroke prevention in Sub-Saharan Africa: Final results of the Spring Trial

Introduction: In children with sickle cell anemia (SCA) without transcranial Doppler (TCD) screening, the incidence rates of ischemic strokes is approximately the same among children living in low- and high- low-resource settings (Pediatr Neurol. 2019;95:73-78.) with a prevalence of ~ 11%. However, in high-income settings, the standard use of TCD ultrasonography, coupled initially with monthly blood transfusion therapy has dropped the stroke prevalence to < 1%. In a low-income setting, such as Nigeria, where 50% of children in the world with SCA are born (150,000 per year), initial monthly blood transfusion therapy is not practical for most children.In the Stroke Prevention in Nigeria (SPIN) Feasibility Trial (NCT01801423), fixed moderate-dose hydroxyurea was associated with a decreased rate of strokes in children with SCA and abnormal time-averaged mean of the maximum velocity (TAMMV) TCD measurements (≥200cm/sec) when compared to no treatment in the STOP Trial, 0.76 and 10.7 strokes per 100 person-years, repsectively (Am J Hematol. 2020). Based on the success of the SPIN trial, plus the challenges of real-world implementation of a government-supported primary stroke prevention programs for estimated 40,0000 children with SCA in three states in Nigeria, we tested the hypothesis that fixed-moderate dose (~20 mg/kg/day) hydroxyurea therapy for primary stroke prevention results in a 66% relative risk reduction (9 to 3 events per 100 person-years) when compared to fixed low-dose hydroxyurea (~10 mg/kg/day) therapy in a randomized controlled trial (The SPRING Trial; NCT02560935).Methods: In this partial-blind controlled phase III trial, we randomly assigned children between 5 and 12 years of age with SCA and a TCD time-averaged mean of the maximum velocity (TAMMV) ≥ 200 cm/sec measured independently twice or TAMMV ≥220 cm/sec once at study screening to receive fixed low-dose or fixed moderate-dose hydroxyurea. The primary endpoint was a clinical stroke or a transient ischemic attack (TIA). Myelosuppression was assessed with monthly complete blood counts (CBCs). Adherence to hydroxyurea was primarily based on an increase in MCV from baseline and monthly pill count return as a percent of dispensed pills. Hemoglobin F levels were measured at baseline, annually and upon trial exit. To evaluate the safety of hydroxyurea in the trial, children attending the same SCA clinics with TCD (TAMMV) <200 cm/sec at study screening were prospectively followed with biweekly phone calls and annual research visits.Results: A total of 220 children (mean age: 7.5 years, 51.8% female) were randomly assigned to fixed low- (10 mg/kg/day) or moderate- (20 mg/kg/day) dose hydroxyurea, and were followed for a median of 2.4 years (IQR 2.0-2.8). NINDS Clinical Trials leaders stopped the trial early because of futility for the primary outcome. In the fixed low- and moderate-dose hydroxyurea groups, the incidence rates of strokes per 100 person-years were 1.19 and 1.92 respectively, with an incidence rate ratio of 1.60 (95% CI: 0.31-10.34), p = 0.768. The incidence rate ratio of mortality when comparing the children treated with low- and moderate- fixed-dose hydroxyurea to the non-elevated TCD group (no hydroxyurea therapy, n= 211) was 1.97 (95% CI: 0.64-6.02) and 0.47 (95% CI: 0.05-2.38), p = 0.265 and 0.545, respectively. Returned pills during the trial was 5.4% and 4.8% in the fixed low- and moderate-dose groups, respectively, p= 0.144. MCV from baseline to endpoint increased 1.5fl and 7.2 fl in the fixed low- and moderate-dose groups, respectively, p<0.001. Upon exit from the trial 29.4% and 66.7% of the fixed- low and moderate -dose groups, respectively, had either hemoglobin level ≥ 9.0 g/dl, or a fetal hemoglobin level ≥ 20%.Conclusions: For primary stroke prevention in children with SCA, fixed low-dose, when compared to fixed moderate-dose hydroxyurea therapy, demonstrated no difference in the incidence rate of strokes. Both fixed low- and moderate -dose hydroxyurea doses are superior to no treatment for primary stroke prevention with abnormal TCD values. In partnership with Katsina, Kano, and Kaduna health department's leaders in Nigeria, 9 distinct SCA and primary stroke prevention clinics have been established, with the provision of free fixed low-dose hydroxyurea therapy (Bond Chemical, Nigeria; $0.15 per 500 mg) for abnormal TCD values, and biannual CBCs as standard care ,for over 40,000 children with SCA