The Effect of Human Resource Management Policies and Practices on Organizational Performance in Selected Tertiary Health Institutions Cross River State, Nigeria

This study examined the effect of recruitment and selection, training and development policies and practices on tertiary health institutions performance. The study became necessary due to the perceived poor implementation of human resource management policies and practices in tertiary health institutions. Specifically, the study was designed to examine the effect of recruitment and selection practices, training and development on University of Calabar Teaching Hospital’s performance. Literature review was based on the selected variables for the study. Two research questions and hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. Taro-Yamane’s (1967) estimation equation was adopted to determine sample size for the study. Questionnaire survey was used as instrument for data collection while descriptive statistics was used to determine their frequencies, percentages, means and standard deviations. Also, simple linear regression model was adopted for data analysis and test of hypotheses at 0.05 significant levels using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 20. The result of the analysis revealed statistical significant relationship between the three studied variables and tertiary health institutions performance. Based on the above findings, it was concluded that, the quality of employee hired, type of training and motivation given determine performance in tertiary health institutions. Sequel to the above, it was recommended among others that regular and relevant training programmes such as information and communication technology, overseas job related seminars, conferences on current health management issues etc. for both medical and non medical personnel be carried out in order to put employees’ at par with  their counterparts  on  global best practices, provide adequate working facilities, ensure regular payments of salaries, arrears, overtime, good hazard / call duty allowance and regular staff promotion that would make workers’ carry out their duties effectively towards efficiency and growth of tertiary health institutions in Cross River State Keywords: Human Resource, Management, Policies, Practices and Organisational Performance

Predictors of unintentional childhood injuries seen at the Accident and Emergency Units of three tertiary health care centres in Jos

Background: Unintentional childhood injuries pose a major health challenge especially in developing countries.Aim: This study sought to determine the predictors of unintentional childhood injuries in the three tertiary health centres studied.Methods: The study was a cross- sectional study. Sociodemographic data, history and physical examination, type of injury and the outcomes were obtained using structured questionnaire. Results: A total of 174 children were enrolled, 108 (62.1%) were males and 66 (37.9%) were females; 63 (36.2%) were < 5years while 65 (37.4%) were>10 years. Of the injuries observed; 99 (56.9%) were by vehicular objects, 15 (8.6%) were burns, 41 (23.6%) were from falls and 19 (10.9%) poisoning. Those who were treated as outpatients were 141 (81.0%) and 25 (14.4%) were admitted for inpatient care. About ninety four percent (94.3%) of the children had no significant effect or disability, 3.4% had short-term disability while 2.3% had long term disabilities or died post-injury. There was no statistically significant relationship between the age of the subjects, gender, duration of the injury prior to presentation and the educational status of their care givers with the pattern of the injury.Conclusion: This study showed that 81% (141) of the children studied were treated as outpatients, 56.9% were by vehicular objects, 62.1% were in males and the pattern of injuries were not related to age, gender, educational status of care givers, place or time of injuries. There is need to incorporate these findings in the provision of preventive messages in school health services and in the interventions targeting the safety of children against injuries. Further studies to identify risk factors and plan necessary interventions will also be necessary.Keywords: Predictors, unintentional, childhood injuries, emergency departments, out-patient, tertiary health centre

Mapping the Capacity Building Process of a Corporate Social Responsibility Driven Agricultural Intervention in the Niger Delta Region, Nigeria

This study mapped the outcomes of the agricultural intervention based on resultant effectiveness and functionality of capacity building process in SPDC’s agricultural intervention programme in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to select forty-eight (48) respondents for the study. Semi-structured questionnaire was used for data collection and the data were analysed using descriptive statistics and composite index analysis. The result reveals that 64.6% of the respondents received training on various aspects of management of agricultural project such as, feed production, machine operation and maintenance, farm maintenance and general project management. Result from field observation shows that 31.25% of the intervention was functional. The result of data analysis shows that, 75% of the respondents indicated they needed practical capacity building for effective project management and sustainability. The findings support a dire need for participatory evaluation on strategies towards the improvement of capacity building process service delivery

Mapping the Capacity Building Process of a Corporate Social Responsibility Driven Agricultural Intervention in the Niger Delta Region, Nigeria

This study mapped the outcomes of the agricultural intervention based on resultant effectiveness and functionality of capacity building process in SPDC’s agricultural intervention programme in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to select forty-eight (48) respondents for the study. Semi-structured questionnaire was used for data collection and the data were analysed using descriptive statistics and composite index analysis. The result reveals that 64.6% of the respondents received training on various aspects of management of agricultural project such as, feed production, machine operation and maintenance, farm maintenance and general project management. Result from field observation shows that 31.25% of the intervention was functional. The result of data analysis shows that, 75% of the respondents indicated they needed practical capacity building for effective project management and sustainability. The findings support a dire need for participatory evaluation on strategies towards the improvement of capacity building process service delivery

Dimensions of Entrepreneurial Competencies of Agribusiness Managers in Niger Delta Region of Nigeria

Challenges to business survival in developing regions have been noted to be different from those in the developed regions of the world. Thus, the competencies among the business managers in these regions differ considerably in magnitude and direction over eighteen traits that can influence the quality of performances technically; shortfall or proficiency of managers hinges on the quality of exhibition of these traits. Within this context, it became imperative to investigate the attributes of the enterprise managers who have successfully managed their enterprise over challenging business environment. This study assessed the entrepreneurial competencies of agribusiness operators in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria. A sample size of 85 respondents were selected through snowballing sampling procedure from bakery and restaurant enterprises. Data collected were analyzed using factor analysis. Results reveal that competencies like proactively, networking, and self-efficacy, willingness to take risk, creative thinking and willingness to learn were being possessed by the firm managers. According to the results, it is of utmost importance for entrepreneurs to develop some specific competencies in order to obtain a higher performance. Keywords: Competency, Entrepreneurial, Agribusiness, Food, Processors, Managers, Dimension

Long-Term Consumption of 10 Food Groups and Cardiovascular Mortality: A Systematic Review and Dose Response Meta-Analysis of Prospective Cohort Studies

A large body of evidence exists on diet and cardiovascular mortality, but limited studies have investigated the long-term intake of food groups, which may have cumulative effects on cardiovascular health in the long term. This review therefore evaluated the relationship between the long-term consumption of 10 food groups and cardiovascular mortality. We conducted a systematic search in Medline, Embase, Scopus, CINAHL, and Web of Science till January 2022. Of the 5318 studies initially identified, 22 studies with a total of 70,273 participants with cardiovascular mortality were included. Summary HRs and 95% CIs were estimated using a random effects model. We found that a long-term high intake of whole grains (HR: 0.87; 95% CI: 0.80, 0.95; P = 0.001), fruits and vegetables (HR: 0.72; 95% CI: 0.61, 0.85; P < 0.0001), and nuts (HR: 0.73; 95% CI: 0.66, 0.81; P < 0.00001) significantly reduced cardiovascular mortality. Each 10-gram increase in whole grain consumption per day was associated with a 4% reduction in the risk of cardiovascular mortality, whereas each 10-gram increase in red/processed meat consumption per day was associated with a 1.8% increase in the risk of cardiovascular mortality. Compared with the lowest intake category, red/processed meat consumption in the highest category was associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular mortality (HR: 1.23; 95% CI: 1.09, 1.39; P = 0.006). High intake of dairy products (HR: 1.11; 95% CI: 0.92, 1.34; P = 0.28), and legumes (HR: 0.86; 95% CI: 0.53, 1.38; P = 0.53) were not associated with cardiovascular mortality. However, in the dose-response analysis, each 10-gram increase in legume intake per week was associated with a 0.5% reduction in cardiovascular mortality. We conclude that the long-term high intake of whole grains, vegetables, fruits, nuts, and a low intake of red/processed meat are associated with reduced cardiovascular mortality. More data on the long-term effects of legumes on cardiovascular mortality are encouraged. This study was registered at PROSPERO as CRD42020214679

Effects of monosodium-L-glutamate administration on serum levels of reproductive hormones and cholesterol, epididymal sperm reserves and testicular histomorphology of male albino rats

This study investigated the effects of administration of monosodium L-glutamate (MSG) on serum gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH), luteinising hormone (LH), testosterone and total cholesterol (TC), cauda epididymal sperm reserves (CESR) and testicular histomorphology of adult male albino rats. Eighty-four rats, randomly assigned to 7 groups of 12 rats each, were used for the study. Varying low doses (0.25, 0.50 or 1.00 g/kg body weight) of MSG were administered orally or subcutaneously at 48-h intervals for six weeks. Serum GnRH, LH, testosterone and TC, and CESR were evaluated on days 14, 28 and 42 of MSG administration. Testicular histomorphology was evaluated on day 42. The results showed that the mean serum GnRH, LH and testosterone levels, and the CESR of all the treated groups were significantly (P < 0.05) lower than those of the untreated control on days 14, 28 and 42 of MSG administration. The mean serum TC levels of all the treated groups were also significantly (P < 0.05) lower than those of the control group on days 14 and 28. No lesions were observed on sections of the testes. It was concluded that MSG administration for 14, 28 and 42 days led to significantly lower serum levels of GnRH, LH, testosterone and TC, and significantly lower CESR

Efficacy and Safety of Artemether in the Treatment of Chronic Fascioliasis in Egypt: Exploratory Phase-2 Trials

Fasciola hepatica and F. gigantica are two liver flukes that parasitize herbivorous large size mammals (e.g., sheep and cattle), as well as humans. A single drug is available to treat infections with Fasciola flukes, namely, triclabendazole. Recently, laboratory studies and clinical trials in sheep and humans suffering from acute fascioliasis have shown that artesunate and artemether (drugs that are widely used against malaria) also show activity against fascioliasis. Hence, we were motivated to assess the efficacy and safety of oral artemether in patients with chronic Fasciola infections. The study was carried out in Egypt and artemether administered according to two different malaria treatment regimens. Cure rates observed with 6×80 mg and 3×200 mg artemether were 35% and 6%, respectively. In addition, high efficacy was observed when triclabendazole, the current drug of choice against human fascioliasis, was administered to patients remaining Fasciola positive following artemether treatment. Concluding, monotherapy with artemether does not represent an alternative to triclabendazole against fascioliasis, but its role in combination chemotherapy regimen remains to be investigated

Development of Metarhizium anisopliae and Beauveria bassiana formulations for control of malaria mosquito larvae

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The entomopathogenic fungi <it>Metarhizium anisopliae </it>and <it>Beauveria bassiana </it>have demonstrated effectiveness against anopheline larvae in the laboratory. However, utilising these fungi for the control of anopheline larvae under field conditions, relies on development of effective means of application as well as reducing their sensitivity to UV radiation, high temperatures and the inevitable contact with water. This study was conducted to develop formulations that facilitate the application of <it>Metarhizium anisopliae </it>and <it>Beauveria bassiana </it>spores for the control of anopheline larvae, and also improve their persistence under field conditions.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Laboratory bioassays were conducted to test the ability of aqueous (0.1% Tween 80), dry (organic and inorganic) and oil (mineral and synthetic) formulations to facilitate the spread of fungal spores over the water surface and improve the efficacy of formulated spores against anopheline larvae as well as improve spore survival after application. Field bioassays were then carried out to test the efficacy of the most promising formulation under field conditions in western Kenya.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>When formulated in a synthetic oil (ShellSol T), fungal spores of both <it>Metarhizium anisopliae </it>and <it>Beauveria bassiana </it>were easy to mix and apply to the water surface. This formulation was more effective against anopheline larvae than 0.1% Tween 80, dry powders or mineral oil formulations. ShellSol T also improved the persistence of fungal spores after application to the water. Under field conditions in Kenya, the percentage pupation of <it>An. gambiae </it>was significantly reduced by 39 - 50% by the ShellSol T-formulated <it>Metarhizium anisopliae </it>and <it>Beauveria bassiana </it>spores as compared to the effects of the application of unformulated spores.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>ShellSol T is an effective carrier for fungal spores when targeting anopheline larvae under both laboratory and field conditions. Entomopathogenic fungi formulated with a suitable carrier are a promising tool for control of larval populations of malaria mosquitoes. Additional studies are required to identify the best delivery method (where, when and how) to make use of the entomopathogenic potential of these fungi against anopheline larvae.</p