AGRICULTURAL FINANCING POLICIES AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA

The study examined the agricultural financing policies of the government of Nigeria and effects on rural development .The study found that though the government has made serious efforts at making good agricultural policies through schemes, programmes and institutions, it has not been able to back them up with adequate budgetary allocation and financing coupled with corruption in the execution of the policies. It is recommended that for the government agricultural financing policies to achieve its target of rural development, Nigeria will need an adequate level of strategically targeted investment in agriculture, upgrade rural infrastructure, boost productivity, and increase competitiveness of the farm output, in addition to fighting corruption.Agricultural financing, policies, institutions, rural, development, International Development,

Comparative evaluation of growth performance, serum biochemical profile and immunological response of the Nigerian indigenous and large white x landrace crossbred pigs

This study was conducted to compare growth performance, immunological response, and biochemical profile between local or Nigerian indigenous pigs (NIP) and exotic Large White x Landrace crossbred pigs (LWL). Twenty weanling pigs, aged six weeks were divided into groups A (NIP) and B (LWL); each group was randomly assigned into two replicates of five pigs. Feed and animal management were similar and study lasted ten weeks. Their feed and water intake, average daily weight gain (ADG), and gain: feed or feed efficiency were determined. All the pigs were vaccinated with1 ml of 10 % sheep RBC per pig at week 4 and boosted at week 7. Their antibody titres and serum biochemical profiles were determined using standard procedures. Daily feed and water intake and weight gain were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in LWL than NIP. There was no significant (p > 0.05) difference in their gain: feed but figures were higher in NIP. Although LWL had higher antibody titres at weeks 1 of initial and revaccination, NIP recorded higher titres at weeks 2, 3 and 4 of initial and 2 of revaccination, respectively. Albumin levels in both groups showed a significant (p = 0.003, t = 8) difference in their mean on week 1 following initial vaccination, their values being 4.29 ± 0.05 and 4.67 ± 0.08 g/dL for groups A and B, respectively.The NIP showed significantly (p < 0.05) higher total protein and globulin throughout the period of assay. Although the LWL grew faster and had better immediate immunological performance, the NIP recorded slightly higher feed efficiency and more sustained antibody titres post vaccination with Sheep RBC.Keywords: Swine, growth performance, serum biochemistry, sheep RBC, antibody titre

Prevalence of mycotic agents isolated from skin lesions of trade horses in Obollor-Afor, Enugu State, Nigeria

The study was aimed at identifying mycotic agents that colonize skin lesions in trade horses found in south eastern Nigeria. Skin scrapings were collected from seventy (70) horses with skin lesions in Obollo -Afor market, Enugu state, south eastern Nigeria. Portions of the skin specimen were treated with 10% KOH for microscopic identification of typical hyphae. Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA) slants, supplemented with cycloheximide were used as a standard substrate for the cultures. Cultures were incubated aerobically for 2 weeks at 37°C and were observed daily for growth of fungi isolates. Identification of fungal species was done based on their cultural and morphological characteristics. From the seventy (70) skin scraping samples studied, fifty-six (56) species of fungi belonging to 6 genera were recovered in different frequencies including Aspergillus sp (54%), Mucor spp (32%), Rhizopus oryzae (7%), Penicilium marneffi (2%), Microsporum fulvum (2%) and Tricophyton equinium (4%). More of the isolates were from the female horses than male horses. At p > 0.05 there was no significant difference in the distribution of fungal isolates between females and male horses. The season of the year had no notable impact on the occurrence or frequency of isolation of the fungi. The isolated dermatophytes may be possible aetiological agents of dermatomycoses in horses, while the Saprobes isolated may be contaminants associated with skin infections in horses. These mycotic agents isolated are not known to primarily, affect humans however there may be a possibility of transmission to human and other susceptible animals that cohabit with these horses. Keywords: Equine, Mycotic agent, Prevalence, Skin lesio

Global age-sex-specific mortality, life expectancy, and population estimates in 204 countries and territories and 811 subnational locations, 1950–2021, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic: a comprehensive demographic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

Background: Estimates of demographic metrics are crucial to assess levels and trends of population health outcomes. The profound impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on populations worldwide has underscored the need for timely estimates to understand this unprecedented event within the context of long-term population health trends. The Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2021 provides new demographic estimates for 204 countries and territories and 811 additional subnational locations from 1950 to 2021, with a particular emphasis on changes in mortality and life expectancy that occurred during the 2020–21 COVID-19 pandemic period. Methods: 22 223 data sources from vital registration, sample registration, surveys, censuses, and other sources were used to estimate mortality, with a subset of these sources used exclusively to estimate excess mortality due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 2026 data sources were used for population estimation. Additional sources were used to estimate migration; the effects of the HIV epidemic; and demographic discontinuities due to conflicts, famines, natural disasters, and pandemics, which are used as inputs for estimating mortality and population. Spatiotemporal Gaussian process regression (ST-GPR) was used to generate under-5 mortality rates, which synthesised 30 763 location-years of vital registration and sample registration data, 1365 surveys and censuses, and 80 other sources. ST-GPR was also used to estimate adult mortality (between ages 15 and 59 years) based on information from 31 642 location-years of vital registration and sample registration data, 355 surveys and censuses, and 24 other sources. Estimates of child and adult mortality rates were then used to generate life tables with a relational model life table system. For countries with large HIV epidemics, life tables were adjusted using independent estimates of HIV-specific mortality generated via an epidemiological analysis of HIV prevalence surveys, antenatal clinic serosurveillance, and other data sources. Excess mortality due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021 was determined by subtracting observed all-cause mortality (adjusted for late registration and mortality anomalies) from the mortality expected in the absence of the pandemic. Expected mortality was calculated based on historical trends using an ensemble of models. In location-years where all-cause mortality data were unavailable, we estimated excess mortality rates using a regression model with covariates pertaining to the pandemic. Population size was computed using a Bayesian hierarchical cohort component model. Life expectancy was calculated using age-specific mortality rates and standard demographic methods. Uncertainty intervals (UIs) were calculated for every metric using the 25th and 975th ordered values from a 1000-draw posterior distribution. Findings: Global all-cause mortality followed two distinct patterns over the study period: age-standardised mortality rates declined between 1950 and 2019 (a 62·8% [95% UI 60·5–65·1] decline), and increased during the COVID-19 pandemic period (2020–21; 5·1% [0·9–9·6] increase). In contrast with the overall reverse in mortality trends during the pandemic period, child mortality continued to decline, with 4·66 million (3·98–5·50) global deaths in children younger than 5 years in 2021 compared with 5·21 million (4·50–6·01) in 2019. An estimated 131 million (126–137) people died globally from all causes in 2020 and 2021 combined, of which 15·9 million (14·7–17·2) were due to the COVID-19 pandemic (measured by excess mortality, which includes deaths directly due to SARS-CoV-2 infection and those indirectly due to other social, economic, or behavioural changes associated with the pandemic). Excess mortality rates exceeded 150 deaths per 100 000 population during at least one year of the pandemic in 80 countries and territories, whereas 20 nations had a negative excess mortality rate in 2020 or 2021, indicating that all-cause mortality in these countries was lower during the pandemic than expected based on historical trends. Between 1950 and 2021, global life expectancy at birth increased by 22·7 years (20·8–24·8), from 49·0 years (46·7–51·3) to 71·7 years (70·9–72·5). Global life expectancy at birth declined by 1·6 years (1·0–2·2) between 2019 and 2021, reversing historical trends. An increase in life expectancy was only observed in 32 (15·7%) of 204 countries and territories between 2019 and 2021. The global population reached 7·89 billion (7·67–8·13) people in 2021, by which time 56 of 204 countries and territories had peaked and subsequently populations have declined. The largest proportion of population growth between 2020 and 2021 was in sub-Saharan Africa (39·5% [28·4–52·7]) and south Asia (26·3% [9·0–44·7]). From 2000 to 2021, the ratio of the population aged 65 years and older to the population aged younger than 15 years increased in 188 (92·2%) of 204 nations. Interpretation: Global adult mortality rates markedly increased during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021, reversing past decreasing trends, while child mortality rates continued to decline, albeit more slowly than in earlier years. Although COVID-19 had a substantial impact on many demographic indicators during the first 2 years of the pandemic, overall global health progress over the 72 years evaluated has been profound, with considerable improvements in mortality and life expectancy. Additionally, we observed a deceleration of global population growth since 2017, despite steady or increasing growth in lower-income countries, combined with a continued global shift of population age structures towards older ages. These demographic changes will likely present future challenges to health systems, economies, and societies. The comprehensive demographic estimates reported here will enable researchers, policy makers, health practitioners, and other key stakeholders to better understand and address the profound changes that have occurred in the global health landscape following the first 2 years of the COVID-19 pandemic, and longer-term trends beyond the pandemic. Funding: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

AGRICULTURAL FINANCING POLICIES AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA

The study examined the agricultural financing policies of the government of Nigeria and effects on rural development .The study found that though the government has made serious efforts at making good agricultural policies through schemes, programmes and institutions, it has not been able to back them up with adequate budgetary allocation and financing coupled with corruption in the execution of the policies. It is recommended that for the government agricultural financing policies to achieve its target of rural development, Nigeria will need an adequate level of strategically targeted investment in agriculture, upgrade rural infrastructure, boost productivity, and increase competitiveness of the farm output, in addition to fighting corruption

The association of weather and bathing water quality on the incidence of gastrointestinal illness in the west of Scotland

The associations with weather and bathing water quality on infectious intestinal disease (IID) were investigated using data from two Scottish NHS Board areas. Monthly counts of viral and non-viral gastrointestinal infections were modelled as a smooth function of temperature, relative humidity and average monthly counts of faecal indicator organisms, respectively, adjusting for season and long-term trend effects. Strong seasonal patterns were observed for each group of pathogens. Peak viral gastrointestinal infection was in May while that of non-viral gastrointestinal infections was in July. A statistically significant negative association existed between weather (temperature and humidity) and viral infection. Average levels of non-viral gastrointestinal infections increased as temperature and relative humidity increased. Increasing levels of faecal indicator organisms in bathing waters were also associated with an increase in the average number of viral and non-viral gastrointestinal infections at the ecological level. Future climate change and prolonged precipitation events may result in increasing levels of faecal indicator organisms in bathing waters leading to likely increases in IIDs

Haematology of normal and trypanosome infected Muturu cattle in southeastern Nigeria

Blood parameters of 23 Muturu cattle in a herd were studied between April and August 1998 by monthly examination of their blood samples. Fourteen of a total of 110 blood samples analysed (5 samples were unsuitable for analysis) were infected with Trypanosoma vivax. Data from the trypanosome-infected blood were included to evaluate the role of trypanosome infection. The blood values of infected animals were except for the erythrocyte indices of MCH and MCHC indistinguishable from those of uninfected animals. There were variations due to age and physiological status (open heifer, pregnant and lactating). Mean RBC and WBC count, MCV and monocyte count were lower in calves than older animals. Open heifers had higher mean RBC and monocyte count, and lower WBC count, MCV and MCH than pregnant and suckling cows. Keywords: Haematology, muturu, trypanosomosis, Nigeri

Impact of hand washing training on pharmacy students; a quasi-experimental study.

Background: Globally, poor hand washing practiceshave led to a remarkable increase in the rate ofinfection and spread of infectious diseases. Hands arethe main route of germ transmission during medicalmanagement. Hence, hand washing is an effectivemeasure to prevent the transmission of infectiousdiseases in healthcare. Objective: The study assessed the impact of handwashing training on pharmacy students’ knowledgeof hand washing. Methods: The study employed quasi-experimentalstudy design. Pre-test data collection was carried outwith a structured questionnaire to assess thestudent’s knowledge of hand washing technique atbaseline. This was followed by an educationalworkshop on proper hand washing technique andpost-test data collection using the samequestionnaire. All the students (299) who gave theirinformed consent participated in the study. Meanscore of individual response was computed for thedifferent sections of the questionnaire. Data analysiswas performed using SPSS version 22 computersoftware. Statistical analysis was done using Paired ttest.A value of p<0.05 was considered significant. Results: Out of the 299 students that indicatedwillingness to participate in the study, only 284completed the post-test questionnaire. The baselineresults revealed that majority of the respondentshave good general knowledge on proper handwashing technique based on cutoff value of >4.However, the educational workshop had significantimpact on the students’ hand washing technique inall the three domains assessed with p-values of 0.000for each domain. Conclusion: This study suggests that handwashingtraining had a positive impact on the students’handwashing knowledge