Determinants of rural youths participation in Pita-hybrid plantain production in Ngor-Okpala LGA, Imo State, Nigeria

This study was designed to analyze the determinants of Rural Youths participation in PITA-hybrid plantain production in Ngor-Okpala Local Government Area (LGA) of Imo State, Nigeria. Ninety (90) respondents were involved in the study using a multistage sampling procedure. Descriptive statistics and logit regression were employed in analysis. Majority (72.2%) of the respondents were males, married (60.0%), belong to cooperative society (83.3%), had access to land (83.3%), access to credit (77.8%) and had 1-2 contacts with extension agents (61.1%). Planting had the highest mean score ( = 4.00), followed by harvesting ( 3.91), land preparation ( =3.80), propagation material ( =3.41) and farm decision ( =3.08), indicating high level of participation. The major constraints were insufficient PITA-Hybrid suckers ( =3.37), followed by land acquisition ( = 3.16), poor attitude to farming ( =3.00) and poor market access ( =2.99). The coefficients for educational level, and attitude to farming were directly related to probability of participation in pita-hybrid plantain production among the youths and significant at 5% level each, as well as labour, and suitable agro-ecological conditions (1% level each), and farming experience (10% level). The coefficients for age and farm size had an indirect relationship with probability of participation in pita-hybrid plantain production among the youths and significant at 5% and 1% level respectively. The results therefore call for policies aimed at provision of free and affordable education to enable the youth’s access and process information on innovations that will enhance participation and increased production of plantains in the study area. To forestall negative effects of age and farm size might have on participation in PITA-Hybrid plantain production, a public enlightenment on poor attitude to farming in the rural areas will help in positively changing rural youths’ perception about farming and its economic implication.&nbsp

Differentials in Adoption of Improved Fish Farming Technologies among Farmers in Imo State, Nigeria: A Gender Analyses

Women are key players in fish farming and their participation is critical to achieving food security and economic well-being. The study was designed with the purpose to address the gender gap in the adoption of fish farming technologies and output in Imo State, Nigeria. The study described the socio economic characteristics of fish farmers, investigated level and determinants of adoption of fish farming among the respondents in the study area. Multistage and purposive sampling techniques were used for the selection of Sixty (60) respondents interviewed for the study. Descriptive statistics and Tobit regression procedure were used to analyze the data obtained. Results indicate that 43.3% and 30.0% of male and female fish farmers respectively, were within the age group of 41-50 years. Majority (72.2%) of the male fish farmers inherited their land, while 80% of female fish farmers had theirs through lease. About 70% of the males had 1-2 number of extension contacts, and 50.0% of the female farmers also. Results showed that male fish farmers dominated in the adoption of 5 improved fish farming technologies compared to their female (3) counterparts. Stocking density had the highest mean level of adoption (3.97) for the male fish farmers, while, feed formulation had the highest (3.67) for the female fish farmers. Important factors influencing the probability and intensity of adoption of improved fish farming technologies among the farmers include; education, extension, farm size, access to credit, membership of cooperatives, and environmental attribute. The results therefore, call for the need for policies aimed at free and affordable education, especially targeted at women to enable them access and process information on improved fish farming technologies. There is also need to increase the number of extension visits to enhance gender balance in adoption of fish farming technologies in the study area. Fish farmers should be encouraged to belong to or form cooperatives/groups to enable them ease of access to inputs and resources, especially credit and information that will enhance adoption

Intern’s Experiences with Episiotomy and its Repair

Background: Episiotomy ‑an incision of the perineum at the time of vaginal delivery is a common obstetric procedure. If the repair is inadequately done, it may leave the woman suffering from perineal pain and other long term conditions with serious impact on the woman’s health and social wellbeing. The importance of skill in the obstetric procedure of episiotomy and its repair cannot be over emphasized.Objectives: The study aims to determine the interns’ training and experience with episiotomy and its repair.Materials and Methods: A questionnaire study of medical interns’ who had their houseman ship at the Federal Medical Centre Owerri, over a period of two years between 2003 and 2005. Results were analyzed with the SPSS version 10.Results: 70 (77.7%) of the 90 interns to whom the questionnaire was administered responded correctly. They had an average age of 28.81 ±3.36 years. 44 (62.9%) had a formal demonstration on episiotomy repair done at their medical training institution. 56 (80%) of the interns were comfortable with episiotomy repair while 14 (20%) were not. 10 (45.45%) of the females and 4 (8.33%) of the males were not comfortable with episiotomy repair. 30% of those who got their skill on episiotomy repair at the period of houseman ship were not comfortable with the procedure as opposed to 4.3% of those who had a formal training at their medical training institution.Discussion: A formal demonstration at the medical school of training does not appear to be a constant event in the medical schools as only 62.9% of the interns in this study accepted receiving such. However, despite the above, 80% of these interns’ were comfortable with the repairs of episiotomy.Conclusions: It would be preferred if a formal demonstration is given on this procedure while a student is still in training.Keywords: Episiotomy, experiences, intern

Dystocia and Foetal Mummification in A West African Dwarf Doe (A Case Report)

Nigerian Veterinary Journal, VOL:32 (4) 357-36

Incidence of occupational stress among medical radiographers: a population based zonal survey.

Biomechanical and Psychosocial stresses are capable of destabilizing any health care professional. The current health sector reform in Nigeria, which lays emphasis on service delivery on a background of very few radiographers, may lead to an increase in stress level. This study investigated the incidence of occupational stress among radiographers in southeastern Nigeria. 50 self-completionquestionnaires were delivered to radiographers in the southeastern Nigeria. The questionnaires included questions seeking information on the demographic profile of the radiographer, anatomical regions of biomechanical systems/stress and Visual analogue scale (VAS), which rated job satisfaction and anxiety levels. 32 questionnaires were returned and analyzed statistically. Biomechanical stresswas observed in all anatomical regions studied. Job satisfaction rating was 61.3% and anxiety level was 45.3%. This study has provided a baseline stress level and prevalence among radiographers withwhich future studies in view of the on going health sector reform in Nigeria could be compared

Application of Central Composite Design with Design Expert v13 in Process Optimization

This chapter is focused on the study application of central composite design, in response surface methodology. We have reviewed this concept and applied it to optimize Biodiesel yield from transesterification of methanol and vegetable oil with a catalyst derived from eggshell using design expert 13. This optimization was carried out with reaction conditions of reaction time, methanol to oil ratio, catalyst loading, and reaction temperature. Data used as an instance was collected and analyzed from the work of Tshizanga et al. and the result obtained for a randomized experiment showed at a 95% confidence level that all the factors affected the product’s output. About 91% yield was obtained and operating parameters were optimized at a temperature of around 61%. Methanol to oil ratio of 22.13, and catalyst loading of around 3.7 wt%. This chapter provided a step-by-step guide on how to carry out this experiment using design expert 13, a reduced Quadratic model with a significant P-value of 0.0325 shows the model is significant, as indicated by an f-value of 3.57. An F-value might be caused by noise only in 3.25% of cases. The run was reduced to 18 compared to the 20 runs originally used by Tshizanga et al

Management of Asthma in Adults: Current Trends and Future Directions

Bronchial asthma has witnessed a significant increase in its prevalence in the past decade. Considerable morbidity and significant mortality has been associated with it and this has been matched by increased scientific research into new methods of therapy to supplement or replace the traditionally known treatment modalities. A search for old and new literature on asthma management in adults necessitated forage in the library for old works and an internet search into relevant websites to download several works on asthma from which those relevant to this article were selected. Evidences supporting current asthma therapies including some non-pharmacological measures of intervention and alternative approaches were highlighted. Some novel interventions that may be useful in the future management of asthma were discussed. Some novel therapeutic agents acting on specific components of the inflammatory pathways in asthma are emerging. The future management of asthma may involve the use of these newer agents in combination with more established therapies. For successful management of asthma, patient's education and involvement are essential.Ll'asthme bronchique a connu une augmentation significative \ue0 son fr\ue9quence au cours de la d\ue9cennie pass\ue9e. On l'avait associer avec une morbidit\ue9 consid\ue9rable et une mortalit\ue9 significative et cellesci ont \ue9t\ue9 \ue9galer avec une recherche scientifique augment\ue9e sur des nouvelles m\ue9thodes th\ue9rapeutiques pour supplementer ou remplacer les modalit\ue9s du traitement connu traditionnellement. Une cherche pour l'ancienne ou la nouvelle litt\ue9rature sur la g\ue9rance de l ;asthrue chez les adultes a n\ue9cessite un fourrage dans la biblioth\ue9que pour des anciens travaux aussi qu'une cherche sur l'internet aux websites pertinent pour r\ue9tirer plusieurs travaux sur l'asthme. C'est \ue0 partir de ces travaux que ceux qui sont pertinent \ue0 cet article sont selection\ue9s. Les preuves en faveur des th\ue9rapies actuelles de l'asthme y inclus quelques mesures pharmacologique d'intervention et des autres approches sont souliogn\ue9es. Quelques interventions nouvelles qui peuvent \ueatre utile dans l'avenir pour la g\ue9rance de l'asthme sont aussi discut\ue9es. Quelques nouvelles agents th\ue9rapeutiques qui agir sur les composantes sp\ue9cifiques des chemins inflamatoires en asthme s'\ue9merge. Dans l'avenir la g\ue9rance de l'asthme peut entrainer l'emploie de ces nouveaux agents en association avec les th\ue9rapies les plus \ue9tablir. Pour r\ue9ussir \ue0 la g\ue9rance de l'asthme, l'education et la participation du malade est essential

Jumpstarting Orange- Fleshed Sweetpotato in West Africa through Diversified Markets

This flyer describes the objectives, activities, and progress made in implementing a three-year project that targets informal and formal orange-fleshed sweetpotato (OFSP) markets in Ghana, Nigeria and Burkina Faso between June 2014 and July 2015. The project is working towards four major outcomes at each target location: to establish commercial sweetpotato seed systems to provide clean planting material year round; to develop formal and informal markets for OFSP; to enable farmers including women, to participate in OFSP value chains; and to increase consumption of OFSP and other vitamin A-rich foods by vulnerable target populations, particularly women and children under the age of five

The Age and Sex Incidence of Keloids / Hypertrophic Scars in Calabar Metropolis, Cross River State from 2001-2006

Hypertrophic scars and keloids have been seen to occur frequently among burnt and accident patients. Keloids and hypertrophic scars result from excessive collagen deposition. They are dermal fibro proliferative disorders unique humans and occur as a complication of healing of wounds following trauma, inflammation, surgery, burns and sometimes occur spontaneously. Clinically, these scars can be disfiguring functionally and aesthetically or both. A retrospective study of patients with keloids and hypertrophic scars was carried out in University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH) using medical records of 41 patients that were diagnosed and / or treated. Sex, age, provisional diagnosis, manifestations and treatment procedures were extracted from their folders. The result of the study was statistically analyzed which revealed that keloids and hypertrophic scars increase with years and occur a little more in females than in males (M:F ratio = 48.8%:51.2%). The age range that was mostly affected was 15 to 45 years. Keywords: keloid, hypertrophic scar, sex, age, trib

Strength Variation of OPC-Saw Dust Ash Composites with Percentage Saw Dust Ash

This work investigated the variation of OPC-Saw Dust Ash (SDA) composites strength with percentage SDA. 231 concrete cubes, 231 sandcrete cubes, and 231 soilcrete cubes of 150mm x 150mm x 150mm were produced at percentage OPC replacement with SDA of 0% (control), 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, and 50% and crushed to obtain their compressive strengths at 3, 7, 14, 21, 28, 50, and 90 days of curing. For concrete, the 90-day strength values decreased from 28.00N/mm2 at 5% SDA to 25.60N/mm2 at 15% SDA to 20.50N/mm2 at 35% SDA to 15.80N/mm2 at 50% SDA, while the control value was 27.00N/mm2. The 90-day strength values also decreased from 11.50N/mm2 at 5% SDA to 5.40N/mm2 at 50% SDA for sandcrete while the control value was 11.10N/mm2. Soilcrete strength values decreased from 9.70N/mm2 at 5% SDA to 4.50N/mm2 at 50% SDA while the control value was 9.50N/mm2. The results suggest that, with good quality control of the concreting process, 5% to 25% OPC replacement with SDA could be suitable for general reinforced concrete works, 25% to 40% for minor works in concrete, and 45% to 50% for plain concrete works. Also, 5% to 20% OPC replacement with SDA could be used for light load-bearing sandcrete and soilcrete works, while 25% to 50% could still be suitable for non-load-bearing works. Keywords: Blended cement, Composites, Compressive strength, Concrete, Sandcrete, Saw dust ash, Soilcrete