Effect of Multimedia on Primary School Pupils Retention and Interest in Basic Science Concepts

The study examined the effect of multimedia on male and female pupil‟s retention and interest in basic science. Forty-four (44), primary five (5) pupils were randomly selected from two (2) private primary schools in Port Harcourt. The study employed quasi-experimental and control design. The instrument for data collection was Basic Science Retention Test (BSRT) and Basic Science Interest Test (BSIT). Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was employed for data analysis. Findings revealed that multimedia has no significant effect on male and female pupils‟ interest in Basic Science Concepts studied. However, the effect on the male pupils tended to be superior to their female counterparts with regard to retention in Basic Science Concepts studied. It was recommended that science teachers in primary schools should pay attention to the issues of gender difference which are not related to innate tendency by using appropriate instructional materials such as multimedia.Keywords: Multimedia, Retention, Interest, Basic Scienc

A longitudinal survey of African animal trypanosomiasis in domestic cattle on the Jos Plateau, Nigeria:prevalence, distribution and risk factors

BACKGROUND: Trypanosomiasis is a widespread disease of livestock in Nigeria and a major constraint to the rural economy. The Jos Plateau, Nigeria was free from tsetse flies and the trypanosomes they transmit due to its high altitude and the absence of animal trypanosomiasis attracted large numbers of cattle-keeping pastoralists to inhabit the plateau. The Jos Plateau now plays a significant role in the national cattle industry, accommodating approximately 7% of the national herd and supporting 300,000 pastoralists and over one million cattle. However, during the past two decades tsetse flies have invaded the Jos Plateau and animal trypanosomiasis has become a significant problem for livestock keepers. METHODS: In 2008 a longitudinal two-stage cluster survey on the Jos Plateau. Cattle were sampled in the dry, early wet and late wet seasons. Parasite identification was undertaken using species-specific polymerase chain reactions to determine the prevalence and distribution bovine trypanosomiasis. Logistic regression was performed to determine risk factors for disease. RESULTS: The prevalence of bovine trypanosomiasis (Trypanosoma brucei brucei, Trypanosoma congolense savannah, Trypanosoma vivax) across the Jos Plateau was found to be high at 46.8% (39.0 – 54.5%) and significant, seasonal variation was observed between the dry season and the end of the wet season. T. b. brucei was observed at a prevalence of 3.2% (1% – 5.5%); T. congolense at 27.7% (21.8% - 33.6%) and T. vivax at 26.7% (18.2% - 35.3%). High individual variation was observed in trypanosomiasis prevalence between individual villages on the Plateau, ranging from 8.8% to 95.6%. Altitude was found to be a significant risk factor for trypanosomiasis whilst migration also influenced risk for animal trypanosomiasis. CONCLUSIONS: Trypanosomiasis is now endemic on the Jos Plateau showing high prevalence in cattle and is influenced by seasonality, altitude and migration practices. Attempts to successfully control animal trypanosomiasis on the Plateau will need to take into account the large variability in trypanosomiasis infection rates between villages, the influence of land use, and husbandry and management practices of the pastoralists, all of which affect the epidemiology of the disease

Social factors affecting seasonal variation in bovine trypanosomiasis on the Jos Plateau, Nigeria

BACKGROUND: African Animal Trypanosomiasis (AAT) is a widespread disease of livestock in Nigeria and presents a major constraint to rural economic development. The Jos Plateau was considered free from tsetse flies and the trypanosomes they transmit due to its high altitude and this trypanosomiasis free status attracted large numbers of cattle-keeping pastoralists to the area. The Jos Plateau now plays a major role in the national cattle industry in Nigeria, accommodating approximately 7% of the national herd, supporting 300,000 pastoralists and over one million cattle. During the past two decades tsetse flies have invaded the Jos Plateau and animal trypanosomiasis has become a significant problem for livestock keepers. Here we investigate the epidemiology of trypanosomiasis as a re-emerging disease on the Plateau, examining the social factors that influence prevalence and seasonal variation of bovine trypanosomiasis. METHODS: In 2008 a longitudinal two-stage cluster survey was undertaken on the Jos Plateau. Cattle were sampled in the dry, early wet and late wet seasons. Parasite identification was undertaken using species-specific polymerase chain reactions to determine the prevalence and distribution of bovine trypanosomiasis. Participatory rural appraisal was also conducted to determine knowledge, attitudes and practices concerning animal husbandry and disease control. RESULTS: Significant seasonal variation between the dry season and late wet season was recorded across the Jos Plateau, consistent with expected variation in tsetse populations. However, marked seasonal variations were also observed at village level to create 3 distinct groups: Group 1 in which 50% of villages followed the general pattern of low prevalence in the dry season and high prevalence in the wet season; Group 2 in which 16.7% of villages showed no seasonal variation and Group 3 in which 33.3% of villages showed greater disease prevalence in the dry season than in the wet season. CONCLUSIONS: There was high seasonal variation at the village level determined by management as well as climatic factors. The growing influence of management factors on the epidemiology of trypanosomiasis highlights the impact of recent changes in land use and natural resource competition on animal husbandry decisions in the extensive pastoral production system

Trypanosoma vivax Infections: Pushing Ahead with Mouse Models for the Study of Nagana. I. Parasitological, Hematological and Pathological Parameters

African trypanosomiasis is a severe parasitic disease that affects both humans and livestock. Several different species may cause animal trypanosomosis and although Trypanosoma vivax (sub-genus Duttonella) is currently responsible for the vast majority of debilitating cases causing great economic hardship in West Africa and South America, little is known about its biology and interaction with its hosts. Relatively speaking, T. vivax has been more than neglected despite an urgent need to develop efficient control strategies. Some pioneering rodent models were developed to circumvent the difficulties of working with livestock, but disappointedly were for the most part discontinued decades ago. To gain more insight into the biology of T. vivax, its interactions with the host and consequently its pathogenesis, we have developed a number of reproducible murine models using a parasite isolate that is infectious for rodents. Firstly, we analyzed the parasitical characteristics of the infection using inbred and outbred mouse strains to compare the impact of host genetic background on the infection and on survival rates. Hematological studies showed that the infection gave rise to severe anemia, and histopathological investigations in various organs showed multifocal inflammatory infiltrates associated with extramedullary hematopoiesis in the liver, and cerebral edema. The models developed are consistent with field observations and pave the way for subsequent in-depth studies into the pathogenesis of T. vivax - trypanosomosis

The prevalence of trypanosome infections among trade cattle in subhumid and humid zones of Nigeria

The prevaleace or trypanosome infections among trade cattle in the sub-humid and humid zones or Nigeria was investigated during a twelve-month period. The infections were prevalent throughout the year and a mean infection rate of 11.04% was recorded in both zones, among 1,775 selected cattle. In the more northern area of subhumid zone (Kaduna), mean prevalence was 12.16% in 989 cattle and monthly figures ranged from 2.10% to 19.62%. Trypanosoma vivax and T. congolense contributed almost equally to the infections being responsible for 36.6% and 35.0%, respectively of all positive cases. The importance of T. vivax, however. increased in Gboko (in the humid zone) where it was responsible for 50% of the parasitaemia encountered. Monthly prevalence in Gboko averaged 9.46% and ranged between 4.17% and 16.88%. Peak infections were common at the beginning of the dry season. The difference in PCV between infected and non-infected cattle was significant (P < 0.05) only in Kaduna where higher prevalence was also associated with increased differences in mean monthly PCV. T. brucei subspecies isolated from Gboko did not exhibit potentials for human infectivity: they were all T. brucei brucei, an animal pathogen.Key Words: Trypanosome; Trade cattle, Humid, sub-humi

Trypanosoma vivax in Nigerian goats: Effect of chemotherapy of serum constituents of red sokoto bucks

The effect of trypanosome infection on serum protein and electrolyte levels was studied in Red Sokoto goats inoculated with Trypanosoma vivax and treated, during the course of the infection, with Berenial ( dimmazene aceturate), Samorin (isometamidium chloride) and Novidium (homidium chloride). During the infection total protein, albumin and albumin/globulin (A/G) ratio decreased significantly (P<0.05) while the globulin fraction and calcium increased progressively. Chloride concentration was elevated by the third week post infection and, despite treatmet, by the sixth week. Untreated animals died within five to six weeks of patent infection showing terminal hypoproteinaemia of 23.6% Treatment abolished trypanosomaemia within 48 hours and reversed the effect of the infection by the second or third week post drug administration. There were slight but insignificant differences in the levels of the parameters monitored in the different drug-treated groups However,four wee(cs post treatment preinfection levels of total protein and albumin, were not achieved by Berenil nor was therapy associated with modulation of the calcium and chloride concentrations to preinfection levels .Key Words: Goats, Chemotherapy, Serum, Trypanosomiasis, Protein, Electrolytes