Abdominal Pregnancy in Usmanu Dan-Fodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto: A 10-year Review

Background: Abdominal pregnancy, a rare condition with high maternal mortality (up to 50%), and even higher perinatal mortality (40 – 95%), is often associated with diagnostic difficulties.Objectives: To determine the mode of presentation and management of abdominal pregnancy, from cases in the Usmanu Dan-Fodiyo University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH), Sokoto.Materials and Methods: A retrospective review of the case records of all abdominal pregnancies managed in UDUTH, Sokoto, between January 2000 and December 2010. Results: During the 10-year study period, there were eight cases of abdominal pregnancies, 285 extrauterine pregnancies, and 25,506 total deliveries. All the patients were not booked for antenatal care and their ages ranged between 20 and 39 years (mean=28.1±3.4 years). The majority (88%) were grand multipara. The main presenting symptoms were persistent abdominal pain, vaginal bleeding, and prolonged pregnancy. Seven cases (87.5%) were diagnosed accurately by an ultrasound scan. There were seven perinatal deaths (87.5%) and one live birth. There was one maternal death (12.5%), which occurred in the patient whose placenta was left in-situ.Conclusion: Presence of persistent lower abdominal pain, vaginal bleeding, and prolonged pregnancy should raise the suspicion of abdominal pregnancy. Removal of the placenta, where feasible, improves the outcome of maternal health.Keywords: Ectopic pregnancy, Africa, diagnostic difficulties, maternal mortalit

Problems and Prospects of Pineapple Production in Enugu State, Nigeria

The study identified problems and prospects of pineapple production in Enugu State of Nigeria. Purposive sampling technique was used to select eighty (80) pineapple farmers from two agricultural zones. Data were analyzed using percentage and mean score. Results showed that greater proportion of the farmers was male (56.2%), had no formal education (47.5%) and had their farm located far from their residence (68.8%) while many of the farmers cultivated improved pineapple variety (43.8%) and a greater proportion (55.0%) sourced planting materials from their farms. All the respondents (100%) harvested their produce manually. Respondents indicated that the major potentials of the area for pineapple production included: availability of fertile land for pineapple production (x̅=2.78), ready market for the sale of the crop produce (x̅=2.72), a good source of income (x̅=2.62), and good health through consumption among farmers/inhabitants (x̅=2.78). The major constraints of pineapple production identified by the respondents were poor access road for transportation of produce (x̅=2.56), and lack of technical knowledge on the use of improved technology (x̅=2.56). It was concluded that pineapple had good prospects for production in the area. However, issues of infrastructure and technical knowledge should be tackled in order to harness those potentials.Key words: pineapple production in Enugu Stat

Abdominal Pregnancy

This is a report of a case of abdominal pregnancy (a rare condition). Lack of antenatal care resulted in late presentation. Persistent abdominal pain, weight loss and pallor were the main clinical features. Presence of this triad in pregnancy should raise the suspicion of abdominal pregnancy

Assessment of knowledge and factors that may predict willingness to volunteerism: A pilot study of community.directed distributors in Anambra state

Background: Malaria as a leading cause of death in many developing countries requires urgent interventions. In order to improve access to healthcare, trained volunteers are used to distribute health commodities. The present study aims at determining knowledge and factors that may predict willingness to volunteerism in a developing country.Methodology: This was a cross.sectional descriptive study carried out in 2014 among 284 community-directed distributors in three rural communities in Anambra, Southeast Nigeria using pretested  semi-structured questionnaires.Results: The age range of volunteers was 21.79 years. Most (71.8%) are females and are married (83.1). Only 5.6% of the volunteers did not have any formal education. The predominant occupation is trading (52.5). Most volunteers (78.5%) could define the term volunteerism. Less than half (40.1%) knew the resources that could be volunteered. Most (67.3%) felt that volunteerism is most needed in church activities. Many  respondents (58.8%) had volunteered for one or more programs previously. The most common challenge faced was interference with other income generating activities (66.5%). Retired males were more likely to volunteer than retired females (P . 0.01). However, females are more likely to volunteer if the main reason of volunteering is to help people (P . 0.01). The more educated ones believe that volunteerism will help them to be selected for other community programs.Conclusion: Most respondents had volunteered for other programs and the motivating factors included the satisfaction derived from helping others and the hope of being used for other community programs.Key words: Community.directed distributors, knowledge, malaria, volunteeris

DEVELOPMENT OF A DOOR LOCK SECURITY SYSTEM BASED ON AUTOMATIC SPEECH RECOGNITION

The security of homes and properties are of utmost importance and various methods have been employed by researchers to achieve this aim. This work developed a door lock security system based on automatic speech recognition. The developed system was programmed to recognize certain users and give a particular user access to a door. In training the system, MFCC feature extraction technique was used to extract appropriate features from five different individual’s speech signal and Vector Quantization using LBG algorithm (VQLBG) was done to recognize a speaker. A prototype door was designed and implemented to test the developed system.Euclidean distance was used in calculating the parametric representation of individual speech signal to be recognized and an accuracy of 75% was obtained by calculating the Word Error Rate (WER). Results show that the developed system is more reliable in securing door lock in homes than traditional method.&nbsp

Awareness and Use of E-Resources among Public Extension Personnel in Anambra State, Nigeria

Abstract The study assessed the awareness and use of e-resources among public extension personnel in the area. Stratified sampling technique was used in selecting respondents from each cadre of the Anambra State Agricultural Development Programme (ASADEP). A total of sixty nine (69) agricultural extension staff was used for the study. Findings show the major e-resource tool that was available to the majority (94.2%) of extension staff in the area was mobile phone, while 62.3% indicated that computer was available to them. The majority (69.6%) of the respondents were each aware of Facebook, and email, while 56.5% were aware of twitter. Among those who were aware of email, the majority (59.4%) indicated they used it while 43.5% of those that were aware of Facebook indicated they used it. Results show that 15.9% of the respondents indicated they used e-journal in exchanging information on pests and diseases, 10.1% exchanged weather and climate information on e-mail, while 11.6% each indicated they used email to exchange information on farm inputs and market prices.On the other hand, 10.1% each used e-journal and e-mail to exchange information on processing methods. The study concluded by drawing attention to the very low adoption of e-resources in extension service delivery in the area. Efforts should be made by both federal and state governments to provide enabling technological environment and training opportunities for extension personnel in order to improve e-extension which is a veritable alternative towards solving the issues of dearth in extension staff that has been a persistent problem plaguing extension service in the country

Awareness and Use of E-Resources among Public Extension Personnel in Anambra State, Nigeria

Abstract The study assessed the awareness and use of e-resources among public extension personnel in the area. Stratified sampling technique was used in selecting respondents from each cadre of the Anambra State Agricultural Development Programme (ASADEP). A total of sixty nine (69) agricultural extension staff was used for the study. Findings show the major e-resource tool that was available to the majority (94.2%) of extension staff in the area was mobile phone, while 62.3% indicated that computer was available to them. The majority (69.6%) of the respondents were each aware of Facebook, and email, while 56.5% were aware of twitter. Among those who were aware of email, the majority (59.4%) indicated they used it while 43.5% of those that were aware of Facebook indicated they used it. Results show that 15.9% of the respondents indicated they used e-journal in exchanging information on pests and diseases, 10.1% exchanged weather and climate information on e-mail, while 11.6% each indicated they used email to exchange information on farm inputs and market prices.On the other hand, 10.1% each used e-journal and e-mail to exchange information on processing methods. The study concluded by drawing attention to the very low adoption of e-resources in extension service delivery in the area. Efforts should be made by both federal and state governments to provide enabling technological environment and training opportunities for extension personnel in order to improve e-extension which is a veritable alternative towards solving the issues of dearth in extension staff that has been a persistent problem plaguing extension service in the country

Computerised software systems in replacement maintenance information management : a South African case study

Abstract: Computerised software systems have undeniably continued to gain recognition in the implementation of reliable maintenance policies in today’s Industries. While significant investigations corroborating the importance of management technology in developed economies abound, this study examines the level of the technology’s success in a typical manufacturing firm in South Africa. Using an analytical research approach, useful maintenance indices were established from the dataset stored in the maintenance information management system of a case example manufacturing firm, designated ‘X-Company’ in this research for the sake of confidentiality. The result shows that, as applied currently to the replacement maintenance of the case example system, the technology requires optimisation. Maintenance policies that can improve the poor correlation between the current status on the one hand, and the established trends in the maintenance engineering literature and practice on the other, are recommended

A proposed framework for assessing lean readiness in South African healthcare institutions

Abstract: Recent healthcare literature has upheld lean as a methodology for improving operational efficiency and quality of care. However, the uncertainty of implementing lean successfully is still of concern as implementation failures have been recorded. Insufficient preparedness and lack of readiness assessment among other factors have been highlighted as a reason for failure. This paper develops an instrument for assessing the capabilities, quality management practices, and general preparedness of healthcare institutions for a lean implementation journey. The study identifies, through a comprehensive review of lean healthcare literature and the South African healthcare quality improvement literature to find current best quality management practices, and resource requirements needed to create a healthcare system that is supportive of lean. Application of this framework may provide an opportunity for hospital managers to benchmark with emerging lean success stories within the same operating context for organizational learning

Agricultural extension needs of farmers in Telfairia production and marketing in Enugu State, Nigeria

The study assessed agricultural extension needs of farmers in Telfairia production and marketing in Enugu State, Nigeria. Multistage sampling technique was used to select 160 Telfairia farmers for the study. Structured interview schedule was used to collect data. Data was analysed by use of descriptive statistics and factor analysis. Results show that farmers sold their products directly to consumers through village or local markets (56.9%), village squares (27.6%), at roadside stands (16.2%), while 11.2% sold them at farm gate. Only 3.6% sold their products through cooperative societies. The quantity and price of sale of produce varied depending on the season of the year (26.6%) in which the crop was produced, number of buyers (20.0%) and quality of produce (16.2%). About 63% of the respondents did not have extension contact in the last one year. Extension needs of farmers were indicated in the following areas: sourcing of farm input (M= 3.62), sourcing appropriate marketing channel (M= 3.18), sourcing of improved farm tools (M= 3.11), expansion of scale of production (M= 3.07), receiving information on appropriate cultural practices (M=3.06), and sourcing farm credit (M= 3.00). Infrastructural, technical, logistic and financial challenges hindered effective production and marketing of Telfairia among farmers. There is need for extension to assist farmers to source farm inputs and establish or explore viable markets where farmers will sell their products at a favourable price