The influence of informal institutions on informal sector entrepreneurship: A study of Nigeria’s hand-woven textile industry

The file attached to this record is the author's final peer reviewed version. The Publisher's final version can be found by following the DOI link.This paper draws on the institutional theory framework to explore the prevalence of entrepreneurship in the informal economy in Nigeria. An interpretive approach was taken in analyzing open-ended interview data collected from 26 entrepreneurs in the hand-woven textile industry in the southwestern region of Nigeria. Our findings show that beyond regulatory burden or survivalist economic necessity, the enterprise culture in the Nigerian informal economy is determined by value-driven criteria of sociocultural and normative environment that constitute part of the cognitive process of entrepreneurial emergence in a typical institutional context

Effect of seed scarification methods on Mimosa pigra Linn. germination

Dormancy is a condition in which seeds do not germinate despite the provision of suitable growth conditions. This study assessed germination percentage and germination rates of Mimosa pigra using different pre-sowing treatments. Seeds were sown in white plastic buckets filled with loose and well-drained river sand at a sowing depth of 3 cm. Bucket diameter was 22 cm and bucket depth from base to the brim was 24 cm. Four replicates of 100 randomly picked seeds at 25 seeds per bucket were used for each treatment and the buckets were laid out in a complete randomized design. Viable seeds determined by floatation method were subjected to pre-sowing treatments using control, 98% concentrated Sulphuric acid, hot water (wet heat) and physical abrasion for 40, 80 and 120 seconds. Data were subjected to statistical analysis. Results showed that physical abrasion resulted in the highest germination percentage of 74 to 83% and the lowest mean emergence time of 6 and 7 days while the control resulted in 16% germination rate and a mean emergence time of 23 days. Therefore, physical scarification is recommended for the propagation of Mimosa pigra for its medicinal use

Effect of seed scarification methods on Mimosa pigra Linn. germination

Dormancy is a condition in which seeds do not germinate despite the provision of suitable growth conditions. This study assessed germination percentage and germination rates of Mimosa pigra using different pre-sowing treatments. Seeds were sown in white plastic buckets filled with loose and well-drained river sand at a sowing depth of 3 cm. Bucket diameter was 22 cm and bucket depth from base to the brim was 24 cm. Four replicates of 100 randomly picked seeds at 25 seeds per bucket were used for each treatment and the buckets were laid out in a complete randomized design. Viable seeds determined by floatation method were subjected to pre-sowing treatments using control, 98% concentrated Sulphuric acid, hot water (wet heat) and physical abrasion for 40, 80 and 120 seconds. Data were subjected to statistical analysis. Results showed that physical abrasion resulted in the highest germination percentage of 74 to 83% and the lowest mean emergence time of 6 and 7 days while the control resulted in 16% germination rate and a mean emergence time of 23 days. Therefore, physical scarification is recommended for the propagation of Mimosa pigra for its medicinal use

Entomological and transmission risk indices of malaria vectors in selected communities in Osun state, Nigeria

Baseline survey is an integral component of a malaria vector control programme, providing valuable information on mosquito behaviour that guide the suitability of chosen interventions. A need assessment of baseline entomological indices towards the future implementation of indoor residual spray (IRS) was conducted in Osun State, Nigeria. Indoor resting mosquitoes were collected in human households from three LocalGovernment Areas. These were morphologically identified, subjected to species specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay and analyzed for sporozoite infection and blood meal origin using enzyme linked   immunosorbent assay (ELISA). All female Anopheles identified fed on human blood but tested negative to Plasmodium falciparum circumsporozoite antigen. The PCR analysis showed a predominance of An. gambiae s.s. (95%) over An. arabiensis (5%). The preponderance of indoor resting An. gambiae s.s and the incidence of exophilic An. arabiensis suggest a combination of IRS and long lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) for this region.Keywords: Malaria vectors, Transmission risk indices, Species specific PCR, Plasmodium falciparum, Circumsporozoite antigen, Long lasting insecticidal nets, Osun State, Nigeri

Self-reported adherence to treatment: A study of socioeconomic factors and psychiatric morbidity among male and female patients with HIV infection in Sokoto, Nigeria

Objective: Adherence to treatment is important and relevant in HIV  treatment. Previous studies in sub Sahara Africa and south western Nigeria reported that psychiatric morbidity influence treatment adherence.The present study was to examine treatment adherence among the male and the female patients with HIV infection and the effect of socioeconomic factors and psychiatric morbidity on treatment adherence .Methods: A total of 159 patients which comprised of 48 male and 111  female who were eligible for this cross sectional prospective study were  included having given their consent to participate. Questionnaire relating to socioeconomic factors and treatment adherence were administered. Psychiatric morbidity was assessed using HADS. Data was analyzed with SPSS for windows version 16.0.Results: Treatment adherence was poor in 5.3% of the patients. The male patients had slightly better adherence than the female patients. Factors associated with poor treatment adherence include poor clinic attendance, presence of anxiety symptoms in males and poor education attainment in females.Conclusion: Treatment adherence is related to socioeconomic factors and psychiatric morbidity. Treatment protocol in which mental health and  detailed socioeconomic circumstance of patient is an integral part should be encouraged.Keywords: Adherence, HIV, infection, Patient, Treatmen

Substance use among secondary school adolescents in Gwagwalada Area Council, Abuja, Nigeria

Background: Adolescent substance use is a growing epidemic that is placing heavy burdens on individuals, families and communities hence the stimulus for this study.Aim/Objectives: To determine the prevalence and pattern of substance use among secondary school adolescents in Gwagwalada Area Council, Abuja, Nigeria.Methods: A questionnaire-based, cross-sectional, descriptive study done over a three-month period among secondary school adolescents aged 10 to 18 years old after obtaining appropriate ethical approvals, consent and assent.Results: A total of 1,196 questionnaires were analysed, of which 641 (53.6%) were females and 1,052 (87.96%) from public schools. The overall prevalence rate for lifetime use was 72.7%. The substance with the highest prevalence rates for lifetime, annual and current use was kola nut (44.3%, 24.4 and 11.0%, respectively) and lowest for heroin (0.7%, 0.6% and 0.5%, respectively). There was a statistically significant male preponderance for licit substance use and a non-statistically significant female preponderance for illicit substance use. 507(42.4%) students were single substance users while 363 (30.35%) students were multiple substance users. Age at first use was at ten years of age or less.Conclusion and recommendations: There is need for strengthening substance use prevention programmes and implementing regulatory laws on sale and use of substances. Stiffer penalties for offenders are recommended.Keywords: Prevalence;substance use; adolescent; secondary school; Nigeri

Microfinance and Entrepreneurship: The Enabling Role of Social Capital

Although scholars highlight the importance of social capital for accessing various resources embedded in social networks, little is known about the mechanisms through which social capital strengthens the impact of micro-finance on fostering entrepreneurship. Drawing on forms of social capital, this paper seeks to examine how, and to what extent resources embedded in social networks determine the impact of micro-finance on entrepreneurial success