Patient satisfaction with services at a tertiary hospital in south-east Nigeria

Background Patients’ views of the services they receive in a healthcare service help identify critical areas that may need improvement. This survey set out to determine patients’ satisfaction with quality of general services and specifically with staff attitude and the hospital environment, while on admission at a teaching hospital in Enugu, south-east Nigeria.MethodsThis was a descriptive cross-sectional study using a structured self-administered questionnaire on 170 patients (54% females and 46% males, aged between 20 and 65 years), post admission, selected by multistage sampling. ResultsLess than half (47.3%) of the patients were satisfied with care received on admission. More than half of them (51.8%) were satisfied with the cleanliness of the hospital environment and how power supply was maintained in the hospital (62.4%). Doctors (90%), nurses (64.1%) and records staff (60.6%) were considered courteous and professional. Most patients were satisfied with the level of privacy given to them in their course of hospital stay (67.6%) and with the cost of laboratory investigations (51.8%). ConclusionDespite more than half of the surveyed patients being satisfied with some specific aspects of services given while on admission, those satisfied with the overall experience were less than half. Therefore, periodic patient satisfaction surveys should be institutionalized in this facility to provide feedback for continuous quality improvement

pH Dependent Prevention of Carbon tetrachloride–Induced Lipoperoxidation in Rats by Ethanolic Extract of Hibiscus rosasinensis Petal

The ability of high (6.73) and low (5.02) pH solutions of lead acetate precipitate of H. rosasinensis petal anthocyanin extract to prevent carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced lipid peroxidation in rats has been investigated using plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) level as an index of the process. Relative to its value in the plasma of CCl4 treated extract-free rats, the high pH form (pH 6.73; blue pigment) of the resolubilized precipitate significantly (P < 0.05) reduced the level of malondialdehyde in the plasma of rats to which it was administered prior to CCl4 treatment. When compared with CCl4 – treated, extract-free rats, statistically significant (P<0.05) reduction in the level of MDA was also observed in the plasma obtained from rats treated first with the low pH form (pH 5.02; red pigment) of the resolubilized precipitate before CCl4 exposure. These data suggest that H. rosasinensis petal partially purified anthocyanin extract may be protective against carbon tetrachloride-induced lipoperoxidation.Key Words: Lipoperoxidation, carbon tetrachloride, Anthocyanin, Hibiscus rosasinensis, Malondialdehyd

PERSONALITY TRAITS AS DETERMINANTS OF STRESS AMONG SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS IN ANAMBRA STATE

The purpose of this study is to find out whether personality traits such as achievement drive, high competitive tendency, high level of anxiety and self concept are determinants of occupational stress. The study was guided by four hypotheses. The population of the study covered all the 6,036 teachers in 265 public secondary schools in the state. The sample consisted of 1,000 teachers made up of 450 males and 550 females; drawn through multi-stage sampling technique. The instrument for the study was a structured questionnaire tagged ‘Personality Traits and Stress’ (PTS) which was duly validated. Mean and t–test were used for data analysis. The findings of the study revealed that teachers with high achievement drive exhibited a significantly higher level of stress than those with low achievement drive; teachers with high competitive tendency exhibited a significantly higher level of stress than those with low competitive tendency; teachers with high level of anxiety exhibit a significantly higher level of stress than those with low level of anxiety; teachers with a low self– concept exhibit a significantly higher level of stress than teachers with high self–concept. Based on the findings it was recommended among others that teachers should be exposed to stress management techniques through seminars and workshops

PERSONALITY TRAITS AS DETERMINANTS OF STRESS AMONG SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS IN ANAMBRA STATE

The purpose of this study is to find out whether personality traits such as achievement drive, high competitive tendency, high level of anxiety and self concept are determinants of occupational stress. The study was guided by four hypotheses. The population of the study covered all the 6,036 teachers in 265 public secondary schools in the state. The sample consisted of 1,000 teachers made up of 450 males and 550 females; drawn through multi-stage sampling technique. The instrument for the study was a structured questionnaire tagged ‘Personality Traits and Stress’ (PTS) which was duly validated. Mean and t–test were used for data analysis. The findings of the study revealed that teachers with high achievement drive exhibited a significantly higher level of stress than those with low achievement drive; teachers with high competitive tendency exhibited a significantly higher level of stress than those with low competitive tendency; teachers with high level of anxiety exhibit a significantly higher level of stress than those with low level of anxiety; teachers with a low self– concept exhibit a significantly higher level of stress than teachers with high self–concept. Based on the findings it was recommended among others that teachers should be exposed to stress management techniques through seminars and workshops

JOB SATISFACTION AND WORK-INDUCED STRESS AMONG WORKFORCE OF TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS IN DELTA STATE, NIGERIA

This study examined the relationship between job satisfaction and work-induced stress among the workforce of tertiary institutions in Delta State, Nigeria. The study adopted a correlational survey research design. The study was carried out in Delta State. The population comprised 7,744 workforces in tertiary institutions in Delta State. A sample size of 670 workforce of tertiary institutions was drawn from the various tertiary institutions in the state through stratified and proportionate sampling techniques. The instrument used for data collection was a questionnaire. The findings of the study revealed that there is a significant relationship between job satisfaction and work-induced stress among the workforce of tertiary institutions in Delta State. The study, however, found that there is no significant influence of level of experience and staff category on the relationship between job satisfaction and work-induced stress among the workforce of tertiary institutions in Delta State. Based on these findings, it was recommended amongst others, that the management of tertiary institutions in the state should be more responsive to the needs of the workforce in the area of motivation so that they will be satisfied with their jobs.  Article visualizations

NEW TEACHERS’ SOFT SKILLS AND PRODUCTIVITY IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN RIVERS STATE, NIGERIA

The study investigated new teachers´ soft skills and productivity in senior secondary schools in Rivers State, Nigeria. Three research questions were answered while three null hypotheses were tested at 0.05 of significance. The theory was anchored on transformational (transformative) learning by Jack Mezirow in 1978. The study adopted a correlational research design. The population comprised all of the 268 government owned Secondary Schools in Rivers State with 8452 teachers. The sample size for this study was 470 representing 5.56% of the population size using the Taro Yamane formula. Proportionate stratified random sampling technique was used to draw the 470 respondents from the strata. Two sets of instruments titled New Teachers’ Soft Skills Questionnaire (NTSSQ) and Productivity of Teachers Questionnaire (PTQ) were used for data collection. Face and content validities were ensured by experts. The reliability coefficient of the NTSSQ and PTQ were 0.90 and 0.88 with the use of Cronbach alpha. Multiple regression and Pearson Product Moment correlation coefficient were used to answer the research questions. ANOVA associated with multiple regression and z-ratio were used to test the null hypotheses at 0.05 alpha level of significance. It was found that emotional intelligence and creative and critical thinking as well as creative and critical thinking and productivity have significant positive moderate and high relationships of 0.50 and 0.64 respectively in Public Senior Secondary Schools in Rivers State. It was recommended among others that; teachers should mostly use exploration teaching method in order to allow the students to critically think out of the box.  Article visualizations

Application of Aeromagnetics as a Basin Depth Discriminating Tool Prior to Seismic Exploration: A Case Study of Central Niger Delta, Nigeria

Eight aeromagnetic maps and high resolution softcopy aeromagnetic data of the same area with available drilled well depth data were used for subsurface depth investigatuion in the Central Niger Delta, Nigeria. The data was processed, filtered and transformed to other grids using either Oasis Montaj  and/or USGS potential field software with their associated extension  packages. Anomaly Separation, Spectral Analysis, Euler Deconvolution, Horizontal Gradient Magnitude were done using the relevant softwares.The results of  spectral analysis, euler deconvolution and horizontal gradient depth maps generated clearly indicates that the well bottom (well B) depth of 3.234km compared with the different thematic magnetic basement depth from spectral 4.2km, Euler 6.421km, and HGM 4.0kmis effective in basement depth discrimination. The result show a unique closeness in comaparism  between already drilled depth with interpreted magnetic depth results. This indicate that the method can be reliable as a basin depth determining tool in virgin  sedimentary basins prior to seismic exploratioin

Application of Ground and Aeromagnetics as Reconnaissance Tool for Hydrocarbon Exploration in Part of Ikom Embayment and Lower Benue Trough, Nigeria

In addition to ground magnetic survey carried out in the study area to appraise its hydrocarbon potentials, three aeromagnetic maps on a scale 1:100,000 covering part of Ikom Embayment and Lower Benue Trough were manually digitized and analysed using computer-based programmes such as HDEP, SURFIT, MFINITE, MFFILTER, MFDESIGN, JMERGER, FRTP, PC CONTOUR, P2 GRID, OASIS MONTAJ, GEOCON AND SURFER 9.0 to determine the depth to basement as well as the configuration of the sub-basins within the study area. The average depth of the shallow and deep basins is 1.5Km and 2.5Km respectively with Nkum axis of the Ikom Embayment having the thickest sediments (about 4.0Km). The presence of few intrusives, thick pile of sediments and faults around Nkum- Edor area of Ikom Embayment indicates that they may have good prospects for hydrocarbon accumulation.

Aeromagnetic Mapping of Basement Releif Features in Parts of Lower Benue Trough (Afikpo – Ugep): Implications on Hydrocarbon Prospectivity South – East, Nigeria

Mapping Magnetic basement is an important tool in oil and gas exploration. Two (2) aeromanetic maps on a scale of 1:100,000 covering parts of the lower Benue Trough ( Afikpo sheet 313 and Ugep sheet314) were digitized manually along a total of 70 profiles lines to obtain 5422 data points. The digitized  values were contoured to obtain the total magnetic field intensity map of the study area.The merged data was processed and filtered using anomaly separation techniques to obtain the regional and residual fields, petters half width and maximum slope methods were analysed to  obtain depths to basements, also lineaments trend and 3-D surface plots were analsed. The results indicate a dominant NE-SW orientation, four faults were also identified mostly at the edges of sediments- basement contacts. the depth to magnetic  basement map reveals two identified sub-basins within two structural highs.the Afikpo area has  a structural high( afikpo anticlinorium) with depth ranging from 0.8km – 1.8km which is flanked by a depression (graben) 2.0km – 4.0km this sub-basin extends between  Abanwan to Amagu (ebonyi state) and extents to Biakpan (cross river state).also another structural high occurs between Iyamoyong and Okumeritit (cross river state) 0.8km -1.8km as horst, this is flanked by another depression (graben) within the Mkpani – Ugep area (cross river state) 2.0km -3.0 km in sediments thickness. Hydrocarbon prospectivity  within the study area should be within the  identified Grabens  that has shown grater sediments accumulation while  the areas identified as horst has less potentials for hydrocarbon prospectively

Total Quality Management Practices and Organizational Performance

This article examined Total Quality Management (TQM) practices and organizational performance using data gathered from Cway Water Group, Lagos to consummate the study. Total quality management aims at enhancing the quality of products, services and processes in all departments and sections in an organization. Sometimes improvement in quality gives rise to increased cost. The paper, therefore, critically examined the extent to which drive for total quality ultimately impinges on corporate performance. Descriptive research design was adopted. Data were gathered from respondents using structured questionnaire.  A total of 325 respondents were used as sample size for the study. The data gathered were analyzed using tables and percentages.  Three hypotheses were formulated and tested using SPSS statistical software with regression and correlation analysis. The test of hypotheses revealed that TQM has significant effect on organizational performance as the P-Value was found to be less than 0.05 occasioning the rejection of the null hypothesis.  The test also revealed that TQM has positive effect on customer satisfaction.  The paper recommended that top management of organizations should make TQM practices top priority in their operations in the interest of sustainable performance