Quality of sleep in an HIV population on antiretroviral therapy at an urban tertiary centre in Lagos, Nigeria

Aim. To determine the prevalence of sleep disturbance and its associated characteristics in HIV-positive outpatients on HAART using the PSQI. Methods. Using a cross-sectional design, 300 patients attending the outpatient HIV/AIDS clinic at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital were recruited. Baseline data obtained included the participants’ demographic data, educational qualification, and marital status. Their treatment history, including duration since HIV diagnosis, the most recent CD4 cell count, and current antiretroviral therapies, was obtained from their case records. Each participant completed the PSQI questionnaire and those with scores ≥5 were diagnosed with poor sleep quality. Results. The participants were made up of 70.7% females and 29.3% males. Their ages ranged between 18 and 74 years with a mean of 38.9 ± 10.3 years. According to the PSQI, 59.3% reported poor sleep quality. The mean score of those with poor quality sleep (9.2 ± 3.3) was comparable to that of those with good quality sleep (1.26 ± 1.4). \u1d443 < 0.001. Significant differences were observed in all the individual components of the PSQI (\u1d443 < 0.001). On multivariate analyses, the independent associations with sleep quality were the duration since HIV diagnosis (\u1d443 = 0.29), efavirenz based regimen (\u1d443 < 0.001), and lower CD4 cell count (\u1d443 < 0.001). Conclusions. Sleep disturbances are quite common in the HIV population even in the era of HAART. Early recognition via routine assessment and effective treatments could prevent the resultant complications and improve quality of life

Data on mixing and curing methods effects on the compressive strength of concrete

Curing, though important is sometimes underrated in concrete production. This dataset provided shows the effects of four (4) different methods of curing on two distinct mix ratios. The data provided in this article are for a study that was conducted on one hundred and sixty (160) cube samples of mix ratios 1:2:4 and 1:1.5:3 while employing four (4) different methods of curing. The data given in the article displays the finding of the study. The findings can aid in prediction and optimization of concrete behavior and compressive strength when any of the curing methods are utilized

Challenges confronting construction project management system for sustainable construction in developing countries: professionals perspectives (a case study of Nigeria)

The success of the Nigerian construction industry can be aligned with the use of construction project management systems, although, the industry has been maligned by issues such as building collapse, incessant delays, abandonment and cost overrun. It is therefore imperative to examine the challenges confronting construction project management system in Nigeria. In this study the descriptive survey method was adopted and data were obtained by means of inquiries using questionnaires. A sample size of fifty nine (59) construction professionals was used for the study. The study reveals that location of a project majorly influences Project Manager’s decision making on project planning. It asserted the crucial importance of Management skills required in practicing construction project management. In conclusion, the result identified that passive participation from Project Manager, lack of client involvement in making decisions, provision of substandard materials, design error, lack of effective communication and poor treatment of workforce are challenges hampering the use of construction project management. The study recommends the institutionalization of construction project management practice, compulsion of adequate training and skill modification programs for construction professionals to aid the sustainability of construction project management systems in Nigeria

THE ECONOMICS OF CLOUD-BASED COMPUTING TECHNOLOGIES IN CONSTRUCTION PROJECT DELIVERY

The construction industry is a very traditional sector, albeit one that is embracing new technology faster now than at any time in its past. The purpose of the research is to assess the economics of cloud-based computing technologies in construction project delivery. The study made use of a cross-sectional survey through a questionnaire instrument distributed to construction stakeholders. The surveyed sample size represent a 58% response rate. Statistical tools of Stacked Bars and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) were used to present the result. The study identified the cloud-based services mostly used by construction stakeholders. The study revealed that economic benefits such as knowledge sharing, remote access of back-office activities and collaboration among construction stakeholders are evident while utilizing cloud-based computing technologies. Although, there are many benefits to the use of this technology, the study identified fear of security and data privacy, poor/slow connection to the internet, lack of physical control and costly data subscription as major threats to the efficient and effective use of cloud-based computing technologies in the construction delivery process

3D House Printing: A sustainable housing solution for Nigeria’s housing needs

In a country that has between 17 to 20 million housing deficit with an uncontrolled growing population, there is need for innovative and sustainable solutions to reduce the rate of homelessness and sub-standard living conditions. The study presented the prospects in the use of three-dimensional printing (3DP) as a sustainable housing solution to cater for the housing needs of Nigerians. Nigeria is at the centre of this study due to its population and housing challenges. The study utilized content analysis based on previous studies on 3DP in developed and developing countries. The study identified critical areas that 3DP of houses can solve Nigeria‘s housing needs which are mainly in reducing housing deficit, provide permanent housing solution for IDPs, reduction of construction waste, increased construction safety, achievement of sustainability goals, reduction in construction errors and labour cost

Construction Waste Prevention as a Sustainable tool in Building Mega Cities: A Theoretical Framework

In building of mega cities, the construction industry is contributing to alarming volumes of construction materials waste being generated causing an imbalance in the world’s ecosystem. The study developed a framework for construction waste prevention strategies as a sustainable tool in building mega cities. Using content analysis of various literatures reviewed,the study developed a framework for preventing waste generation in construction projects in mega cities. In the building of present and future mega cities, there is need to submit mandatory construction waste prevention strategies as part of the contract documentation to the client, client representatives and the town planning authorities in order to build liveable and sustainable cities

CHALLENGES CONFRONTING CONSTRUCTION PROJECT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR SUSTAINABLE CONSTRUCTION IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES: PROFESSIONALS PERSPECTIVES (A CASE STUDY OF NIGERIA)

The success of the Nigerian construction industry can be aligned with the use of construction project management systems, although, the industry has been maligned by issues such as building collapse, incessant delays, abandonment and cost overrun. It is therefore imperative to examine the challenges confronting construction project management system in Nigeria. In this study the descriptive survey method was adopted and data were obtained by means of inquiries using questionnaires. A sample size of fifty nine (59) construction professionals was used for the study. The study reveals that location of a project majorly influences Project Manager’s decision making on project planning. It asserted the crucial importance of Management skills required in practicing construction project management. In conclusion, the result identified that passive participation from Project Manager, lack of client involvement in making decisions, provision of substandard materials, design error, lack of effective communication and poor treatment of workforce are challenges hampering the use of construction project management. The study recommends the institutionalization of construction project management practice, compulsion of adequate training and skill modification programs for construction professionals to aid the sustainability of construction project management systems in Nigeria

An Empirical Investigation on the Benefits and Leakages in the Use of Web-Based Technologies in the Construction Industry

The internet and the World Wide Web (WWW) has the capacity to link the construction industry and its stakeholders to the desired smart and seamless future, although there are several leakages that have engendered the slow and low adoption in the construction process. Therefore, the study examined the benefits and leakages in the use of web-based technologies in the construction industry. The research selected registered construction professionals through a simple random sampling method from Lagos and Abuja (FCT). A total of 1,160 construction professionals participated in the study. A structured questionnaire was used as the principal instrument for obtaining primary data in form of responses from the construction professionals. Using a system block diagram, the study designed a web-based system using MySQL connected to the HTML web-interface through a PHP script processing the data back and forth. The study revealed that the use of web-based technologies in the construction industry can be engender efficient recording benefits, optimized production benefits and effective information processing. However, there are leakages such as usage risk leakages, culture leakages and tools leakages that may hinder the integration of web-based technologies in the construction processes. The study developed a framework for a web-based material planning and control system that can be used in the building materials’ planning and control processes that ensures that building materials information are archived, stock levels are identified and material delay is minimized. The study recommended the use of web-based technologies in several of the construction processes by harnessing its benefits. Efforts should be made to increase ICT training and education amongst construction professionals to intensify the proficiency of stakeholders in the use of web-based technologies in the construction industr

FACTORS AFFECTING PERSISTENCE OF FRESHMEN: A CASE OF BUILDING TECHNOLOGY PROGRAMME

Progressing from secondary school to the university can be a difficult transitioning period for most secondary school leavers. The higher institution presents new sets of experiences for first year students. Adapting to the new environment could be so challenging a task for most freshmen as to affect their performance, leading to eventual drop out. This research presents the results of a preliminary study on the persistence of first year students in a Nigerian University. The study adopted Astin’s Model of persistence to provide insight into factors influencing first year students’ persistence. Survey research design was used in the study with the aid of questionnaires distributed to sixty five first year students of building technology in a Nigerian university. Data obtained were analyzed by means of frequencies, cross tabs and categorical regression. The significant factors influencing first year students’ persistence included clinic, cafeteria, library and hostel. Gender and classroom had no significant effect on the persistence of freshmen surveyed. Majority of the students describe their classmates, roommates and teachers as very supportive. In addition, 75% of the students surveyed, prefer to remain in the course till the point of graduation. Universities can experience greater retention of freshmen by improving on the quality of facilities identified in this study particularly, clinic, cafeteria, library and hoste

SOCIAL AND FINANCIAL CAPITAL OF CRAFTSMEN IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

The construction industry is one of the largest employers of labour with the ability to generate jobs for local people resulting in a multiplier effect on the national and local economy. However, intense competition from migrant craftsmen has reduced the volume of work available to indigenous craftsmen which negatively affects their income. Social capital has been found to provide a good platform for enhancing the human capital of households, thereby improving their financial status. This study assessed the social and financial capital of 50 construction craftsmen in Lagos, Nigeria. Cross-sectional survey research design with the use of structured questionnaire was used to obtain information from the respondents based on a purposive sampling technique. The study indicated that social capital of the craftsmen surveyed was poor. Majority of the craftsmen did not belong to any crafts association. Lack of trust was found to be the most significant factor discouraging craftsmen from joining crafts association. From the study, the average daily wage of the craftsmen was between $6 and$15 while average savings was between $150 and$300. Leaders of crafts associations should be selfless, empathic and transparent. This will encourage more craftsmen to join crafts associations so as to benefit from skills development and more job opportunities