DETERMINATION OF ANTIBODIES TO HEPATITIS B VIRUS IN PREGNANT WOMEN IN AKURE, ONDO STATE, NIGERIA.

The seroprevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBsAg) antibodies in pregnant women were determined using the rapid kit with double sandwich antibody procedure. Eight hundred and sixty pregnant women were recruited for this study. Out of this number forty (4.7%) were positive while eight hundred and twenty (95.3%) were negative, indicating an overall prevalence of 4.7%. It therefore implies that the area under study showed low endemicity for the infection. It was also observed that health status of the women and their history of travels outside Akure, Ondo State was not associated with HBsAg seropositivity. The significance of these findings is discussed

Perioperative morbidity and mortality after emergency and elective colon and proximal rectal surgery in Ibadan

Objectives: While the epidemiology of benign colonic pathologies has not significantly changed in our region, colorectal cancer has steadily increased with a majority of patients presenting with late stage disease particularly large bowel obstruction. This study reviews the outcome of emergency and elective colon and proximal rectal cases with regards to perioperative morbidity and mortality.Setting: All patients who had surgery for symptoms of lower gastrointestinal tract disease (caecum and proximal rectum) between January 2008 and January 2018 at University College Hospital, Ibadan were included. Data regarding elective or emergency presentation, peri-operative findings, operative details and postoperative course were recorded prospectively. Results: Out of the 1618 patients with symptoms, 817 were operated on as emergencies (38.1%) and electives (61.9%). The median age  of patients who had emergency and elective surgery were 56 (33-81) and 59 (27-87) respectively (p-0.05). Right hemicolectomy (152; 18.6%) was the commonest procedure, followed by anterior resection (115; 14.1%) and colostomy (114; 13.9%). Overall morbidity  was 13.7% (elective 4.2%; emergency 9.5%), while mortality was 6.8% (elective 2.1%; emergency 4.7%). The commonest morbidities  were superficial surgical site infection (SSSI) and wound dehiscence. Bowel perforation or gangrene was the most significant predictor of mortality. Conclusion: Large bowel obstruction complicated with perforation and gangrene is a major risk factor for morbidity and mortality in  colorectal surger

Introduction of improved okra (NHAe47-4) variety as a means of economic enhancement of farmers in Ido Village, Ido Local Government Area, Oyo State, Nigeria

The study was carried out to introduce improved okra (NHAe47-4) variety to farmers in Ido Village in Ido Local Government of Oyo State using SAFE approach to agricultural extension which includes; capacity building among farmers to enable them diagnoses their problems, identify solutions and develop plans and implement them with or without support from outside. Farmers in the studied area were selected and a group was formed comprising of twelve (12) members. Sensitization and awareness creation were conducted in the study area through series of activities such as facilitating, interactive group discussions and several meetings with the farmers were held to orientate them of the improved okra variety through teaching and management techniques. Descriptive statistical tool such as frequency distribution and percentages was used to analyze the objectives. At the end of the harvesting and whole exercise, the group (farmers) was interviewed verbally to know their levels of awareness for adoption and their general view about the improved variety in relation to the normal okra variety they were used to. The farmers embraced the technology and they were actively participated through demonstration method exercise. Having known all the techniques involved in the production cycle, the farmers also tried the technology on their individual plot which served as an encouragement factor for adoption. The study thus resulted into improving the standard of living and economic enhancement of the farmers inthe study area

The microbiological quality and some physical parameters of different water used at a municipal abattoir in Nigeria

This study determined the microbiological and some physical quantities and effect of the two different water sources used for meat processing at the Lafenwa abattoir, Abeokuta, Nigeria. Water sources identified are the Lafenwa river and Tap water supply. A total of 33 samples were collected and analyzed. The total viable of bacteria count ( TVC) of the samples was determined by pour plate technique while the most probable number (MPN) of coliform count was by the multiple tube method. The mean TVC for the two spots on the river is 3.34x107 cfu/ml and the mean MPN is 1600 /100ml. For the tap water, the mean TVC and MPN were 1.56x107 cfu/ml and 890 /100ml respectively. The TVC values were significantly higher (p0.05). Potentially pathogenic Bacteria isolated from the water samples include: Eschericia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Klebsiella spp. The water samples from the river appeared creamy, highly turbid, particulate with pungent odour. The mean pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen (DO) and Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) values were 5.4, 28.8oC, 8.1 mg/l and 7.0 mg/l respectively. The tap water samples were clear, odourless, and colorless with mean pH, temperature, DO and BOD values of 6.8, 28.1oC, 15.3mg/l and 3.1mg/l respectively. There was significant differences in the DO and BOD values of river samples compared to tap water (

Reducing by-catch through fishing gear modification

There have been considerable efforts in recent years to modify fishing gears and practices to target particular sizes and species of fish (fin and shell) and other marine organisms more efficiently. By catch consideration and gear modification play an important role in regulation of several major fisheries and new by-catch reduction devices and other innovative gear modification are continuously being proposed and tested to mitigate against these problems, among which are the turtle excluder device (T.E.DS) in the shrimp trawls to reduce mortality of endangered sea turtle; sorting grids and scaring device in long line fisheries. This paper assesses the incidence of by catch in fisheries, provides a review of successful developments and application of selective fishing techniques that have been used to achieve by-catch reduction. Recommendations were also made on effective monitoring of fishing gears to ensure that devices aimed at reducing by-catch are included and fishermen use only the appropriate gears to limit by-catch and discards

ENTERPRISE OUTSOURCING STRATEGIES AND MARKETING PERFORMANCE OF FAST FOOD INDUSTRY IN LAGOS STATE, NIGERIA

There is now more pressure on business practioners to justify that marketing function contributes to shareholders value by the firms. Management of firms are interested in assessing the extent to which cost of business can be minimized and how that could help in reducing marketing expenditure and ultimately increase return on marketing investment (ROMI). The study attempted to ascertain the link between outsourcing and marketing performance. Copies of questionnaire were distributed purposively to ten fast food outlets in Lagos, Nigeria. Two hypotheses were developed and were subjected to descriptive and regression analysis. It was discovered that outsourcing contributed to increase in marketing performance. The study makes useful policy recommendations for marketing professionals, entrepreneurs and top executives of fast food outlets in Nigeria

Attitudes toward Service Innovations in Red Meat Industry and its Consumption Effects on Nigerian Consumers

This paper focused on the Nigerian beef market, where meat safety is one of the most important issues of product quality for retailers, consumers, and the legal protection afforded consumers of the product. In today’s challenging economic climate, every business needs an organization-wide commitment to a comprehensive marketing strategy so it will stand out among the growing number of competitors competing for consumers. One of the ways of doing this is by providing quality products/services. The meat industry in Nigeria has failed to do this, thus this research was carried out to see how innovation can bring quality into this industry and some of the laws relating to consumer protection in Nigeria. The total population in Nigeria was last recorded at 170,123,740 (million) people in July 2012 (Indexmundi.com). According to Osho and Asghar (2005) the national population figure by the Nigeria Census Board is 170 million; this not only make Nigeria one of the largest meat consumers in this region of the world, but also one of the largest meat producing countries in Africa. Nevertheless, the deplorable conditions of meat products from the abattoirs to consumers are issues that could not just be swept under the rug. This paper; therefore, explored how innovation can better improve the delivery of quality meat products to Nigeria consumers. Two hundred and fifty (250) meat consumers in Lagos, Nigeria were randomly chosen from Ikotun area; where an abattoir operates and were required to answer few questions in a carefully designed questionnaire so as obtain relevant information. Chi-Square Tests and Cross tab was used in analyzing the data. The findings shows that χ2 =49.706, df=9, and p=.000; indicates that innovative steps of the meat handling improves quality of meat provided to the consumers and drastically reduces the problems presently associated with the industry; therefore, it is recommended that, the meat industry must be committed to supplying its customers with products that are safe and quality assured

Mental health and the Nigerian Workplace: Fallacies, facts and the way forward

Unquestionably, mental health is fundamental to individual, organizational and national well-being. However, Nigeria’s mental health statistics are a cause for concern. This is further aggravated by a culture of indifference, denial and evasion. This paper advocates a cultural re-engineering. It espouses the need for Nigerian workplaces to recognize mental health as a realistic and legitimate concern, as well as display total commitment to the implementation of policies and practices that will ensure a supportive framework for employees. Families, religious/non-governmental organizations and the government, must also collaborate to promote mental health. Ignorant misconceptions, startling facts and necessary interventions are discussed

Managing Workplace Conflicts in Business Environment: The Role of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)

In today’s business atmosphere, conflict in the workplace is a noteworthy issue; therefore, handling conflicts in organizations is essentially very important as organizations that fail to address conflicts properly are likely to run into problems because conflict is integral in organizational life and has both likely benefits and costs. To address the situation of conflicts, lately since 1970s organizations have turned to the use of alternative dispute resolution (ADR), in resolving workplace conflicts. This article therefore presents the authors’ thoughts on why organizations should use ADR to manage workplace conflicts; as effective conflict management has the prospective to play a key role in the success of organizations goal

A MODellinG RElATIONSHIP Of EMPlOyEE INVOlVEMENT in DECISION MAKING AND ORGANIZATIONAL PERFORMANCE : A STUDY Of NIGERIAN INDEPENDENT PETROLEUM COMPANY (NIPCO)

this survey examines a structural equation modelling of employee involvement in decision making and organizational performance within the nigerian independent Petroleum company (niPcO). A total of one hundred and thirty five questionnaire were valid and analyzed. Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) was adopted for the statistical analysis using Amos 21 that allows test of complex relationships between variables. Our model shows that close association exists among variables tested and consistent with the organizational performance. however, for organization to record outstanding performance, motivation plays a key factor, and it was revealed that involving employees in decision making tends to motivate them. One the managerial implications of this study amongst others is the need for management and policy makers to make involvement of employees in decision making a policy. this study can be replicated in the service industry such as banking, telecommunication, airlines, insurance, and manufacturin