Effect of Different Levels of Plantain Peel Meal as Diet on the Productive Potentials of Archachatina Marginata (Swaison)

This study determines the productive potentials of Archachatina marginata (Swaison) fed with different levels of plantain peels meal (PPM) as diets. Twenty seven juveniles of giant African snails were used for the experiments that lasted for eight weeks. The snails were allotted into three treatment groups with three replicates each. Three snails constituted a replicate laid in completely randomized design (CRD) format. The treatment groups were; feeds with concentrate only (T1), concentrate and 50g of plantain peel meal (T2), and concentrate with100g of plantain peel meal (T3). The data generated were analyzed using SPSS software. Parameters measured including body weight gain, feed efficiency, shell length, shell circumference, groove diameters and the sensory attribute. Results obtained in the stuffy snail fed with concentrate with100g of plantain peel meal performed best in all parameters assessed with values of average weight gain of (177.00g), average shell length (12.60g), groove diameter (8.10) and shell circumference (18.50g) respectively. Snails fed with concentrate and 50g of PPM had 38.72% in terms of dressing percentage followed those fed with concentrate only (36.22%) while those fed with concentrate and 100mg of PPM had the least value (34.42%) respectively. From the results, it was concluded that concentrate and 100g PPM was suitable for snail diets as it gave the best performance. The palatability test revealed that meat sample of treatment 3 had the most satisfactory rating in terms of flavour and overall acceptability, indicating that PPM positively influenced the meat qualities. Keywords: Plantain Peels, Productive Potentials, Archachatina marginata, Die

Effect of different processing methods on the utilization of Jatropha curcas (Linn) kernel meals on weaner rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

There is great competition between the usage of most grains as food or feed hence there is need to identify more livestock feed resources that are not directly consumed by human being. Jatropha curcas kernel is one of such options that can replace some protein sources in livestock diets. Twelve weaner rabbits (Oryctolaguscuniculus) housed individually in cages were used to appraise the effect of different processing methods (cooked once and cooked twice) on the utilization of Jatropha curcas kernel meals (JKM) based diets by weaner rabbits. The experimental animals were allocated to three dietary treatment groups marked T1 (control), T2 (cooked once) and T3 (cooked twice) in a completely randomized design. The preliminary determination of the chemical compositions of processed Jatropha curcas kernel meals revealed that the double cooked sample had higher crude protein (38.20%), and energy (1238Kcal/kg) values over the cooked once which had (32.29%) and (1126Kcal/kg), respectively. It was also shown that the anti-nutritional factors in the sample of the double cooked were lower in value over the cooked once that had higher values. There were significant (p<0.05) differences among the treatment means in terms of daily weight gain and average final weight. The apparent crude protein, crude fiber, ether, and ash digestibility were not significantly affected by the dietary inclusion of the test ingredient irrespective of the processing method did not impose any ill-effect on the experimental animals.Keywords: Jatropha curcas, weaner rabbits, processing method

Effects of Rural Land Tenure on Rice Productivity in Female-Headed Households in Enugu State, Nigeria

The study was conducted in Enugu State in eastern part of Nigeria. The objectives were to: determine the socio-economic characteristics of female-headed rice producing households; investigate land tenure systems under which households cultivate rice, and determine the effects of land tenure on rice productivity. A 3-stage random sampling procedure was used to select One Hundred and Twenty respondents in three Local Government Areas which were chosen purposively due to wide spread cultivation of rice in the areas. Data collected via validated structured questionnaire were analysed using descriptive statistics such as means and percentages to summarise the socio-economic characteristics of the respondents, and land tenure systems. Ordinary Least Squares regression technique was used to determine the effects of land tenure system on rice productivity. Results show that majority (46.7%) of female heads of households were aged between 41 and 54 years with a mean of 50.Average years of  farm experience,  and formal education of the respondents were respectively 8, and 6. About 42%, 25%, 16%, and 41% of the households accessed farmland through communal, State, Purchase, and leasehold respectively. Socio-economic, and land tenure factors jointly had significant (F=42.227, P < 0.01) influence on rice productivity. The productivities were higher on public lands than privately, and communally accessed and cultivated lands. Communal land tenure practice had significantly (P< 0.05) negative effects on productivity.Productivity gains of about 1.31% were observed under public land tenure systems, whereas 3.54% and 3.44% losses in rice productivity were found respectively under communal, and private land tenure arrangements per hectare. There is need to review Nigeria’s land Tenure Act 1978 to offer unrestricted, adequate land access to small farmers. Keywords: Rural Land Tenure, Enugu State, Productivity, Female-headed Household

Use of fibroscan in assessment of hepatic fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B infection

Introduction: Assessment of the stage of liver fibrosis plays a prominent role in the decision process of treatment in chronic viral hepatitis.Objective: To determine the stage of fibrosis in patients with chronic HBV infection using fibroscan.Method: This is a cross sectional descriptive study involving patients with CHB with a valid transient elastography (TE) measurement. Liver function test and platelet count was determined. APRI and FIB-4 were calculated and Spermans rank coefficient was applied for correlation of transient elastography (TE) with either serum biomarkers.Results: 190 patients were enrolled, mean age 36.3years, 64.2% males and 89.9% were asymptomatic. TE correlated significantly with APRI and FIB-4 (r = 0.58; P < 0.001 and r = 0.42; P < 0.001, respectively). Most of the patients 131(68.9%) had no significant fibrosis (F0,F1) while those with significant fibrosis and cirrhosis were 59 (31.1%) and 23(12.1%) respectively.Conclusion: The prevalence of significant fibrosis and cirrhosis is high in this population.Keywords: Fibroscan, Hepatic fibrosis, APRI, FIB-

A spot check on the prevalence of viral hepatitis B on the plateau

Hepatitis B is a disease which is present globally and over 2 billion people have been infected with hepatitis b according to the World Health Organization. In Nigeria hepatitis B, chronic infection: which is defined as persistence of infection in a human being greater than six months is present in an endemic proportion. In fact Nigeria is described as an area of hyper-endemicity, having a National Prevalence that is greater than 8% of the population.Methodology: The study was carried as part of awareness campaign in a university community. Samples were taken from the participants via finger prick. Two drops of blood were placed on the strip and a buffer was added and read after five minutes.Results: There were a total of 684 participants. Out of which 404 (59.06%) were males and 280(40.94%) were females. The mean age for the study participants was 26.169±.9. Those who were positive for hepatitis b surface antigen were 75(10.96%) while those who are negative were 609(89.04%).Those with history of previous immunization for hepatitis B were 152(22.22%).Conclusion: There is still a very high prevalence of hepatitis with very low uptake of vaccination, these calls for an urgent public health intervention.Keywords: Prevalence, Hepatitis B, Spot check, viru

Prevalence and Predictors of Stress among Bankers in Enugu State South-East Nigeria

Background: The work environment is rapidly changing and in recent times, occupational stress poses a threat to the health, morale and productivity of workers and the organization. This study sought to determine the prevalence and predictors of stress among bankers in a south-eastern state of Nigeria. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among 370 bankers in Enugu State, Nigeria using the Health, Safety, Executive (HSE) management standards indicator tool. Multistage sampling method was used to select participants. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS 22.0. Level of statistical significance was set at p< 0.05.Results: The mean age of the participants was 34.54±6.3 years while the mean years of work was 6.01±4.7years. One hundred and seventy-four (47%) reported high level of stress due to relationship at work while 318 (85.9%) reported low level of stress due to roles. Being 35 years or less was found to a predictor of high (AOR 0.55, CI 0.30-1.02) level of stress due to control.Work experience of 5 years or less was found to be a predictor of both high (AOR 0.74, CI 0.40--1.37) and low (AOR 0.99, CI 0.40-1.37) levels of stress due to control.Conclusion: This study has shown that the prevalence of stress was high among bankers in Enugu State, South-East Nigeria. There is, therefore, the need for routine stress assessment and interventions in the banking industry especially for those at high risk. Keywords: Bankers; HSE Stress Questionnaire; Stress; Workplace; Southeast Nigeri

The role of the employer in workplace violence: The health care workers' perspective

Background: Workplace violence affects millions of people on a yearly basis. It has important consequences both for the harassed and the employer. The aim of the study was to find out the role employers play in controlling workplace violence in a tertiary healthcare institution as perceived by the health care workers.Methods: The study was a descriptive cross-sectional study carried out among nurses and doctors at the University of Nigeria Teaching HospitalItukuOzalla (UNTH), using a pre-tested, self-administered and semi-structured questionnaire that was adapted from the workplace violence in the health sector country case studies research instruments by ILO/ICN/WHO/PSI. A sample size of 412 was obtained using the sample size determination formula for cross-sectional descriptive studies. Data was analysed using Epi Info version 3.5.4. Chi-square test was used to determine association with a significance level of p-value at 0.05.Results: Four hundred and twelve healthcare workers participated in the study, of which 111(26.9%) were doctors while 301 (73.1%) were nurses. One hundred and thirteen (27.4%) respondents felt there were policies on health and safety, 154 (37.4%) reported that there was no policy while 145 (35.2%) did not know if there was any existing policy. For measures in place to mitigate violence at the workplace, 240(58.3%) mentioned existing security measures, 174 (42.0%) improved surroundings, 96 (23.3%) reduced work alone hours, while only 89 (21.6%) mentioned restriction of public access.Conclusion: Very few healthcare workers had correct information about the existence of policies to protect them from violence at the workplace.Most employees only know about existing security measures with little or no knowledge of other measures that can be helpful in curbing violence in their workplace. Drafting, dissemination and implementation of policies to reduce workplace violence in our healthcare facilities is recommended. Keywords: workplace, violence, role of employers, health-worker

Evaluation of the implementation of directly observed treatment short course by private medical practitioners in the management of tuberculosis in Enugu, Nigeria

This study was carried out to evaluate the use of directly observed treatment short course by private medical practitioners in the management of tuberculosis (TB) as a step towards achieving public-private mix strategy in Enugu, Nigeria. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from all private practitioners practicing in Enugu North Local Government Area. Three hundred and forty doctors were studied and among these 64 (18.8%) managed more than 5 tuberculosis cases every month. Most of the doctors, 310 (91.2%) based their diagnosis of tuberculosis on sputum acid-fast bacilli result. However, none of the private practitioners used the appropriate drug combination, dosage and duration. Most of the private practitioners (61.5%) did not follow up their tuberculosis patients and a larger percentage (72.1%) did not have facilities for tracing defaulters. Although 321 (94.4%) of private practitioners would like to be provided with information about national tuberculosis control programme (NTP) only 32 (26.2%) of them had ever participated in a continuing medical education (CME) on tuberculosis. In conclusion, although private practitioners manage a reasonable number of tuberculosis patients their management is often inappropriate and not in line with NTP guidelines. As part of the efforts to achieving a successful public-private mix in TB control, private practitioners should undergo CME on national tuberculosis control programme. It is important that the government should routinely monitor and evaluate the management of TB by the private practitioners