The Effect of Network Mode on Mobile Phone Radiation

The ubiquitous nature of mobile phones in recent times has led to growing concerns over the health implications of radio frequency radiation exposure particularly cancer. It has been generally accepted that the specific absorption rate of a mobile device is indicative of the expected electromagnetic fields generated. Many researchers have proposed that other external factors affect these levels. This study investigates the effect of network mode (2G and 3G) on mobile phone electromagnetic fields (EMF). Measurements of EMF around a mobile phone operating in 2G and 3G mode were recorded using an RF EMF meter. After careful analysis, the results showed 2G mode had higher initial (on contact) but rapidly decreasing fields while 3G mode showed lower but slower decaying fields such that after 65cm, 3G EMF values were higher. It can be concluded that the network mode has an effect on radiation and distance of use is a determining factor in personal exposure levels. Therefore, it is recommended that mobile phone subscribers apply the specified minimum separation distance (usually between 0.5 and 2.5cm) while using their mobile devices. Keywords: EMF, Radiation, 3G, 2G, Mobile Phone

Water quality validation and implications for future programming: a case study from Ethiopia

Monitoring the quality of water that is available through improved water sources is important to ensure it is safe for human consumption. This study sought to validate a prior study that found high levels of microbial contamination among water systems in Ethiopia installed by a consortium of implementers led by the Millennium Water Alliance. The prior study assessed water systems installed or rehabilitated by all implementers, so this study is also an attempt to compare the overall results with those from one of the implementing agencies: Living Water International Ethiopia. Our study found that levels of contamination varied across different projects, which could be the result of several factors, including: seasonality of water quality, differing data collection methodologies, or even quality of project engineering. Additionally, this study further highlights the need for health promotion programs, such as Water Safety Planning, to prevent microbial contamination of the water during storage and at point-of-use

Satellite Television and Local Media Use Among Viewers in Satellite TV Households in the Southeast Geopolitical Zone of Nigeria

The basic objective of this work was to examine the influence of satellite television broadcasting on local media use among viewers in satellite television households in the southeast geopolitical zone of Nigeria. It adopted the survey research method in studying a sample size of 384 respondents. Among the null hypotheses tested in the study was that there is no significant difference between the level of exposure to satellite TV and local TV by viewers in satellite TV households, and there is no significant relationship between age and level of exposure to satellite TV among viewers in satellite TV households. The study revealed among others that viewers in satellite TV households tend to watch more satellite TV than local TV basically due to high quality programme production, and a variety of exciting programmes offered by the satellite TV channels, though the difference in exposure level was not significant. It was recommended among others that broadcast media houses in Nigeria should strive to improve programme content and production quality with a view to competing effectively with foreign DBS channels.Key words: Satellite television; Local media; Uses and gratifications theor

Descriptive epidemiology and mortality risk factors of COVID-19 outbreak in Delta State, Nigeria, March - August 2020

Introduction: The highly contagious Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) was first confirmed in Nigeria on February 27, 2020. In Delta State, the first COVID-19 case was recorded on April 7, 2020, which spread across the state. We characterized the COVD-19 pandemic in Delta State in terms of person, place, and time, and determined the risk factors for COVID-19 mortality. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of COVID-19 pandemic in Delta State between March 23 to August 17, 2020. We obtained line-lists of 5,917 COVID-19 patients, cleaned and analyzed sociodemographic, clinical characteristics and outcome variables using IBM SPSS Statistics 25. We calculated frequencies, proportions, mean and standard deviation (SD). Bivariate and multivariate logistics regression analysis were conducted to determine the risk factors of COVID-19 mortality, adjusted-odds-ratios were reported at 95% confidence interval and p-value set at 5% significance level. Results: From March-August 2020, 1,605 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 47 deaths (case-fatality-rate 2.9%) were recorded. Majority were aged 20-39 years 675 (42.1%) while 1,064 (66.3%) were males (mean age 39±15years). Persons aged ≥60years were more likely to die from COVID-19 than younger cases (aOR: 11.0; 95% CI: 4.9-24.4) while Symptomatic positive cases at time of test were more likely to die than those who were not (aOR: 3.2; 95% CI: 1.3-7.5). Conclusion: Males in the youthful age-group were mostly affected. Independent predictors of mortality were being elderly or symptomatic at time of testing. Strengthening case management to target symptomatic patients and intensifying sensitization activities targeting youthful males and elderly persons, are important to reduce mortality

COVID-19 mortality rate and its associated factors during the first and second waves in Nigeria

COVID-19 mortality rate has not been formally assessed in Nigeria. Thus, we aimed to address this gap and identify associated mortality risk factors during the first and second waves in Nigeria. This was a retrospective analysis of national surveillance data from all 37 States in Nigeria between February 27, 2020, and April 3, 2021. The outcome variable was mortality amongst persons who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 by Reverse-Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction. Incidence rates of COVID-19 mortality was calculated by dividing the number of deaths by total person-time (in days) contributed by the entire study population and presented per 100,000 person-days with 95% Confidence Intervals (95% CI). Adjusted negative binomial regression was used to identify factors associated with COVID-19 mortality. Findings are presented as adjusted Incidence Rate Ratios (aIRR) with 95% CI. The first wave included 65,790 COVID-19 patients, of whom 994 (1∙51%) died; the second wave included 91,089 patients, of whom 513 (0∙56%) died. The incidence rate of COVID-19 mortality was higher in the first wave [54∙25 (95% CI: 50∙98–57∙73)] than in the second wave [19∙19 (17∙60–20∙93)]. Factors independently associated with increased risk of COVID-19 mortality in both waves were: age ≥45 years, male gender [first wave aIRR 1∙65 (1∙35–2∙02) and second wave 1∙52 (1∙11–2∙06)], being symptomatic [aIRR 3∙17 (2∙59–3∙89) and 3∙04 (2∙20–4∙21)], and being hospitalised [aIRR 4∙19 (3∙26–5∙39) and 7∙84 (4∙90–12∙54)]. Relative to South-West, residency in the South-South and North-West was associated with an increased risk of COVID-19 mortality in both waves. In conclusion, the rate of COVID-19 mortality in Nigeria was higher in the first wave than in the second wave, suggesting an improvement in public health response and clinical care in the second wave. However, this needs to be interpreted with caution given the inherent limitations of the country’s surveillance system during the study

The 1979 Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution: Assessing its Effectiveness as a Multilateral Environmental Regime after 35 Years

There is no definitive approach to assessing the effectiveness of international environmental regimes. In order to explore the regime established by the 1979 Geneva Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution this article broadly integrates the approach to effectiveness taken by Peter H. Sand in The Effectiveness of International Environmental Agreements, and Daniel Bodansky in The Art and Craft of International Environmental Law. The article finds that compliance, institutional, and normative effectiveness can be evaluated relatively confidently. An effectiveness assessment of the long-range transboundary air pollution (LRTAP) regime indicates that, on the whole, it has helped states to reach agreement on contentious issues and achieve results in air pollution reduction. However, it faces significant challenges with regard to participation, implementation procedures, empowerment of domestic stakeholders, and funding. The article provides an in-depth and up-to-date look at the LRTAP regime, including the most recent amendments and its relationship with European Union and international law