THE POSTULATION OFLEADERSHIP SKILLS AMONG HEADS OF BUSINESS EDUCATION IN OGUN STATEOWNEDUNIVERSITIES

The paper looks at how leadership skills can be improved among the heads of Business Education in the Ogun-state owned Universities.It was noted that Business Education in the study area is a sub-component unit ofdepartments therebydiscouraging intimate and direct relationship between the leader andsubordinates in the Institutions. The paper identifies fivepossible leadership styles of Business Education heads and discusses how leaders can improveon their skills in the universities. It is recommended that the leader should make the subordinates feel important and gain their willingness to work.The paper concludes that a quality leader makes both the task and the experience better. Not only does everyone start somewhere, but no one ever stops learning and expanding in experience and knowledge. The paper also concludes that a good leader must be proactive

THE POSTULATION OFLEADERSHIP SKILLS AMONG HEADS OF BUSINESS EDUCATION IN OGUN STATEOWNEDUNIVERSITIES

The paper looks at how leadership skills can be improved among the heads of Business Education in the Ogun-state owned Universities.It was noted that Business Education in the study area is a sub-component unit ofdepartments therebydiscouraging intimate and direct relationship between the leader andsubordinates in the Institutions. The paper identifies fivepossible leadership styles of Business Education heads and discusses how leaders can improveon their skills in the universities. It is recommended that the leader should make the subordinates feel important and gain their willingness to work.The paper concludes that a quality leader makes both the task and the experience better. Not only does everyone start somewhere, but no one ever stops learning and expanding in experience and knowledge. The paper also concludes that a good leader must be proactive

What Are the Contextual Enablers and Impacts of Using Digital Technology to Extend Maternal and Child Health Services to Rural Areas? Findings of a Qualitative Study From Nigeria

Background: Strengthening health systems to improve access to maternity services remains challenging for Nigeria due partly to weak and irregular in-service training and deficient data management. This paper reports the implementation of digital health tools for video training (VTR) of health workers and digitization of health data at scale, supported by satellite communications (SatCom) technology and existing 3G mobile networks. Objective: To understand whether, and under what circumstances using digital interventions to extend maternal, newborn and child health (MNCH) services to remote areas of Nigeria improved standards of healthcare delivery. Methods: From March 2017 to March 2019, VTR and data digitization interventions were delivered in 126 facilities across three states of Nigeria. Data collection combined documents review with 294 semi-structured interviews of stakeholders across four phases (baseline, midline, endline, and 12-months post-project closedown) to assess acceptability and impacts of digital interventions. Data was analyzed using a framework approach, drawing on a modified Technology Acceptance Model to identify factors that shaped technology adoption and use. Results: Analysis of documents and interview transcripts revealed that a supportive policy environment, and track record of private-public partnerships facilitated adoption of technology. The determinants of technology acceptance among health workers included ease of use, perceived usefulness, and prior familiarity with technology. Perceptions of impact suggested that at the micro (individual) level, repeated engagement with clinical videos increased staff knowledge, motivation and confidence to perform healthcare roles. At meso (organizational) level, better-trained staff felt supported and empowered to provide respectful healthcare and improved management of obstetric complications, triggering increased use of MNCH services. The macro level saw greater use of reliable and accurate data for policymaking. Conclusions: Simultaneous and sustained implementation of VTR and data digitization at scale enabled through SatCom and 3G mobile networks are feasible approaches for supporting improvements in staff confidence and motivation and reported MNCH practices. By identifying mechanisms of impact of digital interventions on micro, meso, and macro levels of the health system, the study extends the evidence base for effectiveness of digital health and theoretical underpinnings to guide further technology use for improving MNCH services in low resource settings. Trial Registration: ISRCTN32105372

Impact of using eHealth tools to extend health services to rural areas of Nigeria: protocol for a mixed-method, non-randomised cluster trial

Introduction: eHealth solutions that use internet and related technologies to deliver and enhance health services and information are emerging as novel approaches to support healthcare delivery in sub-Saharan Africa. Using digital technology in this way can support cost-effectiveness of care delivery and extend the reach of services to remote locations. Despite the burgeoning literature on eHealth approaches, little is known about the effectiveness of eHealth tools for improving the quality and efficiency of health systems functions or client outcomes in resource-limited countries. eHealth tools including satellite communications are currently being implemented at scale, to extend health services to rural areas of Nigeria, in Ondo and Kano States and the Federal Capital Territory. This paper shares the protocol for a 2-year project (‘EXTEND’) that aims to evaluate the impact of eHealth tools on health system functions and health outcomes. Methodology and analysis: This multisite, mixed-method evaluation includes a non-randomised, cluster trial design. The study comprises three phases—baseline, midline and endline evaluations—that involve: (1) process evaluation of video training and digitisation of health data interventions; (2) evaluation of contextual influences on the implementation of interventions; and (3) impact evaluation of results of the project. A convergent mixed-method model will be adopted to allow integration of quantitative and qualitative findings to achieve study objectives. Multiple quantitative and qualitative datasets will be repeatedly analysed and triangulated to facilitate better understanding of impact of eHealth tools on health worker knowledge, quality and efficiency of health systems and client outcomes. Ethics and dissemination: Ethics approvals were obtained from the University of Leeds and three States’ Ministries of Health in Nigeria. All data collected for this study will be anonymised and reports will not contain information that could identify respondents. Study findings will be presented to Ministries of Health at scientific conferences and published in peer-reviewed journals. Trial registration number: ISRCTN32105372; Pre-results

Host range and some properties of groundnut rosette virus

Two isolates of groundnut rosette virus from East Africa (GRVE1 and GRVE2) and from West Africa (GRVW1 and GRVW2) were transmitted by Aphis craccivora obtained from West Africa. A third isolate from West Africa (GRVW3) was not transmitted by A. craccivora from three widely separated sources. GRVW1, GRVW2 and GRVW3 caused leaf‐symptoms in groundnut of a mosaic pattern in light and dark green. GRVE1 and GRVE2 caused chlorosis or chlorosis and leaf distortion as well as mosaic symptoms. Groundnut plants with GRVW1 could not be infected by means of aphids with GRVE1, and GRVE1 gave similar protection against GRVW1, which suggests that they are strains of the same virus. All isolates were transmissible manually from groundnut to groundnut (Arachis hypogea), Trifolium incarnatum and T. repens, and caused systemic infection. Inoculated Nicotiana clevelandii and N. rustica developed symptoms but virus could not be recovered from them. Chenopodium amaranticolor, C. hybridum and C. quinoa showed local lesions on inoculated leaves. Virus could be acquired by aphids from groundnut or Trifolium repens infected by means of aphids, but not from those infected by manual inoculation. Virus could not be recovered from T. incarnatum manually or by aphids, but was transmitted by cleft‐grafting from clover to groundnut. Saps extracted in borax buffer plus zinc sulphate at pH 9 from plants infected with GRVW1 and GRVE1 remained infective at 18° C. for 1 week, and at — 20° C. for up to 4 weeks. Virus could be recovered from frozen leaves. Buffered saps lost infectivity when heated above 50° C. for 10 min.; most were still infective when diluted 1/10 and some at 1/100. Electron micrographs of partially purified preparations contained spherical particles 25–28 mμ in diameter. There were usually only about five per microscope field and they resembled those of some other viruses

Studies on the transmission of groundnut rosette virus by Aphis craccivora Koch

Four strains of groundnut rosette virus were transmitted by a race of Aphis craccivora (Koch) from groundnut in Nigeria. Two of these strains, both from East Africa, were transmitted only by A. craccivora from Kenya. A fifth isolate, from Nigeria, was not transmissible by either race. The two races of aphids have been shown elsewhere to be distinct biotypes. Most A. craccivora needed longer than 24 h feeding on infected groundnuts to acquire virus, and many needed 2–3 days of feeding on healthy plants to cause infection, even after several days on infected plants. The delays partly reflect the slow uptake of virus and possibly a period needed for virus multiplication in aphid tissue but some is lost through resistance of the test plants to infection. In consecutive feeding experiments Natal Common variety could be infected soon after aphids had left the source of virus, but a more resistant Nigerian variety sometimes needed several more days. The frequency of inoculation by aphids, or the concentration of virus in the inocula or both, increased with time, but the times at which aphids were able to infect plants was also dependent on variety

Sustainability of the Effects and Impacts of Using Digital Technology to Extend Maternal Health Services to Rural and Hard-to-Reach Populations: Experience From Southwest Nigeria

Background: Nigeria has one of the worst health and development profiles globally. A weak health system, poor infrastructure, and varied socio-cultural factors are cited as inhibitors to optimal health system performance and improved maternal and child health status. eHealth has become a major solution to closing these gaps in health care delivery in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This research reports the use of satellite communication (SatCom) technology and the existing 3G mobile network for providing video training (VTR) for health workers and improving the digitization of healthcare data. Objective: To evaluate whether the expected project outcomes that were achieved at the end-line evaluation of 2019 were sustained 12 months after the project ended. Methods: From March 2017 to March 2019, digital innovations including VTR and data digitization interventions were delivered in 62 healthcare facilities in Ondo State, southwest Nigeria, most of which lacked access to a 3G mobile network. Data collection for the evaluation combined documents' review with quantitative data extracted from health facility registers, and 24 of the most significant change stories to assess the longevity of the outcomes and impacts of digital innovation in the four domains of healthcare: use of eHealth technology for data management, utilization of health facilities by patients, the standard of care, and staff attitude. Stories of the most significant changes were audio-recorded, transcribed for analysis, and categorized by the above domains to identify the most significant changes 12 months after the project closedown. Results: Findings showed that four project outcomes which were achieved at end-line evaluation were sustained 12 months after project closedown namely: staff motivation and satisfaction; increased staff confidence to perform healthcare roles; improved standard of healthcare delivery; and increased adoption of eHealth innovations beyond the health sector. Conversely, an outcome that was reversed following the discontinuation of SatCom from health facilities is the availability of accurate and reliable data for decision-making. Conclusion: Digital technology can have lasting impacts on health workers, patients, and the health system, through improving data management for decision-making, the standard of maternity service delivery, boosting attendance at health facilities, and utilization of services. Locally driven investment is essential for ensuring the long-term survival of eHealth projects to achieve sustainable development goals (SDGs) in LMICs

Sokoto Journal of Veterinary Sciences Retrospective study of diseases and associated pneumonia type diagnosed in dogs at post-mortem at Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria

Abstract The causes and types of pneumonia in dogs have not been accorded due attention in Nigeria. It is imperative to investigate the incidence and type of pneumonia commonly observed during post-mortem at the Department of Veterinary Pathology arm of the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria. This investigation was carried out on 397 archival canine samples for dogs presented for necropsy at the Department of Veterinary Pathology, University of Ibadan, during the periods of 2000 -2012. The gross diagnosis was obtained from the postmortem records while the specific type of pneumonia was by histopathology of selected lungs tissues, using standard techniques. Descriptive statistics was employed to evaluate the effect of age, sex, breed and the type of pneumonia. Alsatian(29%) and Rottweiler(14.4%) breeds of dogs were the common breeds of dogs encountered at post-mortem, and the dogs above 3 year old (51.9%) were the most affected, with leptospirosis (38.5%) being the most prevalent disease diagnosed, followed by neoplasia (13.49%) while infectious canine hepatitis was the least prevalent (0.5%). The histopathological diagnosis revealed that the pneumonic patterns were that of suppurative bronchopneumonia (75%), fibrinous bronchopneumonia (10%) and interstitial pneumonia, (15%). The diseases associated with the different pneumonia seen during the histopathological examination were leptospirosis, canine distemper, and left sided heart failure. Findings has shown that pneumonia in dogs were commonly associated with leptospirosis. In the course of this study, the histopathological lesions and changes associated with the pneumonia seen in the leptospirosis cases include alveolar haemorrhages, edema, neutrophils and macrophages in the alveolar spaces and neutrophils in small pulmonary vessels. In lieu of this, pneumonia could be a major contributory factor to death associated with leptospirosis in the cases reviewed