A community-based intervention for improving utilization of medical services by rape survivors in refugee camps in Zambia

Background: Rape is the most common form of violence in conflict and refugee situations but because of the associated stigma few cases are reported. This study assessed the outcome of an intervention targeted at women groups on the utilization of medical services by rape survivors in refugee camps in Zambia.Methods: A prospective quasi-experimental community-based intervention study was carried out in two refugee camps allocated into intervention and comparison areas. The intervention was participatory education sessions for women groups. Data was collected using the clinic records and the main outcome was the number of rape survivors who utilized and completed medical services provided at the camp clinics. Univariate, bivariate and multivariate analyses were carried out with level of significance set at 5%.Results: The proportion of the rape survivors who accessed medical care within 72 hours increased significantly from 41.2% to 84.8% in the intervention area but from 31.1% to 38.9% in the comparison area, (p=0.005). Those who completed their medical treatment and the follow-up visits increased significantly from 42.8% to 94.8% in intervention area but reduced from 38.5% to 21.4% in the comparison area, (p=0.002). Being resident in the intervention area predicted the utilization of medical services, [OR: 3.15; 95%CI: 1.955-5.681], p=0.002.Conclusion: Community-based intervention using participatory women’s group discussion had a significant impact on increasing the utilization of medical services by rape survivors and should be considered for scaling up as a key intervention for increasing utilization of medical services for rape survivors especially in refugee situations.Keywords: Rape survivors, Participatory group discussion, Medical services, Zambi

Determinants of Knowledge and Use of Information Communication Technology at Eco-destinations in Old Oyo National Park, Ikogosi Warm Spring Resort and Lacampagne Tropicana in Nigeria

Information Communication Technology has become significant to the development and growth of modern tourism. This study aimed to examine the knowledge and use of information and communication at Old Oyo National Park, Ikogosi Warm Spring Resort and Lacampagne Tropicana by using structured questionnaire directed at fifty percent of the total members of staff at the sites. Data indicated that majority of the staff at Old Oyo National Park (82.9%), Ikogosi Warm Spring Resort (95%) and Lacampagne Tropicana (88.9%) were knowledgeable about the use of information and communication technology especially the use of internet and social media. The staff were also a little competent with the use of Information and Communication Technology at Old Oyo National Park (45.7%), Ikogosi Warm Spring Resort (50%) and Lacampagne Tropicana staff (44.4%). Furthermore, the socio-demographic characteristics of the staff has a significant relationship with their knowledge on the existence of Information Communication Technology at the sites. The management need to organize proper trainings for the staff on the use of Information and Communication Technology so as to improve satisfaction of tourists

ASSESSMENT OF THE CONSERVATION VALUES OF OSUN OSOGBO SACRED GROVE, OSUN STATE, NIGERIA

High Conservation Values (HCV) are unique biological, critical ecosystem functions, cultural significant features of an ecosystem. Paucity of knowledge on HCV of Osun Osogbo Sacred grove, South western Nigeria is a serious consideration for this study. Data was generated through field survey, interview and direct field observation. Interview was conducted for the priests, grove staff and traditionalists while systematic line transect was employed in the laying of plots to establish abundance and diversity of the flora species. Feeding point count was carried out for the observation of fauna species at a particular period of the study. Cercopithecus mona recorded the highest frequency compared to Guenon cercopithecus erythrogaster. A total of forty (40) tree species were found with Margalef and Shannon-Weiner index of 19.20 and 2.30 respectively. Celtis zenkeri had the highest relative density (13.04) followed by Colla hispida (9.42). Thematic analysis of the cultural significance revealed that use and non-use values were attached to the resources in the grove. Combined efforts of government officials, community guards and traditionalist were employed as conservation mechanism. It is recommended that assessment of high conservation value of the forest should be based on information on diversity of species, critical ecosystem functions and services

Foreign Direct Investment and Economic Development in Low Income African Countries

Low income economies are characterized with high investment returns and therefore should attract foreign investment to primarily fill the existing gaps of productive factors which vividly reveals the basis for their underdeveloped status. The main objective of the study is to ascertain the impact of flow of FDI on the economic development of the host African countries characterized with low income per capita. Panel data were utilized for 39 African countries, 20 of which were low income countries. The results indicates that FDI had significant impact on the economic development of the host African countries, by enhancing the development of the host sector and reducing gradually dependence on foreign capital, which resulted in increased income per capita, better education, living standards and the wellbeing of the host economies. The study concludes by recommending that government of the host economies should guide the sector of FDI inflow, and ensure that policies are in place to enhance domestic investment development in such sectors. This will gradually bring about the closure of existing proactive factors and hence economic development

ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF YAM FLOUR PROCESSING IN SAKI, OYO STATE, NIGERIA

The study examined the economics of yam flour processing in Saki, Oyo State, Nigeria. Primary data were obtained using questionnaire. A multistage sampling procedure was used in selecting one hundred and twenty (120) yam processors. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, budgetary analysis and multiple regressions. Results revealed that 86.5% of yam flour processors were female, 71.2% were married, and 41.4% had primary education. In addition, mean age, household size and production experience of the processors of yam flour were 40 years, 6 persons and 15 years respectively. The gross margin and net farm income were N146,770.03 and N141,536.79 per processing cycle, while the return on investment was 3.25 for every N1 invested which implies that yam flour processing is profitable. Multiple regression revealed that the coefficient of labour cost, transportation cost, cost of storage and packaging and distance to market were negatively significant at 5%, 1%, 1%, and 1% probability level. Also, year of processing experience and membership of association were positively significant at 1% and 5% probability level respectively. The main constraints facing processors of yam flour in the study area were inadequate storage facilities, lack of infrastructural facilities and problem associated with climate change. It is therefore recommended that policies that would enhance large processing capacity so that at the long-run, output and profit can be maximized.   &nbsp

Application of Dynamic Programming Model to Production Planning, in an Animal Feedmills.

The problem of this study is that of determining the quantity of products to produce and inventory level to carry from one period to the other, with the objective of minimizing the total costs of production and the annual inventory, while at the same time meeting the customer’s demand. A mathematical model was formulated for a multi-product problem using Dynamic Programming approach. The model was solved using the solution procedure proposed by Wagner and Whitin. The results show that the minimum total cost will be achieved with production in periods 1, 2, and 4. While demand for period 3 are satisfied with inventory from period 2. The total cost of this plan is N225, 704, 210.00, which is N6, 155, 765.00 less than the existing plan. Keywords: Inventory, Model, Periods, Plan, Cost

A Model of Competitive Intelligence for e-Health Technologies

Competitive intelligence is an important part in enterprises’ competitive strategy and decision support. It entails the collection of data, analyzing the data and delivering the analyzed data by means of available information on the behavior outside the organization. The study is based on research where competitive intelligence has been explored. The study also reviews e-Health technology and its impact. A proposed model is developed from Technology, Organization and Environment (TOE) framework for competitive intelligence for e-Health technologies. Subsequently, efforts made extend to elaborate on the construct, measurement items, hypotheses and research questions which will be used in the validation of the framework. Future work will use confirmatory factor analysis to reduce the variables from the constructs and Structure Equation Modeling (SEM) will also be used for the reliability and the validity of the construct of the framework

Has Post Consolidation of Deposit Money Banks Affected the Real Sector?

Deposit money banks (DMBs) are believed to be the engine for real economic growth. DMBs are expected to adequately cover the funding gap of the real sector by government resulting from market shocks, especially in developing countries like Nigeria. In this light, this paper examined the effect of post consolidation activities of Nigerian deposit money banks on real sector development. The interactive influences of the Real Sector Gross Domestic Product (RSGDP) and other post consolidation variables like Commercial Banks Deposit (CBD), Credit to Private Sector as a percentage of GDP (CPGDP), Number of Banks Branches (NBB), Commercial Banks Capital (CBC) and proxy of Political Stability (POL) were measured. Analyzing time series data ranging from 1981-2014, the econometric results obtained from co-integration test, unit root test, causality test, over parameterization model and error correction model (ECM) revealed the following: (1) the existence of a significant longrun relationship among the variables and three co-integrating relationships at 1% level of significance; (2) there is convergence of the variables from the short run to the long run though with relatively low speed of adjustment; (3) there is a significant negative relationship between RSGDP and banks’ deposit, credit to the private sector and number of branches but positive relationship with banks’ capital and political stability. The paper thus concludes that the post consolidation activities of Nigerian DMBs have not sufficiently supported sustainable real sector development in Nigeria

Foreign Direct Investment and Economic Development in Low Income African Countries

Low income economies are characterized with high investment returns and therefore should attract foreign investment to primarily fill the existing gaps of productive factors which vividly reveals the basis for their underdeveloped status. The main objective of the study is to ascertain the impact of flow of FDI on the economic development of the host African countries characterized with low income per capita. Panel data were utilized for 39 African countries, 20 of which were low income countries. The results indicates that FDI had significant impact on the economic development of the host African countries, by enhancing the development of the host sector and reducing gradually dependence on foreign capital, which resulted in increased income per capita, better education, living standards and the wellbeing of the host economies. The study concludes by recommending that government of the host economies should guide the sector of FDI inflow, and ensure that policies are in place to enhance domestic investment development in such sectors. This will gradually bring about the closure of existing proactive factors and hence economic development

Qualitative Assessment of Effects of Encroachment on Water Resources of Agba Dam, Ilorin Nigeria

The city of Ilorin in Nigeria has experienced high population growth and rapid urbanization. Agba Dam is one of the major sources of potable water in Ilorin, and currently been threatened by anthropogenic induced encroachment activities, with potential for significant derogatory effects on its quality. Therefore, this paper assesses the qualitative impact of encroachment on the water resources regime of Agba Dam, Ilorin, Nigeria. Field survey was carried out to scope proximal anthropogenic activities and to delineate historical and current extent of the encroachment area of the dam. Representative water samples were collected from locations within the dam catchment, and subsequently analyzed for alkalinity, dissolved carbondioxide, chloride, total iron, copper, sulphate, colour, calcium, dissolved oxygen and turbidity. In addition, historical physical and chemical data of water samples obtained from the dam were also acquired, and analyzed to determine temporal variation in the quality. The results show a reduction of 0.89 km2 or 63% in the historical buffer boundary of the dam. The values of the measured physico-chemical parameters were generally similar to that obtained for the historical values and therefore suggest limited impact of the anthropogenic activities on the water quality. However, slight increases were observed in the measured concentrations of the alkalinity, dissolved carbondioxide, chloride, iron, copper and sulphate, and this indicates possibilities of water quality alteration, with potential consequences for ecosystem and aquatic life if the trend is unabated. Keywords: Anthropogenic, Water quality, Agba dam, Ilorin Nigeri