Usage of demand-driven extension services by farmers in agricultural zones in Niger state, Nigeria

The study examined the usage of demand-driven extension services by farmers in agricultural zones in Niger State, Nigeria. To achieve the study objectives, multi-stage sampling technique was used to select a total of 377 respondents for the study. Validated interview schedule was used to generate data for the study. Data collected were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Result of the study showed that majority (60.7%) of the respondents used demand-driven extension services four times in a year. Finding also indicated that majority of the respondents demanded for information on storage, improved seeds/planting materials and processing technologies. The result of analysis of variance further revealed that there was significant difference in the usage of demand-driven extension services by farmers in the agricultural zones (F=31.09, P<0.05). It was therefore recommended that demand-driven extension service providers should make concerted efforts to sensitize the farmers to make them more receptive of their services. In order to create condition for optimal performance of service providers in the agricultural zones, it was suggested that government should consider the feasibility of agro-diversity approach to demand-driven extension service delivery.Key Words: Demand-driven, Extension, Usage, Agricultural Zones, Niger State

Stroke in Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis of the incidence and case-fatality rates

Background: The burden of stroke (a leading cause of disability and mortality) in Africa appears to be increasing, but a systematic review of the best available data to support or refute this observation is lacking. Aim: To determine the incidence and one-month case-fatality rates from high-quality studies of stroke epidemiology among Africans. Summary of review : We searched and retrieved eligible articles on stroke epidemiology among indigenous Africans in bibliographic databases (PubMed, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar and Cochrane library) using predefined search terms from the earliest records through January 2022. Methodological assessment of eligible studies was conducted using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. Pooling of incidence and case-fatality rates was performed via generalized linear models (Poisson-Normal random-effects model). Of the 922 articles retrieved, fourteen studies were eligible for inclusion. The total number of stroke cases was 5,104 (mean: 365 SD: 254) with a population denominator (total sample size included in population-based registries or those who agreed to participate in door-to-door community studies) of 3,638,304. The pooled crude incidence rate of stroke per 100,000 persons in Africa was 106.49 (95% CI 58.59–193.55), I2 = 99.6%. The point estimate of the crude incidence rate was higher among males, 111.33 (95% CI 56.31–220.12), I2 = 99.2% than females, 91.14 (95% CI 47.09–176.37), I2 = 98.9%. One–month case-fatality rate was 24.45 (95% CI 16.84–35.50), I2 = 96.8% with lower estimates among males, 22.68 (95% CI 18.62–27.63), I2 = 12.9% than females, 27.57 (95% CI 21.47–35.40), I2 = 51.6%. Conclusions: The burden of stroke in Africa remains very high. However, little is known about the dynamics of stroke epidemiology among Africans due to the dearth of high-quality evidence. Further continent-wide rigorous epidemiological studies and surveillance programs using the World Health Organization STEPwise approach to Surveillance (WHO STEPS) framework are needed

Stroke in Africa: profile, progress, prospects and priorities

International audienceStroke is a leading cause of disability, dementia and death worldwide. Approximately 70% of deaths from stroke and 87% of stroke-related disability occur in low-income and middle-income countries. At the turn of the century, the most common diseases in Africa were communicable diseases, whereas non-communicable diseases, including stroke, were considered rare, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. However, evidence indicates that, today, Africa could have up to 2–3-fold greater rates of stroke incidence and higher stroke prevalence than western Europe and the USA. In Africa, data published within the past decade show that stroke has an annual incidence rate of up to 316 per 100,000, a prevalence of up to 1,460 per 100,000 and a 3-year fatality rate greater than 80%. Moreover, many Africans have a stroke within the fourth to sixth decades of life, with serious implications for the individual, their family and society. This age profile is particularly important as strokes in younger people tend to result in a greater loss of self-worth and socioeconomic productivity than in older individuals. Emerging insights from research into stroke epidemiology, genetics, prevention, care and outcomes offer great prospects for tackling the growing burden of stroke on the continent. In this article, we review the unique profile of stroke in Africa and summarize current knowledge on stroke epidemiology, genetics, prevention, acute care, rehabilitation, outcomes, cost of care and awareness. We also discuss knowledge gaps, emerging priorities and future directions of stroke medicine for the more than 1 billion people who live in Africa

(Abstract only) Stroke services, training, research and advocacy needs in Africa: Preliminary results from the Africa – UK Stroke Partnership (AUKSP) project

BACKGROUND AND AIM Safe and efficient acute stroke care services, effective training and and context -sensitive research and advocacy are key to reducing the high stroke burden in Africa. However, quantitative data is sparse on stroke care services, training and research priorities in Africa. We describe the status of acute stroke care services and unmask training and research needs in Africa. METHODS A 56-item, pre-tested, multi-lingual online survey tool adapted from the World Stroke Organization (WSO) Roadmap to delivering quality stroke care was sent to stroke experts in each African country through e-mail directories of national stroke organizations, the African Stroke Organization (ASO), the African Academy of Neurology (AFAN) and the WSO-Future Leaders African fellows. Data on stroke services, management guidelines, stroke research, stroke education and training were collected and analyzed using descriptive statistics. RESULTS We surveyed 54 but had responses from 45 (83%) African countries covering 95% of the population of Africa. Only 4% of respondent countries had a national stroke registry or national stroke surveillance system. Thrombolysis was available in 49% of countries, at an estimated 255 centers. 16% of countries had access to endovascular thrombectomy at 69 centers. National stroke-specific training programs were available for 11% of consultants, 9% of general medical practitioners and 4% of nurses. Reperfusion therapy was selected as the most important training need and national stroke registries as the top research priority. CONCLUSION Our study highlights core needs for stroke services improvement, capacity building, context - sensitive research and multi-level advocacy in Africa

MAPT allele and haplotype frequencies in Nigerian Africans: Population distribution and association with Parkinson's disease risk and age at onset

INTRODUCTION: The association between MAPT and PD risk may be subject to ethnic variability even within populations of similar geographical origin. Data on MAPT haplotype frequencies, and its association with PD risk in black Africans are lacking. We aimed to determine the frequencies of MAPT haplotypes and their role as risk factors for PD and age at onset in Nigerians. METHODS: The haplotype and genotype frequencies of MAPT rs1052553 were analysed in 907 individuals with PD and 1022 age-matched healthy controls from the Nigeria Parkinson's Disease Research network cohort. Clinical data related to PD included age at study, age at onset (AAO), and disease duration. RESULTS: The frequency of the H1 haplotype was 98.7% in PD, and 99.1% in controls (p = 0.19). The H2 haplotype was present in - 1.3% of PD and 0.9% of controls (p = 0.24). The most frequent MAPT genotype was H1H1 (PD - 97.5%, controls - 98.2%). The H1 haplotype was not associated with PD risk after accounting for gender and AAO (Odds ratio for H1/H1 vs H1/H2 and H2/H2: 0.68 (95% CI:0.39-1.28); p = 0.23). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings support previous studies that report a low frequency of the MAPT H2 haplotype in black ancestry Africans but document its occurrence in Nigerians. The MAPT H1 haplotype was not associated with an increased risk or age at onset of PD in this cohort