Čimbenici koji predviđaju prihvaćanje cjepiva protiv bolesti COVID-19 u zapadnoj Africi

Background: The aim of this study was to examine the factors predicting the acceptance of COVID 19 vaccines in West Africa, with a focus on Nigeria. Four (4) hypotheses were posed for this study. Methods: This study employed a descriptive method design. The sample size was comprised of 32,224 respondents, all Nigeria citizens. A multistage sampling technique was employed for the survey involving quantitative data. A questionnaire was used as the instrument for data collection. The data collected for this study were analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics (t-test and ANOVA). Results: The findings of this study revealed that there is a significant difference in COVID-19 vaccine acceptance based on age F (9, 32214) = 812.114, P<0.05, ƞ2=0.1849; based on gender differences t = (32222) = -21.808, P<0.05; based on religion t = (32222) = --75.228, P<0.05; and based on income F (4, 32219) = 740.394, P<0.05, ƞ2=0.084. Conclusion: The findings of this study show that there is a significant relationship between age, gender, religion, income and the acceptance of COVID-19 vaccines in Nigeria. The findings further show that men are more vaccine-hesitant than women; older people find it easier to accept vaccination; Christians are more likely to accept COVID-19 vaccines than people from other religions. It is therefore recommended that religious leaders should be well educated on the health benefit of the COVID-19 vaccination and that the government should put more effort into improving the economy of the country so that the individual income can improve.Pozadina: Cilj ove studije bio je ispitati čimbenike koji predviđaju prihvaćanje cjepiva protiv bolesti COVID-19 u zapadnoj Africi, s naglaskom na Nigeriju. Postavljene su četiri hipoteze. Metode: U ovoj studiji primijenjen je dizajn deskriptivne metode. Uzorak se sastojao od 32 224 ispitanika, od kojih su svi građani Nigerije. Za istraživanje je primijenjena tehnika višefaznog uzorkovanja koja uključuje kvantitativne podatke. Kao instrument za prikupljanje podataka primijenjen je upitnik. Podaci prikupljeni za ovu studiju analizirani su primjenom deskriptivne i inferencijalne statistike (t-test i ANOVA). Rezultati: Nalazi ove studije otkrili su da postoji značajna razlika u prihvaćanju cjepiva protiv bolesti COVID-19 na temelju dobi: F (9, 32 214) = 812 114, P < 0,05, ƞ2 = 0,1849; na temelju spolnih razlika: t = (32 222) = –21 808, P < 0,05; na temelju religije: t = (32 222) = –75 228, P<0,05; te na temelju prihoda: F (4, 32 219) = 740 394, P < 0,05, ƞ2 = 0,084. Zaključak: Nalazi ove studije pokazuju da postoji značajan odnos između dobi, spola, vjere, prihoda i prihvaćanja cjepiva protiv bolesti COVID-19 u Nigeriji. Nalazi dalje pokazuju da muškarci više oklijevaju u pogledu cjepiva od žena; starije osobe lakše prihvaćaju cijepljenje; vjerojatnije je da će kršćani prihvatiti cjepiva protiv bolesti COVID-19 nego ljudi drugih vjeroispovijesti. Stoga se preporučuje da vjerski vođe budu dobro obrazovani o zdravstvenim prednostima cijepljenja protiv bolesti COVID-19 te da vlada uloži više napora u poboljšanje gospodarstva zemlje kako bi se mogli poboljšati individualni prihodi

Glulam beams: Performance of PVA and PUR adhesives on bending strengths of locally selected Nigerian timber species

The applicability of structural timber to construction is due to its desirable qualities such as lightweight, aesthetics and eco-friendliness. However, continuous use of timber for structural purposes comes with the challenge posed by the anisotropic nature of various timber species. Advanced societies have developed and modified their sawn timber species in form of glue-laminated structural members such as beams, columns, joist etc. Nigeria timber species are yet to be fully explored along glued-laminated beams production. This paper assesses the suitability of three selected Nigerian timber species namely; Gmelina Arborea (ML), Terminalia superba (AF) and Pycnanthus angolensis (AK) for production of glued-laminated (glulam) beams. They are locally known respectively as Melina (ML), Afara (AF) and Akomu (AK). The applicability and glue-ability of the glues and their ultimate effect on the flexural strength were investigated through the use of two different types of glue components namely; polyvinyl acetate (PVA) and polyurethane (PUR) glue. The physical properties of the timber species such as moisture content (MC) and densities were determined using BS EN 408. The beams produced which are 1680mm by 150mm by 120mm in dimension were subjected to two points loading system to determine their flexural strengths and failure loads in accordance with ASTM D-198. The flexural strengths results indicated that Pycnanthus angolensis offered most resistance to bending loads with an average flexural strength value of 16.04N/mm2 when PUR glue was used and 13.04N/mm2 when PVA glue was used. The ANOVA result showed that glue types have significant effect on the flexural strength at confidence level of 95%. It was concluded that Pycnanthus angolensis is most suitable for structural applications. PUR is considered the better glue in terms of strength and glue-ability while PVA glue is considered better in terms of workability and applicability based on almost perfect glue line integrity achieved