ICT and Gender Specific Challenges Faced by Female Entrepreneurs in Nigeria

The accepted “gender” generalization in the Nigerian society expects a female to be dominantly a homemaker and not engaged in stressful, high-risk business activities, generalized as entrepreneurial activities. This has hindered many Nigerian female entrepreneurs from starting, running and growing successful business enterprises, as they face many political, economic and social obstacles in the society as highlighted by the feminist theory. Following the resource-based theory; this study highlights the importance of a nation to fully utilize all its resources including women who constitute 49% of Nigeria’s population. Through case study research of two successful female entrepreneurs in Nigeria, this study established that ICT does have a positive influence in tackling the challenges faced by female entrepreneurs, as the two successful female entrepreneurs studied, highlighted in their interviews how they gained advantage in the business world by the use of various ICT tools. From the case study analysis, a framework was created to serve as a yardstick for measurement of successful female entrepreneurship. It is anticipated that the insights developed in this study will be beneficial both by female entrepreneurs across developing countries and the world at large, and in effective program development by policy designers

Analysis of maize farmers' access to agricultural information in Aiyedire local government area, Osun State, Nigeria

This study analyses maize farmers’ access to agricultural information in Aiyedire Local Government Area of Osun state, Nigeria. The specific objectives of this study were to describe the socio-economic characteristics of the maize farmers, identify access of maize farmers to agricultural information, determine the level of access to agricultural information and identify the sources of agricultural information to the maize farmers. A structured questionnaire was used to randomly sample 105 respondents used for this study. Descriptive statistics such as frequency distribution and percentage was used to analyse the socio-economic characteristics, sources of information and access to agricultural information while a three-point Likert-type scale was used to analyse the level of access of the maize farmers to agricultural information The result showed that the majority (87.6%) of the farmers were male, married (84.4%) and 42.9% of them had secondary education. The majority of the farmers (89.5%) had farm size of about five hectares while those with farming experience less than 10 years was 39%. Fifty-eight percent of the farmers had household size of 4-6 persors and 69.5% of them had contacts with extension agents while 49.5% of the farmers were members of agricultural organizations. The results further showed that the farmers had access to information on improved maize varieties, with a mean score of 2.90 while they had limited access to information on mechanized method of harvesting maize, with mean score of 1.07. Therefore, the study recommends that extension agencies should provide up-to-date information on new and improved technological implement like sheller, tractors, among others, for maize farmers.Keywords: Agricultural Information, Access, Maize Farmers, Nigeri

Genetic variation and relationship in Staphylococcus aureus isolates from human and food samples using random amplified polymorphic DNAs

A genetic characterization of 18 different isolates of Staphylococcus aureus using random amplified polymorphic DNAs (RAPDs) was carried out. Out of one hundred primers tested, ten showed polymorphism. The amplification reactions with the 10 primers generated 88 bands, 51 of which is polymorphic with band size ranging between 200 and 3,000 bp. Variation and relatedness between different isolates were determined by converting RAPD data into a Jaccard similarity matrix and analysed by UPGMA (unweighted pair-group method, arithmetic average) to produce completely twelve different groups at 100% Jaccard similarity and at 50% coefficient of similarity. The isolates were classified into two major groups, the first comprises of mildly and weakly virulence, while the other group are the highly virulence Staphylococci. The results demonstrated that the RAPD technique may be of great use in the classification of Staphylococcus aureus.African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 4 (7), pp. 611-614, 200

Enhanced proactive planning approach: a crucial to an improved workers’ safety in Western Nigeria small scale industry

This study evaluated managements’ proactive planning approach (PPA) to enhance safety among workers in South-western Nigeria small scale industry (SSI). The main objective was to rate the managements’ efforts at eliminating risk among their employees. By worker participatory and psychological survey approach, three tools were used; workplace observation (visual), management safety culture (questionnaire) and managers interviews (oral). The survey included 200 workers, 120 supervisors and 80 managers, in 82 SSI. Four steps to a safety proactive action plans (PAP), (looking for clues, prioritization of identified potential hazard, making improvements to eliminate the risk and follow up), were rated by employees on a scale from 0 to 5. Paired t-test was used to appraise the significant difference between the managers’ mean scores rated by the supervisors and other workers. 77.1% of workers and 64.2% supervisors rated their managers as either “not done at all” or “poorly done”. Workers’ scores for managers PPA had statistically significantly lower ratings (mean = 1.09, SEM = 0.22) compared to that of the supervisors rating (mean = 1.55, SEM = 0.32), with t (14) = −1.185, p = 0.784. There is a closed poor performance perception gaps, of managers’ PPA, of the two groups of employees. It can be concluded that safety is not emphasized, by managers of SSI, as overriding priority and this may have contributed to high reported injuries among their workforce. Courses to enhance managements’ understanding for inclusion of safety among the leading priorities becomes necessary. This will reduce work-related risks and promotes occupational safety and health among the group of workers

A descriptive survey of types, spread and characteristics of substance abuse treatment centers in Nigeria

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa and the 8th most populous in the world with a population of over 154 million, does not have current data on substance abuse treatment demand and treatment facilities; however, the country has the highest one-year prevalence rate of Cannabis use (14.3%) in Africa and ranks third in Africa with respect to the one-year prevalence rate of cocaine (0.7%) and Opioids (0.7%) use. This study aimed to determine the types, spread and characteristics of the substance abuse treatment centers in Nigeria.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The study was a cross sectional survey of substance abuse treatment centers in Nigeria. Thirty-one units were invited and participated in filling an online questionnaire, adapted from the European <it>Treatment Unit/Program Form (June 1997 version)</it>.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>All the units completed the online questionnaire. A large proportion (48%) was located in the South-West geopolitical zone of the country. Most (58%) were run by Non-Governmental Organizations. Half of them performed internal or external evaluation of treatment process or outcome. There were a total of 1043 for all categories of paid and volunteer staff, with an average of 33 staff per unit. Most of the funding came from charitable donations (30%). No unit provided drug substitution/maintenance therapy. The units had a total residential capacity of 566 beds. New client admissions in the past one year totalled 765 (mean = 48, median = 26.5, min = 0, max = 147) and 2478 clients received services in the non-residential units in the past year. No unit provided syringe exchange services.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The study revealed a dearth of substance abuse treatment units (and of funds for the available ones) in a country with a large population size and one of the highest prevalence rates of substance abuse in Africa. The available units were not networked and lacked a directory or an evaluation framework. To provide an environment for effective monitoring, funding and continuous quality improvement, the units need to be organized into a sustainable network.</p

Protective Roles of Adansonia digitata (African Baobab), Cucumeropsis mannii (Melon), and Abelmoschus esculentus (Okro) Supplemented Diets against Cadmium-Induced Lipotoxicity, Bone Demineralization, and Cytotoxicity in Rabbits

The present study was undertaken to investigate the protective roles of Adansonia digitata (African baobab) Cucumeropsis mannii (Melon), Abelmoschus esculentus (Okro), &nbsp;on lipid profile, bone health, and selected organs (liver, kidney, brain, and testis) against cadmium-induced toxicity in rabbits. Twenty male rabbits were grouped into five with four rabbits in each group. Group 1 served as positive control and received standard feed and 1.5 mg/kg body weight normal saline, group 2 served as negative control and were exposed to 1.5 mg/kg body weight cadmium chloride, group 3 received 1.5 mg/kg body weight cadmium Adansonia digitata supplemented feed, group 4 received 1.5 mg/kg body weight cadmium chloride and Citrullus lanatus supplemented feed, while group 5 were given 1.5 mg/kg body weight cadmium chloride and Abelmoschus esculentus supplemented feed. All administrations were orally and lasted for 28 days. At the end of the administration, blood, liver, kidney, brain, and testes were harvested from the rabbits for biochemical and histological analysis. One-way analysis of variance followed by Turkey’s test was used to analyze the results with p &lt; 0.05 considered significant. The results revealed that cadmium exposure caused a significant increase in serum total cholesterol, triacylglycerol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration, and atherogenic index in rabbits exposed to cadmium. Cadmium exposure also reduced bone calcium concentration. Adansonia digitata maintained the atherogenic index of plasma at 2.67 compared with the positive control group (2.66). The three vegetables reversed the cadmium-induced up-regulation of total cholesterol and triacylglycerol in the liver, kidney, and brain but not in the testis. All the vegetables also restored bone calcium. Citrullus lanatus and Abelmoschus esculentus prevented organ damage induced by cadmium exposure. These vegetables however play different protective roles against cadmium exposed rabbits

Liver mitochondrial membrane permeability modulation in insulin-resistant, uninephrectomised male rats by Clerodendrum volubile P. Beauv and Manihot esculenta Crantz

Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, which occurs in people who are not alcohol drinkers, describes some of the pathogenic conditions that may be in the least characterized by simple steatosis or can be as serious as non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and cirrhosis. Its mechanistic pathogenesis has been said to arise from insulin resistance and oxidative stress, which may be compounded by obesity. An experimental model showing, systemic insulin resistance, obesity and accumulated hepatic fatty acids was created in adult male rats using high-fat diet manipulation and surgical removal of the left kidney (uninephrectomy). This study sought to identify the impact of these multiple burdens on the liver mitochondrial membrane permeability transition pore opening, and the possible in vitro effects of the extracts of Clerodendrum volubile and Manihot esculenta leaves on the membrane permeabilization. Results: The results indicated that the methanolic extract of Clerodendrum volubile leaf inhibited mitochondrial membrane pore opening in the insulin resistance condition or when it is followed by uni-nephrectomy, while the ethanolic extract of Manihot esculenta leaf does the same in the insulin resistance condition both prior to and following uni-nephrectomy. Conclusion: Since the vegetable extracts were able to abrogate mitochondrial pore opening at low concentrations, the structural integrity of the mitochondria can possibly be restored over time if treated by the vegetable extracts. Research efforts should, therefore, be made to harness the drugability of the bioactives of these vegetables for use in the treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease arising from insulin resistance and renal failure.Fil: Ajayi, Ebenezer Idowu O. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Investigación Médica Mercedes y Martín Ferreyra. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Instituto de Investigación Médica Mercedes y Martín Ferreyra; Argentina. Osun State University; Nigeria. National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research; IndiaFil: Molehin, Olorunfemi R.. Ekiti State University; NigeriaFil: Oloyede, Omotade I.. Ekiti State University; NigeriaFil: Kumar, Vinodu. National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research; IndiaFil: Amara, Venkateswara R.. National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research; IndiaFil: Kaur, Jasmine. National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research; IndiaFil: Karpe, Pinakin. National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research; IndiaFil: Tikoo, Kulbhushan B.. National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research; Indi

Effect of Fins spacing on the Performance Evaluation of a Refrigeration System using LPG as Refrigerant

In this paper, experimental analysis was carried out on a vapour compression system by varying the parallel tube condenser fins spacing under the same atmospheric condition in a selected Refrigeration and Air-conditioning laboratory to examine the performance characteristics of the refrigeration system. The fins spacing were 2, 4 and 6 mm using Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) as working fluid with a mixture proportion of 17.2% isobutene, 56.4% butane, 24.4% propane. The result shows that the coefficient of performance of the system when working with condenser fins spacing of 2 mm was 28.8 and 35.9% higher compared to when the system worked with the fins spacing of 4 and 6 mm respectively. Energy consumed by the single hermetic compressor when the system worked with condenser fins spacing of 2 mm reduced by 16.4 and 18.7% compared to when the refrigerator worked with fins spacing of 4 and 6 mm respectively. The pull down time of the cooling system was attained in 2 hours 45 minute with minimum evaporator temperature of -13 ℃ while working with 30 g mass charge of LP

Intravenous versus oral iron for iron deficiency anaemia in pregnant Nigerian women (IVON): study protocol for a randomised hybrid effectiveness-implementation trial

Background Anaemia in pregnancy is highly prevalent in African countries. High-dose oral iron is the current recommended treatment for pregnancy-related iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) in Nigeria and other African countries. This oral regimen is often poorly tolerated and has several side effects. Parenteral iron preparations are now available for the treatment of IDA in pregnancy but not widely used in Africa. The IVON trial is investigating the comparative effectiveness and safety of intravenous ferric carboxymaltose versus oral ferrous sulphate standard-of-care for pregnancy-related IDA in Nigeria. We will also measure the implementation outcomes of acceptability, feasibility, fidelity, and cost-effectiveness for intravenous ferric carboxymaltose. Methods This is an open-label randomised controlled trial with a hybrid type 1 effectiveness-implementation design, conducted at 10 health facilities in Kano (Northern) and Lagos (Southern) states in Nigeria. A total of 1056 pregnant women at 20–32 weeks’ gestational age with moderate or severe anaemia (Hb < 10g/dl) will be randomised 1:1 into two groups. The interventional treatment is one 1000-mg dose of intravenous ferric carboxymaltose at enrolment; the control treatment is thrice daily oral ferrous sulphate (195 mg elemental iron daily), from enrolment till 6 weeks postpartum. Primary outcome measures are (1) the prevalence of maternal anaemia at 36 weeks and (2) infant preterm birth (<37 weeks’ gestation) and will be analysed by intention-to-treat. Maternal full blood count and iron panel will be assayed at 4 weeks post-enrolment, 36 weeks’ gestation, delivery, and 6 weeks postpartum. Implementation outcomes of acceptability, feasibility, fidelity, and cost will be assessed with structured questionnaires, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions. Discussion The IVON trial could provide both effectiveness and implementation evidence to guide policy for integration and uptake of intravenous iron for treating anaemia in pregnancy in Nigeria and similar resource-limited, high-burden settings. If found effective, further studies exploring different intravenous iron doses are planned. Trial registration ISRCTN registry ISRCTN63484804. Registered on 10 December 2020. Clinicaltrials.govNCT04976179. Registered on 26 July 2021 The current protocol version is version 2.1 (080/080/2021)

Intravenous versus oral iron for iron deficiency anaemia in pregnant Nigerian women (IVON): study protocol for a randomised hybrid effectiveness-implementation trial.

BACKGROUND: Anaemia in pregnancy is highly prevalent in African countries. High-dose oral iron is the current recommended treatment for pregnancy-related iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) in Nigeria and other African countries. This oral regimen is often poorly tolerated and has several side effects. Parenteral iron preparations are now available for the treatment of IDA in pregnancy but not widely used in Africa. The IVON trial is investigating the comparative effectiveness and safety of intravenous ferric carboxymaltose versus oral ferrous sulphate standard-of-care for pregnancy-related IDA in Nigeria. We will also measure the implementation outcomes of acceptability, feasibility, fidelity, and cost-effectiveness for intravenous ferric carboxymaltose. METHODS: This is an open-label randomised controlled trial with a hybrid type 1 effectiveness-implementation design, conducted at 10 health facilities in Kano (Northern) and Lagos (Southern) states in Nigeria. A total of 1056 pregnant women at 20-32 weeks' gestational age with moderate or severe anaemia (Hb < 10g/dl) will be randomised 1:1 into two groups. The interventional treatment is one 1000-mg dose of intravenous ferric carboxymaltose at enrolment; the control treatment is thrice daily oral ferrous sulphate (195 mg elemental iron daily), from enrolment till 6 weeks postpartum. Primary outcome measures are (1) the prevalence of maternal anaemia at 36 weeks and (2) infant preterm birth (<37 weeks' gestation) and will be analysed by intention-to-treat. Maternal full blood count and iron panel will be assayed at 4 weeks post-enrolment, 36 weeks' gestation, delivery, and 6 weeks postpartum. Implementation outcomes of acceptability, feasibility, fidelity, and cost will be assessed with structured questionnaires, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions. DISCUSSION: The IVON trial could provide both effectiveness and implementation evidence to guide policy for integration and uptake of intravenous iron for treating anaemia in pregnancy in Nigeria and similar resource-limited, high-burden settings. If found effective, further studies exploring different intravenous iron doses are planned. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN registry ISRCTN63484804 . Registered on 10 December 2020 Clinicaltrials.gov NCT04976179 . Registered on 26 July 2021 The current protocol version is version 2.1 (080/080/2021)