EFFECTS OF GROUP GUIDANCE AND COUNSELLING TECHNIQUES ON STUDENTS’ VOCATIONAL MATURITY IN EKITI STATE SECONDARY SCHOOLS, EKITI STATE, NIGERIA

The study investigated the effects of group guidance and counselling techniques on students’ vocational maturity. The purpose of the study was to determine whether the Group Career Guidance (GCG) and Group Career Counselling (GCC) techniques will enhance the vocational maturity of secondary school students. To achieve this objective, quasi experimental of pre-test, post-test design was employed. 120 students were selected from senior secondary school class two (SSS 2) through purposive sampling method. The selected students were grouped into two. The groups were exposed to GCG and GCC respectively in their various locations. The groups were tested twice, that is, before and after treatment. The finding revealed that the two techniques are effective in the improvement of students’ vocational maturity

Parental socio-economic status on academic achievement of learners with hearing impairment in Biology in selected schools in Lagos state, Nigeria

INTRODUCTION: This research work was carried out to investigate parental socioeconomic status as a determinant of academic achievement of learners with hearing impairment in biology of some selected schools in Lagos state. PURPOSE: The study identified the effects of the educational background, occupation, and income of parents on the academic achievement of learners with hearing impairment in biology. DESIGN: Quantitative research method using descriptive design was used to determine the effect of parental socio-economic status on the academic achievement of learners with hearing impairment in Biology. The population for the study constitute all learners in selected special schools in Lagos state. The total population of the study is 200 learners with hearing impairment. A simple random sample which employed the hat and draw technique was used to select ten (10) males and ten (10) female learners with hearing impairment from each selected school which amount to total number of sixty (60) learners with hearing impairment. A self-designed questionnaire titled “Parental  Socio-Economic Status as determinants of Academic Achievement” (PSAA) was used with mean and standard deviation to analyze data.  RESULTS: Findings from the study revealed that learners’ academic achievement              in Biology is influenced by parental level of education, income and occupation. It was also concluded that there is a direct relationship between parental financial and human capital on the successful learning experience of learners and their academic success in biology. RECOMMENDATIONS: The results notwithstanding, authors recommended among others that Government, multinational companies and public spirited individuals should be able to identify and support intelligent Learners with hearing impairment from low-income parents with a view to boosting their academic achievement

Anatomy and Specific Gravity of Wood Samples from Six Nigerian Tree Species in Relation to their Diagnostic X-ray Shielding Capabilities

The basic principle of protection against nuclear radiation is to keep radiation exposure as  much as possible below the maximum permissible dose equivalent (MPD). In order to redress the dependence on costly shielding materials such as lead, steel, glass and gypsum, cheaper and readily available  materials  such as wood have been brought under focus as potential resources for shielding hazardous radiations. Making use of the relative transmission of 60 kVp X-rays by the wood of six Nigerian tree species as reference data, this study examined the wood anatomy of the tree  species (i.e Syzygium guinense (Willd.) DC., Tectona grandis L., Afzelia pachyloba Harms., A.  africana Pers., Gmelina arborea Roxb. and Daniellia oliveri (Rolfe) Hutch. & Dalziel with a view to providing information on the wood anatomical basis for their X-ray shielding capabilities. T. grandis and G. arborea were  the two most fibrous of  the six species studied, with their fibre-to-non-fibrous tissue ratios (F/NF) being 1.24 and 1.01 respectively. Incidentally, these two species transmitted  the least amounts of radiation at an average wood thickness of 5 cm.   Tyloses were observed in the wood of all but G. arborea and D. oliveri, and the % of vessels with tylose ranged  from 20.64 to 50.36.  At  0.05 level of probability, the reference data on relative X-ray transmission showed significant positive correlation  with % axial parenchyma content (r = 0.754), but significant negative correlations with % fibre content (-0.734), %  of vessels with tylose (-0.864), vessel diameter (-0.757), vessel lumen width (-0.753) and F/NF (-0.742). The diagnostic X-ray attenuation capability of the  wood samples examined can therefore be anatomically explained by these six  parameters, and their evaluation in prospective wood samples for shielding hazardous radiations can be useful. Key words: Gmelina arborea, hardwood, hazardous radiation, Tectona grandis, tylose,  wood anatomy, X-ray

Population of Fungi Associated with Seed Germination after Storage and Seed Treatment

Fungi growth occurs in seeds as a result of environmental conditions (high relative humidity, suitable temperature and high level of seed moisture content). But pathogen free healthy seeds are required for plant propagation. Microbial and insect attack affect seeds throughout the life cycle of the plant (Islam et al., 2009). Fungi are the most common microbes that affect seed germination and they can be both saprophytic and pathogenic. Hence, the aim of this experiment is to determine the cultural and morphological characteristics and population of fungi associated with the germination of some legume seeds after storage and scarification

Determinants of COVID-19 vaccine uptake among Nigerians: evidence from a cross-sectional national survey

Abstract Background COVID-19 ranks as one of the largest public health threats in recent times. It is associated with huge health, economic and social consequences. Although vaccination is an effective control measure, COVID-19 vaccine uptake has been suboptimal in many low/middle income countries. Hence this study assessed the factors influencing COVID-19 vaccine uptake among Nigerian households. Data and methods This study analyzed secondary data from the COVID-19 High-Frequency Phone Survey of Households that was collected by the National Bureau of Statistics between November 2021 and January 2022. Relevant data were analyzed using descriptive statistical tools and the Multivariate Regression model. Results Out of 2370 respondents, only 32.8% of the respondents were vaccinated against COVID-19. Respondents living in urban areas (34.4%) had a higher level of COVID-19 vaccine uptake relative to those living in rural Nigeria (30.9%). Results from the Multivariate Regression model revealed that adults aged ≥ 60 years (OR 2.20; p = 0.012), respondents with primary (OR 1.72; p = 0.032), secondary (OR 1.77; p = 0.025) and tertiary education (OR 3.03; p < 0.001), respondents with access to health insurance (OR 1.68; p = 0.004), those who obtained vaccine information from health workers (OR 3.92; p < 0.001), the government (OR 3.22; p < 0.001), and the mass media (OR 1.75; p = 0.003) were more likely to be vaccinated. Also, respondents living in North Central (OR 2.02; p < 0.001), North East (OR 1.48; p = 0.039), South West (OR 2.63; p < 0.001), and South South (OR 1.49; p = 0.031) regions had higher odds of being vaccinated. Conclusions The study recommends increased media campaigns and advocacy for COVID-19 vaccination in the South East and North West regions. Persons with no formal education and younger persons aged 18–29 years should be targeted with COVID-19 vaccine-related information given that they were less likely to be vaccinated. Dissemination of relevant information through government sources, mass media and health workers is encouraged so as to positively influence decisions to receive COVID-19 vaccines among citizens

Piloting laboratory quality system management in six health facilities in Nigeria.

BACKGROUND:Achieving accreditation in laboratories is a challenge in Nigeria like in most African countries. Nigeria adopted the World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa Stepwise Laboratory (Quality) Improvement Process Towards Accreditation (WHO/AFRO- SLIPTA) in 2010. We report on FHI360 effort and progress in piloting WHO-AFRO recognition and accreditation preparedness in six health facility laboratories in five different states of Nigeria. METHOD:Laboratory assessments were conducted at baseline, follow up and exit using the WHO/AFRO- SLIPTA checklist. From the total percentage score obtained, the quality status of laboratories were classified using a zero to five star rating, based on the WHO/AFRO quality improvement stepwise approach. Major interventions include advocacy, capacity building, mentorship and quality improvement projects. RESULTS:At baseline audit, two of the laboratories attained 1- star while the remaining four were at 0- star. At follow up audit one lab was at 1- star, two at 3-star and three at 4-star. At exit audit, four labs were at 4- star, one at 3-star and one at 2-star rating. One laboratory dropped a 'star' at exit audit, while others consistently improved. The two weakest elements at baseline; internal audit (4%) and occurrence/incidence management (15%) improved significantly, with an exit score of 76% and 81% respectively. The elements facility and safety was the major strength across board throughout the audit exercise. CONCLUSION:This effort resulted in measurable and positive impact on the laboratories. We recommend further improvement towards a formal international accreditation status and scale up of WHO/AFRO- SLIPTA implementation in Nigeria

Effect of Oil Bean Stalk Filler on the Thermo-Mechanical Properties of Developed Aluminium Dross Composites for Building Ceilings

Standard quality building material is the demand of this present age. It is a good attempt to draw some ideas about the use of composites in modern building materials. This study experimentally investigates the effect of varying oil beanstalk (OBS) filler and Portland cement (Cmt) additives on thermo-mechanical properties of aluminium dross (Aldr)-Portland cement oil bean-reinforced composites. The specific heat capacity, thermal conductivity, thermal resistivity, thermal diffusivity, thermal effusivity, and compressive strength were determined at a different variation of filler content to investigate its effects on the developed composites' behaviour building ceilings application. Result shows that the physical and mechanical properties of triad 0.6Aldr0.3Cmt0.05G0.05OBS, 0.6Aldr0.32Cmt0.05G0.03OBS composites are better than 0.6Aldr0.34Cmt0.05G0.01OBS composites. Developed samples with Portland cement binders were observed not supporting combustion in the combustion calorimeter, confirming their flame-retardant characteristics. Thermal analysis indicates that reduced additive results in poor thermal performance despite an increment in Portland cement content. The least thermal conductivity value (0.0195 W/m2K) was obtained for sample 2 produced with 60% aluminium dross, 32% Portland cement and 3% oil bean stalk. The developed ceiling materials specific heat capacities increased by 10.33–386.83% compared to asbestos. Compared to Polyvynylchloride (PVC) ceiling material gave a 40.81% reduction in sample 2. The calorific value of oil bean stalk obtained using the combustion calorimeter is 17.80 MJ/kg, lower compared to pulverized coconut shells. It is observed that the best performance of the composite is achieved at moderate Portland cement and filler ratios. A new method of curbing fire spread and providing thermal comfort is essential in this new age of building composite, sustainable cities, and communities; this will come to the fore when inbred exceptional thermal, combustion, and mechanical properties are found in developed building ceilings. The percentage variation of filler on the matrix material necessitates improvement in their behaviour in performance

Performance of the various laboratory departments in General Hospital Lagos at baseline to exit audit as measured by the WHO-AFRO SLIPTA checklist.

<p>Numbers (0–5) on the bars represent the WHO/AFRO star rating. BACT: Bacteriology, IMMLOGY: Immunology & Serology, *PARA: Parasitology, HAEM: Haematology, CHEM: Chemistry, *BTS: Blood Transfusion Services, * did not participate in the baseline audit.</p

Average performance of all laboratories across the Quality Systems Essentials, as measured by the WHO-AFRO SLIPTA checklist from baseline to exit audit.

<p>(Doc & Rec: Document and Record, Mgt Rev: Management Review, Org & Pers: Organization & Personnel, Client Mgt; Client Management & Customer service, Eqpmt: Equipment, Int Aud: Internal Audit, Purch & Inv: Purchasing & Inventory, Proc Cont: Process Control and Internal & External Quality Audit, Info Mgt: Information Management, Corr Actions: Corrective Actions, Occurrence/Inc Mgt: Occurrence/Incidence Management & Process improvement, Fac & Safety: Facilities and safety).</p