Spatial distribution and provision of rural medical services in ekiti state, Nigeria

A good health is a pre-requisite to socio-economic and political development. Provision of essential social services especially, medical services, contribute directly and indirectly to human well being hence, it must be accorded priority at any level of government. Where they were inadequately provided, citizenry are subjected to high incidence of morbidity and mortality from the prevalence of preventable and infection disease. The study employs data from primary and secondary sources and use facility model and public location theory as basis for its theoretical underpinning. Results from the study show that though medical facilities were available in most of the settlements but were inadequate to cope with the population. The study suggests provisions of more medical services be provided in the state. The study of benefit to researchers and policy makers in the health systems.Key Words: Medical Services, provision and distribution, conceptualization, Ekiti State

Accessibility to medical facilities in the rural areas of Ekiti state, Nigeria

Accessibility which could be seen as state or quality of being accessible plays a prominent role in the patronage of facilities, especially, medical services. It is a relative quality accruing to a piece of land by virtue of its relationship to a system of transport. The study employed data from both primary and secondary sources and use spatial interaction model and facility provision model as bases for its theoretical underpinnings.  Accessibility in the area was considered in the area of road condition, hours spent by the patrons and the cost of transport by the patrons. Results showed that transport situation in the area was fair while hours spent by the patrons in the course patronizing medical facilities were minimal and the cost of transport was equally minimal. The study suggested in locating medical facilities the decision maker should see how such location will result to minimum cost on the consumers in obtaining the services. The study is of benefit to policy makers and researches.Key Words: Medical services, accessibility, conceptualization andimplication

Cost Effectiveness and Demand for Medical Services among Rural Dwellers in Ekiti State, Nigeria

With daily improvement in science and technology, the demand for modern medical services is becoming increasing. This is because modern medicalservices provide answers to some medical problems which could not be handled by traditional or other forms of medicine. Regrettably, these medical services receive low patronage as a result of high medical costs. The study examines cost effectiveness of demand for medical services in Ekiti State. It employs data from both primary and secondary sources and use cognitive consumer behaviour approach as basis for its theoretical underpinning. Results from the study show though, most of the medical facilities were available in the state but the cost of patronizing them was high and the patrons encountered problems in the course of patronage. The study suggests subsidization in the cost of drugs and possibly, makes health free so as to allow better patronage. The study is of benefit to policy makers andresearchers.Key words: Cost effectiveness, demand, medical services, conceptualizatio

Emergency Contraceptive Pill Knowledge, Attitudes and Dispensing Practices of Pharmacists in Ibadan and Lagos Metropolis, Nigeria

Use of Emergency Contraceptive Pills (ECP) is desirable in Nigeria where there is high rate of unwanted pregnancy. Pharmacists are expected to play important role in promoting use of ECP but few studies have assessed their knowledge, attitude and dispensing practice of this product in Nigeria. A total of 211 randomly selected pharmacists practicing in Ibadan and Lagos metropolis completed a questionnaire that assessed knowledge about ECP, attitude towards this contraceptive and actual dispensing practices. The results showed that the mean age of the respondents was 38.8 (10.9) years. There were more male (57.3%) than female respondents (42.7%). The overall mean knowledge scores for the sample was 8.9 (SD: 2.6) out of 18. No significant difference was found in mean knowledge score of male (9.0) (± 2.6) and female respondents (8.9) (±2.8) (p>0.05). Respondents who had practiced for up to 30 years had significantly higher score (9.1) than those with less years of experience (7.7) (p< 0.05). Forty-three percent claimed they had religious or moral (46.9%) objection to dispensing ECP. The majority (79.1%) had ever dispensed ECP whereas 21.9% had never done so. Of the 167 respondents who had ever dispensed, 94.6% had a stock of ECP on the day of their interview. More respondents from Ibadan than Lagos had ever dispensed ECP (

Growth and Yield of Two Varieties of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L). Moench) as affected by Potassium Fertilizer Sources

Wastes arising from poultry production and oil palm processing mill have constituted environmental hazard in South-West, Nigeria. The use of these wastes as soil organic amendments can be a way of managing the wastes thus reducing the menace of pollution caused by indiscriminate dumping of these wastes especially poultry manure. The effects of four agricultural wastes as sources of potassium fertilizers on growth and yield of two varieties of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L). Moench) were assessed in a pot experiment at the Teaching and Research Farm, Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti. Treatments consisted of poultry manure (PM), palm oil mill effluent (POME) at 8t/ha each, muriate of potash (MP) applied at 20kg/ha and no fertilizer (NF) as control as well as two varieties of okro TAE-38 and Clemson spineless (NHAe (47-4). The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) in three replicates. Twenty four pots were filled with 25kg top soil each. Data of growth and yield parameters; plant height, number of leaves, leaf area, number of pods, length of pods and fresh weight of pods were measured. The results revealed that poultry manure significantly (P&lt;0.05) gave highest plant height of 92.7cm, highest number of pod (18.3) which is 52 and 35% over POME and 89% over NF respectively. POME gave highest fresh pod weight of 23.7g/plant. Maximum yield of 3.3t/ha was obtained with application of poultry manure. The result have shown that organic sources POME and PM could be used as a substitute for K which increase the productivity of the soil in okro production and thereby reduce the pollution caused by these wastes. Keywords: Growth, poultry manure, potassium fertilizer sources, Oil palm mill effluent.

Knowledge and Adherence to COVID-19 Preventive Measures: A Continental Review

Background: The burden of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has been on the rise since it was first reported in December 2019. COVID-19 has devastated global economy, public health, social interaction, and has claimed millions of lives globally within a few months. Due to the severe effect of some of the instituted guidelines on citizens and the economy, some of the policies in place to curtail the spread were receded. Hence, the present review aims to assess existing literature on the knowledge and adherence of Africans toward the COVID-19 preventive measures. Methods: Studies focused on Africans’ knowledge and adherence to COVID-19 preventive measures were selected using Google Scholar, Scopus, and PubMed databases. Preprints that have not been peer-reviewed, reviews, and non-COVID-19 studies were excluded. Results: All selected studies showed a satisfactory knowledge of respondents about COVID-19 but poor level of adherence to the preventive measures. Good knowledge and satisfactory level of adherence was common mostly among the clinical health workers, highly educated, and those with higher professional qualification, while poor knowledge and poor practice was observed mostly among rural dwellers, people of poor educational background, and those unable to read and write. Conclusion: This review identified a relatively good knowledge about COVID-19 from all the studies, however, the level of adherence to preventive measures was poor. We recommend that the populace adhere to the laid guidelines to ensure the spread of the virus is curbed while also enhancing the eradication of the pandemic. Keywords: COVID-19, adherence, knowledge, preventive measures, Afric

Performance of Onion (Allium Cepa L.) Enhanced By Organic Fertilizer in a Forest Agroecology, Nigeria

There is a growing interest in the use of organic fertilizers for vegetable production in Nigeria, it is important to determine the appropriate rate of application. Field trial was conducted in 2016 to evaluate the effects of cow dung application on growth and yield of onion (Allium cepa L) at the Teaching and Research Farm, Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti.  The treatments consisted of cow dung applied at 0, 5, 10 and 20 t ha-1 arranged in randomized complete block design with three replicates. Data were collected on plant height, length of leaf, number of leaves, bulb length, bulb diameter and number of bulb, weight of single bulb plant-1, total biological weight and bulb yield. The result indicated that cow dung rates significantly influenced growth of onion with tallest plant, highest number of leaves and leaf length of 53.87 cm, 6.33 and 58.94 cm respectively. The highest number of bulb (51.8), weight of single bulb (51.9 g), total biological weight (57.4 g) and bulb yield  (14.5 t/ha) were obtained with 20 t/ha rate of application. Addition of cow dung can improved the fertility of the soils for onion production in the forest agroecology leading to low cost input by peasant farmers. Keywords: Agroecology, bulb, cow dung, onion, organic manure, yields

Morphological evaluation of the humeral length and application as indicator of sexual dimorphism among Southern Nigerian children

Background: This study was carried out to evaluate humeral length among children in Southern Nigeria and to describe its sexual dimorphism among study population.Methods: This study involved 450 children (230 males and 220 females) between 3-14 years old in Southern Nigerian.  The humeral length was measured as distance between lateral epicondyle distally palpated when elbow was flexed to 90 degrees and acromion proximally palpated lateral end of clavicle. Definitive right and left humeral lengths (RHL and LHL) were derived by subtracting 2.5 mm from measured length. Average values of RHL and LHL were evaluated as morphological humeral length (MHL) for each subject. Data were analyzed using IBM-SPSS version 20 and statistical comparisons done using t-test with p < 0.05 regarded as level of significant difference.Results: In all age groups, non-significant bilateral variation was observed with the RHL higher than the LHL among both male and female subjects. In addition, the results showed significant (p<0.05) sexual dimorphism in all age groups with mean±SEM of MHL among 3-6 years old higher in females (19.45±0.81) than in males (18.63±0.83).  However, the reverse was observed among higher age groups with mean±SEM of MHL in 7-10- and 11-14-years old males (24.43±0.95 and 28.75±0.94) significantly higher than in 7-10 years old and 11-14 years old females (22.85±0.91 and 26.73±0.84) respectively.Conclusions: Based on findings of this study, humeral morphometrics particularly the humeral length can be applied as a significant indicator of sexual dimorphism among the study population

Socio-Economic Factors Influencing Entrepreneurship Among Women In Fishing Communities In Ondo State, Nigeria

From the early years till date, Nigerian women in fishing sector remain a potent force in the economic growth of fishing communities. However, many socio-economic factors influence their entrepreneurial skills. This paper examines some objectives such as, what roles do women play in planning and fisheries management? What are the socio-economic factors determining fishing households? What is the allocation of labour/time between productive and non-productive activities? What are the effects of simulated policies on entrepreneurship among the women? Ilaje and Ese–Odo local Government areas of Ondo State are the study areas. One hundred respondents were interviewed in all. Descriptive tools as frequencies, percentages, means and modes were used to analyze the primary data. The study found that overall entrepreneurial rating of the study group is low, essential input can not be easily gotten in the area, the respondents has large household size thereby had a large dependents to take care of, income level is generally low, no modern processing technique and no storage facilities. It also established the need to help them. Key words: Socio-economic factors, entrepreneurship, fishing communities, women to acquire modern skills hence general improvement in their livelihoods. Journal Of Agriculture And Social Research Vol. 5 (1) 2005: 1-1