CAN INCLUSIVE CITIES PREVENT THE NEXT PANDEMIC?: (RE) EMERGING DISEASES IN THE CONTEXT OF RURAL-URBAN LINKAGES

History has obviously shown the mutual relationship between cities and disease outbreaks; how one reshapes or redefines the other and vice versa. The pandemic has amplified a multitude of existing and persistent developmental challenges humanity has been contending with at different scales and magnitude in different parts of the world. Putting to context the disease burden across space (as in the recent pandemic), this study suggests that cities do not exist in isolation; they mutually interact with rural areas for sustenance and livelihoods. This reciprocal relationship is not just critical to the growth and survival of cities but also to disease transmission as it will discussed shortly. Therefore, the paper attempts to address the question of how do pandemics create inclusive cities and how do inclusive cities in turn make or break pandemics? In answering this, the argument of how rural–urban linkages will increase the risk of emerging diseases and can make inclusive cities a far dream was forwarded

“Being fat is not a disease but a sign of good living”: The Political Economy of Overweight and Obesity in Nigeria

Increasing overweight and obesity rates have accompanied economic development in recent years. This twofold health issue has become increasingly worrisome and is currently receiving academic interest and government attention.  A growing volume of studies has examined the demographic, socio economic, environmental and cultural risk factors of overweight and obesity in Nigeria where fatness is culturally revered. However, information on large scale factors associated with economic development shaping the geographical distribution of overweight and obesity is sparse. From the political economic standpoint, the central question of this paper is: ‘Does the spatial pattern of overweight and obesity correspond with the varying levels of economic development in Nigeria? The study relied on secondary data from published sources.  Linear regression models were estimated to determine the impact of economic development variables on overweight and obesity. Results reveal that percent population with white collar jobs had a significant positive effect on overweight whereas poverty, gross domestic product (GDP) and degree of urbanization were significantly related to obesity. The paper concludes that the spatial patterns of overweight and obesity follow the pathways of economic development in Nigeria

Geospatial Analysis of Road Traffic Accidents, Injuries and Deaths in Nigeria

RTAs in Nigeria are very high and have become progressively important because of their heavy health and financial burden. The few geographic studies on RTAs in Nigeria are limited to their mere spatial distribution and associated risk factors, with very little attention given to their spatial clustering patterns and the detection of hotspots. With the aid of Global Moran’s I and Local Getis, the study found some evidence of significant positive spatial autocorrelation, and consistent clustering of RTAs, RTIs and RTDs in the southwest from 2002 to 2007 which suggested the presence of an accident belt in the southwestern region, which has been accounted by poor road infrastructure, relatively high level of economic development and high vehicular movements. The study recommends the deployment of road safety officials to the accident belt, strict enforcement of safety belts and helmets, and periodic road maintenance

Exploratory study involving observation of traffic behaviour and conflicts in Nigeria using the Traffic Conflict Technique

Road traffic crashes are a major public health problem affecting those living in developing countries, exacerbated by the lack of available resources to tackle the issue (WHO, 2015). Whilst crash reduction measures have been developed and implemented, there has been limited success in developing countries and the crash rate keeps increasing. Partly to blame are the lack of empirical research and high quality crash data. Data do exist – but their reliability is questionable, with respect to the data collection methods used and underreporting. This study, undertaken in Nigeria, used surrogate safety measures based on systematic observation of traffic behaviour and conflicts to assess the behaviour of different road users and investigate the role various factors play in determining conflict severity. Data were analysed using the Traffic Conflict Technique and binary logistic regression. Results show that direction of traffic, time of day and the relevant road user’s age, gender and speed are important determinants of conflict severity. This study highlights the applicability of surrogate safety measures in traffic safety assessment in a developing country and demonstrates that quality data needed for road safety assessment in developing countries could be collected over a short period of time by making use of resources which are readily available

Professional development in teaching and learning for early career academic geographers: Contexts, practices and tensions

This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in Journal of Geography in Higher Education on 16th May 2011, available online: doi: 10.1080/03098265.2011.563380This paper provides a review of the practices and tensions informing approaches to professional development for early career academic geographers who are teaching in higher education. We offer examples from Britain, Canada, Nigeria and the USA. The tensions include: institutional and departmental cultures; models that offer generic and discipline-specific approaches; the credibility of alternative settings for professional development in teaching and learning; the valuing of professional development and of teaching in academic systems of reward and recognition; and the challenges of balancing professional and personal life. We summarize concepts of good practice and suggest opportunities for future research

A geographical analysis of ethnic distribution of jaw ameloblastoma in Nigerians

Introduction: Ameloblastoma is the most common odontogenic tumour in Nigeria. A definite geographic variation has been observed in the frequency of odontogenic tumors from different parts of the world. However, there is no study on the regional variations in Nigeria. Hence, this study was designed to document the ethnic and geographical distribution of jaw ameloblastoma in Nigeria.Methods: Archival data on ameloblastoma from 10 health facilities were obtained. Global Moran’s I detected geographic clustering in its distribution while Local Getis Ord indicated the location of ameloblastoma clusters. Chi-square tested associations between variables at 0.05 level of significance.Results: A total of 1,246 ameloblastoma cases were recorded in Nigeria. Besides substantial state variations, a South-North gradient was noticed in its distribution. Significant positive spatial autocorrelation was observed in the three major groups while ameloblas- toma hotspots were found in the SouthWestern and Northwestern Nigeria. The Igbos had a higher prevalence of ameloblastoma outside their home region than within.Conclusion: The study hypothesized that the geographical distribution of ameloblastoma in Nigeria is the result of all or one of the following:  the country’s tropical climate, migration patterns and health seeking behavior. Hopefully, these claims should lead to further enquiry on the underlying causes.Keywords: Ameloblastoma, ethnicity, spatial analysis, Nigeria

A geographical analysis of ethnic distribution of jaw ameloblastoma in Nigerians

Introduction: Ameloblastoma is the most common odontogenic tumour in Nigeria. A definite geographic variation has been observed in the frequency of odontogenic tumors from different parts of the world. However, there is no study on the regional variations in Nigeria. Hence, this study was designed to document the ethnic and geographical distribution of jaw ameloblastoma in Nigeria. Methods: Archival data on ameloblastoma from 10 health facilities were obtained. Global Moran\u2019s I detected geographic clustering in its distribution while Local Getis Ord indicated the location of ameloblastoma clusters. Chi-square tested associations between variables at 0.05 level of significance. Results: A total of 1,246 ameloblastoma cases were recorded in Nigeria. Besides substantial state variations, a South-North gradient was noticed in its distribution. Significant positive spatial autocorrelation was observed in the three major groups while ameloblastoma hotspots were found in the SouthWestern and Northwestern Nigeria. The Igbos had a higher prevalence of ameloblastoma outside their home region than within. Conclusion: The study hypothesized that the geographical distribution of ameloblastoma in Nigeria is the result of all or one of the following: the country\u2019s tropical climate, migration patterns and health seeking behavior. Hopefully, these claims should lead to further enquiry on the underlying causes. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/ahs.v19i1.44 Cite as: Adisa AO, Osayomi T, Effiom OA, Kolude B, Lawal AO, Soyele OO, et al. A geographical analysis of ethnic distribution of jaw ameloblastoma in Nigerians. Afri Health Sci. 2019;19(1). 1677-1686. https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/ ahs. v19i1.4

“Expect More Floods In 2013”: An analysis of flood preparedness in the flood prone City of Ibadan, Nigeria

In 2013, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) issued a prediction of heavy rainfall with consequent flooding in some major cities of Nigeria particularly Ibadan. In light of the country’s previous flood experiences, citizens and government were promptly alerted and advised to be fully prepared for imminent floods. Against this background, this paper sought to determine the level of flood preparedness among households in Ibadan where a survey of 275 households was conducted. Chi-square test was used to establish significant variations in the level of flood preparedness, the level of awareness of NIMET flood warning, flood risk perception and subscription to flood insurance. Findings show that the levels of awareness about NIMET flood warning (36.4%), flood risk perception (24.4%), flood preparedness (26.9%) and the flood insurance subscription rate (11.6%) were generally low. With the Chi square test, significant variations in the level of flood preparedness (X2= 32.984; p=0.000) and in flood insurance subscription (X2=27.585; p=0.002) were found in the city. The paper recommends that intensive public flood preparedness campaigns, higher flood insurance adoption, regular environmental sanitation among others should be taken in the future.Keywords: Floods, Flood insurance, Risk perception, Flood preparedness, Ibada

Orisa Sanponna : systèmes de santé indigènes, handicap et moralité dans la dramaturgie d'Osofisan

The relevance of indigenous literature (by this is meant African literature) as an important resource for the interrogation and understanding of the social construction of the body, illness, or well-being in the African context seems not to be of primary interest to most African researchers in the field of sociology of health. In this article we explore how the notion of Sanponna (the smallpox deity) depicted in Femi Osofisan’s play Esu and the Vagabond Minstrels can be integrated into disability and indigenous health systems in a way that acknowledges both the biological and social facts as well as how this experience can be interrogated within the domain of epistemological, ontological, and moral foundations and concerns. We rely on mythological and analytical approaches as the theoretical underpinning. We begin with a brief explanation of the concept and potential of Sanponna in Yoruba metaphysics. We also look for relationships between moral values and other socio-psychological dimensions and traditional understandings of disability. Thereafter, we briefly examine Orisa Sanponna and its possible impacts on characters and disability in Esu and the Vagabond Minstrels and conclude with an explanation of the relevance of the themes explored by Osofisan in the play to the Nigerian contemporary experience and situation.La pertinence de la littérature indigène (on entend par là la littérature africaine) en tant que ressource importante pour l'interrogation et la compréhension de la construction sociale du corps, de la maladie ou du bien-être dans le contexte africain semble ne pas être d'un intérêt primordial pour la plupart des chercheurs africains dans le domaine de la sociologie de la santé. Dans cet article, nous explorons comment la notion de Sanponna (la divinité de la variole) décrite dans la pièce de Femi Osofisan, Esu and the Vagabond Minstrels, peut être intégrée dans les systèmes de santé indigènes et d'invalidité d'une manière qui reconnaît les faits biologiques et sociaux, et comment cette expérience peut être interrogée dans le domaine des fondements et des préoccupations épistémologiques, ontologiques et morales. Notre fondement théorique s’appuie sur des approches mythologiques et analytiques. Nous commençons par une brève explication du concept et du potentiel de Sanponna dans la métaphysique Yoruba. Nous recherchons également les relations entre les valeurs morales et les autres dimensions socio-psychologiques et la signification traditionnelle du handicap. Par la suite, nous examinons brièvement Orisa Sanponna et ses impacts possibles sur les personnages et le handicap dans Esu and the Vagabond Minstrels et nous concluons par une explication de la pertinence des thèmes explorés par Osofisan dans la pièce pour l'expérience et la situation contemporaines du Nigeria

Small-area variations in overweight and obesity in an urban area of Nigeria: The role of fast food outlets

Overweight and obesity are two related health issues of epidemic proportions. In Nigeria, these health conditions have been emerging only recently. The extant literature shows inter-city variations in the prevalence of overweight and obesity in Nigeria. However, they say little about intra-city variations of these health problems in Nigerian urban centres. Thus, the focus of the study was to determine the small-area variations in the prevalence of overweight and obesity in an urban area of Nigeria and its association with socio-economic, environmental, dietary and lifestyle risk factors. With the aid of a questionnaire, information on the demographic, socio-economic, lifestyle, household and neighbourhood characteristics of respondents was obtained from respondents. Overweight and obesity were computed based on the self-reported height and weight of respondents, using the Body Mass Index (BMI) formula. A simple linear regression model was estimated to determine the individual and collective effects of risk factors. Findings showed that there were noticeable spatial variations in the prevalence of overweight and obesity which result from the varying contextual and compositional characteristics among the political wards of the Ibadan North LGA. Physical proximity to fast food outlets was the only significant factor driving the spatial pattern of obesity (b = 0.645; R2 = 0.416). The paper suggests that government and health officials should formulate area-specific obesity prevention and control plans to curb this growing epidemic in Nigeria