Developing a Cadastral Information System for Part of Fadaman-Mada Area of Bauchi Metropolis for Sustainable Development.

The study integrated and updated the entire Fadama-mada area with a comprehensive digital map and cadastral data. The raster image from the analogue maps was also fully utilised. Scanned images were sent to Auto CAD environment for proper geo-referencing. Positions of updated features were added using coordinate geometry (COGO). Drawings were properly edited using Arc view 3.2. Graphics were linked with non-spatial attributes data base. The result of this exercise was checked by some GIS operation and analysis; digital map of Fadaman-Mada was produced; and feature details shown in graphics and tables. Thus, for sustainable development, Cadastral Information System (CIS) has been made more effective for the monitoring, evaluation and management of cadastral records in government ministries,  local government offices as well as other related government agencies.Key words: Fadaman-Mada, Cadastral, GIS, Coordinate Geometry

Analysis of the drivers and benefits of BIM incorporation into quantity surveying profession: academia and students' perspectives

Purpose – Building information modeling (BIM) inclusion in education pedagogy is crucial in preparing skilled graduates for employment in the construction industry. Against this backdrop, studies on BIM education abound in Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) programmes in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). However, there is limited empirical studies on BIM potentials in the quantity surveying (QS) profession in HEIs, particularly in developing countries. The purpose of this study is to identify and assess the BIM drivers and benefits as important to the QS profession using an empirical approach. Design/methodology/approach – A comprehensive literature review was conducted to identify the BIM drivers and benefits in relation to the QS profession, which was employed to design a questionnaire. In order to capture a broad perception, a questionnaire survey was carried out which targeted the academia and final year undergraduate students from two selected universities offering QS honour degree programmes in Nigeria. Data collected were analysed using mean score, standard deviation, and Mann-Whitney test. Findings – The study identified 12 BIM drivers in relation to the QS profession and the analysis of the ranking revealed that almost all the identified BIM drivers are considered by respondents as important. The study further identified 14 BIM benefits and the analysis of the ranking indicated that all the identified BIM benefits are considered as important. The results of the Mann-Whitney test indicated a very slight statistically significant difference, particularly in one of the selected universities on the ranking of the BIM drivers and benefits as important to the QS profession. Practical implication – The findings of the study provide empirical evidence on the current perceptions of the drivers and benefits of BIM to QS academia and students as they explore the concept for the advancement of QS profession. Originality/value – This study would provide practical insights to utilize BIM for QS practice. Also, this study would contribute to improving the QS graduates and professional quantity surveyors understanding of the BIM knowledge applicable to QS profession. Keywords: BIM, drivers, higher education institutions, quantity surveying, Nigeri

Prescribing indicators at primary health care centers within the WHO African region: a systematic analysis (1995-2015)

Abstract Background Rational medicine use is essential to optimize quality of healthcare delivery and resource utilization. We aim to conduct a systematic review of changes in prescribing patterns in the WHO African region and comparison with WHO indicators in two time periods 1995–2005 and 2006–2015. Methods Systematic searches were conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Web of science, Africa-Wide Nipad, Africa Journals Online (AJOL), Google scholar and International Network for Rational Use of Drugs (INRUD) Bibliography databases to identify primary studies reporting prescribing indicators at primary healthcare centres (PHCs) in Africa. This was supplemented by a manual search of retrieved references. We assessed the quality of studies using a 14-point scoring system modified from the Downs and Black checklist with inclusions of recommendations in the WHO guidelines. Results Forty-three studies conducted in 11 African countries were included in the overall analysis. These studies presented prescribing indicators based on a total 141,323 patient encounters across 572 primary care facilities. The results of prescribing indicators were determined as follows; average number of medicines prescribed per patient encounter = 3.1 (IQR 2.3–4.8), percentage of medicines prescribed by generic name =68.0 % (IQR 55.4–80.3), Percentage of encounters with antibiotic prescribed =46.8 % (IQR 33.7–62.8), percentage of encounters with injection prescribed =25.0 % (IQR 18.7–39.5) and the percentage of medicines prescribed from essential medicines list =88.0 % (IQR 76.3–94.1). Prescribing indicators were generally worse in private compared with public facilities. Analysis of prescribing across two time points 1995–2005 and 2006–2015 showed no consistent trends. Conclusions Prescribing indicators for the African region deviate significantly from the WHO reference targets. Increased collaborative efforts are urgently needed to improve medicine prescribing practices in Africa with the aim of enhancing the optimal utilization of scarce resources and averting negative health consequences

Injuries in male and female semi-professional football (soccer) players in Nigeria: prospective study of a National Tournament

BACKGROUND: Research on the epidemiology of football injuries in Africa is very sparse despite its importance for injury prevention planning in a continent with limited sports medicine resources. The vast majority of studies available in literature were conducted in Europe and only a very few studies have prospectively reported the pattern of football injury in Africa. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incidence and pattern of injuries in a cohort of male and female semi-professional football players in Nigeria. METHODS: A prospective cohort design was conducted, in which a total of 756 players with an age range of 18–32 years (356 males and 300 females) from 22 different teams (12 male and 10 female teams), were prospectively followed in a National Football Tournament. Physiotherapists recorded team exposure and injuries. Injuries were documented using the consensus protocol for data collection in studies relating to football injury surveillance. RESULTS: An overall incidence of 113.4 injuries/1000 h (95% CI 93.7–136.0) equivalent to 3.7 injuries/match and time-loss incidence of 15.6 injuries/1000 h were recorded for male players and 65.9 injuries/1000 h (95% CI 48.9–86.8) equivalent to 2.2 injuries/match and time-loss incidence of 7.9 injuries/1000 h were recorded for female players. Male players had a significantly higher risk of injuries [IRR = 1.72 (95% CI 1.23–2.45)]. Injuries mostly affected the lower extremity for both genders (n = 81, 70% and n = 31, 62% for males and females respectively). Lower leg contusion (n = 22, 19%) and knee sprain (n = 9, 18%) were the most common specific injury types for male and female players respectively. Most of the injuries were as a result of contact with another player (n = 102, 88%—males; n = 48, 96%—females). Time-loss injuries were mostly estimated as minimal (n = 11, 69%) for male players and severe (n = 4, 66%) for female players. CONCLUSION: The overall incidence of injuries among Nigerian semi-professional football players is high but most of the injuries do not result in time-loss. Pattern of injuries is mostly consistent with previous studies. More prospective studies are needed to establish injury prevention initiatives among African players

Macula Lesions in Retinitis Pigmentosa

Aim: To describe the pattern of macula lesions in patients with retinitis pigmentosa attending a Retina outpatient clinic in Ibadan, Nigeria. Methodology: A retrospective review of patients with retinitis pigmentosa seen at the Retina clinic of the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria between May 2018 and June 2022. Data analysis was by SPSS (version 23) and statistical significance was placed at p < 0.05. Results: Forty-six (2.4%) of 1911 patients seen at the retina clinic during the study period had a diagnosis of retinitis pigmentosa. There were 24 (55.8%) males and 19 (44.2%) females. The mean age was 39.4 ± 19.2 years (range of 9 to 78 years). Eighty-six percent of patients were of the Yoruba ethnic group. The most common ocular complaint was poor vision which was present in forty patients (93.0%), followed by poor night vision in 26 (74.3%) patients and loss of peripheral vision in 11 (47.8%) patients. Visual impairment was present in 72.2% of patients. Maculopathy accounted for 61.3 percent of patients with visual impairment. Fifty-three (68.9%) eyes had macula lesions. This accounted for 62. 8% of all patients with RP. The macula lesions include atrophic maculopathy, cystoid macula oedema and epiretinal membrane. Atrophic maculopathy was the most common maculopathy. Coexisting ocular morbidities such as cataract dominantly of the posterior subcapsular morphology was present in 33 (42.3%) eyes while glaucoma was present in two eyes of a single patient. Conclusion: Macula lesions in retinitis pigmentosa may be a main cause of visual impairment in this population. Atrophic maculopathy is the most prevalent macula lesion associated with RP in this study

Identification with the job and job satisfaction: A predictor - creterion relationship

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Bridging the regional and information gaps to achieve quality in higher education

This article discusses the issue of regional cooperation and development with specific reference to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The paper points out that although higher education may still be nationally based, it can no longer be considered as nationally bound. Consequently, systems for quality assurance, which are nationally limited in reach and scope, do no longer satisfy. In fact, the domestic process for quality assurance, which was historically not intended to serve a regional or international purpose, has become grossly inadequate. Inter-universities cooperation, and not isolation, therefore, is indispensable parapher nalia for the region to achieve social, economic, political and technological breakthrough. However, the paper identifies some inhibiting factors, such as low absorptive capacity of the economy, ideological bi-polarity, regional dichotomy, kaleidoscopic nature of political environment and undeveloped economy, which limit ECOWAS in achieving the status of European Community Union (ECU) sequel to their cooperative venture in Higher Education. Nonetheless, the article foresees a ray of hope for the ECOWAS, based on the global examples of exchange programmes and centralisation of research activities through the apparatus of Information Communication Technologies (ICT). The paper concludes by making suggestions that could harness and enhance the abundant resources of higher education in the region for the optimum benefits of its people. Makerere Journal of Higher Education Vol. 1, 2004: 172-18

Effect of tillage on soil physical properties, growth and yield of amaranth

A study was conducted to determine the effect of tillage, namely, no-tillage (NT), slashing (SH), ploughing (PHO), ploughing plus harrowing (PHA), ploughing plus harrowing plus bedding (PHB), on soil physical properties, growth and shoot yield of large-green leafy amaranth (Amaranth sp.). Soil moisture retention and infiltration rates were also measured in two cropping seasons. Soil moisture retention did not reflect any significant differences in the first and second season at 0-10 cm depth. However, at 10-20 cm depth, PHA treatment gave the highest values at all the suction points (