Knowledge of blood donation among adults in north-central Nigeria

Background: About half of the population in Nigeria is medically fit for blood donation but only four in one thousand are voluntary donors. The low level of blood donation has been attributed to poor knowledge, misconceptions, myths, bias, poverty, fear, malnutrition among the population. Therefore, this study assessed the knowledge of blood donation among adults in two selected North Central States of Nigeria.Methods: It was a descriptive cross-sectional study. A total of 3104 respondents comprising of adults between 18 and 60 years were involved in the study. A multistage sampling technique was used and the research tool was interviewer-administered questionnaire. The data generated were entered into the computer and subjected to appropriate statistical analysis using EPI INFO computer software package (version 3.5.3). Pearson Chi Square (χ2) was used to test statistical significance and p-value was set at < 0.05.Results: Majority of the respondents 2565 (82.5%) knew that blood donation save lives. More than three-quarters, 2468 (79.5%), knew where to go for voluntary blood donation. About one-third, (37.1%), demonstrated good knowledge of voluntary blood donation. Older respondents (>60 years) had poor knowledge of blood transfusion compared with younger age groups (p<0.001). Respondents’ occupation and educational status were significantly associated with knowledge of blood transfusion (p<0.001)Conclusion: Periodic awareness programme on voluntary blood donation in rural and urban areas across Nigeria is needed. In addition, sensitization of the informal sector on the significance of non-remunerated voluntary blood donation should be given priority.Keywords: Knowledge, Blood, Donation, North-Central, Nigeri

Ethnobotanical survey on antihypertensive medicinal plants in municipality of Ouémé, Southern Benin

Background and aims: Hypertension is one of the most common causes of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular complications in human which take care requires permanent monitoring and lifelong treatment. Therefore, patients use herbal medicine to manage their disease. This study was conducted to list the medicinal plants used to manage hypertension in municipality of Ouémé, Southern Bénin. Methods:The survey was conducted by oral interviews using a structure questionnaire. These questionnaires were administered to randomly selected vendors, traditional medicine practitioners and person resource. The specimen of each species was deposited at the National Herbarium of the University of Abomey-Calavi and the Relative Frequency Citation was calculated. Results: 77 plants belonging to 46 families were recorded for the treatment of hypertension in department of Ouémé. 37 antihypertensive recipes were identified. Caesalpiniaceae, Annonnaceae, and Rubiaceae were the most represented. Allium Sativum was the most used species against hypertension with relative frequency of citation of 0.155 following by Persea americana (RFC= 0.134). The most parts used was aerial part (23.08) followed by the leaves (21.98). The principal mode of used is decoction (72.35) and the main mode of administration was the oral route. Conclusion: The survey enables to indicate plants species used to manage hypertension in department of Ouémé. The document resulting from this study is an effective way to preserve knowledge in traditional medicine. However, pharmacological screening of these plant species is very important to check their effectiveness

Determinants of voluntary blood donation among adults in communities of north central region of Nigeria

Objective: The collection of blood from voluntary, non-remunerated blood donors is an important measure for ensuring the safety, quality, availability and accessibility of blood. The study assessed factors affecting voluntary blood donation in North-central zone, Nigeria.Methods: The study design was descriptive cross-sectional, data was collected using a pre-tested interviewer administered questionnaire from 3104 respondents using multistage sampling technique. Data was analyzed using EPI INFO computer software package (version 3.5.3). Level of significance was pre-determined at p-value < 0.05 at a confidence level of 95%.Results: Respondents with good knowledge of voluntary blood donation had better practice of voluntary blood donation. Younger age groups were 8 times more likely to donate blood voluntarily than older respondents. Yoruba ethnic groups are 1.5 times more likely to donate blood than other ethnic groups.Conclusion: For Nigeria and other developing countries at large to achieve 100% voluntary blood donation drive by year 2020, it is critical to change the blood donation culture from replacement to that of volunteerism through more effective communication and mobilization of donors. These efforts must be rendered more methodical and accomplished through a wider range of strategies.Keywords: Determinants, voluntary, blood, donation, Nigeri

Governance Transparency of Tax Revenue Performance in West Africa

This paper summarizes the arguments and counterarguments within the scientific discussion on the issue of governance and taxation revenue performance. The main purpose of the research is to examine the influence of management on tax revenue performance in West African countries. Specifically, the study aimed to investigate the impact of regulatory quality (political stability) and (voice and accountability) on tax revenue performance in West African countries; and to assess the effect of governance efficiency (the rule of law and control of corruption) on the performance of tax generation of West African countries. Secondary data were sourced from Governance indicators which cover 2005 to 2017. Regression analysis was employed to test the research hypotheses: regulatory quality does not significantly influence tax revenue performance in West African countries; and government efficiency does significantly affect tax revenue in West African countries. Sixteen West African countries were purposively chosen because of governance issues such as political instability and government ineffectiveness. The paper presents the results of an empirical analysis, which showed that regulatory quality, political stability and absence of violence, and voice and accountability have insignificant impacts (p-value>5% level of significance) on tax revenue performance. Moreover, government effectiveness, the rule of law and control of corruption have positive and significant impacts (p-value<5% level of significance) on tax revenue performance in West African countries. The study concludes that governance affects tax revenue performance in West African Countries; thus, the study recommends, among others that government should come up with realistic policies that will increase public and civil service quality

Screening African rice (Oryza glaberrima) for tolerance to abiotic stresses: I. Fe toxicity

AbstractIron (Fe) toxicity is recognized as one of the most widely spread soil constraints for rice production especially in West Africa. Oryza glaberrima the cultivated rice species that originated from West Africa is well-adapted to its growing ecologies. The aim of this study was to identify the promising O. glaberrima accessions tolerant to Fe toxicity from the 2106 accessions held at the AfricaRice gene bank. The screenings were conducted over a four-year period and involved evaluating the entries under Fe-toxic field conditions in West Africa, selecting good yielding accessions and repeating the testing with newly selected lines. Three accessions (TOG 7206, TOG 6218-B and TOG 7250-A) were higher yielding than O. sativa checks under stress but with similar yields under control conditions. These accessions yielded over 300g/m2 under both Fe toxicity and control conditions. In conclusion, these materials could be used as donors in breeding programs for developing high yielding rice varieties suited to Fe toxicity affected areas in West Africa

Assessment of Groundwater Quality and Hydrogeological Profiles within Odeda Local Government, Abeokuta, Southwest Nigeria

Groundwater quality can be affected by human activities such as agriculture and improper sewage disposal facilities currently in use by some homeowners within Odeda local government, Ogun State Nigeria. Sixty groundwatersamples collected from hand-dug wellswere analysed for physicochemical and bacteriological parameters using standard procedures. Results were integrated with multivariate and hydrogeochemical analyses to assess groundwater quality and hydrogeologycal facies within the study area. The range of values for the measured parameters&nbsp; include: pH (5.91 – 7.4), EC (101- 1142 μScm-1), TDS (50 - 581 mg L-1), NO3-(3 - 18 mg L-1), Cl- (25 – 234 mg L-1 ), BOD (0.1 – 17.9) and E. Coli (ND - 45×10cfu mL-1). The piper trilinear plot shows that the dominant hydrochemical facies in&nbsp; the study area is the Ca2+– Cl− type. A correlation analysis and a principal component analysis reflect dissolutions from basal rocks and contamination from biological wastes possibly arising from surrounding septic tanks or municipal waste disposal sites. There is need for a continuous monitoring of groundwater by relevant regulatory authorities to safeguard the human health and environment within the study area

From cassava to gari: Mapping of quality characteristics and end-user preferences in Cameroon and Nigeria

User's preferences of cassava and cassava products along the value chain are supported by specific root quality characteristics that can be linked to root traits. Therefore, providing an evidence base of user preferred characteristics along the value chain, can help in the functional choice of cassava varieties. In this respect, the present paper presents the results from focus group discussions and individual interviews on user preferred quality characteristics of raw cassava roots and the derived product, gari, ‐ one of the major cassava products in Sub Saharan Africa ‐ in major production and consumption areas of Cameroon and Nigeria. Choice of cassava varieties for farming is mainly determined by the multiple end‐uses of the roots, their agricultural yield and the processing determinants of roots that support their major high‐quality characteristics: size, density, low water content, maturity, colour and safety. Processing of cassava roots into gari goes through different technological variants leading to a gari whose high‐quality characteristics are: dryness, colour, shiny/attractive appearance, uniform granules and taste. Eba, the major consumption form of gari in Cameroon and Nigeria is mainly characterized by its textural properties: smoothness, firmness, stickiness, elasticity, mouldability. Recommendations are made, suggesting that breeding will have to start evaluating cassava clones for brightness/shininess, as well as textural properties such as mouldability and elasticity of cassava food products, for the purpose of supporting decision‐making by breeders and the development of high‐throughput selection methods of cassava varieties. Women are identified as important beneficiaries of such initiatives giving their disadvantaged position and their prominent role in cassava processing and marketing of gari

Current Trend of Transfusion Transmissible Infections among Voluntary Blood Donors in North Central Nigeria

No Abstract

Screening African rice (Oryza glaberrima) for tolerance to abiotic stresses: I. Fe toxicity.

Iron (Fe) toxicity is recognized as one of the most widely spread soil constraints for rice production especially in West Africa. Oryza glaberrima the cultivated rice species that originated from West Africa is well-adapted to its growing ecologies. The aim of this study was to identify the promising O. glaberrima accessions tolerant to Fe toxicity from the 2106 accessions held at the AfricaRice gene bank. The screenings were conducted over a four-year period and involved evaluating the entries under Fe-toxic field conditions in West Africa, selecting good yielding accessions and repeating the testing with newly selected lines. Three accessions (TOG 7206, TOG 6218-B and TOG 7250-A) were higher yielding than O. sativa checks under stress but with similar yields under control conditions. These accessions yielded over 300 g/m2 under both Fe toxicity and control conditions. In conclusion, these materials could be used as donors in breeding programs for developing high yielding rice varieties suited to Fe toxicity affected areas in West Africa