MARIJUANA SMOKING AMONG SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN ZARIA, NIGERIA: FACTORS RESPONSIBLE AND EFFECTS ON ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE

Background: The use of Marijuana is on the increase worldwide especially among adolescents and youths. Marijuana smoking has gained a foothold in our environment because of peer group influence, accessibility and availability. Its medico-social effects could ruin the life and future of our youths. This study was undertaken to determine the prevalence and the factors that influence secondary school students in Zaria LGA to smoke and the effects on academic performance. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was employed to generate data among secondary schoolstudents. A multi-stage sampling technique was used. Data was collected with the use of a structured, pre tested self-administered questionnaire. ƒÓ2 test was used to test for significance of associationbetween categorical variables. Results: Of the 350 respondents, 262 (74.9%) were males, while 88 (25.1%) were females. The studyshows that 33 of the students smoke marijuana giving a prevalence of 9.4%. There were more smokers in the age group 15-19 years (54.6%). Other factors that influence marijuana smoking include familybackground, peer pressure and attendance of social functions. There was better academic performance (51.1%) among non smokers as compared to smokers (27.2%), and this was found to be statisticallysignificant (x2 = 11.73,df = 5,P < .05) There was also statistically significant association between age and marijuana smoking (x2 = 24,df = 2,P < .05) Conclusion: The prevalence of marijuana smoking is high. Age, family background, peer pressure and attendance of social function influence marijuana smoking. A comprehensive school health educationprogram should be instituted to curtail this menac

Khidā’ al-Mutaṭarrifīn fī Istikhdām al-Lugah al-‘Arabiyyah Wasīilah li al-Taṭarruf

This research attempts to explain and clarify the relationship between Boko Haram and the Arabic language and its use of Arabic, especially under a religious slogan, and that this relationship is arbitrary, neither a religious nor an Arabic linguistic relationship. It also addresses the discovery of Boko Haram as a terrorist sect financed by a terrorist group in a hidden guise to achieve an aim they seek. The research includes three axes after the introduction. The first axis is limited to introducing Boko Haram, the second axis talks about Boko Haram and its use of the Arabic language under a religious slogan, the third axis is the negative effects left by the Boko Haram group, and then the conclusion, which mentions the findings and results of the research

Isolation and characterization of bioactive compound from

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Non-medical use of pharmaceutical drugs and motivation for change among street youth in Kano, Nigeria

Non-medical use of pharmaceutical drugs among the young Nigerian population is an increasing public health concern. There is a dire need for a&nbsp; robust understanding of the problem as well as factors affecting behaviour change. This study investigated factors influencing non-medical use of pharmaceutical drugs, consequences, and motivation to stop use among street youth in Kano, Nigeria. Twenty-nine street youth selected through the snowballing sampling technique were involved in focus group discussions. Participants aged between 18 and 29 years. Sensation seeking, mood-altering, confidence, and energy boost were upheld as the major reasons for drug use; while poor health outcomes, financial problems, and&nbsp; interpersonal dysfunction were the main consequences discussed by the focus group. Many of the participants indicated the intention to stop drug use but expressed concern about difficulties in accessing treatment. Preventive and psycho-social treatment measures for non-medical use of pharmaceutical drugs targeting this group should be made accessible and affordable. Keywords: motivation for change, non-medical use, pharmaceutical drugs, street yout

Determinants of Place of Delivery among Women in a Semi-Urban Settlement in Zaria, Northern Nigeria

Background : Majority of the maternal deaths that occur especially in developing countries are avoidable or preventable. Studies have shown that the health, reproductive behaviour and socio economic status of women are among the important determinants of maternal mortality. This study was aimed at assessing the role of some health, socio-economic and demographic factors in determining the place of delivery among women in a semi-urban settlement in Zaria, north-western Nigeria. Methods : The study design was a cross sectional descriptive study conducted in Sabuwar Unguwa, Magume district Zaria Local Government Area Kaduna State Nigeria in June, 2003.A total of 496 women who had delivered at least once were interviewed using a pre-tested interviewer administered questionnaire. Results: The study revealed both high rates of home deliveries and deliveries not supervised by skilled attendants of 70% and 78% respectively. Mother's educational level, husband's occupation and age at first pregnancy were the main determinants of place of delivery. Statistically significant associations between non- formal education and home delivery, (\u3c72 = 6.7 df = 1 P&lt;0.05) age at first pregnancy and home delivery (\u3c72 =18.7 df = 1 P&lt;0.05) were observed. There was no statistical significance between employment status of fathers and home delivery (\u3c72 = 0.59 df = 1 P&gt;0.05). Conclusion: Low maternal education, unemployment among fathers, first pregnancies at less than 18 years of age increase the likelihood of home delivery in Sabuwar Unguwa, Magume district of Zaria. Girl child education, income generating activities and training of TBAs could reduce the high rate of home deliveries and its consequences in the study area.Introduction: La plupart des femmes meurent \ue0 la suite d'accouchement particuli\ue8rement dans les pays en voie de d\ue9veloppement. Pourtant des mesures pr\ue9ventives peuvent \ueatre prises. Des \ue9tudes ont montre que le saut\ue9 des femmes en grossesse, la sant\ue9 des femmes en travail, l'espacement des naisseuses et la situation socio- \ue9conomique figurent parmi les causes importantes de la mortalit\ue9 maternelle. L'objectif de cette \ue9tude est de' examiner le r\uf4le que Jouent des facteur sanitaire, socio-\ue9conomique et d\ue9mographique dans le choix du lieu d'accouchement dans un faubourg de Zaria au nord - ouest du Nigeria. M\ue9thode: Cette \ue9tude a \ue9t\ue9 men\ue9e \ue1 Sabuwar Unguwa, un quartier p\ue9riph\ue9rique de Magume situ\ue9 \ue0 Zaria dans l'\ue9tat de Kaduna en Juin 2003. Une fraction repr\ue9sentative d'une population de 496 femmes d'ages et classes sociales diff\ue9rentes et qui ont accouche ou moins une fois a \ue9t\ue9 choisie en vue d'une interview. Des questions auteueunes pour lasses interviews out \ue9t\ue9 pos\ue9es. R\ue9sultats: L'\ue9tude a rivel\ue9 respectivement un taux \ue9lev\ue9 de 70% et 80% des accouchements \ue1 domicile et des accouchements sans surveillance m\ue9dicale assur\ue9e par des gyn\ue9cologues ou si\ue8ge femmes sp\ue9cialis\ue9es Le rivaux d'\ue9ducation de la m\ue8re la profession du mari et l'age d\ue9s la premi\ue8re grossesse sont consid\ue8re comme des facteurs importants qui d\ue9terminent le lieu d'accouchement. Des rapports statistique importants entre l'\ue9ducation informelle et l'accouchement a domicile (\u3c72 = 6. 7 df = 1 P &lt; 0.05), l'age d\ue9s la premi\ue8re grossesse et l'accouchement \ue1 domicile (\u3c72 = 18. 7 df = 1 P&lt; 0.05) ont \ue9t\ue9 observ\ue9s. Aucun rapports statistique important n'a \ue9t\ue9 observ\ue9 entre la profession des man's et l'accouchement a domicile (\u3c72 = 0.59 df = 1 P &gt; 0.05) Conclusion: La baisse de l'\ue9ducation des femmes, le ch\uf4mage des maris et la grossesse pr\ue9coce grossissent probablement la nombre des accouchements \ue1 domicile a Margum\ue9 \ue1 Zaria. L'\ue9ducation des filles. Les activit\ue9s qui permettent de grogner d'argent, (training of TBAs) le cr\ue9ation de bonnes maternit\ue9s dans cette p\ue9riph\ue9rie r\ue9duirai eut le taux d'accouchements \ue1 domicile et ses cons\ue9quences