Women in Informal Cross-border Trading along Nigeria and Benin Republic Border: Challenges and Coping Strategies

The involvement of women in informal cross-border trading has become increasingly popular in recent time. Historically, women are acknowledged as active participants in the social, economic and political development of their respective societies. Earnings accruable from informal cross-border trading of women contributes to gross domestic purse through tax on importation of goods, custom excise duties and other charges that are sources of revenue to the government. As major players in the informal sector, women contribute maximally to total Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Although, men and women are engaged in cross-border trading, the benefits and the challenges involved are based on gender (GENTA, 2001). Pathetically, there is dearth of data on women in cross-border trade (WICBT) as there in no known women migration databank for sub-Saharan Africa. It is against this premise that this study investigated the specific challenges confronting women in informal cross-border trading in Nigeria; the involvement of government officials and relevant agencies in the challenges; and the coping strategies devised by women to overcome the challenges. Both quantitative and qualitative methods were adopted in data collection. The quantitative data involved the use of a self-designed structured questionnaire to elicit data from 60 women involved in Cross Border Trading (CBT). The snowball method of data collection was adopted in selecting the women. Qualitative data were collected with the use of in-depth interviews and focus group discussion. Data analysis consisted of the use of bi-viriate and bivariate statistical methods for quantitative data, while content analysis was adopted in the analysis of qualitative data. Findings showed that the main challenge faced by the women was seizure of goods by custom officers. It was discovered that the main coping strategies adopted by the women was to quit the trade. Among others, it was recommended that women should be encouraged in CBT through public enlightenment programmes that will enable them know about contraband goods and therefore be able avoid trading in them

Investigation of Amino and Fatty Acid Characterisation of Thevetia peruviana (Milk Bush) Seed

This study examined the amino acid profile and fatty acid analysis of Milk bush (thevetia peruviana) seed. The seeds were ground into very fine powder using three processing techniques. The parameters of interest were carried out using standard methods. The results of both essential and non-essential amino acids showed that the total essential amino acid content in oven-dried seed sample (OD.S), airdried seed sample (AD.S) and sun-dried seed sample (SD.S) were within the WHO Standard. It was observed that eighteen out of the twenty amino acids content of food were present in the seed with glutamic acid having the highest value, followed by aspartate and arginine. Also the eight essential amino acid needed in the daily diet were all present in the sample (arginine, valine, histidine, isoleucine, lysine, methionine, phenylanine, threonine, tryptophan and leucine). There were reductions in the level of some amino acids as a result of the processing treatments. The fatty acid analysis also revealed that the sample contained both saturated and unsaturated fatty acids. The unsaturated fatty acids for oven-dried, sun-dried and air-dried are 60.89, 2.21 and 20.47 respectively while the saturated fatty acids for oven-dried , sun-dried and air dried 26.15, 3.29 and 35.61 respectively. The result suggested that thevetia peruviana contains high quality protein and the oil is a good source of unsaturation which increases the shelf life and edibility of the oil. Keywords: Amino acid; Fatty acid; Characterization; Processing techniques; Milk-bush see

Knowledge and Attitudes about Breast Cancer among Women: A Wake-up Call in Nigeria

Preventable deaths resulting from the scourge of breast cancer has become alarming and worrisome in many societies in developing countries including Nigeria. Of much concern is the fact that breast cancer has continued to claim the precious lives of young, middle aged, old, educated and non-educated women irrespective of their religion, socio-economic background and socio-demographic characteristics. This study attempts to ascertain the knowledge and attitudes of women to breast cancer in Ogun State, Nigeria. The study adopts both primary and secondary data and relevant sociological theories to examine the level of knowledge and attitude of women towards breast cancer with the view of suggesting probable solutions and recommendations for policy

The evaluation of tertiary institution service quality using HiEdQUAL and fuzzy TOPSIS

One of the most important decisions that affect the future of young students is a decision as regards a Tertiary Institution of choice. In making such a decision, a number of factors are required which include service quality. Service quality consists of different attributes and many of them are intangible and difficult to measure, which means that using the conventional measurement approach is insufficient. This study presents an effective approach for evaluating and comparing service qualities of four Higher Institutions. Fuzzy set theory is adopted as a research template to resolve the ambiguity of service quality concepts and capture intra-uncertainties, which are associated with human judgments in decision making. In this study Extended HiEdQUAL educational service quality model was adopted to evaluate the respondents' judgments of service quality, Multi Attribute Decision Making method: TOPSIS is applied for the comparison among the tertiary Institutions. The importance weight of performance criteria are determined with Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process (FAHP). All the algorithms were implemented using Java programming language. This study was able to present the importance of each service quality factor, quantitatively reveal each institution’s weak and strong points, and rank the institutions according to the multiple criteria service quality measure

A comparative study of EEG abnormalities among subjects with inter-ictal psychosis and those with schizophrenia

Background: Electrophysiological investigation is an integral part in the management of neuropsychiatric disorders; but this is rare in developing countries including Nigeria.Objectives: The study aims to determine EEG abnormalities among subjects with inter-ictal psychosis in comparison to those with schizophrenia.Methods: A cross-sectional study of subjects with inter-ictal psychosis and those with schizophrenia. Each of the subjects that met the inclusion criteria had an awake EEG recording that lasted 45 minutes.Results: For PWEIP, the mean age was 23.9 (±13.8) years; and made up of 53 (53.0%) males; and for PWS, the mean age was 24.2 (±13.5) years; and there were 51 (51.0%) males. The EEG was normal in 53 (53.0%) of PWEIP and in 83 (83.0%) of PWS. EEG was abnormal in 47 (47.0%) of PWEIP, and 17 (17.0%) in those with PWS, and these were all ‘epileptiform’ activities, and the difference was statistically significant with X2 =20.7 (Fisher’s exact test), df=1 and p=0.00**. Conclusion: A number of subjects in our sample with inter-ictal psychosis and PWS had EEG epileptiform activities reflecting cerebral insults in early life. Thus, preventive measures such as good antenatal care are advocated to minimize the occurrence of these neuro-psychiatric disorders.Keywords: EEG abnormalities, inter-ictal psychosis, schizophreni

Knowledge and Attitudes about Breast Cancer among Women: A Wake-Up Call in Nigeria

BACKGROUND: Preventable deaths resulting from the scourge of breast cancer has become alarming and worrisome in many societies in developing countries, including Nigeria. Of much concern is the fact that breast cancer has continued to claim the precious lives of young, middle-aged, old, educated and non-educated women irrespective of their religion, socio-economic background and socio-demographic characteristics. AIM: This study attempts to ascertain the knowledge and attitudes of women to breast cancer in Ogun State, Nigeria. METHODS: The study adopts both primary and secondary data sources to examine the level of knowledge and attitude of women towards breast cancer with the view of suggesting probable solutions and recommendations for policy. RESULTS: The result indicates that the awareness about breast cancer is overwhelming but only few women know about mammography; women in older age are 0.193 times less likely to attend breast cancer screening (p=0.000). Older women with secondary education that are either self-employed outside the home or full-time housewives are unfavourably disposed to breast cancer screening. CONCLUSION: The authors recommend that concerned stakeholders in the health sector and policy decision makers should intensify action on cancer programmes and campaigns that could target older women especially housewives and women in middle level educatio

Medicinal plant cultivation for sustainable use and commercialisation of high-value crops

Many traditional healing systems are based on natural biological resources, and there is a general shift in most parts of the world towards natural medicine, with direct implications on the demand and supply of medicinal plants. This review highlights the economic importance of medicinal plants, their contribution to healthcare systems, and potential opportunities for rural economic development through cultivation.  A systematic literature review with specific search terms related to medicinal plants was used to collect scientific and non-scientific information from peer-reviewed literature and grey literature databases. The findings indicate that trade in medicinal plants is increasing, and although they are considered minor crops compared to major food crops, their value is among the highest in the list of traded plants globally. The trade also serves as a revenue source for many rural livelihoods, with women playing a significant role. Medicinal plants contribute to primary health care in many developing countries, and they are also an essential source of modern drug discovery. Cultivation of medicinal plants offers emerging rural farmers an opportunity to grow these plants as new and alternative crops, thus reducing unsustainable wild harvesting and competition with established commercial farmers who mostly focus on food crops. Furthermore, medicinal plant cultivation should be promoted as one of the options for local economic development and sustainability through job creation, the revival of the rural economy, and income generation for small businesses, such as the transport businesses, involved in the value chain. Land accessibility, financial resources, and direct market access for rural communities can elevate their contribution to the industry. Formalisation of the lower levels of the medicinal plant trade is also recommended. Significance:• Cultivation is a viable option for biodiversity conservation of medicinal plants and ensuring a goodquality supply of plant materials.• Cultivation of medicinal plants – a source of natural products used in product development – can contribute to job creation, income generation, and rural economies in developing countries.• This review underlines the importance of medicinal plants in product development, the contribution of the industry to economies of different countries, and the potential for cultivation

Variations in Family Attitudes towards Coping with People Living with Mental Illness

BACKGROUND: The major challenge faced in Nigeria regarding the care of people living with mental illness are a stigma, caregiver burden and financial aid. This has led to high premature deaths and has also hindered the attainment of Sustainable Development Goal 3 target 4. In an attempt to find lasting solutions to increased mortality caused by mental illness, it is important to evaluate family attitudes towards people living with mental illness.AIM: To examine variations in family attitudes towards coping with people living with mental illness in Nigeria.SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Thirty In-Depth Interview (IDI) were conducted among caregivers of people living with mental illness (those presently receiving treatment and those recovering). During all the interview sessions, field notes were taken. Responses from interviewees were transcribed and analysed with the aid of ‘systematic-content analysis.RESULTS: It found out that family members of people living with mental illness or caregivers usually suffer from stress and stigma, which affects adherence to treatment.CONCLUSION: Caregivers must have sufficient knowledge and support to assume the responsibilities of caring for the mentally ill, leading to recurrence. The caregiver remains in contact with professional healthcare workers and helps the mentally ill with decision-making and matters affecting their daily life