Agricultural Development Programme's (ADP's) effectiveness in the use of mass media for agricultural information dissemination to farmers in Imo State, Nigeria

This study sought to assess ADP’s effective use of mass media in agricultural information dissemination to farmers in Imo state, Nigeria. A total of  120 farmers were selected through multi-stage sampling technique. Interview schedule was used to elicit information on farmers’ accessibility of agricultural information through mass media, perceived level of use of mass media in receiving agricultural information among farmers and to determine the perceived effectiveness of ADP’s use of mass media in agricultural information dissemination. Data collected were analyzed using frequency distribution, percentages, mean, and PPMC to test the hypothesis at 0.05 level of significance. The result shows that the majority (88.3%) of the respondents accessed agricultural information through radio. Perceived level of use of mass media in receiving agricultural information (58.3%) was low. Use of mass media in agricultural information dissemination by ADP (59.2%) was ineffective. There was significant relationshipbetween the perceived level of use of mass media in receiving agricultural information (r=0.64) and the perceived effectiveness of ADP’s use of mass media in agricultural information dissemination. The use of mass media in agricultural information dissemination in Imo State by ADP was  ineffective. This work recommends that ADP in Imo State establish their own indigenous mass media tools to ensure its effective use by extension agents and control of content for agricultural information dissemination. Keywords: ADP, Agricultural information dissemination, Mass medi

CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AS A MEDIUM IN THE EMPOWERMENT OF LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SCIENCE EDUCATORS FOR EFFECTIVE KNOWLEDGE DELIVERY AND SUSTAINABLE EDUCATION IN SOUTH EAST, NIGERIA

This study investigated continuing professional Development as a medium in the empowerment of library and information science Educators for effective knowledge delivery and sustainable Education in south East Nigeria. Five research questions guided the study. The study adopted descriptive survey design. The population of the study consisted of 282 library information science educators in five selected federal universities in South East, Nigeria. The validated instrument was trial tested using 20 respondent which comprises of 15 female library information science Educators (LISE) and5 male LISE which was outside the study area. The overall reliability coefficient of 0.89 of the instrument was ascertained using cronbach Alpha reliability method. Similarly, Frequency distribution(F) and percentage (%) was used in data analysis. The major findings revealed that adequate it innovative skills must serve as a catalyst in promoting continuing professional Development programme among library information science Educators (LISE’S) in South-East Nigeria. Based on the findings, it was recommended that a sound technical training, re-training and skill improvement programs are to be created to continuously induct the staff to the newly emerging technologies and method and professional should be encourage to participate in refreshers courses, symposia, seminars, conferences and workshop. This would offer broad exposure to technical competency and efficiency of the professional Educators for effective service delivery

Phytochemical screening and anti-inflammatory evaluation of methanolic and aqueous extracts of Euphorbia heterophylla Linn (Euphorbiaceae)

Euphobia heterophylla is a local medicinal plant used in ethnomedicine for the treatment of constipation, bronchitis and asthma. The aqueous decoction and the methanolic extracts were subjected to anti-inflammatory activity using experimental animal model, in the presence of the positive control drugs. The inflammation was induced by carraegenean. From the results obtained the aqueous extract showed significant activity (P < 0.001) comparable to the reference drug used. At the different dose range used (50, 100 and 150 mg/kg), there was no significant differences in their anti-inflammatory activity hence they were not dose-dependent. However, the methanolic extract did not show any appreciable activity (20-24% inhibition) and were also not dose-dependent. The results of the study showed the justification of the use of the plant in the treatment of inflammatory disease conditions, and the active chemical constituents when isolated will be added to the present anti-inflammatory agents.Key words: Anti-inflammatory activity, Euphorbia heterophylla, leaf extract

APPLICATIONS AND PERCEIVED IMPACT OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN ACADEMIC LIBRARIES IN NIGERIA

This paper expounds the application and perceived impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in academic libraries in Nigeria. Libraries especially in developing countries may become moribund in the 21 century unless they begin to harness new, smart and intelligent technologies for improved operations and service delivery. This research adopted a literature-based approach to x-ray the applications and perceived impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in academic libraries in Nigeria. Through a systematic analysis and review of literature, the study brought to limelight the current state of AI integration in academic libraries in Nigeria and its possible impact on library services, collections, users, professionals and general library operations and services. The application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in academic libraries has the potential to revolutionize library operations and services. Some of the identifies AI tools include: Natural Language Recognition, Robotics, Big Data, Data Mining, Chatbot, Machine Learning, Pattern Recognition and Expert system. Findings from the study revealed that the application of AI in academic libraries have the potentials to increases productivity, improved customer satisfaction through personalization, easy availability and accessibility of information, easy collaboration and knowledge sharing, virtual assistance and chatbots, and ultimately increase overall operational effectiveness. This paper also explored some of the challenges associated with the application of AI technologies in academic libraries in Nigeria such as poor ICT skills and technical expertise, high initial costs of implementation, phobia for job displacement, epileptic power supply, poor maintenance culture, resistance to change, poor network connectivity, privacy and ethical implications, etc. To maximize the potential benefits of AI applications in academic libraries in Nigeria, it is crucial for these libraries to implement appropriate planning, guidelines and regulations on AI use as well as training and retraining of academic librarians to acquire the required ICT skills, knowledge and competence in order to adapt in the present digital and changing library environment

The effectiveness of locally-prepared peritoneal dialysate in the management of children with acute kidney injury in a south-east Nigerian tertiary hospital

Background: Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is the preferred mode of renal replacement therapy (RRT) in children with acute kidney injury (AKI). The gold standard remains the use of commercially-prepared PD fluid. In resource-poor nations, its availability and affordability remain a challenge.Aim: This study aims to report the effectiveness of locally-prepared PD fluid in the management of AKI in a south-east Nigerian tertiary hospital.Subjects and Methods: This was a retrospective study conducted at the paediatric ward of the University of Nigeria Teaching hospital, Enugu. The case records of 36 children seen over three years, diagnosed with AKI and requiring PD were reviewed. The retrieved information comprised biodata, aetiology of AKI, indications for PD, pre-and post-dialysis estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and patient outcomes.Results: The children (20 males and 16 females) were aged 3 to 36 months with a mean age of 9.92 ± 6.29 months. The common aetiologies of AKI were septicemia (30.6%), hemolytic uremic syndrome (19.4%), and toxic nephropathy (16.7%). The frequent indications for PD were uremic encephalopathy (58.3%) and severe metabolic acidosis (38.8%). The pre-and post-dialysis mean urine flow rate was 0.16 + 0.13 and 2.77 + 0.56 ml/kg/hour respectively. The eGFR before PD, at discontinuation, and a week later was 6.06 + 2.87, 24.44 + 15.71 and 59.07 + 22.22 mls/min/1.73m2 respectively.Conclusion: PD with locally-prepared dialysate is safe, effective and a life-saving alternative in the management of AKI in childrenKeywords: Peritoneal dialysis; renal replacement therapy; acute kidney injury; children; dialysate; developing country

Management staff’s perspectives on intervention strategies for workplace violence prevention in a tertiary health facility in Nigeria: a qualitative study

IntroductionHealth workers have increasingly become victims of workplace violence. However, negligible action has been given to developing workplace violence (WPV) prevention programs in hospital settings in low-middle-income countries. An effective workplace violence prevention program is crucial for preventing violence and managing the consequences of incidents. This study assessed management staff perspectives on intervention strategies for workplace violence prevention in a tertiary health facility in Nigeria.MethodsA qualitative study design was employed to explore the intervention strategies for preventing and managing workplace violence at a tertiary health facility in southeast Nigeria. Six focus group discussions were conducted with thirty-eight management-level staff. The interview transcripts were manually coded according to six predefined constructs of workplace violence: creating interdisciplinary harmony and WPV experiences, causes, prevention, program/policy contents, and implementation strategies. A manual thematic analysis approach was adopted, and the results were presented as narratives.ResultsThe findings revealed recognition, welfare, administrative control, and security as vital strategies for the WPV prevention program. The participants agreed that unanimity among staff could be promoted through respect for all cadres of staff and for people’s perspectives (creating interdisciplinary harmony). Assaults and staff intimidation/victimization (experiences), attributed to unethical/poor health workers’ behaviour and ethnic discrimination (causes), were viewed as preventable by ensuring patients’/caregivers’ welfare through respectful and timely care and staff’s welfare through incentives/remunerations and discouraging intimidation (prevention strategies). Furthermore, the staff expressed that the WPV program should employ administrative controls, including instituting WPV policy/unit, codes of ethics, and standard operating procedures across all workplace facets (program/policy contents), which should be implemented through awareness creation, enforcement of sanctions, and provision of appropriate and adequate security presence in the hospital (policy implementation strategies).ConclusionRespect, patient/staff welfare, administrative control, and security are strong mechanisms to prevent workplace violence in tertiary hospitals. Hospital management should institutionalize workplace violence prevention programs/policies and ensure compliance

CDC's COVID-19 International Vaccine Implementation and Evaluation Program and Lessons from Earlier Vaccine Introductions.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) supports international partners in introducing vaccines, including those against SARS-CoV-2 virus. CDC contributes to the development of global technical tools, guidance, and policy for COVID-19 vaccination and has established its COVID-19 International Vaccine Implementation and Evaluation (CIVIE) program. CIVIE supports ministries of health and their partner organizations in developing or strengthening their national capacities for the planning, implementation, and evaluation of COVID-19 vaccination programs. CIVIE's 7 priority areas for country-specific technical assistance are vaccine policy development, program planning, vaccine confidence and demand, data management and use, workforce development, vaccine safety, and evaluation. We discuss CDC's work on global COVID-19 vaccine implementation, including priorities, challenges, opportunities, and applicable lessons learned from prior experiences with Ebola, influenza, and meningococcal serogroup A conjugate vaccine introductions

The Use of ICTs and Audiovisual Resources in Developing Children’s Reading Habits in Nigeria

This paper looks at the use of of Information and Communication Technologies, (ICTs), and audio-visual resources in developing children’s reading culture in Nigeria. It has been observed that most children in Nigeria have very poor reading culture as reading is not associated with pleasure. Developing reading culture in children has been identified as the foundation and the building block for life-long learning. This paper therefore tries to highlight the use of ICTs and audio-visual resources as veritable resources in associating reading with pleasure by encouraging children in learning how to learn, visual literacy, and associating reading with pleasure. The central roles played by Libraries in promoting reading habit in children were highlighted. Some of the identified reading problems associated with children include dyslexia, speech apraxia, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Other factors include poor learning environment and lack of functional libraries, inadequate supply of reading materials and poor reading campaign. The paper concluded that in order to have any functional education system that will encourage sustainable development in any nation, it is therefore indispensable to inculcate reading culture from the scratch in order to have informed citizens who will intellectually advance the nation to globally competitive level. This could be done by providing a reading environment such as libraries, provision of adequate reading materials, and proactive public awareness programmes on the importance of reading for national development