Managing Ethnic and Cultural Diversity for National Integration in Nigeria

Nigeria is a multi-ethnic and culturally diverse society that has witnessed conflicts arising from this ethnic and cultural diversity. This paper expounds such conceptual issues as ethnicity, cultural diversity, federalism and national integration and then presents the historical background to ethnic and cultural conflicts in Nigeria. It is argued that national integration in the Nigerian context has been an attempt to forge “unity in diversity”, seeking to wish away socio-cultural differences and imposing uniformity in spite of complex cultural diversity. This has created more conflict and posed obstacles to unity, peaceful co-existence, progress and stable development. It recommends that national integration and its benefits can be realized only with the development and entrenchment of a supportive public culture; understanding, respecting and tolerating differences occasioned by socio-cultural diversity; as well as the development of new institutions and mechanisms that address poverty, revenue allocation and other national issues peacefully. Keywords: Ethnic diversity, cultural diversity, conflict, national integration, Nigeria

Managing Ethnic and Cultural Diversity for National Integration in Nigeria

Nigeria is a multi-ethnic and culturally diverse society that has witnessed conflicts arising from this ethnic and cultural diversity. This paper expounds such conceptual issues as ethnicity, cultural diversity, federalism and national integration and then presents the historical background to ethnic and cultural conflicts in Nigeria. It is argued that national integration in the Nigerian context has been an attempt to forge “unity in diversity”, seeking to wish away socio-cultural differences and imposing uniformity in spite of complex cultural diversity. This has created more conflict and posed obstacles to unity, peaceful co-existence, progress and stable development. It recommends that national integration and its benefits can be realized only with the development and entrenchment of a supportive public culture; understanding, respecting and tolerating differences occasioned by socio-cultural diversity; as well as the development of new institutions and mechanisms that address poverty, revenue allocation and other national issues peacefully. Keywords: Ethnic diversity, cultural diversity, conflict, national integration, Nigeria

A Bayes-Based Model for HIV Prediction Extinction

Abstract The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is one of the most serious and deadly diseases in human history. It is an infectious agent that causes Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), a disease that leaves a person vulnerable to life threatening infections. Though, there have been increase in the level of HIV awareness throughout the world and a lot of governmental and non-governmental organizations have invested huge funds, energy, and other resources into reducing the virus across the globe, but these alone cannot be enough for its extinction. In this paper, a bayes-based model technique is used to develop a predictive model for extinction of HIV/AIDS, our method is based on generating a dataset which is gotten by administering questionnaires as a means of eliciting responses from people or respondents, we used bayes-model to analyse this data. The result shows that in some years' time, there will be extinction (or reduce to control level) of HIV/AID if certain factors are carefully considered by all

Ecological Status of Opa Reservoir, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, based on the Abundance and Diversity of its Planktonic Flora

A study investigating the spatial and temporal distribution, composition and abundance of plankton in Opa reservoir, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Southwest Nigeria, was conducted over a period of an annual cycle. The study was undertaken with a view of providing a more recent catalogue of planktonic flora and possibly an update of the reservoir’s trophic status. Quantitative net planktons were collected monthly from both the surface and bottom levels at three sampling stations established at the dam site (lacustrine), mid-lake (transition) and upper inflow (riverine) parts of the reservoir. The divisions recorded were Bacillariophyta > Cyanophyta > Chlorophyta > Euglenophyta > Myzozoa > Ochrophyta = Charophyta > Cryptophyta in order of abundance. Vertically, the highest occurrence of species was recorded at the lacustrine bottom station (71 species), while the least occurrence was observed in the transition bottom station (51 species). A total of sixteen plankton species showed significant seasonal variation in abundance during this study period, while only seven species had significant spatial variation (p ≤ 0.05). Higher abundance was observed during the rainy season (170,797,350 Org/m3 from seventy-two species) than dry season (5,138,400 Org/m3 from forty-nine species). Notable bio-indicator plankton species recorded were Anabaena circinalis, Anabaena flos-aquae, Microcystis sp., Aphanocapsa litoralis and Microcystis aeruginosa. Some other pollution indicator species recorded were Synedra ulna, Oscillatoria agardhii, Phacus sp., Surirella sp., Closterium sp., Aphanocapsa sp. and Euglena sp. Hence, Opa reservoir is very rich in Bacillariophyta (diatoms), followed by Cyanophyta (blue-green) and Chlorophyta (green algae), which are known to characterize eutrophic lakes

Perceptions of Nigerian medical students regarding their preparedness for precision medicine: a cross-sectional survey in Lagos, Nigeria

Background Advances in precision medicine in Nigeria suggest improving genomics education and competency among healthcare practitioners to facilitate clinical translation. Due to the scarcity of research in this area, this study aimed to assess Nigerian medical students’ perceptions about their preparedness to integrate precision medicine into their future clinical practice. Methods This was an institution-based cross-sectional study of medicine and surgery students in their clinical years attending the two fully accredited colleges of medicine in Lagos, Nigeria, between April and October 2022 using an adapted tool administered via Google Forms. The survey assessed their awareness, perceptions about knowledge, ability, and attitudes toward precision medicine, ethical concerns, and perceptions about their education in precision medicine. Multivariate linear regression models were used to assess factors associated with students’ perceptions of their knowledge, ability, and attitudes. Results A total of 300 students completed the questionnaires with a response rate of 40%. Awareness of genomic medicine terminology was high (92.0%). Responses to knowledge and ability questions revealed notable gaps, however, respondents had positive attitude scores overall. Higher medical school year was independently associated with lower knowledge (ptrend = 0.003) and ability (ptrend = 0.005) scores, and knowledge score was independently associated with a higher ability score (β: 0.76 95%CI: 0.67, 0.84; p Conclusion Despite high awareness of precision medicine terminology and overall positive attitudes, our findings highlight gaps in knowledge and ability to integrate genomics into the care of patients and a need to improve precision medicine education among Nigerian medical students

Chemical, antioxidant and sensory properties of pasta from fractionated whole wheat and Bambara groundnut flour

Pasta from whole-grain wheat is highly nutritious but has poor sensory properties. Hence, this study prepared pasta from fractionated whole-grain wheat flour enriched with 20% Bambara groundnut. The chemical, antioxidant and sensory properties of the pasta were assessed using standard methods. The fat, protein, ash contents, lightness and antioxidant properties value of the flour and pasta increased, while carbohydrate and fibre contents decreased with a reduction in particle size from 500 μm to 112 μm. Potassium (246.50–249.00 mg/kg), calcium (223.50–254.00 mg/kg) and magnesium (184.50–192.00 mg/kg) were the major mineral element in the pasta samples, while zinc (1.00–2.00 mg/kg) and iron (3.50–13.00 mg/kg) are present in small quantities. The optimum cooking time of pasta (average 6.55 min) from the fractionated flours was shorter compared to the control pasta (pasta made from unfractionated wheat flour), but the cooking loss was not significantly affected. Pasta from flour with particle sizes of 300 and 112 μm were very similar in their sensory attributes and showed the highest ratings in overall acceptability. Fractionation of whole-grain wheat flour seems very promising in producing pasta with fairly good antioxidant potentials and high level of protein and fibre to improve the health of pasta-loving individuals.The Faculty of Science-University Research Committee Fellowship of the University of Johannesburg, South Africa.http://www.elsevier.com/locate/lwthj2022Consumer ScienceFood Scienc

Abdominal ultrasonography in HIV/AIDS patients in southwestern Nigeria

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Though the major target of the HIV-virus is the immune system, the frequency of abdominal disorders in HIV/AIDS patients has been reported to be second only to pulmonary disease. These abdominal manifestations may be on the increase as the use of antiretroviral therapy has increased life expectancy and improved quality of life. Ultrasonography is an easy to perform, non invasive, inexpensive and safe imaging technique that is invaluable in Africa where AIDS is most prevalent and where sophisticated diagnostic tools are not readily available. Purpose: To describe the findings and evaluate the clinical utility of abdominal ultrasonography in HIV/AIDS patients in Ibadan, Nigeria</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A Prospective evaluation of the abdominal ultrasonography of 391 HIV-positive patients as well as 391 age and sex-matched HIV-negative patients were carried out at the University College Hospital, Ibadan.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Of the 391 cases studied, 260 (66.5%) were females; the mean age was 38.02 years, (range 15–66 years). The disease was most prevalent in the 4th decade with an incidence of 40.4%. Compared with the HIV-negative individuals, the HIV+ group of patients had a significantly higher proportion of splenomegaly (13.5% vs. 7.7%; p < 0.01), lymphadenopathy (2.0% vs. 1.3%; p < 0.70), and renal abnormalities (8.4% vs. 3.8%; p < 0.02). There were no differences in hepatic and pancreatic abnormalities between the HIV+ and HIV- groups. There were significantly fewer gallstones in the HIV+ group (1.4% vs. 5.1%; p < 0.01).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>AIDS is a multi-systemic disease and its demographic and clinical pattern remains the same globally. Ultrasonography is optimally suited for its clinical management especially in Africa. Its accuracy and sensitivity may be much improved with clinico-pathologic correlation which may not be readily available in developing countries; further studies may provide this much needed diagnostic algorithms.</p

Mixed-methods evaluation of integrating female genital schistosomiasis management within primary healthcare: a pilot intervention in Ogun State, Nigeria

Background: Detection and management of female genital schistosomiasis (FGS) within primary healthcare is crucial for achieving schistosomiasis elimination, however, current technical strategies are not feasible in many settings. In Nigeria, there are currently no established standard operating procedures to support front-line health workers. This article presents an evaluation of piloting an FGS care package in two LGAs of Ogun State, Nigeria. Methods: We used quantitative and qualitative analysis, including 46 interviews with patients, health workers and the quality improvement team; observations of training, learning sessions and supervision across 23 heath facilities; and records of patients detected and managed. Results: Of 79 women and girls who were screened, 66 were treated and followed up. Health workers assimilated knowledge of FGS and effectively diagnosed and managed patients, demonstrating the feasibility of using symptomatic screening and treatment tools to diagnose and care for women or girls with suspected FGS. Challenges included establishing a referral pathway to tertiary care for patients with complications, insecurity, gender norms that limited uptake and sensitization, the limited capacity of the workforce, conflicting priorities and praziquantel acquisition. Conclusions: Simple tools can be used in primary healthcare settings to detect and manage women and girls with FGS. Contextual challenges must be addressed. Sustainability will require political and financial commitments

Sexual Dimorphism in Healthy Aging and Mild Cognitive Impairment: A DTI Study

Previous PET and MRI studies have indicated that the degree to which pathology translates into clinical symptoms is strongly dependent on sex with women more likely to express pathology as a diagnosis of AD, whereas men are more resistant to clinical symptoms in the face of the same degree of pathology. Here we use DTI to investigate the difference between male and female white matter tracts in healthy older participants (24 women, 16 men) and participants with mild cognitive impairment (21 women, 12 men). Differences between control and MCI participants were found in fractional anisotropy (FA), radial diffusion (DR), axial diffusion (DA) and mean diffusion (MD). A significant main effect of sex was also reported for FA, MD and DR indices, with male control and male MCI participants having significantly more microstructural damage than their female counterparts. There was no sex by diagnosis interaction. Male MCIs also had significantly less normalised grey matter (GM) volume than female MCIs. However, in terms of absolute brain volume, male controls had significantly more brain volume than female controls. Normalised GM and WM volumes were found to decrease significantly with age with no age by sex interaction. Overall, these data suggest that the same degree of cognitive impairment is associated with greater structural damage in men compared with women