Evidence of Gender Role in Soybean Production: Case Study from Agrarian Communities in Benue state, Nigeria

The main purpose of this study was to investigate role of gender in soybean production activities in Benue State, Nigeria. Two (2) Local Government Areas (LGAs) were purposively selected from each of the Eastern and Northern Agricultural Zones of the State. Two (2) rural communities were selected from each LGA and finally ten (10) farmers were selected from each community to make a total of eighty (80) farmers that were interviewed. Data were analyzed using simple descriptive statistics such as frequency counts, percentages and mean. Findings revealed that 67.5% of the respondents were between 30 and 49 years old and 70% had family size of between 5 and 7 members. Majority had formal education, but was relatively new in soybean production. Women are mostly involved in the tedious farm activities in soybean production such as bush/land clearing, stumping, and tilling. The production needs of men and women were the same in areas like credit/loan facility, supply of improved variety, subsidized farm inputs, availability of land, and pest and disease control. The results of this study provide a strong advocacy for more extension services to be directed towards women farmers so as to encourage their participation in agricultural development programmes in Nigeria.Key words: Gender Role; Soybean Production; Agrarian Communities; Benue State; Nigeri

The Role ofiCT in National Development: A Study of the Educational Sector in Lagos State

Many countries including Nigeria regard the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) as a driver of economic development. However, without sufficient investment in Technology, this would be a pipe (tall) dream. A quantitative research is carried out by administering questionnaires to educators in some schools in Lagos State to determine the effects and challenges of ICT in the Lagos State Educational Sector. Our findings reveal that most of the schools are not equipped with ICT tools but ICT is being used for teaching and research. A major factor limiting the usc of ICT tools is the lack of power supply. Our observation is that government is not giving adequate funding for the general use of ICT in Lagos. We advise that both the teachers and the students should develop personal interest in the use ofiCT

Provision of prosthetic and orthotic services in low-income countries : a review of the literature

Disability is inextricably linked to poverty. A total of 80% of the disabled population lives in low-income countries. The demand for prosthetic and orthotic services in these countries is increasing, and a variety of methods to provide services are currently used. To assess current models of provision to facilitate sustainable, evidence-based prosthetic and orthotic services. A literature search was performed through Medline (Ovid), PubMed, ISI Web of Knowledge, EMBASE and RECAL Legacy using combinations of subject heading and text word searching strategies. Full-text publications were critically appraised and ranked according to the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network guidelines. Three areas were deemed pertinent to the research question. Studies were grouped into one or more of these categories based on the issues addressed: instigators, types of service provision, demographics and region-specific issues. It was found that many complex factors influence prosthetic and orthotic services in low-income countries. Demographic and regional idiosyncrasies require prosthetic and orthotic services to be tailored to address the specific needs of individual countries. The lack of and quality of available research made efficacy of methods used to provide services in low-income countries difficult to determine. This review aims to highlight areas of best practice in prosthetic and orthotic services in low-income countries and to show where further research is required in order to develop evidence-based prosthetic and orthotic services

Surgical hand antisepsis in veterinary practice: Evaluation of soap scrubs and alcohol based rub techniques

peer reviewedRecent evidence shows hydro-alcoholic solutions are more efficient than traditional medicinated soaps in the presurgical hand antisepsis of human surgeons. However, little veterinary literature is available on the subject. The aims of this study were to compare the efficiency of medicinated soaps and a hydro-alcoholic solution prior to surgery using an in use testing method in a veterinary setting. A preliminary trial was performed that compared the mean Log10 number of bacterial colony forming units (CFU) and the reduction factors (RF) between 2 five-minute hand-scrubbing sessions using different soaps (povidone iodine (PVP) and chlorhexidine gluconate (CHX)) and the 1.5-min application of a hydro-alcoholic rub (Sterillium). A clinical in use trial comparing mean log10 number of bacterial CFU’s and RF for Sterillium and CHX soap was performed in a surgical set-up. Sampling was performed using finger printing on agar plates. Sterillium and CHX had a similar immediate effect, although the sustained effect was significantly better for Sterillium. PVP showed a significantly lower immediate and sustained effect. Sterillium showed good efficiency in the clinical trial. This study shows that, as previously reported for human medicine, Sterillium can safely be considered as an attractive alternative method for surgical hand antisepsis in a veterinary surgical setting