Adverse Childhood Experiences and Psychosocial Wellbeing among Preclinical Medical Students of The University of Ibadan

Adverse childhood experience (ACE) portends future consequences on physical, mental and social wellbeing. The impact of ACEs is amplified by stressors, such as academic, physical, social and emotional stressors, which medical students are constantly exposed to. This study is aimed at determining the association between adverse childhood experiences and adult psychosocial wellbeing among preclinical medical students. A cross sectional study was conducted among medical students in the 2nd and 3rd year of study, at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. Participants completed socio-demographic, an Adverse Childhood Experience, the World Health Organization’s Quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREF) and the Rosenberg’s self-esteem questionnaires. Data obtained were analyzed using SPSS. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were performed. A total of 277 respondents with a mean age of 20.1 years (SD=5.6) participated in the study. At least one out of ten categories of ACEs were reported by 40.8% of respondents; physical abuse (19.1%), emotional abuse (18.2%), parental divorce (9.4%) and sexual abuse (9.0%). There was a significant association between adverse childhood experiences and adult psychosocial wellbeing (p<0.05), as well as low self-esteem (p<0.05). Respondents with previous exposure to ACEs were six times more likely to suffer from low esteem compared to non-exposed students (Adj OR:6.3, 95%CI:1.3-31.4, p=0.003). Mother’s (p=0.001) and father’s (p=0.028) level of education, parental separation (p<0.0001), and having lived with step-parent (p=0.009) or other relatives (p=0.041) were associated with exposure to ACEs. This study shows an association between exposure to adverse childhood experiences and adult psychosocial wellbeing among medical students

Evaluation of the antisickling potentials of Calliandra portoricensis (Jacq) Benth (Mimosaceae) root: Hemoglobin polymerization inhibition activity

Background: Calliandra portoricensis (Jacq) Benth (Mimosaceae) has been used in the traditional management of several diseases. An ethnobotanical survey conducted in the Ilorin-West and Irepodun Local Government Areas of Kwara State has indicated that the roots of Calliandra portoricensis are also useful in the management of sickle cell disease.Objectives: The objective of this study is to investigate the antisickling property of the root of Calliandra portoricensis, using the hemoglobin polymerization inhibition assay.Method: The crude extract and the solvent-partitioned fractions of C. portoricensis root were evaluated for antisickling activities by the hemoglobin polymerization inhibition assay using sodium metabisulphite (BDH) as the reductant, and normal saline and phenylalanine (1.65 mg / mL) as controls. The most active fraction was then purified using column chromatography and the pooled chromatographic fractions were similarly evaluated for antisickling activity.Results: All the solvent-partitioned fractions of C. portoricensis showed a high percentage inhibition of hemoglobin polymerization at 5 mg/mL with the ethyl acetate fraction showing the highest percentage inhibition of 98.97 ± 1.62 % The pooled chromatographic fraction C3 containing two compounds (Rf value: 0.71, 0.83); (ethyl acetate: acetone: water 7: 2: 1) exhibited the highest polymerization inhibition activity of 96.57 ± 4.06 % at 5 mg/mL.Conclusion: This study provides some justification for the use of C. portoricensis root in the management of sickle cell disease.Keywords: Sickle cell disease, C. portoricensis, Hemoglobin polymerization assay

Growth pattern and specificity of attachment of lagoon crab (Callinectes amnicola) fouled with barnacles (Chelonibia patula) from Lagos Lagoon, Southwest Nigeria

The growth pattern and condition factor (K) of 810 Lagoon crabs (Callinectes amnicola) fouled with Barnacles (Chelonibia patula), collected from Makoko Jetty, off Lagos Lagoon between April-September 2011 were studied. The carapace length f C. amnicola examined ranged from 3.8cm-8.6cm while the carapare width ranged from 9.5cm-15.4cm. The total weight ranged from 53.1g to 165.0g, indicating that increase in length correspond to increase in weight, thereby suggested that C. amnicola from Lagos Lagoon exhibited a negative allometric growth. The correlated coefficient 'r' for the crabs was 0.68, showing a low correlation between carapace length weight in the lagoon crabs fouled with barnacles. The condition factor (K) values of C. amnicola fouled with barnacles ranged from 3.2-9.7 with a mean value of 5.4. The highest K-value was recorded for the size group 3.5-4.4. The value decreased with increased length of C. ammcola. The sex ratio (1:80) indicated that there were more females (98.8%) than males (1.2%), 12 (1.5%) of the 810 lagoon crabs examined were heavily fouled with barnacles distributed all over the points of attachment with the cora having the most attachment (91.6 6%). Average diameter of the barnacles attached to the crabs ranged from 0.23cm to 1.85cm. The distribution shows that large-sized crabs had much banacles attached to them than small-sized crabs, with greater barnacles found in the females than in the males

The cost minimization analysis of an outreach dental service: a pilot study at Akinyele local government area in Nigeria

Background: Access to dental services improves oral health and thereby, overall general health. For people with limited or no access to oral health care services, outreach dental services may be used to reduce oral health inequality. There is however paucity of information on the economic analysis of outreach dental services in sub Saharan Africa.Objective: To report a cost minimization analysis of an outreach dental service as compared with a primary oral health clinic.Method: A comparative analysis of the costs expended in the treatment of patients at an outreach dental service of the University College Hospital, Ibadan was done versus the costs that would have been incurred if the patients had been treated at a Primary Oral Health Clinic of the same institution.Results: A total of three hundred and forty two (342) participants were attended to at the outreach dental service. More than 80% of the 123 participants examined had an unmet oral health need. The procedures carried out were in keeping with the basic package of oral care. The average cost of the outreach per participant was N530 (~$2.50) only versus an estimate of N868 (~$4.13) per participant if the programme had been clinic based. The total cost savings was N115,344 (~$549.26).Conclusion: Outreach dental services provide similar dental treatment to services in a primary oral health clinic at a reduced cost.Keywords: Access, Basic package of oral care, Cost analysis, Dental services, Oral health care, Oral health inequalitie

Welfare transitions and its correlates among cocoa farming households in Nigeria

This study determined the correlates of welfare using panel data collected in heavy and light cocoa seasons through multistage sampling techniques from 366 cocoa farming households. Data collected were subjected to descriptive and Ordered Probit model of analysis using STATA. Welfare categories were based on the relative poverty line constructed from the mean per capita household expenditure for each season. Results revealed that male-headed households were more among the cocoa farming households, with mean age of 54 ±12.64 years, household size of 7 ±3.19 persons, farming experience 28 ± 14.41 years and mean age of the cocoa trees were 30 ± 19.21 years and this shows that the farmers and their cocoa trees are old, there by affecting the productivity and the welfare of the farmers. The ordered probit result corroborates this results because age of household head (p<0.5), gender of household head (p<0.1), age of cocoa (p<0.1), poor access to credit (p<0.1), poor collateral status (p<0.01) and high tax levies (p<0.5) on cocoa production negatively affects welfare of Cocoa Farming Households while literacy (p<0.1), type of land tenure system used on cocoa farm (p<0.01), price increase of produce (p<0.01), access to extension service and good harvest from plantations (p<0.01) enhanced cocoa farming households' welfare.Keywords: Welfare transition, cocoa seasons, ordered Probit and Nigeri

A report on oral health delivery to rural underserved communities oyo state using the mobile dental clinic

Objective: In Nigeria, the distribution of health care facilities particularly oral health facilities is urban based. Consequently, the rural people have no access or minimal access to oral health care. Various studies have called attention to the increasing trend of oral diseases in Nigeria, especially in the rural areas. Mobile dental clinic transcends all barriers to oral health care including physical and cultural barriers through community outreach, to rural underserved areas. Therefore, this project set out to determine the oral health needs of poor underserved rural communities in Ibadan and to deliver oral health care at their doorsteps.Methods: Using the services of a mobile dental clinic, inhabitants in selected rural communities namely; Akufo, Olosun, Aremo and Ilaju were given oral health talk and treatment after their needs were determined using dental mirror, natural light, CPITN probe, caries probe.Result: One hundred and thirty one people were examined and treated. Majority were from Yoruba tribe. More females (58.0%) participated in the study. Mean age of the participants was 42.4years (+10.4). Many (61.8%) of the participants had periodontal disease, tooth wear 24.4%, dental caries 16.0%. Majority of the participants had scaling and polishing (61.8%) as treatment, while 3.1% had atraumatic restorative treatment. Extraction was done for 6.8% of participants, while 27.5% were referred.Conclusion: Oral diseases, especially periodontal disease, tooth wear and caries are quite prevalent in underserved rural communities.Keywords: oral health, rural, mobile, barriers, underserve

Factors affecting entrepreneurship development among the food marketers in Ilorin Metropolis, Kwara State, Nigeria

The study assessed the factors affecting entrepreneurship development among Food Marketers in Ilorin Metropolis, Kwara State, Nigeria. One hundred and ten respondents were randomly selected in four markets in Ilorin. The data was analyzed using frequency count, percentage, mean and Pearson Product Moment Correlation. The result reveals that mean age of the respondents was 30.5 years and about 58.2% were female. Record keeping skills (mean score =2.42) was the highest ranked entrepreneurial information needs of the respondents while lack of start-up capital (mean score =2.40) was the most severe factor affecting entrepreneurial activities of food marketers. There is a weak positive significant relationship between the entrepreneurial information needs and factors affecting entrepreneurial development of the respondents (r=0.407, p=0.0001). The study recommends that there should be provision of training on entrepreneurial skills based on the identified areas of needs and there should be provision of credit facilities to the food marketers as these will enhance their productivity. Keywords: Entrepreneurial Development, Factors, Information Needs, Food Marketers, Ilorin Metropoli

Entrepreneurial information needs of Agricultural Students of Tertiary Institutions in Ilorin Metropolis, Kwara State, Nigeria

The study assessed the entrepreneurial information needs of Agricultural students in tertiary institutions in Ilorin metropolis. One hundred and  twenty-three respondents were randomly selected among the final year students of Agriculture in University of Ilorin and Kwara State Polytechnic  Ilorin. The data was analyzed using Frequency count, Percentage, Mean and Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC). The result reveals that majority (91.1%) of the respondents were willing to go into entrepreneurial activities after graduation from the tertiary institution. The highest  ranked entrepreneurial information need was decision making skills ( = 2.79). Lack of start-up capital was the most severe factor affecting  entrepreneurial activities ( = 2.79). The result reveals that there was a significant relationship between the income (r=-0.356, p=0.0001), factors affecting entrepreneurial activities (r=0.509, p=0.0001) and entrepreneurial information needs of the respondents. The study recommends that there should be creation of more awareness on entrepreneurial opportunities to Agricultural Students of tertiary institutions. Key words: Entrepreneurial activities, Information Needs, Agricultural Students, Tertiary Institutio

Integrated Geology and Geochemical analysis of Eruku Basement Complex, Southwestern Nigeria

Eruku, located within Osi which is part of the southwestern  Nigerian Basement Complex plays host to principal exposures of Precambrian – Paleozoic crystalline rocks in the region. Detailed geological mapping revealed the area to comprise essentially of migmatite – banded gneiss complex and diorites and minor rock types that include pegmatite and quartz veins with associated superficial stream deposits occurring proximally along channels in the vicinity. While efforts have been committed to regional  mapping, petrography and geochemistry of rocks in the region, little attention was paid to detail delineations and integrating the observed associated stream sediments. This study employs  detailed geological mapping, granulometric analysis and the use of XRF and ICP – MS to establish the geology and geochemical properties of the rocks and surrounding deposits in the area. Migmatitic rocks predominates the southwestern and part of the northwest, while the granite gneisses with some occurrence of diorite are mainly confined to the northeastern part of the study area. Granulometry of the sediments revealed a predominantly medium – coarse grained, poorly sorted leptokurtic sands,  indicating products of in-situ weathering of host rocks.  Geochemical analysis supports a strong correlation between the rocks and the sediments. The study is useful as guide to regional mapping and is applicable in geochemical prospecting of  minerals.Keywords: Basement complex, migmatite – gneiss complex,  stream sediments, granulometric analysis, elemental abundance, southwestern Nigeri

Profitability of value addition to cashew farming households in Nigeria

The cashew tree ( Anacardium occidentale L.) is an economic crop in Nigeria grown in small plantations in almost every State because of the ease of cultivation and need for minimum attention. Cashew apple wastes on plantations and this reduces cashew farming household incomes. This study examined value addition to cashew as a way of preventing farm losses due to wastage and lack of proper storage of the cashew apple Nigeria. The process of value addition involved the kernels being graded, heat treated, shelled roasted and packaged. The apples were crushed, processed to juice and bottled for sale. There was a significant difference (P<0.05) between net income per farmer adding value (US$487.26) and not adding value (US$306.29). Also, the benefit-cost ratio of adding value was 1:2.30.Le noix de cajou ( Anacardium occidentale L.) est une culture \ue9conomique au Nigeria. Elle est cultiv\ue9e dans de petites plantations dans presque chaque Etat par ce qu'elle est facile \ue0 cultiver et requiert une attention minimale. Les pommes de cajou sont souvent abandon\ue9es dans des plantations, ce qui r\ue9duit son revenu au niveau des m\ue9nages. Cette \ue9tude examine la valeur ajout\ue9e du cajou comme un moyen de pr\ue9vention des pertes dans les fermes dues au gaspillage et au manque de moyen appropri\ue9 de stockage des pommes de cajou au Nigeria. Le processus de l'addition de la valeur concernait le gradage, traitement \ue0 chaud, d\ue9coqillage, grillage et emballage des grains de cajou. Les pommes \ue9taient presses, transform\ue9es en jus embouteill\ue9 pour vente. Il \ue9tait observ\ue9 une diff\ue9rence significative (P<0.05) entre le revenue net sur la valeur ajout\ue9e par fermier (US487.26) et celui des produits non transform\ue9s (US306.29). Aussi, le rapport b\ue9n\ue9fice-co\ufbt de l'ajout de la valeur au produit \ue9tait de 1;2.3