Predictors of Obesity Among Nigerian Immigrants in the United States

Obesity has been identified as a significant risk factor for chronic diseases, contributing to health disparities in minority and vulnerable populations. Though research has identified an increased risk for obesity in the Hispanic immigrant population, there is little or no research on the heterogeneity of obesity predictors in specific immigrant populations in the United States. This study examined the predictors of obesity in the Nigerian immigrant population in the United States. Guided by the social ecological model and the segmented assimilation theory, this cross-sectional study collected primary data from 205 Nigerian immigrants in the United States using the CDC\u27s Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System self-administered web-based survey. Spearman\u27s correlation and logistic regressions were used to analyze data through SPSS. The results showed no significant relationship between obesity and the factors education, socioeconomic status, length of stay, and level of physical activity. This study, however, identified a significant association between weekly consumption of alcohol and all obesity (OR 1.78, p = .021), and moderate/morbid obesity (OR 2.46, p = .013). There was also a significant association between gender and moderate/morbid obesity (OR 3.30, p = .031). These findings provide strong evidence to inform the development of targeted culturally-relevant community-based interventions for Nigerian immigrant population in the United States, including health education and targeted screenings for alcohol consumption, and other unrecognized behaviors that increase their risk for obesity. The lack of association between other well-known predictors of obesity and obesity outcomes calls for further investigation into other causes of obesity in this immigrant population

Association between Non-Cigarette/Smokeless Tobacco and Hypertension in the National Health Interview Survey: A Pseudo-Panel Analysis

This study sought to examine assumption between having ever used non-cigarette tobacco or smokeless tobacco, and a diagnosis of hypertension among a sample of 13, 086 United States adults participating in the National Health Interview Series from 2012-2014. A pseudo-panel analysis of data extracted from the Integrated Health Interview Series Survey was conducted. The generalized linear mixed model was used to quantify the effect of a history of non-cigarette tobacco, smokeless tobacco, and socio-demographic predictor variables on the response variable, a diagnosis of hypertension. The transformed data, based on the pseudo-panel technique, resulted in fifty-seven (57) birth cohorts and followed in 2012, 2013, and 2014. The mean age was 51.6 years (±12.4). The findings of this study revealed that the odds of hypertension diagnosis for non-cigarette tobacco users was 0.8846 times lower (95% CI: 0.7907, 0.9896) than non-users after adjusting for possible confounders such as age, language, education, income and years of smoking. Our study suggested that the association between the use of non-cigarette tobacco and the diagnosis of hypertension among the sample population is consistent enough to assume a less plausible association between the two variables

Efficient response modelling for performance characterisation and risk assessment of ship-iceberg collisions

The authors are grateful for the support provided through the Lloyd’s Register Foundation Centre. The Foundation helps to protect life and property by supporting engineering-related education, public engagement and the application of research.Peer reviewedPostprin

Association between Non-Cigarette/Smokeless Tobacco and Hypertension in the National Health Interview Survey: A Pseudo-Panel Analysis

This study sought to examine assumption between having ever used non-cigarette tobacco or smokeless tobacco, and a diagnosis of hypertension among a sample of 13, 086 United States adults participating in the National Health Interview Series from 2012-2014. A pseudo-panel analysis of data extracted from the Integrated Health Interview Series Survey was conducted. The generalized linear mixed model was used to quantify the effect of a history of non-cigarette tobacco, smokeless tobacco, and socio-demographic predictor variables on the response variable, a diagnosis of hypertension. The transformed data, based on the pseudo-panel technique, resulted in fifty-seven (57) birth cohorts and followed in 2012, 2013, and 2014. The mean age was 51.6 years (±12.4). The findings of this study revealed that the odds of hypertension diagnosis for non-cigarette tobacco users was 0.8846 times lower (95% CI: 0.7907, 0.9896) than non-users after adjusting for possible confounders such as age, language, education, income and years of smoking. Our study suggested that the association between the use of non-cigarette tobacco and the diagnosis of hypertension among the sample population is consistent enough to assume a less plausible association between the two variables

The ‘#tag Generation’: Social Media and Youth Participation in the 2019 General Election in Nigeria

This article examines the roles of social media on youth’s political participation in the 2019 General Elections in Nigeria. It interrogates the roles played by these communication tools in the emancipation and agency of youths while revealing the double-edged implications the devices may have on the democratic processes and aspirants. The article employs both primary and secondary methods of data sourcing. Primary data were obtained from in-depth interviews with social media ‘influencers’ who played vital roles during the 2019 General Election in Nigeria. Further, data were obtained from selected social media accounts of prominent politicians and analysed using content analysis. Secondary data were extracted from books, articles, newspapers and magazines. Also, the study was contextualised using use and gratification theory. The study concluded that social media played a vital role in the 2019 General Election in Nigeria. It revealed how social media contributed to citizens’ power and agency through debates and narratives which were instrumental in agenda-setting for the ruling class and citizens’ democratic expectations.&nbsp

Air Quality in the Vicinity of a Landfill Site in Rumuolumeni, Port Harcourt, Nigeria

The study investigated the air quality status in the vicinity of Rumuolumeni landfill with a view to determining the possible influence of weather parameters on the concentration of air pollutants from the landfill. Air quality parameters determined include nitrogen oxide (NO2), sulphur dioxide (SO2), methane (CH4), volatile organic compounds (VOC), ammonia (NH3), and hydrogen sulphide (H2S). Weather parameters examined include temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, wind direction. These data were collected with respect to distance from the center of the dumpsite into the residential area at 200m intervals for seven days using composite sampling technique. Pearson Correlation Statistics was used to test significant influence of distance from the dumpsite on the concentrations of pollutants. Results indicate that, pollutants considered except NO2 were higher at the dumpsite than the residential area. The mean value of SO2, CH4, VOC, NH3 and H2S at the dumpsite was 0.67 mg/m3, 0.06 mg/m3, 2.28 mg/m3, 0.12 mg/m3, and 0.19 mg/m3 respectively. Distance from the center of the dumpsite accounted for 41% (r2 of 0.4096; r of 0.64) and 29% (r2 of 0.2916; r -0.54) variation in the concentrations of NO2 and NH3 respectively at p=0.05. Results indicate that NO2, NH3 and H2S had significant correlations with temperature at 5% significant level with correlation coefficients (r) of 0.740, -0.766, and -0.699 respectively. In addition, NO2, NH3 and H2S were significantly correlated with relative humidity at 5% significant level with correlation coefficient (r) of -0.653, 0.727 and 0.646 respectively while SO2 and VOC were significantly correlated with wind speed at 5% significant level with correlation coefficient (r) of 0.591 and 0.739 respectively. The study recommends that measures to capture landfill gases and prevent their migration to the community are necessary. Keyword: air quality, landfill, meteorological parameter, atmospheric pollutants, Port Harcourt

Assessment of Microfinance Institutions as Poverty Reduction Mechanism in Nigeria

Microfinance Institutions are intended to bridge the financial gap usually created by the dearth of capital created by the inability of the conventional banks to support the Small and Medium Scale Enterprises in the country. This has however provided the compelling reasons why issues relating to Microfinance Institutions have to be taken more seriously in Nigeria than ever before.This paper therefore focused on the identification of the causes of poverty in Nigeria and the extent to which microfinance institutions have helped in reducing poverty in the Nigerian economic development.. The researcher used Chi- square, Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and the method of regression analysis for investigating the contribution made by the microfinance institutions to poverty reduction in the Nigerian context. The study revealed that exclusion of the poor from the financial system seriously contributed to their inability to participate in the development process. Equally with no access to funding therefore, the household finds in extremely difficult to take advantage of economic opportunities to improve their lots and their children and protect them against financial imbalances, thereby making them to be permanently within the vicious circle of poverty. The analysis revealed that increase microcredit finances drastically reduced poverty level in Nigeria and also the poverty index. The study also revealed that microfinance institutions contributes most considerably to the empowerment of the masses, majority of whom were women, rural dwellers and this has translated in business and financial development in Nigeria. Keywords: Microfinance, Financial empowerment, Entrepreneurial functions, Development Finance Institutions(DFIs), Poverty

Meteorological Conditions in the Vicinity of Landfill and its Implications for Atmospheric Pollutant Stagnation in Rumuolumeni, Port Harcourt, Nigeria

The paper examined the meteorological conditions in the vicinity of landfill and its implications for atmospheric pollutant stagnation in Rumuolumeni. Air quality parameters such as; Nitrogen dioxide (NO2), Sulphur dioxide (SO2), Methane (CH4), Hydrogen sulphide (H2S), Ammonia (NH3) and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) were measured using an industrial scientific ITX multigas monitor. The weather parameters (wind speed and direction, temperature, and relative humidity) were collected using Kestel 400 version 3.00 handheld weather trackers. Result indicates that the mean temperature around the dumpsite was lower than that of the neighbouring community and decreases with increase in distance from the dumpsite. This implies that pollutants stagnation is expected at the vicinity of the landfill. The total mean of relative humidity at the landfill site was higher than the relative humidity at the residential area and there was no pattern derived between distance from the center of the dumpsite and relative humidity. The total mean wind speed at the landfill site was lower than that of the residential area, thus greater proportion of air pollutants from the dumpsite were deposited around the landfill. In this study, the concentrations of SO2, CH4, VOC, H2S, and NH3 were all higher at the landfill site and thus, this suggests that the landfill site at Rumuolumeni was a good source of these pollutants. Mean temporal value of temperature, relative humidity and wind speed was 29.7oC, 65.3% and 0.24m/s respectively. It was also discovered that relative humidity correlated inversely with temperature. Furthermore, both temperature and relative humidity were significantly correlated with NO2, NH3 and H2S. Wind speed had significant influence on the concentration of both VOC and SO2. The study also showed that distance from the centre of the landfill site influences the concentrations of the air pollutants. Distance significantly influenced the concentrations of NO2 and SO2. Periodic assessment of the air quality arising from the landfill site in the residential area is advocated in the area. Keywords: air quality, landfill, meteorological parameters, pollutants concentration, residential areas