Infrastructure Provision and Classification of Rural Settlements in Niger State, Nigeria

This study classifies the selected rural settlements on the basis of available infrastructure .To achieve this aim, 22 rural settlements were randomly selected. The cluster analysis was applied on the data in order to group the rural settlements on the basis of their infrastructure profiles. Thus the hierarchical method of cluster analysis was applied using version 16.0 of SPSS package. The study revealed that three groups of settlements labelled A, B and C was produced by the hierarchical clustering technique based on availability of infrastructure. It was observed that although the quantity of infrastructure varied among the settlements, group B settlements consisting of Doko, Enagi, Kuta, Maikunkele, Paiko, Sabon Wuse, Sarkin Pawa and Wawa seem to have more infrastructure than group A and C settlements. Group A settlements consisting of Agwara, Gawu Babangida, Gulu, Lemu, Nasko, Tegina and Tunga Magajiya appear to have more provision of infrastructure compared to group C settlements. On the other hand, group C settlements consisting of Baddegi, Bangi, Gbajibo, Kutiriko, Mashegu, Rafin Gora and Wushishi appear to be the least in terms of provision of infrastructure. There is the need to sustain the Ward Development Projects which was introduced in 2008 by the Niger State government. It is suggested that the monthly allocation to the wards be increased, while more community participation in project initiation, identification, monitoring, implementation and evaluation should be encouraged.Key words: Infrastructure, Rural Settlements, Classification, Cluster Analysis, Hierarchical Method, Rural Transformatio

Pattern of Infrastructure-induced Socio-economic Development in Rural Settlements of Niger State, Nigeria

This study analyses the variation in infrastructure – induced pattern of socio – economic development among some selected rural settlements in Niger state of Nigeria. To achieve this aim, twenty-two rural settlements were randomly selected and their scores on selected infrastructure were used to ascertain the pattern of socio – economic development. The relative strength of the factors was determined by factors analysis. The results revealed variation in infrastructure – induced pattern of development. Factor analysis revealed five factors that account for 85.82% of the total variance. Factor 1 which is Institutional infrastructure indicated high positive scores on four settlements namely Paiko, Agwara, Wushishi and Maikunkele. Factor 2 which is the Households’ infrastructure loaded positively high in six settlements namely Enagi, Gawu Babangida, Lemu, Sabo Wuse, Doko and Nasko. Factor 3 is Welfare infrastructure shows high positive scores on three settlements namely Kuta, Bangi and Doko. Accessibility factor is indicated in factor 4 with high positive scores on four settlements namely Gbajibo, Enagi, Paiko and Rafin Gora. Lastly, Factor 5, which has been termed Road density, shows high positive scores on three settlements. These are Tunga Magajiya, Doko and Maikunkele. The study recommends provision of rural infrastructure and their proper maintenance to improve the standard and quality of life of rural residents in the state.Key words: Rural Infrastructure, Factor scores, Variation, Pattern, Rural settlements and Socio-economic development

Outdoor creational behaviours and preferences of Abuja residents, Nigeria

No Abstract

Shikonin and Juglone Inhibit Mycobacterium tuberculosis Low-Molecular-Weight Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase a (Mt-PTPa)

Low-molecular-weight protein tyrosine phosphatases (LMW-PTPs) are involved in promoting the intracellular survival of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), the causative organism of tuberculosis. These PTPs directly alter host signalling pathways to evade the hostile environment of macrophages and avoid host clearance. Among these, protein tyrosine phosphatase A (Mt-PTPa) is implicated in phagosome acidification failure, thereby inhibiting phagosome maturation to promote Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) survival. In this study, we explored Mt-PTPa as a potential drug target for treating Mtb. We started by screening a library of 502 pure natural compounds against the activities of Mt-PTPa in vitro, with a threshold of 50% inhibition of activity via a <500 µM concentration of the candidate drugs. The initial screen identified epigallocatechin, myricetin, rosmarinic acid, and shikonin as hits. Among these, the naphthoquinone, shikonin (5, 8-dihydroxy-2-[(1R)-1-hydroxy-4-methyl-3-pentenyl]-1,4-naphthoquinone), showed the strongest inhibition (IC50 33 µM). Further tests showed that juglone (5-hydroxy-1,4-naphthalenedione), another naphthoquinone, displayed similar potent inhibition of Mt-PTPa to shikonin. Kinetic analysis of the inhibition patterns suggests a non-competitive inhibition mechanism for both compounds, with inhibitor constants (Ki) of 8.5 µM and 12.5 µM for shikonin and juglone, respectively. Our findings are consistent with earlier studies suggesting that Mt-PTPa is susceptible to specific allosteric modulation via a non-competitive or mixed inhibition mechanism

Factors Associated With The Development of Psychiatric Disorders Among People Living With HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) Attending Outpatient Clinics At University Of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, Nigeria.

Background: Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immune Deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) infection, its diagnosis, and reaction of the society towards people living with it can adversely affect the psychological well being of the patients. It is important to elucidate factors which differentiate Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) patients with and without associated mental morbidity. Objective: To determine factors associated with the development of psychiatric disorders in people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) by comparing the socio-demographic data, clinical characteristics and risk behaviour patterns among PLWHA who have psychiatric disorders and those without it.Methods: The study was carried out at the HIV clinics of University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital. Study population consisted of 300 consenting HIV positive patients. Information about their sociodemographic variables and risky behaviour pat tern were obtained using a proforma questionnaire prepared by the researchers, relevant clinical characteristics such as medications, Cluster of Differentiation  4 (CD4) cell counts and complications were extracted from the patients case notes and diagnosis of psychiatric disorders were made according to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of mental disorders, 4th Edition (DSM-IV) criteria using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI). Results: Significant associations were found between the development of psychiatric disorders in PLWHA and female gender, partners having multiple sexual partners, not being on anti-retroviral drugs, having low CD4 cell count level and having complications arising from the illness. Conclusion: Efforts aimed at modifying risky behaviour and clinical factors found to be associated with psychiatric morbidity will help to reduce the level of mental morbidity among PLWHA in the study populatio

Climate change and adaptation strategies to water resources in some parts of Sudano-Sahellian zone of Nigeria

This study examines the impact of climate change on water resources in some parts of the Sudano-Sahelian zone of Nigeria. Climatological data of rainfall amount, temperature and evaporation from rivers and lakes in the zone were collected from Nigeria Meteorological Agency(NIMET),Lagos and Nigeria Hydrological Services in Kaduna respectively while data of river discharge and lake levels were also collected from Nigeria Hydrological Services. The Standardized anomaly index was used to test for fluctuations in rainfall. Temperature, runoff and water level in lakes, the trend analysis was used to examine the trends in these variables. Three hundred and sixty copies of structured questionnaires were used to examine the adaptation to water resource including water for domestic use, agricultural use, and water available in rivers. The study revealed that there was an upward trend in rainfall and an increase in river discharge amount between 1990 and 2013 which accounts for flood episodes in the zone. Some of the adaptation options put in place in the zone are; dredging of rivers, improved irrigation scheme, restrictions of development along flood plains among others. The study therefore recommends a review of operational rules on dams and proper initiation of flood control measures.Key Words: Adaptation, Climate Change, Flood, Hydrologic Cycle, Sudano-Sahelia

Risk Factors and Sero-Prevalence of Hepatitis B Surface Antigen among Blood Donors in University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, Nigeria

Background: Availability of safe blood and blood products for transfusion is increasingly difficult globally, especially in developing countries because of high prevalence of Transfusion Transmissible Infections.Objectives: To determine the prevalence of HBsAg among blood donors and to evaluate the socio-economic, demographic and medical factors associated with its infection.Design: A prospective study.Subjects: Three hundred and fifty consecutive blood donors were recruited. 2 ml of venous blood was collected aseptically from the ante-cubital vein and subjected to serological test for HBsAg.Results: High prevalence rate 10.9% was recorded. All the donors reactive to HBsAg were males (38,100%) with a mean age of 30.7±8.02 years, while 55.3%, 44.7%, 5.3%, 42%, 47.4%, 5.3% of them were single, married, primary school graduate, secondary school graduate, tertiary school graduate and illiterate respectively with 36.8%, 23.7%, 39.5% and 0% been unemployed, civil servants/professionals, skilled artisans andbusiness/petty traders. The most common risk factor was multiple sexual partners 55.3%, followed by extra marital affairs 13.2%, tattooing 10.5%, previous blood transfusion 5.2%, previous surgery 2.6% and sex trading 2.6%.Conclusion: Active public enlightenment programmes and strict blood donation selection criteria need to be put in place in order to provide safe blood and blood products for transfusion