Public Attention to Traffic Informatics in a Major Nigerian City

A 2011 WHO report listed Nigeria as 191 out of 192 countries in the world with unsafe roads; recording 162 deaths per 100,0000 population from road traffic accidents. Highway safety in Nigeria has remained a grave challenge since most Nigerian roads are often considered death traps. The state of infrastructure in the country is worrisome and it is arguable that road traffic accidents are responsible for a high percentage of deaths in the country. It is also arguable that the greater responsibility for road safety rests on road users who for the love of their own lives should exhibit high sense of road safety consciousness to avoid falling victims. While many Nigerian roads are equipped with traffic informatics including traffic lights, road signs and others, the rate of fatalities recorded remain high suggesting that road users do not pay attention to traffic informatics. The objectives of the study were (1) to determine whether road users in a major Nigerian urban city consider traffic informatics as important for road safety; (2) to determine the extent these city road users pay attention to traffic informatics; and, (3) to assess road use behavior among these road users. Our results suggested that attention to traffic informatics among city road users was low. Keywords: Road Traffic, Road User, Road Safety, Traffic Informatics, “General Street Madness” DOI: 10.7176/JAAS/56-08 Publication date:June 30th 201

Communication and Resource Conflict Resolution: The Case of Aguleri-Kogi Feud Over Ownership of Crude Oil Finds

Conflict is inevitable among communities especially where there are vested interests or contentious boundaries. This paper analyzed the role and effect of communication in conflict resolution within community setting. The controversy investigated was Aguleri-Kogi Crude Oil ownership feud otherwise known as “Crude oil War”, which had led to loss of many lives and property in both communities. Using literature review methodology, which borders on conflict and conflict resolution; effects of communication in conflict prevention and resolution; historical account of  Anambra River Basin Communities; and,  efforts of stakeholders in the various communities towards resolution of the resource conflict, it was observed that conflict can be either good or bad, depending on the way it is handled; that poor communication escalates conflict; and, that effective communication, anchored on dialogue and negotiation, is the key to conflict resolution.  We observed that both parties in Aguleri-Kogi feud relied more on litigations in settling their resource dispute which has lingered for a long time. This paper, therefore, suggested among other things, the need for the stakeholders in conflicts to embrace negotiation and dialogue in the resolution of differences. Keywords: Aguleri-Kogi feud, Anambra River Basin, Crude oil ownership, Resource conflict DOI: 10.7176/JRDM/56-06 Publication date:June 30th 201

The Viability and Utility of Ecclesiastical Demands for HIV and Genotype Medical Tests Information before Church Mediated Marital Union in Nigeria

Sickle cell disease is the commonest genetic disease in Nigeria; among Africans and the generality of the black race. Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a group of blood disorder typically inherited from a person’s parents. It results in an abnormality in the oxygen-carrying protein hemoglobin in the red blood cells. The issue of genotype incompatibility among prospective couples, and decisions on marriage in the face of this health condition, can have significant implication on the control of this disease in Nigeria and any other country. HIV epidemic in Nigeria has recorded high numbers in persons living with HIV and deaths related to AIDS.  Reports from UNAIDS show that an estimated 1.9 million persons are living with HIV in Nigeria; 1.4% of adults between ages 15 – 49 live with the virus. This statistics suggest that a lot of work is still needed to scale up HIV treatment and prevention services. The church, through religious doctrines and propagation of religious teachings, has a stronghold on the perception and acceptance of lifestyles in our multi-cultural African society. As such, our discourse examines health implications of marriage, with a focus on the viability and utility of premarital medical tests for sickle cell disease and HIV, as a prerequisite for matrimony in the church in Nigeria. Key words: Sickle cell, genotype medical test information, church mediated marital union, ecclesiastical demands DOI: 10.7176/DCS/9-6-12 Publication date:June 30th 201

Health Information Literacy: An Assessment of Commercial Bus Drivers’ Patronage of ‘Mama Put’ Food Outlet, and Their Sense of Vulnerability to Food Poison

Health information can be an effective means of guiding consumers to healthy eating as well as make them aware of certain diseases that can be contacted as a result of unhygienic environment where food is prepared or sold. Despite hygienic environment, little is known about the actual impact of health information literacy on commercial bus drivers about “mama put” food outlets. The work was an empirical study and survey research design was adopted. The work was anchored on Consumer Pull Model. Data were collected in Onitsha, Anambra State, Nigeria among commercial bus drivers by administering questionnaire to a sample of 352 respondents at Upper Iweka Motor Park, Onitsha. This study found that commercial bus drivers in Onitsha are not health information literate and not aware that patronizing “mama put” food outlets make them vulnerable to food poison. It also established that price of a plate of food and quantities are two major factors that influence commercial bus drivers to patronize mama put food outlets. Based on these findings, this study recommended that health regulatory bodies should educate both the “mama put” food vendors and the commercial bus drivers on the importance of hygienic environment where food is prepared or sold. Keywords: Health information literacy, “Mama Put”, Commercial bus drivers, hygienic environment, Food poison. DOI: 10.7176/JPID/50-08 Publication date:June 30th 2019

Intercity Bus Passengers’ Perception and Response to In-Vehicle Medication Drug Hawking

This study examined Nigerian intercity bus passengers’ perceptions of in-vehicle medication drug hawking. It equally determined whether there was high patronage for vended drugs and why; and assessed the consumer views on the quality of hawked drugs and associated risks. An explanatory analysis was applied for the study.  Structured interviews were completed by 300 respondents, selected using volunteer sampling of two parks in Onitsha commercial city, southeast Nigeria. Conclusively, the study revealed high patronage of hawked drugs, especially herbal medicines; most respondents (consumers) rated the quality of herbal medicine higher than Over-the-Counter (OTC) and prescription drugs. The study further established a strong link between patronage of hawked medication drugs and inhibiting factors to the use of professionally prescribed medication drugs. We recommended that the government should play an active role in resourcing the mandated institutions in the dispensation of medication drugs, to eliminate the proliferation of the activities of medication drug hawkers. Keywords: Bus passengers’ perception, medication drug hawking, intercity DOI: 10.7176/JMCR/57-06 Publication date:June 30th 201

Health Risk Communication and The Hazards of Portable Electricity Generator Use: A Study of Awareness and Knowledge of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Among Resident Nigerian Public University Students

The overall objective of the study was to determine Nigerian university students’ awareness and exposure to label warnings on portable electric power generators; their level of comprehension of these label warnings; knowledge of carbon monoxide poisoning; and, preventive measures taken to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. The survey research method was used for this study. Data was collected in Southeastern Nigeria among undergraduate students, by administering questionnaire to a sample of 400 students from four universities. The study found a high level of exposure to label warnings on house hold products but a minimal exposure to label warnings on portable electric power generating sets among these students.Variables like placement of the warnings, font sizes and religious inclination hindered exposure to the warnings and compliance to the warning message; awareness of carbon monoxide information was high and a greater number among the respondents got informed either through their families and friends or read about it; a relatively lower number got informed through the media. While these university students were aware of carbon monoxide poisoning, they were not properly informed of the different symptoms that are associated with the gas and the preventive measures that could prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. This suggests that carbon monoxide poisoning is not being taken seriously as a health hazard among people susceptible to poisoning. Key words: Health risk communication, portable electricity generator use, carbon monoxide poisoning, label warnings DOI: 10.7176/JEES/9-6-14 Publication date:June 30th 201

The Internet, Freedom of Expression and Online Readers’ Attention to and Utilization of Online Newspapers’ Comment Sections

There is speculation that the exposure of the contents of online newspapers satisfies readers’ need for information and slows down the drive for the print versions. This study examined readers’ motivations towards reading online newspapers and whether they commented after reading. The study employed descriptive survey method in which questionnaire was administered to a randomly selected sample of 400 online newspaper readers. The findings demonstrated a high overall motivation level of the readers towards reading online version of newspapers. A further analysis of the findings revealed that readers were motivated to read online versions of newspapers because they had access to the internet. Also, readers were motivated to read online versions of newspapers because theyare interactive and provided timely updates. The study concluded that online newspapers were gaining popularity in the newspaper industry. Therefore, newspaper publishers should strategize ways to fully regulate and moderate online discussions on online newspapers’ comment sections. Keyword: Internet, freedom of expression, online readers, newspaper comment section DOI: 10.7176/NMMC/81-07 Publication date:June 30th 2019

Pre-operative pulmonary assessment and risk factors for post-operative pulmonary complications in elective abdominal surgery in Nigeria

Background and Objectives: Post-operative pulmonary complications (PPCs) are recurring causes of rising morbidity and mortality in surgeries. This study sought to evaluate pre-operative risk factors for PPCs in abdominal surgerypatients in Nigeria.Methodology: This was a prospective study in patients booked for surgery in 2014. Biodata, medical his tory, pre-operative respiratory and cardiovascular examination findings, body mass index, serum albumin, serum urea, ventilatory function, chest x-rays and oxygen saturation were obtained. The association between pre-operative variables and PPCs was determined.Results: The pre-operative spirometry was predominantly restrictive (62%). Overall, the prevalence of PPCs was 52%. This included non-productive cough (14%), isolated productive cough (10%), productive cough with abnormal chest finding (16%), pneumonia (8%), pleural effusion (5%), ARDS (2%). Percentage predicted FEV1 and FVC were lower in participants with PPCs. (p= 0.03 and p=0.01respectively). Pre-operative cough, shortness of breath and consolidation were associated with PPCs (p< 0.05). Post-operative respiratory rate and pulse rate in participants with PPCs were higher than the values in those without PPCs (p=0.03 and p=0.05).Conclusion: The prevalence of PPCs was high in this study. Pre-operative cough, shortness of breath, consolidation, abnor- mally low percentage predicted FEV1 and FVC were associated with PPCs.Keywords: Post-operative pulmonary complications, pre-operative assessment, risk factors, cough, shortness of breath, consol- idation, pneumonia, elective abdominal surgeries, Nnewi, Nigeria

Pre-operative pulmonary assessment and risk factors for post-operative pulmonary complications in elective abdominal surgery in Nigeria

Background and Objectives: Post-operative pulmonary complications (PPCs) are recurring causes of rising morbidity and mortality in surgeries. This study sought to evaluate pre-operative risk factors for PPCs in abdominal surgerypatients in Nigeria. Methodology: This was a prospective study in patients booked for surgery in 2014. Biodata, medical his tory, pre-operative respiratory and cardiovascular examination findings, body mass index, serum albumin, serum urea, ventilatory function, chest x-rays and oxygen saturation were obtained. The association between pre-operative variables and PPCs was determined. Results: The pre-operative spirometry was predominantly restrictive (62%). Overall, the prevalence of PPCs was 52%. This included non-productive cough (14%), isolated productive cough (10%), productive cough with abnormal chest finding (16%), pneumonia (8%), pleural effusion (5%), ARDS (2%). Percentage predicted FEV1 and FVC were lower in participants with PPCs. (p= 0.03 and p=0.01respectively). Pre-operative cough, shortness of breath and consolidation were associated with PPCs (p<0.05). Post-operative respiratory rate and pulse rate in participants with PPCs were higher than the values in those without PPCs (p=0.03 and p=0.05). Conclusion: The prevalence of PPCs was high in this study. Pre-operative cough, shortness of breath, consolidation, abnormally low percentage predicted FEV1 and FVC were associated with PPCs. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/ahs.v19i1.51 Cite as: Ufoaroh CU, Ele PU, Anyabolu AE, Enemuo EH, Emegoakor CD, Okoli CC, et al. Pre-operative pulmonary assessment and risk factors for post-operative pulmonary complications in elective abdominal surgery in Nigeria. Afri Health Sci. 2019;19(1). 1745-1756. https:// dx.doi. org/10.4314/ ahs. v19i1.5

Awareness of Copyright Laws among Select Nigerian University Students

Copyright laws have been in existence in Nigeria since independence and gone through several reviews. Although the policy of “permitted use” in the copyright law allows the reproduction of publications for educational and private use, studies have shown that students of tertiary institutions infringe on the copyright law. This study investigated the extent to which university students, precisely, Nnamdi Azikiwe University undergraduate students are aware of copyright laws. We used the survey research method to study a sample size of 400 drawn from a student population of over thirty thousand. Questionnaire was administered as instrument for data collection. Results revealed that most of these students were aware of copyright laws and the consequences of violating the law, yet compliance with the law was low among them. It was also revealed that even though photocopying is the number one activity which violates copyright laws on campuses of tertiary institutions, not much is being done to enforce the law. Keywords: Copyright laws, photocopying, publications, promotion of knowledge DOI: 10.7176/JLPG/86-19 Publication date:June 30th 201