Effects of trade liberalization on aggregate and agricultural sector employment in Nigeria

One deleterious problem plaguing most developing countries like Nigeria is unemployment and free trade has been identified as a panacea by many studies. However, proponents of protectionism argue that the agricultural sector should be shielded from international trade competition. Since the agricultural sector is a major employment driver in Nigeria, the objective of this study is to investigate the impact of trade liberalization on aggregate and agricultural sector employment in Nigeria. Using multiple linear regression (MLR) with trade and employment data from 1991 – 2020, the study found that although trade openness increased employment in the agricultural sector, it had no significant effect on total unemployment. Also, the agricultural share of the GDP does not significantly affect aggregate employment. Furthermore, foreign direct investments promote aggregate employment while having a negative impact on the agricultural sector employment. The study recommends that trade openness be promoted to further improve the agricultural sector

Entomological Collections and Identifications of Mosquito Faunas in Selected Area Councils of Nigeria Federal Capital Territory

Mosquito survey and identification are foundational elements of an effective vector management plan. The present study therefore aimed to collect and identify various mosquito species in some selected Area Councils in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nigeria. Larval of various species of mosquitoes were collected and identified in difference breeding sites across selected Area councils in the FCT. The collected larvae were raised to adult stage and were further identified using morphological key. Data obtained were analysed using SPSS version 27.0 and p-value was set at 95%.  Samples were collected from Abuja Municipal, Gwagwalada and Bwari area councils. The study identified Anopheles funestus, 150(9.8%), as the least mosquito species collected and Culex quinquefasciatus, 307 (20.1) was the most abundance species in the study areas. Mosquito species co-exist in various breeding sites with Anopheles species mostly associated with temporary breeding. The study provides a baseline data concerning mosquito vector population and composition in the FCT. This information thus informs the public and vector management officials about the risks and the need to scale-up preventive measures against human-vector contact

The importance of considering community-level effects when selecting insecticidal malaria vector products

BACKGROUND\ud \ud Insecticide treatment of nets, curtains or walls and ceilings of houses represent the primary means for malaria prevention worldwide. Direct personal protection of individuals and households arises from deterrent and insecticidal activities which divert or kill mosquitoes before they can feed. However, at high coverage, community-level reductions of mosquito density and survival prevent more transmission exposure than the personal protection acquired by using a net or living in a sprayed house.\ud \ud METHODS\ud \ud A process-explicit simulation of malaria transmission was applied to results of 4 recent Phase II experimental hut trials comparing a new mosaic long-lasting insecticidal net (LLIN) which combines deltamethrin and piperonyl butoxide with another LLIN product by the same manufacturer relying on deltamethrin alone.\ud \ud RESULTS\ud \ud Direct estimates of mean personal protection against insecticide-resistant vectors in Vietnam, Cameroon, Burkina Faso and Benin revealed no clear advantage for combination LLINs over deltamethrin-only LLINs (P = 0.973) unless both types of nets were extensively washed (Relative mean entomologic inoculation rate (EIR) ± standard error of the mean (SEM) for users of combination nets compared to users of deltamethrin only nets = 0.853 ± 0.056, P = 0.008). However, simulations of impact at high coverage (80% use) predicted consistently better impact for the combination net across all four sites (Relative mean EIR ± SEM in communities with combination nets, compared with those using deltamethrin only nets = 0.613 ± 0.076, P < 0.001), regardless of whether the nets were washed or not (P = 0.467). Nevertheless, the degree of advantage obtained with the combination varied substantially between sites and their associated resistant vector populations.\ud \ud CONCLUSION\ud \ud Process-explicit simulations of community-level protection, parameterized using locally-relevant experimental hut studies, should be explicitly considered when choosing vector control products for large-scale epidemiological trials or public health programme procurement, particularly as growing insecticide resistance necessitates the use of multiple active ingredients

Design and methods for a quasi-experimental pilot study to evaluate the impact of dual active ingredient insecticide-treated nets on malaria burden in five regions in sub-Saharan Africa

Background:Vector control tools have contributed significantly to a reduction in malaria burden since 2000, primar‑ily through insecticidal‑treated bed nets (ITNs) and indoor residual spraying. In the face of increasing insecticide resist‑ance in key malaria vector species, global progress in malaria control has stalled. Innovative tools, such as dual active ingredient (dual‑AI) ITNs that are effective at killing insecticide‑resistant mosquitoes have recently been introduced. However, large‑scale uptake has been slow for several reasons, including higher costs and limited evidence on their incremental effectiveness and cost‑effectiveness. The present report describes the design of several observational studies aimed to determine the effectiveness and cost‑effectiveness of dual‑AI ITNs, compared to standard pyre‑throid‑only ITNs, at reducing malaria transmission across a variety of transmission settings.Methods:Observational pilot studies are ongoing in Burkina Faso, Mozambique, Nigeria, and Rwanda, leveraging dual‑AI ITN rollouts nested within the 2019 and 2020 mass distribution campaigns in each country. Enhanced surveil‑lance occurring in select study districts include annual cross‑sectional surveys during peak transmission seasons, monthly entomological surveillance, passive case detection using routine health facility surveillance systems, and studies on human behaviour and ITN use patterns. Data will compare changes in malaria transmission and disease burden in districts receiving dual‑AI ITNs to similar districts receiving standard pyrethroid‑only ITNs over three years. The costs of net distribution will be calculated using the provider perspective including financial and economic costs, and a cost‑effectiveness analysis will assess incremental cost‑effectiveness ratios for Interceptor® G2, Royal Guard®, and piperonyl butoxide ITNs in comparison to standard pyrethroid‑only ITNs, based on incidence rate ratios calcu‑lated from routine data.Conclusions:Evidence of the effectiveness and cost‑effectiveness of the dual‑AI ITNs from these pilot studies will complement evidence from two contemporary cluster randomized control trials, one in Benin and one in Tanzania, to provide key information to malaria control programmes, policymakers, and donors to help guide decision‑making and planning for local malaria control and elimination strategies. Understanding the breadth of contexts where these dual‑AI ITNs are most effective and collecting robust information on factors influencing comparative effectiveness could improve uptake and availability and help maximize their impact

Distribution of Members of the Anopheles Gamibiae s.l. In Oyo State, South West Nigeria

Background: Members of the Anopheles gambiae s.l. remain the most efficient vectors of malaria parasite in Africa. However, for timely and effective vector control activities, the distribution of these important vectors in local communities is crucial. We therefore determine the distribution of the members of Anopheles gambiae s.l. in Oyo State, Nigeria Methods: Larval stages of Anopheles mosquitoes were collected from identified mosquito breeding sites in six localities (Oluyole, Eruwa, Oyo, Ojoo, Bodija, and Ogbomoso) in Oyo State and reared to adults. Three to five days old adult emergence were identified morphologically using standard methods. A total of 100 mosquitoes were selected from each of localities for molecular analysis. DNA were extracted and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR-ID) followed by restriction endonucleases digestion was used for molecular identification. Results: A total of 58 larval breeding sites were sampled out of which 12 (20.7%) had Anophelines only, 21 (36.2%) contained Culicines only and the remaining 25 (43.1%) had both Anophelines and Culicines. The mosquitoes were mostly found in footprints, followed by tire tracks, pools, puddle and ponds. The habitat type distribution for Anopheline and Culicines were not different (χ2=5.25, DF=5, P&gt;0.01). A total of 1,725 Anophelines emerged from the collection out of which, 823 were females. All the female samples were morphologically identified as members of the Anopheles gambiae s.l.. A total of 600 (72.9%) of the female Anopheline population was subjected to PCR. PCR-ID showed that the mosquito populations contained higher numbers of Anopheles arabiensis (58%) than Anopheles gambiae s.s. (42%). Enzyme digest indicate that samples from Oluyole, Iwo road and Bodija were man-ly the M form (now called An. coluzzii), while both M (An. colizzii) and S (An. gambiae) form occur in sympatry in Oyo town and Eruwa. Conclusion: This study presents information on the distribution of Anopheles arabiensis, Anopheles coluzzii and Anopheles gambiae in Oyo State. This has implication on the vector control activities in the State as members of these Anopheles mosquitoes exhibit varying feeding behaviours, transmission pattern and resistance profiles. Such information is useful in planning vector control activities for the State</jats:p

GROWTH AND YIELD OF BEETROOT (BETA VULGARIS) AS AFFECTED BY THE APPLICATION OF DIFFERENT SOURCES AND VARYING RATES OF NUTRIENTS OF ANIMAL ORIGIN IN GIDAN KWANU, MINNA, NIGER STATE OF NIGERIA

Two experiments were conducted concurrently at the Horticultural Nursery of the Department of Crop Production, Federal University of Technology. Gidan Kwanu, Minna (latitude 6o 30’ N and Longitude 90 40’ E) during the dry season of 2016. The objective of the two trials was to determine the nutrient source and rates required in the production of beetroot (Beta vulgaris). The experimental treatment consists of three organic nutrient sources namely; cow dung, poultry manure and goat droppings at ratio by weight of 1:1:2 and 1:1:4 of sand: topsoil and organic nutrient. The experiments were laid arranged in completely randomized design.(CRD) and replicated thrice. Improved seeds of beetroot were soaked for 24 hours and sown at 3cm depth. Data were collected on growth parameters such as crop germination, crop vigor, plant height, number of offshoot, leaf area index, shoot girth, and fresh leafy yield. All data collected were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the means were separated using Duncan multiple range test(DMRT). Result obtained indicated that 10t ha-1 poultry manure exhibited better growth performance of beetroot and resulted in higher fresh leafy yield than all other organic sources and rates. The study therefore recommends the application of poultry manure at the rate of 10 t ha-1 for beetroot farmers in the study area

Larval Habitat Characterization and Molecular Identification of Anopheles gambiae Complex in three Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Ekiti State, Nigeria

Background: Mosquito-borne diseases have remained a serious problem in many parts of the world despite several control efforts to manage the vector abundance. Mosquitoes transmit such diseases like malaria, dengue, lymphatic filariasis and yellow fever. Malaria parasites, transmitted through the bite of an infected female Anopheles mosquitoes still result in many morbidity and mortality in Nigeria. In this study, larval breeding site characterization and molecular identification of Anopheles mosquitoes were carried out in Ado, Oye and Ikole LGAs of Ekiti State, Nigeria . Methods: Mosquito larvae were collected from the study sites at different times during the mosquito breeding season from April to July 2019. Habitat characteristics were observed after which larvae collection was carried out. Identification of Anopheles adult mosquitoes was done using taxonomic keys and multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and the results were analysed using the chi-squared test Results: A total of 2,011 Anopheles mosquitoes larvae were collected from the various habitats in the three LGAs. Larvae breeding sites characteristics and the respective abundance of larvae caught include: Sunlight 1,509(75.04), Shade 502(24.96); Presence of algae 1,152(57.28), Absence of algae 859(42.72); Presence of vegetation 1,426(70.91), Absence of vegetation 585(29.09); Turbid 617(30.68), Clear 1,394(69.32); Temporary 1,909(94.93), Permanent 102(5.07); Stagnant 2,011(100), Flowing 0(0.00); Natural 1,851(92.04), Manmade 160(7.96); Presence of settlement 1,978(98.36) and Absence of settlement 33(1.64). The difference between each compared group was significant (p&lt;0.05). Significant difference (p&lt;0.05) also exist for the Anopheles mosquitoes collected; An. gambiae s.l (91.5%), An. funestus (7.96%) and An. maculipalpis (0.6%). Molecular identification of An. gambiae s.l. showed that products were formed in 83.61%, 76.61% and 84.47% of the samples from Ado, Oye and Ikole LGAs respectively and only two members of the An gambiae complex were identified in the entire LGAs; An. gambiae s.s. (59.22%) and An. arabiensis (21.89%). Conclusion: This study identified the An. gambiae as the main Anopheles species in the study sites. This finding is similar to results from other parts of South-western Nigeria where An. gambiae was the predominant vector. There is therefore a need to intensify control efforts in the three LGAs .</jats:p