NUTRITIONAL VALUE OF CHICKEN OFFAL AS REPLACEMENT FOR LOCAL FISH MEAL IN GROWING SNAILS

A total of ninety six growing snails of mean weight 91.23±2.4g were used to determine the effects of partial or total replacement of local fish meal, a source of protein but expensive to a less expensive, alternative source, chicken offal in the diet of growing snails. Completely randomized design was used for the study. The feeding trial had four treatments, C1, C2, C3 and C4 in which fish meal fraction of the diets was replaced at 0, 50, 75 and 100% with chicken offal respectively. The parameters taken were weight gain, feed intake. Feed conversion ratio, total feed cost, and cost per weight gain were calculated. The trial lasted for twelve weeks. Significant differences were not observed in the mean weekly feed intake of the snails in all the treatments. The mean weight gain in all the treatments were not significantly influenced by the inclusion of chicken offal in the diet (P>0.005). Total feed cost and cost/weight gain reduced as the level of the chicken offal increased while the lowest cost/weight gain was observed in C4. The inclusion of Chicken offal in all the diets had no detrimental effect on the snails in all the treatments. Based on the present results chicken offal could replace local fish meal in the diet of growing snail up to 100% and hereby reduce feed cos

Travel Behaviour Of University Enviroment: Inter-Relationship Between Trip Distance And Travel Mode Choice In South-Western Nigeria

Universities’ trip pattern is an important component of overall transportation demand of a province but it is often not well represented in travel demand models. This research assessed the spatial commuting patterns of the three categories of universities in Southwestern Nigeria. This was achieved with the uniform distribution of 3000 questionnaires with 80% return rate using face to face approach. Statistical software was employed in the analysis of the data. Distance was found to be a function of commuting pattern as it has a coefficient of determination (R2) value of o.64. Moreover, 81% and 65% of staff in private and government owned universities respectively adopted the use of private cars, while walking and the use of shuttle buses were predominantly used by students for both long and short trip distances. The study showed that the use of shuttle is not affected by trip distance as compared to the other modes. However, cycling and walking should be encouraged to minimize the overdependence on the use of shuttle for both short and long distance trips. In addition, emission of greenhouse gases in universities’ environments in Nigeria could be reduced if adopte

Treatment outcomes in a rural HIV clinic in South Africa: Implications for health care

Objective: To assess the treatment outcomes of an HIV clinic in rural Limpopo province, South Africa.Methods: A retrospective cohort study involving medical records review of  HIV-positive patients initiated on antiretroviral treatment (ART) was conducted from December 2007 to November 2008 at Letaba Hospital. Data on socio-demographic characteristics, CD4 counts, viral loads (VLs), opportunistic infections, adverse effects of treatment, hospital admissions, and patient retention at 6, 12, 24, and 36 months on ART were collected. Analysis included descriptive statistics, chi-square and t-tests.Results: Of 124 patient records sampled, the majority of patients were female (69%), single (49%), unemployed (56%), living at least 10 km from the hospital (52.4%), and were on treatment at 36 months (69%). Approximately 84% of patients achieved viral suppression (VLs < 400 copies/mL) by 6 months of ART and the mean CD4 count increased from 128 at baseline to 470 cells/mm3 at 24 months. There was a mean weight gain of 5.9 kg over the 36 months and the proportion of patients with opportunistic infections decreased from 54.8% (n = 68) at baseline to 15.3% (n = 19) at 36 months. Although the largest improvements in CD4, VLs, and weights were recorded in the first 6 months of ART, viral rebound became evident thereafter. Of all variables, only age < 50 years and being pregnant were significantly associated with higher VLs (p = 0.03).Conclusion: Good treatment outcomes are achievable in a rural South African ART clinic. However, early viral rebound and higher VLs in pregnancy highlight the need for enhanced treatment adherence support, especially for pregnant women to reduce the risk of mother to child transmission

Analysis of Resource Use Efficiency in Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) Production in Kogi State, Nigeria

The study was on resource use efficiency among tomato farmers in Kogi State, Nigeria. The data were collected from 240 tomato farmers through purposive sampling in 2014. Questionnaire design was the instrument used for data collection. Data collected were analysed through the use of simple descriptive statistics, OLS regression analysis and efficiency ratio. The result of the study showed that majority of tomato farmers in the State were married males with an average family size of 7 members. Farmers’ educational status, farming experience, contact with extension workers, and farm size were positively related and significant at 1% in influencing the output of tomato produced in the State. Resources such as pesticide, labour, years spent in school, quantity of seed and farm size were positively and significantly related to tomato output in Kogi State. Quantity of pesticide, seed and fertilizer were over utilized while labour and farm size were underutilized. It is recommended that government should implement policies that will facilitate the efficient utilization of agricultural resources among tomato farmers in Kogi State

An empirical investigation of telephony impact on business performance and regional development: evidence from small businesses in Nigeria.

This thesis reports on a study conducted to investigate the nature of the relationship between increased access and use of telephony, small business performance and regional development in a developing country context. This study presents detailed evidence drawn from a sample of 198 small businesses in Nigeria. The research conceptualises and empirically tests a research model which incorporates three theories in order to connect and explain how the use of telephony by small businesses enhances business performance and contributes to regional development. This is based on the existing literature of small business development; telecommunications (increased access and use of telephony) by small business; and regional development. The research data was gathered through a questionnaire of owner-managers of small businesses. This data was supplemented by the use of photographs. The data generated was analysed using Logistic Regression techniques with the aid of SPSS V.17 statistical package. In addition, the study used Visual Data Analysis and Interviews to corroborate the outcomes of the statistical analyses. The regression results suggest that there is a statistically significant and positive relationship between the impact of using telephony in business processes and enhanced business performance. In particular, it was identified that the extent of the influence of using telephony in the acquisition of new customers; the extent of the influence of using telephony to reduce the time it takes to make important business decisions; and the extent of the influence of using telephony in acquiring better market prices are critical determinants that explains enhanced competitive advantage of small businesses. In addition, the extent of the influence of using telephony in the acquisition of new customers, and the extent of the influence of using telephony to reduce the time it takes to make important business decisions are critical determinants that explains enhanced profitability of small businesses. This evidence is corroborated by the analysis of the visual data and textual description of the owner-managers interviewed who noted that the influence of using telephony have enhanced their business performance. Furthermore, the regression results suggest there is a statistically significant and positive relationship between the growth outcomes of increased access and use of telephony by small businesses and regional development of the business location. In particular, the extent of influence of use of telephony by small businesses to create new jobs, the extent of influence of use of telephony by small businesses on improved business performance, and the extent of influence of use of telephony by small businesses on significant business growth are critical determinants that explains regional development of the small business location. Finally, given the important role small businesses play in developing countries, such as Nigeria, this study help provides a clearer explanation on the nature of the relationship between increased access and use of telephony, small business performance and regional development that could be used to improve the growth of entrepreneurial activities of small businesses which are precursors of economic growth as well as improve infrastructural services such as telecommunications that are essential for regional development

An empirical investigation of telephony impact on business performance and regional development: evidence from small businesses in Nigeria.

This thesis reports on a study conducted to investigate the nature of the relationship between increased access and use of telephony, small business performance and regional development in a developing country context. This study presents detailed evidence drawn from a sample of 198 small businesses in Nigeria. The research conceptualises and empirically tests a research model which incorporates three theories in order to connect and explain how the use of telephony by small businesses enhances business performance and contributes to regional development. This is based on the existing literature of small business development; telecommunications (increased access and use of telephony) by small business; and regional development. The research data was gathered through a questionnaire of owner-managers of small businesses. This data was supplemented by the use of photographs. The data generated was analysed using Logistic Regression techniques with the aid of SPSS V.17 statistical package. In addition, the study used Visual Data Analysis and Interviews to corroborate the outcomes of the statistical analyses. The regression results suggest that there is a statistically significant and positive relationship between the impact of using telephony in business processes and enhanced business performance. In particular, it was identified that the extent of the influence of using telephony in the acquisition of new customers; the extent of the influence of using telephony to reduce the time it takes to make important business decisions; and the extent of the influence of using telephony in acquiring better market prices are critical determinants that explains enhanced competitive advantage of small businesses. In addition, the extent of the influence of using telephony in the acquisition of new customers, and the extent of the influence of using telephony to reduce the time it takes to make important business decisions are critical determinants that explains enhanced profitability of small businesses. This evidence is corroborated by the analysis of the visual data and textual description of the owner-managers interviewed who noted that the influence of using telephony have enhanced their business performance. Furthermore, the regression results suggest there is a statistically significant and positive relationship between the growth outcomes of increased access and use of telephony by small businesses and regional development of the business location. In particular, the extent of influence of use of telephony by small businesses to create new jobs, the extent of influence of use of telephony by small businesses on improved business performance, and the extent of influence of use of telephony by small businesses on significant business growth are critical determinants that explains regional development of the small business location. Finally, given the important role small businesses play in developing countries, such as Nigeria, this study help provides a clearer explanation on the nature of the relationship between increased access and use of telephony, small business performance and regional development that could be used to improve the growth of entrepreneurial activities of small businesses which are precursors of economic growth as well as improve infrastructural services such as telecommunications that are essential for regional development

Violence towards health workers in the workplace: exploratory findings in secondary healthcare facilities in Kaduna metropolis, Northern Nigeria

Objective: To determine the prevalence of workplace violence and associated factors in secondary health facilities in Kaduna Metropolis. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study where a semi-structured questionnaire was used to obtain data from 177 health workers who were selected by multistage sampling. The Data was analyzed using SPSS version 23 and results were presented using frequency tables. The Chi-square test was used to test for association between independent and dependent variables. Fisher’s Exact Test was used where more than 20% of the cells had a value less than 5.  The level of statistical significance was set at a p-value of <0.05. Results: The results showed that 114 (64.4%) of the respondents had experienced workplace violence; the form which was experienced by most of the respondents was verbal abuse 100 (87.7%). Most (92; 80.7%) of the respondents did nothing following the incident. Most of the respondents believed that lack of bed space 89 (50.3%) and long waiting time 119 (67.3%) are largely responsible for violent situations. There was a statistically significant relationship between the experience of workplace violence and respondents’ age (p=0.001); sex (p=0.00146); cadre (p=0.0012) and work experience (p=0.00483). Conclusion: Most of the respondents had experienced violence in the workplace but did not pursue further action. Training health workers on the means to identify volatile situations and address workplace violence is crucial to ensuring the reduction in the prevalence of harmful incidents. The safety and protection of health workers are integral to the adequate functioning of health systems

Factors associated with blood pressure control among patients attending the outpatient clinic of a South African district hospital

OBJECTIVE : To determine the prevalence and factors associated with blood pressure (BP) control. METHODS : In a cross-sectional study involving 251 consecutively-sampled patients, a semi-structured questionnaire collected information on socio-demography, co-morbidities, hypertension treatments and BP control. Data analysis included descriptive statistics and logistic regression. RESULTS : Most participants were: on treatment for >5 years (60.6%); on three or more drugs (93.6%); treated according to guidelines (77%); and reported not missing medications in the last week (86.5%). BP control was achieved in only 31.5% and 16.7% of participants at the current and last visits, respectively. In multivariate regression analysis, a history of myocardial infarction (odd ratio [OR]¼0.41; P¼0.04) and being divorced/widowed (OR¼3.1; P¼0.01) predicted poor BP control. CONCLUSION : This study confirms the prevalent sub-optimal control of BP and suggests the need for further studies to examine the relationship between marital support, critical medical events and BP control.http://tdo.sagepub.comhb201

Review of alternative practices to cigarette smoking and nicotine replacement therapy : how safe are they?

Most adverse health effects of cigarette smoking are attributed to the products of combustion. Efforts to avoid the adverse health effects of cigarette smoking have led to the promotion of alternative products that are perceived to be less harmful. In this paper, we review the available literature for evidence of the effectiveness of the products commonly presented as alternatives to cigarette smoking, and discuss evidence-based information on whether they should be promoted as safe alternatives for long-term use or are effective as cessation aid. Water pipe smoking is becoming prevalent among young people and the electronic cigarette has been recently introduced as smoking alternative in smoke-free areas. Available limited data suggest that while smokers may perceive these alternatives as safer than cigarette smoking, they contain toxic substances and therefore are not harmless alternatives. Data on herbal products are not easily available and where they are, evidence shows that these products are also not effective alternatives. Smokeless tobacco products vary in composition and health effects worldwide. The available literature suggests that these products may be associated with adverse health outcomes and that they cannot be promoted as ‘safe’ alternative tobacco products. Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) formulations, such as chewing gums and skin patches, have been well studied and evidence suggests that all forms are effective smoking cessation aids, either used alone and in combination with other NRT or cessation medication and behavioural therapy. Primary care physicians should therefore only offer NRT to smokers who are willing to quit in combination with behavioural therapy or other cessation medications approved by the South African Medicines Control Council