Teachers’ Perception of Factors Influencing Internet Use in English Language Classroom in Nigeria

The study investigated teachers’ perceptions of factors influencing internet use in the English Language Classroom. The study adopted descriptive research design. Teachers perceived that lack of internet facilities, language laboratory, teachers’ reluctance to adapt to internet use, low morale of English language teachers, absence of modern software, overcrowded classrooms and poor interest influence the use of internet in English language classroom. The study also found no significant relationship between gender and teachers’ perception of factors influencing internet use in English language teaching; teachers’ qualification has no effect on their perception of factors influencing internet use in English language; no significant relationship exists between the teachers’ experience and their perception of factors influencing internet use in English language teaching. It is therefore recommended that government should endeavour to provide internet facilities in all the senior secondary schools including rural and urban areas for effective teaching and learning English.Keywords: Teachers, Perception, Factors, internet use, Classroo

Family Planning Decisions, Perceptions and Gender Dynamics among Couples in Mwanza, Tanzania: A Qualitative Study.

Contraceptive use is low in developing countries which are still largely driven by male dominated culture and patriarchal values. This study explored family planning (FP) decisions, perceptions and gender dynamics among couples in Mwanza region of Tanzania. Twelve focus group discussions and six in-depth interviews were used to collect information from married or cohabiting males and females aged 18-49. The participants were purposively selected. Qualitative methods were used to explore family planning decisions, perceptions and gender dynamics among couples. A guide with questions related to family planning perceptions, decisions and gender dynamics was used. The discussions and interviews were tape-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analyzed manually and subjected to content analysis. Four themes emerged during the study. First, "risks and costs" which refer to the side effects of FP methods and the treatment of side -effects as well as the costs inherit in being labeled as an unfaithful spouse. Second, "male involvement" as men showed little interest in participating in family planning issues. However, the same men were mentioned as key decision-makers even on the number of children a couple should have and the child spacing of these children. Third, "gender relations and communication" as participants indicated that few women participated in decision-making on family planning and the number of children to have. Fourth, "urban-rural differences", life in rural favoring having more children than urban areas therefore, the value of children depended on the place of residence. Family Planning programs should adapt the promotion of communication as well as joint decision-making on FP among couples as a strategy aimed at enhancing FP use

GAMIFYING ENGLISH VOCABULARY INSTRUCTION: An Experience in Back-draw Vocabulary Game

This study determined the effect back-draw vocabulary game on students’ achievement in  English vocabulary. It also examined gender difference in vocabulary achievement of students exposed to back-draw vocabulary game. The study the pretest-posttest control group, quasi-experimental research design. The instruments used for collecting data were English Vocabulary Achievement Test(r=0.78) and instructional guide containing lesson steps of Back-draw vocabulary game. The intervention lasted four weeks. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and independent t-test at 0.05 level of significance. Results revealed that there was a significant difference in vocabulary achievement of students exposed to vocabulary games and those in the control group (t(1;181) t= 8.59; p<.05).  Students in the experimental group (15.36) obtained a higher mean score than the control group (10.96). The study recommended that Gamification and Game-based learning should be adopted in teaching other aspects of English Language like summary, essay, and phonics. Keywords: Gamification, Game-based learning, Draw-back, Vocabulary instruction Achievement DOI: 10.7176/JEP/16-7-03 Publication date: July 30th 202

Classroom Participation and Study Habit as Predictors of Achievement in Literature-in-English

Monovariate studies have confirmed the positive influence of classroom Participation and Study habit on students’ academic achievement in general. However, the extent to which each of these variables could predict students’ achievement in Literature in English has not being a focus of much research attention. Hence, this study attempted to investigate the extent to which classroom participation and study habits predicted students’ academic achievement in Literature-in-English in selected senior secondary school in Ibadan North Local Government Area of Oyo State.Five research questions were raised to guide this study. The study adopted descriptive research design of ex-post facto type. The sample comprised 500 senior secondary school two (SSS2) students from ten selected secondary schools in Ibadan North Local Government Area of Oyo State. The three instruments used for data collection were students classroom participation scale (SCPS) (r = 0.79), students study habits questionnaire (SSHQ) (r = 0.76) and Literature-in-English achievement Test (LAT) (r = 0.74). Data collected were analyzed using Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) and Multiple Regression Analysis. The results were interpreted at P<.05The results revealed that: there was a significant relationship between classroom participation and students’ achievement in Literature in English (r =.134, df = 498; p<.05); there was no significant relationship between study habits and students’ achievement in Literature in English (r=.042, df= 498; P<.05); there was a significant relative contribution of classroom participation on students’ achievement in Literature in English (β =.131); there was no significant relative contribution of study habits on students’ achievement in Literature in English (β = 0.21); there was a significant composite effect of classroom participation and study habits on students’ achievement in Literature in English (β =.134;F1,498 = 4.663; P <.05). The findings finally indicated that classroom participation was the only variable that predicted students’ achievement in Literature in English. Based on the findings, it was commended that teachers should allow students to contribute and share ideas freely among their colleagues while Curriculum planners should suggest teaching and learning activities that could give room for students’ active participation in class when designing Literature in English curriculum

Self-reported use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) products in topical treatment of diabetic foot disorders by diabetic patients in Jeddah, Western Saudi Arabia

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>There is little published on current Saudi diabetic patients' practices when they are exposed to foot disorders such as open wound, ulcer, and skin cracks. These factors are usually influenced by local culture and communities beliefs. The aim of the current study was to identify the pattern of patients' use of CAM products in dealing with diabetic foot disorders topically in a group of diabetic patients.</p> <p>Findings</p> <p>A Cross-sectional descriptive study of a representative cohort of diabetic patients living in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia was designed. A pre-designed questionnaire to identify local diabetics' practices in dealing topically with foot disorders including open wound, chronic ulcer, and skin cracks was designed. Questionnaire was administered by a group of trained nutrition female students to diabetics face to face living in their neighborhood. A total of 1634 Saudi diabetics were interviewed. Foot disorders occurred in approximately two thirds of the respondents 1006 (61.6%). Out of the 1006 patients who had foot disorders, 653 reported trying some sort of treatment as 307 patients (47.1%) used conventional topical medical treatment alone, 142 (21.7%) used CAM products alone, and 204 (31.2%) used both treatments. The most commonly used CAM product by the patients was Honey (56.6%) followed by Commiphora Molmol (Myrrh) in (37.4%) and Nigellia Sativa (Black seed) in (35.1%). The least to be used was Lawsonia inermis (Henna) in (12.1%). Ten common natural preparations used topically to treat diabetic foot disorders were also identified.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The use of CAM products in topical treatment of diabetic foot disorders is fairly common among Saudi diabetic patients. Honey headed the list as a solo topical preparation or in combination with other herbs namely black seeds and myrrh. The efficacy of the most common products needs further research.</p

Growth status and menarcheal age among adolescent school girls in Wannune, Benue State, Nigeria

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Menarcheal age is a sensitive indicator of environmental conditions during childhood. The aim of study is to determine the age at menarche and growth status in adolescents in a rural area of Tarka, Wannune, Nigeria.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Data on 722 female students (aged 12-18 years) were collected in February 2009. Height and weight were measured. Body mass index (BMI; kg m^-2) was used as an index of relative weight.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Mean and median menarcheal age calculated by probit analysis were 13.02 (SD 3.0) (95% CI: 13.02-13.07), and age 13.00 (SD 2.8) (95% CI: 12.98-13.04), respectively. Girls who reach menarche are significantly heavier and taller with higher BMIs than those of their pre-menarcheal peers.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The age of menarche is probably still declining in Nigeria. Although BMI is an important factor in the onset of menstruation, some other unmeasured environmental variables may be implicated in this population.</p

Inhibition of Gastric Lipase as a Mechanism for Body Weight and Plasma Lipids Reduction in Zucker Rats Fed a Rosemary Extract Rich in Carnosic Acid

BACKGROUND: Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) extracts (REs) exhibit hepatoprotective, anti-obesity and anti-inflammatory properties and are widely used in the food industry. REs are rich in carnosic acid (CA) and carnosol which may be responsible for some of the biological activities of REs. The aim of this study was to investigate whether inhibition of lipase activity in the gut may be a mechanism by which a RE enriched in CA (40%) modulates body weight and lipids levels in a rat model of metabolic disorders and obesity. METHODS AND PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: RE was administered for 64 days to lean (fa/+) and obese (fa/fa) female Zucker rats and body weight, food intake, feces weight and blood biochemical parameters were monitored throughout the study. Lipase activity (hydrolysis of p-nitrophenylbutyrate) was measured in the gastrointestinal tract at the end of the study and the contents of CA, carnosol and methyl carnosate were also determined. Sub-chronic administration of RE moderately reduced body weight gain in both lean and obese animals but did not affect food intake. Serum triglycerides, cholesterol and insulin levels were also markedly decreased in the lean animals supplemented with RE. Importantly, lipase activity was significantly inhibited in the stomach of the RE-supplemented animals where the highest content of intact CA and carnosol was detected. CONCLUSIONS: Our results confirm that long-term administration of RE enriched in CA moderates weight gain and improves the plasma lipids profile, primarily in the lean animals. Our data also suggest that these effects may be caused, at least in part, by a significant inhibition of gastric lipase and subsequent reduction in fat absorption

World Antimalarial Resistance Network (WARN) IV: Clinical pharmacology

A World Antimalarial Resistance Network (WARN) database has the potential to improve the treatment of malaria, through informing current drug selection and use and providing a prompt warning of when treatment policies need changing. This manuscript outlines the contribution and structure of the clinical pharmacology component of this database. The determinants of treatment response are multi-factorial, but clearly providing adequate blood concentrations is pivotal to curing malaria. The ability of available antimalarial pharmacokinetic data to inform optimal dosing is constrained by the small number of patients studied, with even fewer (if any) studies conducted in the most vulnerable populations. There are even less data relating blood concentration data to the therapeutic response (pharmacodynamics). By pooling all available pharmacokinetic data, while paying careful attention to the analytical methodologies used, the limitations of small (and thus underpowered) individual studies may be overcome and factors that contribute to inter-individual variability in pharmacokinetic parameters defined. Key variables for pharmacokinetic studies are defined in terms of patient (or study subject) characteristics, the formulation and route of administration of the antimalarial studied, the sampling and assay methodology, and the approach taken to data analysis. Better defining these information needs and criteria of acceptability of pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic (PK-PD) studies should contribute to improving the quantity, relevance and quality of these studies. A better understanding of the pharmacokinetic properties of antimalarials and a more clear definition of what constitutes "therapeutic drug levels" would allow more precise use of the term "antimalarial resistance", as it would indicate when treatment failure is not caused by intrinsic parasite resistance but is instead the result of inadequate drug levels. The clinical pharmacology component of the WARN database can play a pivotal role in monitoring accurately for true antimalarial drug resistance and promptly correcting sub-optimal dosage regimens to prevent these contributing to the emergence and spread of antimalarial resistance.Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation

Mask; Sapele Mahogany Wood

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Female worshipper with Devotee; Mahogany wood

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