Household Socioeconomic Status and Health Care Demand for Childhood Fever and Diarrhea in Tanzania

This study uses 2015/16 Tanzania Demographic and Health Survey (TDHS) data to estimate determinants of treatment seeking for childhood illness and the choice of health provider by employing logistic and multinomial probit model, respectively. Our empirical results from Binary logistic regression results show that treatment seeking for childhood illness is significantly related with mother’s occupation, household wealth status, distance to the health facilities, child’s age and place of residence. On the other hand, multinomial probit model results show that the choice of health provider is significantly related with mother’s occupation and access to mass media, household health insurance, household wealth status, and distance to the health facilities. Our results from both logistic and multinomial probit estimations are robust to alternative models’ specifications. In terms of policy implication, this study strongly recommends promotion of health insurance as well as creation of awareness on maternal and reproductive health to mothers. Moreover, the government should enhance, strengthen and ensure that health facilities are constructed close to households’ domicile and that these health facilities are provided with adequate services

Antibacterial and antifungal effect of high pH and paraffin wax application on tomatoes, oranges and peppers

The antibacterial and antifungal effects of high pH (9, 10) and paraffin wax were determined. Determination of antibacterial and antifungal activity of the combined treatments was achieved by aerobic mesophilic count of bacteria and fungi on the surface of the tomatoes, peppers and oranges using serial dilution and pour plate techniques and compared prior to and after 4 days of treatment with buffer (pH 9, 10) and wax for 3 min using dipping method. Reduction in bacterial and fungal countindicates antifungal and antibacterial activity. A bacterial count reduction of 84.3 (control), 63.4 (pH 9) and 78.2% (pH 10) and fungal count reduction of 53.6 (control), 43.4 (pH 9) and 73.5 (pH 10) wereachieved after 4 days of treatment respectively. The study shows that the control (unwaxed) had similar antibacterial and antifungal effect as waxed fruits at pH 9 and 10, except for pH 10 that had higher reduction of fungal counts than the control, showing prospect of higher activity with wax at higher pH than 10

Assessment of physicochemical quality of sachet water produced in selected local government areas of Kano Metropolis, Kano State - Nigeria

Fifty (50) brands of sachet water produced from bore hole and tap water in five (5) local government areas of Kano metropolis were analysed for physicochemical quality. Ten (10) brands of sachet water were sampled from each of the five (5) local government areas of; Nasarawa, Tarauni, Gwale, Kumbotso and Ungogo. Physical parameters tested such as; colour, taste, odour and pH in all (100%) the sachet water samples conformed to the recommended limits. Chemical analysis carried out such as; conductivity, total dissolved solids (TDS), chloride content, fluoride content, nitrate and nitrite content, total hardness and free chlorine all conformed to the requirements of the WHO and NIS standards. Heavy metals tested (using AAS) include; Manganese (Mn), Arsenic (As), Zinc (Zn), Copper (Cu) and Lead (Pb) also conformed to the requirements of the standards. However, Iron (Fe) content in all the sachet water produced from bore hole (twenty three brands (23)(46%)) were observed to be above the recommended NIS limit of 0.3mg/l. It can be concluded from the results of this study that the physicochemical parameters tested in the sachet water samples were within the permissible limits stipulated by the drinking water standards, hence on this basis the water is considered fit for consumption.Key words; Kano metropolis, Physicochemical quality, Sachet wate

Heritability of some quantitative characters in five varieties of maize (Zea mays l.,) under the influence of various levels of nitrogen

field experiment was conducted at the Kano University of Science and Technology Wudil teaching and research farm during the 2010 and 2011 rainy seasons. Five varieties of maize were studied to estimate  components of genetic variance and heritability of some quantitative  characters that might exist among them, under the influence of different levels of Nitrogen fertilizer. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design, and replicated three times. The genotype ×  different levels of nitrogen fertilizer (G × N) influenced the expression of the ear height and yield component. Analysis of variance for plant height revealed highly significant differences among varieties with genotypic coefficient of variation (1.67%) which is smaller than the phenotypic coefficient of variation (1.72%). The estimate of broad-sense heritability was high (0.79), thus showing the presence of considerable amount of genetic variation in total phenotypic variation. While the analysis of variance for ear height showed highly significant differences among genotypic coefficient of variation (0.93%) which is smaller than the  phenotypic coefficient of variation (1.05%). The estimate of broad-sense heritability was high (0.49) indicating the presence of considerable amount of genetic variation in total phenotypic variation. The results confirmed thefindings of other researchers on high heritability for plant height. Analysis of variance for grain yield per plot showed greater Genotypic variance than the environmental variance with genotypic coefficient of variation (5.33%) which is smaller than the phenotypic Coefficient of variation (6.24%)and the estimate of broad sense heritability (0.78) was moderately high.Keywords: Heritability, variation, ear height, genes

Mitigating face-threatening acts in ethnic languages: A case of Chindali conversations in Songwe Region, Tanzania

Understanding how to mitigate face-threatening acts in the course of making communication offers valuable insights into the unique nature of languages and communities. This paper examines how address terms manage face-threatening acts in Chindali conversation. The study is based on a qualitative research design whereby the data were collected by participant observation and interviews with native speakers in the Kapelekeshi, Kalembo, Ngulughulu and Kafule villages of the Songwe region in the southern highlands of Tanzania. Interviews were conducted with 20 participants obtained through purposive sampling technique until the point of saturation. The study is couched in the linguistic politeness theory by Penelope Brown and the interactional sociolinguistic theory by John Gumperz. The data were analysed using a thematic approach. The findings reveal that address terms are used as tools for overcoming face-threatening acts (FTAs) in Chindali conversation. FTAs are divided into positive politeness and negative politeness. Address terms, such as pronouns, titles, and honorifics, were noted as crucial tools in managing interpersonal relations and mitigating FTAs by offering avenues for politeness. The study recommends studies on address terms in other individual ethnic languages to come up with a reasonable understanding of how address terms mitigate face-threatening acts

Assessment of microbial contamination in pediatric oral liquid formulations marketed in Katsina State, Nigeria

No Abstract

Comparative analysis of micronutrients status of HIV infected and HIV non- infected subjects attending three selected hospitals in Kano Metropolis, Kano State, Nigeria

Comparative studies on serum levels of micronutrients (iron, iodine, Vitamin A and β – carotene) were carried out among HIV negative and people living with HIV and AIDS attending three hospitals in Kano, namely Murtala Mohammed Specialist Hospital, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital and Infectious Diseases Hospital. HIV infection was confirmed using indirect solid phase enzyme immunoassay technique of Immunocomb II HIV 1 and 2 Bi spot kits. Serum micronutrients levels of 270 subjects were detected using colorimetric and spectrophotometric techniques. Results obtained showed that serum vitamin A and β-carotene concentrations decrease with increase in age and were higher in males than females. The mean serum concentrations (in µg/dl) of iron, iodine, vitamin A and β- carotene were found to be 99, 1.53, 39.4, 45.98 for HIV negative subjects; 62.6, 1.54, 20.16, 19.2 for HIV positive subjects and 28.8, 0.9, 16.1 and 18.0 for AIDS subjects respectively. Deficiency of iron, vitamin A and β-carotene were found to be more common among people living with HIV and AIDS when compared with HIV negative subjects at 5% level of significance with AIDS patients having the lowest value (p<0.05). This could be due to malabsorption, altered metabolism, reduced food intake and/or infection in HIV infected persons. Iodine level of these patients was found to be normal (1.54 and 0.9 µg/dl). The results imply that HIV infection affects the serum levels of iron, vitamin A and β-carotene by reducing their levels; hence, dietary supplementation with them could be useful in maintaining good health in HIV infected subjects and reducing mortality.Key words- AIDS, HIV, Kano, Micronutrients, Serum

Revisiting Freedom of Contract in the Contract of Carriage of Goods by Sea under the Rotterdam Rules: Service Contracts in Disguise?

The historiography of international legal regimes regulating freedom of parties to the contract of carriage of goods by sea is replete with uncertainties and enmeshed in disarray thereby deflecting the much desired effort to have a uniform and acceptable convention. This article examines the issue starting from the era of unfettered “one sided” freedom of “leave it or take it syndrome” down to the regulated hegemony under the Hague/Hague-Visby, as well as Hamburg Rules. This raises the question: to what extent should the freedom of parties be regulated under the proposed Rotterdam Rules? In an attempt to answer this question, the article apprises the antecedents of parties’ freedom under the existing anachronistic regimes in juxtaposition with the practice under the Rotterdam Rules with a view to promoting development of global commerce. The article further observes that the mechanism provided under the canopy of “volume contract” suggests a better package but with its attendant consequences. The article suggests the need for a holistic approach towards ratification of the Rotterdam Rules albeit, subject to some certain amendments with a view of eschewing the egocentric syndrome that pervaded the success of the Hamburg Rules by the major maritime players

Addressing The Principle and Challenges of Enforcement and Prosecution Under Universal Jurisdiction: Charting New Pathways for International Justice

Remarkably, the principle of universal jurisdiction is increasingly gaining traction in the international justice system as a key aspect of the prosecution of crime globally. Driven primarily by efforts to combat crime, this paper examined the relevance of universal jurisdiction in order to determine its adequacy as a system of international justice. Contextually, the principle of universal jurisdiction emerged as a supplemental component of the international justice system. This paper adopts the doctrinal approach by identifying and analyzing the relevant provisions and challenges of universal jurisdiction. It argues that if regular enforcement is a goal of the emerging international justice system, then universal jurisdiction will be an essential part of the system. The paper found out that the application of universal jurisdiction is saddled with challenges, not because of its reliance on national authorities to enforce international norms but due to the reluctance of those authorities to play this role. It concludes that universal jurisdiction will not become a reliable pillar of the international rule of law until these challenges are properly addressed

Microbiological evaluation of shelflife indices of fermented African locust bean cake stored under different preservative treatments

This study was carried out on the preservation of fermented Parkia biglobosa Seeds sourced from Local Producers and laboratory produced. The local and fermented laboratory controlled samples were treated with 0.5ml of freshly prepared ginger extract. Another set of control was left untreated. The samples were stored at ambient temperature for 30 and 120 days. Contaminant isolates were identified from locally produced, laboratory treated and untreated (Control) using standard procedure. The analysis consisted of Aerobic and Anaerobic mesophilic count, Staphylococcus count and fungal count, detection of E. coli, S. aureus, Salmonella sp, Mucor sp and Rhizopus sp. The proximate analysis and organoleptic assessment of the purchased, Laboratory treated and laboratory untreated (control) were carried out using standard procedure at 30 and 120 days. Isolated and characterized bacterial isolates at 30 and 120 days in the treated and control locust bean cake were E.coli only isolated in Kwanar yandaddawa, Staphylococcus aureus was isolated in all the purchased Locust bean cake, Salmonella sp was not detected and a predominant fungalspecies were Mucor and Rhizopus. There was log reduction between 30 and 120 days  reated locust bean cake; the Control shows Log increase. The mean proximate composition percentage differences between 30 and 120 days shows nutritional quality of treated locust bean cake. Organoleptically, the judges rejected control daddawa as a result of what the panelist termed as “unpalatable taste and partially pleasant aroma” due to off flavor. The growing interest in use of natural products of plant origin therefore gives Ginger extract an advantage in developing a practical approach for the preservation of African locust bean cake.Keywords: African locust bean cake, preservatives, log reduction, nutritional quality, shelflife