Theses & Dissertations

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://repository.ui.edu.ng/handle/123456789/3

Browse

Now showing 1 - 20 of 173

PHARMACOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF FIVE MEDICINAL PLANTS IN LABORATORY ANIMALS
(2011) FAKUNLE, J. O.
Medicinal plants have potential therapeutic characteristics, but most are yet to be pharmacologically evaluated. Tithonia diversifolia (Td), Acalypha wilkesiana (Aw), Lippia multiflora (Lm), Ocimum gratissimum (Og) and Morinda morindoides (Mm) are locally used for the treatment of malaria. The pharmacological and toxicological effects of the aqueous extract, solvent fractions (hydromethanol, hexane, chloroform and ethyl acetate) and Chromatographic sub-Fractions (CsF) A-F of these plants were assessed in rats and mice. Diabetes was alloxan - induced in rats. Antidiabetic effects of the aqueous leaf extracts of Td, Aw, Lm, Og, the root extract of Mm administered orally at a dose of 400 mg/kg for 21 days were evaluated in rats. Glibenclamide and distilled water were administered to equal number of rats as positive and negative controls, respectively. One hundred and ten rats comprising five per group of 22 were further exposed to 200 and 400 mg/kg doses of solvent fractions and 100 mg/kg CsF A-F of Mm and Aw. Isolation and purification of active compounds were carried out using bioactivity guided fractionation and accelerated gradient chromatography. Anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of the aqueous extract, solvent fractions and CsF of the bioactive fraction of Mm were determined using the carrageenan induced rat paw model and acetic-acid induced writhing method in mice. Toxic effects of the aqueous extracts were assessed in rats at doses of 400, 800 and 1600 mg/kg for 28 days using haematology, serum biochemistry and organ pathology as indices. Phytochemical analyses of all the plants were carried out using standard methods. Isolation and purification of active compounds were carried out using standard procedures. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and ANOVA (p<0.05). The 400 mg/kg aqueous extract and chloroform CsF B at 100 mg/kg of Mm caused significant (56% and 74% respectively) reduction in blood sugar (BS) compared to positive control. The 400 mg/kg of aqueous and 100 mg/kg hexane CsF D of Aw caused 51 and 58% reductions in BS, respectively. The chloroform CsF A of Mm caused a significant (93%) reduction in rat paw oedema, while the ethyl acetate CsF D of Mm caused a 71% inhibition of writhing in mice. Haematology and serum biochemistry were normal; no histopathological changes were observed in all except Td; which caused statistically significant 70.1'12.4 and 141.1'2.7 ('/l) increases in ALP and ALT respectively at 400 mg/kg when compared with the control. Mm, Aw, Lm and Og contain alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids while Td contain glycosides, tannins, polyphenols and anthraquinones. Compounds 1 and 2 responsible for anti-inflammatory and BS reduction effect respectively were isolated from the chloroform fraction of Mm.Compound 3 with analgesic effect, was isolated from the ethyl acetate fraction of Mm. Compound 4 isolated from the hexane fraction of Aw also reduced BS. Active compounds isolated from Morinda morindoides had anti-diabetic, analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects while the compound isolated from Acalypha wilkesiana also had antidiabetic effect. Compounds 1 to 4 were isolated for the first time in this study.
PERFORMANCE OF GRAZING N�DAMA SUPPLEMENTED WITH OIL PALM SLURRY � BASED DIETS
(2011) ADERIYE, J. A.
N�dama, an indigenous cattle to tropical environment, is characterized by slow growth and poor milk production due to inadequate all year round dietary energy supplementation. Oil Palm Slurry (OPS) is an industrial waste that has potential to replace the conventional energy supplements in ruminant diet. However, information on its use as energy supplement is very scanty, particularly for N�dama. Thus, the performance of grazing N�dama cattle supplemented with OPS-based diets was investigated. In the first study, eighteen N�dama in-cows were randomly divided into six groups of three animals per treatment in a completely randomized design such that OPS replaced Wheat Offal (WO) at 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, 100% and grazing alone (control) in treatments I, II, III, IV, V, and VI respectively for ten months. Parameters measured were Voluntary Feed Intake Supplement (VFIS), Calf Weight at Birth (CWB), Calf Daily Weight Gain (CDWG), Milk Off-take (MO) and Calf Weaning Weight (CWW). In another study, sixteen weaned calves were randomly divided into four groups of four animals per group and fed Panicum maximum supplemented with 0%, 10%, 20% and 30% OPS replacing WO in treatments I, II, III, and IV respectively for 180 days. Parameters measured were VFIS, Total Dry Matter Intake (TDMI), Weight Gain (WG) and Efficiency of Feed Utilization (EFU). The animals were slaughtered to obtain information on carcass qualities such as Dressing Percentage (DP), Meat Color (MC), Shear Force (SF), and Meat to Bone Ratio (MBR). Data obtained were analysed using descriptive statistics and ANOVA (p=0.05). The VFIS (2.46 � 2.70kg DM/cow/day) and MO (2.54 � 2.67kg/cow/day) were similar for cows on treatments I-III, but significantly higher than those on treatments IV-VI (1.35 � 1.53kg DM/ cow/day and 1.37 � 1.42kg/cow/day respectively). The CDWG and CWW were similar for animals on treatments I-III (0.44 � 0.50kg and 95.80 � 97.57kg respectively), but significantly higher than corresponding values obtained for treatments IV-VI (0.22-0.31kg) and (70.17-71.03kg). The VFIS and TDMI were similar for weaners on treatments I, II, and III (1.96 � 2.04kg and 2.56 � 2.57kg respectively), but significantly higher than those on treatment IV (1.31 and 2.17kg). The WG (kg/calf/day) for weaners on treatment I (0.48) was significantly lower than those on treatments II (0.58) and III (0.63), but similar to those on treatment IV (0.50). The EFU of weaners on treatments II, III and IV (0.23 - 0.24) were similar but higher than those on treatment I (0.20). The DP (%) of weaners on treatments I (40.86) and IV (43.45) were similar and significantly lower than those on treatments II (49.19) and III (50.99). The MC and SF for weaners on treatments II, III and IV (6.00 � 7.00% and 5.03 - 5.27% respectively) were similar but significantly higher than those on treatment I (4.00 and 4.23% respectively). The MBR (0.08 � 0.18) increased significantly from treatment I to III after which it decreased to 0.10. Oil palm slurry can replace up to 50% wheat offal in the diets of N�dama cows while 20% replacement of wheat offal with oil palm slurry in weaner diets enhanced performance and carcass qualities.
LABOUR INSPECTION VARIABLES AS CORRELATES OF DECENT WORK AGENDA IN EXTRACTIVE AND MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES IN LAGOS AND OGUN STATES, NIGERIA
(2011) AJAKAYE, S. O.
In response to daunting global challenges of quality of work life (QWL), the International Labour Organisation (ILO) initiated Decent Work Agenda (DWA), (suitable and productive working environment), to protect vulnerable employees and the working poor. Although previous studies have focused more on sweeping labour standards violations at work, they do not examine labour inspection (LI) system as a potent instrument for implementing DWA towards improving QWL. This study, therefore, investigated the extent to which LI variables (LI visits, labour law enforcement, safety monitoring, industrial relations, dispute resolution, intelligence monitoring) influenced compliance with DWA in selected extractive and manufacturing industries. The Descriptive survey research design of the ex post facto type was adopted. Proportionate stratified random sampling technique was adopted to select 1033 employees from 8 industries on the basis of minimum number of 50 employees in each organisation (456-Extractive Industry; 557-Manufacturing Industry), in Lagos and Ogun states given the high concentration of industries in the two states. Two instruments: LI Questionnaire (r = 0.75) and DWA Scale (r = 0.82) were used for data collection. These were complemented with a semi-structured Interview Guide. Thirteen In-depth Interview (IDI) sessions were held with Labour Officers, Personnel Officers and Union Leaders. Four research questions were raised and answered and two hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of significance. Data from the questionnaires were analysed using descriptive statistics, Pearson Product Moment Correlation, t-Test and Multiple regression.IDI data were content analysed. LI variables significantly correlated (R=.61) with DWA (F (5, 1032) = 148.03; p<0.05) and accounted for 36% variance in the dependent measure. Components of LI contributed to DWA as follows: LI visit (β = 0.42), labour law enforcement (β = 0.40), safety monitoring (β = 0.26), industrial relations (β = 0.21), dispute resolution (β = 0.19) and intelligence monitoring (β = 0.15). LI correlated with the components of DWA as follows: Employment issues (r = 0.45), Promotion of rights at work (r = 0.42), Social protection issues (r = 0.33) and Social dialogue (r = 0.24). Further, the mediatory functions of governmental and institutional factors significantly correlated (R=.710) with the impacts of LI on DWA (F (2, 1031) = 254.53; p< 0.05). Relatively, their effects were in the following order: Policy support (β = 0.42), Resources (β = 0.38), Political will (β = 0.06) and Institutional capacity (β = 0.03). No significant difference was observed between extractive and manufacturing industries on decent work agenda (t = 0.23, df= 1031; p>0.05). The IDI result revealed poor labour inspection performance resulting in high decent work deficits in the examined industries. Labour inspection, supported by governmental and institutional factors remains a veritable tool for engendering DWA in extractive and manufacturing industries. Therefore, government and other stakeholders should give these factors priority attention to promote suitable working environment. Future studies could probe into why extractive industry is not more hazardous than manufacturing industry in Nigeria as revealed in this study.
ASSESSMENT OF DETRIMENTAL HEALTH EFFECT OF RADIATION ASSOCIATED WITH DIAGNOSTIC X-RAY EXAMINATIONS AT FOUR CENTRES IN NIGERIA
(2011) AKINLADE, B. I.
Radiation exposure during diagnostic X-ray examinations has been widely reported as one of the sources of cancer induction. Information on X-ray machine and exposure parameters are crucial to risk assessment, which in turn are important for optimization of radiation protection measures. The documentation of radiation risk in Nigeria is sparse and hence the effectiveness of radiation protection measures at diagnostic centres has not been well established. This work was aimed at measuring effective dose received by patients during diagnostic x-ray examinations and estimating the associated risk. Between the years 2004 and 2006, the beam output of x-ray machines at four diagnostic centres with adequate regulatory activities were measured with non-invasive x-ray meter. These centres include University College Hospital (UCH) Ibadan, Twotees Diagnostic Centre (TDC) Ibadan, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex (OAUTHC) Ile-Ife and National Hospital Abuja (NHA). Field sizes, focus to skin distance (FSD), tube filtration, operating potential (kVp) and tube loading (mAs) were measured and used to calculate Dose Area Product (DAP) per patient. Data on age and examination type were recorded for 1034 patients which include 310(UCH), 276(TDC), 220(OAUTHC) and 228(NHA). These and calculated DAP were used to run Monte Carlo program to obtain effective dose. The risk of cancer was thereafter estimated using fatal cancer risk factor of 5 x 10-2 Sv-1. The results obtained were compared with the risk estimates recommended by the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP). iv X-ray field sizes and FSD of the examinations considered ranged from 8 cm x 5 cm to 40 cm x 35 cm and 75 cm to 139 cm respectively. The tube filtrations (mmAl) at UCH, TDC, OAUTHC and NHA were 1.7, 2.7, 1.7 and 1.0 +1.0 mmCu respectively while the mean exposure parameters (kVp, mAs) were 69, 45; 76, 79; 100, 83; and 75, 28 respectively. Analysis of examination type showed that thoracic x-ray examination was the most common (74.0%). This was followed by head and neck (11.0%), pelvic (8.0%), lower limb (4.0%), abdomen (2.0%) and upper limb (1.0%). The mean age (years) of patients was 38±1 at UCH, 32±1 at TDC, 27±1 at OAUTHC and 28±1 at NHA. Examination procedures were the same in all centres except the use of anti-scatter grid for thoracic examination at OAUTHC. In all x-ray examinations, DAP (mGycm2) generally ranged from 70 to 38,155. The range of effective doses (mSv) at UCH, TDC, OAUTHC and NHA were 0.01–0.11, 0.01–0.17, 0.24–4.74 and 0.01–0.10 respectively while the corresponding estimated risks of cancer per million were 2–9, 2–22, 100–400 and 2-6. The values at OAUTHC were higher than ICRP risk estimates of 35 cancer cases per million. This was traceable to selection of high kVp with high mAs and insufficient tube filtration. Radiation risks associated with diagnostic X-ray examinations were within acceptable limit except at OAUTHC. For radiation risks to be within the recommended limit, the use of high kVp with low mAs and careful application of anti-scatter grid are encouraged. Keywords: Patient dose, Cancer risk assessment, Ionising radiation,
DETERMINANTS OF CARRYING CAPACITY OF ACADEMIC PROGRAMMES IN FEDERAL UNIVERSITIES IN NIGERIA
(2011) ADEWALE, T. M.
Universities' inadequate provision of human resources, material resources and infrastructural facilities due to poor funding resulted in the formulation of principles of faculty carrying capacity that admission of students be based on available facilities such as classrooms, staff, equipment and materials. Admission to universities in Nigeria is highly competitive because of the increasing importance attached to university education in the development of individuals and the nation. In spite of this realisation, studies on university education have placed a great emphasis on the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board's cut-off points without considering the carrying capacities of admitting universities and factors that determine the admission of students. This study, therefore, investigates the relationship between the number of academic staff, fund allocation, physical resources, material resources and carrying capacity in selected federal universities in Nigeria. The study adopted the survey research design of the ex-post facto type. The Purposive sampling technique was used to select one federal university from first and second generation universities that have been producing graduates since 2002/2003 academic year in the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria. Five sets of checklists were used to collect secondary data. These were Academic and Non-academic Staff Data; Checklists Fund Allocation; University Student Enrolment (undergraduate); Inventory of Physical and Material Resources. Four research questions were raised and answered and five hypotheses tested at 0.05 level of significance. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, analysis of variance and multiple regression. Fund allocation was the major determinant of carrying capacity (F (1, 46) = 6.58, p <0.05). There was also a positive correlation between the number of academic staff and carrying capacity (r = 0.55, p < 0.05). The degree of contribution of the independent variables to carrying capacity was as follows: fund allocation (? = 0.95, t=2.39; p >, 0.05), material resources (? = -0.31, t=-1.14; p > 0.05), academic and non-academic staff (? = -0.16, t=-0.39; p > 0.05), physical resources (?=0.13, t=0.51; p > 0.05). The result showed that each university was significantly different from the other in terms of fund allocation (F (5, 42) =3.59, p<0.05). There was also a significant variation in the number of academic staff (F (5, 12) =108.61, p<0.05). The carrying capacity of the universities was significantly different from one another (F (5, 42) =38.42, p<0.05). There were no significant differences among physical resources, material resources and carrying capacity and no significant difference was observed in their present enrolment and their carrying capacity. In addition, Usman Dan-Fodio had the least number of academic staff followed by Unilorin, UniMaid, UniBen and UNN with UI having the largest mean human resources. Fund allocation and the number of academic staff had significant influence on carrying capacity in the federal universities in Nigeria. Education stakeholders should, therefore, assist in the provision of adequate funding and adhere strictly to carrying capacity principles to maintain and improve the quality of university education in Nigeria.
NUTRIENT UTILISATION AND GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF CLARIAS GARIEPINUS FED DIFFERENTLY PROCESSED MUCUNA UTILIS MEALS AS A REPLACEMENT FOR SOYBEAN-BASED DIET
(2011) OLASUNKANMI, J. B.
High cost of feed and competition between fish and other livestock's feed industries necessitate research into low cost, non-conventional feedstuffs for profitable fish farming. The feed potential of Mucuna utilis in this direction has not been documented. The feed potentials of Mucuna utilis and its effects on growth and biochemical parameters of the African catfish, Clarias gariepinus were therefore investigated. Proximate, mineral composition and level of L-DOPA (3, 4-dihydroxylphenyalanine) in Raw Mucuna Meal (RMM), Cooked Mucuna Meal (CMM) and Toasted Mucuna Meal (TMM) were determined. These were used to substitute soybean meal at 0%, 10%, 20% and 30% inclusion levels in 40% crude protein isocaloric and isonitrogenous diets. Clarias gariepinus (mean weight 6.60 ± 1.09g) were randomly allotted to the 12 treatments in a 4 by 3 factorial experiment. The experiment was replicated thrice and the fish were fed twice daily at 5% body weight. The feeding trial lasted for 84 days during which growth and nutrient utilization parameters such as Mean Weight Gain (MWG), Specific Growth Rate (SGR), and Food Conversion Ratio (FCR) were measured. Packed Cell Volume (PCV), White Blood Cell (WBC), plasma glucose, plasma protein and albumin were determined. Also, histo-pathological evaluations of fish fed MSM supplemented diets were carried out. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and ANOVA. Crude protein (29.2%), fat (0.7%), fibre (9.6%), Potassium (1.4%), Phosphorus (0.1%) and Iron (132.1mg/kg) were highest in RMM while CMM had the least values. The level of L-DOPA was highest (6.9%) in RMM and lowest in TMM (5.2%). All the fish responded positively to experimental diets with increase in growth ranging from 12.69 ± 2.10g in 30% RMM to 18.48 ± 3.9g in 10% CMM. The MWG (20.98 ± 5.19g), SGR (11.9%), and FCR (2.81 ± 0.29) recorded in fish fed control diet (0% inclusion level) were higher but not significantly different from values obtained in fish fed diets 10% RMM and 10% TMM. Inclusion of Mucuna Seed Meal (MSM) in the diet beyond 20% in all treatments resulted in lower weight gain. Carcass protein increased in all except in fish fed 20% RMM. The PCV increased progressively from 27.0% in the control diet to 37.7% recorded in 30% inclusion level of CMM. Fish in 20% RMM had the highest WBC (8.20 X 103 ± 0.59mm3) value while the lowest value (1.01 X 103 ± 1.29mm3) was obtained in 20% inclusion level of TMM. There were no significant differences in the plasma glucose in all the treatments compared to the control value of 39.33 ± 9.24mg/l. Feeding MSM-based diets at 30% inclusion level in all the processed forms resulted in severe vacuolation of the hepatocytes of the liver and spongiosis of the white matter of the cerebellum of the brain. Mucuna seed meals have good potential as feed ingredient in the diet of Clarias gariepinus. Substitution of Mucuna seed meal as a replacement for soybean meal beyond 20% may lead to serious nutritional and health hazards to the fish.
A CRITICAL DISCOURSE ANALYSIS OF IDEOLOGY AND MEANING IN SELECTED NOVELS OF CHINUA ACHEBE
(2011) ONYEMELUKWE, N. H.
Most previous studies on Chinua Achebe's novels have largely concentrated on thematic preoccupations, especially inter-cultural conflicts in Africa. Some of the works focus on ideology and meaning with emphasis on cultural nationalism. Nevertheless, they have not yet objectified the relationship between the ideological contents of Achebe‟s novels and the discourse patterns reflected in the novels. This study, therefore, critically investigates more of the ideologies and underlying meanings mirrored in three of Achebe's novels, the objective being to highlight this relationship and their implications for nation-building in Nigeria. The study adopts a theoretical framework that combines Van Djik's model of Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) with Michael Halliday's Systemic Functional Theory. The former enhances a broad social, cognitive and political interpretation of underlying ideologies in texts, while the latter lays emphasis on meaning. The framework facilitates the identification of largely socio-political ideologies and implicit meanings reflected in texts. The purposive sampling technique was applied to select Achebe's Things Fall Apart (TFA), A Man of the People (AMOP), and Anthills of the Savannah (AOS), perceived to be richer in ideological and implicit meanings than his other novels. One thousand, one hundred and seventy-two sentences with salient ideological and/or implicit meanings were identified in the texts out of which 250, chosen by means of simple random sampling, were analysed. A content analysis of these sentences covered the morphological, lexical, syntactic, rhetorical, and semantic levels. Some of the ideological contents in the selected sentences in the novels are despotism, chauvinism, and racism, the first of which is the central discourse field of the three novels. This embodies a dictatorial right-wing socio-political ideology that characterises military and civilian rules in Africa. Socio-culturally, despotism manifests in the patriarchal leadership system in which women and children are respectively at the mercy of their husbands and fathers as exemplified by Okonkwo's household in TFA. While this form of leadership is criticised in the novels for its multiple demerits like imposition, intolerance, subjugation and bullying, the left-wing socio-political ideology of participatory democracy is implicitly foregrounded, because it promotes a general positive attitude to life. At the lexical and morphological levels, Achebe achieves these elements by means of compounding ("big-chief"), neologisms ("negrophobist") and lexical metaphors ("national cake, "the roaring flame"). Achebe also passionately faults despotism and other right-wing ideologies at the syntactic and rhetorical levels by means of topicalisation ("women are their own worst enemies"); nominalisation ("worshipping a dictator") and passive syntax ("speeches made in vernacular were liable to be distorted and misquoted in the press"), to give the major underlying message that democracy is the only acceptable socio-political ideology. Several instances of ambiguity polarise some implicit meanings in the novels. For example, an ambiguous expression like "all of you" intratextually, in TFA, refers to the tortoise or a group of birds to signify credulity or greed. The texts also reflect insinuations ("it is in the place of the poor man to make a visit to the rich who holds the yam and the knife") that implicitly highlight the values of silence, wisdom, and sensible socio-political agitation as largely reflected in AOS and AMOP. Achebe's TFA, AMOP and AOS contain profound implicit and largely socio-political ideological meanings, which Nigeria as a nation can appropriate to make her democracy truly participatory. The analysis of the texts has also confirmed that a CDA unearths such meanings.
USE OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES (ICTs) AMONG WOMEN FARMERS IN NORTH-EASTERN NIGERIA
(2011) NDAGHU. A. A.
Availability of information on improved technologies is an important ingredient for agricultural development. However, Nigerian women farmers have low access to technological information. The use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) among these women in accessing information on improved agricultural practices has not been adequately explored. Use of ICTs among women farmers in north-eastern Nigeria was assessed in this study. Adamawa and Bauchi were randomly selected from the six states in north-eastern Nigeria. All the seven Agricultural development Programme (ADP) zones in the two states were included in the sample. Twenty five percent of Women-in-Agriculture units of the ADP extension blocks in each zone were selected and 15% of women in each unit were randomly sampled. A total of 359 respondents, made up of 172 and 187 from Adamawa and Bauchi States respectively, were selected. Interview schedule was used to collect information on respondents‟ characteristics and benefits. Social participation, awareness and attitude were assessed and categorised on point scales thus: low (0-11.4), high (11.5-39.0); low (0-5.9), high (6.0-10); and unfavourable (37.0-60.0), favourable (61-79) respectively. The use of old ICTs (radio, television, telephone, video, extension bulletin and newspaper) and new ICTs (mobile phone, computer, internet and CD-ROM) were also assessed. Data were analysed, using descriptive statistics, Chi-square, correlation, t-test, and logit regression (p=0.05) Married respondents constituted 86.6% and the mean age was 41.0 ± 12.6 years. Christians were 65.1%, Muslims in seclusion were 32.9% and 52.0% attained primary education. Most respondents (64.3%) practised mixed farming, with mean farm size of 3.4 ± 2.7 ha; 93.0% cultivated cereals and 58.5% raised poultry. Also, 57.7% had low social participation score (0.0-11.4) and 99.0% were aware of ICTs. Majority of the respondents benefitted from access to information on fertiliser sources and application (75.8%), credits, grants and loans (71.5%), child care and nutrition (67.1%), market prices and location (65.5%), crop pests; diseases and control (63.5%). The most commonly used old ICTs were radio (92.8%) and television (59.6%), while the most commonly used new ICT was the mobile phone (59.3%). Fifty-two percent had unfavourable attitude (0.0-60.0) towards the use of ICTs. Use of ICTs was significantly related to residence location (χ2=0.12), seclusion status (0.44) and education (0.10). It was also significantly related to social participation (r=0.47), cosmopoliteness (0.19), awareness (0.65) and attitude (0.32). Mean awareness of old ICTs (4.1±1.9) was significantly higher than of new ICTs (1.7±1.3). Mean use of old ICTs (14.8±11.3), its use among non-secluded (21.5±6.8) and among urban respondents 4(23.1±16.6) were significantly higher than mean use of new ICTs (4.8 ±3.2), its use among secluded (15.7 ±9.3) and among rural respondents (19.2±12.4). Education, social participation, awareness of ICTs, cosmopoliteness and residence location had likelihood of increasing the use of ICTs by 0.03, 0.01, 0.46, 0.04 and 0.09 respectively Women farmers in north-eastern Nigeria had high awareness of ICTs and used them in accessing agricultural and other livelihood information. However, the unfavourable attitude and low awareness and use of new ICTs need to be addressed to increase the potential to deliver agricultural information to women farmers.
CONSOLIDATION AND HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT IN SELECTED BANKS IN LAGOS, NIGERIA
(2011) JOSHUA, T. A
The recapitalisation policy of July 4, 2004 by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) introduced consolidation as a survival option for banks. This required the harmonisation of hitherto separated structures of management and job redesign. There is, however, a dearth of data on implications of reform programmes on the management of human resources in the sector. The limited information on it are also inconclusive. The study, therefore, sets out to investigate the human resource challenges in the post-consolidation period in the specific areas of job adaptation, job insecurity, cultural integration, work relations, wage disparity and voice representation. A survey was conducted within the city of Lagos because of its prominence as Nigeria's commercial capital. Three banks namely Union Bank, Oceanic Bank and Unity Bank were purposively selected for the study. While Union Bank has had a longer history of banking commencing from 1917, Oceanic Bank was established in 1991 in the closing period of banking expansion and Unity Bank in 2006 as a result of consolidation-induced combination of nine banks. Data were obtained through quantitative and qualitative techniques. The quantitative approach involved the administration of questionnaire on 221 employees from the headquarters of the selected banks through simple random sampling. Qualitative data were derived from four in-depth interviews involving top management staff of the three banks. Data were analysed using frequency counts, simple percentages and content analysis. Employee job adaptation improved through the employment of culture-bound strategies such as after-service delivery and personalised customer relations by bank management in the three banks. For 70% of respondents across the banks, active union participation was important for effective voice representation that could check indiscriminate job losses, and consequently improve job security. Consolidation acted primarily as a redemptive option to assist distressed banks, and to restructure the banking system for effective service delivery. Diverse cultures brought into the banks by new employees were effectively integrated according to 84.8% of respondents, particularly in Union Bank and Unity Bank. With the exception of Unity Bank, high job insecurity prevailed in other banks; 59.4% of respondents opined that staff reduction was based on employee performance appraisal. However, the high wage compensation that typically attracted employees to the sector lost its appeal due to high rate of retrenchment which was not negotiated with the unions. Nevertheless, in Union Bank and Oceanic Bank, wage compensation improved considerably in the post-consolidation era according to 83.4% of the respondents while wage cuts was a factor of job sustenance for employees of Unity Bank. Banking consolidation provided the basis for refocused strategy for banks in managing human resources and improving wages and productivity. This was carried out at the expense of job security and voice representation. Future banking reforms should be designed to avert these negative side effects on human resources.
CONTINUING MEDICAL EDUCATION PRACTICES AMONG DOCTORS IN IBADAN METROPOLIS
(2011) OFODIRE, N. E.
The remarkable growth and advances in knowledge, skills and techniques in health care delivery necessitate that Continuing Medical Education (CME) is of critical importance for quality medical practice. The few available surveys in West Africa show that most doctor practicing outside teaching and specialist health institutions do not take part in regular CME activities. This study was aimed at assessing the available forms of CME, areas of needs for medical doctors, their uptake of CME and the factors affecting CME participation in Ibadan metropolis. The study was a cross-sectional survey. The respondents were selected from private, general and teaching hospitals in Ibadan metropolis by simple random sampling through balloting without replacement. A validated questionnaire was used for data collection. Three hundred questionnaires were self-administered but only 205 responded giving a response rate of 68.3% over a period of six-months. Descriptive and Chi square statistics were used for the data analysis. The mean age of the two hundred and five participants was 40.3' 9.5 years. A total of 166(81%) were married and 149(72.7%) were males. Among the respondents, 95(46.3%) had additional postgraduate qualifications, 74(36.1%), worked in general/mission hospitals while 66 (32.2%) and 65(31.7%) practiced in primary/private and tertiary health facilities respectively. Only 96(46.3%) of the respondents were computer literate with 65(31.7%) having internet access. In the twelve months preceding the study, 110(53.7%) subscribed to medical journals, 49(23.9%) did not attend any CME and 64.9% were not involved in any medical research. Most 202(98.5%) referred patients to other health facilities but only 32(15.6%) got feedbacks from their referrals. One hundred and ninety four (94.6%) of the respondents, indicated that lectures, seminars, conferences and update courses were the common forms of CME in Ibadan metropolis. One hundred and ten (53.7%) of the respondents, were of the view that professional bodies should be responsible for the conduct of CME while 149 (77.3%), opined that CME should be funded by government and employers. Special areas of CME needs highlighted were internal medicine, surgery, finance and health management by 166(81.0%) of the respondents. Whereas 103 (54.5%), preferred CME to be conducted monthly or quarterly, CME attendance was significantly associated with age and marital status as married doctors 116(81%),attended more CME sessions than the singles ( p=0.006). The attendance increased with age between 20 and 49 years (p=0.001). Long CME sessions and unsuitable timing, were identified by 185 (90.2%) of the respondents, as mitigating factors to CME attendance and participation. However 180(87.8%), believed that CME would increase their knowledge and improve the quality of their practice. Participation in continuing medical education is yet to become a universal practice among doctors in the study area and the reported continuing education needs among them were related to acquisition of clinical and managerial skills. The creation of more opportunities for continuing medical education and self-directed learning for practicing medical doctors is recommended.
INFORMATION ACCESSIBILITY, UTILISATION AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC VARIABLES AS PREDICTORS OF QUALITY OF LIFE OF RURAL WOMEN IN EKITI STATE, NIGERIA
(2011) ZAID, Y.
The quality of life of people in developing countries, including Nigeria, is often adjudged to be lower than the expected standard. This is worse with women living in the rural areas whose lives are characterised by inadequate access and use of basic amenities of life. The situation is compounded by the women's lack of access to valuable information and non-utilisation of available information which could help them meet the challenges of daily living. The rural environment and the attendant socio-economic milieu pose additional limitation to the women's quality of life. Studies relating informational factors to quality of life of rural women appear to be rare in the field of library science. This study, therefore, investigated the extent to which information accessibility, utilisation and socio-economic variables (age, education, occupation, marital status, number of children, household size, type of house, rural dwelling status, employment status, income, average spending on food and standard of living), could predict the quality of life of rural women in Ekiti State, Nigeria. The study adopted the descriptive research design of the ex-post facto type. Multi stage sampling procedure was used to select 5000 rural women from 10 local government areas in Ekiti State. Three instruments were used: Information Accessibility Scale (r=0.87), Information Utilisation Scale (r=0.82) and Quality of Life Scale (r=0.84). Focus Group Discussions and interviews were also employed to complement the quantitative data collected. Six research questions were answered and four hypotheses tested at 0.05 level of significance. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Pearson Product Moment Correlation and Multiple Regression. Socio-economic variables, information accessibility and information utilisation had significant multiple correlation with quality of life (R=.69;p<0.05). These taken together, significantly predicted quality of life of rural women in Ekiti State (F=325.17, df=14;4985, p<0.05). The variables contributed 47.7% of the total variance in quality of life of rural women. Out of these, seven individually predicted the women's quality of life and these were information utilisation (?=.33), information accessibility (?=.32) type of house (?=.12) and marital status (? =.04), standard of living (? = .034), occupation (?=.03) and household size (?=.021). Information accessibility, information utilisation and socio-economic factors played significant roles in the quality of life of rural women. Therefore, government should provide special information centres to provide timely information that could improve the quality of life of rural women in Ekiti State.
IMPACT OF MOTOR DEVELOPMENT IN CHILDREN WITH CEREBRAL PALSY ON THE QUALITY OF LIFE AND GENERAL HEALTH STATUS OF CAREGIVERS
(2011) FATUDIMU, M. B.
Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a neuropaediatric condition which occurs as a result of damage to an immature brain resulting in abnormal motor development requiring special care. Caring for children with CP may affect the quality of life and/or impact on the general health status of their caregivers. There is paucity of longitudinal studies exploring this inter-relationship. The relationship between motor development of Children With Cerebral Palsy (CWCP) and impact of caring on each of Quality of Life (QoL) and General Health Status (GHS) of caregivers of CWCP was therefore evaluated. Participants in this longitudinal study comprised of consecutively recruited 107 CWCP and 107 Caregivers of CWCP (CCWCP) from four specialist hospitals in southwest Nigeria. Ninety eight caregivers of normally developing children were also recruited to constitute the Control Group (CG). The CCWCP and CG were matched for age and socio-economic status. However 67 participants in each of the CWCP, CCWCP, and 87 in the CG completed the study. Gross motor function of the CWCP was assessed in the clinic and their respective homes using the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM)(scored 0 to 100) at baseline and monthly for eight consecutive months in order to assess the likely influence of the home and the clinic environments on their motor function. The QoL and GHS of the CCWCP and CG participants were assessed at baseline and for eight consecutive months using the World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire (WHOQoL) (scored 1 to 5) and General Health Questionnaire (GHQ)(scored 0 to 3) respectively. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Wilcoxon Signed Rank, Friedman's ANOVA, Spearman's Correlation and Mann-Whitney U at p = 0.05. At baseline, the CCWCP had a significantly lower median WHOQoL score of 84.0 (range 48.0-115.0) than their CG counterparts (median 96.0, range 62.0-123.0). CCWCP also recorded a significantly higher median GHQ score of 16.0 (range 4.0'48.0) than the controls (median 9.0, range 1.0-22.0) indicating lower QoL and GHS. At the 8th month, the CG had significantly higher WHOQoL scores (median 96.0, range 63.0-124.0 vs median 89.0, range 60.0-118.0). Among the CWCP, baseline GMFM score was higher at home (median 15.7, range 0-71.9) than in the clinic (median 13.6, range 0-71.9). Similarly the home GMFM scores were significantly higher at the 8th month (median 28.9, range 0-100.0) than in the clinic (median 25.8, range 0-100.0). The GMFM score increased significantly between baseline and 1st; 3rd and 4th; 5th and 6th; and 7th and 8th months. The GMFM scores had significant positive correlation with WHOQoL scores at the 5th (r = 0.3), 7th (r =0.4) and 8th months (r =0.4). The better the motor development in children with cerebral palsy, the higher the quality of life and general health status of caregivers. Performance of motor function was better at home compared to the clinic suggesting that home environment should be simulated during management of children with cerebral palsy.
INCOME DIVERSIFICATION AND POVERTY AMONG RURAL FARM HOUSEHOLDS IN SOUTHWEST NIGERIA
(2011) IDOWU, A. O.
Rural development has been erroneously equated to agricultural development. The former works to diversify income through non-farm activities to complement proceeds of the latter. However, the actual role of non-farm income in poverty alleviation is not yet known among rural households. There is therefore the need to critically explore the roles of non-farm income diversification in rural poverty alleviation. The patterns and contributions of non-farm income diversification to poverty reduction among rural farm households in Southwest Nigeria were investigated. A multistage sampling technique was used to obtain data from rural farm households. Three states (Ekiti, Ogun and Osun) from the six south western states were randomly selected. Five agricultural zones were randomly selected from the three states based on probability proportionate to size. In each zone, four blocks and three cells per block were selected. Lastly, two farming communities per cell and four farming households per community were selected to make 480 farming households. Structured questionnaire was used to collect data on socio-economic characteristics, household assets, income generating activities, labour-use, income and expenditure. Descriptive statistics, Foster-Greer-Thorbecke poverty measures, Herfindal index, Tobit and Probit regression methods were employed for data analyses at p = 0.05. Mean age of household heads, household size and dependency ratio were 49.9 ± 0.6 years, 6.8 ± 0.1 and 0.7 ± 0.1, respectively. The mean year of schooling of household heads was 8.8 ± 0.2 and 83.7% of households were headed by male. The mean per capita income was N206.7 ± 160.3/day while the per capita cost of basic needs was N253.4 ± 28.6/day. The incidence, depth and severity of poverty were 76.4%, 32.9% and 17.3% respectively. Ninety four percent of the households derived their income from a diversified portfolio of livelihood activities, with non-farm activities accounting for 67.1% of the income. The non-farm activities included skilled (18.0%) and unskilled (22.9%) wage employment, self-employment (81.3%) and social and community service (8.8%). Self-employment was the largest non-farm income source contributing 42.1%. Involvement in non-farm labour activities was significantly higher among poor than non-poor farm households. The level of income diversification depicted by Herfindal index was 2.8 ± 0.04 and it was significantly higher among poor than non-poor farm households. The implicit wage rate of household labour use in farming activities (N1,773.4/manday) was significantly higher than in non-farm activities (N878.0/manday). Education (0.1) and electricity (0.5) significantly increased non-farm income diversification while distance to urban centre (-0.04), landholding (-0.6) and animal asset base (-0.2) significantly reduced non-farm income diversification. Participation in non-farm skilled (-0.1) and unskilled (-0.1) wage employments significantly reduced the probability of being poor. Other characters of respondents that significantly reduced the probability of being poor included education (-0.1), landholding (-0.4), investment asset base (-0.000005) and rural electricity (-0.1) while household size (0.1) increased the probability. Participation in skilled and unskilled wage employment significantly reduced poverty among rural farm households in Southwest Nigeria.
FUNGAL-DEGRADED MAIZE BY-PRODUCTS AS FEED FOR WEST AFRICAN DWARF RAM
(2011) AKINFEMI, A.
Maize by-products are potential feed resources for ruminants if properly harnessed. Their uses are however limited by high fibre content and low digestibility which can be enhanced by fungal degradation. Information on the use of fungal-degradation of maize by-products as feed for ram is scanty. The nutritive value of biodegraded maize by-products in West African Dwarf (WAD) ram was therefore assessed. Maize Cob (MC), Maize Husk, Maize Stover, and Maize Straw were degraded for 40 days using four different fungi: Pleurotus sajor-caju, Pleurotus pulmonarius, Lentinus subnudus, and Pleurotus tuber-regium. The substrates were analyzed for changes in the proximate composition and fibre fractions. In-Vitro Gas Production (IVGP) was used to predict the Metabolizable Energy (ME), Organic Matter Digestibility (OMD) and Short Chain Fatty Acids (SCFA). The MC and Pt were thereafter selected for in-vivo studies using twenty rams allotted to five groups of four rams per treatment in a completely randomized design. Each group was fed of the diets in which MC (g/100g) treated with Pt replaced wheat offal at 0(A), 25 (B), 50 (C), 75 (D) and 100 (E) as supplement to basal Panicum maximum in an experiment lasting 114 days. Parameters measured were Voluntary Dry Matter Intake (VDMI), Average Daily Weight Gain (ADWG), Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR), ruminal-pH, Total Volatile Fatty Acids (TVFA) and Ammonia-Nitrogen (NH3-N). The rams were sacrificed and data were obtained on Hot Carcass Weight (HCW) and Rib-Eye-Area (REA). Data collected were analyzed using ANOVA (p = 0.05). Fungal-degradation increased the crude protein from 6.8 to 9.4% while crude fibre, acid detergent fibre and acid detergent lignin were significantly reduced from 29.5 to 14.5% to 14.5, 49.9 to 40.7% and 15.8 to 11.2% respectively in MC. The IVGP, OMD, ME and SCF also improved significantly from 8.3 to 32.8ml, 38 to 52.6%, 5.2 to 7.7MJ/kg DM and 0.4 to 0.7�M respectively. Fungal- degradation significantly improved the VDMI (g) which increased consistently from 676.8 in rams on control diet to 709.4 for rams on diet E. The ADWG (g/d) recorded for rams ranged from 67.7 for rams on control diet to 88.8 for animals on diets E. The FCR and ruminat- pH for rams on diets A (9.99, 6.76), B (8.83, 6.74), C (8.34, 6.17), D (8.28, 6.70) and E (7.99, 6.45) were significantly lower compared with those on control diet. The TVFA (meq/L) increased from 10.1 to 12.8 in diets A to E. The NH3-N (mg/mL) also increased from 18.2 to 26.4 in diet A to E. Treatment effects on REA were significantly higher for those on bio-degraded diets compared with the control diet. The HCW (Kg) were 9.6, 12.0, 10.5, 10.2 and 10.7 for rams on treatments A, B, C, D and E respectively and was improved by fungal-degradation. Inclusion of maize cob treated with Pleurotus tuber-regium in the diet of rams improved the voluntary feed intake, digestibility, hot carcass weight and rib-eye-area. Biodegraded maize cob completely replaced wheat offal in the diet of West African Dwarf rams.
CHALLENGES OF INDISCIPLINE IN THE NIGERIA POLICE AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR NATIONAL SECURITY
(2011) OJO, S. A.
As an important arm in governance and social control, attention has been focused on the police. Corruption, inadequate funding, poor governance, and public attitude to the police force, under-staffing, and inadequate training have been identified by scholars and policymakers as major problems of the Nigerian Police. However, little has been done on indiscipline in the Nigeria Police in relations to these challenges. This study examined the linkages of indiscipline with these issues and their implications on national security management in Nigeria. Quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection and analysis were used in the study. Qualitative data were generated through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions (FGD). Quantitative data were obtained through a structured questionnaire. Three hundred copies of the questionnaire were administered in the sample areas randomly selected from the six geo-political zones in the country and two hundred and eighty (86.7%) were successfully retrieved and were augmented with data collected through interviews and focus group discussions with top echelons in the police, junior officers and the ranks and files, traditional rulers, civil societies, police service commission chairman etc. Frequency count percentages and Pearson chi-square were employed to analyze the result. The Nigerian Police Force has not been able to contribute effectively and efficiently to the maintenance of national security of Nigeria because of indiscipline. There is lot of laxity, insolence and disrespect among men and officers of the Nigerian Police. Corruption, inadequate funding, poor training, and interference of governments in Police duties, under-staffing and poor training are results of circumvention of standards. Rules and orders stipulated by the Nigeria Police Acts and provisions by the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria are not adhered to. This results in their dismal performance. Greater percentage (69.9%) of the Nigerian populace are not satisfied of the increasing impairment of the police effectiveness (?2 = 28.805; df = 2; P < 0.05) and its severe implications on national security (?2 = 11.877; df = 2; P < 0.05). Other factors such as non-conducive working environment, lack of motivation, erroneous perception of national security from coercive force perceptive contributes to unsatisfactory performance by the Nigeria Police. Also communication gap existing between the police and the general public makes security to be seen by the public as purely police affairs. Lack of motivation, under-staffing, poor attitude to the police force, corruption, poor governance, inadequate funding, non-conducive working environment, and poor training are all outcomes of indiscipline. The communication gap between police and general public should be blurred. Furthermore, the police force and general public must be sensitized and reoriented on what constitute national security. This will result in effective and efficient management of security in Nigeria. The prospect of effective and efficient policing of Nigeria lies in addressing indiscipline jointly by the government, the Police Force and the general public. Massive orientation of the police personnel and general public on implications of indiscipline on national security is urgent.
GOVERNMENTAL AND ORGANISATIONAL FACTORS AS PREDICTORS OF OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY OF FEMALE WORKERS IN INDUSTRIES IN LAGOS STATE, NIGERIA
(2011-02) NASSAR, B. A.
The protection of workers generally against health and safety hazards at work environments has been emphasised adequately in International Labour Organisation Conventions and Recommendation. Nigeria, being a signatory to these conventions and recommendations, must ensure strict compliance to the protection of the health and safety of the working class, particularly the female workers. Previous studies have focused more generally on safety standards and conditions at work with little attention on governmental and organisational factors that guarantee maximum provision of occupational health and safety of female workers. This study, therefore, examined the extent to which governmental (legislations, enforcements, monitorings, sanctions, incentives, social policy measures) and organisational factors (management attitudes/dispositions, organisational welfare policies, physical work environment and training and re-training) predict occupational health and safety of female workers in industries in Lagos state, Nigeria. The study adopted the survey research design. Multi stage sampling procedure was used to select 1084 junior female factory workers from 14 food and beverages industries. Data were collected using Governmental Factors Questionnaire (r = 0.79), Organisational Factors Questionnaire (r = 0.93) and Occupational Health and Safety Scale (r = 0.85). These were complemented with seven sessions of Focus Group Discussion (FGD) with the female factory workers. Four research questions were answered and two hypotheses tested at 0.05 level of significance. Data were analysed using percentages, t- test and Multiple regression and content analysis. Governmental and organisational factors jointly predicted occupational health and safety of female workers and contributed 24.47% to the variance of independent variable. There were significant contributions of independent variables (Governmental factors) (F(3,1080)=86.12, p<0.05) and (Organisational factors) (F(3,1080)=62.42, p<0.05) on occupational health and safety of female workers. Five components of governmental factors made significant relative contributions in the following order: legislations (?=.41; p<0.05), monitoring (?=.37; p < 0.05); enforcements (?=.24; p< 0.05); social policy measures (?=.17; p< 0.05), sanctions (?=.13; p< 0.05). Incentives had no significant relative contribution. Each of the organisational factors predicted occupational health and safety of female workers as follows: management attitudes/dispositions (?=.36; p< 0.05), organisational welfare policies (?=.30; p< 0.05) and training and re-training (?=.22; p< 0.05) while physical work environment had negative contribution. However, there was no significant difference in the health and safety needs of single and married junior female factory workers. The FGD sessions revealed that many of the junior female factory workers believed that paying particular attention to certain governmental and organisational factors enhanced their occupational health and safety in the work place. Legislation, enforcement, monitoring, sanctions, social policy measures, management attitudes/dispositions, organisation welfare policies, physical work environment and training and re-training were critical factors in ensuring female workers� occupational health and safety. Therefore, these governmental and organisational factors should be addressed by all employers of labour both in the public and organised private sectors in guaranteeing the protection of female workers against occupational hazards that could threaten their health and safety at work environments.
EFFECT OF SENIOR SCHOOL CERTIFICATE EXAMINATIONS, UNIVERSITY MATRICULATION EXAMINATION AND PSYCHO-DEMOGRAPHIC FACTORS ON ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF UNIVERSITY FRESHMEN IN SOUTH WEST, NIGERIA
(2011-10) FEHINTOLA, J. O.
The number of candidates seeking admission into universities is increasing at geometrical rate without a corresponding increase in the number of available space. After passing the School Certificate Examinations (SSCE) conducted by either West African Examinations Council (WAEC) or National Examinations Council (NECO) and the University Matriculation Examination (UME), the candidates are admitted into various academic programmes. However, at the end of every session, the Grade Point Average (GPA) is used to assess the overall performance of the freshmen. More often, some students fail to meet the required number of units. This leads to withdrawal from such academic programmes. This, to a great extent, has cast aspersions on the integrity of the examination bodies. Studies have concentrated on school transition and adjustment of freshmen but little attention has been paid to the correlation between entry qualifications and university academic performance of the freshmen. This study, therefore, examined the predictive values of SSCE, UME scores, and Psycho-demographic factors (age, gender and academic self-efficacy) in respect of academic performance of university freshmen in South-West, Nigeria. The study adopted a descriptive survey design of ex-post-facto type. All the five federal universities in the southwest were selected for the study. Simple random sampling technique was used to select 2,518 university freshmen (1,423 males and 1,095 females). The average age of the participants was 20.63 with standard deviation of 2.96 years. Secondary data were collected from the selected universities� Records and Admissions Offices. The Academic Self-confidence Scale (?=0.86) was used as a measure of academic self-efficacy. Seven research questions were raised and answered. Correlation and Multiple Regression were used for data analysis. There was significant correlation between the independent variables (gender: r = 0.15, p<0.05); UME score (r = 0.15, p<0.05); age (r = 0.17, p<0.05); academic self-efficacy (r = 0.17, p<0.05); NECOSSC (r = 0.16, p<0.05); WASSC (r = 0.18, p<0.05) and grade point average (GPA) of the participants. These variables (i.e. WASSC, NECOSSC, UME scores, gender, age and academic self-efficacy) when combined, accounted for 54.6% of the total variance in the students� academic performance. There was also significant contribution of the independent variables to academic performance of the participants [F (5, 2512) =26.13, p<0.05]. Also, WASSC made the most significant relative contribution to the prediction of academic performance (? = 0.39; t= 8.13; p< 0.05); followed by NECOSSC (?= 0.33, t= 6.13, p<0.05); academic self-efficacy (? = 0.15, t=3.81, p<0.05) and age (? = 0.13, t=2.76, p<0.05). There was also significant difference in the academic performance of university freshmen with WASSC ( = 2.60) and NECOSSC ( =2.28) results (t =6.08, df = 1869, p<0.05). The six independent variables were potent factors in predicting academic performance of university freshmen. The study indicates that, WASSC and NECOSSC could be regarded as adequate entry qualifications into the university. Counselling interventions aimed at enhancing academic self-efficacy of freshmen should be adopted during orientation programmes in the universities.
EFFECTS OF LITERATURE CIRCLES AND SCAFFOLDING INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGIES ON SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS' ACHIEVEMENT AND ATTITUDE TO PROSE LITERATURE IN ENGLISH
(2012) EZENADU, P. E.
Literature indicates that students' poor command of English language, unwillingness to engage in reading tasks and lack of engagement with recommended texts cause poor performance. Previous studies have been carried out on the use of basic literature circles, literature circles with roles and scaffolding strategies to enhance students' reading and writing achievement. However, the use of these strategies in studies conducted in Nigeria especially in the area of prose literature in English is not common. This study therefore investigated effects of these student-centred and socio-cultural strategies on senior secondary school students' achievement and attitude to prose literature in English. It also determined moderating effects of verbal ability and gender on the dependent measures. The study adopted the pretest-posttest, control group quasi-experimental design using a 4x3x2 factorial matrix. Three hundred and eighteen Senior Secondary II students in intact classes from eight senior secondary schools purposively selected from four local government areas of Ogun State were randomly assigned to treatment (basic literature circles, literature circles with roles and scaffolding) and control groups. Three response research instruments: Verbal Ability (r =0.82), Prose Literature in English Attitude Questionnaire (r =0.77), Achievement Test in Prose Literature (r =0.88) and four stimulus instruments: Basic Literature Circles Instructional Guide, Literature Circles with roles instructional Guide, Scaffolding Instructional Guide and Conventional Method Instructional Guide were used for data collection. Seven hypotheses were tested in the study at P<0.05 level of significance. Data collected were analysed using Analysis of Covariance and Multiple Classification Analysis was used to examine the magnitude of the differences among the various groups while scheffe post-hoc was used for pair-wise comparison to explain the significant main effects observed. There was a significant main effect of treatment on students' achievement scores in prose literature (F(3,293) =36.11; P < 0.05). The students exposed to Scaffolding had the highest mean achievement score ( = 16.84) followed by Basic Literature Circles ( = 16.30) then Literature Circles with Roles ( = 15.25) and the Conventional Method ( = 9.93) in that order. However, treatment had no significant main effect on students' attitude to Prose Literature in English (F (3,293) = 33.74; P > 05). In addition, verbal ability and gender had no significant effect on students' achievement and attitude to prose literature in English. There were also no significant interaction effect of treatment and verbal ability; treatment and gender on students' achievement and attitude to the subject. In the same vein, there was no significant three way interaction effect of treatment, verbal ability and gender on students' achievement and attitude to prose literature in English. Student-centred and socio-cultural strategies (literature circles and scaffolding strategies) enhanced students' active engagement with texts and were more effective in promoting students' achievement in prose literature in English. It is, therefore, recommended that teachers of literature especially prose should be encouraged to use these strategies in their lessons.
INDOOR AIR QUALITY AND RISK OF RESPIRATORY INFECTIONS AMONG UNDER-FIVE CHILDREN PRESENTING IN TWO HOSPITALS IN IBADAN, NIGERIA
(2012) FAKUNLE, A. G.
Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality among under-five children in developing countries. In Nigeria, studies on indoor air quality, particularly, the microflora that are associated with respiratory infections are scanty. This study was therefore designed to determine risk factors in the indoor environment that could predispose under-five children in Ibadan to respiratory infections. A prospective hospital-based case-control study of 220 under-five children each with ARIs (cases) and without ARIs (controls) presenting consecutively in two major hospitals in Ibadan; Oni-memorial Children Hospital and University College Hospital, was carried out. Cases and controls were recruited from January to April, 2010 and matched for age, sex and parent's education. A community-based follow-up of cases and controls was carried out using a checklist to assess indoor housing indicators such as ventilation, temperature and relative humidity. Interviewer-administered four hundred and forty questionnaires were used to elicit information from mothers of under-five children among cases and controls on risk factors for ARIs. Temperature and Relative Humidity (RH) of the livingroom, bedroom and Kitchen were measured between 8-11am using multi-tester N21FR. Airborne microbial samples were collected using non-volumetric method. The total bacterial and fungal counts per cubic metre were determined and compared with the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) guideline for residential buildings. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square, t-test and logistic regression at p=0.05. Mean ages of cases and controls were 20.4 ±2.5 and 20.9 ± 2.4 months respectively. Mean number of occupants per room among cases was 3.0 ± 1.1 compared to 2.0 ± 0.7 among controls (p<0.05). Forty percent of houses among cases had a minimum of two windows per room compared to 60% among controls (OR=3.3, CI:1.4-10.0). Mean indoor temperature and RH was significantly higher among cases (33.7 ± 1.6 ºC and 66.3 ±5.6%) than controls (31.6 ±1.8ºC and 61.9 ±6.3%). Streptococcus spp. (33.0%, 12.0%), Staphylococcus spp. (35.0%, 22.0%) and Aspergillus spp. (28.0%, 29.0%) were isolated from the indoor air environment among cases and controls respectively. Indoor total bacterial count among cases (9.6x102cfu/m3) was higher than among controls (3.5x102cfu/m3) and the AIHA guideline (?5.0x102cfu/m3) (p<0.05). Indoor fungal count was similar among cases and controls (0.2x102cfu/m3). The livingroom recorded the highest bacterial count of 5.4x102cfu/m3 and 1.4x102cfu/m3 for cases and controls respectively (p<0.05). Under-five children sleeping in same room with more than two adults were found to be twice more likely to develop respiratory infections than those who slept with less than two adults (OR=2.7, CI:1.7-3.6). The use of mosquito coil (OR=1.6, CI:1.0-2.3), lantern (OR=4.1, CI:2.4-6.9) and firewood for cooking (OR=9.3, CI:3.6-24.1) were found to be risk factors for ARIs. Environmental risk factors were higher among cases than controls. These may have contributed to an increased vulnerability to respiratory infections among cases. Health education on adequate ventilation, personal hygiene and good housing conditions are therefore advocated to minimise the risk of respiratory infections associated with poor indoor air quality.
EVALUATION OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE COLLEGIATE SYSTEM OF ADMINISTRATION IN COLLEGES OF MEDICINE IN NIGERIAN FEDERAL UNIVERSITIES
(2012) ITAKPE, M. A.
The collegiate system of administration was introduced into the Nigerian university system to ensure synchronization, decentralization and democratization of operations and devolution of powers. It is expected to aid the process of decision making and implementation as against the bureaucratic problems associated with the faculty system of administration. In spite of these advantages, the collegiate system in Nigeria universities is practised only in the colleges of medicine. Even in these colleges, little priority has been given to independent assessment of the system. This study, therefore, evaluated the effectiveness of the collegiate system of administration in Colleges of Medicine in Nigerian Federal Universities. The study adopted survey research design. Two thousand, two hundred and twenty-eight respondents consisting of 385 management, 748 academic, and 1095 non-academic members of staff were selected using stratified random sampling technique from the Universities of Ibadan, Benin and Nsukka. Collegiate System of Administration Assessment Scale with six sub-scales: Decentralisation, Devolution of Powers and Delegation Scale (r = 0.73), Decision making and Implementation Scale (r = 0.69), University Image Scale (r = 0.82), Expansion of Scale of Operations Scale (r = 0.88), Coordination and Cross- Fertilisation of Disciplines Scale (r = 0.91) and Assessment of Resources Requirements Scale (r = 0.78), was used. These were complemented with nine Key Informant Interview (KII) sessions with the sampled staff. Five research questions were raised and answered. Quantitative/qualitative data were analyzed using chi square and content analysis respectively. A high percentage of respondents were of the opinion that collegiate system of administration was effective for decentralization of university operations (85%), devolution of powers (83%) and delegation of authority and responsibility (82%). Acceleration of the process of decision making and implementation accounted for (84%) coordination and cross fertilization of related disciplines (84%) and realization of the academic objectives of the universities (86%). Among the three colleges sampled, respondents from the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan were most favourably disposed to the collegiate system of administration in terms of decentralization of university operations (x2 =28.41, df = 6 p<0.05) devolution of powers (x2 =13.42, df = 6 p<0.05), acceleration of the process of decision making and implementation (x2 = 14.72 df = 6 p<0.05). The KII showed that the respondents, generally, were favourably disposed to collegiate system of administrations. Moreover, they were of the opinion that the system had impacted positively on the administration of colleges of medicine in Nigerian federal universities but that there is evidence of lack of proper understanding of the rules guiding the system. The collegiate system positively enhanced the decision making and implementation, decentralization, devolution of powers, delegation of authority, cross-fertilization of disciplines, images of universities and their colleges of medicine and the expansion of scale of their operations. Therefore, Government and the university management should ensure that every arm of the federal universities in Nigeria embrace the use of the collegiate system of administration, while the training and retraining of staff should be vigorously pursued to ensure proper effectiveness of the system.