Abia State Research Articles

HPV Vaccine and Cervical Cancer Screening Uptake among women in Abia State

HPV Vaccine and Cervical Cancer Screening Uptake among women in Abia State

Age grade association: a non state actor in the sustainability of community development projects in Southeast, Nigeria

Abstract Age grade association is a pattern through which members of the community are grouped into batches according to date of birth. The associations comprise people of equal or about the same age operating within a given community with the aim of individual and collective development. The age grade associations articulate and mobilize resources for the execution of community development projects. They are grassroots agents that serve as an organ for the maintenance of peace, law and order in the community. Some past attempts at community development failed due to the non-involvement of the community members in decision–making processes. This study explored age grade association as a non state actor in sustainability of community development projects in Southeast, Nigeria. Data was drawn from 56 respondents. The instruments for data collection were Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and In-depth interviews (IDIs). Purposive and simple random sampling techniques were employed in selecting the study participants. The study sample was drawn from four communities in four local government areas of Abia and Ebonyi States. The study examined the nature of age grade associations; the contributions of age grade associations and the challenges of age grade associations in sustainability of community development projects. It established that age grade associations are grass root agents that executed and sustained community development projects. The study also found that project site selection is sometimes problematic and this has implications for project sustainability. The study recommends adult literacy education for the social and political empowerment of members of age-grade associations.

Effect of Guided Discovery Instructional Approach on Junior Secondary School Two Students' Interest in Social Studies in Umuahia Education Zone, Abia State

Effect of Guided Discovery Instructional Approach on Junior Secondary School Two Students' Interest in Social Studies in Umuahia Education Zone, Abia State

The Interruption of Transmission of Onchocerciasis in Abia, Anambra, Enugu, and Imo States, Nigeria: The Largest Global Onchocerciasis Stop-Treatment Decision to Date.

Onchocerciasis causes severe morbidity in sub-Saharan Africa. Abia, Anambra, Enugu, and Imo states of Nigeria were historically classified meso- or hyperendemic and eligible for ivermectin mass drug administration (MDA). After ≥25 years of annual and biannual MDA, serological and entomological assessments were conducted to determine if Onchocerca volvulus transmission was interrupted. Dried blood spots collected in October 2020 from ≥3167 children 5-9 years old in each state were screened for O. volvulus-specific Ov16 antibody by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Additionally, 52,187 Simulium damnosum heads (≥8845 per state) collected over 12 months between 2021 and 2022 were tested by pooled polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for O-150 DNA. Among seven seropositive children, four were found for follow-up skin snip PCR to confirm active infection. Three were negative and the fourth was excluded as he was visiting from an endemic state. The final seroprevalence estimates of each state had 95% upper confidence limits (UCL) < 0.1%. All fly pools were negative by O-150 PCR, giving a 95% UCL infective fly prevalence < 0.05% in each state. Each state therefore met the World Health Organization epidemiological and entomological criteria for stopping MDA effective January 2023. With 18.9 million residents eligible for MDA, this marked the largest global onchocerciasis stop-treatment decision to date.

Green management and effectiveness of beverage firms in Aba, Abia State

The study investigates green management and effectiveness of beverage firms in Aba. The objectives of the study were to evaluate the level of correlation between pollution control and customer satisfaction; pollution control and employee retention; and to examine the level of correlation between waste management and backward integration in beverage firms in Aba. The study was guided by three research objectives, three research questions and three hypotheses. Empirical reviews were used to beef up the study. The researchers employed the survey research design in the research. A five-point Likert Scale structured questionnaire was the major instrument for data collection. The validity of the instrument was done by showing the questionnaire to research experts for their corrections and inputs. Cronbach Alpha statistic was used for obtaining 0.79 as the reliability ratio of the survey instrument. Data analysis was committed to descriptive statistics of mean and standard deviation. Correlation analysis was used to test hypotheses. It was found that there is a significant level of correlation between pollution control and customer satisfaction; there is significant level of correlation between pollution control and employee retention; there is a significant level of correlation between waste management and backward integration in beverage firms in Aba. It was concluded that green management improved the effectiveness of beverage firms in Aba. The study recommended that management of beverage firms should make more efforts to control all forms of pollution in the enterprises for improved customer satisfaction. Management should always work harder to achieve higher degrees of employee retention with the instrumentality of green management. Waste to wealth strategy should be employed by beverage firms for improved business effectiveness.

Ethno-Botanical Studies of Post-harvest Rot of White Yam (Dioscorea rotundata Poir.) in the Five South-eastern States of Nigeria

White yam (Dioscorea rotundata Poir.) is the most important species of yam in West Africa cultivated for the consumption of its starchy tuber. Indigenous knowledge and usage of white yam in some parts of South-Eastern, Nigeria was investigated. This research work aimed at conducting ethno-botanical studies of post harvest rot of white yam in the five South-Eastern states of Nigeria. A well-structured, pre-tested questionnaire on cultivation, post harvest handling of yam, and conservation was designed and administered to obtain crucial information from the respondents within the study area. Five South-Eastern states of Nigeria namely; Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo states were randomly surveyed. Ethno-botanical studies revealed that five hundred and eighty two households about 97% of the respondents were interviewed out of the six hundred questionnaires administered which were successfully retrieved and fully responded to. It was observed that more men (63.67%) were involved in yam farming than women (33.33%) who engage in yam farming. Overall, respondents within the study area who were aware of the indigenous knowledge of yam were significantly (P˂0.05) higher than those who were unaware. This ethno-botanical study revealed the traditional concepts and practices relating to yam cultivation and its conservation. Findings from this survey will be utilized as a basis for further investigations on emerging indigenous practices and sustainability impact.

Knowledge and Practice of Precautions and Prevention of COVID-19 Among Adolescents in Umuahia, Nigeria: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has posed significant challenges worldwide, particularly in developing countries with limited healthcare resources. Among the various demographics, adolescents represent a crucial group in understanding and curbing the spread of the virus. Aim This research aims to assess the level of knowledge and practice of COVID-19 prevention measures among adolescents in a developing country. Methodology This study's descriptive cross-sectional study design was appropriate for capturing a snapshot of adolescents' understanding of COVID-19 in Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria, a developing country. The study's participants were secondary school students in Umuahia's urban and rural secondary schools, aged 10-19. Fisher's formula was used to calculate the sample size. A multistage systematic sampling method was used to select 424 participants. Data were gathered using a self-administered questionnaire. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) softwareversion 25 (IBM SPSS Statistics, Armonk, NY) was used to handle and evaluate the data that had been obtained. Results All the respondents were aware of COVID-19, primarily informed through social media and television (TV). It is concerning that less than half correctly identify the disease as caused by a virus (46.9%), with some falsely attributing it to bacteria (31.1%) or fungi (15.6%). While the majority of respondents knew about the existence of COVID-19 vaccines, only 63.4% were aware that there was no definitive cure for the disease. The most worrying finding was the limited awareness and practice of recommended precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Handwashing with soap and water, social distancing, and using hand sanitizers were the most frequently recognized precautions. However, even these were poorly practiced, with less than 30% of the respondents following them regularly. It was also noted that misconceptions about precautions exist, including unusual practices such as regularly drinking hot water or eating bitter kola/pepperfruit. Also, the most prominent reason for refusal among the respondents for COVID-19 vaccines was parental refusal, accounting for 57.5% of negative responses. Conclusion The study's findings underscore the urgent need for tailored, accessible, and effective health education strategies to improve adolescents' understanding and adoption of COVID-19 preventive measures in the region.

Insect Diversity on Decomposing Domestic Piglets (Sus domesticus ERXLEBEN) Carcasses at Umudike, Southeast Nigeria

Outdoor experiments were carried out to identify arthropods colonizing ground-placed and hung piglets (Sus domesticus) carcasses, their species diversity, and decomposition pattern. The trial was carried out in two seasons: July to September, 2019 (wet), and January to March, 2020 (dry) at Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike Abia State, Nigeria. A total of four healthy piglets with average weight of 3.73 kg were sacrificed for the trial. The piglets died by dislocating their cervical vertebrate (to mimic natural death); two were placed on the ground in metal cage whereas the other two were hung on a tree. Data on carcasses arthropod populations, temperature, weights and decomposition stages and rates were collected. Results showed that the total arthropod taxa of seventeen genera, ten families in four orders were recorded from the carcasses. A total of 29,629 individual insects were counted, belonging mainly to; Calliphoridae, Muscidae, Sarcophagidae, Dermestidae, Staphylinodea, Pyrrhocoridae and Formidae. Their species abundance was; Musca spp. (37.09 %), Chrysomya spp. (12.97 %), Pheidole spp. (12.09), Componotus spp. (9.69 %), Monomorium spp. (6.04 %), respectively. Higher number of insects were collected from ground-placed piglets (34.08%) than hung piglets (28.06%). More insects were recorded during the dry (55.28%) than wet (44.11%) season. Higher insect diversity was also recorded amongst insect species on ground-placed (0.80) than hung (0.72) carcasses. Data also showed that five stages (fresh, bloat, active decay, advanced decay and skeletonization) of decomposition were observed over a duration of 10 days. This study provided base-line data on the local insect fauna associated with the stages of decomposition with emphases on their arrival time, and it is crucial for estimating the post-mortem interval during forensic investigations in south eastern Nigeria.

Assessment of mycological quality of commercially sold Yogurt in Uturu, Abia State, Nigeria

Assessment of mycological quality of commercially sold Yogurt in Uturu, Abia State, Nigeria

Socioemotional Correlates of Academic Grit among University Undergraduates in Abia State, Nigeria

Socioemotional Correlates of Academic Grit among University Undergraduates in Abia State, Nigeria

Tuberculin Skin Test Reactivity among Health Care Workers in the Abia State University Teaching Hospital, Aba South-east Nigeria

Background Tuberculosis is one of the infections targeted for eradication and is still under surveillance. Hospital workers in Nigeria take little or no precautions against tuberculosis while attending to patients. Objectives This research aimed to study the prevalence of the reactivity of positive Tuberculin Skin Tests among healthcare workers in a Nigerian University Teaching Hospital. Methods Ethical approval and informed consent were obtained from the participants. Two hundred and ten consented participants were recruited for this study, while 185 contributed till the end. The Tuberculin Skin Test was conducted following the standard operating procedures. The chi-square test was used to compare the variable at a significant level of P &lt; 0.05. Of those who received a BGC vaccine &lt; 3 years, 4.8% were excluded from the analyses. Results Mean ± SD of participants’ age was approximately 30 ± 8 years. Participants comprised 87 (47%) males and 98 (53%) females. The modal age group was 21-25 years. Most participants were clinical medical students, 93(50.3%), while doctors, 7 (3.8%), were second to least. The prevalence of positive reactivity to the Tuberculin Skin Test was 29.9%. There was no significant difference observed regarding sexes and positive reactivity. A significant difference was found in reactivity ≥ 10 mm between those who didn’t receive BCG and those who received BCG vaccine ≥ 10 years before the study. Conclusion Healthcare workers can be potential active TB patients and reservoirs. We recommend highly sensitive and specific periodic TB screening, prophylactic treatment, and re-vaccination of Health Care Workers in Nigeria.

Assessment of Soil Moisture Characteristics as Influenced by Agro-industrial Waste Dumpsite in Ikwuano L. G. A. Abia State

Assessment of Soil Moisture Characteristics as Influenced by Agro-industrial Waste Dumpsite in Ikwuano L. G. A. Abia State

Effect of COVID-19 adaptation strategies on arable crop farmers’ output in the Umuahia agricultural zone of Abia State, Nigeria

This study analyzed the effect of COVID-19 adaptation strategies on arable crop farmers’ production in the Umuahia Agricultural Zone of Abia State, Nigeria. A multistage random sampling procedure was used to select seventy-two (72) arable crop farmers. Data for the study were collected through a structured questionnaire and analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics (using multiple regression and Z-test analyses). The results showed that arable crop farmers had a high perceived effect (= 2.5) of COVID-19 on arable crop production and a high utilization (= 2.4) of COVID-19 adaptation strategies. The mean farm output of arable crop farmers during and after the COVID-19 pandemic was 2112.871 kg/ha and 23222.282 kg/ha, respectively. Multiple regression analysis revealed that intensive use of organic manure (1.3898 coefficients), family labor (2.0466 coefficients), less cultivable farm land (0.18189 coefficients), and access to government aid (0.6994) all had an impact on the output of arable crop farmers in the study area. The Z-test result showed that there were no significant differences between the farm output of arable crop farmers during the 2112.87109 (SD = 3158.6590) and post-COVID-19 2322.2920 (1032.5310) pandemics. The study concluded that arable crop farmers had high utilization of COVID-19 adaptation strategies. The study therefore recommended the formulation of important policy as Nigeria moves from lockdown aimed at promoting economic recovery and measures to mitigate further spread to promote access of farmers to land, which can lead to increased farmer output in the study area.

Identifying enablers and barriers to the control of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in Abia State, Nigeria: A qualitative study

ObjectiveDrug-resistant tuberculosis (TB) is a significant public health threat in high-burden TB countries, including Nigeria, constraining the achievement of End TB targets. Nonetheless, Nigeria's health system factors shaping the care of patients with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) are understudied. The study assessed the enablers and barriers to implementing MDR-TB care and treatment in Abia State, Nigeria. MethodsThis is a qualitative interview study adopting a phenomenological approach. We interviewed twelve participants comprising health workers and TB policymakers with roles in MDR-TB patient management at the national (n = 2) and state (n = 10) levels in May 2022. We used maximum variation sampling to purposively select participants based on their roles, availability, and consent. The data were analysed thematically. ResultsThe factors enhancing care for patients with MDR-TB include using a certificate of readiness, community involvement, donor financing, availability of treatment centre, effective facility-community linkage, treatment support, multidisciplinary care team, training service providers, availability of oral drugs, expansion of diagnostic facilities, data tool availability, review meetings, and data-focused supervision. In contrast, the factors constraining MDR-TB management are poor implementation of infection control policy, donor dependence, delayed initiation of treatment, poorly motivated health workers, health worker stigma, shortage of personal protective equipment, and role conflict in data management. ConclusionThe findings highlight critical health systems strengths and weaknesses in MDR-TB control. MDR-TB care policies must build on the enablers and address the barriers to strengthen the care for patients with MDR-TB.

Promotion as a Catalyst for Employee Performance in First City Monument Bank in Abia State, Nigeria

The major advocacy of this study is Promotion as a Catalyst for Employee Performance in First City Monument Bank (FCMB), in Abia State, Nigeria. It is observed that the decision to package the promotion model of FCMB in line with the organization’s best-place-to-work philosophy is geared towards identifying, inspiring and rewarding excellence and hence, a way of rewarding productivity, and employees who have brought huge levels of innovation, and those influential in the development of new services and solutions which provide speed and convenience to the customers.. The study found out that promotion limits the influx of fresh perspectives and new ideas into FCMB which may prevent external candidates with expert knowledge from joining the organization. The study recommends among others that it is crucial for FCMB to communicate transparently about promotion processes and criteria, provide constructive feedback to employees who were not promoted, and foster a supportive and inclusive work culture. The study concludes that it is crucial for FCMB to have performance-enhancing system capable of facilitating the best management and development of their employees, and increasing their competitiveness so that there will be a correlation between promotion and employee performance.

INFORMATION NEEDS ANALYSIS OF POULTRY FARMERS IN ABIA STATE, NIGERIA

Poultry production will fail to attain its peak and improve food security if the information needs of the farmers are not met. This study analysed the information needs of poultry farmers in Abia state, Nigeria. Multistage sampling procedure was employed in selecting 117 respondents. Data on respondents’ socioeconomic characteristics, information needs, information sources and information utilization were collected using structured questionnaire and analysed using percentages, mean scores and ordinary least square. Results revealed 59.8% of the poultry farmers were male with mean age of 34years while, 94.0% had above primary level of education. Average stock size was 105 birds and average monthly income was N128,500.00. The farmers needed information on disease identification (87.2%), drugs and vaccine use (82.9%), veterinary services (79.5%), feed formulation (75.2%) and modern agricultural equipment (74.4%) among others. Most of the farmers sourced information from friends and relatives (94.9%), televisions (78.6%), the internet (73.5%), radios (72.6%), veterinary services (68.4%) and extension agents (60.7%). Furthermore, the farmers effectively utilised all information received, except that on modern day agricultural equipment (x̄ = 1.99). Farmers’ socioeconomic characteristics were significantly related to level of information utilization at 5% α-level. To succeed in the business and contribute to food security, poultry farmers need lots of information. It is therefore recommended that information service providers should source adequate, timely, appropriate, and authentic information from reliable sources like research institutes and communicate same to the farmers for their use. Modern day agricultural equipment should be provided at subsidized rates and the farmers taught how to use them to boost production.

Assessment of risk factors associated with epidemiology of Peste des Petits ruminants (PPR) in sheep and goats in Abia State, Nigeria

Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) is a highly contagious and trans-boundary disease caused by the PPR virus belonging to the family; Paramyxoviridae and is closely related to the Rinderpest virus of cattle. Its implications on successful small ruminant farming cannot be over-emphasized. Its current status with respect to farmers' awareness and assessment of risk factors associated with the emergence and spread of the disease were investigated. A structured questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was conducted from purposively selected farms on randomly selected local government areas (LGAs) in the three agricultural zones in Abia State. The questionnaires (n=42) were distributed among small ruminant farmers to determine the knowledge, attitude and preventive measures adopted by farmers, with respect to PPR in the study area. Statistical analysis was performed at a 95% confidence level using Statistical Package Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23. The study highlighted high levels (78.6%) of awareness of PPR in the study area. Out of all respondents, 64.3% practiced intensive system of management and 57.1% had observed outbreaks on their farms. About 26.2% noticed the disease especially in young animals, with 64.3% observing these outbreaks at certain season of the year. Quarantine (26.2%) and control of stray sheep/goats (42.9%) were the major preventive measures adopted in the study area. Only a few respondents (33.3%) vaccinated their animals while the majority of respondents (54.7%) never practice vaccination as a preventive measure. There was significant association (p&lt;0.05) between notice of disease, frequency of PPR occurrence, age of animals, seasons of occurrence and PPR outbreak. Limited use of veterinary services, seasons of the year, introduction of new or replacement animals into the flock without quarantine were identified risk factors associated with the emergence, spread and persistence of PPR in Abia State. Consequently, effective control measures such as mass vaccination especially at indicated peak seasons is recommended for the study area. Also, consistent extension programs for all stakeholders in the study area on the importance of PPR and economic benefits associated with curbing PPR in the area are pertinent.

Socio-Economic Determinants of Pan-African Digital Payments Among Small Marketing Businesses

Several studies have focused on factors that influence adoption of innovation. Studies demonstrate that all innovations are not the same with innovations serving as units of analysis in most cases. However, the dearth of empirical literature, the focus of studies on the adoption of innovation by SME owners in southwest Nigeria, and the COVID-19 pandemic effect on SMEs provide a direction for this study in southeast Nigeria. Therefore, the study concentrated on the socio-economic determinants of small marketing businesses on intention to adopt PAPSS in Abia State and Anambra State. A structured questionnaire was used to collect the data from 369 small marketing business owners in different ventures in Abia State and Anambra State. Logistic regression was used to analyse the data. The results demonstrate that gender, education, type of business and experience are significant and have odd ratios of occurrence while experience has the most direct and significant likelihood to occur with additional experience. Therefore, the understanding of the socio-economic factors provides a direction on intention to adopt PAPSS and subsequent adoption.

Effects of commercialization on food security status of cassava producing households in Abia state, Nigeria

The study examined effects of commercialization on food security status of cassava producers in Abia State, Nigeria. Specifically the study described the socio-economic characteristics of the cassava producers; examined the level of cassava commercialization; estimated mean per capita monthly food expenditure of cassava producing households; assessed the food security status of the cassava producing households; ascertained effect of commercialization on the food security status of the respondents and identified the constrained to commercialization. A multi-stage sampling procedure was employed to select 96 respondents needed for the study. Data analysis was carried out using descriptive and inferential tools such as mean, frequencies, percentage, percentage household commercialization index and food security index. Results showed that the mean age of cassava producing household head was 35.3years. Cumulatively, 93.3% of cassava producing household head had formal education ranging from primary school to secondary with mean household size of 7 persons. Dominant number of the cassava farmers indicated access to credit (75.6%) with mean farm size of 1.9ha and mean farming experience of 9.9years. The result also showed a mean commercialization index of 0.646970. The study area could be regarded as food insecure given that only 35.00% of the households were food secure. The result further indicated that there was a positive relationship between commercialization level and food security in the area. However, instability in government policy (86.67%) and lack of collateral required securing loan (72.22 were major constraints to cassava commercialization in the study area. The study concluded that the proportion of food insecure households is more than the food secure households. Therefore, agricultural policies that promote access of farmers to land and other farm inputs that can lead to increased farm household productivity and income should be implemented.

Liquified Natural Gas (Lng) Downstream marketing and business growth in Nigeria: An empirical evidence small and meduim scale enterprises

The study focused on the effect of Liquefied Natural Gas downstream sector marketing on business growth in Nigeria, an empirical evidence from SMEs. Specifically the study also set out to achieve the following sub objective as follows; analyze the effect of low cost strategy on the cost advantage of the selected LNG plants in the study area and ascertain the effect of market focus strategy on the sales volume of the selected LNG plants in the study area. Various research questions were raised and research hypotheses formulated. Porters Five Forces Model was adopted as the theoretical underpin for the study. The study adopted a causal survey research design. Here the opinion of the respondents was elicited through a well-structured Likert-scale type of questionnaire. This was carried out through questionnaire administration to the 400 target respondents; especially the owners, managers and employees of the selected LNG plants in the study area. Simple regression model was used to test the hypotheses which was in conformity to the study objectives with the aid of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22. It was found that low-cost strategy is vital towards attainment of cost advantage in the oil and gas downstream sector. The study revealed that low-cost as a competitive strategy has significant effect on the cost advantage of the selected LNG plants in Abia and Imo States, Nigeria. We also found out that from the objective two, being market focused improves the firm’s sales volume. Hence, market focus strategy has significant effect on the sales volume of the selected LNG plants in Abia and Imo State. The study recommends that the selected LNG plants in Abia and Imo States should adopt cost control and cost reduction techniques; especially by the use of outsourcing, subcontracting, and buyer-seller relationship businesses and there is also the need to adopt market focus strategies by focusing on specific group of customers in a particular market segment.