Anambra State Research Articles

Factors affecting utilization of male sexual and reproductive health services: a qualitative description of males in Anambra State, Southeast Nigeria

IntroductionThe utilization of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services by males globally is significantly low despite their considerable sexual and reproductive health needs. This study aimed to understand the factors that influence the utilization of male sexual and reproductive health SRH services.MethodsWe used an explanatory sequential mixed methods research design, with qualitative description to explore the perceptions of males (15-49years) on the utilization of male SRH services in Anambra State, Nigeria. In October 2021, 56 males participated in seven focus group discussions conducted across seven communities. The data were analysed by thematic analysis. A composite narrative was used to report the results.ResultsMales in both urban and rural areas of Anambra State preferred informal health facilities; male-focused health facilities and male health workers. The participants perceived services as costly; and criticized healthcare workers’ attitudes. Some rural areas had inadequate SRH facilities, staff and commodities. The participants exhibited varying levels of SRH awareness.ConclusionTo improve male SRH service utilization, clinics should be more male-centric and cost-effective. Healthcare providers require retraining to offer patient-centered care. Additionally, ward development committees should advocate for better staffing and the availability of SRH commodities.

Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use among Dermatology Outpatients in Southeastern Nigeria: A Tertiary Hospital Study

Background: Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) is widely used globally, including among dermatology patients. CAM includes different practices not typically part of conventional medicine and is classified into five categories, including biologically based therapies and mind-body interventions. Despite its popularity, little is known about CAM usage patterns among dermatology outpatients in Southeastern Nigeria. Aim: This study aimed to assess the prevalence, the sociodemographic characteristics of dermatology outpatients using CAM and reasons for its usage. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH), Nnewi, Anambra State, Nigeria, between August to November 2022. Methodology: We recruited 212 dermatology outpatients through convenient sampling. Data were collected using interviewer-administered structured questionnaires capturing sociodemographics, dermatological conditions, and CAM usage patterns.Data analysis was performed using SPSS™ Version 23.0, with chi-square tests determining associations between variables at a significance level of P < 0.05. Results: Among 212 participants recruited, the prevalence of CAM use was 34.4%. The median age was 28 years, and more females (56.1%) than males (43.9%) used CAM. Acne (17.8%), psoriasis (16.4%), and mycoses (11%) were the most common conditions among CAM users. Biologically based therapies, particularly plant-based products like aloe vera, were the most frequently used CAM. Family recommendations (16%) and perceived safety (12.3%) were key reasons for CAM use. CAM usage was significantly associated with longer disease duration (P < .001). Conclusion: The high prevalence of CAM use among dermatology outpatients in Southeastern Nigeria highlights the need for clinicians to recognize and consider alternative therapies in patient care. Understanding the patterns of CAM use can also guide clinicians in advising patients on safe and evidence-based alternatives. Future research on the efficacy and safety of CAM in dermatology is crucial to develop comprehensive, evidence-based treatment strategies that encompass both conventional and complementary therapies.

Encoding and Decoding of Emoji on Social Media for Expression Sharing among University Students in Anambra State

Emojis which are visual symbols deployed in digital communication have become essential tools for expression sharing among young adults, especially university students in Nigeria. This study investigates the encoding and decoding of emojis on social media for expression sharing among university students in Anambra State. Grounded by the symbolic interaction theory, this study was designed as a descriptive survey. With a sample size of 537 students randomly drawn from nine universities in Anambra State, Southeast Nigeria. Findings reveal that 72% of the respondents could decode the common emojis used in shared expressions thus indicating that emojis play a critical role in facilitating emotional expression and social interaction among the respondents on social media. The study recommends that emojis should be part of general communication portfolios not just for students but for the larger society both in formal and informal settings as it helps to reduce verbosity and save time compared to lengthy handwritten texts.

Soil-transmitted helminthiasis among adolescents in Anaocha Local Government Area, Anambra State, Nigeria: Insights and recommendations for effective control.

Over the past decade, Anambra State, Nigeria, has implemented mass administration of medicines (MAMs) to combat soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH), a significant public health challenge in low-income regions. Nevertheless, these efforts have predominantly focused on pre-school and school-aged children, leaving a notable gap in understanding STH infection rates and the efficacy of these campaigns among secondary school adolescents, who have been excluded from this initiative. Our study aimed to address this critical knowledge gap by assessing soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH) prevalence and contextual factors hindering effective control among adolescents in Anambra State, Nigeria. We actively engaged 443 adolescents with a mean age of 14 years in a school-based cross-sectional study in selected communities within the Anaocha Local Government Area from 8 February to 7 July 2023 following informed consent and assent procedures. Employing a stratified random sampling technique, we collected demographic data and assessed STH risk factors using a structured questionnaire hosted on the Kobo Toolbox platform. For quantitative analysis of STH infections, the Kato-Katz technique was used. Analysis was performed using SPSS version 25, incorporating descriptive statistics and multinomial logistic regression, with statistical significance set at p<0.05. Of the 443 (213 males (48.0%) and 230 females (52.0%) adolescents studied, the overall prevalence of STH observed was 35.2% (156/443). Ascaris lumbricoides was the prevalent STH species (16.9%), followed by Trichuris trichiura (1.4%) and hookworm (0.5%). Only light-intensity infection was observed. Mixed infections were observed in 16.5% of adolescents, involving A. lumbricoides and hookworm (10.8%), followed by A. lumbricoides and T. trichiura (3.2%) and all three STH (2.5%). The observed overall prevalence was not statistically significant with respect to gender (OR: 0.961; 95% CI: 0.651-1.420; p > 0.05) or age (OR: 0.686; 95% CI: 0.459-1.025; p>0.05). Class (grade level) (OR = 1.75, 95% CI: 1.25-2.45, p = 0.003), knowledge and transmission of STH infection (OR = 0.60, 95% CI: 0.42-0.86, p = 0.008), parental occupation (OR = 1.90, 95% CI: 1.35-2.67, p < 0.001), parents' literacy level (OR = 0.68, 95% CI: 0.48-0.96, p = 0.027), and the type of toilet (OR = 2.15, 95% CI: 1.54-3.00, p < 0.001) were all significantly correlated with STH infection. These findings highlight the role of adolescents in sustaining soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH) transmission. Coupled with school-based deworming expansion, innovative improvements in water, sanitation, hygiene, and awareness can provide a cost-effective, sustainable solution for combatting STH infections in Anambra State.

Exploring the arts and humanities in Anambra State, Nigeria

Exploring the arts and humanities in Anambra State, Nigeria

Female Undergraduates’ Perception of Feminist Depictions in the Woman King Film

This study sets out to ascertain the opinions of female undergraduates on portrayals of feminism contained in the movie The Woman King (2022). The study used focus group discussion to elicit data from female undergraduates in Anambra State, Nigeria, in order to determine the inherent feminist themes in the selected movie and ascertain how they perceive them. Three universities were randomly selected from the nine universities in the state to represent the three forms of university ownership in Nigeria, which are federal, state and private universities. twelve focus group discussants were purposively selected from each university based on their availability and willingness to participate in the exercise. Analysis of data was done and presented thematically. Results showed the various themes female undergraduates identified from the selected film and female empowerment through leadership was most striking among them all. Their views about the feminist representations are those of inspiration and thought-provocation. The study recommends that film makers should be more diverse in creating feminism perspectives to provide a more comprehensive representation of feminism ideals and experiences and give a deeper exploration of feminism struggles within historical contexts that would offer a richer understanding of the challenges faced by the female folks.

Lateritic Soil Stabilization using Granular Materials; a Comparative Study

Soil mixtures have been used extensively in developed countries to construct great lengths of road when other materials like cement and lime were not either available, developed or widely used. Laterite being readily available in many places can be mixed with sand or quarry dust to improve its strength, stability and other properties for this purpose.This research work involves the improvement of the engineering properties of three samples of laterite soil by stabilization with quarry dust or with sharp river sand. The paper sets out to investigate and compare the improvement in the relevant properties of three samples of laterites when they are mixed with sand or quarry dust and compacted using different compactive efforts (British Standard Light – BSL and British Standard Heavy- BSH). The three samples used were collected at different locations in Awka, Anambra state. The tests carried out include: moisture content, specific gravity, grain size distribution, Atterberg’s limits, compaction and unconfined compressive strength tests both before and after adding quarry dust or sharp river sand at varying percentages (0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40% and 50%). The results obtained showed that for all types of laterites tested, the increase in the proportion of sand or quarry dust to laterites has the effect of increasing the maximum dry density, specific gravity and reducing the optimum moisture content, the unconfined compressive strength and energy absorption capacity. The optimum sand or quarry dust percentage for maximizing most of the parameters measured was found to be between 30% and 40% of the admixture. Comparison of the results obtained shows that quarry dust has a greater impact in the improvement of the strength of the natural soil than sand

Assessing the Impact of Extrinsic Motivation on Chemistry Students' Performance and Memory Retention in Ogidi Education Zone, Anambra State: A Gender-Based Analysis

Assessing the Impact of Extrinsic Motivation on Chemistry Students' Performance and Memory Retention in Ogidi Education Zone, Anambra State: A Gender-Based Analysis

Effects of lead exposure on the lung volume of automobile battery workers in Anambra State

Exposure to a heavy metal such as lead may induce various respiratory symptoms. Even though automobile battery recycling, repairs and lead smelting are common in Anambra State, there is no study on the effects of lead exposure on lung volumes of automobile battery workers in Anambra State of Nigeria. Hence, the need to carry out this research. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of lead exposure on the lung volumes of automobile battery workers in Anambra State. Respiratory symptoms were evaluated in a sample of two hundred respondents consisting of one hundred lead exposed workers and one hundred control subjects with similar ages using a pre-tested questionnaire. Height of the participants were measured using meter rule. Pulmonary function tests (PFT) were measured in the test group and in control group using a spirometer. Criterion for statistical significance was p ≤ 0.05. The result of this study showed a decrease in the mean value of peak expiratory flow (PEFR) in the test sgroup (297.74±81.29L/min) compared to control group (379.93±86.57L/min). This decrease was significant (p = 0.000). The results of this study showed that exposure to lead has significant effects on the lung volumes of automobile battery workers in Anambra State. The result of the study revealed that there was a significant positive correlation between height and forced expiratory volume in one second in the test group. Lead exposure may be responsible for respiratory symptoms in automobile battery workers.

Marketing Management Challenges of Locally Produced Rice Amidst Covid-19 Provocations: Nigerian Perspective

Many countries across the globe witnessed the challenges caused by COVID-19 Pandemic and Nigeria is not an exception as many economic activities were crippled. In Anambra State, many people died as a result of this catastrophe, and many sectors were economically affected, including agricultural and manufacturing industries. Accordingly, this study examined the effect of COVID-19 on the marketability of rice produced in Nigeria using Anambra State as a reference point. Specifically, the study investigated the effect of high price of rice, movement restriction, market closure, and high transportation costs on the marketability of locally produced rice. The survey research method was adopted and while the target population is 1798, the sample size is 327. The data source is primary and a structured questionnaire was administered to the respondents for data collection. The reliability value of 0.7939 established the internal consistency of the measuring instrument. However, multiple regression analysis statistical tool was used to test the hypotheses at a 5% significance level. The findings revealed that high price of rice, movement restriction, market closure, and high transportation costs had significant and negative effects on the marketability of locally produced rice in Anambra State. Thus, the COVID-19 pandemic has a significant and negative effect on the marketability of locally-produced rice. Thus, the government should provide an enabling environment to encourage rice producers to transition into digital marketing channels to minimize the negative effects of COVID-19 and other unpredictable future pandemic business provocations.

Genotypic detection of metallo-Beta-Lactamases among multidrug resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated from urine samples of UTI patients

Metallo-beta-lactamases producing bacteria are of public health concern, owning to the fact that bacteria that harbour genes for their production are notably resistant to several antibiotics. This study was carried out to genotypically investigate the prevalence of MBL-production in multidrug resistant K. pneumoniae isolated from urine samples of UTI patients attending a tertiary teaching hospital in Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria. Two hundred (200) mid-stream urine samples were collected from UTI patients, and were analyzed using standard microbiological procedures. Antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST) of the isolates was carried out using Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method and combination disc test was employed to phenotypically screen the isolates for MBL production. The genotypic screening was performed by Polymerase chain reaction (PCR), using specific primers. Fifty-one (51) K. pneumoniae isolates were recovered from the urine samples. AST revealed that the isolates exhibited high resistance to Amoxicllin-clavulanic acid (100%), Ampiclox (98.04%), Imipenem (98.04%), Cefotaxime (96.08%), Cefuroxime (96.08%), Nitrofurantoin (70.59%), and were relatively susceptible to Ofloxacin (54.91%), Gentamycin (50.98%) and Levofloxacin (47.06%). A 79.02% of the K. pneumoniae isolates showed resistance to more than two classes of antibiotics, thus termed multidrug resistance strains. Of the 38 (41.76%) isolates of K. pneumoniae that were resistant to imipenem, 19 (20.88%) were confirmed as MBL-producers phenotypically, while 19 (20.88%) were non-MBL producers. Genotypically, blaVIM (21.98%) was the most detected MBL gene, followed by blaOXA-48 (18.68%) and blaIMP (15.38%). This study revealed the prevalence of multidrug resistant and MBLs producing K. pneumoniae in urine samples of the selected UTI patients.

Determinants of Consumers’ Willingness to Pay for Organically Produced Fluted Pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis) among University Workers in Eastern Nigeria

As against conventional fluted pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis), certified organic fluted pumpkin is safer, but the production and consumption are low. Awareness of heath benefit would likely spur the demand and stimulate production. Thus, this study examined the willingness to pay (WTP) for organically produced fluted pumpkin among the staff of Nnamdi Azikiwe University in Anambra State, Nigeria. Two-stage sampling procedure was used to collect data for this study. Four faculties with the largest staff population were purposively selected out of 14 faculties in the university, then, workers were selected proportionate to the population size of each faculty, resulting in a total sample size of 100. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data on consumers characteristics, awareness, willingness to pay and factors determining consumers WTP. Descriptive statistics and logit regression analysis were used to analyze the data. This study revealed that more than 70% of the respondents were aware of organic vegetables and about 67% of the respondents agreed that organically fluted pumpkin is healthier than conventionally one. On the average, up to 43.22 % of the respondents are willing to pay a premium for organically produced fluted pumpkin above (N200) the average cost of 200grammes of conventional fluted pumpkin. At 5% significance level of education (β=0. 81), and chemical consciousness (β=0.035) had positive influence on the willingness to pay while premium amount to be paid (β=-1. 1x 1005) and sex (β=-1.38), had negative influence. The study concluded that there was a potential market for organically produced fluted pumpkin among the university staff and recommended its prompt production.

Anti-dermatophytic activities and time-kill kinetics of the methanol extracts of Napoleona imperialis

Background: Dermatophytosis is one of the most common cutaneous infections in the world. This is a superficial fungal infection that pose public health challenges to man and animals. The objective of this study is to evaluate the anti-dermatophytic activities of the different parts of Napoleona imperialis extract against selected clinical dermatophytes isolated from school children in Anambra State, Nigeria.Methodology: The pulverized materials of the authenticated plant parts were extracted using cold maceration method for 48 hours in methanol. Stock solutions of the extracts were prepared by dissolving 1000mg of the extract in 2ml of dimethylsulphoxide (DMSO) to obtain a final concentration of 500mg/ml, that was used to primarily screen the plant extracts for their anti-dermatophytic activities on the selected dermatophytes by the agar well diffusion method. For determining the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC), stock solution of the plant extracts was prepared by dissolving 10000mg of the extract in 2 ml of DMSO to attain a final concentration of 5,000 mg/ml, which was used to prepare different concentrations of the extract by 2-fold serial dilution. The extracts were then tested on selected dermatophytes consisting of two isolates of Trichophyton mentagrophytes, one isolate of Microsporum audouinii, one isolate of Microsporum canis, and two isolates of Microsporum ferrugineum. The time kill kinetics was also performed using standard method.Results: The mean (±SD) inhibition zone diameter produced by the stem bark extract against the different dermatophytes at concentration of 500mg/ml was significantly higher than all other plant extracts used (p&lt;0.05) with M. ferrugineum as the most susceptible. The MICs and MFCs were the same for the leaf, root, stem bark and seed extracts of the plant, which ranged from 31.25-250 mg/ml for M. audouinii; 62.5-250 mg/ml for M. canis, and 0.978-62.5 mg/ml for M. ferrugineum 2. Similarly, the MICs and MFCs were the same for the root extract of the plant against T. mentagrophyte 2 (62.5 mg/ml), stem bark extract against T. mentagrophyte 1 (3.912 mg/ml) and against T. mentagrophyte 2 (1.956 mg/ml). The seed extract against T. mentagrophyte 1 and against M. ferrugineum 1 also had the same MIC and MFC (15.625 mg/ml). In the time -kill assay, there was drastic reduction in the number of viable cells count within 0-1 hour, and at 8-hour time period, there were no viable cells.Conclusion: Crude methanol extracts of N. imperialis stem bark exhibited higher fungicidal effect when compared to the other plant parts. This extract can be a complementary source of novel antifungal agents. The study provides evidence for the use of this plant in traditional settings for the treatment of dermatophytosis.

Communicating Solid Waste Management Information through Social Media Platforms for Sustainable Development in Nigeria: A Review of Anambra Broadcasting Service Facebook Messages

With the ever-increasing global waste crisis, effective communication of solid waste management (SWM) information to the public has become more critical than ever before. Social media has increasingly offered a promising platform for the dissemination of environmental information, including SWM information. This conceptual review examines the potential for social media platforms, specifically Facebook, to serve as a tool for communicating SWM information to the public. The study focuses on the Anambra Broadcasting Service (ABS) as a case study, exploring its use of Facebook to disseminate information on sustainable waste management practices. The review begins by outlining the importance of effective communication in achieving sustainable waste management goals. It then highlights the potential of social media platforms, particularly Facebook, to facilitate communication and drive behavioral change. Subsequently, the review delves into the case study of ABS's use of Facebook to disseminate SWM information in Anambra State, Nigeria. Findings from the review highlight several important considerations for effective communication of SWM information through social media platforms. These include understanding the target audience, selecting the appropriate social media channels and tools, creating engaging and visually appealing content, tailoring messages to local contexts, and developing strategic plans for sustaining communication efforts. Overall, the review concludes that social media platforms have the potential to play a critical role in promoting awareness and behavioral change towards sustainable waste management practices. The review's findings suggest that more studies should be conducted to explore the effectiveness of social media platforms in SWM information dissemination across different contexts.

The Role of Citizenship Education on Enhancing the Promotion of Unity in Nigeria: Implication for Primary Education

Citizenship education, as a pedagogical approach, emphasizes the development of civic responsibility, tolerance, and national identity, which are essential for addressing the challenges posed by Nigeria's ethnic, cultural, and religious diversity. The study explores how the integration of citizenship education in primary schools helps inculcate values such as respect for diversity, patriotism, and conflict resolution skills among young learners. Using a survey research design, data were collected from 320 Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) students from Nwafor Orizu College of Education, Nsugbe, and Federal College of Education (Technical), Umunze, in Anambra State, Nigeria. Purposive random sampling was employed to select respondents from Social Studies, Economics, English, and Igbo Language departments. A structured questionnaire with 15 items on a 4-point Likert scale was used for data collection, and reliability was confirmed using the Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient. Data analysis involved mean scores, with a cutoff of 2.50 for agreement. Findings revealed that ethnic hatred, religious intolerance, distrust, lack of basic education, and colonial policies are significant barriers to unity in Nigeria. Citizenship education was found to promote unity by enhancing the appreciation of diversity, instilling values of cooperation and tolerance, and equipping individuals with conflict resolution skills. However, challenges such as a lack of qualified teachers, insufficient instructional materials, and inadequate commitment from educators hinder its effectiveness. The findings highlight the importance of incorporating citizenship education into primary education to cultivate values that promote unity among young learners. The research findings imply the need for systematic transformation in the basic education curriculum, by integrating programs that comprehensively teach the values ​​of tolerance, cooperation, and conflict resolution.

Assessment of Chemistry Teachers’ Knowledge on Entrepreneurial Chemistry Topics in Senior Secondary Schools

The study investigated the entrepreneurship knowledge of chemistry teachers in Otuocha education zone of Anambra state, towards some topics in senior secondary school chemistry curriculum. Three research questions guided the study. 31 chemistry teachers from Otuocha education zone were involved. Twenty-four item questionnaire generated from five branches of chemistry mainly taught in senior secondary schools were used for data collection. The instrument was validated and its reliability was found to be 0.91 using Cronbach alpha. The data analysed using mean and standard deviation indicated that twelve (12) out of the twenty three topics were found not to be significant on teachers’ knowledge of entrepreneurship in teaching. This is an indication that students are not being cultured with these skills during lesson. This was also confirmed in the analysis of the data collected from how teachers relate the topics to real world / entrepreneurial skill, where sixteen (16) out of twenty three topics were found not to be significant on teachers’ in relating to entrepreneurship in teaching. Out of the fifteen (15) entrepreneurial teaching strategies tested, twelve were found not to be significant on teachers’. Some recommendations were made based on the findings to improve the development of entrepreneurial skills in students.

Attitude of University Students Towards Online Shopping; A Study of Undergraduates in Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State

The proliferation of the internet has revolutionized consumer behaviour, particularly among university students who are increasingly embracing online shopping for its convenience and accessibility. This study investigates the attitudes of undergraduates at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State towards online shopping, with a focus on understanding the factors influencing their behaviors. The objectives include exploring the level of trust and perceived security in online shopping among students, and identifying socio-demographic variables such as age and gender that shape their attitudes and behaviors. Employing a descriptive survey design, data was collected from a representative sample of 386 undergraduate students using structured questionnaires. The study period spanned one academic semester to capture a comprehensive view across various faculties and departments. The findings reveal a robust acceptance of online shopping among the university students, underscored by a high level of trust and perceived security in online payment systems. Statistical analyses, including correlation and regression models, highlight significant positive relationships between attitudes towards online shopping, age, and gender. Age and gender emerge as pivotal predictors, explaining a substantial portion of the variance in attitudes towards online shopping. Specifically, gender demonstrates a stronger influence than age on shaping these attitudes. The study's implications extend to recommendations for enhancing online security measures and developing targeted marketing strategies tailored to the diverse socio demographic profiles of university students.

Perception and Knowledge of Female Genital Mutilation among Indigenous Childbearing Women in Awka-South Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria

Female genital mutilation (FGM) remains a deeply rooted cultural practice with far-reaching consequences for the health, dignity, and rights of women worldwide. The study assessed the perception and knowledge of female genital mutilation among indigenous childbearing women in the Awka-South Local Government Area in Anambra State, Nigeria. The objectives of the study were to assess the level of knowledge and the level of perception of indigenous childbearing women in Awka, South L.G.A. of Anambra State towards female genital mutilation. The hypotheses were that there is no significant association between the level of knowledge and the level of perception of indigenous childbearing women in Awka-South L.G.A. of Anambra State towards female genital mutilation and that parity of indigenous childbearing women in Awka-South L.G.A. is not significantly associated with their perception. A cross-sectional, descriptive survey design was adopted for the study. The sample size was 437 indigenous childbearing women, and a multistage sampling technique was used. The instrument for data collection was a questionnaire. The reliability test indicated 0.72. The data obtained were analyzed using the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS); descriptive statistics, frequency, percentage, and mean were used to analyze research questions, and inferential statistics, chi-square, were used to test hypotheses at the 0.05 level of significance. The data were presented in tables for clarity. The findings of the study revealed that the majority, 77.2%, had a negative perception of FGM, and the majority, 64.0%, of the respondents had poor knowledge of FGM. There was no significant association between the level of knowledge and the level of perception of FGM among indigenous childbearing women, with p-value = 0.094, and the parity of indigenous childbearing women is not significantly associated with their level of perception of FGM with p-value = 0.431. In conclusion, indigenous childbearing women showed negative perceptions towards FGM, and indigenous childbearing women had poor knowledge of FG. It is recommended that healthcare providers, community organizations, and government agencies implement comprehensive education programs targeting indigenous childbearing women to improve their knowledge and understanding of FGM.

Evaluation of Water Quality of Ogbujilekwe Stream in Njikoka L.G.A of Anambra State

Water pollution is the contamination of waters by bodies by nutrient. These nutrient may be organic or inorganic nutrient Dissolved organic nutrient may serve as a source of living for organisms living in water, and also show detrimental effect on aquatic ecosystem since it, favors bacterial slimes and cause eutrophication. This research work evaluated the water quality of Ogbujilekwe Stream in Njikoka L.G.A. of Anambra State. The parameters used for this evaluation include water color, odour, taste, pH, Oxygen Demand (OD), Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), total dissolved solid, (T.D.S.), turbidity and microbial test. The result obtained from this research showed that the B.O.D., was high. All the water samples used for the analysis yielded positive result indicating various forms of coliform. The detection of these coliform in the water samples indicates that stream is seriously being polluted by the animal faces used for planting crops on the watershed. Although the concentrations were within the permissible, range for drinking water, further, inputs accumulation, may result in serious health hazard to the neighbouring communities in Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra state.

Perception of Anambra State Residents Toward Media Campaigns Against the Consumption of Uncertified Herbal Medicine

The study examined the perception of Anambra state residents toward media campaigns against the consumption of uncertified herbal medicine. The essence of the study was to determine the extent of exposure of the residents to media campaigns against the consumption of uncertified herbal medicine. Study adopted two theoretical frameworks, and a survey research method was used. The study found, among others, that a majority of the respondents were moderately exposed to media campaigns against the consumption of uncertified herbal medicine; radio was the medium through which most of the respondents accessed media campaigns against the consumption of uncertified herbal medicine. Further findings revealed that the media campaigns against consumption of uncertified herbal medicine among the residents have not been so effective. The study concluded that the media campaigns against the consumption of uncertified herbal medicine convey uncertainty, a grey area by Anambra state residents. Thus, the study recommended that media should actively shed light on the dangers of consuming uncertified herbal medicine, committing themselves to features, editorials, radio presentations, news programmes, call-in-programs, and documentaries, among others.