Benue State Nigeria Research Articles

Adolescent reproductive health care services: knowledge, perspectives, and challenges among service providers in Makurdi, Benue State Nigeria

Adolescence is a phase of life characterized by several reproductive health challenges that require support to navigate. However, access to adolescent and youth-friendly health service (AYFHS) centers to provide this support is limited. Perspective of healthcare workers (HCW) towards understanding the challenges to service provision has not been systematically documented. This study therefore documents the perspectives of HCWs on the types of services accessed by adolescents, and associated challenges in Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria. The facility-based descriptive qualitative study used an in-depth interview guide among program officers in the 11 youth-friendly health centers. The interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed thematically. The provision of HIV prevention services and AYFHS was appropriate while adolescents have preferences for facilities where their confidentiality is protected, and other needs are met. Reported challenges were lack of privacy, high cost of transportation to facilities, high staff attrition, poor awareness of the facilities and services, and parental consent. Suggestions for improvement included prolonged retention of youth-friendly trained staff, better client confidentiality, and economic empowerment of the adolescents to access services when needed. While the providers’ perspective on AYFHS for adolescents was positive, related challenges were also identified. Government and other stakeholders should collaborate to ensure the right environment for accessibility and utilization of AYFHS.

Effect of Job Stress and Empoyees Productivity of First Bank Branches in Makurdi Meteroplis Benue State Nigeria

The paper examined the effect of Job stress and employee’s productivity of First Bank Branches in Makurdi Metropolis of Benue State, Nigeria. Specifically, the study sought to: examine the extent of the effect of work overload on efficiency of First Bank Branches in Makurdi Metropolis and ascertain the effect of role conflict on services delivery of First Bank Branches in Makurdi Metropolis. This study adopted survey research design, made uses of 115 sample size from First Bank Branches in Makurdi Metropolis of Benue State, Nigeria as a small population, data were collected using a self-mixed questionnaire with response rate of 115 percent. The analysis of data was done using simple frequency distribution and percentages. Multiple regression analysis t-test was used alongside with Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) technique in estimation. The Findings revealed that that effect work overload has significant effect on employee’s productivity of First Bank Branches in Makurdi Metropolis and role conflict has significant effect on employee’s productivity of First Bank Branches in Makurdi Metropolis. The study revealed that job stress affected work overload has significant effect on employee’s productivity of First Bank Branches in Makurdi Metropolis. The study concludes that work overload and role conflict positively affected work overload has significant effect on employee’s productivity of First Bank Branches in Makurdi Metropolis. The study recommends among others that; management of First Bank Plc in Makurdi should concentrate on reducing work overload on staff to enhance their employee’s productivity and regularly monitor employee performance and provide constructive feedback. Recognizing and rewarding employees' efforts to boost morale and motivation.

Qualitative Assessment of Flours from Five Varieties of Yam in Benue State Nigeria

Need to reduce post-harvest losses of Benue yams birthed this research. The study investigated the functional, pasting properties and nutritional composition of high quality flours produced from five Yam varieties in Benue State, Nigeria. The functional and pasting properties and nutritional composition of flours produced from five yam varieties in Benue State, Nigeria. Their bulk density (0.70-0.84 g/cm3), dispersibility (23.17-39.33g/mL), water (0.87-2.53mL/g) and oil (0.93-2.03mL/g) absorption capacities, swelling index (0.92-2.07mL/g) and capacity ranged from 146.30-265.82%., The peak viscosity, trough, breakdown, final viscosity, set back, peak time and pasting temperature, ranged from 1285.00-4586.33 RVU, 1102.00-4035.00 RVU, 57.07-1046.00 RVU, 1878.33-6428.00 RVU, 688.00-2393.33 RVU - (Rapid Viscometric Unit), 5.40-7.20mins and 81.50-88.85oC., The moisture content, ash, crude fiber, protein, fat, carbohydrates and energy values ranged from 7.61-9.70%, 0.05-3.80%, 0.10-4.82%, 7.77-9.27%, 1.19-1.51 %; 75.09-79.55% and 326.50-343.52 kcal., The Vitamins: A (0.66.41-807.55 mg/100 g), C (23.40-28.73mg/100 g), E (0.08-1.24 mg/100 g), K (0.12-0.74 mg/100 g) and B1 ranged from 0.73-0.83 mg/100 g) while vitamin D was negligible in all samples., The Minerals sodium, potassium, Calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, manganese and zinc ranged from 47.42-59.73 mg/100 g, 69.01-123.51 mg/100 g, 25.28-33.01 mg/100 g, 39.18-58.02 mg/100 g, 0.04-0.12 mg/100 g, 2.95-5.43 mg/100 g and 0.79-1.25 mg/100 g respectively. Results revealed that, Sample AR (Amura yam flour) could be regarded to have the best quality of all parameters evaluated compared to all the other yam flours. Though generally, the physico-chemical properties of the yam flours compared favourably with the wheat flour used as control, therefore, they all exhibited good qualities of flours for baking of confectioneries.

Effects of Spacing and Varieties on the Growth and Yield of Cowpea (Vignauguiculata L.). Grown in Makurdi, Benue State. Nigeria

A field experiment was carried out at the Agronomy Teaching and Research Farm of Joseph Sarwun, Tarka, University Makurdi, Benue State Nigeria at 70 41N and Longitude 80 37E, 400m above sea level in Southern Guinea Savannah Agro-ecological zone of Nigeria to investigate the Effects of Spacing and Variety on the Growth and Yield of Cowpea (Vignauguiculata L.). Two spacing were used 25 and 30cm intra row spacing and three medium maturing varieties of IT07K-274-2-9, IAR-07-1050 and UAM-1051-1 were used for study. The treatment were combined and laid in a randomized complete block design with three replications. During the research, growth characters such as plant height, number of leaves, days of maturity, 50% flowering were measured. Other yield and yield related characters like number of pod, number of seed, 1000 seed weight and seed yield were also recorded. The use of 30cm intra row spacing produced significantly (P=0.05) in both growth and yield related parameters except in plant height where 25cm spacing had taller plants (61.21), days to maturity (79.45) and 50% flowering (60.21) while spacing 30cm had higher number of leaves (50.11) higher number of pod per plants (46.01), number of seeds per pod (10.99), weightier pod (900.11), weightier 100 seeds (120.56) and over all yield (681.16) The use of medium maturing varieties was also observed to produce significantly (P=0.05) with 1T07K-274-2-9 recorded early days of maturity (79.11), 50% days of flowering (61.21) and number of pod (47.21) while UAM-1050-1 produced taller plant (62.01), higher number of leaves (51.21) higher number of seeds per pod(11.50) pod weight(1084.01),100 seed weight (22.68) and overall yield (698.82).Form the result cowpea farmers in Makurdi are advice to grow UAM-105-1 at 30cm intra row spacing for optimum yield.

Prevalence of Urinary Tract Infection (UTIs) Among HIV Sero-Positive Patients Attending Selected Hospitals at Otukpo Benue State, Nigeria

Prevalence of uropathogenic bacteria among HIV sero-positive Patients attending selected Hospitals at Otukpo Benue State Nigeria was investigated. A total of 392 mid-stream urine samples from Patients with HIV infection attending St. Daniel Hospital, Royal Specialist Hospital, General Hospital and St. Charles Hospital was collected and analyzed using standard Microbiological and biochemical methods for isolation and identification of organisms. Prevalence of the infection was also determined. Socio-demographic variables were obtained using a pre-designed structured questionnaire. Data were entered into a data base designed using SPSS Statistical software version 20 and analyzed using Chi square. Out of 392 samples, 115 were tested positive for urinary tract infections and five different types of bacteria were isolated. The bacteria isolated and their prevalence were Escherichia coli 42(36.5%), Proteus mirabilis 32(27.8%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa 17(14.8%), Staphylococcus aureus 12(10.4%) and Klebsiella pneumoniae 12(10.4%). The overall prevalence of urinary tract infection in HIV patients was 29.3%.The female had prevalence of 30.9%, while the male had 27.4%. The age group 16-25years had the highest occurrence 16(33.3%). Based on occupation, business people had the highest positivity rate of 38(31.1%). The married had 43(30.7%) positivity rate. The prevalence of urinary tract infections among the HIV negative individuals was 26.9%. The information provided in this report is useful in the clinical management of urinary tract infections among HIV sero-positive patients in the study area

Dietary Quality and Associated Factors among Women of Reproductive Age in Six Sub-Saharan African Countries.

The burden of micronutrient malnutrition is high among women of reproductive age (WRA) in sub-Saharan Africa. We examined the dietary quality and associated factors for WRA in Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, and Tanzania. Data were collected from women aged 15-49 years using representative Diet Quality Questionnaire surveys. The Minimum Dietary Diversity for Women (MDD-W), All-5 (key food group) consumption, noncommunicable disease risk (NCD-Risk), and Global Dietary Recommendation (GDR) indicators were assessed. Participants included N = 16,584 women [Cameroon: N = 2073; Côte d'Ivoire: N = 242; Kenya: N = 864; Adamawa State (Nigeria): N = 1283; Benue State (Nigeria): N = 1047; Nasarawa State (Nigeria): N = 1151; Senegal: N = 7232; Tanzania: N = 2692]. The MDD-W ranged from 43.0% in Tanzania to 81.4% in Côte d'Ivoire and was higher in urban, compared to rural, areas in Cameroon, Kenya, Nasarawa, Senegal, and Tanzania (p < 0.001). Increased education and wealth were positively associated with MDD-W in Kenya, Benue, Senegal, and Tanzania. Fewer than half of all women attained All-5 consumption. NCD-Risk scores ranged from 1.13 (95% CI: 1.08, 1.17) in Tanzania to 2.28 (95% CI: 2.16, 2.40) in Nasarawa, and women's GDR scores ranged from 10.47 (95% CI: 10.40, 10.54) in Cameroon to 11.45 (95% CI: 11.25, 11.64) in Côte d'Ivoire. Our findings highlight key aspects of women's diets in sub-Saharan African settings to enable greater awareness and more targeted responses to the specific areas needing the most improvement.

Distribution of vacA and cagA status of Helicobacter pylori from endoscopy referral patients of Benue State University Teaching Hospital Makurdi, Benue State Nigeria

Distribution of vacA and cagA status of Helicobacter pylori from endoscopy referral patients of Benue State University Teaching Hospital Makurdi, Benue State Nigeria

Investigation of Heavy Metal Contamination in Bread Baked and Sold in Makurdi Metropolis, Benue State Nigeria

Heavy metals are pollutants that are of global significance due to their toxicological properties when their intake significantly exceeds recommended levels. They are persistent in the environment, and may be unintentionally present in raw materials used for production of bread; they may migrate from packaging into food, or find their way into finished food products due to anthropogenic activities. The present study investigated the presence of heavy metals in bread baked and sold in Makurdi, Metropolis, to ascertain their safety for consumption. Twenty different bread brands were sampled twice from bakeries and distribution outlets within Makurdi, metropolis respectively. The heavy metal analysis was carried out using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). The varied concentrations of heavy metals in mg/kg of Fe, Pb, Cr, Zn, Ni, and Cd in Bread Loaves from Bakeries (BFB) and in Bread Loaves from Distribution Outlets (BFD) were determined. Cd was not detected in BFB and flour, but it was present in one sample in BFD. Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT) was employed to separate the means. Though, most of the studied heavy metals were within permissible limits, caution should be taken when consuming bread, because of their ability to persist and bio-accumulate in bio-systems.

Molecular Profiling Ecofriendly Trichoderma Biological Control Agent of Yam Tuber Microbial Rot in Northern Nigeria

This research on isolation and identification of yam rot pathogen fungi from North central Nigeria was carried out to investigate some fungal species associated with yam rot using white yams (Dioscorea rotundata) obtained from Adamawa State, Benue State and Plateau State (Jos) Nigeria. Seven fungi species which cause yam rot were isolated during this study, namely: Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, Penicillium citrinum, Penicillium echinulatum, Penicilum purpurogenum, Trichoderma spp and Trichophyton spp. Trichoderma yunnanense strain RCBBR_GA1 OP8008361 was identified molecularly. Pathogenicity test carried out confirmed these organisms as the pathological agent of the rot. A. niger statistically has the highest frequency of occurrence (100%). The least encountered fungal species were the P. citrinum (16.6%), P. purpurogenum (33.3%) and Trichophyton spp (33.3). Percentage growth inihibition of A. flavus, A. niger, P. citrinum, P. echinulatum, P. purpurogenum, Trichoderma spp and Trichophyton spp was carried out and they showed varying degree of inhibition. However, Trichopyton spp shows the highest growth of inhibition at 96 hours (41.4%) and 120 hours (73.7%). Trichoderma exhibited the highest control of the isolates (80 mm). Trichoderma inhibited mycelia extension growth of A. flavus (25 mm), A. niger (25 mm), P. citrinum (23 mm), P. echinulatum (23 mm), P. purpurogenum (24 mm) and Trichopyton spp (22 mm) at 96 hours. The result shows that Trichoderma was able to inhibit the growth of the pathogenic fungi, which are associated with yam rot. Fungal isolates from yam rot were examined morphologically and microscopically and the nature of rot was varied. It is recommended that enzymes from Trichoderma should be extracted and applied for reduction of microbial rot of yam tubers.

Impact of Social Capital on Poverty Reduction in Benue State Nigeria

Benue State comprises diverse communities, each facing unique socio-economic challenges including poverty. This study examined the impact of social capital on poverty reduction in Benue State, Nigeria. A survey research design was adopted for the study. Primary data was collected from 6 Local Government Areas of Benue State. Logit binary regression analysis was used to estimate variables used in the study in relation to its effect on poverty reduction. All variables tested improved Benue state poverty except political party membership and involvement. The results revealed that cooperative society participation, social media involvement, rural group membership, and social club membership has the tendency to reduce poverty by 50% to 68% in Benue State. Overall, with an R-square value of 0.870, there is a strong positive linear relationship between the variables. Social capital may reducepoverty based on community trust, social connection, and socioeconomic context. Addressing inequalities and distributing incentives equitably is crucial to improving social capital.

Prevalence of precancerous lesions and other cervical abnormalities among internally displaced women in Benue State Nigeria.

visual inspection is a low-cost screening strategy that can be used to prevent cervical cancer in women. These techniques can improve screening health outcomes for internally displaced women (IDW) who have poor sexual and reproductive health and rights' behaviors and outcomes. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of precancerous lesions and other clinical features using a visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) technique during a cervical cancer screening campaign in two internally displaced people (IDP) camps in Benue State, Nigeria. this was a cross-sectional study of 166 IDW who voluntarily participated in the study during a VIA cervical cancer screening campaign in two IDP camps in Benue State, Nigeria the screening was done by a group of qualified and trained healthcare workers and data was collected using a structured, pretested questionnaire. a total of 99(60%) of the women had a first sexual experience at 16 years, while 78(47%) had more than 5 full-term pregnancies. Although only 72(43.4%) of the women acknowledged having more than one sexual partner, over 70% of the women stated that their sexual partner had another sexual partner. The prevalence of precancerous lesions among women was 10.8%. Smoking(p=0.003), age at menarche (p≤ 0.001) and sexual behaviors (p=0.009, p=0.004) were factors that had a statistically significant relationship with the presence of a precancerous lesion among the IDW. The study also highlights the high rate (95%) of cervicitis among the women and the relatively high rate (5.4%) of leukoplakia. the majority of IDW had sociodemographic and lifestyle characteristics that predisposed them to developing cervical cancer More targeted interventions aimed at improving the sociodemographic and lifestyle characteristics of IDW are recommended. In addition, there is a need to create awareness about cervical cancer among IDW and make screening available in camp facilities for early detection and management.

E-Commerce Strategies and Performance of Small and Medium Enterprises in Makurdi Benue State Nigeria

The overall purpose of this study was to examine the effect of e-commerce strategies such as social media marketing, online advertisement and electronic payment on performance of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Makurdi Benue State Nigeria. The problem was to ascertain the effect of social media marketing, online advertisement and e-payment system on performance of SMEs. The study was anchored on Resource-Based View Theory by Birger Wernerfelt, (1984). This theory is appropriate for the study because it portrays the various the resources such as e-commerce strategies that SMEs can adopt so as to achieve greater and improved performance. A survey research design was adopted and primary data of well-structured questionnaires were used to elicit information from the respondents. The study population comprised of 1711 selected SMEs in which Taro Yamane formula was used to select the sample size of 324. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and percentages. The hypothesis were tested using multiple regression analysis and the results show that all the dimensions, social media-marketing (.000&lt;0.05), online-advertisement (.002&lt;0.05) and e-payment system (.000&lt;0.05) has positive significant effect on performance of SMEs. The study concluded that e-commerce strategies have positive significant effect on performance of SMEs in Makurdi Benue State Nigeria.

A comparative study of posttraumatic stress disorder in two post-conflict communities in Benue state Nigeria.

The attendant long-term mental health consequence of the conflict of various kinds in Nigeria is yet to be thoroughly investigated. The Tiv-Fulani farmer-herdsmen crisis is one such conflict that occurred in 2013/2014 in Guma local government in Benue state. This study seeks to find out some years after the crisis, the prevalence difference in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) between a community (Uikpiam) with direct exposure to the conflict and another (Daudu) with indirect exposure, the pattern of distribution of PTSD symptoms and the associate factors of PTSD. It is a cross-sectional one that employed a multi-stage cluster sampling method to select 413 participants; 135 from Uikpiam and 278 from Daudu. The study instruments administered included a questionnaire with some socio-demographic variables and an extract from the PTSD module of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview. The prevalence rate of PTSD was higher in Uikpiam (16.3%) when compared to Daudu (4.3%). A high proportion of sub-threshold symptoms of PTSD was recorded in both communities. An association was found between a lower educational qualification and PTSD (χ2 = 8.373; p = 0.039). PTSD can be a prolonged mental ill-effect of crisis and proximity to trauma sites increases vulnerability including lower education. This study looked at PTSD only as an outcome of this crisis, but mental health adverse outcomes of the crisis may not be limited to this alone, hence the need for further investigations for relevant stakeholders to act.

Enterprise Risk Management Practices and Performance Microfinance Institutions in Makurdi Metropolis, Benue State Nigeria

The research explores the effect of enterprise risk management (ERM) on the performance of microfinance institutions in Makurdi Metropolis. The study particularly examines the effect of risk identification, risk assessment and risk mitigation on firm performance. The research employed a survey design. The targeted population consists of 42 management staff of seven microfinance banks within Makurdi Metropolis. The data obtained from the participants via self-administered questionnaire were analyzed with correlation and regression. The outcomes discovered that risk identification, risk assessment and risk mitigation have affirmative and significant effect on the performance of microfinance institutions in Makurdi Metropolis. It concludes that ERM strategies considerably affect the performance of microfinance institutions. The research therefore suggests that microfinance institutions should always evade risks that present superfluous consequences and they should institute plans and actions that will support them to anticipate and circumvent high risk situations.

Comparative Efficiency of Two Diagnostic Tests in the Identification of &lt;i&gt;Theileria spp&lt;/i&gt; in cattle in Makurdi Benue, Nigeria

Wrong identification and characterization of Theileria species in cattle may be associated with economic loss via low productive rate in cattle business. A study was designed to compare microscopy and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in identification and characterization of Theileria species of cattle within Makurdi, Benue State Nigeria. Blood samples were collected from cattle of both sexes and analysed microscopically using thin blood film and DNAexamination was done using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Theileria species were identified and characterized by PCR amplification using species specific primers of 18s rRNAfor TheileriaSpp. Data obtained were analysed using chi square, and P values at less than 0.05 were considered significant different. The result revealed the presence of Theileria. The result of comparison of prevalence of infection of Theileriosis using microscopy and PCR revealed that, microscopy was able to detect only 1.77 % of Theileria but PCR detected 13.3% of Theileria. The percentage of prevalence of Theileria species was highly detected by PCR than microscopy and this was statistically significant (P &lt; 0.05). Theileriosis in cattle have been seen to be prevalence in Makurdi metropolis and molecular method such as PCR can effectively.

SOCIAL MEDIA AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP DEVELOPMENT NEXUS IN BENUE STATE NIGERIA: EVIDENCE FROM A BINARY LOGISTIC REGRESSION MODEL

This study carried out an analysis of social media and entrepreneurship development nexus in Benue State. The researcher used mainly primary data from a sample of three hundred entrepreneurs in Zone A, B &amp; C in Benue State Nigeria. The primary data was obtained using a structured questionnaire. The data collected were analyzed using logit regression to establish the relationship between social media and entrepreneurship development while principal component analysis was used to identify the most important factors that affects the use of social media in entrepreneurship development. The result of the binary logistic regression analysis indicates that Social Media added significantly to the model/prediction. This means that the logistic model was statistically significant at 5 percent level of significance. Increasing the use of social media was associated with an increased likelihood of entrepreneurship development in Benue State. The logistic regression model was statistically significant, using values from the Omnibus Test of Model Coefficient. The model explained of the variance in post harvest losses of orange in the studied areas and correctly classified of cases. Use of social media was 0.018 times more likely to bring about entrepreneurship development in the studied areas. It was concluded that social media have a positive and significant effect on entrepreneurship development in Benue State Nigeria. It was recommended among others that entrepreneurs in the study area should engage more qualified personnel who can create the right content needed to engage the diverse customers of the business. When this is done, the likelihood of the use of social media in bringing about entrepreneurship development in Benue State can be increased.

Effect of mathematical software on senior secondary school students’ achievement in geometry

In spite of the numerous benefits of geometry to the learners, there has been an abysmal achievement of students in the concept. Could it be that an appropriate teaching strategy is not used in teaching the concept to the students? This quasi-experimental research design was carried out using non-randomised pretest and posttest group. To ascertain the achievement of high school students using mathematical software in geometry class. David kolb’s experiential theory of learning was used as an underpinning theory. From the total of 12,308 high school students in Benue state Nigeria, 457 sample was drawn for the study. Test of hypotheses was done using Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) at 0.05 level of significance, whereas Mean and Standard Deviation were used to answer the questions in the research. The findings of the research show that students in the experimental group outperformed those in the control group, with a Mean score of 68.94 versus 58.45. The study findings also showed a statistically difference in the achievement and there were no gender disparities in both groups. The study concluded that mathematical softwares improved students’ achievement, hence, recommended that teachers should adopt mathematical software in the teaching of geometrical constructions and other mathematical concepts for students’ high achievement.

A survey of information on adoption and continued use of agricultural technology innovations among smallholder crop farmers in Benue state Nigeria

This work aims at determining the factors that shape adoption and continued use of agricultural technology innovations by smallholder crop farmers in Benue State Nigeria. A structured interview schedule was used to collect relevant data. Method of analysis involves frequency counts and percentages. The result shows that factors relating to propensity to adopt are education, land size, access to credit, access to extension services and cost of innovation among others while the same factors apply for continued use of agricultural innovation except land size and gender. The extent of adoption of high yielding variety of crops, disease resistant varieties, and equipment for spraying, chemical fertilizer, pesticide, fungicide, insecticide and herbicide were very high. The extent of support on agricultural technology innovation was very poor. It is recommended that need assessment surveys be carried out before the introduction of agricultural technology innovation to guarantee adoption and continued use.

Health risk of heavy metal exposure in vegetable around owukpa coal mine field, north central Nigeria

The evaluation of trace metals in the environmental around Owukpa coal mine field, Ogbadibo Local Government Area, Benue State Nigeria was carried out to evaluate the degree of contamination due to mining activity in the area. The mean concentration of selected heavy metals (Ni, Fe, Cd, Cr, Pb and Mn) in Vegetables (Vernonia amygdalina) around coal mines were investigated. Results of the atomic absorption spectrophotometric (AAS) were as follows Ni (4.47), Fe (29.18), Cd (1.27), Cr (3.76), Pb (4.64), and Mn (12.84) with a variation pattern in the order: Fe&gt;Mn&gt;Pb&gt;Ni&gt;Cr&gt;Cd. It was observed that the trend of EDIs for heavy metals in the samples were in the order of Fe &gt; Mn &gt; Pb &gt; Ni &gt; Cr &gt; Cd. The HRIs of Ni, Cd, Cr and Pb were higher than 1 (HRI &gt; 1), with Carcinogenic Risk values of Cd (0.0668), Cr (0.0157), Fe (0.2432), Mn (0.1070), Ni (0.0340), and Pb (0.0003), respectively.

Assessment of Clinical Barriers Factors to Healthy Lifestyles amongst Hypertensives in Communities of Idoma Tribe of Benue State, Nigeria

Background: Some personal and health-related factors may influence hypertensive patients' level of self-management. Aim: to determine clinical factors acting as barriers to the eleven (11) healthy lifestyles (self-management) practices amongst hypertensives in communities of Idoma tribe, Benue state Nigeria. Methods: A multi-stage, multi-communities, cross-sectional simple random sampling method for quantitative and qualitative data using Self-reported/administered questionnaire and Semi- structured focus group discussion/interviews was used. Data analyzed using descriptive statistics-frequency and percentage presented in tables, while thematic analysis was used for qualitative information. Results: Clinical factors barrier to medication adherent are; not having any symptom 85.1%, fear of side effect of drugs 84.4%, physical exercise barriers are Physician did not prescribe physical exercise 86.1%, Not have any symptoms 85.7%; Respondent stated that feel better 84.9% and when you do not have any symptom 79.9%, are barriers to self- BP monitoring clinically. Feel better 88%, poor commitment between patients and health care personnel 76% are barriers to DASH. 86% and 74.2%, feel better, being overweight were weight management barriers respectively. Moderation in Alcohol clinical factor barriers are; when you feel well 75.7% and feel better 72.6%. Barrier factor to non-smoking adherence is feel better 58.4%. Stress control clinical barriers are; feel worse 73.5% and multiple medical treatment regimen 71.8% amongst others. Follow prescribed treatment plan; Feel better 84%, not having symptom 81% amongst others were clinical barriers. Conclusion: The result calls for intervention to improve the population clinical factor barriers to the eleven healthy lifestyles variables.