Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Research Articles

Social Determinants of Health among Health Workers in a Tertiary Health Institution in Anambra State, Nigeria: A Pilot Study

Background
 Social determinants of health (SDH) are a critical theme for health equality for Nigeria. Nigeria is one of the countries in the world which is far from achieving targets of 2030 SDG 3 due to this inequity in health.
 Methods
 This is a cross-sectional pilot survey designed to collect information about the SDH, strengths, challenges and perceived areas to be addressed among different cadres of healthcare workers at the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital (COOUTH) Awka in the South eastern part of Nigeria. This is a cross-sectional pilot survey among the different cadres of healthcare workers.
 Results
 The elements of SDH are vital for the continuing well-being of health workers because of their role in attending to the totality of their community. From our study, two elements of SDH (family and physical activity) had the greatest level of confidence (44% and 26% respectively), while the justice system (police and the legal issues) had the lowest areas of confidence (2% each), but the greatest strength of the community were found in education (70%) and family (58%).
 Conclusions
 Policies in general need to be implemented to address the economic instability in order to yield positive outcomes towards education, security of lives and property, food security and affordable healthcare and transportation. Reducing health inequities in Nigeria will depend on a focus addressing the social circumstances of individuals, families and communities using equity-based approaches on the broader structural environment. The role of formal and informal educational strategies will be beneficial in the highlighted social, economic and political factors from this study.

Effect of Organic Manure (Poultry Droppings, Cow Manure and Pig Manure) and Inorganic Fertilizer (N. P.K. 15:15:15) on the Growth and Yield of Fluted Pumpkin (Telfairia Occidentalis)

The study was conducted during rainy season between May and August 2019 at the Teaching and Research Farm of Crop Science and Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam Campus. This experiment was carried out to test the effect of different organic manure viz; cow manure, poultry droppings and pig manure and inorganic fertilizer N.P.K 15:15:15 on the growth and yield of fluted pumpkin. There were five treatments: Control, 10t/ha Poultry droppings, 12t/ha Cow manure, 10t/ha Pig manure and N.P.K 15:15:15 which was replicated four times making it 20 plots. The experiment was laid in a Randomized Complete Block Design. Data were collected on Seedling Emergence Percentage, Number of Leaves, Number of Branches, Vine Length and Fresh Weight of Leaf. At 2WAP and 6WAP for Number of leaves cow manure gave the highest mean number while at 4WAP, pig manure came out highest. For Number of branches at 2WAP and 6WAP, Pig manure gave the highest mean value while at 4WAP, Cow manure performed best. For VIne Length, Pig manure gave the highest mean number at both 2WAP and 4WAP. While at 4WAP Poultry droppings performed highest. For Fresh Weight of Fluted pumpkin Cow manure performed the highest at both 8WAP and 11WAP.However, these parameters showed an increase with the application of the different organic manure (Poultry droppings, Cow manure and Pig manure) while N.P.K 15:15:15 and control (untreated plot) did not successfully show much increased on the growth and yield parameters measured. Based on the result of the study, the parameters suggests that Organic manure releases enough nutrient elements which are required for maximum growth and yield of fluted pumpkin and they are recommended as soil amendment for soil productivity and high crop yield

Agronomic Attributes of Five Okra Landraces Selected for Okra Production in Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria

A research study on the agronomic attributes of five okra genotypes for Okra production were evaluated for growth and yield at the teaching and research farm of the Department of Crop Science and Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU) Igbariam Anambra state. The experiment was conducted using a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with 4 replications using 3m row plots. The total field size was 187 m2 (0.00187 ha) and a plant spacing of 0.60m × 0.30m was used. There was no significant difference in the treatment means for all the parameter studied, however, result from the seedling characteristics revealed that Nkwelle Okra was the earliest to emerge (4.25 days) while Awkuzu okra was the last to emerge (6.00 days). The experiment showed that Awkuzu okra was earliest to flower at 60.30 days after planting while Nteje Okra was the last to reach 50% flowering at 70.10 days after planting. Awkuzu Okra had the highest number of pods per plant (11.80), pod weight (50.90g) and yield t/ha (0.00005t/ha) while the least was Nteje Okra for number of pods per plants (6.50), pod weight (29.60g) and yield t/ha (0.000029 t/ha). Therefore, a further genetic study was recommended for the studied genotypes to produce hybrid and synthetic cultivar for the production of okra in the study area.

Response of Different Sweet Potato (Ipomoea batatas Lam) Cultivars to Different Levels of NPK 15:15:15 in Igbariam, Anambra State, Nigeria

A research study on the response of different sweet potato cultivars to different levels of NPK 15:15:15 in Igbariam Anambra State, Nigeria was was conducted between May and July 2018 at the teaching and research farm of the Department of Crop Science And Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU) Igbariam Anambra state.It was a factorial experiment laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four replications. Three varieties of Sweet Potato viz; TIS 87/0087, Umuspo 1 and Umuspo 3 were planted. Four fertilizer treatments NPK 15:15:15 at 200kg/ha 300kg/ha 400kg/ha 0kg/ha were applied four weeks after planting. Data was collected at 2 weeks’ interval on growth parameters and yield parameters. Analysis of variance was used to know the significant effect of blocking and treatment on various parameters evaluated and separation of treatment means was done using Fisher’s least significant difference. Sweet potato variety Umuspo 1 was found to produce significantly (P<0.05) large number of leaves and was well established compared to other varieties. Umuspo 3 and Tis87/0087 produced longer vine than Umusopo 1. Generally, increase in fertilizer rate resulted in increase in vegetative growth. TIS87/0087 was best in the overall yield performance when compared to other cultivars. Therefore, NPK 15:15:15 at the rate of 300kg/ha can be recommended for the production of TIS/87/0087 in the study area, further breeding work is also recommended.

Evaluation of Plasma Selenium, Zinc and Malondialdehyde Levels in Newly Diagnosed Preeclamptic Women at A Teaching Hospital

Introduction: Preeclampsia is a clinical condition unique to humans which forms a major part of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy. Although its exact etiology remains unknown, an imbalance between lipid peroxides and antioxidants is implicated. The study aimed to evaluate plasma selenium, zinc, and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in newly diagnosed preeclamptic women attending antenatal visits at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital (COOUTH), Awka in Anambra State. Materials and Methods: A total of 81 female participants were recruited and grouped into three (A, B, and C) comprising 21 newly diagnosed preeclamptic women, 30 healthy pregnant control, and 30 non-pregnant control participants respectively. Results: The newly diagnosed preeclamptics had significantly lower plasma selenium levels when compared with the healthy pregnant and non-pregnant controls (p0.05), it was however significantly lower in the preeclamptics and healthy pregnant women when compared with the non-pregnant women (p

Effect of Age and Parity on Knowledge of Cervical Cancer Screening Among Women of Child Bearing Age in Anambra State

Identification of characteristics of women in terms of age and parity as related to their uptake of existing screening services can give significant data to forming cervical cancer screening administrations. This study was aimed to assess the effect of age and parity on knowledge of cervical cancer screening among women of child bearing age in Anambra State. The study adopted a quasi-experimental research design.The study was conducted at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital Awka and General Hospital Onitsha between June 2019 to September 2019.Using multi-stage (purposive) sampling technique, the sample size for this study consisted of one hundred and eighty four (184) women (134) subjects for experimental group and 50 subjects for control group) attending antenatal in public hospitals in Anambra State. The instrument contained five questions on demographic data of the respondents, questions on knowledge of cervical cancer and practice questions with four point response options. The reliability of the instrument was established by using Cronbach alpha for estimating the internal consistency of the instrument. Data entry and analysis were done using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) and inferential statistics (ANCOVA) was used to test the null hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance.The results showed that all the women of different age groups and women of all parity levels benefitted from the exposure to health education programme. The study therefore concludes that exposing women of child bearing age to health education programme improved the practice of cervical cancer screening practice. The knowledge of cervical cancer, knowledge of cervical cancer screening and knowledge of modes of prevention of cervical cancer are critical in determining cervical cancer screening uptake among the women. It is thus concluded that exposing women of child bearing age to health education programme improved the cervical cancer screening practice than not exposing them to any treatment. With adequate knowledge of cervical cancer and a positive perception of cervical cancer screening, utilization of cervical cancer screening services is uniform among women of all parity level.

Experimental Assessment of the Toxicity Effects of Phone Battery Wastes on Aquatic and Terrestrial Bioindicators

Aims: The present study aimed at assessing the toxicity effects of phone battery wastes on aquatic and terrestrial bioindicators.
 Study Design: Five treatments and the controls designs designated as 6.25%, 12.5%, 25%, 50%, 100%, CTRL and 1 mg/kg, 2 mg/kg, 3 mg/kg, 4 mg/kg, 5 mg/kg, 6 mg/kg, CTRL were set up in triplicates and incubated for 24 h, 72 h and 20 days at 25 ± 2°C.
 Place and Duration of Study: Department of Microbiology, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Nigeria during May, 2019 - August, 2019.
 Methodology: The growth inhibition and mortality were analyzed using Aspergillus terreus toxicity test, Allium cepa toxicity test and Limicolaria flammea toxicity test.
 Results: The results revealed that marine water (7.12 logCFU/mL) was shown to had more fungal count than the fresh water (7.07 logCFU/mL) ecosystem. On A. terreus, Itel in fresh water sample had the highest LC50 values of 30.49% while Gionee in fresh water sample had the lowest LC50 values of 21.74% after 24 h, respectively. The Itel battery sample had higher EC50 value (86.08%) than Gionee battery sample with EC50 value of 65.46% after 72 h on A. cepa. On L. flammea, Itel phone battery sample had lower (5.11%) LC50 value than Gionee phone battery sample with higher (6.20%) LC50 value at 6 mg/kg concentration after 20 days’ exposure, respectively.
 Conclusion: The results indicate that indiscriminate release of E- wastes into the aquatic and terrestrial environments should be discouraged.

Assessment of the Toxicity Potentials of Spent Laptop Battery Wastes on Essential Soil Microbes and Plant Bioindicators

Aims: The study was undertaken to assess the toxicity potentials of spent laptop battery wastes on essential soil microbes and plant bio-indicators.
 Study Design: Five treatments and the controls designs were set up in triplicates and incubated at 25 ± 2°C for 21 days. The five treatments and controls set ups were designated as 6.25%, 12.5%, 25%, 50%, 100% and CTRL.
 Place and Duration of Study: Department of Microbiology, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), Uli Anambra State, Nigeria during May, 2019 - July, 2019.
 Methodology: The microbial growth inhibition was analysed using standard method of spread plate technique while growth indices and percentage seedling emergence were adopted for the seed growth inhibition.
 Results: The result revealed that fungal population was the most sensitive followed by bacterial population and then actinomycetes population in terms of toxic responses to the spent laptop battery samples soil contamination. The order of toxicity of the spent battery samples on the growth indices and percentage seedling emergence of P. vulgaris and S. bicolor were: Product B-bean (-18.89%) > Product A-sorghum (-32.22%) > Product A-bean (- 38.63%) > Product B- sorghum (- 45.77%) revealing that both P. vulgaris and S. bicolor are very good bio-monitoring models for spent product A and B battery pollution assessment.
 Conclusion: Thus, strict and stringent measures on release of these electronic wastes in the environment are recommended.

How Students Choose Careers: Understanding the Career Choices, Motivations and Problems of Agricultural Students in Anambra State, Nigeria

The study accessed agricultural undergraduate students’ reasons for choosing agriculture as a career, sources of their motivation, and problems encountered in their study. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire administered on 100 respondents selected through simple random sampling process from two Faculties of Agriculture of two universities: Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU) and Nnamdi Azikiwe University (NAU) both in the Anambra State of Nigeria. Some of the information provided by the respondents was verified through 4 in-depth interviews. Descriptive statistics such as percentage, frequency distributions, and Tables were used in analyzing the data. The result show that the majority of the students of COOU (48%) and NAU (44%) study agriculture through a constriction (admission offer outside their original career choice) and that the students’ parents were their major source of motivation (64%). The result further reveals that financial constraints (48%), unfavorable government policy (24%), and poor teaching aids were the major problems of agricultural undergraduate students in the State. The study concludes that sustainable involvement of youths in agricultural development is a felt need which requires diversified motivation attention. The study recommends proactive measures such as intermittent rewards and scholarship awards to agricultural students, early stimulation of student’s interest in agriculture, formulation of suitable agricultural policy and provision of adequate teaching facilities and aids to agricultural students by the Universities Management and their Visitors, Nongovernmental Organizations in agriculture and Philanthropists.

Toxic Effect of Refinery Industrial Effluent Using Three Toxicity Bioassays

Aims: To determine the toxic effect of refinery industrial effluents using three toxicity bioassays.
 Study Design: Five treatments and the controls designs were set up in triplicates containing 6.25%,12.5%, 25%, 50%, 100% and 0% of the industrial effluents and incubated at 24°C for 0 - 96 h. The five treatments and control set ups designated as PH, Warri and Control (Without effluent) were used to determine the toxic effect of industrial effluents.
 Place and Duration of Study: Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Uli Nigeria between September, 2019 and December, 2019.
 Methodology: A laboratory scale study was carried on two composite samples of the produced water samples from the two studied areas using physicochemical analyses, microalgal toxicity test, mollusk toxicity and Zea mays test.
 Results: The results revealed that Port Harcourt refinery effluent contains higher quantities of physicochemical parameters than the Warri effluent sample. Warri sample had the most harmful effects on Selenastrum capricornutum, Lymnaea stagnalis and Zea mays, with ErC50 values of 47.62%, LC50 of 51.86% and EC50 of-32.68%, respectively. Inhibition (%) and mortality (%) of all species used were found to be concentration dependent with a significant (P < 0.05) strong positive correlation at increasing concentrations of industrial effluents.
 Conclusion: Thus, these raw industrial effluents from Port Harcourt and Warri refineries are toxic and induced growth inhibition, mortality and phytotoxicity and adequate measures should be taken by these industries to minimize their negative environmental impacts.

Investigation of the toxic effects of herbicides on some selected microbial populations from soil

The toxic effect of herbicide on some selected microbial populations from soil was investigated. Soil samples were collected from two unpolluted designated fields of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University and later polluted with herbicides at different application rates (0.1 %, 0.2 %, 0.5 %, 1 % and 5 %) and periods using spraying method. Standard chemical processes were used for determining physico-chemical parameters of the soil while isolation, enumerating the population of the microorganisms and identification of the isolates were determined using standard microbiological methods. The result revealed that the soil samples are slightly acidic, sandy clay loam type, lower organic carbon content, higher total nitrogen and phosphorus contents and moderate water holding capacity. The isolates Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus vallismottis, Aeromonas hydrophila and Enterobacter clocea were selected using selective media and identified. Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Bacillus vallismottis had the least (zero CFU/g) and maximum population counts (10 x 107 CFU/g) during glyphosate exposure while Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterobacter clocea had the least (zero CFU/g) and maximum population counts (2.50 x 107 CFU/g) during 2, 4 - D amine exposure for 15 days, respectively. Thus, the application of glyphosate and 2, 4 - D amine herbicides on the soil have resulted into lower counts of the selected microbial groups. The inhibitions of their growths are dependent on concentration and exposure period, although 2, 4 - D amine had more inhibition than the glyphosate herbicide.

Growth Rate and Antifungal Activities of Acetone Extracts of Ocimum gratissimum (Scent Leaf) and Allium sativum (Garlic) on Cassava and Banana Peels Formulated Media

Aim: To study the growth rate and antifungal activities of acetone extracts of Ocimum gratissimum (scent leaf) and Allium sativum (garlic) on cassava and banana peels formulated media.
 Study Design: Nine treatments and control designs were set up in triplicates and incubated at 25 for 72 h. The nine treatments and control set ups designated as Cassava Glucose Agar, CGA), Banana Glucose Agar, (BGA) and Control (Potato Dextrose Agar, PDA) were used to screen for the growth rate and antifungal activities of plant extracts.
 Place and Duration of Study: Department of Microbiology, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Uli Nigeria between June, 2019 and August, 2019.
 Methodology: The research study was carried on two formulated media obtained from cassava and banana peels and PDA) using proximate analysis, pour plate technique, agar plug diffusion technique and agar well diffusion technique.
 Results: The results revealed that the cassava and banana peels contained nutrients that can meet the nutritional conditions for fungi cultivation. The PDA statistically (P < 0.05) had higher mean radial growth (32.33 mm) and growth rate (0.449 h-1) than BGA (14.33 mm; 0.199 h-1) followed by CGA (14.16 mm; 0.197 h-1) in most of the test fungal isolates. The scent leaf acetone extract and nystatin antifungal had higher zones of inhibition (25.00 mm) than garlic acetone extract (24.00 mm) on the tested fungal isolates. There was no statistical significance at P < 0.05 on the inhibition zones of the extracts and Nystatin on the formulated media and PDA showing that the extracts possess comparable antifungal activities to the Nystatin.
 Conclusion: Thus, our formulated media were comparable to PDA with regards to antifungal activity of the acetone extracts and nystatin and could be utilized as an alternative and cheap ideal reference media for mycological assays.

MANAGING FUNCTIONAL EDUCATION AT SECONDARY SCHOOL LEVEL FOR SUSTAINABLE NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT THROUGH EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP PRACTICES IN ANAMBRA STATE, NIGERIA

This study therefore investigated ways of managing functional secondary education for sustainable national development through effective leadership practices in Anambra State. Four research questions guided the study. The researcher employed a descriptive survey research design. The population of the study comprised 6,230 principals and teachers from all public secondary schools in the six education zones of Anambra State. Nine hundred and eight (908) respondents comprising two hundred and twenty (220) principals and six hundred and eighty-eight (688) teachers selected through the use of simple random sampling techniques constituted the sample size for the study. The instrument for data collection was a - 36 item questionnaire tagged Managing Functional Secondary Education for Sustainable National Development Questionnaire” (MFSESNDQ). The instrument was duly validated by three experts in the Department of Educational Foundations and Management and all from Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Anambra State. The reliability of the instrument was determined through a pilot-testing that was carried out in selecting a sample of 6 principals and 24 teachers from 6 public secondary schools in Delta State. Thereafter, the scores were measured using Cronbach Alpha method to obtain an internal consistency reliability value of 0.72 and were considered adequate for the study. Findings from the study showed that: the principals' applied little instructional leadership practices, students' personnel practices and teacher collaborative practices for managing functional secondary education for sustainable national development in Anambra State. Out of these findings, recommendation were made which include: Anambra State Government in Collaboration with Post-Primary Education Board (PPEB) should mandated to support and strengthen external collaborative practices between principals and the local communities as a way of improving managing functional secondary education for sustainable development in Anambra State. Article visualizations:

Prevalence of Candidiasis amongst Undergraduate Students of COOU, Uli, Nigeria

Most urinary tract infections are due to Candida species, C. albicans being most prevalent. Laboratory research study was used to examine the prevalence of candidiasis amongst undergraduate students of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Uli. A total of 100 students were investigated. Clean catch midstream urine samples were used for the analysis. Standard microbiological procedures were utilized. A structured questionnaire was issued to each student to obtain their socio-demographic data.Our study found Candida albicans in 14(14%) of the urine samples.Significant candidiasis was strongly associated with being female as higher percentage of the isolates were from female students. Of the 14(14.0%) positive urine samples, 4(28.6%) were from symptomatic students, whereas 10(71.4%) were asymptomatic.

Response of Bambara Groundnut and Soil Physicochemical Properties to Different Lime Materials

The study was conducted at the Teaching and Research Farm of the Department of Soil Science Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam Campus. The treatments studied were paper ash (PA) and wood ash (WA) of rates 4.8 kgha-1 respectively and calcium carbonate (CA) of rate 120g (equivalent of 300kgha-1) and control (CO). The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) and was replicated four times. Data collected were subjected to analysis of variance and treatment means were separated using LSD at 5% alpha level. The result recorded for the study showed that root and pod weight of bambara groundnut were not significant among the treatments but values obtained from treated plots were better than the untreated plots. Soil properties tested were greatly improved by the lime materials when compared their values on the control soil. Hence the results indicated that the lime materials especially the wood ash and paper ash could be ideal for famers as they are cheap affordable and available since it has proved through this study that these lime materials could improve crop yield and soil nutrient status and characteristics.

Fungal Isolates in HIV positive and negative subjects attending Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital, Amaku, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria

Background: Fungal pathogens are the leading cause of severe healthcare-associated infections in immunocompromised patients, especially from low-income countries like Nigeria. Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) arising from HIV infection is reputed to be a key in immune suppression globally. Presently, Anambra state is number 5 in HIV prevalence in Nigeria. This study was aimed at screening patients from the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital, for fungal infections. Samples were collected with consideration to gender, age, occupation, education status and clinical presentations. Methods: Sampling was done according to global best practices. Patients’ consent and details were obtained by signing a consent form and filling of questionnaires respectively. Key questionnaire details included sociodemographic and personal details, history of present illness, clinical signs and symptoms. All patients were screened afresh for HIV-1 and HIV-2 using an immuno-chromatographic technique with Determine kit (Alere, Japan) and Stat-pack kit (USA). Specimens screened include Urine, Blood, Oropharyngeal swab, Skin scraping, and Sputum. All samples were labeled, transported and processed within 1-2 hours of collection. Results: A total of 1200 participants (610 males and 590 females) were examined. About 16.5% and 54.41% of the subjects examined were positive for HIV infections and fungal infections respectively. Overall, 233 males (19.41%) and 420 females (35.0%) had fungal infections. Fungal infections were most prevalent in patients between 30-39 years, 17.75%, followed by 40-49 years (15.0%). Infection was least prevalent in patients between 15-29 years at 5.0%. Farmers had the highest prevalence rate of fungal infection, though not significant when compared with those of traders, artisans and public servants (X2 =0.621; df=2; P>0.05). Candida species were the most prevalent fungal pathogen, accounting for 609 (67.1%) followed by Aspergillus spp. 234 (25.8%) and Cryptococcus species 31 (3.4%). Penicillium and Fusarium spp. were the least prevalent pathogens (1.9%). Oropharyngeal candidiasis was the most common fungal infection (49.9%-17.4% HIV negative and 32.46% HIV positive patients); followed by Pneumocystis pneumonia (28.80%-9.50% HIV negative and 19.30% HIV positive patients). Similarly, Cryptococcal meningitis was the least recorded infection at 16.81% (6.43% HIV negative and 10.38% HIV positive patients). Significantly, fungal infections were more prevalent in HIV infected patients (62.14%) compared to HIV negative patients (33.33%). Conclusion: This study has revealed that HIV positive and negative patients are often affected with fungal infections in Anambra State, Nigeria. This may have contributed to impaired immune system in patients and development of AIDS in HIV infected patients. Poor personal hygiene and intimate association with household pets among subjects examined were the suspected sources of infection. Therefore, there is an urgent need for improved surveillance and monitoring of fungal infections in the area and in other Teaching Hospitals in the country as well as treatments of infected subjects.

Comparison of Parametric Models: Appication to Hypertensive Patients in a Teaching Hospital, Awka

Introduction: In Nigeria, hypertension is a common sickness among grownups. This research was carried out to determine the best model for predicting survival of hypertensive patients using goodness of fit criteria, Standard Error (SE), Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) and Bayesian Information Criterion (BIC). Method: A total of 105 patients who were diagnosed with hypertension from January 2013 to July 2018 were considered in which death is the event of interest. Six parametric models such as; exponential, Weibull, Lognormal, Log-logistic, Gompertz and hypertabastic distribution were fitted to the data using goodness of fit such as S.E, AIC and BIC to determine the best model. The parametric models were considered because they are all lifetime distributions. Results The result shows that the hypertabastic distribution has the lowest AIC and BIC, followed by Gompertz distribution. The standard error also indicates the hypertabastic model is better because it has the least value of standard error. This indicates that in terms of relative efficiency and parameterization the hypertabastic model is the best. The Survival Probability Plot of the six parametric models shows that the Hypertabastic distribution best fitted the data because it shows a clear step function than the other distribution and this justifies the result SE, AIC and BIC presented. Conclusion: Since hypertabastic distribution has the lowest SE, AIC and BIC it indicates that it is the best parametric model for predicting survival of hypertensive patients in chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu university teaching hospital Awka, Nigeria.

Comparing the Bacteriological and Physicochemical Properties of House-hold Drinking Water in Uli and Assessing the Associated Public Health Implications

A study of the comparative analysis of house-hold drinking water quality in Uli, Anambra State was carried out in the Microbiology Laboratory of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Uli to evaluate the water, with a view to assessing the public health implication of water from these sources. Trips were made to living homes to obtain samples of their drinking water. Twenty Samples were used for the study. Ten samples were collected from homes that drank straight from the boreholes. Five samples were collected from those that drank sachet water and five from those that drank bottled water. Microbiological and physicochemical parameters were utilized using standard methods. Most probable number (MPN) technique was employed in the bacteriological analysis of the water samples. Biochemical tests were utilized in the identification of the microorganisms. Results based on the cultural, morphological and biochemical characteristics, revealed the samples to contain three isolates identified as Escherichiacoli, Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella sp. The pH of all the treated water samples were neutral, pH of the borehole water samples was neutral. The temperature of the sachet water samples ranged between 22.5 – 23.5 whereas that the borehole water samples were 22°C – 22.2°C respectively. The total dissolved solid of the treated water samples ranged between 0.82mg/1 and 1.60mg/1, whereas that of the borehole water samples ranged between 7.07 – 20mg/l. The total suspended solids of the treated water samples were not detected whereas that of the borehole water samples ranged between 31 – 55mg/l. Results from total coliform counts for the samples were highest in the boreholes with a total coliform count of 2.4MPN per ml. Faecal coliform count was highest in the borehole samples. The presence of high faecal coliform count in the borehole samples could be attributed to the proximity of the boreholes to pit latrines at distances less than the 30m. This does not conform with WHO recommendations for safe drinking water. From the results, all the untreated drinking water sampled from Uli were unfit for human consumption. This could be responsible for the incessant gastroenteritis, staphylococcal toxic shock syndrome, dysentery and Klebsiella pneumonia observed in Uli and environs. This study suggests that all the drinking water from various sources used by the inhabitants of Uli and environs should be treated before drinking.

Evaluation of the educational environment of a new medical school in southeast Nigeria.

Educational environment (EE) affects transfer/acquisition of knowledge and skills needed in training medical students. Evaluation of EE by students is paramount to rating the EE of a medical school as well as evaluate effects of interventions. Assessing EE of medical schools is a current global trend. : To evaluate EE at the new medical school of the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria; calculate the total and subscale (Dundee Ready Educational Environment Measure) DREEM scores and assess differences in these scores amongst the different classes, age groups, and sexes. This was a descriptive cross-sectional study using census survey. We administered DREEM questionnaire to 4th, 5th, and 6th year medical students in the 2018/2019 academic session after ethical approval from Health Research and Ethics Committee (HREC). Data entry and analysis done using SPSS. ANOVA was used for association between level of study, age group, and total DREEM/Subscale scores. Test for association between sex and mean subscale/total score was done using independent sample t-test. P value <0.05 was adjudged significant. Cronbach's alpha for internal consistency was calculated. Of 206 students, 185 filled in the questionnaire. Total DREEM score was 119.66, Students' perception of teachers 26.74, Students' academic self Perception 21.94, Students' Perception of Learning 30.75, Students' Social Self Perception 15.04, Students' Perception of Atmosphere 25.26. Three items scored above 3 while 11 items scored ≤2. Fourth year students significantly scored higher than others for all subscale and total DREEM score. No significant associations between age or gender and subscale or total DREEM scores. Cronbach's alpha for all scores was 0.91. The EE was not excellent but "more positive than negative." Improvements are necessary in all domains of DREEM to ensure better quality of the educational environment.

Response of Fish Pond Effluent on Soil Chemical Properties and Growth of Cucumber (Cucumis sativus) in Igbariam South Eastern, Nigeria

The response of fish pond effluent on soil chemical properties and growth of cucumber (Cucumis sativus) in Igbariam South Eastern, Nigeria was studied during 2018 farming season at the Teaching and Research Farm of the Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam Campus, Anambra State, Nigeria. The field experiment which was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD), comprised three treatments and three replications as follows: T1 – Control (No treatment): T2 – Fish Pond Effluent (40,000 litres/hectare) and T3 – Fish Pond Effluent (20,000 litres/hectare) + 200kg/ha fertilizer (NPK 20: 10:10). Results obtained revealed that, the treatments were significantly (P=0.05) different on some chemical properties of soil and Growth Parameters of Cucumber. The highest values of the Soil Chemical Properties (Available Phosphorus -6.6 mg/kg; Total Nitrogen -0.8g/kg; Organic Carbon – 5.8g/kg; Organic Matter – 10.1g/kg were recorded at the plot where Fish Pond Effluent was applied at the rate of 20,000 litres/hectare with 200kg/ha of fertilizer (NPK 20: 10:10). Fish Pond Effluent had no significant effect on the pH of the soil as the pH of the treated plots was almost at par with the Control. While the highest values of Number of leaves (37.9), Vine length (39.47cm) and Number of Branches (2.80) were also recorded at the plot where fish pond effluent was applied at the rate of 20,000L/ha with 200kg/ha of NPK fertilizer (20:10:10) at 7 WAP.