Cross River State Research Articles

Library and Information Science Professionals’ Awareness, Competencies, Institutional Support, and Application of AI-Powered Tools in Research Writing in South-South, Nigerian Universities

This study investigates Library and Information Science professionals’ awareness, competencies, institutional support, and application of AI-powered tools in research writing in South-South Nigerian universities. Four research questions guide the investigation. The study adopted a mixed (two-step) approach, combining both quantitative and qualitative methods in a sequential exploration design. A 55-items researcher-developed structured questionnaire titled: Library and Information Science Professionals’ Awareness, Competences, Institutional Support and Application of AI Powered Tools in Research Writing Questionnaire (LISPACIAAIPTRWQ) with a reliability index of .804 determined using Cronbach’ reliability coefficient and semi-structured interview schedule were used for data collection. The questionnaire was designed using Google Doc platform and administered through major Nigerian Library Association (NLA) WhatsApp groups of the six states in South South zone of Nigeria – Akwa Ibom State, Bayelsa State, Cross River State, Delta State, Edo State and Rivers State. The interview was conducted through private WhatsApp calls to 20 respondents within the study area. A total of 133 targeted participants from twelve university libraries, one federal and one state university per state were involved in the study. The professional librarians considered in this study were those with at least LS/LIS degree and a year of work experience. This group of participants were purposively considered taking into account that they are professionals and expected to conduct cutting-edge research and publish findings in reputable journals for personal and professional growth. The collected data, analyzed descriptively using frequency counts, mean, and standard deviation were used to answer research questions. The interview responses were qualitatively analyzed using the narrative method in order to deeply understand the respondents’ experiences with AI-powered tools and to also reduce the impact of individual bias. The findings revealed a low awareness level and a relatively high level of competencies of LIS professionals towards AI and its applicability to research writing. It also revealed low institutional support and high application index of AI-powered tools to mostly library services but not research writing by LIS professionals. The study recommended that the university administration should encourage more research on AI and formulate a workable policy to guide its applicability, among others.

Using QR Code and a Smartphone to Provide University of Cross River State (UNICROSS) Certificate Authentication

In the modern world, people frequently fabricate their credentials in order to secure a job or to show up where and when it is necessary. Verification is the most effective approach to identify those fraudulent certificates. Despite this, the paper verification method requires a drawn-out and time-consuming process to handle certificate verification because the certificates must be returned to the institutions who awarded them. As a result, the certificates either fail to pass verification or are delayed by the lengthy process. Hence, a certificate verification method using QR codes is developed in this study for quick verification of University of Cross River State (UNICROSS) certificate genuineness. A Smartphone and 3D Printed QR Code were employed for the enhancement of UNICROSS certificate mobile authentication services. ScanTrust anti-counterfeiting services were used to secure and host the encrypted information. Results show that our framework is effective for creating mobile authentication services with high user satisfaction rate and having reasonably low computing requirements.

Trend Analysis of Climatic Variables in the Cross River Basin, Nigeria

There have been several incidences of flood recently, which are believed to be aggravated by increased climatic variables as a result of perceived changes in climatic conditions (due to climate change) in the Cross River Basin. The basin is the most extensively developed and used river basin in the management of the water resources of the Cross River and Akwa Ibom States in Nigeria. In this paper, 30 years (from 1992 to 2021) of hydro-meteorological data (annual average rainfall, maximum and minimum temperatures, hu midity, duration of sunlight (sunshine hours), evaporation, wind speed, soil temperature, cloud cover, solar radiation, and atmospheric pressure) from four stations in the Cross River Basin were obtained from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET), Abuja and subjected to trend detection analysis using the Mann–Kendall test to determine the trend in climatic parameters. The results indicate that there is a significant upward trend in annual rainfall in Ogoja but a downward trend in Calabar. The evaporation trend is significantly downward in Eket, whereas in Calabar, there is an upward trend in solar radiation. Generally, there is a significant rise in annual maximum temperature across the basin. Serial correlation and segmented regression analyses were performed to measure the impact of fluctuations in monthly and long-term Tahiti and Darwin’s Sea level pressures on the climatic variables at the Cross River Basin catchment. These analyses were necessary to determine the extent of the influence of the El Nino Southern Oscillation climatic cycle. The analyses show no significant association between the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and rainfall or between the ENSO and runoff in the catchment. This implies that the impact of the ENSO on rainfall and runoff in the Cross River Basin catchment is not considerable. The intercepts derived from the segmented regression in Eket and Ogoja show significant positive trends in both areas for rainfall and runoff. The trends in intercepts suggest that there are external factors influencing rainfall and runoff other than ENSO events, thus strengthening the assertion of climate change. Results from this study will facilitate the understanding of the variability in climatic parameters by stakeholders in the basin, researchers, policymakers, and water resource managers.

Prevalence and risk factors of intestinal parasitoses among residents of Ekemkpon and Idim Ita of Cross River State, Nigeria

Background: intestinal parasitic infections are the most common infections in the world, with the most prevalent burden occurring in poverty-stricken areas. Intestinal parasitic infections are endemic in certain parts of Nigeria as a result of poor hygiene practices and pollution, which result in contamination of food and water. In semi-urban and rural communities where the dwellers are generally poor and uneducated and lack basic amenities like potable water supply and good sanitary facilities, intestinal parasitic infections cause major health problems. This study was to evaluate the influence of socio-demographic factors in the transmission of intestinal parasitoses among the residents of Ekemkpon and Idim Ita Communities of Cross River State, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: this was a cross-sectional survey between April 2019 and August 2019. Samples were obtained from 359 participants in the study areas and examined for stool analysis using direct microscopy and brine floatation technique. Socio-demographic data of the study subjects were obtained using questionnaires. Results: the prevalence of intestinal parasites was higher in Ekemkpon (41.0%) than in Idim Ita (14.9%). Participants with mixed infections in Ekemkpon were 7.9%, while those in Idim Ita were 2.2%. The study has shown that level of education had an influence on the transmission of intestinal parasites in Ekemkpon (p<0.05). Open defecation played a major role as a source of contamination of domestic water and farm products in the Ekemkpon community. The overall helminthic infections in the two study areas were higher than the protozoan infections observed in this study. The only intestinal protozoa in Ekemkpon was Entamoeba histolytica/dispar while hookworm species were the commonest helminthic parasites in Ekemkpon. Balantidium coli (4.4%) was the most prevalent intestinal protozoan parasites in Idim Ita while hookworm and Ascaris lumbricoides (2.8%) were the most occurring helminthic parasites in Idim Ita. Conclusions: it is recommended that strategies aimed at health education, diagnosing and treating those positive for intestinal parasite infections, and improving the general well-being of the masses be encouraged.

Logistics Service Recovery and Customer Retention in the Construction Aggregates Industry in Cross River State

Logistics Service Recovery and Customer Retention in the Construction Aggregates Industry in Cross River State

The Impact E-Governance on Internally Generated Revenue in Cross River State

The Impact E-Governance on Internally Generated Revenue in Cross River State

Evaluation of Antibiogram Profile of Vibrio cholerae Isolates from Sea Foods and Water Samples from Cross River State, Nigeria

Evaluation of Antibiogram Profile of Vibrio cholerae Isolates from Sea Foods and Water Samples from Cross River State, Nigeria

FPAS Model: A Case Study of Flood Prediction and Advisory System

The increasing frequency of flood events worldwide is a significant concern, particularly for the United Nations (UN), as it impacts both economic stability and public safety. In recent decades, floods have caused extensive damage to lives and properties, and projections indicate this trend will continue. Rapid evacuation in the event of a flood relies on effective early warning systems that can predict floods and encourage residents to evacuate high-risk areas. Africa is the third most affected continent by floods, following Asia and Europe. However, the development and implementation of flood forecasting models in Africa are still in the early stages. The continent has only a few hydrological models for flood forecasting, and most of these need improvements to keep pace with changing conditions. The study aimed to enhance flood prediction and advisory systems by leveraging machine learning (ML). The objectives are to develop a predictive model, create dual subsystems for web and Android applications, disseminate predictions and advisories through multiple communication channels, and incorporate persuasive messages to prompt at-risk populations to evacuate. A survey was conducted in Cross River State to evaluate the impact of these persuasive messages and the overall support for the Flood Predictive and Advisory System (FPAS). The study utilized the NiMet dataset, preprocessed the data, and trained the model using SVM, Random Forest, and XGBoost algorithms. Subsequently, both the FPAS web and Android applications were developed and rigorously tested. The research methodology applied in this work was a hybrid approach, combining Object Oriented Analysis and Design Methodology (OOADM) and the Cross Industry Standard Process for Data Mining (CRISP-DM). OOADM was used to develop the mobile app for citizens’ registration and a web app for administrative activities, while CRISP-DM was used to create a data-drive predictive model for the app. These applications facilitated citizen registration and administrative activities, providing feedback via websites, emails, and automated alerts. The survey results revealed that 76.56% of respondents had not experienced persuasive messages before, while 91.15% expressed strong support for the FPAS system incorporating these techniques. Finally, the study successfully developed an advanced flood prediction model and an integrated advisory system, demonstrating significant potential in enhancing disaster preparedness and response through innovative technology and strategic communication.

Self-medication and Patronage of Orthodox Medical Facilities among the Indigenous People of Yakurr Local Government Area, Cross River State, Nigeria

Self-medication and Patronage of Orthodox Medical Facilities among the Indigenous People of Yakurr Local Government Area, Cross River State, Nigeria

Impediments to Effective Healthcare Delivery among Rural Women in Cross River State, Nigeria

Impediments to Effective Healthcare Delivery among Rural Women in Cross River State, Nigeria

The Experiences of Women in Ejagham and Yakurr Traditional Cultures, Cross River State, Nigeria: A Comparative Study

The Experiences of Women in Ejagham and Yakurr Traditional Cultures, Cross River State, Nigeria: A Comparative Study

Business Planning and Organizational Profitability: A Study of PPMC Approach

The purpose of the study was to examine business planning and organizational profitability. A study of selected organizations in Cross River State, Nigeria. The objectives were to determine the relationship between marketing plan and company turnover rate, to determine the relationship between financial plan and company market share and to determine the relationship between personal plan and quality of product. Desk survey method was used in gathering relevant information on Business corporate planning and organizational profitability. The study adopted Pearson Product Moment Correlation Statistical tool to examine the relationship between independent and dependent variables. Based on the analysis, the findings revealed that marketing plan had a significant relationship with company turnover rate, financial plan had a significant relationship with company market share and personal plan had a significant relationship with quality of product. The study recommended that policies should be disseminated down the line of management. There is an urgent need for all corporate management units to develop a policy that will be non-ambiguous, set out clear targets with well-defined objectives.

Application of lecturers’ research skills and effective job performance in universities in Cross River State, Nigeria

Lecturers employ their research skills to engage with various groups during their investigations. This study aimed to investigate the utilization of lecturers' research skills and their impact on job performance in universities located in Cross River State. A descriptive survey research design was used. The study formulated two research questions and two null hypotheses. The population included 3,958 lecturers from both public and private universities in Cross River State, and a sample of 200 lecturers was randomly selected. The "Application of Lecturers' Research Skills and Effective Job Performance Questionnaire (ALRSEJPQ)," a self-developed questionnaire, was used to gather data. Departments of Measurement/Evaluation and Educational Management experts validated the instrument. Its reliability was confirmed through the Cronbach Alpha method, with a coefficient range of .71 to .86. Data analysis was performed using the Pearson Product-Moment Correlation Coefficient. The results indicated that lecturers' research report writing skills and research communication skills predict their effective job performance. Among other suggestions, it was recommended that seminars and regular workshops be organized to enhance lecturers' research skills.

Principal Change Management Processes and Secondary School Goal Attainment in Cross River State, Nigeria

The study investigated principals' change management processes and secondary school goal attainment in Cross River State, Nigeria. To meet the study's objectives, three research questions were posed, and three null hypotheses were developed to lead the investigation. The literature review was based on the variables and hypotheses that had been developed. For the study, a survey research design was used. The population of the study comprised two hundred and ninety (290) secondary school teachers in Yala Local Government Area in Cross River State. However, the sample size selected for this study comprised one hundred and sixty-two (162) secondary school teachers in the study area who answered the questionnaire. The main instrument used was a research questionnaire titled Principal Change Process and Secondary School Goal Attainment Questionnaire (PCMPSSGAQ), which had been verified by two researchers from the University of Calabar's Department of Vocational Education. Regarding the research questions, the acquired data was evaluated using the standard deviation as well as the mean. The degree of consensus or discord was calculated by taking the mean across the nominal scores assigned to each choice. The mean score of the scale was 2.50 on a 4-point rating scale. Comparably, the hypotheses were assessed using an independent t-test at the 0.05 level of significance. The results of the investigation indicate that staff training, communication of the change process, and change process supervision have a substantial influence on secondary school achievement of objectives. It was recommended that the secondary school board of Cross River State prioritize staff training and retraining programs in the secondary school system for goal achievement.

Developing Plastering Skills Appropriate by Building Construction Students for Self-Employment in Technical Colleges in Southern Senatorial District of Cross River State

This study sought to develop and validate plastering skills appropriate by building construction students for self-employment in Technical Colleges in Southern Senatorial District of Cross River State. The research design that was employed for this study was descriptive survey research design. The study was carried out in five local government areas in . The population for the study wads 672 e dress sdColleges in the , seven experts (lecturers) (four from University of Cross River State and three from College of Education, Akamkpa) and 653 masons from the 42 registered building construction companies in the Southern Senatorial District of Cross River State. The sample size used for the study was 250. This comprised 12 building construction teachers, seven experts and 231 masons from the 42 registered building construction companies in the district. Teachers and experts were not sampled; however, simple random sampling was used to sample 231 masons. The instrument that was used for data collection was researcher structure questionnaire titled: “Plastering Skills Appropriate by Building Construction Students for Self-employment (PLASABUCONSSE).” The instrument contained 31 items, 5 points Likert type scale. Cronbach Alpha reliability was used to determine the internal consistency of the instrument which yielded a reliability coefficient of 0.85. The data collected were analyzed using mean, standard deviation and One Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). Mean and standard deviation were used to answer the research questions while ANOVA was used to test the null hypothesis at .05 level of significance. Items with mean of 3.00 and above were considered appropriate while items with mean below 3.00 were considered not appropriate. From the study, 14 items out of 16 lime plastering tasks were considered appropriate for lime plastering skills for self-employment while 13 items out of 15 cement plastering tasks were considered appropriate for cement plastering skills for self-employment. Conclusions were drawn and, based on the findings, it was recommended among others that The National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) as well as sister agencies should adopt the developed plastering tasks for teaching plastering skills in building construction.

Social Inclusion, a Pathway for Educating All Pupils in Mainstream Primary Schools in Cross River State, Nigeria

This survey investigated whether social inclusion influences education for all pupils in state mainstream schools in Cross River State, Nigeria. Two research questions, and hypotheses, were posed for the study. 704 pupils were drawn from eight public primary schools located across the education zones of the state to participate in the study. The social inclusion and mainstream schooling questionnaire (SIMSQ) were utilised to generate data. Following the social inclusion theory, data was analysed using the Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient via SPSS software. Findings revealed that policy on inclusion and learner engagement significantly influence education for all pupils in mainstream schools within the context. It is therefore recommended that: the government of Nigeria should revise the national policy on education to properly emphasise mainstream schooling for inclusion to be effective in general schools; special schools should be abolished to give way to mainstream schools; the idea of parity in education can be broadened to inclusion of all children in education; awareness campaigns should be conducted regularly to educate stakeholders about general schools based on social inclusion, and to get their support; pro inclusion laws should be enacted to give legal backing to mainstream schooling; Nigeria should give force to inclusion to make it compulsory for all pupils to receive education in mainstream schools; substantial empirical studies have to be conducted in Nigeria to spark a policy change in the direction of mainstreaming in the country

Teachers’ Variables and Academic Achievement of Community Health Students in Basic Science in Cross River State

Many factors are attributable to the academic achievements of students among which Teachers’ variable is a major attribute. The limitations of the teacher as a supporting agent in the area of Basic Science hinder academic achievement of students in learning of Basic Sciences. The quality of instructions from the teacher at all levels of education determines the acquisition of competencies necessary for self-reliance and effective service delivery. The teacher’s attitude to work, knowledge of subject matter and instructional competence have a relationship with students’ academic achievements. The poor quality of students’ academic quality among community health students’ in Basic Sciences in CrossRiver State may be as a result of these variables. This study therefore examined Teachers’ variable and academic achievement of community health students’ in Basic Sciences in Cross River State. To achieve the purpose of this study, four (4) specific objectives were raised to guide the study, which were then converted to four (4) research questions and transformed to research hypotheses. Related literatures we reviewed in line with the variables of the study. The study adopted correlational research design, which is a non-experimental approach between a set of variables and naturally cannot be manipulated. The research area is Cross River State, Nigeria. The target population of study was year 1 Community Health students. Sample of study was415 students randomly selected from ten schools for the 2023/2024 academic session. The instrument employed was questionnaire designed by the researcher. Cronbach Alpha reliability method was used to determine the reliability estimate of the instrument which range from 0.73 to 0.81. Data was analysed using Multiple Linear regression. The findings of the study revealed that all teachers’ variables had significant positive relationship with students’ academic performance in Basic Sciences in Cross River State. It was recommended among others that teachers should adopt positive attitude towards their teaching profession especially in secondary schools.

Assessment of the Use of Emerging Educational Technologies in The Teaching and Learning of Social Studies in Secondary Schools in Ogoja Education Zone of Cross River State, Nigeria

This paper examined the level of usage of emerging technologies in the teaching and learning of Social Studies in secondary schools in Ogoja Education Zone of Cross River State, Nigeria. The paper maintained that teaching and learning are crucial in any educational endeavour, and Social Studies is an indispensable component of the school curriculum that requires the best, modern technological approach in its pedagogical process. The study was anchored on Bruner’s theory of instruction and survey research design. The population comprised all Social Studies teachers in public secondary schools in Ogoja Education Zone of Cross River State. This amounted to 234 teachers and 1855 students in five local government education authorities (LGEA). Using stratified and simple random sampling technique, three LGEAs were selected from which 72 teachers and 282 students were chosen for the study. A structured and validated questionnaire was the major instrument for data collection. Data was analysed using simple percentages, mean and standard deviation. Result showed that only very few teachers and students were aware emerging technologies and the utilisation in the study area. The major challenge in the use of emerging technologies is unavailability and inaccessibility of resources to procure and operate the technologies. It was recommended that faculties and colleges of education should provide adequate teacher-education training to enhance teachers’ capacity to use emerging technologies in schools.

Discontinuation of HIV oral pre-exposure prophylaxis: findings from programmatic surveillance within two general population HIV programs in Nigeria

BackgroundAs oral PrEP scales up in Nigeria, information about uptake, use pattern and client preference in a real-world, implementation setting is invaluable to guide refining service provision and incorporation of oral PrEP and other prevention measures into routine health services. To add to this body of knowledge, our study examines factors associated with discontinuation of PrEP among HIV negative individuals across two large scale programs in Nigeria.MethodsUsing program implementation data from two large-scale HIV projects in Akwa Ibom and Cross River states in Nigeria between January 2020 and July 2021, we used logistic regression to explore factors associated with early discontinuation (i.e., stopping PrEP within one month of starting) among HIV-negative individuals who initiated PrEP in the programs.ResultsOf a total of 26,325 clients; 22,034 (84%) discontinued PrEP within the first month. The odds of PrEP discontinuation were higher among clients who enrolled in community-based distribution sites (aOR 2.72; 95% C.I: 2.50–2.96) compared to those who enrolled in program-supported facilities and never married (aOR 1.76; 95% C.I: 1.61–1.92) compared to married clients. Clients who initiated PrEP because of high-risk sexual behaviour (aOR 1.15, 95% C.I 1.03–1.30) or inconsistent use or non-use of condoms (aOR 1.96, 95% C.I 1.60–2.41) had greater odds of discontinuing PrEPthan those who initiated PrEP because they were in a serodifferent relationship.ConclusionThe behavioural and demographic factors associated with early discontinuation of PrEP suggest that risk stratification of pre-initiation and follow up counselling may be helpful in raising continuation rates. On the service delivery side, strategies to strengthen follow-up services provided by community-based distribution sites need to be introduced. Overall, the low continuation rate calls for a review of programmatic approaches in provision of PrEP services in Nigeria.

Недисциплинированность среди учащихся старших классов средней школы: роль домашнего контроля поведения и религиозности

<p>The study investigated the indiscipline of senior secondary school students and the contribution of home behaviour control and religiosity in Cross River State, Nigeria. An ex-post facto research design was adopted for the study. The population comprised 62,501 senior secondary school students in three educational zones. A multistage sampling procedure was adopted to select 1250 students from 30 randomly sampled public and private secondary schools. The Student Opinion Questionnaire (SOQ) was used for data collection. Experts in measurement and evaluation and educational psychology validated the instrument. The test-retest reliability coefficient ranged from 0.78-0.91. The data collected were analysed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). The results revealed that home behaviour control and home religiosity significantly influenced secondary school students' indiscipline behaviour. Specifically, students from firm homes and with high levels of religiosity generally exhibited lower indiscipline behaviour across all the dimensions. In comparison, those from lax homes and homes with low levels of religiosity manifested higher levels of indiscipline behaviour. These findings align with role theory, which suggests that individuals' behaviour is shaped by their immediate social environment. Policymakers can use these results to develop programs that promote positive behaviour by encouraging the development of a strong religious foundation in the home and promoting clear expectations and rules for behaviour.</p>