Delta State Of Nigeria Research Articles

Vocational interest, skills, and counselling as correlates of unemployed graduates’ readiness to enter low-paying occupations in Delta State of Nigeria

There is a high level of unemployment amongst National Youth Service Corps-discharged graduates of universities and polytechnics in Nigeria, especially in Delta State. This necessitated guiding these graduates to take to low-skill, low-paying jobs, as an alternative to redundancy and the attendant indulgence in anti-social behavior. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between vocational interest, skills possessed and vocational guidance techniques, and unemployed graduates’ readiness to enter into low-skill occupations. A research hypothesis was formulated for the correlational design study. Three instruments: the Modified Bakare Vocational Interest inventory (MB VII), the vocational skills possessed inventory (VSPI), and the vocational guidance techniques (counseling) were used. The study population comprised of all unemployed NYSC-discharged graduates in Delta State. Purposive sampling was used to select two Local Government Areas (LGA’s) from each of the three Senatorial Districts of Delta State (Six LGA’s). Random sampling was used to obtain two hundred and forty respondents from the six LGAs. Data were analyzed using multiple regression analysis. Results indicated that vocational interest, skills possessed and counseling had significant relationships with unemployed graduate's readiness to enter low-skill occupations. They were all predictors of entry into low-skill jobs except counseling.

Willingness and capacity of borrowers for loan repayment among farmers in Delta State Nigeria

Willingness of borrowers to repay loan and their capacity to repay borrowed fund has been an enigmatic challenge in the financing of agricultural enterprises in the tropics. As it stands, there is lack of empirical information on willingness of borrowers to repay loan and their capacity to repay credit. Investigating this challenge will improve agriculture in Delta state, Nigeria. This study derives its significance from its implications and usability among credit institutions. This study investigates willingness and capacity of borrowers for credit repayment among farmers in Delta State, Nigeria. A multistage sampling approach was used to select 216 farmers, Descriptive statistics, multiple regression, and binary logistic regression were employed in the analysis of collected data. The findings of the study show a mean amount of ₦460,972.22 was borrowed and ₦253,268.52 was repaid with a loan repayment performance of 54.94% and loan default rate of 45.1%. Further result indicates that 56.5% of farmers express willingness to repay loans, while 43.5% show unwillingness to repay borrowed fund. Further finding reveals that 40% of the farmers possess capacity to repay loan.. The study revealed that there is a significant difference in loan repayment capacity of poultry< fish, < arable crop farmers, with an F-value of 5.669 and (P≤ 0.05). Regression analysis identifies significant predictors of loan repayment capacity to include stock size, off-farm income, and farm income. Diversified income sources and effective farm management practices play crucial roles. Logistic regression indicates that longer repayment periods, larger stock sizes, and greater farming experience positively influence farmers’ willingness to repay loans (P≤0.05). It was recommended among others that financial institutions should offering flexible loan terms and sizes according to borrowers capacity. Encouraging farmers to diversify their income sources can improve loan repayment capacity of farmers.

Hurdles in Joinder: Case of Professor Enu, C.I.I. and Ndokwa West L.G.C., Delta State Nigeria

Joinder of parties in litigation is one recurrent decimal in the administration of civil justice in Nigeria. It is because of its complexity that the theory of representative action developed so that parties who have similar interests in a subject matter in litigation can allow one of their own to institute an action in their behalf usually called class action. Representative actions are popular in family, associational and organizational settings. This study is a critical conversation around the circumstances that gave rise to a joinder application in NWACC/37/2019 Chief Mrs. Rita Enu v. Melody Ogwezzy and Community Integrity Initiative where the defendants in the suit tried to join Professor Emmanuel Ifeanyichukwu Enu, the spouse of the plaintiff and Ndokwa West Local Government Council in an action concerning the naming and allocation of Street numbers in Bishop Titus Enu Close, Kwale Delta State. The study which adopts doctrinal method surveyed the claims and counter-claims in the suit and the evidence in the case and interrogated the judicial authorities in the area of joinder of parties in civil litigation. It critically raises the primary facts which the plaintiff relied upon in suing the defendants and presented the evidence elicited from cross examination of the plaintiff that yielded the factual circumstances that the defendants capitalized upon to raise a Motion on Notice for joinder. Although the joinder was swiftly dismissed by the trial court, an appeal to the High Court of Justice, Kwale was subsequently transferred to the Delta State Customary Court of Appeal, Cabal Point, Asaba where the appeal succeeded in parts: while the Local Government Council was ordered to be joined, the joinder of Professor Enu was refused. The study finds that there are clearly laid down guiding principles that a court follows in the determination of every application touching on joinder the Locus classicus of which is laid down in Green v. Green. It was further found that although the grant or refusal of an application for joinder is an exercise within the discretion of the court, which ought to be exercised judicially and judiciously and the appellate courts do not form the habit of interfering often with the exercise of a lower court’s discretion, in this case under review, the court of appeal intervened essentially because the issue of fair hearing was invoked as the Delta State Customary Court of Appeal, Asaba determined that the defendants had sufficiently demonstrated an indictment of the Local Government Council in the performance of its constitutional responsibility and thus ordered that it should be joined to be confronted with the case and complaints of the defendants.

Studies in Litigation Against the Church in Nigeria: The Case of Basilica of Grace, Abbi

This study captures in vivid perspectives, the legal battles that the Church has come to face in recent times in Nigeria over land. For this case-study that is focused on the Basilica of Grace, Abbi in Ndokwa West Local Government Area of Delta State Nigeria, attempt shall be made to concentrate on the legal struggles the Church began to face in recent times arising from land hunger and the emergence of the commercializing influence of capitalism on the Church in Nigeria. The Church in Nigeria has become hugely wealthy that attack on it has become quite fashionable with the hope and aim that in the calculated process of litigating with the Church over land, the Church may cave into settlement with the disputants and in the process, the disputants may ‘hack into the finances of the Church’ and ‘chop out a large chunk-of-cash from the tilt of the Church’ in order for the Church to have peace. This study which adopts the doctrinal method interrogates the circumstances that led the Basilica of Grace, Abbi (under the Registered Trustees of Diocese of Ndokwa Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion) into a pernicious legal battle with Femi Ojuyenum and six others representing Ogwezzi-Amacha family of Umu-Onyugba Street of Abbi. The study traces the origin of the grant of the land to the Church, the ceding of a part to the State for School as a Missionary Society and the pseudo reversionary claim of the Ogwezzi-Amacha family and the conveyance of same to unscrupulous ‘money bags’ in Abbi community who have taken turns to transfer the land in millions from one ‘Barron’ to another to the discomfiture of the Church at Abbi. It further interrogates the legal processes and pleadings of the parties through the trial court to the various appellate courts in details and captures the socio-legal influences driving the litigation. The study finds that those who dabbled into the litigation with the Basilica of Grace did so for selfish interest and in a calculated desire to upturn the grant made by the early fathers of Abbi community to the Christian Missionary Society on the spurious claims that those forefathers who made the grant in relative antiquity were merely overwhelmed by European civilizing influence and uninformed of the ancient and current value of land. The study found further that the litigation was being fought in the face of a customary arbitration against the antagonists of the Church. The study therefore suggests and recommends that the claims and attacks against the grant and the Church should be repudiated and dropped by the defendants to ‘allow sleeping dog lie’.

A Four-year Retrospective Review of Buruli Ulcer Disease in Delta State, Nigeria

Background: Buruli Ulcer (BU) is a debilitating necrotic cutaneous infection, scattered across the universe, but has received less attention when compared with other infectious diseases. It is endemic in some Nigeria states including Delta State, but there is a dearth of published data on BU in Delta State. This knowledge gap necessitated this study, which aimed to ascertain the pattern, distribution and clinical characteristics of BU cases in Delta State, Nigeria.
 Methods: This study is a four-year retrospective review from 2018 – 2021. A proforma was designed to retrieve all records of suspected and confirmed cases of BU in the Delta State BU registry from 2018 – 2021. Data obtained were entered and analysed using SPSS version 23.0.
 Results: Among the 163 suspected BU cases retrieved from the register, 52 (32%) were confirmed positive using the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) technique. The confirmed cases were distributed in 16 (64%) of the 25 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the state. There was a marked decline in the number of cases from 2018 to 2020 and a slight increase in 2021. Nearly all confirmed cases (98.1%) presented as ulcers and were mainly located in the lower limbs (80.8%). The lesions were mostly the category III type (63.5%), while 90.4% of those affected had limitations of movement in the affected area.
 Conclusion: BU is present in Delta State of Nigeria, with the majority of cases presenting to health facilities late. Thus, active surveillance activities by BU control agencies to enhance early case detection is recommended.

Brand advocacy and customers loyalty of banks in Nigeria

The study examined the effects of brand advocacy on customer loyalty of selected banking industry in Delta State. The specific objectives are to, determine the effects of brand advocacy on customer loyalty of selected banks in Delta State and ascertain the effects of online customer reviews on customer loyalty of selected banks in Delta State. Cross-sectional survey research design was adopted for the study. A sample size of 237 respondents was selected from 5 deposit money banks in Asaba, Delta State. The stratified random sampling technique was used for the study. A structured questionnaire was used as the research instrument for the study. Content and validity were taken into consideration to validate the research instrument. To establish the reliability of the instrument, a test-retest method was used. Descriptive statistics like frequency distributions and inferential statistics like correlation and multiple regressions were used to analyze the data collected for the study. Findings showed that the dimensions of brand communication accounts for 53% change in customer loyalty. The study concluded that brand communication has significant positive effect on customer loyalty of deposit money banks in Delta State Nigeria. Brand advocacy (β =0.106, p=0.044< 0.05), and online customers review (β =0.252, p=0.000< 0.05) has significant positive effect on customer loyalty of deposit money banks in Delta State Nigeria. The study recommended amongst others that banks should regularly monitor online customer reviews across various platforms. Respond promptly to both positive and negative reviews, addressing customer concerns and expressing appreciation for positive feedback. The study established that clear and relevant information empowers customers to make informed decisions, leading to a greater likelihood of choosing and remaining loyal to a bank.

Impact of performance evaluation system on employee performance in Nigeria local government administration: A Study of Ukwuani local government administration of Delta State Nigeria

The study investigated the impact of performance evaluation system on employee performance in Nigeria Local Government Administration: A study of Ukwuani Local Government Administration (LGA) of Delta State, Nigeria. The research looked at impact of performance evaluation system such as Established Performance Standards (EPS), Communicating Performance Expectation (CPE), Measuring Actual Performance of Employee Based on Established Standards (MAPEBES), Discussion on Evaluation Result and Giving Feedback, (DERGF) and Decision Making(DM) on Employee Performance of LGA in Nigeria. The study used survey research design to collect data from targeted respondents. A total sample size of 195 was determined using Yaro Yamane's formula. The data was analyzed using simple percentages, descriptive statistics and correlation matrix was used to determine relationship that exists between the independent and dependent variables. The hypotheses were tested using multiple regression analysis through SPSS 23. The study discovers that EPS, CPE, MAPEBES, DERGF and DM has significant and positive effect on employee performance in LGA in Nigeria. The study recommended that LGA in Nigeria should uphold and magnify their established standards so as to bring about better employee performance. LG top managers should be able to relate how well their staff is doing on the task assign to them as this would enable them to build on their areas of weakness. Mechanism should be put in place to evaluate if actually the output of LG staff is in line with established standard and to reward accordingly. Also, the outcome of how well LG staff performed should be related to them so as to bridge noticeable gap in performance. Finally, making of decisions in this level of government should be encompassing and accommodative in order not to slow down performance of the employees.

Religious Education's Relevance in Nigeria's Tertiary Institutions

This study aimed to determine how important religious education is in Nigerian schools, especially in tertiary institutions in the Delta State of Nigeria. To reach this goal, eleven colleges and universities in Delta State were chosen for the research. Research questions and hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. The data for the study was collected from primary sources using a structured questionnaire. Twenty-two questionnaires were administered to the selected institutions' twenty-two heads (and deputies). Means and Standard Deviations (M & SD) were used to answering the research questions, and the hypotheses were tested using the t-test statistical method. The findings of this study led to the conclusion that there are significant differences in tertiary institutions' heads' perceptions of the relevance of religious education in tertiary institutions in Delta State for the effective curbing of moral decadence in the state and the Nigerian society as a whole.

Assessment of the Impacts of Artisanal Refinery of Crude Oil On Surface Water, Ground Water And Sediment Quality At Obi-Ayagha Community In Delta State Nigeria

<p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Aim: </strong>This study aims to assess the impacts of artisanal refinery activities on the quality of surface water, ground water, sediment and microbial density of the recipient environment at the abandoned artisanal refinery site in Obi-Ayagha community, Ughelli South, Delta State.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Place and Duration of Study: </strong>Abandoned artisanal refinery hydrocarbon impacted site, Obi-Ayagha, Ughelli South, Delta State, Nigeria. During was from September 2021- February 2022.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Methodology: </strong><strong>F</strong>ield sampling techniques were consistent with established and standards methodologies, Environmental Guidelines and Standards for Petroleum Industries in Nigeria (EGASPIN) and Federal Ministry of Environment (FMENV) procedural guidelines. Composite surface water samples were collected using a water sampler, ground water was collected using a water pump from drilled boreholes in the study site. Sediment sample was collected using Eckman dredge (grab) from the surrounding river around the study site. Physicochemical, microbial and metal parameters were analysed in the collected samples and controls, using standard methods to assess the impact of hydrocarbon contaminant from the artisanal refinery activities on the recipient environment.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Results: </strong> The study revealed that there was a significant difference in Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD<sub>5</sub>) values for the three borehole water sampled, with a mean value of 5.23± 3.0 mg/l and the control borehole site (3.00 ± 2mg/l). Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon results were below the instrument detection limit for the surface and ground water samples, while it recorded 5.38mg/kg for the sediment sample. Polyaromatic hydrocarbon results for all samples analysed were below the instrument detection limit of <0.0001mg/kg. Total heterotrophic Bacteria counts obtained were between 2.08 -2.13 x 10<sup>3</sup> CFU/ml, 1.13 - 1.26 x 10<sup>3 </sup>CFU/ml and 2.36 x 10<sup>5 </sup>CFU/g for surface water, groundwater and sediment samples respectively. Values obtained for all metals analysed in the study samples were within regulatory stipulated limits. Iron metal, though does not have available limits for sediment samples, recorded the highest concentration of 5585 ± 2.12 mg/kg in relation to other metals.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Conclusion:</strong>Results obtained from the environmental samples analysed showed the parameters assessed were within regulatory limits. This could have been due to natural attenuation(remediation) of the environment giving the prolonged period of abandonment of the artisanal refining activities<strong>.</strong></p> <p style="text-align: justify;">The integration of artisanal and modular refinery operations into the oil and gas sector will curtail illegal oil activities in the Niger Delta regions and will also promote the availability of petroleum products, stabilize prices, eliminate shipping costs and provide employment opportunities for the inhabitants in the region and Nigeria in general. It is further recommended that with enough artisanal and modular refineries being granted license by the Federal Government in the country, Nigeria should be able to conserve foreign exchange currently utilized for the importation of petroleum products and promote socio-economic development.</p>

STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT AND PERFORMANCE OF MANUFACTURING FIRMS IN DELTA STATE

This study examined the relationship that exist between strategic management and the performance of manufacturing firms in Delta State Nigeria. During the course of the study, four research questions and four null hypotheses were formulated and the hypotheses were tested. The population of the study was 136 drawn out of some selected manufacturing firms in Delta State, from which a sample of 101 subjects were derived using the Taro-Yamani Formula. The instrument used for data collection was the questionnaire. Face and content validity were jointly used to establish the validity of the research instrument. Relevant statistical tools were deployed for the purpose of data analysis and the formulated hypotheses were tested by means of the regression technique. The findings of the study showed that there is significant relationship between strategic management process and performance of manufacturing firms in Delta State, Nigeria. This study thus recommended that manufacturing firms should always adopt the right and accurate strategies in other to achieve better and impressive performance.
 Keywords: Strategic Management, Manufacturing Firms, Business Model, Nigeria, Strategy Formulation.

Socio-musical acculturation in Igbe and Iyayi religious movements among the Urhobo and Esan of Nigeria

This study traces the spread of the Igbe religion of the Urhobo people of Delta State in Nigeria to other ethnic cultures in the Benin Province in Nigeria where Igbe became known as the Osenughegbe and Iyayi religions. In doing this, it examines the religious, social, and musical transitions in this cross-cultural migration. This study adopts descriptive and historical approaches by deploying qualitative research methods; it elicited much of its data from interviews and non-participant observation. Ten temples were studied; five temples each were selected from the Delta and Edo states. The data drawn is descriptively presented and interpreted. The study found that Iyayi borrowed a lot from Igbe in terms of ritual practices, dressing, vocabulary, music, and dance. These greatly facilitated Igbe’s cross-cultural migration to other ethnic cultures. It concludes that Igbe music has a social value which has greatly accounted for Igbe’s influences in its cross-cultural migration with Iyayi as one of the recipients.

POVERTY REDUCTION STRATEGIES BY HOME ECONOMICS TEACHERS IN PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN ASABA METROPOLIS, BEFORE, DURING AND BEYOND COVID -19

This study aimed at determining Poverty Reduction Strategies by Home Economics Teachers in PublicSecondary Schools in Asaba metropolis. Three research questions guided the study. Survey research designwas adopted for the study. Fifty (50) Home Economics teachers in public Secondary Schools in AsabaMetropolis were sampled and participated in the study and the population for the study was made up of fifty(50) Home Economics teachers in the public Secondary Schools in Asaba metropolis. The instrument fordata collection was a questionnaire developed by the researcher and validated by two experts in HomeEconomics and measurement evaluation from the Delta state university Abraka Delta State. Using thePearson's product moment correlation coefficient to determine its co-efficient A correlation of 0.72 wasobtained which was high enough for the study Data analysis is was done using mean and standard deviationto answer the research questions. The result of the study among others showed that from the data analyzed,all agreed on the strategies for achieving sustainable development goals: Home Economies as skillacquisition course will go a long way eradicating poverty and unemployment in Nigeria. Insufficientorientation on practical ways to adopt in teaching, lack of appropriate facilities, instructional aids andlimited lesson periods have all militated against effective actualization of expected sustainable developmentgoals in Asaba Metropolis in Delta State Nigeria. Based on these findings, it was recommended that HomeEconomies Professionals Associations leaders should organize conferences and workshop where HomeEconomics teachers obtain adequate information of how to continue to contribute meaningfully to theachievement of sustainable development goals beyond Covid 19.

The Impact of Entrepreneurship Institutions on Access to Micro-Financing for Sustainable Enterprise in an Emerging Economy

The emergence of entrepreneurship institutions, as a mechanism, is not only for sustainability, but access to micro-financing for entrepreneurs has also become pivotal owing to the heightened spate of economic degradation, growing poverty rates, and an upsurge in rural–urban migration, all currently occurring across the globe. This study adopted a descriptive survey research method, gathering data by using a questionnaire that served as the basis for analysis. Regression analysis techniques from the Statistical Package for Social Science were used to test the hypothesis. The study’s participants and research population, respectively, comprised 711 active National Youth Service Corps members from the Aniocha-North Local Government Area in the Delta State in Nigeria. The results indicate that entrepreneurship institutions impact entrepreneurs’ access to micro-financing and enterprise sustainability in emerging economies. Hence, the study recommends, as a policy implication, that entrepreneurship institutions should be established with capacity to provide for micro-finance enterprises, which will guarantee their sustainability, productivity and viability.

Plants used in the treatment of female infertility and other related health issues in Agbor, Ika South, Delta State, Nigeria

An ethnomedicinal survey of plants used to treat female infertility and other ailments in Agbor, Ika South Local Government Area, Delta state of Nigeria was conducted for the purpose of identification and documentation. Information was gathered using a semi-structured questionnaire through oral interviews with informants which included traditional herbal practitioners, traditional nurses and midwives, housewives, community elders, local farmers, and others. A total of 75 medicinal plant species belonging to 45 families were identified and their botanical names, method of preparation, administration and dosage were documented. Most of the preparations were made through decoctions or infusions. The leaves were the plant parts which were mostly used. Most of the species can be sourced locally by harvesting from farms, forests, or bushes, or by buying from local markets. To ensure the preservation and continuity of ethnomedicine, proper documentation and deliberate conservation practices should be adopted.

An assessment of religion's role in mitigating suicide among tertiary institutions’ students in delta state of Nigeria

Suicide is a problem that affects all nations, but low- and middle-income nations are more susceptible because of the stigma associated with it and the lack of facilities that support mental health. With about one million deaths each year, suicide is a significant cause of mortality around the globe. This article evaluates the idea of suicide from a religious viewpoint among students attending tertiary institutions across Delta State, Nigeria. The phenomenological and descriptive methodologies are employed for data collection to achieve the study's objectives. The research population comprises students from nine higher educational institutions in Delta State. The result shows that suicide is motivated by numerous variables, such as sadness, excessive pressure, pessimism, financial hardships, and academic failure; that the incidence of suicide has drastically reduced among students of higher institutions because of religion’s big impact in offering understanding, information, wisdom, and faith on human lives. It concludes that further studies should be conducted on the role of religion in preventing suicide, its contextualization in Western knowledge, aiding NGOs in discovering suicide ideations, and providing a model for future researchers.

Effect of Phone-Based Enhanced Adherence Counseling (EAC) Among Virally Unsuppressed Key Population (KP).

Despite the reduced human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease burden in Nigeria and globally, the key populations (KPs) can be disproportionately burdened with HIV infection and lower treatment coverage and outcome. A viral load (VL) test is needed to monitor the treatment outcome of KP with VL suppression of < 1000 copies/mL, demonstrating a positive treatment outcome. For unsuppressed VL,enhanced adherence counseling (EAC)may improve viral suppression in people living with HIV/KPsliving with HIV (PLHIV/KPLHIV). Conventionally, EAC sessions are done for 3 months through physical visits. Due to the challenges of monthly visits (including transportation, socioeconomic status, and high mobility among KPs), other EAC delivery models need to be explored. We aimed to assess the effect of phone EAC sessions among virally unsuppressed KPs compared to physical EAC. Using a prospective intervention study design with a sample size of 484, unsuppressed KPLHIV in Delta State Nigeria were selectively stratified (non-randomized) using a simple stratification (abilityvs. inability to physically attend EAC sessions in-person) into an intervention group and a control group, receiving phone-based EAC sessions and physical EAC sessions respectively. Repeated VL tests were done 3 months after the intervention, and viral suppression was pegged at the WHO recommendation of <1000 copies/mL. The SPSS version 24.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, USA) was used for data analysis of variables within and between study groups. Significance was interpreted at p < 0.05. Participants were 87.4% males {out of which 75.0% (363/484) identified as men who have sex with men (MSM)} with a mean age of 26 ± 2 years. The intervention group had a slightly higher EAC completion rate at 99.6% than the control group (97.9%). Both groups showed significant differences in viral suppression from 0% to a mean suppression of 88.7% with p < 0.01. The intervention group achieved better suppression (90.5%) than the control group (86.7%). EAC effectively achieves viral suppression by up to 90% among KPLHIV.Phone-based EAC has also proven effective and, in our findings, slightly more effective than the conventional physical EAC and is recommended among KPLHIV with the known challenge of transportation or poor mobility.

Education Law and Management Teacher's Professional Ethics in Secondary Schools Delta State Nigeria

This study focuses on education law and teacher ethics management in Delta Public Secondary Schools in Nigeria. In this study, a descriptive technique was used. The study group consisted of 473 principals and 14,482 teachers from 473 public high schools in Delta. A sample of 825 respondents (75 principals and 750 teachers) was drawn using a simple random sampling method. This study was based on two research questions and two hypotheses. A 15-item questionnaire was used as a means of data collection. For the data collected for the analysis, the mean and standard deviation of the research questions were analyzed at the average acceptance level of 2.50, the null hypotheses were verified through the Z-test, and the significance level was set at 0.05. This study's findings show that school boards and principals, especially after elementary school, manage teachers` integrity issues under the Delta Public High School Education Act and Code of Ethics. Among other things, teachers should be encouraged to purchase a copy of the Educational Services Manual to know their rights, their responsibilities to staff, and the fundamental rights of their students.

Adoption of Electronic Medical Records in Tertiary Health Care Centres: A Survey of Federal Medical Centres in South-South Nigeria

The study investigated the adoption of electronic medical records in Federal Medical Centres in Bayelsa and Delta States of Nigeria. The study adopted descriptive survey research design. One hundred and nineteen staff of Departments of Health Records and Information Management of both medical centres participated in the study. Online questionnaire was used for data collection. One hundred and thirty-four soft copies of the questionnaire were distributed to the respondents via personal whatsapp accounts of the respondents and whatsapp platforms of the Health Information Managers Association of Nigeria and the Association of Health Records and Information Management Practitioners of Nigeria to which the respondents belonged. One hundred and nineteen questionnaires were properly completed, retrieved and found usable for data analysis. This produced a response rate of 88.81 %. The data collected were analyzed using weighted mean and standard deviation. Findings showed that the extent of adoption of electronic medical records in the medical centres was low; benefits derived from adoption, which were not perceived much differently by the sampled staff, were enhanced healthcare service delivery/access to medical information, saving of records storage space/cost of medical care, speeding up of treatment process, improvement of confidentiality/security of medical information/timely communication among medical practitioners, reduction of treatment error risk/ patients’ mortality rate/patients’ waiting time and facilitation of clinical decision making; challenges encountered in adoption, which were seen much differently by the records personnel, were poor internet connectivity or network, high cost of ICT equipment, low technical expertise, lack of funds/training/uniform standards and poor power supply.

Relevance of Symbol Systems Theory to Instructional Media for the Enhancement of Social Studies Learning Outcome

The application of instructional media resources for Social Studies instructions can offer a clear departure from traditional mode of teaching resources, methods and strategies. Hence this study looked at how the symbol system theory can be used as a basis for the application of instructional media to enhance social studies students’ learning outcome. The research design for the study was quasi experimental. Random sampling technique was applied in selecting 30 Junior Secondary school students from a population of 150 in Covenant school Eku in Delta State of Nigeria. Researchers developed test titled “Instructional Media Performance Test (IMPT)”, was the instrument of data collection. The reliability of the instrument using Cronbach alpha was 0.79, t-test was used to test the two hypotheses of the study. The findings revealed that there was no significant difference in the pre-tests given to the students in both treatment and control groups as calculated value of 4.04 was lesser than table value of 5.09; also there is a positive and significant influence of instructional media (television) on the learning outcome of Junior Secondary Students in social studies as calculated value of 5.68 is higher than table value of 4.09. To this end, the study suggested that social studies teachers should incorporate instructional media (television) where necessary to achieve optimum learning objective, goals and heighten the learning outcome of Junior Secondary School students in social studies.

Surveillance of Vibrio parahaemolyticus pathogens recovered from ready-to-eat foods

This study examined the occurrence of V. parahaemolyticus from ready-to-eat (RTE) food in Delta State, Nigeria. It also characterized antibiotic resistance and virulence gene profile patterns to determine the associated health risk hazard. Food samples total of 380 were collected randomly and assessed for V. parahaemolyticus. V. parahaemolyticus isolates were characterized for their virulence and antibiogram potentials using a phenotypic and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) approach. A total of 42 (11.1%) samples were contaminated with V. parahaemolyticus. In 17/42 (40.5%) of the V. parahaemolyticus-positive samples, the densities were < 10 MPN/g. However, 19/42 (45.2%) and 6/42 (14.3%) of the samples had densities of 10 – 102 and > 102 MPN/g, respectively. A total of 67 V. parahaemolyticus isolates were identified using PCR; 54(80.6%) isolates were multidrug resistant. A total of 22 (32.8%), 39 (58.2%), and 67 (100%) of the V. parahaemolyticus harbored the tdh, trh, and tlh toxin genes, respectively. The T3SS1 gene (vcrD1) was detected in 67 (100%) of the isolates. The T3SS2α genes which were vcrD2, vopB2, and vopT were detected in 21 (31.3%), 11 (16.4%) and 30 (44.8%) of the isolates respectively. Some of the V. parahaemolytics strains harbored the orf8 gene 20 (29.9%), and a combination of orf8 + tdh genes 12 (17.9%), categorized as pandemic strains. The antibiotic resistance genes detected in this study include blaTEM 33 (49.3), tetM 19 (28.4), cmlA 32(47.8) and sul1 14 (20.9). The concentration levels and prevalence of V. parahaemolyticus in RTE foods indicate contamination of ready-to-eat foods, particularly street foods consumed in the Delta State of Nigeria, threatening public health and consumer safety.