Geopolitical Zones Of Nigeria Research Articles

Assessment of Liver Functions Parameters of Asymptomatic Apparently Healthy Hepatitis B Virus Carriers among Voluntary Blood Donors in Some Parts of Nigeria

Several studies have been conducted on hepatitis B virus and its manifestations including its effect on organ functions. Hepatitis B virus is a hepatotropic virus which courses inflammations of the liver and other complications such as cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, liver failure and death, this study assessed the effect of hepatitis B virus on liver functions in asymptomatic blood donors in some towns within three (3) geo-political zones in Nigeria. Method: A total of 183 subjects consisting of 137 males and 46 females participated in the North Central geopolitical zone: 176 subjects consisting of 129 males and 47 females participated in the North East, while 173 subjects consisting of 123 males and females participated in the South South Zone. The mean age of the subjects were 34.89 _+ 9.19 years for the three zones respectively. Blood sample were collected from the subjects and tested for Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and also Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) to rule out co-infection using ELISA. All samples were analysed for liver function parameter such as Total bilirubin, conjugated bilirubin, total protein, Albumin, Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST), Alannie Aminotransferase (ALT) and Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), using Chemwell 2910 fully Automated chemistry analyser. The results were analysed using statistical analysis system (SAS, STAT 15.1), and p values < 0.05 were considered as statistically significant. Results: The mean values of total protein, albumin total bilirubin, conjugated bilirubin aspirant aminotransferase (AST & ALT) and alkaline phosphate (ALP) did not vary significantly (P 005) between the hepatitis B virus negative and hepatitis B virus positive subjects across the geopolitical zones studied. However, the variation of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) was significant (p > 0.014) between the two treatment groups across the three geopolitical zones, but the margin was not wide enough to draw clinical ....

Changing Food Consumption Patterns and Land Requirements for Food in the Six Geopolitical Zones in Nigeria.

Research on food consumption in Nigeria has mainly focused on food intake, household diversity, and purchasing power. We investigated a knowledge gap for food consumed by households and the land requirements for food resulting from household consumption patterns. The food consumed and the household size determine the land requirement for food. Therefore, a quantity-based analysis and a land demand methodology were applied to derive household food quantity and land requirements for food respectively. The results show that a greater percentage of household income is spent on cereals and starchy roots as the main source of calories and that cowpea is a secondary food option for households. In addition, households are changing their dietary intake from rice to maize and rice to cassava and yams as a cheaper alternative and experts’ measurements of food security at the household level indicates that households in our study are moderately food insecure. Other findings show that the country’s specific and per capita land requirements for food have gradually increased between 2000 and 2018. Across the six geopolitical zones, Northern regions with higher populations have high land requirements for food, especially for rice and maize (cereals), while Southern regions have high land requirements for cassava and yams (starchy roots) due to their respective consumption and household sizes. In addition, from our study, the land requirements for food show the actual cropland area of South South fed 5000 households. Consequently, a scenario analysis shows that the land requirements for food in our study exceeds the entire geographical area of Nigeria. Therefore, continued population growth without improved living standards and adequate food production output per hectare will further exacerbate food insecurity and land shortage in Nigeria.

TEST OF PRICE VOLATILITY: A CASE OF THE NIGERIAN CATTLE MARKET

Purpose: The research investigated variation of cattle prices in Nigeria. Specifically, the research: determined the presence of volatility in cattle prices, determined the degree of volatility of the cattle prices and estimated the level of persistence of the volatility of the cattle prices.
 Methodology: Multi-stage and simple random (balotting) sampling techniques were used to select two states each from five out of the six geo-political zones in Nigeria, except South-East zone which was not represented due to unavailability of data. A total of ten states were selected. Data were analysed using the Generalised Auto Regressive Conditional Heteroscedasticity (GARCH)).
 Findings: Results of the GARCH model revealed that prices were highly volatile in all the selected states except Yobe, since all coefficients were close to one and ranged from 0.71 to 0.88. The sum of the α + β coefficients were all close to or greater than one and ranged from 0.98 to 1.30, which indicated volatility was persistent. It was discovered that the prices in Nigerian cattle markets were highly volatile and persistent in volatility.
 Recommendations: There is need to improve on the market information system and transportation and infrastructural facilities in order to ensure a good and efficient market and pricing system in the country. Hedging via Futures through contract agreement and/or Futures trading could be solutions to price volatility.

Analysis of Chemical Compositions of Portland Cement and Limestone from Four Geopolitical Zones of Nigeria

Cement, a major binding material in concrete making, influences the quality of concrete so produced with it; as such its chemistry dictates the chemistry of the concrete. Poor quality cement has recently been implicated as the main causes of incessant building collapses in Nigeria. The physicochemical analysis of limestone used in the production of various brands of Portland cement in four geopolitical zones of Nigeria (north east NE, north west NW, north central NC, and south west SW) was investigated using standard methods. Each of the limestone and cement samples was randomly collected from their respective sample points at the four different geopolitical zones of Nigeria. Each of the collected samples was ground and sieved to 2 mm mesh size. The limestone was rich in lime content that ranged from 45.91% ± 0.30% to 49.0% ± 0.19%. Among the cement samples, percent SiO2 ranged from 19.95 ± 0.25 (NW) to 20.18 ± 1.02 (NC), Al2O3 4.98 ± 0.18 (NW) to 5.82 ± 0.38 (NE), Fe2O3 2.76 ± 1.00 (NE) to 3.82 ± 0.21 (SW), CaO 60.18 ± 0.27 (NE) to 65.10 ± 0.98 (NC), MgO 1.93 ± 0.04 (NC) to 2.50 ± 0.10 (NE), SO3 0.93 ± 0.50 (NE) to 2.02 ± 0.13 (NW). The results showed that virtually all the cement samples analyzed conformed well to the BSEN 196-2 standard. However, the loss on ignition (LOI) deviated considerably (7.82% to 8.72%) from 4% maximum by the standard. Also, the lime saturation factor (99.70%) obtained for north central cement was slightly higher than the specified range of 92.0 to 98.0%. It could be deduced from this study that the various cements available in Nigerian market from the four geopolitical zones are of good quality. Nevertheless, other processes that lead to the production of a good concrete such as the mix ratio of cement, gravel, sand and water, use and quality of iron rods, and other building materials need to be professionally checked for quality assurance. The findings from this study can be a useful guide to the chemist, environmentalist, construction industry, and the general public on the quality of cements available in Nigerian market.

COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in six geopolitical zones in Nigeria: a cross-sectional survey.

Introductionthe high expectations that heralded the development of COVID-19 vaccines has been plagued with vaccine hesitancy (VH). The prevalence and associated factors of COVID-19 VH in the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria are explored.Methodsusing a cross sectional survey, a pre-tested and validated questionnaire on a “Google form” was distributed via social media platforms and hard copies in the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria. Included, using a chain-reference sampling technique, were healthcare workers (HCW), university students and adults in the general population. Participants who expressed unwillingness to receive COVID-19 vaccine in the event of an available vaccine were considered to have vaccine hesitancy. Frequency and percentage were used to describe categorical variables. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to assess for factors associated with VH. Level of significance was set at 5% on two-sided tails test.Resultsamong 1615 respondents, mean (standard deviation) age was 36.7 (11.3) years, and 847 (52.4%) were males. More than half were healthcare workers (943; 58.4%), 97.4% had at least secondary level of education, and majority 60.5% belonged to the upper social class. The prevalence of VH was 68.5% (1107/1615), and 67.2% preferred foreign manufactured COVID-19 vaccines. On multivariable regression analysis, residence in Northeast (AOR 6.01, 95% CI 2.24, 16.10) and Northwest (AOR 3.33, 95% CI 1, 48, 7.48) geopolitical zones, the Igbo ethnic group (AOR 1.88, 95% 1.10, 3.22), Christians (AOR 1.86, 95% 1.10, 3.14), nurses (AOR 3.50, 95% CI 1.25, 9.80), pharmacist (AOR 5.82, 95% CI 2.12, 16.32) and participants without confidence in foreign vaccines (AOR 4.13, 95% CI 2.99, 5.72) were at higher likelihood of VH.Conclusionvaccine hesitancy is high among adults in Nigeria, with higher likelihood among the Igbo ethnic group, Christian faith, residence in Northeast and Northwest geopolitical zones and those with an aversion to foreign-made vaccines. Targeted interventions are required for the desired COVID-19 vaccine uptake rate and herd immunity.

Amino acid Profile of Trichosantes cucumerina from four Geopolitical Zones in Nigeria.

Abstract
 The aim of the study was to investigate the amino acid profile of five (5) ecotypes of T. cucumerina (snake gourd) from four geopolitical zones in Nigeria. Fresh ripe fruit of T. cucumerina was collected from the research farm of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Umuahia Abia State Nigeria. The seeds were extracted from the fresh ripe fruit, blended and stored in the refrigerator for further use. Amino acid was determined using HPLC apparatus. Glutamate had the highest protein content which ranged from 14.4643-15.23094g/100 of protein; followed by aspartate with 2.0981-12.20628g/100 of protein, leucine with 7.20846-8.9831g/100 of protein. Glycine protein was the least with a ranged of 0.0435-4.2118g/100. The snake gourd amino acid profile was found highest in North-Central ecotype (Benue State) with a ranged of (1.115-14.46497) g/100 protein; followed by South-West ecotype (Ekiti and Osun States) with a range of (0.87481-12.20628), (0.0435-15. 23094) g/100protein respectively. South- East ecotype (Abia State) T.cucumerina result ranged from (0.54978-14.67031)g/100 protein. The least result was found in South-South ecotype snake gourd with 0.35514-14.46243g/100 protein. Variation in amino acid content in ripe fruits of T. cucumerina accessions investigated revealed that glycine had the highest coefficient variation of 140% followed by tyrosine with 54.31%, aspartate 47.56%, and least from valine 5.62%, isoleucine 7.05%, tryptophan 6.51% and cysteine 6.82% glutamate 2.14%. There were three clusters in the dendrogram of amino acid composition of selected snake tomato ecotypes investigated. Amino acid result revealed that the highest amino acid content was found in snake gourd from the North -Central and least in South-South ecotype respectively.
 Keywords: Amino acid, Trichosanthes cucumerina, Ecotypes, South-East, South-South, South-West and North Central.

Trend and Epidemiological Analysis of Coronavirus in Nigeria

Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa and it’s among the countries where the novel corona virus is highly endemic. World Health Organization listed Nigeria among other 13 African countries identified as high-risk for the spread of the virus. Hence the need to observe the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria, in other to study the trend of the virus and also look at some the epidemiological measures based on the case records of adult patients above 16 years with Corona virus admitted between February 2020 and February 2021. The research work tries to analyze the epidemiological measures of the COVID-19 using the Case Fatality Rate (CFR), Infection Fatality Rate (IFR), Mortality Rate (MR) and Incidence Rate (IR) and also to analyze the trend of death across the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria. The analysis of the epidemiological measure shows a wide variation in CFR among the six geopolitical zones, it’s an indication that it disproportionately affected states like Lagos and Abuja which are the most affluent. The result from IFR shows that the North-East has the highest infection rate at 4.88% while South-West has the least at 1.53%. MR shows south west with the highest population and highest death recorded of 11% while south-East has the lowest death rate. The incidence rate was lowest in North-East at 2.3% and highest in the South-West at 18.93%, studying this incidence rate of the six geopolitical zone one can conclude that the occupation and the economic activities of the zones really influenced the rates. The trend analysis of death across the six zones shows the South East has a perfect fitted polynomial series of order four model.

Evaluation of prostate-specific antigen testing: An empirical survey of laboratories in Nigerian tertiary care centers

Background: Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing has been recommended for prostate cancer screening by the World Health Organization. The combined use of total and free PSA and digital rectal examination is said to improve the sensitivity and specificity of total PSA and also to reduce the need for 20% of unnecessary biopsies. Tertiary hospital laboratories ought to be appropriately equipped to offer these tests for improved patient outcomes. Objective: The objective was to determine the proportion of Nigerian tertiary care laboratories that offer quantitative total and free PSA testing. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was carried out in functional government-owned tertiary hospitals in all the geopolitical zones of Nigeria. Respondents were drawn from the Laboratory section of each hospital. Data were collected using semi-structured self-administered questionnaires and analyzed using SPSS version 22. Results: The study included a total of 34 tertiary care laboratories. The mean (SD) age of respondents was 43.71 (5.2) years. Of the surveyed hospitals, 27 (79.41%) had facilities for PSA testing, whereas 7 (20.59%) had no functional PSA testing facility. Of those with a functional testing facility, 27 (100%) had facilities for total PSA whereas 12 (44.44%) had facilities for free PSA. Three facilities [3 (42.85%)] out of the seven facilities with no functional testing facilities cited equipment breakdown as the reason. Conclusion: Availability of PSA testing facilities was not adequate in tertiary care laboratories in Nigeria, with free PSA facilities being less than total PSA facilities. More support is needed in making these important testing facilities more readily available in Nigerian tertiary healthcare laboratories.

Knowledge, attitude, and anxiety of Nigerian nurses toward coronavirus: An online cross-sectional survey

Background: Health care workers have been affected the most by coronavirus all over the world. Their knowledge and attitude toward caring for people with coronavirus have neither reduced their anxiety nor number of casualties from the pandemic. The aim of this study is on knowledge, attitude, and anxiety of Nigerian nurses toward coronavirus. Methods: A cross sectional, online quantitative survey of the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria was done using multistage sampling technique. Data were collected using Google Forms from 209 nurses, and the Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS) version 20 software was used for data analysis. Level of anxiety was determined using Generalized Anxiety Disorder Assessment. Descriptive data of participants were presented in tables, charts, percentages, means, and standard deviation, while the inferential data were tested with Chi square at a significance level of P = 0.05. Results: Mean age of the respondents was 41.01 ± 8.21 years, with 13.1 ± 8.44 years as mean for years of experience. Only 57% had good knowledge with mean of 10.67 ± 1.197, while 70.8% had positive attitude toward nursing care during coronavirus pandemic. Anxiety level increased from 1.88 ± 0.82 before to 2.33 ± 0.96 during the pandemic. Association of knowledge and anxiety before and during was P = 0.79 and P = 0.27, respectively. Gender and age were significant with anxiety during the pandemic with P = 0.01 and P = 0.02, respectively. Conclusion: Adequate knowledge with positive attitude may not be enough to reduce the anxiety level of nurses, hence the need for adequate psychosocial support and provision of personal protective equipment for the nurses in other to keep them safe for optimum health workforce.

A systematic review on the prevalence of multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus from milk and milk products in Nigeria

The reports of increasing occurrence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) Staphylococcus aureus from milk and milk products across Nigeria constitute a significant public health threat. This study systematically reviewed the prevalence of MDR S. aureus in milk and milk products from all the geopolitical zones in Nigeria. Extensive literature search through African Journal Online, Google Scholar, Google, Semantic Scholar, PubMed, and Scopus was conducted. Articles published between August 8, 2007 and May 4, 2020 were included in the study and evaluated according to geopolitical zones where such studies were conducted. Of the 46 articles gathered, 28 were selected. The highest and lowest prevalence of MDR S. aureus recorded were 100% and 3.21% respectively. The phenotypic patterns of antibiotic resistance as evaluated from the studies examined consisted of different antibiotics combinations with multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) indices ≥ 0.2. Furthermore, mecA was the dominant antibiotic resistance gene detected from S. aureus isolates exhibiting phenotypic resistance to the antibiotics tested. The high occurrence of MDR S. aureus in milk and milk products in Nigeria is worrisome, however, there was under-reporting or unavailable reports from some geopolitical zones. The MAR index > 2.0 recorded from the majority of the studies depicts the over use and/or misuse of antibiotics in Nigeria. The fight against MDR S. aureus should be holistic, involving the relevant authorities and stakeholders through the one health perspective which would ensure food safety and improve public health.

Predictors of COVID-19 pandemic-associated mental health outcomes of slaughterhouse managers in selected states of Nigeria, 2020

INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic is a global public health and economic crisis, with major outbreaks occurring amongst meat workers globally. The multiple tasks of ensuring safe operations, adherence to COVID-19 non-pharmacological preventive measures and safeguarding the health of the workers are attendant challenges faced by slaughterhouse managers amidst the pandemic. Yet, little or no attention is paid to COVID-19 pandemic related mental health outcome of these managers in developing countries, especially Nigeria. METHODS: a cross sectional study was conducted among randomly selected 91 slaughterhouse managers from four of the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria to determine the predictors of COVID-19 pandemic-associated mental health outcome. Data were collected using a validated semi-structured questionnaire which measured COVID-19 related mental health outcome, as well as the explanatory variables including the kind of manager (veterinarian/government worker, butcher), COVID-19 sensitization since the start of pandemic (yes, no), and rate of animal processing since pandemic started (unchanged/increased, reduced). The data were analysed by binary logistic regression using STATA version 14.2. RESULTS: only 13.2% of the respondents had good mental health outcome, 67.0% were on borderline, while 19.8% were poor. More than one-third (34.1%) of the respondents reported a feeling of anxiety that COVID-19 would reduce patronage for their services. Again, 31.9% were always worried about the overall financial demands of COVID-19 mitigation measures and 37.4% were concerned that the slaughterhouse facility lacked requisite infrastructure for risk reduction against COVID-19. Being slaughterhouse managers belonging to the butchers’ association (aOR = 3.03, 95%CI = 0.87 - 10.59), not having prior COVID-19 sensitization (aOR = 2.27, 95%CI = 0.14 - 1.39) and feeling that the pandemic had reduced rate of animal processing (2.23, 95%CI = 0.44 - 11.32) were associated with higher odds of developing poor COVID-19 pandemic related mental health outcome. CONCLUSION: a high prevalence of poor mental health outcome among the slaughterhouse managers with certain important gaps identified as possible COVID-19 related issues contributing to their mental health distress is reported. Interventional efforts in the slaughterhouses to reduce job-related mental health stressors and consequently improve the health of this workforce are advocated.

Assessment of COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance and Willingness to Pay by Nigerians

Introduction: The COVID-19 Pandemic has affected critical sectors of human development. To curtail these effects, vaccines are being approved for human trials. It is, therefore, important to know the possible vaccine coverage expected in each country. This study determined the willingness of Nigerians to accept and pay for COVID-19 vaccine. Methods: A cross-sectional web-based survey across all states of Nigeria was conducted via a structured e-questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, ANOVA and multinomial logistic regression were conducted. Result: A total of 502 responses were obtained from all six geopolitical zones of Nigeria, comprising 67.3% males (n = 338) and 32.7% females (n = 164). The results indicated that 34.7% (n = 167) are willing to accept the vaccine when given for free, 33.9% (n = 163) are not willing, and up to 31.4% (n = 151) are indifferent in their decision. Univariate analysis indicated the likelihood that education level could influence willingness to accept the vaccine (F = 2.408, p = 0.049). Rollout strategies may have an impact (p < 0.0001) on the willingness to accept the vaccine. These strategies include providing incentives, making it compulsory and paying for the vaccine with F = 186.983 and eta = 0.657, F =71.620 and Eta = 0.476, F = 108.696 and Eta = 0.552, respectively. Conclusion: The study revealed a possibility of the low willingness of Nigerians to accept COVID-19 vaccine. Providing incentives is likely to improve coverage, while making the vaccine compulsory may increase rejection. This study, therefore, serves as a gateway for government and policymakers on how best to prime and penetrate the society to achieve massive COVID-19 vaccine coverage in Nigeria.

ICT as a Re-Engineering Strategy on Claim Settlement in Some Selected Insurance Companies In Nigeria: The Pandemic Experience

Purpose: This study addresses the effect of ICT on the relationship between re-engineering and the performance of some selected insurance companies in Nigeria. It emphasizes the need to ensure that insurance companies achieve substantial improvement in performance via viable IT infrastructure to modernize all business processes. Design/Methodology/Approach: The study adopted a survey design, utilizing a sample of 350 respondents from two selected insurance companies in the southwest geopolitical zone of Nigeria. A questionnaire was used for the collection of data. The data analysis was conducted using the percentage formula and SPSS version 20. Findings: The research revealed that there is a significant relationship between ICT and operational performance of the insurance companies, the increase in the use of many ICT tools has proven to be caused by lockdown, which implies insurance companies should endeavor to provide updated ICT facilities to enable good quality service delivery and profitability. Technological innovations through ICT enabled the insurance industry to set up efficient delivery channels, which has capacitated the sector to solve the problems that are posed by the new change. ICT tools aided supervisors, employees, and managers in decision-making. Operational resilience became the proactive measure made by the insurance sector to ensure responsive, adaptable, and scalable services for the insured and stakeholders. Research limitation/Implication: This study exhibits practical implications for the financial service provider, as the manager and the insurer (Insurance companies) can be encouraged to find the best approach to redesign strategies and adopt basic IT facilities to automate business activities for optimal productivity and profitability. Coronavirus epidemic has created the need to emphasize the importance of making provision for a viable digital infrastructure, which ensures business continuity and customer retention, and there should be a collaboration between the financial service providers and implementing alternative delivery channels to achieve a thorough transformation that will strengthen the insurance sectors. Originality/value: This study furthers strengthens and validates the use of technology and the relevance of re-engineering in operational re-enforcement for increased efficiency and effectiveness of insurance services. The improvement in business process re-engineering is driven by ICT, and as a re-engineering enabler, enhances performance that could lead to competitive advantage and a great priority for insurance companies to gain more control over the final market and good customer relationship, by offering quality services, superior value to the services, affordable price, unique customization and consultation.

COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND SMES SURVIVAL STRATEGIES IN NIGERIA

The spread of COVID-19 across the world since December 2019 has led to the global economic crises. SMEs across the globe including Nigeria are facing different challenges to survive as a result of the pandemic. This study, therefore, looks at the effect of the pandemic on SMEs and the possible survival strategies that can be adopted. The study used a sample comprising of 285 SMEs owners from the six geo-political zone of Nigeria with the aid of a structured questionnaire and secondary data from the NCDC for the analysis using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The finding of the study revealed among other things that the adoption of the E-business model and the use of technological innovation was the major SMEs strategies to control the COVID- 19 pandemic in the study area. The study recommended that SMEs owners should adopt E-business and use relevant ICT technological innovations to enable them to adjust to the new order of doing business and also adherence to all the COVID- 19 protocols, health policies, and advice in carrying out their day-to-day business activities..

MEDIATING EFFECTS OF INNOVATION SERVICES ON MARKET ORIENTATION AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS PERFORMANCE IN SOUTH-WEST GEOPOLITICAL ZONE IN NIGERIA

The study examined the mediating effect of innovative services on the relationship between market orientation and private schools' performance. The study is exploratory correlation research. The population of this study consists of 12,098 private schools in the South-West Geopolitical Zone in Nigeria. Yaro Yamane's formula was used to select a sample of 1104 private schools across the six states in the South-West Geopolitical Zone while proportionate sampling was used to send the questionnaire across these states. Data were collected from 879 private schools’ through administered questionnaires completed by management staff. The collected data were analyzed using correlation and regression analysis. The finding shows that although MO is necessary for schools' performance, it requires the mediating effects of innovative services to achieve greater performance. The study, therefore, suggests that private schools should be market-orientated to achieve high performance.

An overview of intensive care unit services in Nigeria.

To have a current overview of the state of critical care services in Nigeria, with a view to having information about the basic infrastructure, personnel, equipment, and processes in place to complement the acute peri-operative and medical emergencies in Nigeria. This was a cross-sectional survey of public and private intensive care units (ICUs) in Nigeria at the instance of the Intensive and Critical Care Society of Nigeria. Structured questionnaires were sent and collated over a 4-month period. Information on the institutions, ICU equipment and personnel were collected and analyzed using SPSS version 21(Chicago, Illinois). Data are presented in numbers, percentages, medians, and interquartile ranges (IQR) as appropriate. A total of 30 ICUs spread within all the six geo-political zones in Nigeria took part in this survey. Majority (63.3%) of them were located in teaching hospitals. The median number of ICU beds and equipment in hospitals surveyed were beds, 5(4-6), ventilators, 3 (1-4); multiparameter monitor, 4 (3-5.25) and arterial blood gas machine, 0(0-1). The anaesthetists led in running 90% of the units. This survey showed a low ICU bed capacity and deficits in basic and advanced haemodynamic monitoring equipment. There is also shortage of trained ICU Physicians.

Laboratory Diagnostic Capacity for Fungal Infections in Nigerian Tertiary Hospitals: A Gap Analysis Survey

&#x0D; Background: An estimated 11.8% of Nigerians suffer from invasive fungal infections (IFIs) yearly. Laboratory capacity to diagnose IFIs in Nigeria has not been objectively assessed.&#x0D; Objective: To identify the gaps in laboratory capacity for diagnosis of IFIs in Nigerian tertiary hospitals.&#x0D; Methods: Clinical microbiologists in Nigerian tertiary hospitals were invited to partake in a 21-item online survey via a professional chat group and email. A descriptive crosssectional study of survey responses was conducted. Frequencies were computed for microscopy, culture, antifungal sensitivity, and non-culture based diagnostic modalities.&#x0D; Findings: Respondents were from 22 tertiary hospitals spread across the six geo-political zones of Nigeria. Gaps identified include absence of mycology laboratory/bench in 5/22 (22.7%), no access to a biosafety cabinet in 5/22 (22.7%), lack of laboratory scientists formally trained in mycology in 9/22 (40.9%), lack of participation in external quality assurance in all (100%), lack of automated blood culture facilities in 9/22 (40.9%), no yeast identification beyond germ tube test in12/22 (54.5%), and no anti-fungal sensitivity testing in 17/22 (77.3%). Galactomannan, cryptococcal antigen lateral flow assay and latex agglutination tests are used in 1(4.5%), 3 (13.6%) and 5 (22.7%) centres respectively; antigen/antibody based non-culture diagnostics were totally absent in 12/22 (54.5%) hospitals.&#x0D; Conclusion: Nigerian tertiary hospitals have gaps in the laboratory capacity to diagnose invasive fungal infections despite the significant size of the population at risk of these life-threatening infections in the country. Economically feasible diagnostic solutions and models as well as capacity building are urgently required.&#x0D; &#x0D; Keywords: Fungal infections; Laboratories; Nigeria; Tertiary hospital.

Innovation capability and SME performance in times of economic crisis: does government support moderate?

PurposeDrawing on the dynamic capabilities theory, the purpose of this study is to empirically explore the moderating role of government support (GS) in the relationship between innovation capability (IC) and small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) performance in times of economic crisis.Design/methodology/approachThe study adopted a descriptive research design and collected data from 234 SMEs drawn from the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria using a self-reported questionnaire. PLS-SEM was performed to test the hypotheses.FindingsThe results showed that IC was positively associated with SME performance. Further analysis indicated that GS had a strong positive impact on SME performance and positively moderated the relationship between IC and SME performance.Originality/valueThere is a paucity of studies that specifically explore the moderating role of GS in the relationship between IC and SME performance. This study contributes to the literature on SMEs by demonstrating the moderating effect of GS on the relationship between IC and SME performance in times of economic crisis. The study offers valuable insights into the vital role played by IC and GS in times of economic crisis.

The 4 Youth by Youth (4YBY) pragmatic trial to enhance HIV self-testing uptake and sustainability: Study protocol in Nigeria

BackgroundThe World Health Organization recommends HIV self-testing (HIVST) as an additional approach to HIV testing and the Nigerian government is supportive of this policy recommendation. However, effectively increasing uptake and sustainability among Nigerian youth is unknown. The goal of this study is to conduct a full-powered type I hybrid effectiveness-implementation trial to test the effectiveness of youth-friendly implementation science strategies in increasing uptake and sustainability of HIVST led by and for Nigerian youth. MethodsOur 4 Youth by Youth (4YBY) strategy combines four core elements: 1) HIVST bundle consisting of HIVST kits and photo verification system; 2) a participatory learning community; 3) peer to peer support and technical assistance; and 4) on-site supervision and performance feedback to improve uptake and sustainability of HIVST and enhance linkage to youth-friendly health clinics for confirmatory HIV testing where needed, sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing (i.e. syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and hepatitis, STI treatment, and PrEP referral. Utilizing a stepped-wedge, cluster-randomized controlled trial, a national cohort of youth aged 14–24 recruited from 32 local government areas across 14 states and four geo-political zones in Nigeria will receive the 4YBY implementation strategy. In addition, an economic evaluation will explore the incremental cost per quality adjusted life year gained. DiscussionThis study will add to the limited “how-to-do it literature” on implementation science strategies in a resource-limited setting targeting youth population traditionally underrepresented in implementation science literature. Study findings will also optimize uptake and sustainability of HIVST led by and for young people themselves.Trial registration:This study is registered in ClinicalTrials.govNCT04710784 (on January 15, 2021).

CREATIVITY AND ORGANISATIONAL EFFICIENCY: EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE FROM PRIVATE ORGANISATIONS IN NIGERIA

The study investigated creativity and organisational efficiency in Nigerian private organisations to ascertain the extent to which workforce creativity enhances organisational efficiency. The quantitative methodology was employed and the research design was a cross-sectional survey. Stratified sampling was employed in selecting respondents from ten multinational companies across the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria. Research data were elicited from the respondents with the help of a structured questionnaire. The question response format of items addressing the research questions in the questionnaire were of the five-point Likert scale. The study used measurement items related to the extant literature for all the measures. Structural equation modeling was employed in data analysis with organisational efficiency serving as the latent variable while creativity constructs served as the measured variables. Results show that three out of the four constructs of creativity were significant predictors of creativity Thus, the competitive environment, social capital and technological factors influence creativity and that creativity predicts organisational efficiency.