Ilorin Kwara State Research Articles

Climate Variation Assessment Based on Rainfall and Temperature in Ilorin Kwara State Nigeria

In recent times and across the globe, the concept of climate has gained much relevance because of its dynamic and complex nature and the significant influence it has on various aspects of the environment, including the increasing threat of global climate change. This study focuses on the assessment of climatic variation in Ilorin based on the variations in rainfall and temperature within the period 1980-2015. Time Series Analysis was used to determine the trend of rainfall and temperature within the period 1980-2015. The 5-Year Moving Average was used to smoothen the time series and to eliminate unwanted fluctuations. Linear Regression was used to estimate the value of variable Y (total rainfall or average minimum temperature), corresponding to a given value of variable X (time), while MAKESEN software was used to determine the temporal trend of rainfall indices within the study period. Furthermore, the study focused on the spatial variations of total rainfall and average minimum temperature in the study area. The result revealed that there is downward trend of 0.814 mm per year in the annual mean rainfall and also there is an upward trend of 0.029 per year in average annual minimum temperature and total annual maximum temperature has an upward trend of 0.01 mm per year. Thus, the rainfall is decreasing and temperature tends to increase. Key word: Climate variability, Rainfall, Temperature, Period, Temporal trend, Kwara state

Tyre related risk assessment in the middle belt region in Nigeria: information for policymakers

Objective: It has been reported that defective, worn-out and under-inflated tyres were responsible for many road crashes. The objective of this study was to assess the safety profiles of tyres used by inter-city commercial vehicle drivers in Ilorin Kwara State, Nigeria.Methods: It was a descriptive cross-sectional study in which simple random sampling technique by ballot method was adopted to select 300 commercial vehicles. Two tests were performed on each vehicular tyre viz: visual inspection of tyres for tread wear indicator (TWI), manufacturing date to determine the expirydate and the depth of tread of vehicle tyres by one penny US coin. Data analysis was done using SPSS data analysis package.Results: Ninety-two vehicles (30.7%) had all the four tyres expired and 80 (26.7%) did not have extra tyre. Of all the 300 vehicles inspected, 120 (40.0%) had all the four tyres worn-out. Additionally, 104 (34.7%) of the vehicles failed the coin test. Only four vehicles (1.3%) had all their four tyres pass all the three tests conducted on them.Conclusion: There is need to scale up the study so that the magnitude and contribution of tyre safety to road crashes can be determined in the country to provide basis for informed and evidence-based interventions.Keywords: Tyres, risk, assessment

Effect of Irrigation Water Quality on Soil Structure Along Asa River Bank, Ilorin Kwara State

Effect of Irrigation Water Quality on Soil Structure Along Asa River Bank, Ilorin Kwara State

Bioaccumulative activity of Ludwigia peploides on heavy metals-contaminated water

Abstract Heavy metal pollution of soil and water has become a serious environmental problem in recent decades. This study was carried out to investigate the Ludwigia peploides bioremediation activity against heavy metals-contaminated water. The plant Ludwigia peploides was collected from Asa River, in Ilorin Kwara State, alongside with the water sample. The pond water collected was distributed into six (6) different 5-litre buckets (Grouped A–F) in which the plant was cultivated for experimentation within a period of 28 days in the laboratory. Group A served as the control which contained only the natural environment of the plant, Groups B, C and C contained added 5.0 mg/litre Cu, Pb and Cr respectively in the form of CuSO4, PbNO3 and K2Cr2O7 respectively. Group E contained 0.5 mg/litre added Cd in the form of CdNO3 while Group F contained 500 mg/litre added Zn in the form of ZnSO4. The Percentage removal efficiency, Translocation factor, Bioconcentration factor and Bioaccumulation coefficient of the plant leaves and roots were evaluated. Also, activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase; MDA, chlorophyll and proximate composition of the leaves were evaluated. There was significant increase ( p 0 . 05 ) in the chlorophyll-a content of all the test samples when compared with the control. There was also significant increase in the MDA concentration in the plant leaves and in the catalase specific activity of the plant cultivated with chromium, lead and cadmium. There was significant reduction ( p 0 . 05 ) in SOD activity of the plant cultivated with chromium and zinc at the early stage of cultivation. The translocation factor (TF) of the plant ranges between 0.10–2.11 while the bioaccumulative coefficient (BAC) ranges between 0.10 and 2.68. We therefore conclude that the roots of Ludwigia peploides have ability to remove copper from contaminated water effectively, and to a moderate extent chromium, lead and cadmium. Also, the leaves of the plant absorb high percentage of chromium from the contaminated environment. This study evidenced that Ludwigia peploides may serve as an effective bioremediation agent for correcting contaminated water.

Comparison of Modern and Traditional Restaurants Patronage among Selected Undergraduates in Tanke, Ilorin, Kwara-State, Nigeria

The study investigated modern and traditional restaurants patronage among selected undergraduates residing in Tanke, Ilorin South Local Government Area, Kwara-State, Nigeria. Three research questions were raised and two null hypotheses were formulated and tested at 0.05 level of significance. There are 23,450 populations of undergraduates’ residents in Tanke, Ilorin Kwara State, Nigeria. Multistage sampling technique was used to select 150 respondents conveniently. Questionnaire was used to solicit information from the respondents. The findings revealed that the respondents agreed that modern restaurants observed hygienic practices better than traditional restaurants with the grand mean scores of 2.82 and 2.32. In addition, the grand mean score of modern and traditional restaurants reasons for patronage were 3.01 and 2.54 respectively. Conclusively, food is a basic necessity of life

Body Mass Index Profile of School Children aged 6 – 12 Years in Ilorin, North-Central Nigeria.

Body mass index (BMI), defined as weight in kilograms divided by height in meter square, is a reliable indicator of body fat and is sex and age dependent in children. It is a measure of nutritional assessment, useful in the demonstration of the pattern of nutritional transition being experienced around the world today. Under-nutrition (underweight/stunting) and over-nutrition (overweight/obesity) are now seen to be co-existing in developing parts of the world despite the prevailing poor socioeconomic situations.BMI growth chart percentiles categorize underweight as BMI less than the 5th percentile, healthy weight as BMI between 5th and 84th percentile, overweight as BMI of 85th percentile to < 95th percentile and obesity as BMI of ≥ 95th percentile.This was aimed at determining the Body Mass Index of school – aged children in Ilorin.Cross sectional descriptive study of school – aged children in Ilorin Kwara State using a multi – staged sampling techniques was conducted. Sixteen primary schools, eight public and eight private school pupils were recruited. The anthropometric measurements were taken to determine the anthropometric indices using the World Health Organization reference 2007.A total number of 480 primary school pupils from Ilorin were recruited. Males were 221 (46.0%) with a M:F of 1:1.2 and a mean age of 9.2 ± 1.8 years. The mean BMI of the study population was 15.7 ± 2.4 kg/m². The prevalence of underweight and stunting was 15.4% and 11.5%, while the prevalence of overweight and obesity were 7.3% and 3.1% respectively.The study affirms the existent of double burden of malnutrition among school children in Ilorin. Routine nutritional assessment of primary school children and the implementation of school meal program is advocated.Key Words: Under-Nutrition, Over-Nutrition, School Age, Body Mass Index, Malnutrition

Electrical resistivity investigation of the groundwater potential in parts of Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, Nigeria

Vertical Electrical Soundings (VES) were carried out within the premises of the Institute of Technology, Kwara State Polytechnic Campus, Ilorin Kwara State, Nigeria, with the aim of determining viable aquiferous zones within the institute to alleviate the problems of well failure in the area. The study area is about 1.5kmsqures and is underlain by the Precambrian basement rocks comprising migmatite gneiss. Fifteen (15) VES were carried out using Schlumberger electrode arrayconfiguration with AB/2 equal to 70m. The VES data generated were processed and interpreted using partial curve matching method and computer iteration techniques. The interpreted data revealed three to four geo-electric sections with varied thicknesses and resistivity. The lateritic clay layer ranges from 53.1 to 302Ωm, the weathered horizon resistivity ranges from 22.7 to474.2Ωm while the competent rock has resistivity values greater than 220.3Ωm. The lateritic clay layer resistivity and thickness range from 53.1 to 302Ωm and 1.9 to 8.0m respectively, the weathered horizon resistivity ranges from 22.7 to 474.2Ωm and 4.4 to 11.7m respectively while the competent rock has resistivity values greater than 220.3Ωm and 6.1 to ∞m respectively. The third geoelectric layer constitutes the aquiferous zone in the 4-layer geoelectric section while the second geoelectric layer is the aquiferous zone in all the 3-layer geoelectric sections. Only VES station 9 out of the 15 VES stations shows good groundwater potential as revealed by the thick overburden and weathered layer with low resistivity value. VES stations 3, 4, and 13 show poor groundwater potentials while the others are non-aquifereous in nature.

Perception and Utilization of Traditional Orthopaedic Services by Orthopaedic Patients in Ilorin Kwara State, Nigeria

Despite considerable advancement in modern medical practice and its relative availability Nigerian urban cities, orthopaedic patients have continued to utilize traditional orthopaedic services. This study focused on the persistent utilization of traditional bone setters (TBS) by orthopaedic patients in florin. Health belief model was adopted as theoretical basis for the study. Both quantitative and qualitative methods were combined: Multistage sampling technique was used to select respondents from the study area. Questionnaire was administered to a total of 357 patients, ‘while purposive sampling was used to select 7 patients and 14 practitioners for In depth Interview (IDI). Majority of the respondents aged between 21 and 60 years (73.1%) were males (74.5%) and had secondary and tertiary education (76.6%). Findings revealed that the incidence of orthopaedic cases was higher in urban and semi-urban areas where most of the respondents (80.2%) resided. Patients also believed that the use of supernatural methods and therapies gave TBS an advantage over modern medicine and that contrary to the views of modern medical science, TES treatment is highly effective and does not result in complications as argued by modern medical practitioners. It was advocated that modern practitioners show positive disposition towards the integration of western and traditional orthopaedic practices. It was further recommended that capacity building be developed among traditional orthopaedic practitioners who are a major provider of orthopaedic care in Nigeria.

Effects of improved fish production technology on the output of fish farmers in Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria

The study examined the effects of improved fish production technology on the output of fish farmers in Ilorin Kwara State, Nigeria. A total of 125 respondents were selected. Primary data was collected with the use of structured questionnaire. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were employed for the study. Mean age of respondents was 39.8 years. Also majority were male (83.2%), had tertiary education (84.0%) and kept Catfish (90.4%). The mean income earned was N 1,012,320.00. Commonly used/ adopted improved fish technologies were floating feeds (84.8%), standard feeding regimes (84.0%), improved breeds of fingerlings (80.0%) and provision of inlet and outlet devices in pond (78.4). Farmers’ perceptions were that the use of improved fish production technology saves time (mean=1.34), increases profit/improved income (mean=1.12) and conserves fish farmers’ energy (mean=1.08). This study found average increase in output: input ratio as 0.77 kg of harvest per fish fingerlings stocked due to improved fish technology when compared to that before adoption of improved technology. Most indicated constraints faced by fish farmers were inadequate capital (88.0%), high cost of feed (79.2%) and high cost of fingerlings (71.2%). Profit increase/improved income of catfish farmers via higher yield/harvest due to adoption of new technology was found to be positively correlated with age (p<0.01), gender(p<0.05), and experience (p<0.05). The study concluded that the use of fish improved technology had positively influenced harvest of catfish farmers in the study area. The study recommend the need for training, workshops and seminars for catfish farmers on how they could have easy access to land, feeds at affordable rate and sources of fund at minimal interest rate. Keywords. Catfish farmers, fish production, improved technology, socio-economics

Evaluation of Heavy and Trace Metals in Fingernails of Young School Children and Adults in Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria

Fingernail samples of young school children and selected adults were collected with respect to sex and ages in Ilorin Kwara state. The aim of this study was to determine the level of heavy metals (Fe and Cu) and trace elements (Mg and K) in the fingernails of young school children and some selected adults using atomic absorption spectrophotometer techniques for metal analysis. Soil samples were collected from the automobile workshop of the adults examined. Sample collection and preparation were carried out using standard procedures. The result of the study showed presences of heavy metal in the fingernails of young school childrenand Adults in order of Fe &gt;Cu (0.43-6.85 μg/g, Cu 0.01-0.08 μg/g) and for essential trace metals Mg &gt; K (Mg 0.47-1.97 μg/g, K 0.25-1.32 μg/g) respectively From the result of the study, Fe show higher concentration while Cu shows the least level. Metal concentration is higher in young school children when compared with Adults, statistical analysis show that there was significant difference between the concentrations of heavy metal in fingernails of young school children when compared with Adults. For soil samples analyzed at the automobile workshop, the concentrations of heavy metals range between Fe (344.97μg/g); Zn (2.4442 μg/g); Pb (0.93667μg/g), Cr (0.535 μg/g) and Cu (0.5017μg/g) respectively.KEYWORDS: Heavy metals, fingernails, children and adults, AAS

Germination and Seedling Development of Seeds from Different Parkia biglobosa (Jacq) G. Don Trees

The effect of daylight, continuous illumination and acid scarification on the seed germination and seedling vegetative growth (epicotyl and hypocotyl lengths, and number of secondary roots) of different Parkia biglobosawere investigated in the Plant Physiology Laboratory University of Ilorin, Ilorin Kwara State Nigeria. Seeds from two out of the twenty six Parkia tree samples (trees B and T) germinated within 24 hours of planting in the daylight germination study while seeds from another tree (Q) did not germinate until the third week after planting (3WAP). Some seeds have higher germination percentage both in the daylight (preliminary germination study) and in the continuous light (illuminated study). The treatment with concentrated Sulphric acid (conc. H2SO4)was effective in breaking the seed dormancy as seeds from eight (8) trees produced one hundred percent (100%) germination. At p= 0.05 the length of epicotyl and hypocoty1 lengths were significantly different as seedling vegetative growth were long in the seedlings from the daylight experiment than the continuous light experiment. The vegetative growths of the seedlings from the scarified seed were longer at 15min of scarification in all except in trees F and Z. It was observed that the time of scarification affect the both seed germination and seedling development.

Causes of blindness in blind unit of the school for the handicapped in Ilorin Kwara State

1. To describe the causes of blindness in pupils and staff in the blind unit of the School for the Handicapped in Kwara State. 2. To identify problems in the blind school and initiate intervention. All the blind or visually challenged people in the blind unit of the school for the handicapped were interviewed and examined using a modified World health Organization program for prevention of blindness (WHO/PBL) childhood blindness proforma. Eighteen blind people constituting the pupils and staff were reviewed, 10 (55.6 %) males and 8 (44.4%) females. 7(38.9%) of them were between 6-15 years and 11(61.1%) were adults above 15 years. 16 (89%) of them became blind in childhood before the age of 10 years, half of these were already blind before age of one year. In the study population 17 (94.4%) had best corrected vision in the better eye between no light perception (NPL) and hand movement(HM) only one person (5.6%) had visual impairment with visual acuity of 4/60 in the better eye. Causes of blindness were corneal 22%, cataract 27.7%, glaucoma 27.7%, retinal/macular lesion 16.66% and lesion involving whole globe 5.55%. Blindness was avoidable in 77.5% of the people. None had improvement following refraction and no lesion was amenable to treatment at the time of review. Major needs identified were poor funding, late and poor enrolment. The identified causes of blindness were avoidable in three quarter of the cases. There is the need for early transfer of blind people for rehabilitation to enhance the overall development of the individuals. Public enlightenment was done to improve transfer, financial assistance was rendered, the vocational training section was equipped to allow internal generation of revenue. Nigerian Medical Practitioner Vol. 50(1) 2006: 23-25

The Effect of Climate on Poultry Productivity in Ilorin Kwara State, Nigeria

An empirical analysis of the relationship between climatic elements, poultry feed intake, egg production and disease outbreaks in Ilorin Kwara State Nigeria was carried out using climatological data and data from poultry farmers over a period of five years (2000-2004). Data on temperature, rainfall, wind speed and relative humidity for every month in the selected years were obtained from the department of Ilorin International Airport, and analyzed. While data on poultry egg production, poultry feed intake as well as disease outbreak were collected through a stratified random sampling of 120 poultry farmers in llorin metropolis. The results of the analysis using both descriptive and inferential statistics such as mean, coefficient of variation, multiple regression analysis show that climatic variables (temperature, rainfall, wind speed and relative humidity) in Ilorin contribute about 81%, 96% and 43% to the variance in poultry egg production, feed intake and outbreak of diseases of poultry production respectively. While temperature has an inverse relationship with poultry feed intake, high relative humidity in the study area usually encourage outbreak of poultry diseases which invariably reduce egg production. In order to improve poultry productivity in Ilorin, the poultry farmers need to establish appropriate housing and sanitation practices to minimize the effect of heat and the occurrence and spread of diseases. Poultry birds must properly be confined so as to protect them from physical hazards, rain and extremes of heat and cold in order to enhance productivity. Farmers should select poultry breeds that are adaptable to the kind of climate operating in the study area. There is also the need to feed the birds with sufficient ration so as to meet their nutritional requirement.

Sexual behaviour and knowledge of sexually transmitted diseases among female adolescents in Ilorin Kwara State

Subject and methods: Eight hundred and twenty six female adolescents from two randomly selected female only secondary in llorin metropolis were interviewed with respect to their sexual behaviour and knowledge of sexually transmitted disease (STD). Results: The age ranged between 11 and 20years. Sexual activity is significantly associated with respondent's family type (polygamy and socio –economic status). Seven hundred and forty four (90.1%) had ever discussed sexual topic. About three –fifth 440(59.1%) had the first discussion with friends /peer. Five hundred and twenty six (63%) knew one or two symptoms of STD. Two hundred and eighty eight (34.9%) knew the condom use could prevent STD. Three hundred and eighty six (46.7) had experienced sexual intercourse. The youngest age at first sexual intercourse was 11 years with a mean age of 15.9years. In 140 (32.2%) of those that had sexual experience, the sexual partner was older and in 81(21%) there was some element of force/coercion. Motive for the first sexual intercourse included curiosity 149(38.6%), financial reward/inducement 97(25.1%) and urging of friends 85(22%). Conclusions: It is recommended that sex education should start at primary school level to educate female teenagers on the dangers of early initiation of sexual activity; and ways of protecting themselves against the sexual advances of the male gender. Key Words: Female adolescents, Sexual behavior, knowledge, Sexually transmitted disease; llorin. Tropical Journal of Medical Research Vol.8(1) 2004: 10-16