Jigawa State Research Articles

Socio- demographic characteristics and women attitude as determinants to practice modern contraceptives uptake as correlated among women of child bearing age in Jigawa State, Nigeria

Background: Universal contraceptive access is one of the key strategies for achieving sustainable developments in any country. Yet, uptake has remained low in most developing nations like Nigeria. The reasons for low use must be contextually understood to aid effective contraceptive programming (Ajibola et al., n.d.). This study assessed socio- demographic characteristics and women attitude as determinants to practice modern contraceptives uptake as correlated among women of child bearing age in Jigawa state, Nigeria. Aim: This study assessed socio- demographic characteristics and women attitude as determinants to practice modern contraceptives uptake as correlated among women of child bearing age in Jigawa state, Nigeria. Methodology: A cross-sectional descriptive research was conducted on the respondents. The study population comprised all the eligible women of child bearing age within the study area, who were selected and agreed to participate in the study. Sample sizes of Four Hundred and four (404), respondents were recruited using a multistage sampling technique. Data was collected using Questionnaire Data collected was coded, entered, and analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22. Result: The relationship between socio-demographic characteristics and respondents’ attitude to contraceptive uptake, statistically significant association was found between respondents’ attitude to contraceptive uptake and marital status (χ2=9.1, p=0.036), age (χ2=3.9, p=0.041), religion (χ2=6.3, p=0.023), and level of educational (χ2=8.3, p=0.048) Respondents with no formal education were significantly less likely to have used contraception compared to their educated counterparts (AOR=0.414, 95%CI=0.173-0.861). Also, those with less than 29 years of age were significantly less likely to have used contraception than those with 30 years and above age (AOR=0.563, 95%CI=0.331–1.018). Likewise, those with poor knowledge and negative attitude had significantly lesser odds of modern contraceptive use (OR=0.411, 95%CI=1.131-1.857 and OR=0.147, 95%CI=0.151-0.763). Conclusions: The study revealed that significant number of women had poor knowledge and attitude towards FP. Multiple socio-demographic factors contributed to knowledge and attitude of FP. Therefore, the health sectors of the regions and other stakeholders should strengthen the health extension program to disseminate messages related to FP to improve the knowledge and attitude of women.

Bioelectricity Generation from Microbial Fuel Cell utilizing Sewage Wastewater and Cow Urine from Dutse Metropolis Jigawa State

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are technologies that directly transform chemical energy into electrical energy by oxidizing organic matter using bacteria as biocatalysts. MFCs offer a potential technology for converting wastewater into useful energy source and at the same time serve as wastewater treatment facilities. This makes it superior to other wastewater treatment methods. This study focused on the utilization of MFCs to generate bioelectricity from sewage wastewater using cow urine as inoculum and identify the bacteria colonizing the anode electrode. The experiment were conducted using two-chambered MFC constructed using locally sourced materials. Wastewater was characterized using standard methods. The characteristics of the sewage wastewater are: 680 mg/L Chemical oxygen Demand (COD), 457 mg/L Biochemical oxygen Demand (BOD) and pH of 7.4. The maximum voltage, power and current density obtained were 196 mV, 18.26 mW/m2 and 97 mA/m2 respectively. The MFC shows a reduction in COD value by 82 % (680mg/L initial and 120 mg/L final).The identification of the anodic biofilms showed the presence of Bacillus spp and klebsiella spp based on their microscopic and biochemical characterization. The results of this study can contribute to improve understanding and optimizing electricity generation in MFC, Further study would be conducted in order to identify the microorganisms at molecular level.

Comparative Study on Drivers and Barriers of Vaccine Stock Management Practices Among Healthcare Workers in Northwestern State, Nigeria

The growing concerns regarding stock out of vaccines at the health facility level during immunization sessions have resulted in missed opportunity and caregivers losing confidence in the health system. This study assessed the drivers and barriers to effective vaccine stock management amongst healthcare workers in equipped and non-equipped health facilities in Jigawa state, Nigeria. A cross sectional comparative study was conducted to assess barriers of vaccine stock management amongst healthcare workers rendering routine immunization. A multistage sampling technique was used for the selection of respondents. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to obtain information from respondents. Level of significance set at p<0.05. Majority of the respondents from equipped health facilities 142 (71.7%) and non-equipped health facilities 56 (28.3%) had between 1-9 years of practice. Use of target population data for vaccine forecasting had the highest responses with 60% of healthcare workers in equipped health facilities as compared to 22% from non-equipped health facilities. Reserved stock as a parameter for vaccine restocking had the least responses with 15% of healthcare workers in equipped health facilities as compared to 6% from non-equipped health facilities. Respondents from equipped health facilities had good practices of vaccines and cold chain management as compared to those from non-equipped health facilities. Poor electricity supply was statistically significant (p=0.029) with more responses from healthcare workers from equipped health facilities as compared to those from non-equipped health facilities. The findings from this study could be used to improve effective vaccine stock management at the state, LGA, and health facility levels. Keywords: Barriers, Comparative study, Healthcare workers, Nigeria, Vaccine management, practices.

Vaccine Management Practices Among Healthcare Workers in Northwestern State, Nigeria: A Comparative Study

Effective vaccine stock management is one of the criteria for a functional vaccine supply chain. The study evaluated vaccine management practices among healthcare workers in equipped and non-equipped public health facilities in Jigawa State, Northwest Nigeria. A cross sectional comparative study was conducted to assess vaccine management knowledge and practices amongst healthcare workers rendering routine immunization. A multistage sampling technique was used for the selection of respondents. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to obtain information from respondents. Level of significance set at p<0.05. There was a significant difference for response on vaccine vail monitors are the only temperature monitoring devices that routinely accompany vaccines throughout the entire supply chain among healthcare workers from equipped health facilities 213 (77.2%) as compared to those from non-equipped health facilities 63 (22.8%). There was a statistical difference in attitude of vaccines and cold chain management between both groups. Respondents from equipped health facilities had good practices of vaccines and cold chain management as compared to those from non-equipped health facilities. The study revealed that healthcare workers from equipped health facilities had good knowledge and positive attitude on vaccines and cold chain management as compared to their counterparts from non-equipped health facilities. Drivers of effective vaccine stock management are length of years working in health facilities, good knowledge, and practices on vaccine stock management as evident among healthcare workers from equipped health facilities. Findings from this study could be used to improve effective vaccine stock management at the state, LGA, and health facility levels. Keywords: Comparative study, Healthcare workers, Nigeria, Practices, Vaccine management.

The Role of the ESL Teacher in the Use of Modern Techniques on Teaching Deletion-A Case Study Ringim Educational Zone, Jigawa State, Nigeria

This research evaluated the role of the ESL teacher and the use of modern techniques on teaching deletion. Questionnaire and oral interview were the instruments that the researcher used to collect the data. The research findings showed that most of the students do not know how to pronounce some words correctly, that is, they have a problem with the silent words that have silent letters. The findings also revealed that some teachers do not pronounce the words correctly. It is concluded that the teachers transfer their inadequacy to the students and do not use appropriate techniques in teaching pronunciation especially words with silent letters. The researcher recommends that only teachers who are B.A. and B.A.Ed English graduates should teach the subject and they too, must use appropriate techniques when teaching pronunciation especially words with silent letters/sounds

Determination of Relationship of Birth Order Position and Intelligent Quotient among Students of College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, Federal University Dutse

The present study is aimed at finding the relationship of birth order position and intelligence quotient among students of College of Medicine and Allied health sciences in Federal University Dutse, Jigawa state. A total number of 250 students which comprise 124 males and 126 females were assessed using questionnaires. Data was analyzed using “SPSS statistics version 20”. The variable measurements were presented as mean ± SD. The differences between the two groups that is males and females were compared by using “independent sample t-test”. The correlation between the variables were found using Pearson’s and Partial correlation. Values of p < 0.05 were deemed as level of significant. The present study shows negative or no relationship between birth order position and intelligent quotient in the population study. Independent sample t-test for sexual dimorphism of the variables shows that no significant difference. Keywords: relationship, birth order position, intelligent quotient, students

Digital policing in Nigeria: A study of Jigawa State Police Command

The application of digital technologies in police practices can engender a number of benefits, which include round-the-clock surveillance, intelligence collection (in real time), community policing (through regular online briefings and trust-building by policing agencies) and disruption of crimes, among others. This study used situational crime prevention theory and examined the use, benefits and challenges of digital policing in Jigawa State Police Command, Nigeria. A sample of 230 respondents was utilized in the study. From the sample, 215 police personnel were administered questionnaires, and 15 in-depth interviews were conducted with 5 police personnel, 5 information technology professionals and 5 policing scholars. The study revealed that use of digital technologies in police practice is low in Jigawa State, because the study discovered insufficient digital technologies in the police command. Furthermore, the majority of police personnel sampled were not skilled in information and communications technologies. No doubt, poor use of digital technologies may pose a serious setback to crime prevention in Jigawa State, Nigeria. Therefore, it is recommended that the police should acquire and leverage on emerging policing technologies. Police personnel should be given adequate training and retraining on the use of digital technologies. Collaboration and information sharing with relevant agencies should also be improved.

Assessment and quantification of heavy metals in cultivated soils in Kafin Hausa Jigawa State Nigeria using Nigerian research reactor‐1

AbstractAnthropogenic activities that cause heavy metal contamination of agricultural soils pose a significant health risk to humans who consume contaminated agricultural foods such as rice and vegetables. The purpose of this study was to access the level of heavy metal contamination in agricultural soils in Kafin Hausa by analyzing soil samples from five different sampling sites for heavy metals including aluminum (Al), titanium (Ti), vanadium (V), manganese (Mn), chromium (Cr), iron (Fe), cobalt (Co), and zinc (Zn). A total of 15 soil samples were collected using a soil auger from various locations within Kafin Hausa area, and the concentrations of the collected soil samples were estimated using the Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA) technique via the Nigeria Research Reactor‐1. The results of the study showed that the mean concentrations of these heavy metals in the sampled soils were within the limits set by the World Health Organization. In addition, pollution indexes such as enrichment factor (EF), contamination factor (CF), and geo‐accumulation index (Igeo) were adequately determined. The sampling sites were identified to have significant enrichment, except for BR3 which was moderately enriched with Al and Ti, followed by Fe, and had an EF value of 4.87. Mean Igeo values indicated that all the sampling sites were uncontaminated. Furthermore, multivariate statistics revealed a strong positive correlation (p < 0.01) and (p < 0.05) among the investigated metals, suggesting that the major sources of those metals are similar.

IMPACT OF CAREER INTERVENTION ON VOCATIONAL PREFERENCE AMONG SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS OF NIGERIA: A COMPARATIVE STUDY

This comparative study aimed to assess the impact of career intervention on the vocational preference of secondary school students in the Hadejia Emirate of Jigawa State Nigeria. The research objectives included examining the effects of career intervention on vocational preference before and after the intervention, exploring gender differences in the intervention's impact, and investigating variations in the intervention's effect among students in different academic fields. A quasi-experimental design was employed, involving a pre-test post-test control group approach. Twelve secondary schools were randomly selected from the Hadejia, Kafin Hausa, and Birniwa education zones, with a sample size of 240 students evenly distributed between male and female participants. The research instrument, the Students' Vocational Preference Scale (SVPS), consisted of demographic information and statements related to vocational preference. The SVPS utilized a five-point Likert scale, and its validity and reliability were established through expert review and test-retest procedures. Statistical analysis involved paired-sample t-tests, independent sample t-tests, and analysis of variance (ANOVA). The study's findings indicated a significant difference in the effect of career intervention on vocational preference, suggesting a positive impact on students' vocational preferences. However, the intervention's effect did not significantly differ among students in commercial, arts, and science fields. Career intervention was not Gender sensitive. The study contributes to the understanding of the effectiveness of career interventions for secondary school students in Nigeria, emphasizing the importance of providing guidance and support to facilitate informed career decision-making.

Preview of Causes, Frequency, Extent, Magnitude and Intensity of Flooding in Nigeria

This study previewed causes, frequency, extent, magnitude, intensity and charted a course of mitigating flood in Nigeria. This Study revealed the causes of flooding to include: climate change, unending rainfall, excess water from Cameroon’s Lagdo Dam, river overflow, expansion of floodplains and poor planning. In 2022 flooding affected 7 million Nigerians, 2 million internally displaced, 5,000 physically injured, 5,900 houses destroyed. The 2012 flood had the highest number of occurrences of 18 incidences, in 17 each in 2015 and 2017, in 2018 and 2019, 12 incidences. 2014 and 2016, had 1 incidence. These frequent floods were recorded in 31 out of the 36 and the FCT, severe in Benue, Kogi, Anambra, Niger, Adamawa, Oyo, Kano, Jigawa and Lagos States. The extent of flooding includes shortage of food supply, farmlands washed away; economy, health, social life and environment were also affected. Corpses floated in floods, the country was at high risks of waterborne diseases like diarrhoea, cholera and typhoid fever. However, the benefits of flooding include rendering terrorists incapable in some states; deposit rich, fertile alluvium, replenish irrigation channels, filter pollutants, nourish lands to support ecosystems and fertile areas for farming. This Study recommended that individuals should not build houses in floodplains; government should maintain dams; flood management policy and collaboration between agencies. Experts should develop awareness, enlightenment, educational and legal framework to checkmate flooding in Nigeria.

Prevalence of Dysglycaemia and Diabetes Mellitus amongst Adults in High-burden Kidney Disease Areas of Jigawa State, Nigeria

Abstract Background: Dysglycaemia and diabetes mellitus (DM) are important and preventable risk factors associated with kidney diseases, cardiovascular complications, and mortality worldwide. Aim: This study aimed to identify the prevalence and factors associated with dysglycaemia and diabetes among adults in high-burden kidney disease areas of Jigawa State, Northwest Nigeria. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of representative sample of 361 adults, aged ≥18 years, was conducted in four local government areas (LGAs) of Jigawa State, considered to have a high burden of kidney disease requiring hemodialysis. Data were collected using a modified World Health Organization STEPS questionnaire using a multistage sampling technique and were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, version 22.0, with statistical significance set at P ≤ 0.05. Results: The minimum age of the respondents was 18 and the maximum was 102 with a median of 45 (interquartile range = 30–80) years. The majority of the respondents 89.5% were >24 years of age. The prevalence of dysglycemia and DM in the high-burden LGAs was 10.5% and 3.6%, respectively. Dutse LGA had the highest prevalence of dysglycemia 16.7%, followed by Hadejia LGA with a prevalence of 12.2%. On the other hand, Hadejia LGA had the highest prevalence of DM 7.7%, followed by Jahun LGA with a prevalence of 3.3%. Age ≥40 years, family histories of diabetes, being overweight, alcohol ingestion, and previous blood sugar tests were identified as factors associated with DM. The odds of developing diabetes were significantly higher among those with a reported history of alcohol consumption, family history of diabetes, and overweight. Conclusion: Dysglycaemia and diabetes are significant public health problems, and many people who have the conditions are unaware they have them. Family history of diabetes, alcohol ingestion, and overweight are important risk factors. The government and all the relevant stakeholders should prioritize community screening and other relevant interventions for early detection and timely management of cases.

Assessment of quality of life among patients with schizophrenia receiving treatment in some selected Hospitals in Jigawa state, Nigeria

Schizophrenia is among the most common psychiatric disorders, affecting approximately 1% of the world’s population and is a leading cause of disability, Lifetime prevalence of schizophrenia is high, ranging from 0.4 to 1.4%, due to the early age of onset and chronic course of the disease (Beck et al., 2014). Study aimed at assessing quality of life among the schizophrenic patients receiving treatment from selected hospitals in Jigawa State. A descriptive cross-sectional study design was applied. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to recruited 399 schizophrenic patients, after which an interviewer administered structured questionnaire was used to collect data. SPSS version 24 was used for data analysis the mean and standard deviation of age of the respondents was 42.3± 11.2. Only one third of study participants had good quality of life and educational status of secondary (AOR=2.01,95%CI=1.76 – 11.75) and tertiary (AOR=4.00,95%CI=2.87 – 18.66), being married (AOR=3.00, 95%CI=1.45 – 17.61), cost of treatment (AOR=4.22, 95%CI= (2.14 – 24.33), non-smoking (AOR=3.25, 95%CI= 1.11 – 31.45) remained significant predictors of good quality of life among the study participants. In conclusion After adjusting for the confounding effects using logistic regression analysis; educational status of secondary (AOR=2.01,95%CI=1.76 – 11.75) and tertiary (AOR=4.00,95%CI=2.87 – 18.66), married participants (AOR=3.00, 95%CI=1.45 – 17.61), cost of treatment (AOR=4.22, 95%CI=(2.14 – 24.33), non-smoking (AOR=3.25, 95%CI= 1.11 – 31.45) and drugs and substance abuse (AOR=3.00, 95%CI=1.45 – 18.75) remained significant predictors of good quality of life among the study participants.

Survey on the Prevalence and Burden of Gastrointestinal Helminths Infections of Cattle Slaughtered at Dutse Modern Abattoir, Jigawa State, Nigeria

An abattoir cross sectional survey was carried out to determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasitic helminths in slaughtered cattle at Dutse Local Government Area, Jigawa State, Nigeria. A total of 288 fecal samples were tested. Gastrointestinal helminths’ eggs were detected in 219 samples tested giving an overall prevalence of 76.04%. The prevalent helminthes species identified were Cooperia sp., Fasciola sp, T. saginata, T r i c o s t r o n g y l u s s p , Ostertagia, and Paraphostimum sp. High prevalence of gastrointestinal helminths in cattle slaughtered was observed during the wet season; with T. saginata 106(35.2%) having highest prevalence and the least prevalent species Paraphostimum sp. with 11(3.7). There is significant association of increasing parasitic infection with months of wet season p=0.001; χ 2 =80.36. However, there was no significant association was observed during dry season p= 0.35; χ2 =21.74. the distribution of gastrointestinal helminths according to age group of the animals were found to be 77.14% in Cattle less than 2 years, 76.27% in young and 70.59% in adults. These findings implied that the majority of cattle brought for slaughter in Dutse abattoir were highly infested with several internal helminthes parasites that may present a public health problem and an important epidemiological implication. Therefore, an effective chemotherapy, an appropriate meat inspection, and famers education of proper use of anthelminthic to prevent infestation of human and to enhance food sufficiency not only in quantity but also in quality.

Reasons for delay in reaching healthcare with severe abortion-related morbidities: Qualitative results from women in the fragile context of Jigawa state, Nigeria (AMoCo)

Maternal near-miss events are a key measure of maternal health; abortion-related complications are one source of near-miss events. To understand the pathway to care of women with severe abortion-related events in a fragile context, we conducted in-depth semi-structured interviews with women who obtained treatment at a referral hospital in Jigawa State, Nigeria, in 2020–2021 (n = 61). We used the Three Delays Model (Thaddeus & Maine, 1994) to examine impediments in reaching care.The first delay (from the onset of symptoms of the pregnancy loss to the decision to seek care) was characterized by the duration of time it took to recognize the pregnancy and pregnancy loss in addition to religious beliefs that it is the will of a higher power that she lost the pregnancy. The second delay (from the decision to seek care to arriving at a place that could provide adequate care for her complication, i.e. the study site); was due to lack of money, lack of passable roads and transport, use of traditional healers, challenges being seen by providers at lower-level facilities, referrals not being facilitated and misdirection by healthcare providers. The third delay was not present in our results. No respondent said she knowingly interfered with the pregnancy; understanding why these pregnancy losses resulted in near-miss complications is critical to reducing maternal morbidity and mortality in Northern Nigeria. Addressing health literacy as well as social and financial barriers holds the potential to get women to care sooner and avert these near-miss or potentially life-threatening events.

Chronic Kidney Disease in Jigawa State, Nigeria; A silently Emerging Epidemic?

<p><strong><em>Purpose</em></strong><em>: The study was conducted to examine the trend of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in as seen at Rasheed Shekoni Teaching Hospital (RSTH), Dutse, a state referral centre for CKD cases in Jigawa state over a six-year period from January 2015 to December 2020. </em></p><p><strong><em>Methods</em></strong><em>: Retrospective research design was used where all the 621 cases seen in the facility over the study period were retrieved and reviewed. Ethical clearance was obtained from the Research and Ethics Committee of RSTH. Data was analysed using frequency tables, charts and multiple regression analysis. </em></p><p><strong><em>Results</em></strong><em>: The result revealed the mean age of the cases as 39±1 and 62% were males. While the CKD burden between 2016 (51) and 2016 (47) were relatively lower than the later years, a marked increase in the number of CKD cases was witnessed in the facility in 2017 (147) and the curve plateaued at such high prevalence through 2018 (155) and 2019 (151) until 2020 where a drastic drop (70) was witnessed were only 11.2% of the cases were seen. </em></p><p><strong><em>Conclusion</em></strong><em>: The findings further revealed having chronic glomerulonephritis, comorbidities of hypertension and chronic glomerulonephritis and, hypertension and diabetes, being 60 years & above and being male (p<0.05) as the predictors of having CKD among the patients seen at the facility. It was concluded that, there is a growing trend in the burden of CKD in the state and there is need for further investigations to determine the factors behind it in order to proffer solution to the problem.</em></p>

Distribution of resistance genes encoding Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamase (ESBL) in Proteus mirabilis species isolated from selected Hospitals in Jigawa State, Nigeria

Distribution of resistance genes encoding Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamase (ESBL) in Proteus mirabilis species isolated from selected Hospitals in Jigawa State, Nigeria

An Evaluation of the Implementation of ICT Framework in Jigawa State: A Case Study of Galaxy Backbone Dutse

Rapid development in information and communication technology (ICT) has basically transformed the process and procedure of almost all forms of endeavour within health, education, business, governance, and civil service. Despite the devastating impact of Covid-19 pandemic on world economy, schools closure, businesses, and social activity, the information and communication technology has enhanced economic growth, generated business opportunities and employment, provided effective productivity and enhanced social and government services during the pandemic. The main objective of this study is to evaluate the implementation of ICT framework in Jigawa State. The study employed qualitative case study, where a sample of 20 staff were purposely selected to participate in the study. The findings of the study revealed that the state government has adequately provided physical infrastructural development for the take up of Galaxy Backbone. The government payroll and integrated financial management information system was fully computerized. Surprisingly, the assessment showed that no single amount of money was generated through ICT in the state, and that their target of becoming regional hub for software development and hardware assembling were not achieved. Based on the above findings, recommendations were put forward to the state government that the implementation of ICT framework in the state should be reviewed in order to meet the set target and a trained and professional ICT expert should be employed in the agency to guide the implementation and achievement of the set target.
 Keywords: ICT, evaluation, ICT framework, model of evaluation, CIPP model

Pneumonia knowledge and care seeking behavior for children under-five years in Jigawa, Northwest Nigeria: a cross-sectional study.

Between 2013 and 2022, Nigeria did not meet globally defined targets for pneumonia control, despite some scale-up of vaccinations, oxygen and antibiotics. A deliberate focus on community-based programs is needed to improve coverage of protective, preventive and treatment interventions. We therefore aimed to describe caregiver knowledge and care seeking behaviour for childhood pneumonia, in a high child mortality setting in Nigeria, to inform the development of effective community-based interventions for pneumonia control. We conducted a cross-sectional household survey in Kiyawa Local Government Area, Jigawa State, Nigeria between December 2019 and March 2020. We asked caregivers about their knowledge of pneumonia symptoms, prevention, risks, and treatment. A score of 1 was assigned for each correct response. We showed them videos of pneumonia specific symptoms and asked (1) if their child had any respiratory symptoms in the 2-weeks prior; (2) their subsequent care-seeking behaviour. Multivariate regressions explored socio-demographic and clinical factors associated with care seeking. We surveyed 1,661 eligible women, with 2,828 children under-five. Only 4.9% of women could name both cough and difficulty/fast breathing as pneumonia symptoms, and the composite knowledge scores for pneumonia prevention, risks and treatment were low. Overall, 19.0% (536/2828) of children had a report of pneumonia specific symptoms in the prior two-weeks, and of these 32.3% (176/536) were taken for care. The odds of care seeking was higher among children: with fever (AOR:2:45 [95% CI: 1.38-4.34]); from wealthiest homes (AOR: 2:13 [95% CI: 1.03-4.38]) and whose mother first married at 20-26 years compared to 15-19 years (AOR: 5.15 [95% CI: 1.38-19.26]). Notably, the caregiver's knowledge of pneumonia was not associated with care seeking. While some socio-demographic factors were associated with care seeking for children with symptoms of Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI), caregiver's knowledge of the disease was not. Therefore, when designing public health interventions to address child mortality, information-giving alone is likely to be insufficient.

Effect of Soil Types and Sowing Methods on Growth and Yield of Some Varieties of Sesame (<i>sesamum indicum L.</i>) Grown in Dutse, Jigawa State

A field trial on the effect of soil types and sowing methods on growth and yield of some varieties of sesame ( sesamum indicum L.) was conducted at school farm Federal University Dutse Jigawa state (latitude 11.00̊ N to 13.00̊ N and longitude 8.00̊ E to 10.15̊ E) during the 2019 rainy season. The treatments used were three soil types (Clay, loam, sand) and two sowing methods (drilling and dibbling). Two varieties of sesame namely EX-Sudan and E8 were used. A split-split plot design was used. Result showed that the number of leaves, number of capsules per plant 1000 seed weight and seed yield per plant were significantly affected by sowing method with drilling method producing the highest seed yield per plant and variety had significant effect on number of leaves per plant, days to 50% flowering and maturity and seed yield per plant with EX-Sudan manifesting the highest yield per plant. The interaction between varieties were only significant on number of capsules/plant while between sowing method and variety was only significant on seed yield per plant. Interaction between variety and soil type showed that V1S1 (EX-Sudan and Loamy soil) had the highest influence on plant growth parameters while V2S2 (E8 and Sandy soil) had the lowest. The results indicated that drilling is the best sowing method, loamy soil is the best soil type for growing sesame while the variety EX-Sudan produced the highest seed yield and seed quality of sesame more than the E8 variety. Thus, farmers could be recommended to adopt these agronomic practices using EX-Sudan for increased sesame production in the Sudan savanna ecological zone of Nigeria.

Evaluation of heavy metals in soil from automobile mechanic Village Dutse, Jigawa State, Nigeria

Soil contamination by heavy metals is a worldwide environmental problem. Some heavy metals pollutants are released from the activities in the auto-mechanic workshops and have various effects on human health as well as the environment. It is important to determine the presence and concentration level of the heavy metals in the soil. This research was aimed to determine the level of some selected heavy metals and physicochemical parameters of the soil sample. The soil samples were digested with nitric and hydrochloric acid and heavy metals were analyzed from digested samples using atomic absorption spectrometer (AAS). Results of the atomic absorption spectrophotometric (AAS) analysis of soil samples revealed that sample is contaminated with Ni, Zn, Mn, Fe and Cu with concentrations level (mg/kg) range between (0.75 - 5.55), (0.30 - 0.40), (1.00 -1.42) (0.80 - 1.30) and (0.05 - 0.60), respectively. Other metals such as As, Cd, Cr also contaminated the soil with concentrations (mg/kg) ranged between (0.12-0.76), (0.13-01.13) and (0.11-1.30), respectively. The results were compared with the standard set by National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA). The research concluded that the anthropogenic activities at auto-mobile workshops contaminate soil with heavy metals which may have a direct or indirect effect on human. Further studies should be conducted to ascertain the effects of those metals on human, plants, groundwater, and environment.