Kaduna State Research Articles

Sociodemographic drivers influencing the adoption of Breast Self-Examination amongst women in Kaduna State, Northern Nigeria

Breast cancer is a significant public health concern globally, with a disproportionate impact on women in developing countries such as Nigeria. Early detection through practices like Breast Self-Examination (BSE) is crucial for improving treatment outcomes and survival rates. Breast self-examination is a valuable tool for early breast cancer detection among Nigerian women. This paper examines the current state of BSE practice among Nigerian women, identifying factors influencing its uptake and exploring strategies for enhancing its implementation. A cross-sectional research study was conducted to assess the socio demographic determinants of uptake of breast cancer screening amongst women in Kaduna state. This study which sampled a total of 254 respondents, out of which a larger proportion (48.8%) of the respondents were between the ages of 25-34 years, reveals that 80.3% of respondents have heard about breast cancer. Amongst screening methods known, BSE is most prevalent with 77.5% (203) and 22% (57) of respondent knowing about BSE and mammography respectively with about 68% being aware of how to conduct Breast Self-Examination. A statistical significance was found between constructs of three selected socio-demographic characteristics - Age (p=0.027), level of education (p=0.000), and health insurance (p=0.000) significantly associated with women’s adoption of breast self-examination. Improving access to quality healthcare, including breast cancer screening and counselling services, is essential to accelerating adoption of BSE. Addressing the complex factors influencing BSE practice requires a comprehensive approach that combines education, community engagement, and reducing the financial barrier to accessing mammography services.

A geospatial analysis of solar energy potentials: A case study of Kaduna state, Nigeria

A geospatial analysis of solar energy potentials: A case study of Kaduna state, Nigeria

Relationship between Social Behaviour and Academic Motivation among Undergraduate Students of Faculty of Education Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State

Relationship between Social Behaviour and Academic Motivation among Undergraduate Students of Faculty of Education Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State

Biochemical and Molecular Identification of <i>Escherichia coli</i> and <i>Salmonella spp.</i> Isolated from Milk and Fermented Milk Products Vended in Sabon-Gari and Zaria Local Government Area, Kaduna State, Nigeria

Biochemical and Molecular Identification of <i>Escherichia coli</i> and <i>Salmonella spp.</i> Isolated from Milk and Fermented Milk Products Vended in Sabon-Gari and Zaria Local Government Area, Kaduna State, Nigeria

Knowledge and Perception of Diphtheria among Residents of a Rural Community in Kaduna State, Northwest Nigeria

Knowledge and Perception of Diphtheria among Residents of a Rural Community in Kaduna State, Northwest Nigeria

Assessment of Relationship Between Planning of Time Resources and Quality of Education in Secondary Schools in Kaduna State, Nigeria

This study assessed the effectiveness of planning on quality of education in secondary schools in Kaduna State, Nigeria. The purpose of the study was to appraise the effectiveness of planning on the quality of education in secondary schools in Kaduna State, Nigeria. The population of the study was 616 while the sample size was 248. The instrument used was a questionnaire, which was validated and found to be reliable. Data analysis methods were descriptive and inferential statistics. Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) was used to test the null hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. All the five hypotheses were rejected. The findings of the study revealed, among other things, that there is a significant relationship between planning of curriculum and quality education in secondary schools in Kaduna State. It was recommended, among others, that the curriculum should be effectively planned to enhance quality education in secondary schools in Kaduna State.

Impact of Culture on the Girls’ Education: A Case Study of Kaduna State, Nigeria

The plight of girls’ education remains a pressing global issue, as highlighted by the United Nations’ recent publication on the International Day of Education, 2023. The UN emphasized that the world is failing 130 million girls, emphasizing that education for girls is crucial for “well-being and prosperity for all”. Despite concerted efforts by governments worldwide, particularly in third-world nations like Nigeria, significant challenges persist. This study investigates the impact of culture on the deprivation of girls from education in Nigeria, with a focus on Kaduna State. This research utilized a quantitative survey method and employed both secondary and primary data, including a sample of 488 respondents from all 23 local government areas. Statistical analyses, including frequency distributions, simple percentages, cumulative frequency mean deviation, and chi-square, revealed culture as the primary factor contributing to this deprivation. The findings underscore the urgent need for Nigeria’s government to implement more stringent measures to ensure compulsory education for all female children. Various recommendations are proposed to address this issue effectively.

Perceptions of Nurses Working in Primary Health Centres on Factors Influencing Their Readiness to Manage Family Violence in Kaduna State, Nigeria

Background. Family violence (FV) is a serious public health issue in Nigeria and globally. Despite being a public health issue, there is no literature indicating that FV has ever been investigated in Sabon-Gari, Kaduna State, Nigeria. Aim: This study aimed to assess nurses' perceptions of factors influencing their readiness to manage family violence. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study design was employed to collect information from the respondents in the selected primary health care facilities of Sabon-Gari L.G.A, Kaduna state, Nigeria. The collected data were coded, entered, and analysed using SPSS software version 24. Twenty-four (24) registered nurses working in 24 different primary health care centres were purposively selected out of 31primary health care centres of Sabon-Gari local government of Kaduna State Results: The majority of the nurses have a positive perception and high knowledge level on management of family violence victims (aggregate mean=3.4). The highest perception of the nurses was that nurses should be considered as the key figure in the management of family violence patients (mean value= 3.8), and the lowest perception of nurses was “nurses status within health care hierarchy (mean value= 2.9). The study also revealed a poor level of nurses’ involvement in managing family violence victims (aggregate mean= 2.42). Conclusion: The study concluded that despite having a positive perception and high knowledge level of management of family violence victims, nurses have a poor level of involvement in managing family violence victims. Recommendations: It was recommended, among other things, that the government should empower healthcare providers to support victims of family violence beyond counselling and treatment of injuries, expand education and training opportunities about FV, and enforce mandatory reporting policies for nurses and other healthcare providers to involve law enforcement. Keywords: Knowledge, Perception, Family Violence, Nurses involvement, Primary Health Centre.

Farmers Participation in Community-Based Extension Organizations

This study investigated the involvement of farmers in community-based extension organizations as a new approach to alleviating rural poverty in Kaduna State, Nigeria. The research included 437 respondents from 18 communities across 6 local government areas, randomly selected from two agricultural zones. Descriptive statistics were utilized to address the study's objectives, while inferential statistics, including multiple regression, t-tests, and binomial statistics, were employed for data analysis. Findings indicated that the respondents had an average residence duration of 14 years, an average age of 45 years, an average household size of 7 persons, average farm size of 3 hectares, and 11.7 average years of farming experience. A majority (81.5%) of the respondents exhibited a moderate level of participation in their community-based extension organizations, which led to a significant increase in farm income, averaging N92,907.18 after becoming members of CBEOs. Respondents showed a favourable attitude (82%) to participation in the groups they belong with particular interest in the areas of: participation in the group has enhanced my farm output and participation in the group has improved my income, amongst other issues of consideration. Socio-economic characteristics that significantly affect farmers income are; participation score (b = 0.029; t = 1.992), length of community residence (b = 0.078; t = 1.964), age (b = -0.029; t = -2.584), educational status (b = 0.125; t = 2.610), household size (b = 0.054; t = 1.979), farm size (b = 0.068; 3.184) and farming experience (b = 0.068; t = 1.999). It was recommended that respondents’ interest should be jacked up to reflect more interest in the groups they belong by improving on their level of participation.

Case Finding and Management of Childhood Cataracts: The Role of a Child Eye Health Programme in Kaduna State, Nigeria

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the output of a child eye health programme in terms of identification, referral, and volume of paediatric cataract surgeries in Kaduna State, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective review of the North-West Nigeria Child Eye Health Initiative programme referral registers at primary, secondary and tertiary hospitals in Kaduna State. Theatre registers of children 0–16 years who had cataract surgery at National Eye Centre Kaduna between 2016 and 2019 were also reviewed. Information on numbers of children, age, sex, laterality of cataract and programme status were summarised as frequencies, percentages and mean ± standard deviation. The initial 2 years of the programme (2018–2019) were compared with the 2 years (2016–2017) preceding them. Results: Between January 2018 and December 2019; primary health workers screened 41,552 children and referred 2,316 (5.6%). Of those referred 1772 (76.5%) presented at one of three zonal secondary hospitals where nurses identified 492 (27.8%) with leukocoria using torchlights and referred them to the tertiary hospital. At the tertiary hospital, 364 (74.0% of 492) attended and 262 (72.0% of 364) were confirmed to have operable cataracts after dilated slit lamp examination by ophthalmologists. Between 2016 and 2017 (pre-programme years), 201 children had cataract surgery compared to 352 in 2018 and 2019 (programme years) of whom 239 (67.9% of 352) were beneficiaries of the programme. The proportion of girls who had cataract surgery declined from 39.8% to 35.0%, while mean age increased from 5.7 ± 4.2 years to 7.5 ± 4.1 over 4 years. More children with unilateral cataracts (214 [60.8%]) presented during the programme years (Fishers exact test, P = 0.004), whereas unilateral cataract (207 [60.2%]) was significantly more common in males than females (Fisher’s exact P = 0.017). Conclusion: The programme has resulted in improved case detection of childhood leukocoria at primary eye care level. additionally, the eye health referral system in Kaduna State has been strengthened with increasing numbers of children accessing services: majority boys, older children, and unilateral cataracts.

Modeling Gender Gap in Access to Empowerment and Agricultural Productive Resources: Evidence from Farming Households in Kaduna State

This research examined gender access to empowerment and agricultural productive resources with a gender dimension. Respondents were selected with random and stratified sampling techniques. Primary data were generated through the administration of well-structured questionnaire. Generated data were analyzed with descriptive statistics, Women Empowerment Index (WEI), Global Gender Parity Index (GGPI) and Gini Inequality Index (GII). The result shows that 37% and 60.20% of women and men had access to empowerment programmes respectively in the study area. WEI result showed that women had low access to empowerment variable (WEI = 0.67), the GGPI revealed that women (GGPI = 0.63) had low parity as against the men (GGPI = 0.77) with higher parity index. Furthermore, the Gini Inequality Index that there is inequality in access to agricultural productive resources between men (GII = 0.286) and women (GII = 0.383). The research concluded women had low empowerment and low access to agricultural productive resources as against the men. The research recommended that government programmes should be mainstreamed to ensure that more women have access to them and the extension department should design their programmes to ensure that more women have access to extension services in the study area.

Serum levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha in third trimester eclamptic women attendee of selected hospitals in Kaduna State, Nigeria

Serum levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha in third trimester eclamptic women attendee of selected hospitals in Kaduna State, Nigeria

Influence of extreme temperature on adverse pregnancy outcomes in Kaduna State, Nigeria

Influence of extreme temperature on adverse pregnancy outcomes in Kaduna State, Nigeria

Anomalies and trends assessment for rainfall and temperatures in Zaria and environs, Kaduna State, Nigeria

Anomalies and trends assessment for rainfall and temperatures in Zaria and environs, Kaduna State, Nigeria

Bacteriological quality of drinking water from wells located near municipal solid waste dumps and liquid waste sites in Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria

ABSTRACT This study aimed to determine the contamination level, seasonal distribution and the persistence of Salmonella sp, Vibrio cholera, and E. coli in well waters located near municipal solid and liquid waste dumpsites in Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria. A total of 186 samples: well water samples (96), soils from waste dump sites (72) and waste water (18), were collected for this study. Samples were plated using freshly prepared molten plate count, Eosine methylene blue agars, poured and swirled properly for a uniform mixture. The presence of E. coli, Salmonella, and Vibrio sp were determined for the two seasons (dry and wet). The bacteria count revealed a significant difference between well waters, soil samples, liquid waste and the control (total plate count - p < 0.005; 0.0001, total coliform count - p < 0.005; 0.0021). All the sampled well water had coliform counts higher than the recommended standard. The counts were higher in the wet season than the dry season. Out of a total of 125 suspected isolates tested, 70 (56%) were positive for Vibrio cholerae, out of this, 38 (54.3%), 28 (40%) and four (5.7%) isolates were from well water, solid waste dumps and liquid waste respectively. Out of the 177 suspected E. coli isolates from well water, solid waste dumps and liquid waste tested, 162 (91.5%) were positive with 82 (50.6%) of the positive E. coli further confirmed to be E. coli 0157:H7. The results showed significant (p < 0.05) statistical difference between the wet and the dry seasons for all the water samples studied and between control and the other well water samples. Adequate treatments of well water, as well as public health education are highly recommended.

An Assessment of the Significance of Commercial Motor-cycle to the Economy of Kaduna State. A case study of Zango Kataf L.G.A

An Assessment of the Significance of Commercial Motor-cycle to the Economy of Kaduna State. A case study of Zango Kataf L.G.A

Analysis of Public and Private Treatment Services for Substance Use Disorders in Kaduna State, Nigeria

Inappropriate use of substances, also known as substance abuse, especially among youths constitutes a problem globally. The trajectory of substance abuse exposes individuals to various health problems and disorders. To this end, the provision of treatment services is considered an important measure towards addressing the side effects of the inappropriate use of substances. Focusing on Kaduna State, Nigeria, this study analyzes public and private facilities available for individuals facing substance use disorders. The study employed quantitative and qualitative data collection methods, with the administration of questionnaires and in-depth interview guides to respondents and research participants in selected treatment facilities. Copies of questionnaires were administered to eighty-six staff while in-depth interviews were conducted on eight (8) staff of the selected treatment facilities. The study leverages Talcott Parson’s social system theory to explain the subject matter. Findings from the study revealed that the selected facilities provided evidence-based psychosocial treatment services to the victims of substance abuse. In addition to other medical services provided by public and private treatment facilities, findings revealed that public facilities provided HIV/AIDs services than private facilities. Unlike private treatment facilities, the study discovered that wraparound services (such as vocational training) are minimally provided by public facilities. Despite the importance of supportive services towards optimal rehabilitation of victims of substance abuse, the study revealed that both public and private facilities neglect such services. The study therefore recommends strong collaboration among the existing treatment facilities towards the provision of optimal skills and rehabilitation of victims of substance abuse and its associated disorders.

SOCIOECONOMIC DYNAMICS AND PROFITABILITY DRIVERS IN BROILER CHICKEN PRODUCTION IN SABON GARI LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA

This study investigated the socioeconomic dynamics and profitability drivers in broiler chicken production in Sabon Gari Local Government Area (LGA) of Kaduna State, Nigeria. Multi-stage sampling procedure was used in selecting one hundred and fifty (150) broiler chicken producers. Primary data were collected through the use of a structured questionnaire. Tools of analysis used were descriptive statistics, farm budgetary techniques, and the multiple regression model. The socio-economic characteristics of the producers revealed a mean age of 44 years, with the majority (62.50%) of the producers being male. The broiler farmers had one form of education or another, with a mean flock size of 213 birds. It was found that the percentage contribution of the purchase of feed to the total variable cost of production was the highest (45.79%), with a sum of ₦ 756.06 at average as the total cost incurred in the production of broilers was realized. Consequently, the return on Naira invested of ₦ 1.38 implies that for any ₦ 1 invested in broiler production, the farmers generated 38k. The results from regression analysis revealed that sex, age, farming experience, household size, education, and membership in cooperatives were the determinants of the profitability of broiler chicken production. It was concluded that broiler production in the study area was profitable and that several socio-economic factors significantly influence profitability. It was therefore recommended that producers consider joining cooperative membership to explore the benefits of cooperatives and leverage bulk purchasing discounts and knowledge sharing opportunities, potentially improving profitability for members.

Analysis of the microbial contamination in available cosmetic products from Samaru Market, Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria

The purpose of this investigation was to assess the level of microbial contamination of cosmetic goods found in Samaru Market, Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria. Ten samples of two distinct cosmetics: face powder (labeled as FP) and kohl (labeled as K); were obtained from merchants at Samaru Market. The samples were cultivated on nutrient agar and mannitol salt for the purposes of viable cell count, isolation, and microscopic identification. To further characterize the isolates from the agar, gram staining technique and biochemical tests (catalase, urease, indole, Voges-Proskauer, citrate utilization, and methyl red test) were employed. With the exception of samples K1 and FP2, every sample had total viable bacteria. The United States Pharmacopeia (USP) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) standards of less than 103 cfu/ml of bacteria load for non-eye areas were exceeded by all samples except K2 and FP1. Sample FP5 had the highest count of 3.6 x 104cfu/ml, while sample K2 had the lowest count of 1.2 x102 cfu/ml. Microscopy, revealed the isolates on mannitol salt agar as rounded, elevated, flat, small, yellowish and pinkish with short rods. The nutrient agar colonies appeared to be short rod-like, mucoid, uneven, rough, and whitish in color. The biochemical characterization of the isolates was positive for catalase, citrate, Voges Proskauer, and motility test. In conclusion, some of the face powder and kohl samples in the study are dangerous to use since Bacillus spp. were isolated with a bacterial count that was greater than the acceptable limit.

Understanding the Health Information Sources During Covid-19 Pandemic in Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria

Understanding the Health Information Sources During Covid-19 Pandemic in Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria