Kano State Research Articles

Perceived impact of COVID-19 lockdown on access to healthcare services, food affordability and family income among married patients of a resource-limited primary care setting

Objective: To examine the perceived impact of COVID-19 lockdown on access to healthcare services, food affordability, and family income during the first phase of the pandemic among married people of a resource-limited primary care setting in Kano, Nigeria. Methods: This survey involved 432 married respondents systematically selected from attendees of a primary care clinic in Kano, Nigeria, using a structured questionnaire. Results: Over half (53.5%) of respondents or their family members fell ill during the lockdown; 67.1% felt it difficult to access hospital treatment, while 32.9% sick patients resorted to self-medication. Over half (57.2%) could afford food as they used to, 75.0% reported that food items were costly, while 35.9% received government assistance. Only 29.9% had employment, of which 49.6% received a salary, while 29.5% had their salaries reduced. Educational level was significantly associated with ease of accessing healthcare services (χ2 =8.528, P=0.014). Age (χ2=12.209, P<0.001), family type (χ2 =12.943, P<0.001), home location in Kano state (χ2= 15.397, P<0.001) and family headcount (χ2=3.968, P=0.044) were significantly associated with perceived food affordability. Conclusions: This study demonstrated the negative impact of the lockdown on healthcare access, food affordability, and family income among respondents’ families. This suggests the need for more investments in promoting and scaling up telemedicine services as platforms for accessing healthcare, which could be utilized in similar future events. More studies will be needed to ascertain the complete picture of the implementation of social assistance in the study area to enhance planning and distribution of future government social assistance.

The Potential Role of Chromophiles (Absorbtion) Fungi from Polluted Landfill by Tannery Effluent Challawa Industrial Estates Kano State of Nigeria

The release of unprecedented tannery effluents into the environment as industrial wastes is one of the major causes of environmental pollution. Tannery waste containing heavy metals are usually disposed in landfills and streams in Challawa industrial estate Kano. In the present study tannery effluent discharge soil (polluted landfill), undischarged soil (control) were collected from the surrounding areas of tannery industry. The soil and physicochemical properties were examined in-situ. A total of eleven fungi species were found in the soil. The most common fungal strains viz., Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus sp, Rhizopus nigricans and Penicillium sp were tested for tolerance against chromium sulphate. The degree of tolerance was measured by their mycelia growth length of each respective culture colony and it was compared with control containing no chromium sulphate. Among the isolated fungal strains of all locations, Aspergillus niger was the most tolerant against chromium sulphate. It exhibit strong radial mycelia growth length from 0-4.0% followed by Rhizopus nigricans and the least was obtain by Penicillium sp. Effect of pH and temperature on tolerance of fungal isolates at 1% chromium concentration using different substrates tested were so effective at pH 4-5 and 32oC respectively. These fungi have shown a high level of tolerance to chromium sulphate tested which makes them so attracted and potentially candidate for further investigations regarding their ability to remove metals from contaminated waste waters.

Gender Livelihood Strategies among Farmers’ Household in Kano State, Nigeria

Gender-based livelihood continues to be one of the most prevalent issues facing Nigerian households, with implications in virtually every industry. This study accessed the gender-based livelihood strategies of farmers’ households in Kano State, Nigeria. The research was conducted in Kano state, four Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Kano State were selected using a multi-stage sampling procedure, and 215 farmers were randomly selected from 717 households in the LGAs. In addition, 80 households, of which 20 were randomly selected from each LGA, were interviewed about their means of subsistence. A combination of quantitative and qualitative techniques was used to gather information for the study. Both descriptive statistics and the Harvard Analytical Framework were used to analyse the collected data. The results revealed that the average age of farmers in Kano State was 35 years, the majority (89.3%) were married, with an average household size of 9 people, and 55.8% had informal education. The majority of productive activities were carried out by men and boys; both men and women carried out activities that generated income; and more than 70 percent of reproductive activities were carried out by women, as revealed by the household's livelihood strategies. It further revealed that women had limited access to resources and that the majority of resources were under the control of males in the study area. Men dominated access to and control over the resources that were available. It is recommended that women be encouraged to devise legal means for accessing and controlling resources in order to improve their livelihood status.

Compositional Analysis of Complementary Foods Given by Mothers to Children Aged 6-23 Months in Giginyu Nassarawa Local Government Area, Kano State, Nigeria

Under nutrition among young children is high and poor complementary foods have been implicated. The objective of this study was to investigate compositional analysis of complementary foods given by mothers to children aged 6-23 months in Giginyu Nassarawa Local Government Area, Kano State, Nigeria using appropriate standard methods and compare with a commercial complementary food (control). Energy density was designated low if < 0.8 kcal and contribution of meals to daily requirements (RDA) of protein, calcium and zinc for young children determined. The moisture, protein, ash, energy density, calcium, zinc, and phytate contents of the complementary meals (100g wet basis) ranged from 64.32-83.7%, 0.74-6.29%, 0.04-1.41%, 0.37-1.17 kcal/ml, 0.82-27.00 mg/100g, 0.022-0.277mg/100g and 0.05-1.68%, respectively. The soybean based meal, ‘SB’ was significantly higher (p<0.01) than other meals including the control, in protein, ash, energy, calcium, zinc and phytate contents. All other meals met above 50% of the RDA for protein except CMS1 (33%), SMMG (42.1%), PS (19.7%) and MSMP (32.8%). Except SB and CMS2 that contributed above 20-37% of RDA for calcium and zinc, the rest of the complementary meals were very low in calcium and zinc content.The moisture contents of common complementary meals offered to older infants in Giginyu LGA, Kano State are quite high which affected the energy density of the meals. Except for pap/sugar and custard based meals, the meals had appreciable levels of protein contents. However, there was low calcium and zinc (micronutrients) contents of most of the meals with about 400 mls daily consumption.

TRAINING NEEDS ANALYSIS OF WOMEN IN AGRICULTURE (WIA) EXTENSION OFFICERS IN KANO STATE, NIGERIA.

The study analysed the training needs of Women in Agriculture (WIA) extension officers in Kano State, Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to purposively select two local government areas (LGAs) from the three agro-ecological zones in Kano based on the intensity of the WIA officers, making a total of six LGAs for the study. From the six LGAs, 74 WIA officers were randomly selected for the study. Data were collected through the use of structured questionnaires and analysed using frequency counts, percentages, and the mean. Results revealed that the average age of the women was 34 years, 56.8% were married, and the average household size was 9 people. 50.0% of the respondents had secondary school education and averaged 8 years of working experience as extension agents. The study further revealed that the majority of the women (95.9%) received training on crop production technology and (64.9%) on marketing agricultural commodities. It was also revealed that the WIA needs training on livestock production and disease control, ICT in agriculture, and fish farming. Conclusively, WIA officers competently perform their job in the demonstration of improved technologies and the dissemination of information. It is therefore recommended that women extension officers be trained and provided with training facilities based on their requirements.

Optimizing tomato (<i>Solanum lycopersicum</i> L.) growth, yield and soil quality with inorganic n and farmyard manure in Sudan Savanna of Nigeria

Field study was carried out in 2019/2020 and 2020/2021 dry seasons at the Nigeria Institute of Horticultural Research Sub-station Bagauda, Kano State, of Nigeria to evaluate the impact of integrated nutrient management (INM) on tomato growth, yield and soil properties under irrigated conditions. Treatments consisted of combination of Nitrogen (N) urea + Farmyard manure (FYM) as follows: T1 = Control, T2 = 50% N (60 kg N ha-1) T3 = 100% N (120 kg N ha-1), T4 = 5 t ha-1 FYM, T5 = 10 t ha-1 FYM, T6 = 25% N + 7.5 t ha-1 FYM, T7 = 50% N + 5 t ha-1 FYM, T8 = 75% N + 2.5 t ha-1 FYM and T9 = 100%N +10 t ha FYM. A basal application of 60 kg P2O5 and 60 kg K2O at land preparation in all plots and nitrogen was applied in two splits at 2 and 6 weeks after transplant (WAT) while FYM was applied two weeks before transplanting (on air dry matter basis). The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design and replicated four (4) times with the experimental plots (basins) measuring 3 × 3 m. Data were collected on some growth and yield parameters, and soil quality attributes after the experiment on each treatment plot. The result revealed that the application of 50% N + 5 t ha-1 of FYM significantly (p<0.05) improved soil organic carbon, total soil N and narrowed the C:N ratio. Crop growth response was significantly influenced by application of 10 t ha-1 FYM + 100% N when compared to control. However, yield and yield components of tomato significantly responded to combined application of 50% N + 5 t ha-1 FYM beyond which addition of N or FYM did not produced any significant increase in yield and yield components. It is concluded that combined application of 50% N + 5 t ha-1 FYM was found adequate for tomato productivity and improvement of soil organic status.

Evaluating responses by ChatGPT to farmers’ questions on irrigated lowland rice cultivation in Nigeria

The limited number of agricultural extension agents (EAs) in sub-Saharan Africa limits farmers’ access to extension services. Artificial intelligence (AI) assistants could potentially aid in providing answers to farmers’ questions. The objective of this study was to evaluate the ability of an AI chatbot assistant (ChatGPT) to provide quality responses to farmers’ questions. We compiled a list of 32 questions related to irrigated rice cultivation from farmers in Kano State, Nigeria. Six EAs from the state were randomly selected to answer these questions. Their answers, along with those of ChatGPT, were assessed by four evaluators in terms of quality and local relevancy. Overall, chatbot responses were rated significantly higher quality than EAs’ responses. Chatbot responses received the best score nearly six times as often as the EAs’ (40% vs. 7%). The evaluators preferred chatbot responses to EAs in 78% of cases. The topics for which the chatbot responses received poorer scores than those by EAs included planting time, seed rate, and fertilizer application rate and timing. In conclusion, while the chatbot could offer an alternative source for providing agricultural advisory services to farmers, incorporating site-specific input rate-and-timing agronomic practices into AI assistants is critical for their direct use by farmers.

Appraisal of the Challenges Associated with Community Participation in the Management of Public Post-Basic Educational Institutions in Kano State, Nigeria

The study is intended to make an appraisal of the challenges associated with community participation in the management of Public Post-Basic Educational Institutions (PPBEIS) in Kano State, Nigeria. The study specifically intended to achieve the following research objective: to identify the challenges associated with community participation in the management of Public Post- Basic Educational Institutions in Kano State. The population of the study comprised the teaching staff, non-teaching staff, officials of Parent- Teachers Association (PTA) and officials of School- Based Management Committee (SBMC) in public secondary schools in Kano State, Nigeria. The officials of the SBMC and PTA included: Chairman/ Chairperson, Vice Chairman, Secretary, Public Relations Officer (PRO) and Treasurer. The population of the study specifically is 20,106. This number 20,106 was obtained from the existing 945 public secondary schools in Kano State as provided by Kano State Secondary Schools Management Board (KSSMB, 2018).The sample size for the study was determined using Research Advisors (2006) Sample Size Table, where 378 respondents were selected. The survey design was used and the instruments for data collection were a questionnaire and an interview schedule. The findings of the study indicated among others that the challenges associated with community participation in the management of Public Post- Basic Educational institutions in Kano State include: staff misconception about community participation, communication gap between community groups and staff, lack of mutual trust, lack of support from government and community local politics as an inhibition. It is therefore, recommended among others, that proper measures like eliminating communication gap between

Prevalence and risk factors of canine dirofilariasis in Kano metropolis, Kano State Nigeria

Dirofilariasis is a zoonotic disease caused by Dirofilaria immitis causes heartworm disease and invasive human filariasis. This study determined the prevalence and risk factors for the acquisition of canine dirofilariasis in dogs in Kano metropolis, Kano state, Nigeria. Blood samples were collected from 170 dogs of 6 months and above in Kano metropolis and tested by the Modified Knott’s technique for circulating microfilaria, an Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay in order to detect the presence of filarial antigens of D. immitis as evidence of occult infection. A pre-tested, structured questionnaire was administered to each of the dog owner to obtain demographic, management and environmental information associated with each dog sampled. Test for association and hypothesized factors was determined and the its strength was tested using a binary logistic regression. Out of the 170 dogs tested, 17 (10.00%) were positive for D. immitis infection with the Modified Knott’s technique. However, after subjecting the samples for antigen detection by ELISA tests 23 (13.53%) were positive for D. immitis antigen, giving a sero-prevalence of 13.50%. There was agreement between the two tests on the 17 microfilaria positive samples. Majority of the infected dogs were males (56.5%), aged 24-47 months (43.50%) and of local breed (65.2%). There was significant association (p ≤ 0.05) between D. immitis infection and dogs usage, breed and dogs with stagnant water (gutters) close to their houses (OR= (9.714; 95% CI (1.179-80.024)), OR=5.33; 95% CI (1.349-21.079), OR= 5.775; 95% CI (0.697- 47.832),respectively. The study established that D. immitis infection is prevalent (13.53%) in household dogs indicating the possibility of zoonotic transmission in Kano metropolis. This demands for intensified vector control and good dog management practices to reduce dog to dog and dog to human transmission.

Assessment of Activity Concentrations and Soil-to-Plant Transfer Factors of Natural Radioactivity in Rice Plant Components grown in Kano State, Nigeria

Transfer Factor (TF) depicts the percentage or fraction of natural radioactivity in the soil that is absorbed by different parts of a plant which are eventually transferred, directly or indirectly, to man during ingestion. Activity concentrations of primordial radionuclides were determined in farm soil and rice plant components (root, stem, leaf and seed) in six Local Government Areas (Bagwai, Bunkure, Dambatta, Garko, Kura and Wudil) renowned for production of rice in Kano State, Nigeria, using gamma-ray spectrometry method with sodium iodide scintillation detector. The mean activity concentrations of 40K, 238U and 232Th were: 509.51, 27.75, and 12.26 Bq.kg-1 correspondently in soil; 227.40, 14.24, and 5.19 Bq.kg-1 correspondingly in seed; 935.53, 32.73, and 7.29 Bq.kg-1 accordingly in leaf; 803.65, 16.72, and 6.76 Bq.kg-1 respectively in stem; and, 408.91, 30.03, and 10.31 Bq.kg-1 correspondingly in root. The mean concentrations of 40K reported in soil were greater than the world average of 400 Bq.kg-1, while those of 238U and 232Th were less than the world mean values of 35 Bq.kg-1 and 30 Bq.kg-1 respectively. The estimated mean of TFs of 40K, 238U and 232Th were: 0.52, 0.61, and 0.43 respectively in the seed; 1.95, 1.45, and 0.69 respectively in leaf; 1.72, 0.75, and 0.64 correspondingly in the stem; and, 0.85, 1.27, and 0.76 accordingly in the root. Except for a few plant samples where BDL were recorded for 238U and 232Th, all values of TFs were greater than the recommended values of 4.9 x 10-3 and 2.1 x10-4 given for 238U and 232Th...

ChatGPT in Organic Chemistry Classrooms: Analyzing the Impacts of Social Environment on Students’ Interest, Critical Thinking and Academic Achievement

This study aims to analyze the Impacts of Social Environment on Interest, Critical Thinking and Academic Achievement of Students Taught Organic Chemistry Using Artificial Intelligence ChatGPT. Correlational research design was engaged for the study. 50-students in SS3 with an average age of 17years, who have access to android phones and the ChatGPT application from two senior secondary schools in Gwale Local Government area of Kano State, Nigeria formed the study sample. The instruments used for data collection include; the students’ social environment, interest and critical thinking questionnaire (r=0.96) and Organic Chemistry Achievement Test (r=0.92). The data were analyzed using mean, standard deviation and Spearman Rank Order Correlation. The study revealed a high positive correlation between the social environment and student’s interest; Social environment and critical thinking; as well as social environment and students’ achievement in the ChatGPT’s Organic Chemistry Classroom. The study further found a strong positive correlation between the students’ interest and critical thinking, critical thinking and students’ achievement in Organic Chemistry among students in the ChatGPT condition. It was concluded that social environment has a strong positive impact on students’ interest, critical thinking and academic achievement in organic chemistry among students in the ChatGPT classrooms. The study recommends that, as the artificial intelligence (AI) ChatGPT is migrating into the chemistry classrooms, government needs to re-train chemistry teachers, school librarians and lab-technologists through refreshers courses to improve their performance in the concepts

TOWARDS REUSE OF AQUACULTURE EFFLUENTS FOR SUSTAINABLE CROP PRODUCTION IN THE DRYLANDS: A PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION

The aquaculture industry generates substantial amounts of effluents that may cause environmental pollution if not properly handled. However, since it may contain nutrients, aquaculture effluents could offer a sustainable source of irrigation water in the drylands, which are characterized by water scarcity. This paper provides preliminary findings on aquaculture effluent generation and management in Kano State which is located in Nigerian drylands. Surveys were conducted to obtain information related to the production size, sources of water, and effluent handling. 87% of the surveyed farms are small-scale and medium-scale enterprises, with capacities below 5000 fish. Catfish and Tilapia are the commonly produced fish, with 67% of the farms producing the former. Groundwater is the common source of water utilized by farms, accounting for about 72% of the total. Our findings indicate that there are no established criteria for changing the pond water, with the farms considering either the color of the water or its duration in the pond. Most of the farms change the water every 1 to 2 weeks while considering the change in color as the major criterion. The majority of the farms discharge the effluents directly without any treatment. Although some of the farms claimed to be treating their effluents, we could not establish the presence of treatment technologies on the farms. Unfortunately, most of the farmers are unaware of the environmental implications of discharging the effluents without treatment. Further studies are needed to characterize these effluents and to evaluate their suitability as irrigation water.

Knowledge of Geograhic Information System (GIS) and Possibility of Teaching GIS in Secondary Schools, Kano State, Nigeria

The aim of this research work is to find out how GIS knowledge could be taught in secondary schools by student teachers. However, descriptive research design where both quantitative and qualitative data were used to describe the phenomena in question. On the other hand, the research population includes all geography student teachers in three Universities situated in Kano State and one-degree awarding institution. However, twenty student teachers were selected from four institution each without considering the population of each institution. Equally, convenient sampling technique was adopted in distribution the questionnaire. Questionnaire was used as method of data collection and data were analysed using thematic approach. Simple statistics such as percentage was used for data analysis and interpretation of result was done using table, charts, etc. Some of the findings are GIS course is not core in all three universities, only in one degree awarding institution (which is compulsory). Most of the student teachers can only teach definition of GIS, importance of GIS, data in GIS and some can only teach raster and vector. Some of the recommendations made include GIS laboratory should be provided, infrastructural facilities should be furnished.

Oral Health of Children and Youth with Special Healthcare Needs in Kano, Nigeria

Abstract Context: Children and youth with special healthcare needs (CYSHCN) are “those who have, or are at increased risk for a chronic physical, developmental, behavioral, or emotional condition and who also require health and related services of a type or amount beyond that required by children generally.” Among the challenges this population faces in accessing healthcare, oral health is regarded as their most significant treatment need. Previous studies on CYSHCN in Nigeria have relied on data from the south. Aim: The objective of this study is to describe the oral health status of CYSHCN in a northern Nigeria population. Settings and Design: Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH) is a tertiary-level hospital located in Kano state, northwest Nigeria. Materials and Methods: Clinic records of CYSHCN who received treatment from the Paediatric Dentistry clinic of AKTH between 2017 and 2022 were retrieved and analyzed. Oral conditions were diagnosed based on the World Health Organization protocols. Statistical Analysis Used: Categorical variables were described using frequencies and percentages. Ages were described in terms of mean and standard deviation. Chi-square statistics were used to test for associations between categorical variables. The level of significance was set at a P value of ≤0.05. Conclusion: Hematological disorders were the most prevalent medical conditions of CYSHCNs seen in AKTH. Dental caries was the prevalent dental condition in the population.

A proposed Bay-Salam with Takaful and value chain model for financing agriculture in Kano State, Nigeria

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to propose a model that will demonstrate how the integration of Salam (exclusive agricultural commodity trade) with Takaful (micro-Takaful – a subdivision of Islamic insurance) and value chain can address major challenges facing the agricultural sector in Kano State, Nigeria.Design/methodology/approachThe study conducted a thorough and critical analysis of relevant literature and existing models of financing agriculture in Nigeria to come up with the proposed model.FindingsThe findings indicate that measures undertaken to address the major challenges fail. In view of this, this study proposed Bay-Salam with Takaful and value chain model to solve a number of challenges such as poor access to financing, poor marketing and pricing, delay, collateral requirement and risk issues in order to avail farmers with easy access to finance and provide effective security to financial institutions.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper is limited to using secondary data. Therefore, empirical investigation can be carried out to strengthen the validation of the model.Practical implicationsThe study outcome seeks to improve the productivity of the farmers through enhancing their access to finance. This will increase their level of production and provide more employment opportunities. In addition, it will boost financial inclusion, income generation, poverty alleviation, standard of living, food security and overall economic growth and development.Originality/valueThe novelty of this study lies in the integration of classical Bay-Salam with Takaful and value chain and create a unique model structure which the researchers do not come across in any research that presented it in Nigeria.

Phytochemical, proximate, and elemental analysis of chia seed (<i>Salvia hispanica</i> L.) from Dawanau grain market, Kano State, Nigeria

Plants have shown a lots of importance in the field of phytomedicine, phamacognosy andherbal sciences, the seed of chia seed (Salvia hispanica) was collected from local farmers atDawanau grain market Kano State with the aim of determination of phytochemicals, proximate and elemental Analysis and were identified at the herbarium of plant science department of Bayero University Kano with assertion number (BUKHAN 0539), 250g of the processed seed were macerated in 500 ml of methanol, water, ethyl acetate and hexane for 72hrs. Standard method was followed for qualitative and quantitative phytochemical analysis, proximate and elemental analysis, furthermore thin layer chromatography and Fourier transform infrared microscopic analysis was conducted. The result of the analysis shows that flavonoid and carbohydrate was present throughout the solvents used, while all the proximate and heavy metal analysis were found to be within the limit of EP/WHO 2011 and WHO 1984 with the exception of Manganese. The result of the thin layer Chromatography result has the retention factor and number of spot. The FTIR analysis of the extract reveal that the I.R spectra indicated the present of different functional group such as amine, ketones, carboxylic acid and phenol. Conclusively the plant sample has shown the present of phytochemical substances that are remarkably useful in the field of ethonomedicine.

Height Assessment Using the Length of Humerus of Selected Group of Hausa Ethnic Students in Yusuf Maitama Sule University, Kano State

Height assessment from bones plays a vital role in detecting unidentified bodies and parts of bodies or skeletal remnants, the aim of this study was to estimate the height of individual using the length of humerus of selected group of Hausa ethnic Students in Yusuf Maitama Sule University, Kano State, Nigeria. Two hundred and two (202) subjects were selected from the various faculties of the University, using random sampling method. The age range of the participants was between 18-50 years. Ethical approval was required from the Ethical Committee of the College of Health Science of the institution before the beginning of the research, Informed consents were sought from the participants. Using a stadiometer, standing height of individual was measured to the nearest centimeter (cm) with subject standing barefoot in an anatomical position. The humeral length was measured in between two points:- Distal point-Midpoint of elbow joint and Proximal point- Acromian landmarks, line was measured and documented. Length of humerus obtained was put in regression equation for humerus estimation. From the result obtained indicated that height can be estimated from the humeral length with Coefficient of significance (R=0.628) Coefficient of determinant (R2=0.395). The present study found significant differences between the sex in both humeral length and height of the study population and resolved that the maximum height can be estimated from the length of humerus with effective precision so that may help the archaeological, anthropometric and also forensic investigations.

Outcome and barriers to cervical cancer screening amongst human immunodeficiency virus-positive women attending Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano State, Nigeria

Sub-Saharan Africa carries the overwhelming share of the global burden of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and of HIV-associated cervical cancer. Screening is an effective strategy for the prevention, early diagnosis and prompt management of cervical precancerous lesions among HIV-positive women. This study assessed the outcome and barriers to cervical cancer screening among HIV-positive women attending Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano. Using a cross sectional study design, a pro forma was used to collect data and screen 740 HIV-positive women. Screening was done using visual inspection with acetic acid and Lugol’s iodine and the data were analysed using SPSS version 24.0. The age of the patients ranged from 25 to 49 years with a mean age of 30.7 ± 2.4 years. Majority (n=698; 94.3%) were  30 years and married (n=592; 80.0%). Almost half (n=362; 48.9%) had secondary level of education and many (n=520; 70.3%) were unemployed. A few (n=42; 5.7%) had positive results on visual inspection with acetic acid and a lesser proportion (n=26; 3.5%) had positive screening results on visual inspection with Lugol’s iodine. Lack of awareness of screening services for cervical cancer was found to be a barrier to cervical cancer screening and treatment among two-thirds (n=565; 76.4%) of the patients while a substantial proportion (n=592; 80.0%) reported that their personal belief which was strengthened by their religion prevented them from accessing cervical cancer screening services. Also, two-thirds (n=493; 66.6%) agreed that their culture which considers cervical screening a taboo was a barrier to screening. There is a need for targeted and enhanced education with counselling to optimize the uptake of screening for cervical cancer among HIV-positive women in HIV treatment centers. The generated data can guide in the provision of evidence-based policy and decision-making.

Prevalence of Malaria among Pregnant Women Attending Muhammad Abdullahi Wase Teaching Hospital Kano State, Nigeria

Malaria in pregnant women remains a major public health problem especially in sub-Saharan Africa. Approximately twenty five million pregnant women in sub-Saharan Africa live at risk of malaria. The study was carried out between July and August 2021, to determine the prevalence of malaria parasite among pregnant women attending Mohammad Abdullahi Wase Teaching Hospital Kano. Microscopic examinations of both thick and thin smears were made using Giemsa Stained solution. Out of one hundred and forty blood samples examined, 60(42.9%) were positive for plasmodium falciparum parasite infection. Age group 18-22 years recorded the highest prevalence rate of (17.90%) and the difference between the age group of the pregnant women was statistically significant (P<0.05) .Primigravida women recorded highest infection rate (23.60%). However, those in first trimester recorded the highest prevalence of (25%) followed by those in the second trimester (13.57%). These results show that pregnant women are more predisposed to malaria infection as they are immunosuppressed especially at early stage and as a primigravida and as teenage mothers than multigravida and older mothers. The problem of P. falciparum in pregnant women can be prevented by the preventive package of intermittent preventive treatment (IPT) with sulfadoxine pyrimethamine (SP) at 2 doses given to the pregnant women during their antenatal clinical visits. During this study, the prevalence of malaria infection among pregnant women attending Muhammad Abdullahi Wase Teaching Hospital was notably higher. P. falciparum is the most common Plasmodium parasite in this region therefore, more special attention should be directed towards pregnant women who exhibit identified risk factors for malaria infection.

Food Demand Projection and Consumption Patterns of Urban Households in Nigeria’s Kano State

Changes in population and income are essential components for altering the pattern of food demand. In light of the importance of food demand analysis, this study set out to ascertain urban household consumption trends in Nigeria’s Kano State in order to forecast future demand levels for certain food items. This research contributes to becoming a basis for policymakers to increase food productivity. A household’s cross-sectional survey data elicited through a well-structured questionnaire complemented with an interview schedule from a total of 144 households chosen via a multi-stage sampling procedure was used for the study. The collected data were analyzed using both Linear Approximate/ Almost Ideal Demand System (LA/AIDS) and factor analysis models. Based on empirical evidence, households’ poor purchasing power is owed to high food inflation, which causes them to have low dietary diversity. Besides, the necessary and luxury goods, respectively, were rice, beans, spaghetti, and meat; and millet, yam, Irish potatoes, semovita, fish and groundnut. Meanwhile, maze, garri, and palm oil were established to be inferior commodities. Besides rice and semovita being everyday goods, they demand high price-sensitive commodities. Consequently, to maintain the status quo in the households’ welfare, the onus lies on policymakers to compensate consumers if there is a rise in the prices of local rice, indomie and groundnut oil. The study advises policymakers to increase the productivity of those food items projected to witness the steep-to-gentle rise in demand, and government should endeavour to adopt macro-economic policies with human-face so as to cushion/soften households’ economic hardship in the study area.