Local Government Area In Nigeria Research Articles

Seroprevalence of Toxocara canis and the parasitic effect on plasma cytokines in children aged 6 to 11 years in Saki-East local government area in Nigeria

Study Background: Toxocara canis is a helminths parasite known as dog worm but infects human through infected dog feces or contaminated dirt. It is a neglected disease in economically less privileged areas. The parasitic infection can generate inflammatory process. Aim and Objective: This work was designed to determine the seroprevalence of T. canis and the parasitic effect on plasma cytokines in children aged 6–11 years in Saki-East local government area in Nigeria. Materials and Methods: Two hundred children aged 6–11 years (female – 100 and male – 100) were recruited across Saki-East local government area. One hundred and sixty-one of them not infected with any of the infectious agents were studied as control. Sputum, blood, stool, skin snip, and urine samples were obtained for microscopic identification of parasites. Sputum sample was also used for Ziehl–Neelsen staining to demonstrate acid-fast bacilli, while ELISA technique was used for determination of T. canis, anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV), HBsAg, HIV1-p24 antigen, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα), and interleukin (IL)-10. Results: The results obtained showed overall seroprevalence of T. canis among the children as 9.5% (19) including 6% (12) male and 3.5% (7) female children. This included 5.5% (11) monoinfected with T. canis; 1% (2) were T. canis coinfected with Ascaris lumbricoides; 1% (2) were T. canis coinfected with hepatitis B virus; 1% (2) were T. canis coinfected with Plasmodium spp.; 0.5% (1) were T. canis coinfected with hookworm; and 0.5% (1) were T. canis coinfected with Schistosoma haematobium. There is no coinfection with either HIV or HCV among the children. 10% (20) were infected with infectious agents but seronegative to T. canis. There was a significant increase in the plasma values of cytokines TNFα and IL-10 in T. canis monoinfected children compared with the control (P Conclusion: The work revealed an overall seroprevalence of T. canis as 9.5% including 5.5% monoinfection and a significant increase in plasma TNFα and IL-10 in T. canis monoinfection.

Possible Immunological Alterations in the Plasma Levels of TNF-α and IL-10 in the Traditional Application of Vernonia Amygdalina (Ewuro) Leaves in the Treatment of Diabetes Mellitus

Diabetes mellitus can induce release of free radicals and oxidative stress, which can trigger production of cytokines. Vernonia amygdalina has antidiabetic activity due to its phytochemical constituents. This work was designed to determine possible immunological alterations in the plasma levels of TNF-α and Interleukin-10 (IL-10) in the traditional application of V. amygdalina (Ewuro) leaves in the treatment of diabetes mellitus. The study populations include all 33 diabetes mellitus patients (51-67 years; male, 21; female, 12) who had not commenced any form of medication or treatment and received herbal treatment in 10 herbal homes of Saki West, a local government area in Nigeria. Twenty-seven agematched volunteers who were treated on insulin medication in the hospital almost within the same period were also investigated. Patients who were positive to acid-fast bacilli sputum test, Plasmodium spp., identification, HBsAg, anti-HCV, and HIV-1 p24 assays were not included. Plasma TNF-α, IL-10, HBsAg, anti-HCV, and HIV-1 p24 were determined in the patients by ELISA while identification of acid-fast bacilli and Plasmodium spp. were carried out by Ziehl-Neelsen and Giemsa thick blood-film staining, respectively. There was a significant decrease in the plasma levels of TNF-α, IL-10, and glucose in diabetes mellitus patients after the administration of raw liquid extract of V. amygdalina and insulin compared to their basal samples before the commencement of the treatment (p < 0.05). The work revealed a significant increase in plasma TNF-α, IL-10, and glucose in diabetes patients, which returned to normal plasma values after treatment using raw liquid extract of V. amygdalina leaves and insulin.

Physical Planning Inputs in Managing Desertification: A Case Study of Jibia Local Government Area in Nigeria

Physical Planning Inputs in Managing Desertification: A Case Study of Jibia Local Government Area in Nigeria

The Women Who Fear the Unknown: Potential Drivers of the Cervical Cancer Epidemic in Rural Nigeria

Background: Visual inspection of the cervix under acetic acid is the most cost-effective method for the control of cervical cancer in sub-Saharan Africa. The region bears about 90% of the global burden of the disease accounting for about 85% of new disease and more than 90% of the mortality. The WHO piloted a largely successful community-based cervical screening in six African countries including Nigeria between 2009 and 2012. Community-based cervical screening was subsequently adopted in Nigeria as a major strategy for preventing cervical cancer. An evaluation of the community-based cervical screening in two rural local government areas in Ogun state, Nigeria, however, revealed that more than 95% of sexually active women had never had cervical screening done despite availability of the services. A substantial number of these women would not want to have cervical screening done because of the fear of a positive cervical screening result. Aim: The current study explored the characteristics of women who are unwilling to have cervical screening because of the fear of a negative result in two rural local government areas in Nigeria. Methods: A post hoc analysis of data collected for the evaluation of community-based cervical screening in two rural LGAs in Nigeria. The analysis described the characteristics of 700 sexually active women aged 25 to 64 years who declined to have cervical screening. The socio-demographic characteristics, perception (0 to 6) and knowledge scores (0 to 36) of the participants were fitted into a multivariate logistic regression model to predict the fear of an unfavorable cervical screening result. Results: About 81% (567) of the women were unwilling to get a cervical screening due to the fear of a negative result. Age, gravidity, knowledge, and perception about cervical cancer and screening were associated with the women declining cervical screening due to the fear of a negative result. On multivariate logistic regression analysis age (OR: 0.968, P = 0.007) and knowledge score (OR: 0.914, P < 0.001) were found to predict the fear of a negative result. The adjusted outcome variable model showed fair discrimination (AUC = 0.67) and good calibration ( P = 0.416). Conclusion: Many women in rural Nigeria decline to have cervical screening mainly because of the fear of a negative result which is in turn predicted by younger age and poorer knowledge scores about cervical cancer and screening. There is a need for further qualitative research to explore the dimensions of fear as it relates to refusal to have cervical screening among rural women in Nigeria.

Awareness and Utilisation of Artemisinin-Based Combination Therapies Among Mothers of Under-Five Children in a Local Government Area in Nigeria

One of the challenges of malaria control is inappropriate treatment and development of resistance by its causal agent (plasmodium species). Arteminsinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) was adopted as first-line treatment for malaria to improve quality of the treatment. This study aimed at assessing the mothers’ of under-five children’s awareness and utilisation of ACTs in Egbedore LGA osun state Nigeria. Method: Descriptive cross-sectional design was used. Eight hundred and thirty seven mothers of under-five children were selected through stratified random sampling technique. Results: The findings revealed that malaria should be treated promptly because it makes children not to go to school regularly (31.9%), it causes poverty (20.4%) and the main reason why more than six out of 10 people go to hospital for treatment (20.3%). However, majority (94.0%) thought witch crafting was the reason for prompt treatment. Drugs identified by the mothers for treatment of malaria include Asprin (85.7%), Chloroquine/ Nivaquine tablet /syrup (71.8%), herbal preparation (agbo) (71.8%), Artesunate-Amodiaquine tablet (7.2%) and Coartem (Artermether/ Lumefantrine) (4.4%). Only few of the respondents mentioned Artesunate plus amodiaquin 3.2% and Coartem 1.7% as new recommended ACT for treatment of malaria. Utilisation of this ACTs was very low among the respondents as only 3.3% and 2.4% claimed to have treated their children with Coartem and Artesunate plus amodiaquin respectively. The major sources of the respondents’ medicines are Pharmacy/chemist/patent medicine store (49.0%) and public health facilities (41.4%). Conclusion: Findings of this study showed that level of awareness and utilisation of recommended ACTs for the treatment of uncomplicated malaria at home was poor in Egbedore LGA, effort must be intensified to promote utilisation of the new recommended ACTs with a view to reducing malaria morbidity and mortality.

Bridging the HIV treatment gap in Nigeria: examining community antiretroviral treatment models.

IntroductionSignificant gaps persist in providing HIV treatment to all who are in need. Restricting care delivery to healthcare facilities will continue to perpetuate this gap in limited resource settings. We assessed a large‐scale community‐based programme for effectiveness in identifying people living with HIV and linking them to antiretroviral treatment.MethodsA retrospective secular trend study of 14 high burden local government areas of Nigeria was conducted in which two models of community antiretroviral treatment delivery were implemented: Model A (on‐site initiation) and Model B (immediate referral) clusters. Model A cluster offered services within communities, from HIV diagnosis to immediate antiretroviral therapy initiation and some follow‐up. Model B cluster offered services for HIV diagnosis up to baseline evaluation and provided referral for antiretroviral therapy initiation to nearest health facility providing HIV services. For controls, we selected and cluster‐matched 34 local government areas where community antiretroviral treatment delivery was not implemented. Outcomes of interest were: the number of people identified as HIV positive and the number of HIV‐positive individuals started on antiretroviral treatment; from June 2014 to May 2016. We used interrupted time‐series analysis to estimate outcome levels and trends across the pre‐and post‐intervention periods.ResultsBefore community antiretrovial treatment introduction, Model A cluster identified, per 100,000 catchment population, 500 HIV‐positives (95% CI: 399.66 to 601.41) and initiated 216 HIV‐positives on antiretroviral treatment (95% CI: 152.72 to 280.10). Model B cluster identified 32 HIV‐positives (95% CI: 25.00 to 40.51) and initiated 8 HIV‐positives on antiretroviral treatment (95% CI: 5.54 to 10.33). After commART introduction, Model A cluster showed an immediate significant increase in 744 HIV‐positive persons (p = 0.00, 95% CI: 360.35 to 1127.77) and 560 HIV‐positives initiated on treatment (p = 0.00, 95% CI: 260.56 to 859.64). Model B cluster showed an immediate significant increase in 30 HIV‐positive persons identified (p = 0.01, 95% CI: 8.38 to 51.93) but not in the number of HIV‐positives initiated on treatment. Model B cluster showed increased month‐on‐month trends of both outcomes of interest (3.4, p = 0.02, 95% CI: 0.44 to 6.38).ConclusionBoth community‐models had similar population‐level effectiveness for rapidly identifying people living with HIV but differed in effectively transitioning them to treatment. Comprehensiveness, integration and attention to barriers to care are important in the design of community antiretroviral treatment delivery.

Hair Zinc: an Index for Zinc Status in Under-Five Children from Low-Income Communities in Kanam Area of North-Central Nigeria.

Nutritional deficiencies of trace elements are among the top ten causes of death in Sub Saharan Africa. In Kanam Local Government Area of Nigeria, the problem is compounded by high levels of poverty and illiteracy. Abnormally low hair zinc levels are important, sensitive diagnostic biochemical indices of Zinc deficiency. The purpose of this study is to assess the zinc status of children less than 5years in Kanam local government area, north-central Nigeria, by measuring the zinc level in hair samples collected from 44 under-5 children across the area. A household survey was made to assess the pattern and frequency of consumption of zinc-rich foods which was done by means of questionnaire. Hair samples were analysed for zinc content by the inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrophotometry (ICP-MS). The data were analysed statistically using the Student's t test, z test, and Pearson correlation, while questionnaire-captured data were analysed by simple arithmetic. The results of the analyses showed that the average hair zinc level was 74.35±48.05μg/g. This was below the normal range of 130-140μg/g, for children less than 5years. Based on the results, 86.36% have hair zinc level below the lower limit of the normal range of 130μg/g. Between the gender, boys have higher hair zinc content than girls. Data from the questionnaire showed that 53.45% of the population studied have poor/inadequate intake of zinc-rich foods of animal origin, a dietary behaviour reported to predispose to micronutrient deficiency, including zinc.

Influence Of Motivation On Teachers Performance In A Local Government Area In Nigeria

Influence Of Motivation On Teachers Performance In A Local Government Area In Nigeria

Awareness and Utilisation of Artemisinin-Based Combination Therapies Among Mothers of Under-Five Children in A Local Government Area in Nigeria

Awareness and Utilisation of Artemisinin-Based Combination Therapies Among Mothers of Under-Five Children in A Local Government Area in Nigeria

Gender and Psychological Distress: A Geographical Perspective

ABSTRACTThere are gender differences in the prevalence of psychological distress (PD). Women are consistently reported to be more distressed than men. This is partly accounted for by the society's assignment of privileges and responsibilities toward each sex, but little is known about the geographical manifestations of these disparities. This article therefore seeks to determine the spatial pattern of PD by gender, and to identify critical factors affecting the observed patterns. A questionnaire survey of 180 persons was carried out in the Ibadan North local government area of Nigeria. The ten diagnostic questions on PD from the Kessler-10 instrument were included. Mean PD scores for both sexes were computed and mapped. A stepwise multiple regression identified the significant risk factors affecting PD. Results indicated that males, contrary to expectations, were more distressed. PD for both sexes and males was generally high in all the wards. In contrast, sharp differences in the spatial pattern of PD among females were seen. Age had a significant effect on the spatial pattern of PD for both sexes and for males. It was recommended that interventions should not only reduce PD prevalence, but also be based on an understanding of its spatial patterns and determinants.

Assessment of Ambient Air Quality with Special Reference to NO2 in the Waste Dump Site at Osisoma Ngwa LGA, Nigeria

Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is the only widely prevalent coloured pollutant in the atmosphere. The assessment of ambient air quality with special reference to NO2 was carried out in this study at the waste dump site in Osisioma Ngwa Local government Area in Nigeria during the morning and Evening hours of the dry season. Average Air Quality Index (AQI) Pollutant values obtained where within the moderate level as values ranged from Umuigwe Station during morning reading as NO2 (0.04) AQI (86.588); Umujima Station {NO2 (0.05) AQI (89.598)}; Niger Stone Station {NO2 (0.08) AQI (89.838)}; Uratta Amaise Station {NO2 (0.06) AQI (86.894)}; Eyimba market {NO2 (0.06) AQI (79.999)}; Owerrita {NO2 (0.04) AQI (12.36)}; Asaema {NO2 (0.04) AQI (81.580)}. Values obtained from Owerrita Station according to Standards where described to be good and others where described to be moderate. However, with results from PSI for NO2, overall assessment was described as unhealthy for general health condition of the people around that area since values obtained from morning and evening period ranged from 0.02 to 0.09 ppm.

Prevalence of hypertension and associated factors among residents of Ibadan-North Local Government Area of Nigeria

Background: Hypertension is a major public health challenge worldwide. It is the most important risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of hypertension and associated factors among the residents of Yemetu community in Ibadan-North Local Government Area of Oyo State, Nigeria. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional design was used. The study involved 806 respondents aged from 18-90 years from 171 households, selected by cluster sampling technique. It was a house-to-house survey. Behavioural risk factors were measured using World Health Organisation (WHO) STEPwise approach to chronic disease risk factor surveillance (STEPS 1 & 2). Hypertension was defined as Systolic blood pressure (SBP) ≥ 140 and/or Diastolic blood pressure (DBP) ≥ 90mm Hg or currently on anti-hypertensive medication. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square and binary logistic regression tests at P Results: The overall prevalence of hypertension was 33.1% (male 36.8% and female 31.1%). The proportion of self reported hypertension was 11.1%, while 5.1% were currently on anti-hypertensive medication. The mean age of the respondents was 38.8 ±15.6 years. The body mass index of the respondents was 5.2%, 52.0%, 29.5% and 13.3% for underweight, normal, overweight and obese, respectively. Alcohol and tobacco use were found in 11.5% and 3.2%, respectively. The result of binary logistic regression analysis revealed that hypertension was significantly associated with being in age groups 30-49 years (OR 2.258, 95% CI: 1.311 - 3.884), ≥50 years (OR 7.145, 95% CI: 3.644 - 14.011), being overweight or obese (OR 2.281, 95% CI: 1.022 – 5.088). Hypertension was inversely associated with being underweight (OR 0.537, 95% CI: 0.395 – 0.832). Conclusion: This study revealed a high prevalence of hypertension. These data underscores the need for urgent steps to create awareness and implement interventions for prevention and early detection of hypertension, especially among those aged ≥30 years and the overweight or obese.

The Status Of Rural Women’s Health And Cassava Output In Nigeria

This study was carried out to analyze the influence of the health status of women farmers on their level of cassava production. The specific objectives are to; identify the socio-economic characteristics of the rural women in the area, ascertain common health problems they encounter and their health management techniques and the influence of the rural women’s health status on level of cassava production in the area. A multi-stage random sampling technique was employed to select 200 women farmers in Ikom Local Government Area in Nigeria. Data was collected and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The study revealed that, majority of the women were in the age range of 40-50 years, 71% were married, 78% traded alongside farming, 66.5% had some form of formal education, their family sizes range between 6-10 people and with a mean family size of 6. Annual income of the farmers range between #10,000 - #14,000. The predominant practice was mixed cropping. Body pains, fever, malaria, headache, were the common ailment. While painful menstruation (20.5%) was the most common reproductive disease. Results from the regression analysis shows that the household size, educational level and income are significantly related to the health status of the rural women while age and marital status are not significantly related. Health centers, patent medicine stores, family planning, leprosy centers were readily available in the villages surveyed clinic. As health status of the women improved, productivity was therefore expected to increase. On this basis, the policy of free health facilities for women was advocated if women cassava productivity is to increase. A policy of free medical facilities including good food to the rural women will boost their health status and productivity.

Geography of Infrastructure Functionality at Schools in Nigeria: Evidence From Spatial Data Analysis Across Local Government Areas

Is functionality of electricity, sanitation and water infrastructure at schools unequally distributed geographically in Nigeria? Are there significant disparities in infrastructure functionality between Northern and Southern geopolitical zones in the country as has been posited in previous studies? In this study, we answer these questions with an examination of functionality at schools, with metrics for functionality aggregated at the smallest administrative unit available in the country, the local government area (LGA). We employ spatial statistical techniques to examine the spatial autocorrelation of power, sanitation and water (or ‘infrastructure’) non-functionality across 68,627 schools for 764 of 774 local government areas in Nigeria using a novel survey dataset courtesy of Nigeria's Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on the Millennium Development Goals. We find evidence for the existence of LGA clusters of infrastructure non-functionality, aligned along Nigeria's six geopolitical zones. The results also reveal a significant cluster of LGAs in the Northwest zone, the zone with the highest income-based poverty rate (70%) in the country, outperforming LGAs in both other Northern and some Southern zones on all functionality indicators. The results hold up to multiple testing correction, controlling the false discovery rate using the Benjamini-Hochberg method. These results highlight the need for a spatially targeted policy approach, at finer spatial scales, to poverty reduction efforts through infrastructure access expansion in the country.

An Examination of Subnational Growth in Nigeria: 1999‐2012

AbstractI use satellite imagery on night‐time lights to measure growth across states and local government areas in Nigeria since the return of democracy in 1999. The data suggest that states in southern Nigeria have grown faster on average than states in the north. Using the Ordinary Least Squares, I estimate a relationship between change in night lights and real gross domestic product (GDP) growth in Africa and use the coefficients to estimate GDP growth for states and local government areas in Nigeria over the period. Finally, I evaluate the effects of violence on growth in Plateau, Yobe and Borno states. I find that the crisis in Plateau state has resulted in slower growth compared with other states in the region. I also show that Yobe and Borno states had performed worse than other states in the north even before the outbreak of violence related to the Boko Haram sect.

The Role of Information and Female Vegetable Farmers in Calabar Municipal Council Area, Nigeria

AbstractThis study was aimed at showing the impact of information on female vegetable farmers (discussed as a form of entrepreneurship) in one local government area in Nigeria. A questionnaire was used in collecting data for the study. A total of 210 questionnaires were administered. Of these, 193 useable copies were retrieved (91.9%) and used for analysis. Simple percentage and pie charts were used to analyse the data. The results showed that vegetable farmers mostly used information from agricultural extension officers to request for loans. This information was very minimal as the study did not show its impact to have had any increase in productivity. Information for choice of planting materials, fertilizer application as well as storage and marketing of products were gotten from fellow growers. The study agreed with previous studies that information is really powerful and enhances decision-making regardless of the group of people involved. Although this group seems to have been neglected, they still pulled their weight, striving in their little efforts to move on. The study recommends that government and other stakeholders should encourage this group with adequate information for better economic sustainability and development to benefit from the under-utilized services available to them. The study also recommends that government should use extension officers to organize these female vegetable farmers into cooperative groups to enable them have easy access to loan facilities as an encouragement to boost their acts of entrepreneurship.

Health Care Seeking Behavior for Malaria among Laboratory Confirmed Outpatients in a Rural Community, Southern Nigeria

Background: For effective malaria control at the community level, information on the treatment practices are essential. However, there is no information on malaria treatment practices in Ibusa community. Thus, this study seeks to assess the prevalence of malaria and health care seeking behaviors in Ibusa community. Study Design: A descriptive cross - sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Ibusa , Oshimili North Local Government area in Nigeria. The study w as untaken between June and November , 2006. Methods: Malaria treatment practices including sources of anti - malarial of the 600 individuals who visited the Fenlab Diagnos tic and Research Laboratory Ibusa , Delta State were obtained using a previously validat ed structured questionnaire. Microscopy was used to establish malaria infection and species identification. Results: The prevalence rate was found to be 73.3% and all were infections of Plasmodium fa l ciparium. The age prevalence showed an undulating patte rn however, the prevalence was highest among subjects within age group 20 - 29 years (31.81%) and least in age group 40 - 49 years (8.64%). Chi - square analysis showed no significant difference ( X 2 = 13.61, df = 5, P = 0.183 ). The prevalence by sex showed higher values in females (60.22%) than males (39.78%), but the Original Research Article

Assessment of Caregivers/Mothers Knowledge, Attitude and Practices in Prevention and Treatment of Childhood Malaria in Yewa South Local Government Area of Nigeria

Assessment of Caregivers/Mothers Knowledge, Attitude and Practices in Prevention and Treatment of Childhood Malaria in Yewa South Local Government Area of Nigeria

A geospatial approach to evaluation of accessibility to secondary educational institution in Ogun State, Nigeria

The study therefore examined the spatial distribution of secondary school and the accessibility levels to students in Yewa South local Government area of Nigeria and the factors that give rise to them with a view to providing a framework for effective placement of students. Primary and secondary data were used for the study. Primary data was collected using questionnaire and a hand-held GPS receiver used to capture the coordinate points of schools and other relevant data. Secondary data include administrative map, population figures of both students and Teachers, Names and addresses of the secondary schools in the study area, the school placement sheet and list of schools. The data analysis was carried out using network analysis. School location, number of secondary schools in each ward and the total area were used to determine the pattern of distribution of secondary schools in the study area. Settlements, roads, schools location, number of secondary schools, ward and school enrolments were used to generate both school accessibility and effective placement measure using network analysis. Network analyses were also performed to evaluate nearest school to student and a set of origin-destination (OD) matrix. However, the whole of 25 secondary schools in Yewa south were considered for network analysis ward by ward, and the results of the distance students travel from their settlements to their various schools were shown for all the secondary schools in each ward. Out of 415 Students, 210 students travel below 2 km to their schools which constitute 50.60% total number of students in the local government area while 205 students travel above 2 km to their schools which constitute 49.40%.

Determinants of uptake of third doses of oral polio and DTP vaccines in the Ibadan North Local Government Area of Nigeria.

High dropout rates in the uptake of oral polio vaccine (OPV) and DTP vaccine persist despite efforts to improve immunisation coverage. This study identified determinants of uptake of third doses of OPV3 and DTP3 among infants who received first doses of either or both vaccines at immunisation centres in the Ibadan North Local Government Area of Nigeria. Using a cohort study design, 400 mother-child pairs were assessed. A semi-structured, interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from each participant who were followed up for 90 days. Dates of subsequent doses of the vaccines were recorded. Multivariate analysis was performed using the log-rank test and Cox's regression analysis to identify predictive factors. Only 43.5% (174/400) and 24.8% (89/359) of children completed the OPV3 and DTP3 vaccines, respectively. Factors predictive of uptake of OPV3 were first birth (HR=1.66, 95% CI 1.11-2.48) and attending a tertiary health facility (HR=2.27, 95% CI 1.41-3.65), while attending a secondary health facility was significant for DTP3 uptake (HR=2.43, 95% CI 1.30-4.61). Uptake of third doses of vaccines was influenced by the type of health facility attended and the child birth order. Efforts to reduce vaccination dropouts should include creation of awareness of the importance of completing immunisation schedules for children of higher birth orders as well as improved service delivery at health facilities.