North Central States Research Articles

Exploring the Potentials of Digital Economy for Accelerated Economic Growth and Sustainable GDP in Nigeria’s Agricultural Sector

Purpose: The study investigated the potentials of the digital economy for accelerated economic growth in Nigeria. Specifically, the study was guided by the following objectives; potential of the digital economy for accelerated economic growth and sustainable GPD, constraints to attaining the utilization of the digital economy for accelerated economic growth and sustainable GDP and ways of improving the implementation of digital economy for accelerated economic growth and sustainable GDP. Theoretical Reference: Diffusion of Innovation (DOI) Theory, developed by E.M. Rogers in 1962, formed the theoretical foundation of this study. It originated to explain how, over time, an idea or product gains momentum and diffuses (or spreads) through a specific population or social system. The result of this diffusion is that people, as part of a social system, adopt a new idea, behavior, or product. Method: The descriptive survey design was adopted using 130 farmers selected through a convenience sampling approach in the four North Central States of Nasarawa, Benue, Plateau and Niger including the FCT Abuja. Data was gathered using closed-ended questionnaires and measured using modified three-point Likert Scale of Agree = 3, Uncertain = 2 and Disagree = 1. The Lawshe’s formula yielded a content validity ratio (CVR) of 0.99, which confirmed the representativeness and clarity of the questionnaire. A reliability coefficient alpha (r - coefficient) of 0.84 was reported by Cronbach Alpha to determine the internal consistency of the questionnaire. The data was collected on the spot and analyzed using frequency counts (f) and percentages (%), and presented in tables and graphs. Results/Conclusion: The findings showed that the farmers understood clearly the potential of the digital economy in creating jobs and accelerating their economic status and contributing significantly to a sustainable GDP in Nigeria if properly utilized. However, the attainment of these enormous benefits to farmers is affected by the reduction in access to the Internet, affordability and quality of service, training and government support. Digital economy could boost agricultural production with wide project margin if infrastructure for implementation are available and utilization is effective. The study recommended the provision of broadband sufficient to provide extensive access to the Internet in order to accelerate utilization and improve productivity, especially among rural dwellers. Implication: Understanding the potential offered by embracing and utilizing the digital economy, as well as the difficulties and strong tactics farmers must employ to successfully capitalize on these advances in order to boost GDP and economic growth in Nigeria's agriculture sector Originality/Value: The originality of this investigation lay in its empirical evidence regarding the potentials, challenges, and strategies for enhancing farmers' utilization to support economic growth and GDP in the agricultural sector, which helped to expand the body of literature on digital economy in the agricultural sector, particularly in Nigeria.

Impacts of Climate Change on Food Security and Sustainable Water Resources in Nigeria

This study evaluates the impacts of climate change on food security and sustainable water resources in Nigeria. Stratified samples were taken from North Central States of Benue and Plateau, and South-South Cross River State and Akwa-Ibom. These four states are among the thirty six states in Nigeria that have been badly hit by climate change. This study used soft and hardware computer applications including German 12 handheld GPS, and Integrated Land and Water Information System (ILWIS), for data collection. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected for the evaluation. The GIS information software package was used to manipulate and perform feature identification, recognition, classification, calculation, and ground-trotting. A structured questionnaire was also used to collect data on some livelihood activities, the influence of livelihoods activities on water resources, food security, and climate change impacts. Data analysis, found that the forest and water bodies are shrunken. Industrial activities such as oil exploration and exploitation, mining, by Multinational Corporations, illegal mining, grazing, unsustainable farming practices, fishing and hunting for bush meats, bush fire, timber exploitation and deforestation have contributed to climate change. The study recommends climate action and climate diplomacy, building local capacity for resilience, engaging the private sector, partnerships and international assistance.

First report of Fusarium falciforme causing root rot and wilt on strawberry in Sinaloa, Mexico.

In Mexico strawberry production has great economic importance for the local and export markets as the country is the main strawberry supplier to the United States (SIAP, 2020). In 2022, strawberry plants with yellowing and wilting leaves, root rot and wilting, necrosis of vascular bundles and small fruits symptoms were observed in different commercial fields in the north-central Mexican state of Sinaloa, causing yield losses of about 10%. Typical Fusarium spp. colonies were recovered from all samples. They produced abundant white aerial mycelium with cream to orange pigment and branched septate hyphae (Fig. 1) (Leslie and Summerell, 2006). A total of 18 monosporic isolates were obtained by serial dilutions. The 18 isolates grown for 10 days on carnation leaf agar (CLA) produced hyaline microconidia with 0-2 septa, measuring 9.2 - 15.4 by 4.5 - 6.5 μm (n = 40) and hyaline macroconidia with three septa that measured 28.4 - 53.5 by 4.5 - 9 μm (n = 40). Chlamydospores were not observed. A fragment of the translation elongation factor 1-alpha (EF1-alpha) gene was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using the primer pair EF-1/EF-2 (O'Donnell et al. 1998) from two monosporic isolates. The sequences were registered in the NCBI GenBank under accession numbers OR878541 and OR878543 (FRESIN178 and FRESIN194). BLASTn queries of NCBI GenBank identified the sequences as F. falciforme with 98% and 100% similarity to accession numbers OQ262968 and DQ246941 respectively. Fusarium ID database also identified the sequences as F. falciforme, is a member of the F. solani species complex (FSSC). Phylogenetic analysis revealed the partial EF1 sequences grouped with F. falciforme (Fig. 2). A pathogenicity test was performed on thirty strawberry plants (cv. Cabrillo) grown in sterile vermiculite. The plants were inoculated by immersing roots in 20 mL of a conidial suspension (1 × 105 conidia/mL) of isolate FRESIN194. Twelve uninoculated plants served as the control. All plants were grown for 60 days under greenhouse conditions (28 to 35°C). The assay was repeated twice. After 50 days, symptoms of root rot and wilting leaves like those observed in the field were observed. Uninoculated control plants did not develop symptoms. The fungus was reisolated from necrotic tissues of the inoculated plants and identified as F. falciforme by sequencing the EF1-alpha gene and morphological characteristics, completing Koch's postulates. Fusarium falciforme has been reported as the causal agent of root rot, stem rot, and wilt of tomato, papaya, chickpea, onion, common bean, and maize in Mexico (Díaz-Najera et al. 2021, Douriet-Angulo et al. 2021, Felix et al 2022, Tirado-Ramírez et al 2018, Vega-Gutiérrez et al. 2019a, Vega-Gutiérrez et al. 2019b). To our knowledge this is the first report of F. falciforme causing root rot and wilt on strawberry in Sinaloa, Mexico. This result provides useful information for the development and implementation of disease control strategies to mitigate damage caused by F. falciforme.

Paediatric Neurosurgical emergency operations:Clinical spectrum, Presentation-Intervention Interval and Early operative outcome in Regional Neurosurgical center, Nigeria

BACKGROUND: Pediatric neurosurgical emergencies are prevalent worldwide, often triggered by acute, life-threatening conditions that necessitate immediate surgery to prevent disability and death. Managing these conditions perioperatively poses significant challenges for neurosurgeons and anesthetists due to potential complications like anemia, seizures, electrolyte imbalances, intracranial hypertension, and vision threats, alongside the primary neurosurgical issues. Proper correction and optimization of these physiological derangements before surgery are crucial for favorable postoperative outcomes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This retrospective study analyzes emergency neurosurgical operations performed on children aged sixteen and under at a neurosurgical center in Sokoto, Nigeria, from January 2018 to December 2021. The center caters to a population of approximately twenty million people from three north-western and one north-central Nigerian states, as well as neighboring Niger and Benin republics. The area features a mostly arid climate with limited seasonal rainfall and experiences the Sahara’s harmattan winds. RESULTS A total of 131 children underwent emergency neurosurgical procedures during the study period. The majority were males (71%), with an average age of 5.6 years. Hydrocephalus was the most frequent emergency condition, leading to 44.3% of surgeries, primarily through ventriculoperitoneal shunt procedures, which accounted for 42.7% of interventions. Anemia was the most common comorbid condition. The mean time from presentation to intervention was 10 days. Postoperatively, 17.9% of patients suffered from surgical site infections, yet 67.9% had favorable outcomes with a mortality rate of 7.1%. CONCLUSION: This study underscores the importance of timely surgical interventions and highlights the predominance of ventriculoperitoneal shunts in treating pediatric hydrocephalus in the region, with generally positive outcomes despite delays

Impact of capital Structure on Innovation and Performance of Small and Medium Enterprises in Nigeria: A study of the sector in the North Central States

The issue of capital structure of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and the impact of each component on the innovation and performance of the sector in Nigeria has been lingering. A number of studies have been done on financial leverage businesses but none on SMEs in Nigeria. The aim of this study therefore is to examine the impact of capital structure on innovation and performance of SMEs in Nigeria: A study of the sector in the North Central States of the country. Random sampling technique was adopted and data were sourced primarily from 480 respondents comprising owners and managers of 127 SMEs operating in Plateau, Nasarawa, and Kogi States in the Central Zone of the country. Responses to the questionnaire designed to reflect five points Likert scale were analysed using Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM). Results indicated that Crowd Funding (CF) an external sources of finance has the most significant impact on the innovation and performance of these enterprises. The study recommended that while SMEs operators should develop a platform for exchange ideas on financing sources available to the sector, Enterprise Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), the regulatory authority of the sector in the country should develop programmes to encourage innovative ability of the operations of enterprises.

Pattern and Incidence of Covid-19 Vaccine Reactions among Adult Clients in a Tertiary Health Facility in a North-Central State of Nigeria

Introduction: As a result of the rapid development and approval of the COVID-19 vaccine during the pandemic, there was serious misinformation about the safety of the COVID-19 vaccine. Providing evidence-based proof of the safety of the COVID-19 vaccine could dispel this scepticism. The study aimed to assess the pattern and incidence of COVID-19 vaccine reactions among adult clients in a tertiary health facility following immunization. Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted in a tertiary care institute among recipients of the first dose of the of the COVID-19 vaccine between April and July 2021. Study populations were adults above 18 years. Participants were assessed for any reactions four times. Immediately after vaccination and later, same day one, day 2, day 3, and on/after day 7. A telephone interview was conducted, and the recipients were assessed according to the time and type of reactions, actions taken following reactions, and severe forms of reactions. Results: A total of 1535 participants were assessed post-COVID-19 vaccination reactions, and 805 (52.4%) reported at least one of the COVID-19 vaccine reactions following vaccination, and less than a percent reported perceived severe adverse reactions. Pain at the injection site (5.0%), myalgia (2.8%), and headache (1.6%) were the common adverse events reported immediately after vaccination. The majority of the respondents (93.4%) were willing to take the second dose of the of the COVID-19 vaccine. The major factor associated with COVID-19 vaccine reactions following vaccination was the age group. Conclusion: Many people still experience a certain type of discomfort after vaccinations; this discomfort is often mild to moderate and is more prevalent in young adults. Most of the reactions resolve after a few days without intervention.

Adequacy of Information Resources and Library Staff Attitude as Correlates of Information Service Provision to Students in Federal Polytechnics in North Central State, Nigeria

Adequacy of Information Resources and Library Staff Attitude as Correlates of Information Service Provision to Students in Federal Polytechnics in North Central State, Nigeria

Impact of Public Sector Auditing in Promoting Accountability and Transparency in North Central Zone of Nigeria

The gap in confidence between the citizens and elected officials in Nigeria forms the background of this study. As such, financial and performance audit was examined on accountability and transparency among North Central states of: Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Nassarawa, Niger, Plateau and FCT. The specific objective of the study is to determine to what extent the audit of the public sector helps to narrow this gap in confidence between the activities of elected public officials and the citizens. Spearman regression analysis was used in the study. Result showed that both financial audit and performance audit is statistically significant in explaining accountability and transparency among the states. As such, strengthening the audit process in respective states is mentioned as one of the recommendation.

Dynamism of Sports Diplomacy and Foreign Policy as Correlate of Sports Development in North-Central State, Nigeria

The central focus of this study was to articulate a better image of Nigeria's sports diplomacy and foreign policy on the development of sports in North – Central state Nigeria. A descriptive research design of survey types was employed for this study. The population for this study comprises all sports administration in the study. A purposive sampling technique was used to select 588 respondents for the study. A researcher-structured questionnaire was used to gather information from the respondents. Three experts validated the instrument and tested for reliability through the test re-test method using Pearson Product Moment Correlation. A correlation coefficient of 0.75" r' was obtained. The researchers administered the instrument, and the data collected were analyzed using inferential statistics of Pearson Product Moment Correlations (PPMC) to test the formulated hypotheses set for the study at 0.05 alpha level. The finding revealed a significant relationship between politics in sports and sports development. Also, there was a significant relationship between management practice and sports development in North-Central State Nigeria. Based on the study's findings, it was recommended that politics in sports should not be allowed to discourage the private sector from sponsoring sports programmes that can bring about sports development in society. Also, sports administrators are encouraged to adopt best management practices that would bring about sports development.

Taxation Potency on Human Capital Development: Verdict from Panel Fixed Effect Model

This study examined taxation impact on human capital development in North Central States in Nigeria. The data emanated from the state boards of internal revenue, office of Accountants general, state planning commission of the selected states in North Central Nigeria and the National Bureau of Statistics' document from 2010 to 2020. The selected states are Kwara, Niger, Kogi, Benue, Nasarawa and Plateau states. The study used econometric model to examine how taxes affect growth of human capital development. The numerical estimate of the co-efficient in various equations was obtained using panel data analysis through pooled regression, fixed model, random effect model and Hausman test. The findings showed that personal income tax and value added tax have positive and significant effect on human capital development. Road tax has positive and insignificant effect on human capital development. More so, external loan has positive and significant effect on human capital development in North central states Nigeria. It is concluded that taxation significantly impacted human capital development in north central states, Nigeria. It is recommended that taxation funds should be fully channeled by government into development of human capital properly, and meticulously utilized and managed efficiently to absolutely attain and improve human capital in North central states, Nigeria. Also, government should involve the usage of electronic means for collection of taxes from road users in order to track or drive all the road users into tax net, and to reduce or eradicate road tax evaders so as to enhance revenue drive.

E-learning resources for teaching in office technology and management in polytechnics in North Central States

This study was conducted to examine the e-learning resources for teaching in Office Technology and Management in Polytechnics in North Central States. The researcher adopted survey research design for the study. The population for the study comprised 114 Office Technology and Management lecturers in Polytechnics in North Central States. The entire population was studied; therefore, no sample was drawn. The instrument used for data collection was a structured questionnaire of 28 items. The instrument was validated by three experts in Office Technology and Management. Out of 114 copies of the questionnaire distributed, 110 were duly completed and returned representing 96% return rate. Data collected were analysed using mean and standard deviation. The result of the analyses showed that e-learning hardware, software and human resources were required for teaching in Office Technology and Management in Polytechnics in North Central States. Based on the findings of the study, the researcher recommended among others that: Institutions engaged in online training should provide adequate e-learning hardware resources for training in Office Technology and Management in Polytechnics in North Central States; appropriate e-learning software resources such as application software should be provided for effective teaching and learning in Office Technology and Management in Polytechnics in North Central State. Being that all activities of any enterprise are initiated and determined by the human capital that make up that enterprise, qualified and adequate human resources should be engaged for teaching and learning in Office Technology and Management in Polytechnics in North Central States.

Genetics of a diverse soft winter wheat population for pre-harvest sprouting, agronomic, and flour quality traits.

Soft winter wheat has been adapted to the north-central, north-western, and south-central United States over hundreds of years for optimal yield, height, heading date, and pathogen and pest resistance. Environmental factors like weather affect abiotic traits such as pre-harvest sprouting resistance. However, pre-harvest sprouting has rarely been a target for breeding. Owing to changing weather patterns from climate change, pre-harvest sprouting resistance is needed to prevent significant crop losses not only in the United States, but worldwide. Twenty-two traits including age of breeding line as well as agronomic, flour quality, and pre-harvest sprouting traits were studied in a population of 188 lines representing genetic diversity over 200 years of soft winter wheat breeding. Some traits were correlated with one another by principal components analysis and Pearson's correlations. A genome-wide association study using 1,978 markers uncovered a total of 102 regions encompassing 226 quantitative trait nucleotides. Twenty-six regions overlapped multiple traits with common significant markers. Many of these traits were also found to be correlated by Pearson's correlation and principal components analyses. Most pre-harvest sprouting regions were not co-located with agronomic traits and thus useful for crop improvement against climate change without affecting crop performance. Six different genome-wide association statistical models (GLM, MLM, MLMM, FarmCPU, BLINK, and SUPER) were utilized to search for reasonable models to analyze soft winter wheat populations with increased markers and/or breeding lines going forward. Some flour quality and agronomic traits seem to have been selected over time, but not pre-harvest sprouting. It appears possible to select for pre-harvest sprouting resistance without impacting flour quality or the agronomic value of soft winter wheat.

Low Immunization Completion among Under-Five Children: Are Underserved Nomadic and Farming Communities in a North Central State of Nigeria doing Better?

The recent drop in immunization coverage in Nigeria has left more than 3.25 million children unimmunized and has risen concern over immunization completion among the under-five children. More so among underserved communities of pastoralist nomads and farmers that were isolated from immunization services because of operational and sociocultural factors. A cross-sectional analytical (comparative analysis) study was carried out among 550 eligible caregivers of under-five children in nomadic and farming communities in Niger State, Nigeria. The mothers and caregivers paired with under-five children were recruited into the study using a multistage sampling technique. Data was collected using a validated interviewer-administered questionnaire. Data was analyzed with the statistical software package (version 23). More than half of the under-five children studied were males in both the nomadic (57.5%) and farming (52.0%) communities. The aggregated score of immunization knowledge was significantly (P < 0.001) better (Good 44.4%; Fair 49.8%) among farmers compared to their nomads' counterpart (Good 21.1%; Fair 43.6%). Conversely, almost all the respondents (98.2%) in nomadic community significantly had a good overall perception of childhood immunization compared to 77.1% in the farming community. More farmers' children (99.6%) had received immunization compared to 92.4% of the nomads' children. About 87.3% of farmers compared to 76% of the nomads' (76.0%) children reported immunization completion. About 50.5% of the farmers' and 41.4% of the nomads' children have achieved immunization on card inspection. This study revealed that average immunization completion reported among under-five children in both farming and nomadic communities is higher than the national average. It is recommended that more strategies are needed to intensify immunization campaigns targeted at populations in Nigeria.

DOES INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL REPORTING STANDARD NARROWS AUDIT EXPECTATION GAP?

The many arguments advanced by scholars as to International Financial Reporting Standard’s capacity to enhance audit procedures and outcomes underscores this research’s quest for determining whether International Financial Reporting Standard could help with the perceptional dilemma that triggered the long lingering Audit expectation gap crisis. To this end, this study assays stakeholders’ perception as to whether the adoption of International Financial Reporting Standard could have certain narrowing impact on Audit expectation gap. The study adopted a mixed research design (i.e. exploratory and survey designs) by which structured questionnaires were administered to a purposeful randomly selected sample of 400 respondents drawn from audit practitioners, academics, accounting standards issuers, and members of professional accounting bodies within the North Central States of Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory to collect data which were analyzed using multiple regression with the help of STATA 13 software. Result of the analysis revealed that both International Financial Reporting Standard induced quality financial report and complexity of audit work could narrow audit performance expectation gap in a significant positive manner, while International Financial Reporting Standard’s induced audit quality was negative in narrowing the expectation gap. We recommend however, that even with the significant result leading to rejection of the null hypotheses, standard setters should look at ways to draw up standards that will harmonize accounting standards and auditing standards in a way that clearly spell out how every category of reportable transactions should be reviewed and reported so as to improve the quality of what auditors deliver to the public.

A Gender-Based and Quasi-Experimental Study of the Catastrophic and Impoverishing Health-Care Expenditures in Mexican Households with Elderly Members, 2000-2020

ABSTRACT Latin America has experienced a rise in noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) which is having repercussions on the structuring of healthcare delivery and social protection for vulnerable populations. We examined catastrophic (CHE) and excessive (EHE, impoverishing and/or catastrophic) health care expenditures in Mexican households with and without elderly members (≥65 years), by gender of head of the households, during 2000–2020. We analyzed pooled cross-sectional data for 380,509 households from eleven rounds of the National Household Income and Expenditure Survey. Male- and female-headed households (MHHs and FHHs) were matched using propensity scores to control for gender bias in systematic differences regarding care-seeking (demand for healthcare) preferences. Adjusted probabilities of positive health expenditures, CHE and EHE were estimated using probit and two-stage probit models, respectively. Quintiles of EHE by state among FHHs with elderly members were also mapped. CHE and EHE were greater among FHHs than among MHHs (4.7% vs 3.9% and 5.5% vs 4.6%), and greater in FHHs with elderly members (5.8% vs 4.9% and 6.9% vs 5.8%). EHE in FHHs with elderly members varied geographically from 3.9% to 9.1%, being greater in less developed eastern, north-central and southeastern states. Compared with MHHs, FHHs face greater risks of CHE and EHE. This vulnerability is exacerbated in FHHs with elderly members, because of gender intersectional vulnerability. The present context, marked by a growing burden of NCDs and inequities amplified by COVID-19, makes key interlinkages across multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) apparent, and calls for urgent measures that strengthen social protection in health.

Background Study on the Estimation of Horizontal Dilution Potential of air Pollutants in North-Central Nigeria, Using Wind Data

The study gives a background estimate of the dilution potential of air pollutants (SO2, NO2 and CO) in three selected North Central States of Nigeria. The research was carried out using wind impact area diagram, obtained by using standard deviation to calculate analysis of pollutants and other variables of spread whose concentration were determined downwind. The results indicate that Makurdi and Lafia have varying wind direction persistence (p) approximately 1.0m2 for all the months. This can cause variation in wind directions. It also indicate unstable pattern of wind observation in this cities. For Makurdi, lowest and highest value of potential stands at M (12.15 m2) and (42.5 m2) were observed in April and May accordingly. For Lafia, values obtained by potential impact stands at M (2.20m2) and (67.50 m2) for the months indicated. Finally, Jos has (p) equal to 1.2m2 through all months, showing steady wind compared to two cities of Makurdi and Lafia and the predominant wind direction during the period of October 2018 to February 2019. Lowest and largest values of dilution potentials M (1.50m2 and 113.37m2) were obtained for February and December of the same year under review. Lowest values of m (dilution potential) indicate lower dilution potentials in these cities which indicate high concentration of inert pollutants while larger value of M predicts high volume of wind speed with a big impact area. The study showed that, dilution potential can be applied in comparing the wind data in line and space. It also portrays that wind impact diagram gives a good representation of wind along with area of high pollutants concentration as compared to wind rose. Finally, the information obtained from the research suggests air quality monitoring stations are required in Makurdi, Lafia and Jos for effective monitoring of air pollutants in these cities.

Early-onset, conjugal, twin-discordant, and clusters of sporadic ALS: Pathway to discovery of etiology via lifetime exposome research.

The identity and role of environmental factors in the etiology of sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (sALS) is poorly understood outside of three former high-incidence foci of Western Pacific ALS and a hotspot of sALS in the French Alps. In both instances, there is a strong association with exposure to DNA-damaging (genotoxic) chemicals years or decades prior to clinical onset of motor neuron disease. In light of this recent understanding, we discuss published geographic clusters of ALS, conjugal cases, single-affected twins, and young-onset cases in relation to their demographic, geographic and environmental associations but also whether, in theory, there was the possibility of exposure to genotoxic chemicals of natural or synthetic origin. Special opportunities to test for such exposures in sALS exist in southeast France, northwest Italy, Finland, the U.S. East North Central States, and in the U.S. Air Force and Space Force. Given the degree and timing of exposure to an environmental trigger of ALS may be related to the age at which the disease is expressed, research should focus on the lifetime exposome (from conception to clinical onset) of young sALS cases. Multidisciplinary research of this type may lead to the identification of ALS causation, mechanism, and primary prevention, as well as to early detection of impending ALS and pre-clinical treatment to slow development of this fatal neurological disease.

Students’ interactive engagement, academic achievement and self concept in chemistry: an evaluation of cooperative learning pedagogy

This study evaluated the effectiveness of interactive engagement pedagogy, specifically, cooperative learning pedagogy in improving students’ academic achievement and academic self-concept in chemistry. A pre-test, post-test, non-equivalent, control group quasi-experimental design was adopted. The study was in senior secondary schools in one of Nigeria's North-central states. The focus was on senior secondary school class two (SS2) students of comparable academic abilities and a mean age of 15.42 years. The sample was 244 students. The chemistry achievement test on water (CATOW) and students’ academic self-concept questionnaire (SASQ) were the instruments used in data collection. The CATOW was validated by experts while the SASQ was an adapted instrument that was already validated. The reliability coefficients were 0.82 determined with Kuder–Richardson's formula 20 for the CATOW and 0.78 determined with Cronbach's alpha for the SASQ. Mixed methods of data analyses were employed in the study, involving mean, standard deviation, analysis of variance, independent sample t-test, analysis of covariance, and Pearson's correlation statistics. The results show that interactive engagement pedagogy (cooperative learning strategy) improved the academic achievement and academic self-concept of the students in chemistry more than the conventional (lecture) method. The study also found a positive linear relationship between academic achievement and the academic self-concept of the students in chemistry. The implication was for the chemistry teachers in developing nations to structure the learning environments to be more learner-centered, and activity-based by creating cooperative and collaborative learning platforms that will help in improving students’ academic achievement and self-concept. The study recommended that chemistry teachers desist from using teacher-centered pedagogies for lack of provisions for students’ active engagement in the teaching–learning process. This study is novel because it evaluated the effectiveness of interactive engagement pedagogy (cooperative learning) in improving students’ academic achievement and self-concept in chemistry in a developing nation and also identified some of the reasons for the lack of implementation of innovative pedagogies and possible remediation in developing nations, especially in Africa.

Thrombocytopenia in HIV positive patients in Ilorin North-Central Local Government Area Kwara State, Nigeria

Thrombocytopenia in HIV positive patients in Ilorin North-Central Local Government Area Kwara State, Nigeria

Low Immunization Completion among Under-Five Children: Are Underserved Nomadic and Farming Communities in a North Central State of Nigeria doing Better?

ABSTRACTBackground:The recent drop in immunization coverage in Nigeria has left more than 3.25 million children unimmunized and has risen concerns over immunization completion among the under-five children. More so among underserved communities of pastoralist nomads and farmers that were isolated from immunization services because of operational and sociocultural factors.Materials and Methods:A cross-sectional analytical (comparative analysis) study was carried out among 550 eligible caregivers of under-five children in nomadic and farming communities in Niger State, Nigeria. The mothers and caregivers paired with under-five children were recruited into the study using a multi-stage sampling technique. Data were collected using a validated interviewer-administered questionnaire. Data were analyzed with SPSS (version 23).Results:More than half of the under-five children studied were males in both the nomadic (57.5%) and farming (52.0%) communities. The aggregated score of immunization knowledge was significantly (p &lt; 0.001) better (Good 44.4%; Fair 49.8%) among farmers compared to their nomad counterparts (Good 21.1%; Fair 43.6%). Conversely, almost all the respondents (98.2%) in the nomadic community significantly had a good overall perception of childhood immunization compared to 77.1% in the farming community. More farmers’ children (99.6%) had received immunization compared to 92.4% of the nomads’ children. About 87.3% of farmers compared to 76% of the nomads’ (76.0%) children reported immunization completion. About 50.5% of the farmers’ and 41.4% of the nomads’ children have achieved immunization on card inspection.Conclusion:This study revealed that average immunization completion reported among under-five children in both farming and nomadic communities is higher than the national average. It is recommended that more strategies are needed to intensify immunization campaigns targeted at populations in Nigeria.