Nsukka Campus Research Articles

The need for ENVIRONMENTAL GEOPHYSICS: the case of abandoned complex behind UBA and FIDELITY banks near Greenhouse at Nsukka campus of University of Nigeria

Subsurface geologic structure around an abandoned building at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka campus was investigated to ascertain the cause or reason for abandonment. 2-D resistivity method was employed in the study. Three electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) profiles and one vertical electrical sounding (VES) profile were conducted around the building using SSR-MP-ATS resistivity meter. Winresist software and RES2DINV software were used to process the VES and ERT data respectively. The result of the analysis of the VES data showed a six layered earth model with the resistivity and depth respectively for each layer. The results of the ERT revealed that the area is covered with a conductive top-layer to a depth of about 15 m coupled with fault zone that passed through the building site. These results showed that the foundation of the building was laid without priori or adequate geologic information about the site before commencement of the building. Geologically, the areas with a conductive layer or fault zone have earth materials with low or poor engineering strength that could lead to collapse of engineering structure either by sinking or by fall and which is the case with this site we have studied.

Illegible Type and Readingof Health Information on Food Packs: Survey of University of Nsukka Campus Staff and Students

Illegible Type and Readingof Health Information on Food Packs: Survey of University of Nsukka Campus Staff and Students

EMPIRICAL OBSERVATION OF WIRELESS NETWORK PERFORMANCE FOR TRANSMISSION CONTROL PROTOCOL (TCP) UPSTREAM AND DOWNSTREAM FOR DIFFERENT USERS SCENARIOS

The increase in demand for proper and fast access to network infrastructure around the University environment by staff, students, and visitors in the quest to carry out daily tasks or keeping up with trends/innovations around the globe is a daily experience resulting in some challenges. But these challenges are not unexpected. The access to network infrastructure around the environment encourages proper development. This paper presents an empirical observation of transmission control protocol upstream throughput (TCPupT) and downstream throughput (TCPdownT) performance for an IEEE 802.11g wireless local area network (WLAN) installed at a corridor space of University of Nigeria, Nsukka campus. This work measured the TCP upstream and downstream throughput values for single, double, and multiple users (several Users) accessing an installed WLAN access point. The paper adopted basic WLAN system setup approach while observing the TCP performance in relation to SNR. Data collected for each environment were statistically analyzed, equations and results were also presented. The observed TCP throughput values vary as users increase thereby affecting the observed round-trip time (RTT). The generated equations were also used to predict TCP throughput which would aid network engineers in the deployment of IEEE 802.11g WLAN systems especially around the university environment. It is now clear that the generated model equations can be used for predicting the expected performance of IEEE 802.11g WLAN systems during deployment. This work gives WLAN engineers, researchers and users an apparatus to rapidly estimate the TCP upstream and downstream throughput, by monitoring the received SNR for IEEE 802.11g systems.

Analysis of solid waste composition and its treatment potentials in University of Nigeria Enugu State, Nigeria.

The aim of the study is to determine the quantity, composition and treatment potentials of solid waste generated in University of Nigeria Nsukka campus. To achieve these, solid waste was sampled for 1 week from Nine (9) academic buildings, sixty-two (62) academic departments administrative offices, eight (8) corridors, and three (3) cafeterias giving a total of 82 waste sampling points. In total, 4821.1kg/week of waste were separated at University of Nigeria. The total quantity of solid waste at collection points were buildings (1034.9 kg/week), corridor (910.7 kg/week), cafeteria (502.5kg/week) and departmental offices (2373 kg/week). The mean quantities of waste generated at collection points were 114.99kg/week, 113.84kg/week, 167.57kg/week and 38.27kg/week for building, corridors, cafeteria and departmental offices respectively. This shows that on the average that the highest quantity of waste is generated from cafeteria. The weighted average amount of solid waste generated in University of Nigeria Nsukka Campus per sampling point is 58.79kg/week. The weighted average percentage of the waste fractions for university of Nigeria Nsukka Campus is 37.66%, 20.23%, 6.65%, 24.86%, 3.33% and 7.28% for paper, plastic, metal, organic, glass and others respectively. The waste fractions are generated in a decreasing order as follows: paper (37.66%), organic (24.86%), plastic (20.23%). metal (6.65%), others (7.28%) and glass (3.33%). The estimated waste generation rate for the university campus was 0.019kg/capita/day from the four sources analyzed based on current student population of 36000 and weekly generation of 4821.1kg. 28.35% of the waste is compostable while 64.49 % is recyclable and these sums up to 92.84% indicating that only a small proportion that is 7.16% of generated waste which can neither be composted or recycled will be diverted to landfill. Therefore, recovery of resources and recycling call for segregation of waste at the source, through providing separate waste containers for different waste types.

PATRONIZING INTERIOR DECORATORS IN UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA NSUKKA: THE HOMEMAKERS PERCEPTION

This study aimed at investigating the use of interior decorators by homemakers living in staff quarters in the University of Nigeria Nsukka. Four specific purposes guided the study as it sought answers to four research questions. The study used descriptive survey design. Simple random sampling technique was used A sample size of 120 home makers living within the staff quarters of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka Campus was used for the study. A questionnaire which was designed and developed by the researchers in line with the objectives of the study was used to collect data for the study. Frequencies and percentages were used to analyze the collected data that was used for the study. The results analyzed revealed that majority of the Home makers residing in University of Nigeria Nsukka staff quarters are knowledgeable about interior decoration and its importance to the home (88%).The perception of homemakers living in University of Nigeria Nsukka towards patronizing interior decorators is positive as they are willing to patronize interior decorators (56%)but are constrained by a number of factors such as unavailability of funds, lack of value for interior decoration, scarcity of interior materials which leads to high cost of interior decoration materials among others (80%). However, these constraints can be reduced by making interior decoration affordable for the people, creating more awareness of interior decoration, implementing the right tools for decorating, among others (91%). It was recommended based on the outcome of the study , that the awareness of interior decoration and decorators should be intensified, this could come in form of workshop, seminars, exhibitions to get more people to know about the potential in interior decoration. There should be more practical lessons on interior decoration in the Home Economics program at various level as this would challenge students to explore the creativity in interior decoration. Discounts should be given to clients so that they can keep referring other people to patronize interior decorators.

CONSTRAINTS TO PARTICIPATION IN PHYSICAL ACTIVITYDURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC: ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATIONSIN UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA NSUKKA CAMPUS ENUGU STATE, NIGERIA

The global increase in physical inactivity has been implicated for high death rates from non communicable. COVID-19 presents series of constraints to participation in physical activity (PA) to people ranging from intrapersonal, interpersonal and structural constraints. This study assessed constraints to participation in PA during covid-19 pandemic and the environmental implications in University of Nigeria Nsukka Campus Enugu State, Nigeria. A cross sectional study was conducted among undergraduate students during COVID-19 pandemic. Participants (n =370) aged 18 to 30years (22.88±3.62) were recruited online through their individual school e-mail addresses. Physical activity was measured using International Physical Activity Questionnaire short-form (IPAQ-SF/LF) while constraints to PA during COVID-19 pandemic were assessed with COVID-19 scale. Data were analyzed using Mann-Whiney U test, Kruskal-Wallis test and Spearman correlation. In respect to PA level, 31.1%, 63.2% 5.7% of the participants had low, moderate and high PA Level respectively. No significant difference was found in categorized Metabolic Equivalent Task (MET) values (low, moderate and high) and overall MET value across all the demographic groups. Intrapersonal, interpersonal, structural and overall constraints were significantly associated with gender while structural constraints were significantly different across course level of participants. A significant association was found between low, moderate and high PA MET Values with the Total PA METs value. The findings reveal how COVID-19 influenced PAlevels of individuals thus provides evidence to inform the university administration and policymakers to develop polices to enhance PA Levels of the undergraduate students and the masses during such future pandemic.

Influence of Slope and Management Practices on Top-Soils Fertility Status of Compound Farms in Nsukka Campus

Influence of Slope and Management Practices on Top-Soils Fertility Status of Compound Farms in Nsukka Campus

Path Loss Model Predictions for Different Gsm Networks in the University of Nigeria, Nsukka Campus Environment for Estimation of Propagation Loss

Path Loss Model Predictions for Different Gsm Networks in the University of Nigeria, Nsukka Campus Environment for Estimation of Propagation Loss

Prevalence and associated factors of dyslipidaemia among university workers in Southeast Nigeria: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundThe job one does for a living may increase ones propensity to cardiovascular diseases due to many associated risk factors. University staff may be at high risk of dyslipidaemia, a major cardiovascular disease risk factor. This study assessed prevalence of dyslipidaemia and its associated factors among the staff of University of Nigeria, Nsukka campus, Nigeria.MethodsA cross-sectional survey of 386 workers selected through a 4-stage sampling technique was conducted. Data were obtained through questionnaire and lipid profile determination. Bivariate analysis using Cochran and Mantel-Haenszel test was used to determine associations between dyslipidaemia and selected variables. Odds ratios and significance at p < 0.05 were reported.ResultsRespondents who were 46 years and above accounted for 51.3 % while 95.3 % had tertiary education. Administrative/technical staff were 76.4 % while academic staff were only 23.6 %; 73.8 % were senior staff and 26.2 % were junior staff. More than half (60.4 %) consumed alcohol above recommendation. Lipid biomarkers of the workers were not sex dependent (p > 0.05). Few (23.4 and 6.5 %) of the respondents had borderline high and high total cholesterol values, respectively. Whereas none (0.0 %) had low high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), borderline low values were observed among 1.3 %. High low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) affected 1.3 %. Triglyceride was high among 3.9 %; 20.8 % had high atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) and 2.6 % had impaired fasting blood glucose (IFBG). Dyslipidaemia had a prevalence of 54.5 % with female dominance. Hypercholesterolemia with high LDL-c was the commonest combined dyslipidaemia observed (7.8 %). Dyslipidaemia was dependent on hypercholesterolemia (OR = 0.352, 95 % C.I.=0.245–0.505), high LDL-c (OR = 0.462, 95 % C.I.=0.355-0.600) and hypertriglyceridemia (OR = 0.462, 95 % C.I.=0.355-0.600). Alcohol intake above normal was associated with almost 6 times higher risk of dyslipidaemia (OR = 5.625, 95 % C.I.=1.062–29.799).ConclusionsDyslipidaemia is a problem among the workers with hypercholesterolemia in combination with high LDL-c and hypertriglyceridemia compounding the problem. Nutrition education and physical activity are advocated to prevent cardiovascular events among the university staff.

Solid waste quantification and characterization in university of Nigeria, Nsukka campus, and recommendations for sustainable management

Quantification and characterization of municipal solid waste are the bases for a proper solid waste management planning but the needed collection, transportation, characterization and disposal are grossly under-investigated and scarcely implemented in Nigerian Universities. This study, therefore, quantified and characterized the waste generated in the university of Nigeria, Nsukka campus using ASTM D5231-92 method, and recommended possible integrated solid waste management strategies for a sustainable management of the waste. The average daily solid waste generation in the university was estimated to be 2,218.66kg during the 6-month study period from 24th February to 18th August in 2017/2018 academic session with organic and polythene representing the largest portion at 32.36% and 34.29%, respectively. Glass/bottle, textiles/leather, rubber, wood, e-waste, sanitary, medical, polystyrene food pack and metal wastes represented 0.97%, 2.69%, 0.28%, 0.82%, 0.98%, 2.16%, 0.16%, 1.04% and 1.67%, respectively. The campus has a per capita solid waste generation rate of about 0.06kg/day. About 96.58% of the total waste is recyclable, and has about 51.85% biomass potential. Analysis of variance showed that differently dominated areas of the campus have different quantities and compositions of wastes mainly due to significant variation of organic and polythene components across the differently dominated areas. The barriers against effective solid waste management and recommendations for integrated solid waste management strategies were made to include solid waste generation reduction, re-usage, recycling, composting, and proper training and provision of incentive and other fiscal policies.

Food Hygiene Knowledge and Practices among Food Handlers in University of Nigeria, Nsukka Campus

Abstract The study determined food hygiene knowledge and practices among food handlers in University of Nigeria, Nsukka Campus. Two specific objectives, two corresponding research questions, and two null hypotheses guided the study. The study adopted a descriptive cross-sectional survey research design. The population for the study was 165 food handlers. There was no sampling done. A researchers’- designed food hygiene knowledge and practices questionnaire was the instrument for data collection. Frequencies and percentages were used to answer the research questions while Chi-square (X2) statistic was used to test the hypotheses at .05 level of significance. Findings showed among others that all the respondents (100%) who have no formal education were knowledgeable about food hygiene; 90.8 per cent of those who have primary education, 92.3 per cent of those who have secondary education and 92.3 of those who have no tertiary education had good knowledge of food hygiene. There was no significant difference in the level of food hygiene knowledge possessed by food handlers based on level of education (P = &gt;.05). There was no significant difference in the food hygiene practices of food handlers based on level of education (P = &gt;.05). The study recommended among others, that managers of food business establishments should frequently supervise the hygienic condition under which food handlers working for them prepare food.

Knowledge and practice of malaria prevention and management among non-medical students of university of Nigeria, Nsukka

Background: Inadequate knowledge, misconceptions about the transmission, perception and management of malaria has been reported among various strata of the society and this can adversely affect malaria control measures. This study sought to assess knowledge and prevention practices of malaria among non-medical student in University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Methods: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study carried out among non-medical students. A simple randomized system was adopted for this study in the selection of the three faculties among the several faculties of non-medical students. A well-structured questionnaire which comprised of both open and close ended questions was adopted and used to elicit information from the students. Results: A total of 800 consenting UNN students participated in this study Less than one-tenth of the respondents (5.4%, n=43) reported that Plasmodium falciparum is the most common species that causes malaria. More than half of the respondents (53.5%, n=427) had treated mosquito net in their rooms, however only three hundred and thirty eight (42.3%) of them reported that they sleep under the mosquito treated net. There was a strong evidence of association between knowledge of Malaria and level of academic study (X2=11.01, p=0.015). Conclusions: The study results revealed that non-medical students of University of Nigeria Nsukka campus had an appreciable knowledge on prevention and management of malaria which was however, not translated into practice.

Organizational Commitment, Occupational Stress, and Core Self-Evaluation as Predictors of Workplace Deviance

The study investigated organizational commitment, occupational stress, and core self-evaluation as predictors of workplace deviance in the Nigerian civil service. Two hundred and eighty four (284) adults drawn from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka campus participated in the study. Questionnaires were used to elicit information from the participants. Results of regression analyses show that there was a significant negative relationship between organizational commitment and workplace deviance. Also, core self-evaluation was negatively correlated to workplace deviance. This implies that individuals with positive core self-evaluation are less likely to engage in workplace deviance, while individuals with negative core self-evaluation are more likely to engage in workplace deviance.

Performance Evaluation of the Lionet Quality of Service in Nsukka Campus of the University of Nigeria

Efficient performance of the Lionet in Nsukka campus of the University of Nigeria may be hindered by the ornamental trees that characterises the physical features of the University environment. This work measured and analyzed the Lionet quality of service (QoS) in terms of received power level and path loss as functions of distance, under free space condition and in the presence of a tree. To achieve this, Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression analysis was used on the measured data with the help of SPSS version 16.0 software; to show the significance of the presence of trees on the Lionet QoS. The findings revealed that path loss is influenced significantly if (p

The Limitations of Campus Wireless Networks: A Case Study of University of Nigeria, Nsukka[Lionet

This work studied the effects of physical environment (trees and buildings) obstructions on the Lionet in Nsukka campus of the University of Nigeria. The effects of these obstructions were measured by the variation in path loss and received signal strength as functions of distance using computer simulation and field measurement. The simulation results were compared with the field measurement results, conducted under free space condition and where the Lionet signal was obstructed by trees and buildings. The results show that trees and buildings have significant effects on the path loss and the received signal strength of the Lionet. The study therefore recommends that the power level of the Lionet should be improved for efficient performance, more access points should be deployed at locations where obstructions are prevalent, and Lionet should possibly migrate from wireless to fibre optic network.

Prevalence of obesity among undergraduate students, living in halls of residence, University of Nigeria, Nsukka campus, Enugu state

A study of the prevalence of obesity among undergraduate students was conducted at University of Nigeria Nsukka campus, Enugu, State, in the South Eastern partof Nigeria. A tota of 620 male andfemale students were randomly selected for the study. A structured and validated questionnaire and anthropometry were used for data collection. The study elicited information on the sex distribution of the subjects who were obese, their marital status, dietary pattern, activity pattern and their health status. Information obtained was analyzed using frequency distribution, percentages, means and cross tabulation. The result revealed that 21% of the participants were obese, (8.1% are males and 13.1% are females). Most of the participants who were obese were unmarried, a total of 934% of the of the study population. The result of the eating pattern showedthat 406% of the subjects purchased their foods from eating houses within the campus, 466% cooked their meals with foods brought fom their homes; 28.2% and 26.7% consumed fruits and vegetables daily respectively. Food choice was based on taste of the food, cultural demands and easy to prepare foods. Information on the activity level showed that 85.5% of the obese subjects occasionally engaged in physical activity. Assessment of the heath status indicate that 61% had cardiovascular disease; 23% were diabetics, 3.8% had gall bladder disease and 51% had other illness like ulcer, irregular menstruation, fever and stomach ach. Keywords: Obesity, Prevalence, University undergraduate students

Comparison of Serum Concentrations of Total Cholesterol and Total Lipid in Different Groups of Female Tuberculosis Patients

Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the most dangerous tropical diseases that complicates HIV infection in Nigeria to date. Over two million Nigerians are known to be infected with TB and many more are at risk of the infection. Serum concentrations of total cholesterol and total lipid of 117 female TB patients attending chest clinic at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Ituku, Enugu State, Nigeria and 38 female residents of University of Nigeria, Nsukka Campus who had no history of tuberculosis by the time blood was collected (FTBF) were spectrophotometrically evaluated. The 117 female TB patients were made up of twenty seven (27) TB patients not yet on any form of TB drugs (FTBP), 60 TB patients being treated with a combination of normal complements of TB drugs (FTBD) and 30 confirmed female TB-treated persons (FTBT). Results obtained revealed that the mean serum total cholesterol and total lipid concentrations of the FTBP were 136.66 ± 17.32 mg/dl and 4.5 ± 0.88g/l respectively and FTBD (142.22±28.77 mg/dl and 4.6±0.95 g/l respectively) were significantly lower (p

Analysis of socioeconomic and environmental impacts of waste stabilization pond and unrestricted wastewater irrigation: interface with maintenance.

The effluent from the waste stabilization ponds (WSPs) of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka Campus, is used for irrigation by poor rural farmers. There has been fear that the poorly maintained WSPs and the reuse practices are contributing to environmental degradation and health hazards. In this study the environmental and socioeconomic impacts of the WSPs and reuse were evaluated based on data collected from questionnaires and the literature. The engineering and agricultural properties of soil in the irrigated and nonirrigated areas were compared. Comparison of the health status of the farmers and nonfarmers, of consumers of crops irrigated with wastewater and nonconsumers was performed using Student's t test and the z-score test. The occurrences of diarrhea, typhoid fever, and malaria among the various groups were used as indices. Analyses show that the health status of the farmers and consumers is poorer than those of nonfarmers and nonconsumers at the 5% level of significance. Vegetable cultivation using WSP effluent is a means of sustenance to the farmers and provides an affordable means of satisfying their nutritional deficiencies. However, the poorly maintained WSPs create odor and mosquito nuisances, trap and destroy livestock, and flood nearby compounds with waste debris. At both 1% and 5% levels of significance, communities around the ponds (< 300 m) suffer malaria more frequently than those who live far away (> or = 300 m). Cost-benefit analysis argues in favor of improvement of WSP management and irrigation reuse of wastewater. Dredging of the ponds, training workers and farmers, and adopting appropriate maintenance and monitoring strategies will greatly enhance the socioeconomic status of the urban poor farmers.

Phytoplankton of Ogelube Lake, Opi, Anambra State, Nigeria

Ogelube, a small, shallow natural lake at Opi, a township near the University of Nigeria's Nsukka campus yielded 231 algal taxa. Most belonged to the Desmidiales, dominated by Cosmarium, and to the Chlorococcales dominated by Scenedesmus, giving 73 taxa new to West Africa.

Experimental investigation of the possible correlation of wind speed on insolation

Utilizing a cadmium sulphide (CdS) photoresistor for insolation measurement and a single-three cup anemometer to determine wind speed, measurements have been taken simultaneously for insolation and wind speed. Readings were taken daily and 2-hourly at the Nsukka Campus of the University of Nigeria, which lies on latitude 6.8°N and longitude 7.35°E. The investigation spanned a period of 5 months (April–August). The investigation took account of a very vital climatic period in the eastern part of Nigeria namely the rainy season. This period is characterised by storms and very heavy rainfall. Average hourly insolation and average wind speed as a function of local times have been measured and plotted. The investigations reveal that insolation tends to depend on the wind speed at any particular time and tends to peak with it over the same period.