Ondo State Nigeria Research Articles

THE PERCEIVED EFFECT OF RURAL TRANSPORTATION ON AGRICULTURAL PRODUCE IN IGBARA-OKE, NIGERIA

This study examines the perceived effects of rural transportation on agriculture produce in Igbara-Oke, Ifedore Local Government area Ondo State Nigeria. Case study research design was adopted while both primary and secondary data were utilized. Using a purposive multi-stage sampling technique, the total populations of farmers (2,139) at Igbara-oke, was determined and a 15% sample size was taken. Questionnaire was administered to 337 respondents. Focus Group Discussion (FGD) were held across the study area. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyzed the data at p value ≤ 0.05, while the qualitative data were content analyzed. Based on the ranking of the effect of transportation on agriculture, spoilage of farm produce was the highest (25.4%). Chi-square revealed a significant difference between the scale of agricultural engagement and transportation accessibility to farm locations (0.258). Transportation had a significant negative effect on agricultural produce, therefore, there should be rehabilitation of more rural feeder roads from farmlands to the markets is recommended.

Radiometric investigation of naturally occurring radionuclides in soils from Igbokoda, a coastal area in Ondo State Nigeria

The activity concentration of naturally occurring radionuclides was evaluated in soil samples collected from Igbokoda, a coastal area of Ondo state in Southwest Nigeria, using a NaI(TI) detector. According to the results, the average levels of 238U, 232Th, and 40K present in the soils are 37.63 ± 3.82, 23.20 ± 2.55, and 657.17 ± 45.15 Bq·kg-1, respectively. The radiological results from Igbokoda, Nigeria, offer a varied comparison with other coastal regions. While 238U and 232Th levels in Igbokoda are within global averages and generally lower than in some areas, the 40K levels are significantly higher, leading to an elevated radium equivalent activity (Raeq). Despite this, Raeq remains below the global safety threshold. Following the computation of the mean radiological risks, the reported values are absorbed gamma dose rate: 57·684 nGy·h-1; annually effective dose rate: 70.744 µSv·y-1; representative level index: 0.921; and radium equivalent: 121.413 Bq·kg-1, respectively. The study results demonstrate that the population’s radiation exposure resulting from the reported concentration of radionuclides in the soil of the study area is less than the levels recommended by global organizations. Therefore, the soil in the study region will not endanger the public. Nonetheless, more research is required to estimate the radionuclide concentration in the agricultural produce cultivated in the study area.

Breast Malignancy: Evaluating Perception and Adoption of Methods of Screening among Women in Urban Areas of Ondo State Nigeria

Background: Mortality from breast malignancy (cancer) is assuming a worldwide epidemic among women in recent times. The increasing mortality rate is partly due to poor level of adoption of early detection methods. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the perception and adoption of methods of screening for breast malignancy among women in Ondo State, Nigeria.  Methods: A cross sectional design was employed to carry out this research while 427 respondents were randomly selected through multistage sampling technique. The data instrument was piloted for accuracy and reliability. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS Version 25. Findings: This study indicated that most respondents (63.9%) were young adults >35years while the mean age was 38.0 years. There was a positive perception (90.2%) about breast malignancy screening among respondents. Notably, majority (82.2%) of respondents utilized Breast Self-Examination (BSE) screening method while only (14.1%) utilized mammography. Findings also revealed obesity and age as predictors of breast malignancy while family/friends remain the potent source of awareness of breast malignancy screening. Chi- square test revealed an association between occupation and practice of breast malignancy screening (P-value = 0.04*; X2 = 8.02) and educational qualification (P-value = 0.000*; X2 = 31.9). Findings also showed a correlation between perception and breast malignancy screening method (r = 0.218**; p-value = 0.00) and reasons for breast malignancy screening (r = 0.250**; p-value = 0.00).  Conclusion: Government should prioritize compulsory free screening initiatives for early detection of breast malignancy in women to avert the mental agony of loss of lives.

Perception of Agricultural Extension Personnel on the Use of Music in Disseminating Agricultural Information in Ondo State Nigeria

Perception of Agricultural Extension Personnel on the Use of Music in Disseminating Agricultural Information in Ondo State Nigeria

Evaluation of Diversity Management and Employees’ Performance Among Universities in Ondo State Nigeria

Evaluation of Diversity Management and Employees’ Performance Among Universities in Ondo State Nigeria

Dynamics of Ageing in Akoko Area of Ondo State Nigeria: Challenges of Public Welfare for the Aged

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to investigates the dynamics of ageing in Akoko Land of Ondo State Nigeria and challenges of public welfare for the aged. The Study was anchored on disengagement theory to explain the inevitable process of disengagement as a rewarding and universal that must be mutually agreed upon. Methods: Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected from randomly selected respondents and key informant participants numbering one hundred and forty (140). The quantitative data collected from 120 respondents were analyzed with statistical package for the social sciences, while the qualitative data collected from 20 participants were analyzed using content analysis. Results: Findings revealed that the aged were relatively neglected in term of care and social security. Majority of the respondents 94.2% agreed that extended family system alone cannot stand as a social insurance for the aged. 90% agreed that improvement in the social care and security policies across public and private organization would help to alleviate most aged poverty level. Conclusions: This study recommends, among others, that every family should extend mutual love and care gesture towards their ageing cohort, the aged should themselves engage in proper future savings and investments, while the society, through the non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and the Government should intensify their efforts to provide social security, public infrastructure, medical facility, prompt pension and retirement benefit payment in order to assure graceful ageing for every aged cohort in the society.

Promoting Sustainable Development in Combating Schistosomiasis through Community-Centric Approaches: The Role of Social Empowerment and Education in Ondo State

Schistosomiasis has been reported to be the most common parasitic disease after malaria capable of affecting over 249 million individuals in lower-income countries. The disease is caused by a blood fluke from the genus Schistosoma and can be either chronic or acute in several patients depending on the worm burden. Poor sanitation and lack of potable water are major predisposing factors for the sustained transmission of schistosomiasis in several communities in Africa. In Nigeria, 24 million cases are being reported in all states, with over 100 million individuals at risk of the infection due to the disease being endemic in the region. This disease is made worse when there is a co-infection of urinary tract infections (UTIs) or sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). In Ondo state Nigeria, urinary schistosomiasis is called Atosiaja, blood fluke, or snail fever. The disease is endemic in several communities in Ondo states due to little or no access to clean water which increases the contact of villagers to natural flowing rivers and streams that are natural breeding sites for the intermediate hosts. This systematic review was carried out to evaluate the prevalence of schistosomiasis in communities of Ondo state, Nigeria. The review was conducted through a literature search using two scientific databases which focuses on the prevalence and intensity of schistosomiasis infection in communities of Ondo state covering the period 2017 to 2022. This review looks at the relationship between sustainable development initiatives and the prevalence of schistosomiasis in Ondo state. By addressing critical issues such as water quality, community education and integrated vector management as long-term solutions to reduce the burden of schistosomiasis in Ondo state. This holistic approach will contribute overall to improvements in public health and the environment.

Ethnoveterinary practice of poultry birds in Ilara-mokin, Ondo-state Nigeria

Ethnoveterinary practices are important because they are easily available, inexpensive and effective, especially in rural areas where veterinary services are absent or irregular and expensive. The need to obtain information on ethnoveterinary practice in poultry in Ilara-mokin in Ondo State Nigeria formed the basis of the study. The study investigated the ethnoveterinary practice in poultry in Ilara-mokin, Ondo State Nigeria. Data used were collected from rural poultry farmers in the community using an open ended interview with the use of questionnaire and were analysed by means of simple average and percentages. The study revealed that female dominated 83.3% rural poultry production within age of 36-50 (50%) and no formal education (50%) and were mostly Christians (100%) and traders (55.56%). The ethnoveterinary practice in the study area include medicinal plants, palm oil, fire and so on. Seven medicinal plants belonging to seven families were discovered. The leaves, roots and fruit from the medicinal plants were used for treating poultry diseases. Ten diseases were discovered in poultry birds. Indigenous knowledge of the diseases in poultry birds were recorded. The economy of the state can be improved by increasing the health status of poultry birds.

APPLICATION OF GENERALIZED EXTREME VALUE DISTRIBUTION TO ANNUAL MAXIMUM RAINFALL

Generalized Extreme Value Distributions was used to model annual maximum rainfall data in Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria from 1981-2019. The parameters of the distribution are estimated using the maximum likelihood estimation method. The model fit indicated that the shape parameter is negative this suggests that Fréchet distribution is the appropriate model for describing annual maximum rainfall in Ondo-state Nigeria. The estimated return levels for different return periods revealed an increase in the value over the years.

Nutritional status of school children in South-west Nigeria: Inferences from a national homegrown school feeding programme.

The School Feeding Programme if properly executed has the capacity to improve the nutritional status of the school children. To assess the nutritional status of school children in Ondo State Nigeria given that the National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme (NHGSFP) has been operational in the state for over five years. This was a descriptive cross-sectional study. A total of 234 subjects from public schools and 227 subjects from private schools were enrolled in the study. Their mean age was 8.23 ± 1.92 years. Wasting, overweight, obesity, underweight, and stunting were noted in 19.4%, 11.4%, 0.4%, 5.0%, and 20.7% of the children, respectively. The prevalence of stunting (30.3%) and wasting (23.9%) was more among subjects from the public schools. A significant association was found between Weight-for-Age Z-score, Height-for-Age Z-score, and BMI-for-Age Z-score and the children's school type (p < 0.005). Majority of the children showed normal growth, the rest were in both extremes of malnutrition, the subjects from private schools seem to present better nutritional status, although there is no baseline data to ratify this finding. A further study on this subject using the current finding as a baseline data is recommended.

Evaluation of Pesticides and Trace Metal Contaminants in Grains, Fresh Fruits and Vegetables from Odoluwa Market Ile Oluji; Ondo State Nigeria

Vegetables, fruits and grains are sources of food rich in vitamins, minerals, and fibers and also have beneficial ant oxidative effects Pesticides and trace metals typically contaminate these food products. Pesticides and trace metals are not biodegradable and have the potential for accumulation in different body organs, leading to unwanted side effects This study investigated the concentration of pesticide residues and some selected Trace metals in Vegetables, fruits and grains from Odolua market Ile-Oluji Ondo State. Samples were collected randomly from the market, representative portion of the samples was chopped into small pieces and blended using a blender..Quantitative determination of the pesticide for Herbicides, organochlorine and organophosphate was carried out using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometer after liquid-liquid extraction. Trace Metal was determined using Inductively coupled plasma - optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). The results reveal the presence of pesticide residues in all the samples. The mean concentration of pesticides in the samples was below the maximum residue limits (MRs) value for World health organization (WHO) while some were higher. The results also shows that all the trace metals analyzed are present in the samples except for Cadmium which is below the detection limit while Lead and Cobalt are only detected in one sample each. Some concentrations of the trace metals were below the permissible limit for WHO while others were higher than the permissible limit.

Enhancing Quality of Early Childhood Education in Nigeria Through Adoption of Blended Learning By Early Childhood Educators

ABSTRACTIt has been observed in the recent that the reality and influence of Blended Learning on achieving quality education across the globe cannot be under estimated. This has made it a necessity for all educators to adopt blended learning as a teaching strategy. The study investigated the adoption of blended learning by Early Childhood Education teachers in Nigerian Primary Schools. Descriptive survey design was employed for the study. The sample size consisted of 450 teachers that were randomly selected from the three Senatorial Districts in Ondo State Nigeria. A self-designed instrument was used to collect data for the study. The instrument was validated and tested for reliability at coefficient of 0.75. Data collected were analysed using frequency, percentages and ranking. The result revealed that 387(86%) of the teachers in Ondo state has adopted blended learning and majority of the teachers had positive perceptions of BL as a teaching strategy. It was concluded that ECE teachers in Ondo state Nigeria has adopted blended learning as a teaching strategy. The study recommended that government and other stakeholders should give more awareness on BL and provide teachers and learners with necessary facilities needed in school and home.Keywords: blended learning; early childhood education; primary school; teacher; teaching strategy

The Effect of Extreme Temperature and Air Pollutant on Cardiovascular Disease in Ondo-State Nigeria

This study investigates the relationship between extreme temperatures, air pollutants, and cardiovascular disease in Ondo State, Nigeria. Geographic Information System (GIS) satellite mapping techniques were utilized to analyze the spatial distribution of environmental parameters including methane, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and temperature across Ondo State. Data was obtained for the years 2020, 2021, and 2022 to allow for temporal analysis. The parameters exhibited some variations across different local government areas, indicating potential differences in exposure. 2020 data on cardiovascular disease and death cases revealed distinct spatial patterns, with northern regions showing higher disease burden compared to southern areas. The findings highlight the need for targeted public health interventions based on region-specific environmental and health profiles. Enhanced monitoring, continued research on emerging factors, and translation of evidence into policies and community initiatives is recommended to mitigate environmental risks and promote cardiovascular health across Ondo State. Overall, the study demonstrates the utility of GIS mapping for investigating complex connections between environmental factors and health outcomes to guide informed prevention strategies.

The Effects of Inhaling Cement Particles on Some Coagulation Parameters of Bricklayers and Blockmakers in Owo Ondo State Nigeria

Background: Economic development alters the natural environment and sometimes harms ecosystems in terms of the humanly useful services they provide, their diversity, and their resilience. We are coming to understand that all of this has significant consequences for human health. Environmental health has been understood as a public health issue in relation to air quality, water quality, and exposure to environmental pollutants that are toxic, carcinogenic, or teratogenic or are chemically bioactive in other ways. Aim: This study investigates the effect of inhaling cement particles on some coagulation profiles among the brick layers and block makers in Owo, Ondo State. Method: This was cross-sectional descriptive and analysis of 50 brick layers and block makers together with 50 non brick layers nor block makers that serve as controls. Results: The results from the study shows a statistically significant increase in platelet count (p&lt;0.05) when compared to the control, while a statistically significant reduced time of PT and APTT were recorded (p&lt;0.05). There were no statistically significant results when the years of exposure were considered as shown in table 2 (p&gt;0.05) Conclusion: The results of this work shows that exposure to cement particles exposes the workers to hypercoagulability which is a tendency to thrombosis, thromboembolism and can also leads to cardiovascular disease.

Socio-Economic Effects on Students’ Essay Writing Performance under Selected Teaching Strategies in Senior Secondary Schools in Ondo State Nigeria

This study investigated the effect of socio-economic status (SES) on students’ performance in essay writing after using Reading-writing, Think-Pair-share, a Combination of TPS and RW strategies and the conventional method in secondary schools in Ondo State Nigeria. The study adopted a quasi-experimental pre-test post-test four-group design as well as a descriptive survey-type design. The population for the study comprised all the 25,297 public Senior Secondary School (SSS) II students of the 2019/2020 Session in Ondo. The sample for this study was 308 SSS II students who were selected from public senior secondary schools, using a multi-stage sampling procedure. The instruments used for this study are a questionnaire on Students’ Socio-economic Background Status (SSBS) and the Essay Writing Performance Test (EWPT). The EWPT was a standardized WAEC past question while the SSBS was validated by experts in the Arts and Language Department, Faculty of Education, Ekiti State University. The reliability of the EWPT was established through the test re-test method and the reliability coefficient of 0.70 was obtained. The reliability of the questionnaire was established by subjecting the score from a single administration to the Cronbach Alpha Reliability Co-efficient test. The instrument was found reliable as the calculated value was 0.82. The data collected for this study were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The hypothesis was tested at a 0.05 level of significance. The finding of this study revealed that after being instructed with different strategies in SSS in Ondo State, there was no significant difference in the performance of students from different SES in essay writing.

Community Policing Framework for Engendering Sustainable Peace: Case of Ondo State Nigeria

Community Policing Framework for Engendering Sustainable Peace: Case of Ondo State Nigeria

Assessment of Microbial Air Quality of Antenatal and Postnatal Wards of Four Major Hospitals in Ondo State Nigeria

The air microbial load and antibiotic susceptibility of microorganisms obtained from antenatal and postnatal wards of four major hospitals in Ondo State, Nigeria were assessed. The microbial load of each ward was determined by the passive settle plate method. The bacterial and fungal isolates obtained were identified based on cultural, morphological, and biochemical characteristics. The following microorganisms were tentatively identified: Proteus spp, Serratia marcescens, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Streptococcus spp, Micrococcus luteus, Pseudomonas spp, Bacillus subtillis, Bacillus cereus, Aspergillus spp, Penicillium notatum, Cladosporium spp, Mucor spp and Articulospora inflata. The bacteria that had the highest percentage occurrence (28.50%) were Bacillus subtillis and Staphylococcus aureus, while the least occurrence was recorded for Serratia marcescens (2.38%). Among the fungi, Penicillium notatum had the highest occurrence (44.70%), while Articulospora inflata (1.18%) had the lowest occurrence. The result of the antibiotic sensitivity pattern of the isolates showed that all the bacteria were susceptible to the commercial antibiotics except Serratia marcescens which were resistant to all the tested antibiotics. It is well known that life-threatening infections can be acquired from the hospitals, hence, it is recommended that improved hygienic procedures be put in place in these hospitals to reduce the occurrence of these microorganisms in antenatal and postnatal wards.

Evaluation of Polychlorinated Biphenyls in Sediments from Surface Waters of Igodan, Okunmo, Lebi, Idepe and OAUSTECH in Okitipupa, Ondo State Nigeria

The presence of PCBs in water bodies is an emerging issue for water quality. This is because, once PCBs reach a lake or river, they concentrate in the sediments by attaching to the organic matter. Therefore, the objective of this paper is to evaluate the level of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in sediment from surface waters of Igodan, Okunmo, Lebi, Idepe and Oaustech in Okitipupa, Ondo State Nigeria using appropriate standard methods. Data obtained reveals that in Igodan the concentration of PCBs in sediment w.as PCB 44 (5.42±0.00), PCB 18 (3.04±0.00), PCB 28 (3.27±0.07) and PCB 170 (6.60±0.00). Okunmo PCBs concentration in sediment was PCB 44 (0.67±0.00), PCB 18 (0.03±0.00), PCB 28 (0.32±0.00) and PCB 170 (0.18±0.00). Lebi PCBs concentration in Sediment was PCB 44 (0.82±0.00), PCB 18 (3.96±0.00), PCB 28 (1.12±0.00) and PCB 170 (1.08±0.00). Except for PCB 170 (0.33±0.02), the PCB concentration in sediment from the Idepe and the OAUSTECH were both below the detection limit (BDL). Correlation between Physicochemical Parameters and PCBs homologs shows a negative correlation for the relationship of EC (Electrical Conductivity), TOC (Total Organic Carbon) and pH at ( -0.283), (-0.262) and ( -0.246) respectively. According to multivariate investigation, releases from nearby factories, deterioration of electrical cables and transformers, waste from university laboratories and facilities, as well as diesel residues from lister engines could be associated with the elevated levels of PCBs in sediments collected from the five sampled sites in Ondo State. TriPCBs &gt; tetraPCBs were in this order in which the median concentrations of PCB homologues were found in sediments from the surface water.

Radiological Safety Assessment of Agricultural Soil within the Bitumen Belt of Ondo State Nigeria, Using RESRAD-ONSITE and RESRAD-BIOTA Codes

Exploration and exploitation of bitumen can create radiation exposure pathways that must be considered in risk management scenarios. RESRAD-ONSITE and RESRAD-BIOTA developed by the US Department of Energy (US DOE) to assess contaminated sites, were used in the present study to predict the radiation dose and excess cancer risk associated with residual radioactive materials within Ondo State Bitumen Belt for the duration of 100 years, using site-specific parameters. The activity concentrations of 40K, 232Th and 238U in soil samples were determined by gamma-spectrometry and their average values were 35.85, 3.27 and 5.01 BqKg-1 respectively. While the estimated internal doses in biota due to 40K, 232Th and 238U were 7.54E-06, 3.03E-07 and 4.55E-08 Gy d−1 respectively for terrestrial animals, 6.69E-06, 3.68E-08 and 2.29E-08 Gy d−1 respectively for terrestrial plants, 6.49E-06, 5.88E-09 and 2.22E-08 08 Gy d−1 respectively for the Nigerian Dwarf Goat (NDG). The maximum total dose of 0.0229 mSvyr−1 was obtained at Agbabu at t = 30 years for an on-site resident farmer using the RESRAD-ONSITE Code, while the minimum total dose of 0.0014 was obtained at Araromi at t = 100 years. These values were by far lower than the National Research Council's acceptable limit of 0.25 mSvy-1. Likewise, the maximum Excess Cancer Risk (ECR) of 0.050 × 10−3 was obtained at Agbabu, while the lowest ECR value of 0.015 x 10-3 was shared by three communities: Omotosho (OMO), Akotogbo (AKG), and Ibekegbo (IKB). The observed low cancer risks in all the selected communities are of less human health concern since they are lower than the world safe value of 0.29 x 10-3. This implies that utilization of the studied soil for farming may not cause any immediate health hazard to the inhabitant but prolonged exposure might pose radiologically induced health challenges.

The quantum of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon in &lt;em&gt;Pyxicephalus edulis&lt;/em&gt; and sediments in Oluwa river, Igbekebo area, Ondo state, Nigeria

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are organic compounds composed of two or more fused aromatic rings. PAHs can be found in a variety of foods and beverages, including drinking water, vegetables, fruits, cereals, oils, seafood, and meats. The current study investigated the pollution levels of the quantum of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon in Pyxicephalus edulis and river sediments. Twenty-five sediment samples and male and female specimens of Pyxicephalus edulis were collected from Oluwa River near Igbekebo, Ondo State Nigeria. The sediment samples were then dried in the open air for three days while the identified frog species were dried separately for 6 hours at 105°C before being powdered. The physicochemical parameters of sediment samples examined using standard physical and chemical analytical techniques and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in frog and sediment samples were examined using gas chromatographyflame ionization analysis (GC-FID). The toxicity equivalent(TEQ) values of PAHs in sediment samples were determined by comparing the findings of this study to the Sediment Quality Guideline (SQG) with effects range from viz., low (ERL), median(ERM) and threshold-effects level (TEL)/probable-effects level (PEL) to assess the toxicity of PAHs to aquatic organisms living in sediments. Male frogs had significantly higher concentrations of Acenaphthylene, Phenanthrene, Anthracene, Pyrene, and total PAHs than females, and lower concentrations of Naphthalene, Acenaphthylene, Fluorene, and Fluoranthene. BaAnt, Benzo(b) fluoranthene, Benzo(k)fluoranthrene, Benzo(a)pyrene, Indeno(1,2,3-cd) pyrene, Dibenz(a,h)anthracene, Benzo(g,h,i)perylene were reported only among males. The cause of this variation is unknown, but it could be due to differences in the genetic make-up of male and female frogs.