Ovia North East Local Government Research Articles

Genotoxicity Assessment of Contaminated Drinking Water Sources in a Rural Community in Edo State of Nigeria

In most rural settlements in Nigeria, provision of potable water for drinking and domestic purposes is a big challenge; therefore analysis of drinking water is of great importance as contaminated water jeopardizes both the physical and social health of all people. Water samples were obtained during the dry and wet seasons from a borehole and a man-made lake constructed through self-help effort in Obazuwa community in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria. They were analyzed for physicochemical parameters and subjected to cyto-genotoxic evaluation using the Allium cepa assay. Results of the physicochemical analysis showed that most of the parameters (pH, chromium, copper, chlorides, nickel, iron, zinc, cadmium, lead and manganese) of the lake water in both seasons exceeded World Health Organisation (WHO) permissible limits. Total heterotrophic bacteria and E. coli were present with dry season water samples having higher amounts. Compared to the control, the mitotic index decreased significantly (p < 0.05) in the water samples and were characterized by a number of chromosomal aberrations notably bridges, fragments, sticky chromosomes, disoriented chromosomes, and micronuclei in significant amounts and these were more pronounced in water samples obtained during the dry season. The findings in this study are of public health relevance as access to safe water is a fundamental human need and therefore, a basic human right.

Effects of Demographic Factors on Plantain Production in Southern Part of Edo State, Nigeria

This study examined the effects of demographic factors on plantain production in Edo State, using Ovia Northeast Local Government Area as a case study. Primary data were collected with a multistage sampling procedure. Ten (10) plantain farming communities (Utese, Uhen, Egbeta, Ogbese, Okada, Iguomo, Aghanokpe, Ugbuwe, Ofunwengbe and Ugboke) were purposely selected and fifteen (15) plantain farmers were selected randomly from the communities to get a total of one hundred and fifty (150) respondents. Data were analysed using descriptive and regression statistics. The Findings revealed that majority (66%) of the farmers were male, with average farm size of 2.63hectares, mean age of farmers at 40 years, educational level of secondary school, farming experience of between 11 and 20 years respectively. The regression analysis shows that education level (0.255), marital status (0.149), farm size (0.666) and farming experience (0.603) coefficients were positive, an indication that these variables have direct effect on plantain production in the study area. About 55.7% variation in the farmers output were explained by the demographic factors which also are confirmed by F-ratio (25.489) that is significant at -level of probability. Based on the findings, government should facilitate policies towards education of farmers, subsidize alternatives to labour for farm activities and enhance availability of arable land to plantain farmers in Edo state. I. Introduction: Plantain (Musa ssp.) belongs to the family Musaceae. The crop is widely grown all over the World and its production in Africa is estimated at more than 50% of the World production (FAO, 1990). Majority (82%) of the plantain output in Africa are produced in the low land of Guinea, Liberia to the central basin of the Democratic Republic of Congo. About 70 million people in West and Central Africa derives more than 25% of their carbohydrates from the consumption of plantain, making it one of the major sources of energy in Africa (Swennen, 1990). Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO, 2007) noted that Nigeria is a major producer of plantain in West and Central Africa and ranked fifth highest producer in the World. Plantain consumption in Nigeria in different forms is on the increase because of its high nutritional value, implying the existence of increased market potential for its production. However, plantain output (80%) is left in the hands of subsistence rural farmers (Bayeri, 1996). According to Adesanya, (2008) plantain is consumed in the World today in the form of boiled or roasted, plantain flour, chips and so on. These forms which are widely consumed are rich in protein (1.2%), carbohydrate (35%) and ash (0.8%). It is used in the prevention of kwashiorkor (Idachaba, 1995). The crop ranked third among starchy staples in Nigeria after cassava and yam. It is a major source of carbohydrate to man and domesticated animals. According to Ndubizu, (1995) plantain is said to have advantage of short gestation period of between 14 - 20 months with rapid multiplication ability (suckers) and as such several harvest can be made from one planting unlike other permanent crops. It fruits the year round. Research evidence has shown that plantain cultivation is still largely at the subsistence level within the forest zone of sub - Saharan Africa. The continuous availability of harvested bunches from established plantations makes it possible for the crop to contribute to year round food security and income for farmers. This may be particularly important when seasonal conditions create period of food shortages and other crops are in short supply. The interest of this study premised on the fact that the crop has the capacity to bridge the supply gap of carbohydrate when in high demand especially when other starchy staples are unavailable or difficult to harvest in the dry season. Hence this study focuses on the effects of demographic factors on plantain production in Edo State. II. Methodology: Study Area: The Study was carried out at Ovia Northeast Local Government Area (LGA) of Edo State. The LGA lies between latitude 6 0 -6.9 0 N and longitude 5.5 0 - 5.9 0 E in the North, while it extends through longitude 5.5 0 - 5.6 0 E in the South, with a population of about 153, 849 people and a land mass of 2, 357, 225 square kilometers, with an annual maximum temperature of 30 and minimum of 22℃. The annual average

Evaluation of some locally sourced phosphate rocks for oil palm production.

The effectiveness of some locally sourced phosphorus rocks (Sokoto Rock Phosphate (SRP), Crystallizer Super (CRY)) as P2O5 fertilizers for manuring oil palm applied on a long term basis (2000-2008) were evaluated along with conventional imported single superphosphate fertilizer at Okomu Oil Palm Plc., Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria. The rocks were tested at the rates of 1.5, 2.5 and 3.5 kg/palm/year respectively (214.5, 357.5 and 500.5 kg/ha), and the single superphosphate at 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0 kg/palm/year (143, 286 and 426 kg/ha). Urea (N), murate of potash (K), and kieserite (Mg) were applied as basal application at the rates of 0.5 kg N, 2.0 kg K and 0.2 kg mg/palm/year (71.5, 286 and 28.6 kg/ha) to all treatment plots except the control (treatment without fertilizer application). Treatments were laid out as Randomized Complete Block Design, replicated three times. The phosphorus sources enhanced soil pH and soil nutrient availability and thereby enhanced palm development and yield. Applied phosphorus fertilizers had significant (P≤0.05) effect on mean bunch number per palm, mean single bunch weight and fresh fruit bunch (FFB) production. Palms treated with these fertilizersperformed better than the control where no fertilizer was applied. Yield increases as rates of application increases and the optimum rates appeared to be 2.0 kg SSP, 2.5 kg SRP and 2.5 kg CRY beyond which there was no corresponding yield increase. Locally sourcedP2O5 competed favourably with the conventional inorganic single superphosphate as fertilizer for manuring oil palm. However, these fertilizers are better used in combined formwith single superphosphate due to their slow nutrients release and singly when Single superphosphate is not readily available. This along with basal application of N, K and Mg at the rates of 0.5, 2.0 and 0.2 kg /palm/year (71.5, 286 and 28.6 kg/ha) is very necessary for optimum yield. Key words: Fresh fruit bunch (FFB), oil palm, phosphorus treatment, rock phosphate, yield.

Hyperendemicity of onchocerciasis in Ovia Northeast local government area, Edo State, Nigeria.

The present study investigates the prevalence of onchocerciasis in 40 communities of the LGA and provides data, which could contribute towards the control programme of the disease in the local government Area, Edo state, Nigeria. A physician performed the skin examination and thereafter a skin biopsy taken and immersed in normal saline solution in the wells of micro titration plates and allowed to stand for 24 hours to allow microfilaria to emerge and then examined microscopically. The prevalence of onchocerciasis was investigated amongst 40 communities in Ovia North-East LGA of Edo state, Nigeria. Of the 2020 subjects examined between March 2007 to April, 2008, 1674 (83%) of them harboured microfilaria in their skin tissues.Females had significantly (P < 0.001) higher prevalence than their male counterparts (93.1% vs 74.5%). The hyperendemicity of the disease may however be due to poor distribution of ivermectin and non compliance on the part of the subjects taking the drug as some often complained about the side effects of ivermectin. The findings demonstrated hyperendemicity of infection and require urgent attention with ivermectin treatment and other control measures.

A significant association between intestinal helminth infection and anaemia burden in children in rural communities of Edo state, Nigeria.

Background:Anaemia is estimated to affect half the school-age children and adolescents in developing countries.Aim:This study aimed to determine the prevalence of anaemia and evaluate the relationship of intestinal helminth infection on the anaemia status of children in the rural communities of Evbuomore, Isiohor, and Ekosodin. in the Ovia North East local government area of Edo State, Nigeria.Subjects and Methods:Faecal samples and blood samples were obtained from 316 children aged 1-15 years. Faecal samples were examined using standard parasitological techniques, and anaemia was defined as blood haemoglobin <11 g/dL.Results:Of the 316 children, 38.6% were anaemic: 75.9% of children in Evbuomore, 42.3% in Isiohor and 26.8% in Ekosodin. The overall parasite prevalence in the three communities were: Ascaris lumbricoides (75.6%), hookworm (16.19%) and Trichuris trichiura (7.3%). Malnutrition was patent; 37.0% of the children were stunted, 19.3% wasted, and 44.0% underweight. There was a statistically significant association between hookworm and Ascaris lumbricoides infection and anaemia (P < .001). Serum ferritin levels were more sensitive than haemoglobin in detecting anemia and were correlated with intestinal helminth infection.Conclusion:Intestinal helminth infection in a concomitant state of malnutrition is observed in this population. Intervention programmes should be aimed at control of intestinal helminth infection and iron supplementation.

Antibiograms of salmonella isolates from poultry farms in Ovia North East local government area, Edo State, Nigeria

Water, fecal and swab samples of poultry walls and cages collected from various poultry farms located in five towns and villages in Ovia North east local government area of Edo State, Nigeria, were screened for the presence of Salmonella spp and antibiotic resistance pattern of the isolates. The prevalence rates recorded shows that Salmonella was isolated from all the sources investigated with varying rates which ranged from 27% for poultry cages to 80% recorded for fecal samples. Overall prevalence rates based on location ranged from 48% to 76%. Result of the resistance pattern of the Salmonella isolates from the various farms reveal that 62% of total 304 isolates tested were resistant to one or more of the antibiotics used with no significant difference in resistance pattern between the locations. Resistance to ampicillin appears to be the most common and was the highest (43%), followed by trimethoprim-sulphamethozazole (39%) and streptomycin (29%), with cephalexin (9%) and gentamycin (10%) recording the least resistance. Worrisome however is the fact the fluoroquinolones which are comparatively new, expensive and could be drug of choice should there be an outbreak, showed some significant degree of resistance (17%). The findings from this study present a potential health problem and are suggestive of the extent of misuse of drugs in medical and veterinary practice in Nigeria.

Contribution of malnutrition and malaria to anemia in children in rural communities of Edo state, Nigeria.

Background:The most common cause of anemia is an iron deficiency; however, the condition may also be caused by deficiencies in folate, vitamin B12 and protein. Some anemia is not caused by nutritional factors, but by congenital factors and parasitic diseases such as malaria.Aim:This study attempted to estimate the prevalence of anemia among children in three rural communities of the Ovia North East Local government area, and to determine whether its cause was nutritional or could be attributed to malaria.Patients and Methods:A total of 316 children between the ages of 1 and 15 years were included in the study. Children were examined for malaria parasites by microscopy. The World Health Organization (WHO) age-adjusted cut-off for hemoglobin was used to classify anemia.Results:38.6% of the children were anemic, with hemoglobin levels lower than 11g/dL, although parasite prevalence and density were low. Malnutrition was patent; 37.0% of the children were stunted, 19.3% wasted and 44.0% underweight. Serum ferritin was more sensitive than hemoglobin concentration in detecting anemic children. Anemia was also significantly higher in the Evbuomore village school than in the Ekosodin and Isiohor villages (P<0.001).Conclusion:Anemia detected in this population may be due more to malnutrition than to malaria.

Perceived training needs of cassava farmers in Ovia north east local government area of Edo State. Nigeria

This study examined training needs of cassava farmers in Ovia North-East Local Government Area, Edo State. A total of 80 randomly selected cassava farmers were the respondents for the study. Data were collected using interview schedule and analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Results showed that majority of the farmers (57.5%) were males, higher percentage of the respondents (63.8%) belongs to the age group 30 – 49years and 47.5 percent of the respondents were married. Majority of the respondents (60.0%) had both primary and secondary qualifications while 32.5 percent had no formal education. Findings further show that respondents attached great importance to the use of improved variety ( &#935=4.37), rapid multiplication of planting materials (&#935 = 4.18) weeding (&#935 =4.15) and storage of planting material (&#935 =3.85). They also identified quality flour making (&#935 = 4.72), rapid multiplication of planting materials ( &#935= 4.68), industrial utilization of cassava (&#935 =4.53) identification of improved varieties (&#935 = 4.42). as areas where training is highly required. There were significant association between respondents\' age, educational level and farm size and their training needs. It was therefore recommended that there is a need for organizing training for farmers in areas such as rapid multiplication of planting materials, quality cassava flour production and identification of improved cassava varieties. Keywords: Assessment, training needs, cassava farmers.Bowen Journal of Agriculture Vol. 5 (1&2) 2008: pp. 128-134

Physical and Chemical Characteristics of Breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis) Seeds Collected from Three Locations in Edo State, Nigeria

The study was initiated to ascertain some physical and chemical characteristics of the breadfruit seed collected from three locations (Benin City in Oredo, Egor in Egor, and NIFOR in Ovia North-East Local Government Areas) in Edo State, Nigeria. 150 units of well-matured seeded breadfruits were harvested, the fruits were opened and the following physical characters were determined; weight of fruits, number of seeds per fruit, percentage weight of seeds and weight per seed. The seeds after sun-drying (30-35 C) and seed o coat removed were apportioned into two (defatted and undefatted)by extraction followed by proximate chemical analysis (AOAC, 1990).Results indicated that there was no significant (P > 0.05) differences between locations for the physical and chemical characters of the breadfruit and seeds determined. However, it indicated that the mean weight of fruits ranged between 1228.5 and 1291.09 numbers of seeds per fruit (from 73.0 to 77.0) while the mean weight of seeds per fruit and mean weight per seed were between 615.4g and, 750.1g and 8.49g and 9.00g respectively. The seed weights per seed were between 615.4g and 750.1g, 8.49g and 9.00g respectively. The seed weights (percent) per fruit were 50.1, 54.9 and 53.1% for the three locations. The chemical composition of the fruit seed indicated ash to be between 5.02% for Benin and 5.33% for NIFOR and CP, 18.27 (Benin), 19.11 (Egor) and NIFOR, 19.37 percent. Other parameters measured (EE, CF, NFE) were 8.25, 16.18 and 42.10% for Benin City, 8.63, 16.92 and 17.15% for Egor and NIFOR, 8.54, 16.75, and 43.49 percent. Results for the defatted seed meal were (2.75%), CP (27.93%), CF (15.37%) and 48.01% for NIFOR. It may be concluded that locations within the region did not considerably affect the breadfruit and seeds characteristics measured in this study.

Economic analysis of the marketing of plantain: a case study of uhunmwode and ovia north east local government areas of edo state, Nigeria

This study concentrated on economic analysis of the marketing of plantain in Uhunmwode and Ovia North East Local Government Areas of Edo State. Six markets, made up of three from each local governmnet were selected because of their high population of plantain marketers and their approximate equal sizes. Data were collected with a well structured questionnaire administered to sixty randomly selected plantain marketers from the six markets . Personal interview, observation method and weighing of plantain were also carried out. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, deviation, correlation coefficient and t- test. The results revealed that differences exist in the price of plantain in the selected markets due to transportation cost, storage cost, initial purchase price of the plantain, bruising/spoilage, off-season scarcity and inadequate market information. Keywords: Economics analysis, plantain marketing, Uhunmwode and Ovia North East, Edo State.

The Economic Potentials of Pineapple Marketing in Edo State, Nigeria.

Agricultural marketing involves numerous lines of activities, which if well developed can sustain livelihood. It is in line with this that this study looked at the economic potentials in pineapple marketing with a view to unfolding the various business ventures in it that could be developed to enhance income generation for the farmers/marketers. The study was conducted in Uhunmwode, Ovia North East and Esan West Local Government Areas of Edo State. The data used for the study were obtained with the aid of a well-structured questionnaire from fifty (50) randomly selected pineapple marketers and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The Benefit-Cost Ratio was used to assess the economic viability of some of the identified ventures while the Likert Scale was used for the ranking of some identified factors that stagnate enterprise development in pineapple marketing.