South-East Geo-political Zone Research Articles

Prevalence and predictors of menopausal symptoms among postmenopausal Ibo and Hausa women in Nigeria

Background: Menopause is an important part of the life of a woman. The perception and reaction to these symptoms vary from woman to woman and among different tribes and races. Nigerian women are becoming more aware of menopause and its associated problems through the media and other sources. This has important implications including health and financial burden of treatment and loss of work hours. Objective: To determine the pattern of menopausal symptoms and factors affecting them among Ibo women in southeast and Hausa women in northeast geopolitical zones of Nigeria. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study involving 261 randomly selected postmenopausal women from the southeast and northeast geopolitical zones of Nigeria. Results: The mean age of the respondent was 52.68 ± 5.76. Major complaints were joint and body pains (74%), reduction in scalp hair volume (57%), internal heat (51.7%), and vulvar pruritus (47.1%). Most of them had multiple symptoms with moderate severity (58.6%). Vulva vagina dryness was observed in age group of 50–54 years while underweight women presented more with forgetfulness. Women with tertiary education were more likely to experience severe symptoms and to seek medical help, and Ibo women were more likely to have their daily functions affected by menopause (P Conclusion: There is an increased awareness of menopause among women in this population. Menopausal women mainly experienced body and joint pains and reduction in scalp hair volume, contrary to commonly held view that dark-skinned women mainly experience vasomotor symptoms. Menopausal clinics will address these problems.

Emotional Intelligence as a Correlate of Social and Academic Adjustment of First Year University Students in South East GEO–Political Zone of Nigeria

The ability of passing through secondary school to the university level can be a stressful experience for many new undergraduate students. One of the challenges that they are confronted with is the need to develop their emotional intelligence and to adjust to the new environment. The present study was carried out to find out how emotional intelligence correlates with social and academic adjustment of first -year university students. A total of 200 first -year students from four functional faculties of education in federal universities in South-east geo-political zone of Nigeria with an objective to find out how emotional intelligence correlates with social and academic adjustment of first-year university students. The researchers applied Pearson product moment correlation in analyzing the data and for answering the research questions and Regression analysis for testing the two research hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. Results of the study showed that emotional intelligence correlated positively with social and academic adjustment of first- year students and that emotional intelligence significantly predicted first -year students’ social and academic adjustment in school.

The trend of academic libraries consortia in the north central and south east geo-political zones of Nigeria

Purpose – This study aims to examine the present trend of academic libraries consortia and the likely ways to improve on the development of consortia in Nigeria. Design/methodology/approach – The study adopted the descriptive survey method. It covers four selected academic libraries in the north and eastern parts of Nigeria. A questionnaire entitled “Library Consortia in Nigerian Universities Questionnaire (LCNUQ)” was designed to collect data for the study. Findings – The study revealed that academic libraries in Nigeria have not fully embraced library consortia, as only two out of the four academic libraries surveyed have functioning library consortia. The paper shows that none of the libraries surveyed have collection development policies on e-resources, as well as union catalogues and interlibrary networking. It also reveals some likely ways of improving library consortia to include: jointly budgeting, increased funding and collective and compulsory development of interlibrary networking and union catalogues among university libraries within the country. Practical implications – The study will encourage librarians and library management in developing countries to embrace and facilitate the development of library consortia. Originality/value – The paper reveals the present trend of library consortia in Nigeria. Therefore, the findings may be of help to librarians, university administrators and government to build and improve on the development of library consortia in Nigeria and other developing countries.

Stemming the Tide of Low Budget Implementation in the Nigerian Public Sector : A Search for Effective Budgeting System

The aim of this study was to identify measures that would stem the tide of low budget implementation in Nigeria public sector using South-East geopolitical zone of Anambra, Enugu, Abia, Imo, Ebonyi and Enugu States as case study. To achieve this aim, conceptual, historical and theoretical framework was adopted in literature review. Three research hypotheses were formulated and tested in empirical setting using chi-square (x 2 ) statistical tools. Findings of the study revealed that poor budgetary implementation in the Nigerian public sector have had significant negative effect on the Nigerian economy. The study showed that factors such as late presentation and passage of appropriation bills, delay in release of funds for capital projects, ineffective planning, corruption in the public sector amongst others have contributed to low budgetary implementation in Nigeria. The study concluded by highlighting that effective planning and the adoption of responsibility accounting system will assist in enhancing budget implementation in Nigeria.

Trend Analysis of Precipitation in Some Selected Stations in Anambra State

State is in the South East geopolitical zone of Nigeria. The major occupation of the people in this region is trading and farming, which depends on rainfall and other climatic factors. This paper presents statistical and trend analyses of the rainfall in some selected stations in Anambra State, which includes Ifite-Ogwari, Awka, Onitsha and Ihiala. Rainfall data for a period of 1971-2010 were obtained from Climate Research Unit (CRU). The existence of trend and statistical analyses was conducted on monthly total rainfalls using non-parametric techniques. The study revealed that overall averages of yearly and monthly total rainfall were 5798.78 mm and 1739.62 mm in Ifite-Ogwari, 6051.8 mm and 1815 mm in Awka, 6288.87 mm and 1886.88 mm in Onitsha, and 6637.19 mm and 1997.1 mm in Ihiala. Yearly total rainfall has Mann-Whitney of 26 and 41 between 1971 and 1990, 1991 and 2010 respectively in Ifite-Ogwari, 32 and 42 between 1971 and 1990, 1991 and 2010 respectively in Awka, 42 and 39 between 1971 and 1990, 1991 and 2010 respectively in Onitsha, and 33 and 45 between 1971 and 1990, 1991 and 2010 respectively in Ihiala. These parameters show that there are significant trends in the rainfall in term of yearly total for the period. Sen’s estimator revealed that there were significant downward trends for yearly total (-0.775 mm/year) and (-0.094 mm/year) within the period of 1971-1990 and 1991-2010 in Ifite-Ogwari. There was an upward trend of yearly total (1.841 mm/year) between 1971 and1990, whereas there was a downward trend of yearly total (-0.211) between 1991 and 2010 in Awka. It was concluded that there was a significant downward trend in the yearly total and mean rainfalls in Ifite-Ogwari, Awka, Onitsha and Ihiala in the last four decades (40 years), which could be attributed to climate change.

Colleges of Education Librarians in Nigeria: An Investigation into the Self-Perception of ICT-Related Information Literacy Skills

The purpose of the paper is to investigate the level of ICT related IL skills of librarians in COE libraries and to know some challenges librarians face in acquiring IL skills. Descriptive survey method was adopted using questionnaire.The study covered professionals and para-professional librarians in federal, state and private Colleges of Education libraries in the South-South and South-East geo-political zones of Nigeria. The findings revealed that the librarians rated their information literacy skills to be average. A correlation of the overall assessment of the librarians’ IL skills with variables such as institution, gender, years of experience and qualifications revealed differences among the librarians. The study also revealed that the librarians acquired their IL skills through different channels such as friends and colleagues, self-practice, workshops, conferences and seminars, and through on the job training. Only a few indicated that they acquired their IL skills through library schools. Lack of training, irregular power supply, poor Internet connectivity, inadequate facilities (computers), and lack of time were identified as some of the challenges to acquire IL skills.

Impact of Packaging on Sales Volume, A Comparative Study of Made in Nigeria and Foreign Products

Good quality packaging is a contributory factor to sales volume enhancement. This is however a reverse in the rural areas of Nigeria with the South East geo-political zone as study area. Hence locally made products are higher demand even at better package offer of foreign products. The research is executed based on 25 rural communities of the five South Eastern states of Nigeria, to determine the reasons for poor demand for better packaged foreign products and data were analyzed using the Likert ranking scale and the ‘t’ test statistics. These show that this reverse impact of packaging on sales volume is attributed to the high level of poverty in the rural area of Nigeria given low level of per capita income and high level of quantitative rather than qualitative education with attendant inability to read. Thus consumers are influenced by the affordability and availability of products in demand as such physical and aesthetic values as well as communication, functional and perceptional benefits and environmental, health and safety concerns of packaging are not much considered. This work recommends good consumer marketing research activities as aid to market segmentation and market offer positioning, based on the characteristics of Nigeria rural markets especially for the bridging of the gap in demand between made in Nigeria and foreign products; given the features and characteristics of package (packaging), for the realization of expected return on investment based on target market satisfaction.

Marital Status, Household Size and Poverty in Nigeria: Evidence from the 2009/2010 Survey Data

Abstract This paper examines the effect of marital status and household size, among other correlates, on poverty in Nigeria, using the Harmonized Nigeria Living Standard Survey (HNLSS) data of 2009/2010. Our results show that monogamous marriage, divorce/separation and widowhood are negatively and significantly correlated with the probability of being poor. However, monogamous marriage has the largest probability of reducing poverty in Nigeria. We also find that household size matters in determining poverty in the country: a one-person household negatively and significantly reduces poverty while addition of members to the household, progressively increases the probability of being poor. In addition, our results show that there is a significant concave (inverted-U shaped) relationship between age and poverty. Other variables found to significantly reduce the probability of being poor include: being a male, completion of post-secondary education, being in paid household employment, and residence in the North Central and South East geopolitical zones. Variables that increase the probability of being poor in Nigeria include rural residence, possessing no education, being a self-employed farmer, and residence in the North West geopolitical zone of the country. Based on the results, we recommend a number of policy interventions necessary to reduce poverty in Nigeria. Keywords: Marital Status, Household Size, Poverty, Nigeria JEL Classification: I32, I38, J11, J12

Status of Prison Library and Information Resources and Facilities in Nigeria: A Focus at the East

AbstractConsidering the need for sound library and information services to be provided to all in the society of today, this research examined the status of prison library and information resources and facilities in Nigeria with a focus on the southeast geopolitical zone. Seven prison libraries in five States in the zone were used for the study. An observation checklist/ guide was used to collect the required data about the availability, adequacy and functionality of the human and material resources and facilities in these prison libraries. Data generated from the survey was quantitatively analyzed and interpreted in relation to the population of prisoners using the American Library Association’s ASCLA Standards for Adult Correctional Institution and Prison Libraries as a “bench mark”. Findings showed that although the different prisons had apartments for library and had some resources and facilities in place, these resources and facilities were grossly inadequate considering the population of prisoners being served. Facilities like library buildings in these prisons were not to standard, and reading tables and chairs, shelves and library collections (books, periodicals) were all very inadequate. Further findings showed gross inadequacy in number and qualifications of their human resources - librarians and other library workers. Recommendations were made towards enhancing the prison library resources and facilities.

Public Relation Skills of University Librarians in South-East Geo- Political Zone of Nigeria.

This study investigates the Public Relation Skills of University Librarians in South-East geo-political zone of Nigeria. Two research questions guided the study. Questionnaire with 19 items and interviews method were used for the study. Descriptive survey design was used. The population sample constitutes (13) Federal and State Universities with one hundred and seventy-four librarians and library officers in University Libraries South-East geopolitical zone-Nigeria. Sample used are five (5) University Librarians and thirty-seven (37) practising librarians, all totally 42. Data were collected, tabulated and analyzed using simple percentage method. The major findings of the study show that the public relation skills of university librarians are poor and this effects the overall library administration. The major recommendation is that the University should as a management matter of urgencies organize in-service-training on public relation skills for university librarian and library schools to include in their curriculum public relation courses in order to strengthen the leadership quality of future librarians. Keywords: Librarians, Public Relations Skills, Library services, and management

Academic Staff Challenges to Effective Utilization of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in Teaching/Learning of Agricultural Education

ICT has offered great potential, especially as an aid to every aspect of human endeavor. Inspire of the roles played by ICT especially in teaching/learning, there are still some impediments to its effective utilization by the academic staff. This work examined the academic staff challenges to effective utilization of ICT in teaching and learning of Agricultural Education in Federal Universities in South East geopolitical zones of Nigeria. Forty respondents were purposively sampling from universities and used for the study. Three research questions guided the study. A 35-item researchers’ developed questionnaire was used for data collection. Instrument validation covered face and content validity by two experts in educational management and agricultural education. While reliability index values of 0.86, 0.85 and 0.92 were obtained using Cronbach alpha. Means and grand means were used to analyze the research questions. The findings revealed a low extent utilization and inadequate ICT tool literacy among the academic staff in the federal universities in south east geo-political zone of Nigeria. It is therefore recommended that the academic staff avail themselves the opportunity of various conferences and workshops to acquire the needed skills for effective utilization of ICT tools.

A study of failure and abandonment of public sector-driven civil engineering projects in Nigeria: An empirical review

Incessant failure and abandonment of public sector projects are still posing serious concern and challenges to the society and other stakeholders in civil engineering and construction industries. The study identifies and examines the salient factors and the warning signals responsible for failure and abandonment of public sector driven civil engineering projects with a view of directing efforts towards forestalling the problems. Opinion survey was adopted with area and judgmental sampling procedures. Primary data based on the identified factors, was captured with the instrument of questionnaire from professionals in civil engineering projects operating in the South East geopolitical zone of Nigeria. The analytical tools used in the study were severity index, spearman’s rank correlation coefficient, relative agreement factors and Kendall’s coefficient of concordance (W.). The rankings of different professionals were significantly correlated. The result of percentage relative agreement factors indicates that the most salient factors causing failure and abandonment of public sector driven civil engineering projects in order of significance are frequent changes in government and political power, unreliable mode of financing and payment of completed work, and project contract sum indirectly used to compensate political big-wigs etc. Wtest further substantiates the results by indicating significant degree of concordance in opinion of experts. The study therefore concludes that politicallyinduced corruption, undefined and non compliance to the agreed mode of financing and payment of completed work are the bane of project success. It is therefore a matter of legislation and policy formulation which should be instituted to avert failure and abandonment of public sector-driven civil engineering projects.

Knowledge and Use of Disinfection Policy in Some Government Hospitals in South-East, Nigeria

Aims: This study was carried out to evaluate the knowledge and use of disinfection policy in government hospitals in south-east geopolitical zone of Nigeria and to compare the three categories of government hospitals. Study Design: This was a descriptive, cross sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Intensive Care Units and Special Care baby Units (SCBU), Departments of Pharmacy (Compounding/Storage Unit), Medical Laboratory Services, Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology, between February and May 2012. Methodology: A structured self administered and pre-tested questionnaires were administered to 200 randomly selected healthcare workers which included 40 Pharmacists, 59 Nurses, 55 Resident/General Practice Medical doctors and 46 Medical laboratory scientists, employed full-time in selected government hospitals in southeast geopolitical zone of Nigeria. Results: The sample size and the response rate were 200 and 100% respectively.

Gauging the comparative Effectiveness of Trado-modern Media in grassroots Campaigns: The Case of NOA Mandate

Aroused by the persistent issue of defective communication strategy in development campaigns, this study set out to investigate the comparative effectiveness of traditional and modern media in grassroots sensitization. The work which focused on the mandate of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), used the multi-stage sampling technique to draw a sample of 915 subjects from the grassroots population of the South-East Geo-political Zone of Nigeria, to participate in the study. The data gathered with a questionnaire were analyzed with percentages, frequency distribution tables and weighted mean scores (WMS). The findings showed, among other things, that whereas a blend of the traditional and modern media was vital to grassroots campaigns, the modern media were more effective in influencing the audience; government does not factor in the views of the people in its plans; the communication strategy is defective; and that government’s neglect of the people undermines effective communication. Based on these findings, it was recommended, among other things, that government should improve the socio-economic condition of the people, effectively monitor feedback mechanism and factor in the people’s views in its policies. Key Words: NOA, Traditional media, Modern media, Grassroots, Campaigns

Roles of Counsellors in Promoting Sexuality Education for In-School Adolescents in Nigeria

Research was embarked upon to investigate the role of counselors in promoting sexuality education for in-school adolescents in Nigeria. The respondents were made up of 120 practicing guidance counselors in Enugu State situated in South-East geopolitical zone of Nigeria. They were drawn from both professional and teacher counselors practicing in 220 public secondary schools in the state. Structured questionnaire and respondent’s perceptions were data gathering instrument. The findings show that their identified roles are value re-orientation for students, enlightenment programme for parents on the need for the growing adolescents to be kept abreast of their developmental changes, information dissemination on benefits inherent in sexuality education, and creating awareness through lectures, seminars, workshops, and conferences on the objectives of sexuality education. However, they are constrained in carrying out these roles because of lack of fund, lack of awareness on what sexuality education is all about cultural and religious interferences. It equally perceived that measures like provision of adequate funds, removal of cultural inhibition, the use of media and moral instruction, as well as value re-orientation could be used to eliminate the constraining factors. Based on the above, policy-makers were called upon to find intervention strategies for removal of the constraints as a way for enhancing sexuality education at secondary schools.

Satellite Television and Local Media Use Among Viewers in Satellite TV Households in the Southeast Geopolitical Zone of Nigeria

The basic objective of this work was to examine the influence of satellite television broadcasting on local media use among viewers in satellite television households in the southeast geopolitical zone of Nigeria. It adopted the survey research method in studying a sample size of 384 respondents. Among the null hypotheses tested in the study was that there is no significant difference between the level of exposure to satellite TV and local TV by viewers in satellite TV households, and there is no significant relationship between age and level of exposure to satellite TV among viewers in satellite TV households. The study revealed among others that viewers in satellite TV households tend to watch more satellite TV than local TV basically due to high quality programme production, and a variety of exciting programmes offered by the satellite TV channels, though the difference in exposure level was not significant. It was recommended among others that broadcast media houses in Nigeria should strive to improve programme content and production quality with a view to competing effectively with foreign DBS channels. Key words: Satellite television; Local media; Uses and gratifications theory

English

This paper reports the contamination of ready-to-use food thickeners, collected from the South-East geo-political zone in Nigeria, by aflatoxigenic form ofAspergillus species. A total of 150 samples from different open markets were observed for fungal contamination by using serial dilution-spread plate method. Although, Aspergillus, Fusarium and Penicillium were the most frequently isolated fungi, Aspergillus species were found to be the most prevalent in all the samples. Furthermore, Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus produced aflatoxin on yeast extract sucrose (YES) media incubated for 10 to 15 days at 27°C in a CO2incubator. Aspergillus niger showed no sign of any secondary metabolite on the media, set at similar conditions. Although, light microscopy was used to identify these fungi, based on colony morphology, PCR method was used to confirm genetic variation among the Aspergillus group, using ITS set of primers. Gel electrophoresis of PCR products confirmed the presence of Aspergillus species at an amplification range from 500 to 600 bp in all the samples tested. PCR was found to be a sensitive and a more reliable tool for detection and identification ofAspergillus species in food thickeners as opposed to conventional light microscopy. This is a first kind of mycological survey on the contamination of ready-to-use food thickeners sold in Nigeria.   Key words: Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus parasiticus, aflatoxin, food thickeners, ITS.

Library Services To Prisoners In South East Geopolitical Zones Of Nigeria

Prison inmates tend to be side -lined in information provision in Nigeria. Library services to prisoners are critical to their rehabilitation into the larger society on release. The paper is an assessment of Provision of Library services to prison inmates in South East Geopolitical Zone of Nigeria. The questionnaire method was adopted. Responses were collated and analyzed. The study revealed that the information needs of the prison inmates in certain d isciplines were lacking or non existent. It noted that library resources in the prison libraries are grossly inadequate. It was also revealed that the collections in these prison libraries are being managed by people without proper training in information handling and management. It noted wi th dismay that prison libraries do not or rather receive the attention it deserved from government and the society in general. The study recommends recruitment of professional staff who are versed in information handling and management, active involvement of government in provision of adequate funds to prison libraries, provision of out-reach library services, by nearby libraries both public and private to prison inmates, creating awareness of the public for the need to support the prison libraries.Key Words: Library services, Prisoners, South East, Nigeria

Quantification of aflatoxin B1 in ready-to-use food thickeners in South-east geo-political zone in Nigeria.

A total of 150 ready to use food thickeners were randomly collected from various markets in both urban and rural settings. Four of the samples tested Achi (Brachystegia eurycoma), Akpalata (Afzelia africana), Ofor (Detarium microcarpum), and Ukpo (Mucuna flagellipes) were contaminated with fungal flora. The most common and prevalent fungi observed on incubated powdered form of food thickeners on media, were the Aspergillus group namely Aspergillus flavus,Aspergillus parasiticus and Aspergillus niger. Pure isolates of A. flavus and A. parasiticus from various food thickeners from open markets in Nigeria were screened for their potential to produce aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) on agar media. Ultraviolet (UV) light, a standard procedure was used to differentiate the toxin from non-toxin form of Aspergillus species. Further, aflatoxin quantification was done using thin layer chromatography (TLC) followed by fluorometry. A. flavus was more prevalent than A. parasiticus in all samples. Toxin and non-toxin isolates were grouped as per bright greenish-yellow fluorescence (BGYF) presumptive test under UV light. The amounts of AFB1 from A. flavus isolates ranged between 0.94 to 3.83 µg/g of agar and all positive A. parasiticus ranged from 0.22 - 2.87 µg/g of agar. Analysis of food thickeners also revealed a high incidence and alarming levels of naturally produced aflatoxin. The levels of AFB1 ranged between 4.0 and 95 µg/g in various food thickeners tested. That the presence of aflatoxin in food thickeners poses a potential health threat to consumers in this part of Nigeria and elsewhere is discussed. Key words: Ready-to-use food thickeners, Aspergillus sp., aflatoxin B1, thin layer chromatography, fluorometry.

Saline sonohysterosalpingographic findings in infertile Nigerian women

SummaryThis paper describes the findings in the first 100 women who underwent saline sonohysterosalpingography (SHG) at two privately owned health facilities in Enugu, South East Nigeria. This was a prospective study of the first 100 consecutive women presenting with infertility to the authors at Mbanefo Hospital and Hansa Clinics, both in Enugu, South-East geopolitical zone of Nigeria from 1 May 2005 to 20 January 2006. Saline sonohysterosalpingography was carried out in the standard way in these women. The findings were analysed using simple percentages and means ± SD. The procedure was completed in 98 women, while in two others it was not possible to cannulate the uterine cavity. A total of 61 of the women had normal uterine musculature, 37 had interstitial fibroids and two had sonographic features of adenomyosis. Regarding the endometrial cavity, 93 women had a normal endometrium, four had a submucosal fibroid, one had intrauterine adhesions, while the endometrial cavity could not be assessed in two women who could not be cannulated. No case of submucosal polyp or uterine septa or other congenital uterine anomalies was seen. As assessed sonologically, 77 of the study subjects had bilateral patent tubes, while five had unilateral tubal patency. In one woman, there was uncertainty about tubal patency or blockage; in two women, the tubes could not be assessed because of non-cannulation of the uterine cavity and in 15 women, both tubes were blocked. A total of 74 women had normal ovaries; 15 had polycystic ovaries; five had atrophic ovaries consistent with ovarian failure and six women had ovarian cysts. In 18 women, the findings at sonosalpingography (SSG) were confirmed at laparoscopy in 11 women or laparotomy (two women) or by the fact that the patients became pregnant (five women). In 15 (83.3%) of these 18 women, the findings at SSG and laparotomy/laparoscopy or of the woman becoming pregnant were compatible. SSG is a useful screening test for assessing endometrial, tubal and ovarian factors in infertile Nigerian women, thereby obviating the need for laparoscopy and hysteroscopy in the majority of cases.