Southeast Nigeria Research Articles

Sustainable Development Goal 1 and Poverty Alleviation in South East Nigeria: The Nexus

Sustainable Development Goal 1 and Poverty Alleviation in South East Nigeria: The Nexus

Interrogating Sustainable Development Goal 1 and poverty in South East Nigeria: Is there any Development to be Sustained?

Interrogating Sustainable Development Goal 1 and poverty in South East Nigeria: Is there any Development to be Sustained?

Palynological and Sequence Stratigraphy Framework of Campanian-Maastrichtian Deposit of Anambra Basin, Awgu Section, Southeast Nigeria

Palynological and Sequence Stratigraphy Framework of Campanian-Maastrichtian Deposit of Anambra Basin, Awgu Section, Southeast Nigeria

Breast Milk and Hand Hygiene Practices among Breastfeeding Mothers in Tertiary Health Institutions in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State South-East Nigeria

Introduction: Breast milk and hand hygiene are very important aspect for breastfeeding mothers. This is because of the role breast milk plays in the early stage of development of the infant. Though breast milk is very essential for infants, its quality can be compromised when proper hygiene practices are not observed by the breastfeeding mothers. Therefore, this study is aimed at determining the knowledge and practices of breast milk and hand hygiene among breastfeeding mothers in tertiary health institutions in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Method: The study adopted a cross-sectional descriptive design with a purposive sampling method to select 215 breastfeeding mothers who visited two tertiary health institutions for immunization. Data among were analyzed. Ethical approval and permission were obtained from the participating hospitals and University of Port Harcourt Ethics Committee, the institution the author affiliates. Result: The result revealed that 71.3% and 75.3% had good knowledge of breast milk and hand hygiene while 2.3% and 1.4% had poor knowledge. The study noted that 58.1% and 60.9% of the breastfeeding mothers practices breast milk and hand hygiene respectively while 21.4% and 9.8% had poor practice. The knowledge of breast milk and hand hygiene was significantly associated with practices of breast milk and hand hygiene. The result further revealed that only knowledge of breast milk hygiene was significantly associated with parity while knowledge of hand hygiene, practices of breast milk and hand hygiene was not significantly associated with parity. Conclusion: Though there is high knowledge of breast milk and hand hygiene among the breastfeeding mothers but the knowledge did not reflect with the practice. There is therefore a need for continuous education of the breastfeeding mothers on the practice of milk and hand hygiene and its importance to the growing infants.

Cultural adaptation of the brain health assessment for early detection of cognitive impairment in Southeast Nigeria.

The aging population in developing countries demands parallel improvements in brain health assessment services to mitigate stigma, promote healthy aging, and diagnose cognitive impairments including dementia in primary health care (PHC) facilities. The lack of culturally appropriate cognitive assessment tools in PHC facilities delays early detection. This study aims to culturally adapt a brief digital cognitive assessment tool for PHC professionals in Southeast Nigeria. A total of 30 participants (15 healthcare workers HCW and 15 community members) were selected to be culturally representative of the community. We completed focus groups and pilot testing to evaluate and refine the Brain Health Assessment (BHA) a subset of tools from the Tablet-based Cognitive Assessment Tool (TabCAT) known to be sensitive to cognitive impairment in other settings. We examined BHA subtests across local languages (Pidgin and Igbo) spoken at two geriatric clinics in Anambra State Southeast Nigeria. Following structured approaches in focus groups, adaptations were made to the Favorites (memory) and Line Length (visuospatial) subtests based on their input. Participants found the new adaptations to have good construct validity for the region. The BHA subtests showed content validity for future work needed to validate the tool for detecting early cognitive changes associated with dementia and Alzheimer's disease in PHC settings. The use of culturally adapted and concise digital cognitive assessment tools relevant to healthcare professionals in Southeast Nigeria's PHCs is advocated.

Community Participation in the Development of Community Libraries in South East Nigeria

Community Participation in the Development of Community Libraries in South East Nigeria

Transparency and Accountability in Nigeria's Public Sector: Local Government Fiscal Autonomy in Focus

The study examines how local government fiscal autonomy can promote transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s public sector. Personal interview and survey research methods were adopted in the study and structured questionnaires were distributed to a sample of 132 local council administrators comprising Treasurers, Heads of Accounts, Budgets and Audit of the local government councils in the eleven states in the South-South and South-East Nigeria. A semi-structured interview was employed to guide the interview section. The study finds that there is a semblance of accountability in the management of local government council funds, but the transparency of the local councils is in doubt because fiscal information is not readily available. Most of the local councils do not have a functional website. A major limitation of this study is the unwillingness of respondents to divulge information on local council funds. To overcome this challenge, the research instrument was designed to make respondents give an estimate of the amount received. The study result shows that the fiscal autonomy of local councils is important for the development of the country and reinforces the need to grant local government councils fiscal autonomy to ensure effective development and bring governance closer to the people. The study findings show that granting autonomy to local councils in Nigeria will enhance the council area's development for the citizens' overall benefit. Based on the findings, the study recommends that federal and state governments in Nigeria should rethink the fiscal autonomy of local government councils and take necessary steps to restore the fiscal autonomy of the third tier of government to address the problems of developmental deficits ravaging the nation.

Strategies for Overcoming the Challenges of Electronic Resources Collection Development in University Libraries in South-East Nigeria

Strategies for Overcoming the Challenges of Electronic Resources Collection Development in University Libraries in South-East Nigeria

Insect Succession and Dynamics on Decomposing Piglets (Sus domesticus Erxleben) Carasses at Umudike, Southeast Nigeria

Insect Succession and Dynamics on Decomposing Piglets (Sus domesticus Erxleben) Carasses at Umudike, Southeast Nigeria

The Federal Character Principle and Political Exclusion of Southeast Nigeria, 2015–2019

The incidence of political exclusion in the world has continued to increase among different ethnic groups, and this has continued to generate tension. However, in Nigeria, the inception of the current democratic dispensation in 2015 led to the politics of exclusion in sheds of opinions of individuals whose contributions are required for the development of the country and in political appointments of people from particular religious and ethnic groups. Though the federal character principle of affirmative action has received reasonable scholarly attention, these studies have failed to examine how non-adherence to this policy initiative has increased the marginalization of the Southeast zone of Nigeria from 2015 to 2019. Based on the expository strength of the social exclusion theory and through a rigorous content analysis of data collected using the documentary method, it was argued that the non-implementation of this principle increased the marginalization of the southeast zone. Tables and figures validated these results in our analysis. Thus, emphasis is not only placed on affirmative action but rather on the manner in which it is performed. Our thought for policy implications considered the urgent need to review extant laws and policies enacted on inclusiveness, focusing on the yearly release of data by the commission across the country and effective sanctions for defaulters.

Information cues and fear as moderators of the predictors of compliance to Indigenous People of Biafra sit-at-home communication messages among small-scale business operators in South-East Nigeria

Limited literature exists to explain why the masses comply or do not comply with orders from separatist groups. In this study, the researchers used variables from frustration-aggression theory, cognitive dissonance theory, and theory of fear to suggest a model that explains why operators of micro, small and medium enterprises comply with messages from Indigenous People of Biafra. The researchers made use of a descriptive survey research design with a structured questionnaire as the instrument for data collection. A total of 470 participants who were sampled using respondent-driven sampling chain referrals took part in the study. Results from the structural equation model analysis showed that predictors of compliance to Indigenous People of Biafra sit-at-home order among micro, small and medium enterprises operators include perceived injustice, believe in government as well as believe in Biafra agitation. Additional results showed that fear and information cues moderate this relationship. Recommendations are made based on the outcome of the study. The result of this study could inform policies on how to communicate messages aimed at addressing issues that have the potential of fuelling separatist agitations.

Lithological and Structural Characterization of parts of the Lower Benue Trough, Southeast Nigeria, Using Radiometric and Aeromagnetic Data

Lithological and Structural Characterization of parts of the Lower Benue Trough, Southeast Nigeria, Using Radiometric and Aeromagnetic Data

Factors to Effective Clinical Experience, Willingness to pursue Career in Rural Health Facilities among Nursing Students on Clinical Placement in Southeast Nigeria and Rural Development.

To describe the Factors to Effective Clinical Experience and Willingness to pursue Career in Rural Health Facilities among Nursing Students on Clinical Placement in southeast Nigeria. The study was conducted among 48 rural health centres and general hospitals with 528 respondents from different higher institutions of learning serving in these health facilities for their clinical experience. The study applied survey design and utilized questionnaire instrument for data collection. Majority of the students (60%) agreed that their school lacked functional practical demonstration laboratory for students' clinical practice, 66.7% agreed that their school lab lacked large space for all the students to observe what is being taught, 79.9% that their school lab lacked enough equipment that can enable many students to practice procedures; majority of the students (79.9%) answered that the hospitals where they are on clinical placement lacked enough equipment needed for the students on each shift of practice, 59.9% agreed that student/client ratio in each ward during clinical experience periods was not enough for students' practice under supervision, while 73.3% indicated that their school lacked library with current nursing texts for references. Personal, socioeconomic and institutional factors explain the 76% of the variance of effective clinical experience and the 52% of the variance of the willingness to work in rural health facilities in the future if offered employment. The factors surrounding effective clinical experience in rural healthcare facilities in southeastern Nigeria are unfavorable and could discourage future nurses from working there. It is necessary to implement strategies to improve the management of these centers in order to promote the perspective of improving sustainable rural health in this region.

Democratic Governance and Insecurity: A Study of Enugu State, South East Nigeria, 1999-2019

Democratic Governance and Insecurity: A Study of Enugu State, South East Nigeria, 1999-2019

Colistin Resistance in WHO-Designated Global Priority Pathogens Isolated from Wastewater Effluents of Two Hospitals in Enugu Metropolis, South East Nigeria

Colistin Resistance in WHO-Designated Global Priority Pathogens Isolated from Wastewater Effluents of Two Hospitals in Enugu Metropolis, South East Nigeria

Evaluation of Myocardial Injury Using Serum Cardiac Troponin-I in Asphyxiated Neonates at Enugu State University Teaching Hospital, Enugu, South-East Nigeria.

The burden of perinatal asphyxia remains high in our environment and when asphyxia is severe, vital organs are affected, with resultant multiorgan hypoxic-iscahemic injury to the heart, the brain, adrenals and other organs. To evaluate for myocardial injury in asphyxiated term neonates with hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy using serum cardiac troponin-I (cTnI). The study was a hospital-based descriptive cross-sectional study involving sixty term asphyxiated neonates and sixty gestational age-and sex-matched controls. The subjects were term neonates with five-minute Apgar score ≤ 6 and HIE while the controls were healthy term neonates with five-minute Apgar score > 6. Five-minute Apgar score was utilized to classify asphyxia into mild, moderate and severe asphyxia. The degree of encephalopathy was determined by modified Sarnat and Sarnat criteria. The serum cTnI was measured in subjects and controls at 12-24 hours of life using Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique. The serum bilirubin levels were also measured in participants to exclude hyperbilirubinemia. The median serum cTnI levels was significantly higher in the subjects (0.56ng/mL; 0.25-0.94ng/mL) than in the controls (0.50ng/mL; 0.00-0.67ng/mL), respectively; p=0.001. Similarly, the median serum cTnI level in HIE stage II (0.56ng/mL; 0.38-0.72ng/mL) or III (0.56ng/ml; 0.50-0.94ng/mL) was also significantly higher than the median value in HIE stage I (0.38ng/mL;0.25-0.72ng/mL) or in controls (0.50ng/mL; 0.00-0.67ng/mL); p<0.001. There was significant positive correlation between serum cTnI levels and severity of HIE in asphyxiated neonates (rs = 0.505, p < 0.001). serum cTnI levels were elevated in severely asphyxiated neonates with HIE. The concentration of serum cTnI demonstrated significant positive correlation with HIE severity. Hence, the presence of HIE in asphyxiated neonates should prompt an evaluation for myocardial injury using serum cTnI. Any derangement noted should warrant instituting cardiovascular support in order to improve outcome and reduce asphyxia-related mortality.

Television Advertising Influence and the Gambling Habits of Students in selected Tertiary Institutions in South-East Nigeria

Television Advertising Influence and the Gambling Habits of Students in selected Tertiary Institutions in South-East Nigeria

Urbanization and youth employment in South East of Nigeria: 2015 – 2023

Urbanization and youth employment in South East of Nigeria: 2015 – 2023

Environmental Option and Remedy for Resuscitating Dying Lake Chad

Lake Chad, a vital freshwater reservoir in the Sahel region, faces a severe decline attributed to climate change, population growth, and unsustainable water practices. This study proposes a comprehensive transboundary water transfer initiative, sourcing freshwater from the water-rich regions of south-south, south-east, and south-west Nigeria to rejuvenate Lake Chad and its surrounding basins. This initiative employs a robust methodology comprising hydrological assessments of potential water sources, pipeline design, and construction informed by successful international case studies. Environmental impact assessments, stakeholder engagement, water quality management, and phased pilot project implementation ensure a holistic and sustainable approach. Lessons from projects like China's South-North Water Transfer and Australia's Snowy 2.0 provide insights into best practices for environmental stewardship and community involvement. Anticipated outcomes encompass the restoration of Lake Chad's water levels, revitalization of ecosystems, and socio-economic improvements in local communities. The multi-regional approach involving south-south, south-east, and south-west Nigeria seeks to enhance resilience against climate variability while fostering equitable water distribution and regional collaboration. Continuous monitoring, adaptive management, and knowledge sharing with global initiatives are emphasized to ensure the long-term success and sustainability of the project. This study proposes a novel and inclusive approach to address the challenges facing Lake Chad by leveraging freshwater resources from multiple regions in Nigeria. The outlined methodology prioritizes environmental sustainability, community engagement, and draws upon international successes, positioning this initiative as a model for transboundary water management in regions grappling with water scarcity.

The health consequences of child marriage among rural women: Evidence from Igbo-Eze North, South-east Nigeria

Child marriage has emerged as a significant social issue due to its profound health consequences, particularly within rural communities. This study aims to investigate the health consequences associated with child marriage among rural women. Employing a phenomenological approach, this qualitative study collected information from women with firsthand experiences in the communities of Etteh and Enugu Ezike, both situated in the Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area of Enugu State. Data were collected through in-depth interviews conducted with 20 women selected through purposeful sampling. The sample encompassed married women aged 18 &amp;ndash; 45 years, with a specific focus on those married before the age of 18. The findings revealed a significant association between child marriage and adverse physical health outcomes, including heightened rates of maternal mortality, inadequate prenatal care, and increased vulnerability to infectious diseases. Moreover, mental health assessments indicated a higher prevalence of anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder among women who experienced child marriage. Reproductive health implications were also observed, with a higher incidence of obstetric complications and adverse birth outcomes among this cohort. This study sheds light on the intricate web of health consequences associated with child marriage among women in Nigerian rural communities. The findings underscore the urgency for social work interventions that address the unique challenges faced by young girls in rural communities. Recognizing the long-term repercussions of child marriage is essential for informing evidence-based strategies aimed at improving the health and well-being of affected women and promoting sustainable development in the region.