South-South Region Of Nigeria Research Articles

Diurnal BP Variations among Gender and Age Groups in 1000 Patients in a Cardiac Facility in The South-South Region of Nigeria

Diurnal BP Variations among Gender and Age Groups in 1000 Patients in a Cardiac Facility in The South-South Region of Nigeria

Rekindling Tradition in a Pandemic: A Qualitative Study of the Use of Traditional Herbal Mixtures Among High-Risk Groups During the Early Outbreak of COVID-19 in the South-South Region of Nigeria

On 27 February 2020, Nigeria reported its COVID-19 index case from Italy. The first 30 days saw the recording of 81 cases. In the first 60 days, this number rose to 1 337 for people over 50 and with serious underlying medical illnesses that were made worse by the COVID-19 infection. In this study, we investigated the use of traditional herbal mixtures by older people and people with chronic medical conditions in the prevention, management and control of COVID-19 in the South-South region of Nigeria, with Bayelsa State as a case study. Using purposive and snowball sampling techniques, we sampled and interviewed 21 participants, with interviews taking place at the health centres and the homes of older persons. The data were analysed thematically using content analysis with the aid of an Atlas.ti. The findings indicate that the majority of the participants used at least one traditional herbal mixture to prevent COVID-19 infection, and that the fear of contracting COVID-19 was the major factor for its use during the pandemic. The most commonly used herbal mixtures during the COVID-19 pandemic were a combination of “dogoyaro”, lime fruit and leaves, lemon, ginger, garlic, mango leaves and bark, pawpaw leaf and seed, soursop leaf, bitter leaf, scent leaf, lemongrass and moringa leaf. We concluded that older persons and people with underlying health conditions in particular relied on traditional herbal mixtures in the management and prevention of COVID-19 during the early outbreak of the pandemic in Nigeria.

Evaluation of rainfall rates and rain-induced signal attenuation for satellite communication in the South-South Region of Nigeria

Rain fade causes signal attenuation which can relatively results in signal quality performance degradation, increased pathloss and coverage area reduction in satellite communication networks, most especially in the tropics and at higher operational frequencies above 10GHz. Analysis of rain attenuation provides useful insight for satellite communication engineers for efficient network planning and design within the region of study. Hence this paper presents threeyear analysis of signal-induced attenuation in the South-South States of Nigeria for the cities of Port-Harcourt, Uyo, Calabar and Eket, whose terrain characteristics could be generalized to represent urban, sub-urban and rural terrains in Nigeria. The International Telecommunications Union Radio-wave propagation (ITU-R P618-13) model was used to estimate the long-term rain attenuation at 10GHz, 20GHz and 30GHz for satellite communication applications. Results obtained at 10GHz, 20GHz and 30GHz operational frequencies show that at high frequency, rain fade can cause signal attenuation levels in the south-south region of Nigeria. In all, Calabar recorded the highest rain rate and corresponding highest attenuation level of 96.13dB at 30GHz compared to 50.29dB at 20GHz for the period under review.

Participant/Avoidant Learning Approaches and Academic Performance in Cost Accounting: A Study of South-South Nigerian Federal University Students

Since most students are unaware of the various learning approaches and the best style for learning a particular course (for example, Cost Accounting), they tend to perform below their best. Also, due to the nature of cost accounting as a core accounting course, which has to do with real-work experience and computations, students tend to adopt a different learning approach in learning the course. As a result, they tend to perform below their best. The participant learning approach is an instructional method that actively involves students in their learning process. It emphasizes engagement, interaction, and hands-on experiences rather than passive reception of information. The correlation between avoidant learning strategies and students’ academic achievement in disciplines such as cost accounting is a subject of considerable interest and pertinence. The study investigated the correlation between participant/avoidant learning strategies and students’ academic achievement in cost accounting at four Federal Universities in the South-South region of Nigeria. The population consisted of 556 final-year accounting students from the accounting departments of four Federal Universities. The researchers used a descriptive research design and a randomly selected sample of 248 students. The Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) was used to analyze the association between the learning style preference of senior accounting students in cost accounting and their academic performance in the preceding semester’s final grade. The study found a significant positive correlation between participants’ learning approach and students’ academic achievement in cost accounting. Conversely, there was a significant negative correlation between the avoidant learning approach and students’ performance in cost accounting. The study recommends fostering self-motivation among students, encouraging them to seek approval from parents and instructors, and exposing them to diverse learning styles. This self-motivation is believed to facilitate the acquisition of appropriate learning strategies for effective learning. The research suggests that students who adopt an avoidant learning approach tend to perform poorly academically. To address this issue, it is recommended that instructors and fellow students discourage.

Modelling Maize Yield Vulnerability to Climate Variability

The effect of climate variability on maize yield has been the subject of numerous studies globally, but very few of these studies have focused on the local scale in Africa. As a result, the focus of this work is on creating a vulnerability index that combines sensitivity, exposure, and adaptive capacity to assess the degree of vulnerability of Maize yield to climate variability in the south-south region of Nigeria in West Africa. The ratio between the actual maize yield and the projected yield was used to calculate yield sensitivity. Adaptive capacity examines some of the socioeconomic and demographic factors in the study area. A fuzzy function was employed to derive the aggregation of the determinants of Adaptive Capacity (adult literacy, poverty prevalence, accessibility to the settlements of people, and dependency ratio). Exposure was expressed as the average of the long-term and short-term climatic factors (Rainfall and Temperature). Yield sensitivity ranges between 0.471 to 0.698 with moderate to high sensitivity observed in almost the entire growing region. Exposure values indicate a very high level of climate variability with the North of Edo to the Southeastern and Southwestern parts of the State being more exposed. Adaptive capacity is highly variable ranging from 0.174 to 1. The vulnerability index ranges from 0.393 to 0.698. The result indicates a very high to extremely high vulnerability on maize yield across the majority of growing regions in the south-south, which is an indication of a probable yield drop due to changing climate. This model provides a structure for decision-making and planning on climate variability mitigation needs assessment.

Modelling Maize Yield Vulnerability to Climate Variability

The effect of climate variability on maize yield has been the subject of numerous studies globally, but very few of these studies have focused on the local scale in Africa. As a result, the focus of this work is on creating a vulnerability index that combines sensitivity, exposure, and adaptive capacity to assess the degree of vulnerability of Maize yield to climate variability in the south-south region of Nigeria in West Africa. The ratio between the actual maize yield and the projected yield was used to calculate yield sensitivity. Adaptive capacity examines some of the socioeconomic and demographic factors in the study area. A fuzzy function was employed to derive the aggregation of the determinants of Adaptive Capacity (adult literacy, poverty prevalence, accessibility to the settlements of people, and dependency ratio). Exposure was expressed as the average of the long-term and short-term climatic factors (Rainfall and Temperature). Yield sensitivity ranges between 0.471 to 0.698 with moderate to high sensitivity observed in almost the entire growing region. Exposure values indicate a very high level of climate variability with the North of Edo to the Southeastern and Southwestern parts of the State being more exposed. Adaptive capacity is highly variable ranging from 0.174 to 1. The vulnerability index ranges from 0.393 to 0.698. The result indicates a very high to extremely high vulnerability on maize yield across the majority of growing regions in the south-south, which is an indication of a probable yield drop due to changing climate. This model provides a structure for decision-making and planning on climate variability mitigation needs assessment.

Learning Approaches and Students’ Academic Performance in Cost Accounting in Federal Universities in South-South, Nigeria

This study investigated the relationship between learning styles and academic achievement in the field of cost accounting among students enrolled in Federal Universities in the South-South region of Nigeria. The study employed a descriptive research design. This study focuses on the examination of a population using a randomly selected sample. The study's population comprises 556 final-year business education students from the departments of business education of the four Federal Universities located in South-South Nigeria, as selected for the research. A study was conducted in the South-South region of Nigeria, focusing on final-year students in the business education departments of four Federal Universities. The sample size consisted of 248 students, selected from a total population of 556 students. The primary data were gathered through the utilisation of a questionnaire. The statistical methodology employed to address the research inquiries and evaluate the hypotheses was the Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC). The present study employed a purposive probability sampling method to select the participants, which enabled the researcher to investigate the association between the learning style preference of senior business education students in cost accounting and their academic performance in the preceding semester's final examination in the same subject. There is a notable correlation between the independent learning approach and students' academic achievement in South-South Nigeria among other things. Based on the findings, the study recommended that lecturers as well as students should give necessary considerations to the different approaches available for learning.

Learning Approaches and Students’ Academic Performance in Cost Accounting in Federal Universities in South-South, Nigeria

This study investigated the relationship between learning styles and academic achievement in the field of cost accounting among students enrolled in Federal Universities in the South-South region of Nigeria. The study employed a descriptive research design. This study focuses on the examination of a population using a randomly selected sample. The study's population comprises 556 final-year business education students from the departments of business education of the four Federal Universities located in South-South Nigeria, as selected for the research. A study was conducted in the South-South region of Nigeria, focusing on final-year students in the business education departments of four Federal Universities. The sample size consisted of 248 students, selected from a total population of 556 students. The primary data were gathered through the utilisation of a questionnaire. The statistical methodology employed to address the research inquiries and evaluate the hypotheses was the Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC). The present study employed a purposive probability sampling method to select the participants, which enabled the researcher to investigate the association between the learning style preference of senior business education students in cost accounting and their academic performance in the preceding semester's final examination in the same subject. There is a notable correlation between the independent learning approach and students' academic achievement in South-South Nigeria among other things. Based on the findings, the study recommended that lecturers as well as students should give necessary considerations to the different approaches available for learning.

Computer-Based Competencies Needed by Administrative Supervisors and Executive Secretaries for Effective Work Performance: A Case of Universities in South-South, Nigeria

In recent times, the issue of computer based competencies is crucial for the survival of secretaries and their administrative supervisors for effective work performance and advancement in career. Yet, many secretaries and their administrative supervisors are technologically lagging behind and secretarial/office information management students in our universities are not sufficiently exposed to computer technologies in modern office, hence, the need to examine whether computer-based competencies by administrative supervisors and secretaries are needed for effective work performance among selected universities in South-South region of Nigeria. The study adopted descriptive survey design and two (2) research questions and two (2) research hypotheses were developed. The study population consists of one hundred and forty-six (146) secretaries and administrative supervisors. Data gathered through questionnaire were tested for reliability via the test-re- test method and the Cronbach alpha reliability result of 0.97 was obtained. Descriptive statistics(mean and standard deviations) were used to provide answers to the research questions while inferential statistics (Z-test) was employed to validate the relevant hypotheses. Findings showed that database management and PowerPoint presentation applications are needed by secretaries and administrative supervisors for effective work performance. On the basis of the findings, relevant recommendations were made proffered towards improving the performance of secretaries and administrative supervisors in Nigerian universities.

Advocacy of AI skills acquisition a panacea for youth unemployment in South-South Nigeria

Advocating AI Skills Acquisition as a Solution for Youth Unemployment in Nigeria’s South-South Region” investigates the feasibility of incorporating AI skills education to address the pressing issue of youth unemployment. This study explores youth awareness, interest, and willingness to engage in AI skill acquisition using a mixed-methods approach that includes surveys with unique features such as AI mentor circles and micro-credential programs. The findings show a strong interest in AI education, notably through micro-credential courses and AI mentorship networks. These novel ideas provide interesting opportunities for increasing employment and encouraging entrepreneurship. The study emphasizes the necessity of synchronizing policies and educational initiatives to harness the power of AI in reducing young unemployment and supporting long-term economic growth in the South-South region of Nigeria.

Effect of finances on marital satisfaction and psychological health among married couple in south-south region of Nigeria

Background: Finance in marriage is connected to everything else: communication, health, sex, and spirituality to mention but a few. The amount of income a couple earns either individually or collectively is very important and may affect their level of satisfaction either negatively or positively. Finance in marriage cannot be overemphasized, A popular saying in my area “na love I go chop,” meaning love alone is not enough and one cannot love on an empty stomach. The role money plays in marriage is important as it can be challenging to maintain peace in a family with money being a deciding factor. The objective of this study was to find out the effect of finance on marital and psychological health. Materials and Methods: The design was a hospital-based, cross-sectional study of 184 respondent. The questionnaires comprised: level of income, working in either a private or public sector, Index of Marital Satisfaction (IMS) questionnaire and General Health Questionnaire 28(GHQ 28). Results: The association between psychological stability and monthly income was insignificant; p= 0.599. Over three-fifths of those earning less than 60,000 naira per month had marital satisfaction while just a third was not satisfied. Over half (53.8) of those earning over 165,000naria were unsatisfied with their marriage. The association between marital satisfaction and monthly income was not significant; p = 0.059.

Employee Training, Service Quality and Customers’ Patronage of Satellite Products and Services: Evidence from South-South, Nigeria

This study investigated whether employee training and service quality influence customers’ patronage of satellite products/services companies in the South-South region of Nigeria. To do this, 400 questionnaires were administered, out of which 373 were completely retrieved and found usable. Data obtained in the survey were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistical tools. Findings indicated that there is a significant relationship between employee training, service quality and customer patronage of satellite products. The implication is that employee training and service quality serve as means of improving or enhancing the patronage of customers. Given that service quality positively affects customers’ patronage, there is a need for the management of satellite products/services to sustain their service quality mechanisms in order to attract more customers further. As a matter of fact, they should further strengthen their product by seeking more outlets or well-trained individuals who are capable of installing and repairing their products (decoders) when customers seek their attention. This study contributes to knowledge by using hybrid theories to describe employee training and service quality effects on customers’ patronage of satellite products/ services in Nigeria.

Managing Interpersonal Conflict in the Nigerian Construction Industry: A Study of Port Harcourt in South-South Region of Nigeria

Managing Interpersonal Conflict in the Nigerian Construction Industry: A Study of Port Harcourt in South-South Region of Nigeria

Pragmatic Assessment of Post Covid-19 Measures on Construction Markets in Nigeria

The lockdowns and restrictions imposed due to covid-19 have introduced severe supply chain bottlenecks in the construction process. These have worsened the formulation of demand and supply mechanism, and as such led to huge spike in building materials’ prices. The study assesses the impact of Covid-19 measures on the cost of building materials in the construction industry in South-South region of Nigeria. Data were collected from 269 construction professionals using a quantitative survey. The findings reveal the most important economic factors affecting the cost of building materials as inflation rate, exchange rate, and interest rate. The most significant challenges associated with the rising cost of building materials were also fluctuation in construction cost, increase in final cost of building projects, and risk of project abandonment. It concludes that cost is an important aspect of project execution, therefore effective mechanisms and polices should be put in place to manage these economic factors in order to mitigate or eliminate the rising cost of building materials. The study provides insight to project practitioners and government policy makers on areas to focus on in order to tackle the rising cost of building materials.

Elements and Dimensions of Emergencies Preparedness and Response among Large Worship Centres in South-South Region of Nigeria

Good emergency response plans help ensure that appropriate actions are taken to minimize the effects of any loss. Considering the recent emergency events involving worship places in Nigeria, the study examined the emergency response preparedness measures in large worship centres in the South-South State capitals of Nigeria. With focus on worship centres with seating capacity above 1500, the study selected worship centres such as Full Life Christian Centre (Uyo), Living Faith Church (Port Harcourt), Salvation Ministry (Yenagoa) and Christ Embassy Summit (Benin) for the study. The study adopted cross-sectional survey research design based on questionnaire for data collection and analysis was done through Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS v.21) using the descriptive (frequency count and table) and inferential statistics (analysis of variance-ANOVA). The result of the analysis indicated that worship centres agreed to have appointed personnel for risk monitoring and emergency team (92.9%) and established a proper and functioning communication protocol with the relevant government sector (86.1%). However, the worship centres have not developed initial response monitoring framework to facilitate timely preparation and monitoring in case of crisis (67.2%) and lack a written contingency plan, response and emergency preparedness document that is publicly available (58.0%). The statistical analysis of the study indicated that worship centres showed significant difference in protocols between the Church and the Government for requesting/accepting international assistance (where p < 0.05, p = 0.014). overall, the worship centres showed significant level of emergency preparedness and response; however, there is need for integrated approach towards infrastructural development planning towards optimizing their emergency capabilities.

Assessing HIV Care Services in Nigeria: A Comparative Study of the North-East and South-South regions of Nigeria

This study conducted a comparative case study analysis of the HIV program in Nigeria’s South-South and North-East regions of Nigeria to determine the access and quality of HIV care and treatment services. Service delivery is an essential component of the WHO Health systems framework. Data were collected from 385 respondents using structured questionnaires and analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The study found that the North-East region of Nigeria had significantly lower numbers of primary healthcare facilities and inpatient beds per 10,000 population compared to the South-South region. The North-East region had an average of 0.02 inpatient beds per 1,000 population, significantly below the WHO standard, while the South-South region had an average of 0.18 inpatient beds per 1,000 population, relatively closer to the WHO standard. The general service readiness score for delivering HIV program services was at least 94% in all health facilities in both the North-East and South-South regions. The HIV service readiness index for the North-East region was higher than that of the South-South region, with some disparities in the availability of national ART guidelines, national HIV counselling and testing guidelines, staff training, and availability of HIV prevention services. HIV testing and counselling services were described as readily available and accessible in both regions, with some communities taking ownership of promoting the availability of these services. However, both regions had a relatively high service readiness score for delivering HIV program services, with some disparities in the availability of national guidelines and training of staff. These findings demonstrate extensive investment of government and donor agencies in delivering quality HIV services with areas to improve to ensure alignment with WHO system strengthening framework. Keywords: Health systems, HIV, North-East, Service delivery, South-South, WHO.

The Pull and Push Factors of Farm Income Diversification among Fluted Pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis Hook) Farmers in Akwa Ibom State, Southern Nigeria

The study examines the magnitude and factors influencing agricultural income diversification among small-scale fluted pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis) farmers in Akwa Ibom State in the south-south region of Nigeria. The required information was collected from Telfairia farmers using a structured questionnaire. A regression analysis tool was used to analyse the specific objective. The finding revealed an average farm income diversification index of 2.29 suggesting that agricultural income diversification among small-scale Telfairia farmers is high and disturbing. The empirical results revealed that farmers' household size, hired labour, and educational qualification are the major “push factors” of agricultural income diversification. In contrast, “the pull factors” are farmers' age, extension visit, membership in a social group, land size, the quantity of fertilizer and manure, and household labour. To intensify farm income earnings among small-scale vegetable farmers, it is recommended that the government should encourage child spacing and family planning among fluted pumpkin farmers as these would reduce the household size and family burden always carried along with agricultural expenditures. Providing input subsidies to small-scale vegetable farmers is important to cushion the adverse effect of increased production costs. Agricultural extension services should be strengthened to render more effective services to vegetable farmers. The formation of social groups should be encouraged, primarily through cooperative farming. The government of Akwa Ibom State should set up tractor hiring centres in all the local government areas; these would help reduce the hard time vegetable farmers encounter hiring labour.

School Leadership Effectiveness as Predictor of Internal Efficiency of Public Secondary Schools in Less Developed Communities in South-South Region, Nigeria

School internal efficiency in south-south region of Nigeria; a geopolitical region perceived to be rich in natural resources has been worrisome in recent times. The study therefore investigated the relationship between school leadership effectiveness and internal efficiency of public secondary schools in less developed communities in south-south regions of Nigeria. Four research questions were raised and three hypotheses were formulated for the purpose of the study. The research design adopted for the study was a descriptive survey. A total of two hundred and forty-two (242) schools were selected through multi stage sampling technique. Two research instruments developed by the researchers and validated by seasoned education practitioners were used to collect data for the study. They are; Leadership Effectiveness of Public Senior Secondary School Questionnaire (LEPSSSQ) and Public Senior Secondary School Students Enrolment Checklist (PSSSSEC). The questionnaire was pilot tested and its reliability value was computed using the Cronbach alpha statistics which yielded 0.79. Descriptive and inferential statistics such as mean, standard deviation and Pearson r were used to analyse the data generated from the research questions and hypotheses respectively. It was found that principals were effective in their leadership roles performance but schools were generally inefficient amongst other findings. Based on these, it was recommended that principals should be regularly trained and retrained on effective leadership strategies that will engender and sustain high school internal efficiency despite some challenges faced in the system.

Factors Associated with Unmet Needs for Family Planning among People Living with HIV/AIDS in the South-South Region of Nigeria

Background: Family planning is an important part of reproductive health which assists couples and individuals to make decisions regarding the timing, spacing, as well as the number of desired children. For individuals living with HIV, this can be challenging, as assess to reproductive health services may be hampered by a range of factors, thus causing an unmet need for family planning.
 Aim: To investigate the factors associated with unmet needs for family planning among people living with HIV/AIDS in the South-South Region of Nigeria.
 Study Design: Facility-based cross-sectional survey.
 Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out at the HIV clinics of Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Yenagoa and Otuasega Cottage Hospital (OCH), Ogbia in Bayelsa state.
 Methodology: Six hundred (600) participants were recruited using a simple random sampling technique. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. Data obtained from the study were analyzed and presented as frequencies and percentages. Chi-square and Binary logistic regression were used to test for association between variables. Statistical significance was set at p=0.05.
 Result: The response rate was 100%. The unmet family planning needs were identified in 43.5% of the study population. Duration of status awareness (X2=9.983, P=0.002), ART duration (X2=10.410, P=0.001), number of sexual partners (X2=36.665, P=0.001) were significantly associated with unmet planning family need. Likewise, age group (X2=22.988, P<0.001), gender (X2=9.327, P=0.002), and religion (X2=17.243, P=0.001) were also significantly associated with unmet family planning needs. Binary logistic regression showed that respondents who were 40 years or more had 2.15 odds of unmet family planning needs compared to those less than 40 years. Also, respondents who had one sexual partner had 2.98 odds of unmet family planning needs when compared to respondents who had multiple sexual partners.
 Conclusion: There is a high prevalence of unmet family planning needs among people living with HIV/AIDS in the South-South region of Nigeria.

Sonographic Assessment of Maternal Portal Vein Diameter in Healthy Pregnancy in South-South Nigeria

Background: The portal vein is one of the main sources of blood supply of the liver. About three quarters of the liver blood flow is from the portal vein.
 Objectives: To assess the mean normal portal vein diameter in healthy pregnant women, and correlate our observation with maternal age, parity and other baseline characteristics.
 Subjects and Methods: This descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted at the Obstetrics and Radiology Units of the two tertiary health facilities, one secondary facility and one radio-diagnostic facility in Bayelsa State, South-South Nigeria, between April, 2022 and December, 2022. Data analysis was done using Statistical Product and Service Solutions for Windows® version 25, SPSS Inc.; Chicago, USA. Descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation, frequency, and percentages) and Pearson product moment correlation were used for the analysis. The level of significance was set at p<0.05.
 Results: Mean portal vein diameter was 10.43 ± 1.58 mm, and ranged from 7.5 mm to 14.0 mm. Maternal age (ɼ = 0.51; p – 0.001) and parity (ɼ = 0.47; p – 0.001) correlated fairly strong and significantly with portal vein diameter. Gestational age (ɼ = 0.21; p – 0.001) and estimated foetal weight (ɼ = 0.16; p – 0.001) were significantly related to the portal vein diameter.
 Conclusion: This research has established baseline values for normal range of PV diameter in healthy pregnant women in the South-South region of Nigeria, and also revealed significant correlation of PV diameter with age, parity, gestational age and estimated foetal weight.