South-South Region Of Nigeria Research Articles

Determinants of dental caries among pensioners in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

Background and Aim: Data on oral health of the elderly are uncommon in the South-South region of Nigeria. The purpose of this research was to find the relationship between dental caries and oral health knowledge, attitude, behavior, and oral hygiene status of the pensioners in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Materials and Methods: The research was a correlational study. A total of 543 pensioners were selected by systematic random sampling. Data were collected with a self-developed Oral Health Assessment Questionnaire designed in five sections (A-E) and analyzed using SPSS version 20 (IBM SPSS Armonk, New York, USA). Relationship between variables was established using simple and multiple regressions. Significance was determined at 0.05 alpha level. Results: The mean knowledge, attitude, and behavior scores were 12.23, 27.61, and 8.76, respectively. Whereas oral health knowledge accounted for 11.56% (R2 = 0.1156) of the variance in the pensioners' dental caries status, oral health attitude and behavior, respectively, accounted for 39.69% (R2 = 0.3969) and 27.04% (R2 = 0.2704) of the variance in the pensioners' dental caries status. Oral hygiene accounted for 33.64% (R2 = 0.3364) of the variances in the dental caries status of the pensioners. Conclusion: This study found a low and negative nonsignificant correlation between dental caries and oral health knowledge, a moderate and negative nonsignificant correlation between dental caries and oral health attitude, and a moderate and negative significant correlation between oral health behavior and dental caries. Similarly, oral hygiene level of the pensioners was moderately and significantly correlated to dental caries.

Comparative analysis of methods of pile-bearing capacity evaluation using CPT logs from tropical soils

This study presents the results of a comparative analysis of the performance of eight direct cone penetration test (CPT) methods in predicting the ultimate load-carrying capacity of a 300 mm diameter end-bearing pile, evaluated at defined soil depths using CPT logs obtained for various locations in the south-east and south-south regions of Nigeria. The methods used are the Schmertmann (1978), LCPC (Bustamante & Gianeselli 1982 - Laboratoire Central des Ponts et Chausees), De Ruiter and Beringen (1979), Tumay and Fakhroo (1982), Price and Wardle (1982), Philipponnat (1980), Aoki and De Alencar (1975), and the Penpile methods (Clisby et al 1978). The results of univariate analysis of variance indicated that the interactions between location and treatment (methods of pile capacity prediction), depth and treatment, and location and depth were statistically significant for cohesionless soils, but that the interaction between depth and treatment was not statistically significant for cohesive soils. Also, post-hoc tests (Least square difference and Bonferroni methods) showed that the LCPC and Philipponnat methods are best suited for cohesionless soils, while the LCPC, Tumay and Fakhroo (1982) and De Ruiter and Beringen (1979) methods are recommended for cohesive soils.

Digital Technology and Formalization of informal Businesses: A case of African Traditional Spiritualists

Digital technology is pervasively transforming all work sectors, linking people in the informal sector to formal opportunities and bridging all divides. However, its effect on formalization of informal enterprises and businesses that were denied a place in the formal economy is little understood. Most informal businesses that use digital technologies get formalized easily but whether the same thing can be said about some businesses like African traditional spiritualists that traditionally confined to informality is yet to be determined. The objectives of the study were to examine the extent of uptake of digital technologies among African traditional spiritualists as well as the effect of such uptake on their formalization status. Questionnaire was administered to one hundred and forty rainmakers, traditional priests/priestess, fortune teller, bone setters and herbalists from south east and south-south regions of Nigeria. Findings revealed that use of face book, email, smart phones and ATM was popular and that there is a strong correlation between uptake and propensity to formalize. It is recommended that digitization should form part of informal sector development strategy and that competence in digital technology should be treated as a necessity for today’s business success.

Effect of Cultural Dimensions on Work-Related Attitudes of Construction Workers in South-South Region of Nigeria

Effect of Cultural Dimensions on Work-Related Attitudes of Construction Workers in South-South Region of Nigeria

Challenges facing customer patronage of tourism destinations in South-South Region of Nigeria

This study aimed at investigating the most significant challenge facing customer patronage of tourism destinations in South-South region of Nigeria. To achieve this purpose, the challenges facing tourism destinations as a whole were examined. In this study, the survey research design was adopted and the population of the study consisted of tourism destinations in South-South region of Nigeria. Although there are two categories of tourism destination - recreation/attractions and hospitality, this study focused on the recreation/attractions centres. Records available to the researchers from the Federal Ministry of Culture and Tourism, revealed a total of thirty-five (35) tourism destinations (recreation / attraction centres) in South-South region of Nigeria. Our findings revealed the following challenges facing customer patronage of tourism destinations in South-South region of Nigeria - unqualified and untrained hospitality manpower, poor facility esthetics of the destination, poor consumer purchasing power, political instability and violence, high rate of crime against humanity, deplorable road network, poor supply of electricity, unsafe airspace, inefficient telecommunication and internet services, poor facility aesthetics of the destination, national insecurity, multiplicity of levies and taxes, and high operational costs. However, the most significant of these factors is lack of consumers’ interest in recreation and leisure. It was therefore recommended that managers of tourism destinations should develop visual appeals of their destinations by exhibiting decent exterior painting and manicured landscape that would capture the attention of prospective customers. More so, the government should create an enabling environment for tourism destinations to thrive. This can be done by ensuring stability in the political environment, adequate protection of lives and property, safety of the airspace, provision of good road network; adequate supply of electricity, and other basic infrastructure, avoidance of multiple levies and taxes of operators in the hospitality market, and the maintenance of recreation and attraction centres in South-South region of Nigeria. Keywords: Challenges, customer patronage, tourism destinations, south-south region

The gendered construction of reparations: an exploration of women’s exclusion from the Niger Delta reintegration processes

AbstractThe Niger Delta is located in the South-south region of Nigeria. Oil exploration and exploitation by the multinational oil companies led to environmental degradation. The agitations among the inhabitants for environmental protection led to a protracted conflict between the Nigerian security forces and the militant groups in the region. Amnesty, disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) were adopted in the region to resolve the conflict by the government. The Niger Delta post-conflict DDR processes were gendered: exclusion of women from the peace processes was a major concern for peacebuilding actors and academics in the region. Men were significantly favoured in the DDR peacebuilding processes because they belonged to militant groups. The roles played by women in the conflict were not however recognised; these included roles in demonstrations, strikes, campaigns, lobbies, and as carers, nurses and cooks. Women have therefore sought redress in the peacebuilding processes. This study aims to identify roles played by men and women in the Niger Delta conflict. It examines methods of conflict resolution adopted in the region and also investigates the reason why women were largely excluded from the DDR processes. Recognition Theory is used in this study to examine the institutionalised norms that make gender inclusion in the Niger Delta peacebuilding processes problematic. Recognition theory considers equal treatment to be an important part of a just society, while distributive justice theorists believe that economic goods and wealth must be shared equally. This study was carried out in the Gbaramatu Kingdom, Niger Delta region, Nigeria, in three selected communities: Okerenkoko; Egwa; and Oporoza. A qualitative method involving in-depth interviews was used to collect data from 24 participants. I report that many men and women participated in the conflict but a small number of women (0.6%) were included in the DDR peacebuilding processes. I find that men and women demand that reparations should be considered in addition to the reintegration process that has been adopted in the Niger Delta. Furthermore, I find that apart from patriarchal culture, DDR operational norms only focus on security and not on human rights. I conclude that men’s and women’s rights could be recognized through the combination of DDR and reparations rights in the Niger Delta peacebuilding processes. This article is published as part of a collection on gender studies.

Sustaining Small Scale Farming: Evidence of Poverty and income Disparity among Rural Farming Households in South-South Region of Nigeria

The incidence of poverty is evidenced among rural farm households in developing societies. As a result of persistence poverty among rural farm households, there is sudden upsurge in agricultural livelihood diversification and rural-urban migration resulting in high rate of urban unemployment. To help generate suitable policThe incidence of poverty is evidenced among rural farm households in developing societies. As a result of persistence poverty among rural farm households, there is sudden upsurge in agricultural livelihood diversification and rural-urban migration resulting in high rate of urban unemployment. To help generate suitable policy variables to help tackle this rampaging issue in the South- south region of Nigeria, this study specifically analyzes poverty and income inequality as well as identified determinants of poverty among rural farm households in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Data were collected from 390 rural farm household heads spread across the rural areas of the State. Combination of sampling methods was employed to sample cross sectional data from respondents. The study used descriptive tools and regression analysis (Tobit regressions) to analyze information collected. The socio-economic analysis reveals that, most farming household heads were male; an average of 12.3 years of formal was discovered; social capital formation was poor, while average age stood at 42.5 years. About 33.08 % of male headed households and 22.05 % of female headed households live below poverty line in the study area. Income inequality index revealed 0.4210 for male headed households and 0.4531 for female counterpart. The Tobit model estimates revealed that, household head farming experience, years in social organization, level of formal education, farm and non-farm income were negative drivers of rural poverty in the region. Household’s age, household size, structure of land ownership and gender were positive drivers of poverty among rural farming households. It is recommended that sound family welfare packages should be implemented in the rural communities. Also, social capital formation should be promoted among rural farming households, while adult education policies should be re-visited. Government of the region should also improve educational facilities in the rural areas and make marginal lands available to less privileged farmers.

Barriers to and determinants of the use of intermittent preventive treatment of malaria in pregnancy in Cross River State, Nigeria: a cross-sectional study.

BackgroundMalaria in pregnancy (MIP) has serious consequences for the woman, unborn child and newborn. The use of sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine for the intermittent preventive treatment of malaria in pregnancy (SP-IPTp) is low in malaria endemic areas, including some regions of Nigeria. However, little is known about pregnant women’s compliance with the SP-IPTp national guidelines in primary health care (PHC) facilities in the south-south region of Nigeria. The aim of this study was to identify the barriers to and determinants of the use of SP-IPTp among pregnant women attending ANC in PHC facilities in Cross River State, south-south region of Nigeria.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2011 among 400 ANC attendees aged 15–49 years recruited through multistage sampling. Binary logistic regression was used to determine the factors associated with the use of SP-IPTp in the study population.ResultsUse of SP-IPTp was self-reported by 41 % of the total respondents. Lack of autonomy in the households to receive sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) during ANC was the main barrier to use of IPTp (83 %). Other barriers were stock-outs of free SP (33 %) and poor supervision of SP ingestion by directly observed treatment among those who obtained SP from ANC clinics (36/110 = 33 %). In the multivariate logistic regression, the odds of using SP-IPTp was increased by the knowledge of the use of insecticide treated nets (ITNs) (OR = 2.13, 95 % CI: 1.70–3.73) and SP (OR = 22.13, 95 % CI: 8.10–43.20) for the prevention of MIP. Use of ITNs also increased the odds of using SP-IPTp (OR = 2.38, 95 % CI: 1.24–12.31).ConclusionsUse of SP-IPTp was low and was associated with knowledge of the use of ITNs and SP as well as the use of ITNs for the prevention of MIP. There is a need to strengthen PHC systems and address barriers to the usage of SP-IPTp in order to reduce the burden of MIP.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12884-016-0883-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Utilization of dental services among secondary school students in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Abstract Background: Regular use of dental services has been associated with optimal oral health. Reports in some parts of Nigeria have shown the poor utilization of dental services, but there is a paucity of information relating to oral health care seeking behavior in the South-South region of Nigeria. Aim: To determine the pattern of utilization and identify barriers to utilization of dental services among children. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study done among children aged 12-15 years in secondary schools in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Information was elicited by means of a self-administered structured questionnaire. These included sociodemographic characteristics, views on dental visits, reported visits during the previous year, pattern of dental visits, and the barriers to utilization. Demographic variables and associations were tested using Chi-squared tests with the level of statistical significance set at P < 0.05 at 95% confidence interval. Results: There were 200 school children; 98 (49%) males and 102 (51%) females with a mean age of 13.3 (±1.1) years. Dental visits were deemed important by 187 (93.5%) children, and 32.0% respondents suggested that visits should be when there are symptoms. Only 42 (21%) pupils had been to the dentist in the last 12 months. The barriers to utilization of dental services majorly included no perceived needs (64.3%). Demographic variables had no significant association with reported visits and pattern of visits. Conclusion: Utilization of dental services among these school children was low and the major barrier was no perceived need. Oral health awareness needs to be improved on the importance of a regular checkup.

Impact of Human Activities on Rainwater Quality in South-South Region of Nigeria

Impact of Human Activities on Rainwater Quality in South-South Region of Nigeria

Impact of Event Marketing on Tourists Inflow in the South-South Region of Nigeria

Impact of Event Marketing on Tourists Inflow in the South-South Region of Nigeria

Patterns of adherence to management among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in South-South Region of Nigeria

Abstract Aims: The study investigated the pattern of adherence to medication and dietary treatment among type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. Settings and Design: A cross-sectional study conducted among 350 consented patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus from a secondary public healthcare facility. Materials and Methods: A semistructured questionnaire was interviewer-administered to obtain information on respondents′ sociodemographic characteristics, level of adherence to medication and dietary treatment, and suggestions on ways of improving adherence to treatment. Descriptive statistics, chi-square test, and logistic regression were used to analyze the data with level of significance set at 0.05. Results: Mean age of respondents was 57.9 ± 9.8 years, 60.9% were females and 78.0% were married. Some respondents exhibited total adherence to medication (58.9%) and dietary (67.4%) treatment, respectively. Determinants of nonadherence to medication and dietary treatment include using alternative traditional medicine (herbs) for the treatment of the disease (odds ratio (OR) = 0.42, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.568-1.916) and consuming foods more than recommended quantity (OR = 6.28, 95% CI = 3.919-10.083). One of the suggested ways by the respondents to improve adherence to treatment was self-discipline (46.9%). Lack of awareness on the seriousness of the disease (42.6%) was a major challenge confronting patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Creation of awareness on the seriousness of the disease was suggested by 39.1% of respondents. Conclusions: Use of alternative medicine (herbs) and eating more than the recommended quantity of foods remain a challenge among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Comprehensive health promotion and education strategies including patient counseling on diabetes care with emphasis on adherence to medication and dietary treatment regimen should be organized regularly for diabetes patients.

P17.12 Providing evidence to support community based hct screening programs – the voice of vulnerable rural youths in south-west nigeria

Background Low uptake of HIV testing services (HCT) in healthcare settings was reported by a study carried out in the South-south region of Nigeria. High acceptability of home based HCT has been reported in a previous study in South Africa. Home based testing also increased uptake of screening for HIV and syphilis among previously untested individuals in Brazil. Methods A cross sectional descriptive study was carried out among out-of-school youths in two rural communities in southwest Nigeria. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of HIV testing and the preferred venue for the tests. Multistage sampling method was used to select 360 respondents in each of the communities. Information was collected by trained interviewer’s using a pretested questionnaire. Data was analysed using Epi info statistical software version 3.6.3 and IBM SPSS version 20. Bivariate and multivariate analysis was carried out at p Results Mean age of respondents was 19.85 ± 2.71, majority were males (55.0%) and had at least secondary school education (66.7%). Most (86.5%) had heard of HCT, the commonest source of information being TV/Radio (49.0%), Health worker (14.2%), friends/family members (12.3%). Only 14.6% had been tested for HIV. Among this group, 8.3% were tested for medical reasons and 6.3% tested voluntarily. Testing was conducted at the health facility and laboratories in 11.3% out of the 14.6% of respondents that had been tested. Youths who had at least a secondary school education and use condoms were more likely to have been tested. Majority (78.0%) were willing to be tested among this group, more than a third (36.8%) will prefer to be tested within the community (workplace, school, home or mobile outreach). Conclusion Rural youths in this study are willing to be tested for HIV. Provision of this service within the community will improve access and uptake.

Good Work Ethics and Service Delivery in Public Universities in the South-south Region of Nigeria

Good Work Ethics and Service Delivery in Public Universities in the South-south Region of Nigeria

English

Twenty-one accessions of African nutmeg ( Monodora myristica Gaertn. Dunal), an endangered spice plant, were collected from the South-East and South-South regions of Nigeria and analyzed for genetic diversity using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. Twenty-one (21) decamer primers were tested out of which 10 that gave reproducible band patterns were selected for the study. A total of 77 bands were generated, ranging from 3 for OPB17 to 13 for OPT07, and were all polymorphic. The mean polymorphic information content ( PIC ) and genetic diversity ( H e ) were 0.673 and 0.697, respectively, indicating high genetic variation among the accessions. Cluster analysis delineated the accessions into four major groups. The maximum similarity index (0.88) based on Dice coefficient was recorded between AGL-01 and CRS-01 while the least (0.13) was between UGA-02 and EKW 01. The derived data was thus able to determine the extent of molecular variation underlying RAPD size polymorphism. Results obtained from this study proved that RAPD could be successfully used as a molecular tool for diversity study in M. myristica . The distributive pattern of genetic variation of M. myristica accessions provides important baseline data for conservation and improvement strategies for this species. Keywords: African nutmeg, random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD), genetic variation, polymorphic information content (PIC), similarity index, Monodora myristica African Journal of Biotechnology , Vol 13(42) 4105-4111

Internal and External Factors Affecting the Corporate Social Responsibility Efforts of AGIP in Oil-bearing Communities of South-South Nigeria

The modern thinking in organizational literature is based on corporate participation in the development process of host communities. Therefore, to assess the efforts that Agip has made so far in this direction, a study was initiated in 2013, by the authors. The aim was to interrogate the specific internal and external challenges of Agip in the discharge of its CSR role in some communities where it has its oil installations in the South-South region of Nigeria. To achieve this aim, a survey was conducted in purposively selected communities which host Agip’s oil installations with the employment of both qualitative and quantitative methods. Results revealed that, Agip’s CSR efforts are being impeded by both internal and external factors. Issues relating to Agip’s approach towards project abandonment, job creation and divide and rule tactics, for instance, have dwindled community rating of Agip CSR efforts in the region. This paper therefore concludes by suggesting that, stakeholder’s synergy is needed not only in surmounting these challenges but also in creating a formidable platform for the sustainable community development of the oil bearing communities of this region who most times bear the burden of oil exploration, exploitation and transportation. DOI: 10.5901/jesr.2014.v4n3p459

Trust and Organizational Resilience in the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry

The study examined the relationship between trust and organizational resilience. The sample for the studyconsisted of two hundred and ten (210) randomly selected managers from thirty seven (37) companies in theupstream sector of the oil and gas industry in South-South geopolitical region of Nigeria. The study adopted atriangulation of methodology (utilized both quantitative data from questionnaire and qualitative data frominterviews). The Spearman Rank Order Correlation Coefficient and Multiple Regression Model using theStatistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 17 were utilized for the analysis of data. Our findingsrevealed a positive and significant relationship between trust and organizational resilience within the upstreamsector of the oil and gas industry in the South-South region of Nigeria. More specifically, all the dimensions oftrust (competence, openness, and reliability) were revealed to have positive and significant relationships with themeasures of organizational resilience (vulnerability and adaptive capacity). Based on the findings above, it wasconcluded that trust (competence, openness, and reliability) enhances organizational resilience (vulnerability andadaptive capacity). The managerial implications of these findings were also discussed.

Titrimetric and UV-spectrophotometric determination of diclofenac in tablet formulation

Diclofenac is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. It is usually formulated as a sodium or potassium salt. It exhibits anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and anti-pyretic activities both in animals and in humans. This study sets out to evaluate the quality and efficacy of diclofenac tablets using Chemical and UV spectrophotometric methods with a view to providing simple, sensitive and cost-effective analytical methods. The tablet samples were subjected to weight uniformity and hardness test. Method validation was by means of a precision assay. The methods were applied to the determination of diclofenac in tablets formulation. Six different brands of diclofenac tablets sourced from pharmacies in Yenagoa and Port-Harcourt, South-south region of Nigeria were analysed for diclofenac by non-aqueous titrimetry and UV spectrophotometry at the λ max of 296 nm. All the six different brands of diclofenac tablet complied with the pharmacopoeia specification for uniformity of weight and the tablets possess suitable hardness for handling in manufacturing, packaging and shipping. The percentage purity of diclofenac from the non-aqueous titration ranged from 99.2 - 133%. The coefficient of variation for In-between run, Intra-day run and accuracy of the UV spectrophotometric method was within 4%. The percentage purity from UV determination ranged from 87.8 - 120.5%. Four of the six different samples conform to the BP specification using the non- aqueous titration while four of the brands did not meet the BP specification using the UV spectrophotometric method. The findings suggest that no single method could be adequate in the determination of the quality of pharmaceutical formulations.

Status of birth and death registration and associated factors in the South-south region of Nigeria

Background: The registration of births and deaths in Nigeria, as with most developing countries continues to remain suboptimal with many births and deaths going unregistered. This has negative consequences for economic planning and development. Objective: The study was undertaken to assess the practice of birth and death registration in South-south Nigeria; and to determine the factors that govern this practice. Subjects and Methods: Using a cross-sectional descriptive study design, a questionnaire was administered to 324 household heads (or their spouses) in an urban local government area in the South-south geo-political zone of Nigeria. Structured interviewer-administered questionnaires were used for data collection. Data were entered into a spreadsheet and analyzed using SPSS version 15. Categorical data were presented as frequency distribution tables, Chi-square test and Fisher's exact were used to examine relationship between demographic characteristics and respondents' knowledge and practice of birth and death registration. Results: Awareness of birth registration was high. Awareness of death registration showed differing views as to where and who should statutorily register a death. Sixty-eight percent of those who recorded a birth in the 10 years preceding the study registered it, whereas 61% of those who recorded a death within their household in the preceding 10 years of the study did not register it. Educational level, marital status, and religion were found to be associated with the practice of birth registration, and educational status alone, with death registration. Conclusion: Much work needs to be done to enlighten the public on vital registration, particularly death registration.

Challenges of Globalization and Quality Assurance in Nigerian University Education

The study was undertaken to examine the state of quality assurance mechanisms in Nigerian universities with a view to proffering measures that would enhance the quality of education obtained in the institutions. The population consisted of professors from federal universities in the south-south region of Nigeria, numbering 624. The stratified sampling technique was used in selecting a sample of 225 professors from the universities for the study. Two null hypotheses were formulated based on the variables of the study. These were tested at 0.05 alpha level, using t-test analysis. Data collection was done with the use of a structured questionnaire tagged “Quality Assurance in Nigerian University Education” (QANUE). The calculated t-values were less than the criticalt, leading to the retention of the two null hypotheses. It was therefore concluded that the quality of Nigerian University Education is low and cannot measure up globally due to the poor state of quality assurance mechanisms in the universities. Based on this, measures for improving the quality of Nigerian university education were recommended to include adequate funding, updated libraries, well equipped laboratories and workshops, provision of instructional materials and school infrastructure, lecturer motivation and proper supervision.