South-South Region Research Articles

Analysis Of Spatial Inequality In Development In The SouthSouth Region, Nigeria: A Factor Analytical Approach

Analysis Of Spatial Inequality In Development In The SouthSouth Region, Nigeria: A Factor Analytical Approach

Intimate partner violence, psychopathology and the women with schizophrenia in an outpatient clinic South-South, Nigeria.

BackgroundWomen with schizophrenia are a vulnerable risk group for intimate partner violence (1PV). There are few surveys that highlight the pattern, prevalence and association of IPV with psychopathology in these vulnerable group of women in South-South Nigeria. The aim of the study was to survey the forms, prevalence and association of Intimate partner violence with psychopathology.MethodThe study was a cross-sectional survey of 77 female patients diagnosed with schizophrenia who were outpatients at the Federal Neuro-psychiatric Hospital, Calabar, Cross-River State in South-South region of Nigeria.ResultsA total of 58 out of 77 (75 %) reported at least a form of IPV, Verbal abuse was the most prevalent form of IPV reported by participants (73 %, n = 56). Women who were younger were more likely to report verbal and sexual assault at p < 0.05. A shorter length of intimate relationship was significantly associated with sexual assault at p < 0.05. Sexual assault, verbal and physical abuse were significantly associated with higher mean score on the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale at p = 0.01.ConclusionThe study highlighted the high rate of various forms of IPV among women with schizophrenia. Sexual assault, verbal and physical abuse were strongly associated with psychopathology. There is a need to identify risk of IPV among this vulnerable group by routine enquiry by clinicians’ and plan therapy accordingly. Holistic management is needed in management of victims in their care.

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 &lt; 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.

ENTREPRENEURSHIP AS A TOOL FOR MITIGATING ‘BABY FACTORY’ HUMAN TRAFFICKING IN NIGERIA.

30Apr 2016 ENTREPRENEURSHIP AS A TOOL FOR MITIGATING BABY FACTORY HUMAN TRAFFICKING IN NIGERIA. Sidikat Shitu. Directorate of General Studies, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University Lapai, Niger State, Nigeria.

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.

Has the East African Community Regional Trade Agreement Created or Diverted Trade? A Gravity Model Analysis

The paper investigates the potential impact of the EAC trade agreement (a south-south Regional grouping) on trade creation and diversion. The paper seeks to establish whether the EAC RTA has diverted or created trade using an expanded (augmented) gravity model. The paper departs from the conventional estimation approach that uses average combined trade flows as the dependent variable which is prone to errors and uses exports. We estimate static and dynamic random effects models using a panel data set from 2001 to 2011 on seventy countries that trade mainly with the EAC partner states. Results suggest that indeed the implementation of the EAC treaty has created trade contrary to widely held views that South-South RTAs largely divert trade. There is thus evidence that the EAC, a south-south RTA has been a more trade creating than trade diverting as espoused in the literature.

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.

English

This descriptive survey is hinged on predominant teaching strategies in schools, implications for curriculum implementation in Mathematics, Science and Technology. Target population consisted of teachers in primary, secondary and tertiary schools. However, purposive sample of 900 respondents was drawn from the six BRACED states namely Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa-Ibom, Cross-River, Edo, Delta states in the South-south region. Five research questions guided the study; and data collection was through a rating scale (PTSS) designed by the researcher. Analysis was through mean on item by item basis. The finding indicated that lecture method is still prevalent in schools at all levels, and that ignorance is a major setback to effective application of innovative strategies. The implication is that our MST classrooms are yet to encourage active, self-directed and higher cognitive skills highly needed for the increasing globalization, world of work and lifelong learning. Regular refresher programmes were therefore recommended for teachers at all levels to enlighten and motivate them to embrace innovative teaching strategies. Key words: Teaching strategies/methods, curriculum implementation, classroom, Mathematics, Science and Technology (MST), innovative methods, traditional methods.

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

Child survival dynamics in Nigeria: Is the 2006 child health policy target met?

Background: The childhood mortality rate in Nigeria continued to remain high. Unfortunately, information on the regional trajectories, progress, and sociodemographic determinants of childhood mortality in Nigeria are not readily available. The objectives of this study are to describe the childhood mortality trajectory in Nigeria, assess progress made toward achieving the 2006 child health policy targets, and determine the peculiar factors associated with childhood mortality in Nigeria regions. Materials and Methods: Birth history data from the Nigeria Demographic and Health Surveys for 1990, 2003, 2008 and 2013 were analysed. Childhood mortality levels were derived using indirect demographic techniques. Locally weighted scatterplot smoothing technique was employed to ascertain the childhood mortality trajectory. Weibull frailty models were fitted to determine the influence of unmeasured variables and factors associated with childhood death in each region. Results: Childhood mortality stagnated at 207/1000 live births until the year 2000, after which there was a linear decline to 137/1000 live births in 2010 at an annual rate of 4.91% (confidence interval: 4.52–5.29). The rate of decline was least in the South West (2.97%) and highest in the North Central (7.40%). Multivariate analysis revealed that unmeasured community factors played significant roles in North East and North West. Birth interval < 24 months, multiple births, and young maternal age were risk factors across all regions. Conclusions: Nigeria child survival dynamics differ between the Northern and Southern regions and rural and urban locations. Only the North Central and South-South regions are on course to achieve the 2006 targets for under-five mortality reduction. Multiple birth, short birth intervals, and young maternal age at child's birth were risk factors for childhood mortality in the six geo-political regions in Nigeria.

Knowledge and attitude towards sexually transmitted infections among female students living in hostels in a university community of the south-south region of Nigeria

Introduction: A cross sectional study was conducted in the female students’ hostel of the University of Calabar to determine their knowledge and attitude towards sexually transmitted infections (STI).Methodology: A structured questionnaire was administered to those who consented to the study. Information obtained were age, year of study, knowledge of sexually transmitted infections.Results: Most subjects were in the age category of 21-25years (56.2%) and predominantly of the Igbo tribe 34%. Over 90% of the subjects had heard of STIs. Vaginal itching (70.2%) and discharge (65.7%) were the commonest symptoms reported. Despite the level of knowledge, some students still patronize Chemist 4.8% and self-injection administration 4.8%.Conclusion: The awareness of STI is high but the understanding of symptomatology is poor.Keywords: Sexually transmitted infections, Female hostel, Tertiary Institution.

Prevalence and Patterns of Marital Dissolution in Nigeria

There is little scholarly research on the prevalence and patterns of marital dissolution in Nigeria. This study utilised secondary data obtained from 2006 Nigeria population census to describe the prevalence and patterns of marital dissolution, indicated by divorce and separation, across regions, states, sex, and age groups. The crude rate of marital dissolution in Nigeria was 11 per 1000 population. Among ever married population, crude rate of marital dissolution was 29.5 per 1000. Marital dissolution was highest in the South-south and North-east regions and least in the South-east region. More females were divorced or separated than males. Age-specific marital dissolution rates ranged from 24 to 132 per 1000 ever married females, and 15 to 24 for males; the higher rates were among younger persons aged 10-24 years. The prevalence and patterns of marital dissolution in Nigeria suggests the need to discourage early marriage, and to strengthen social and religious values that discourage marital dissolution through public programmes, moral and religious persuasions.

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

Knowledge and Attitude of a Semi Urban Community in the South-South Region of Nigeria towards Diabetes Mellitus

Adequate knowledge of Diabetes Mellitus empowers the community about good health seeking behavior, drug compliance and follow up care. Studies on the knowledge and attitude of the community dwellers are therefore important. This study seeks to access the knowledge and attitude towards Diabetes Mellitus.<b> </b>A descriptive cross sectional study of 384 adults was carried out at Okada in Edo State. Questionnaire was used to collect information and analyzed with SPSS version 15. Descriptive statistics were done and presented as bar charts and tables. Attitude was scored using a Likert scale of 10 questions with maximum attainable mark of 50 points. Respondents with mean score and above were classified as having good attitude. Association between categorical variables were explored using chi square, Level of significance was set at 5%. The mean age of respondents was 34±11years, 206 (53.6%) were males and half of the respondents were married. In all, 243(63.5%) of the respondents had a good attitude towards diabetes treatment. Lack of health care facilities and attitude of health care providers were the commoner factor preventing respondents from seeking screening for Diabetes. A larger proportion 82.7% of respondents with tertiary education and 53.2% of those with primary education had good attitude towards Diabetes treatment. P = 0.003. The majority of the respondents have heard about Diabetes but only few of them had a good attitude towards the treatment of the disease. It is therefore important that awareness programs about diabetes should be provided in the community.

Total atmospheric absorption of fixed satellite communication signal due to oxygen and water vapor in Nigeria

Total atmospheric absorption values due to oxygen and water vapor on terrestrial and Earth-space paths at frequencies between 1 GHz and 50 GHz were evaluated for 1% unavailability of an average year at two elevation angles of 5° and 55°, which are typical for terrestrial and Earth-space links, respectively. Practical links to the Nigerian communication satellite (NigComsat1) uplink/downlink in the Ku (12/14 GHz), Ka (20/30 GHz), and V (40/50 GHz) bands for 1% unavailability of an average year were also investigated. The basic input climatic data used included monthly and yearly mean meteorological parameters for each station, such as surface and vertical profiles of pressure, temperature, and relative humidity, obtained from the Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) instrument on NASA's Aqua spacecraft for seven years (2002 to 2009). The International Telecommunication Union Radio Propagation Recommendation (2009) procedure was used for the computation of gaseous attenuation for each of the 37 stations in Nigeria. The results obtained at various elevation angles (of 44° to 55°) for Earth-space links to NigComsat-1 showed that in the absence of rain, 99% availability was possible at Ku, Ka, and V bands for uplink and downlink at all of the 37 stations in Nigeria, as the gaseous attenuation values obtained were between 0.05 dB to 4.81 dB. For low elevation angles of 5°(terrestrial link) at V band, 99% availability was not practical, as atmospheric loss was between 15.30 dB to 17.62 dB in Nigeria. The results consistently showed that gaseous attenuation was very high at six stations across Nigeria; Calabar (South-South regions), followed, in descending order, by the Ikeja (South-West), Abakaliki (South-East), Abuja (Middle-Belt), Dutse (North-East), and Kastina (North-West) regions. The present results of gaseous attenuation will be very useful for satellite communication-system design engineers across the six regions in Nigeria.

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.