Southeastern Region Of Nigeria Research Articles

Evaluation of potentially toxic elements in soils developed on limestone and lead-zinc mine sites in parts of southeastern Nigeria

The present study investigated the distribution of elements and potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in soil profiles in the southeastern region of Nigeria, where unrefined and primitive mining practices are common. Soil samples were collected from mine and non-mine sites in Ameka and Nkalagu and analyzed for total elemental concentration using portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF). The results showed that the Ameka mine-affected soils were heavily polluted, while the Ameka non-mine-affected soils were moderately polluted. The Nkalagu mine and non-mine-affected soils were also moderately polluted. The potential ecological risk (PER) was high in the Ameka mine-affected site due to elevated As, Cu, and Pb levels, while the Ameka non-mine-affected site had a low PER. The enrichment factor (EF) values indicated more enrichment of PTEs in the mine-affected sites compared to the non-mine-affected sites. The geoaccumulation index (Igeo) showed moderate to extreme contamination in the Ameka mine-affected site with Cu, Zn, As, and Pb. In contrast, the Nkalagu mine-affected site had considerably lower contamination. The regression model showed that site characteristics alone were insufficient to explain elements and PTEs distribution, emphasizing the importance of considering soil properties in understanding their spatial patterns. The study highlights the higher concentrations of As, Cu, and Pb in the mine-affected sites compared to the non-mine areas and recommends remediation strategies for these elements and PTEs, especially in the vicinity of mine sites. Further laboratory analysis is recommended to understand the mobility of PTEs with depth for better remediation approaches.

Microbiological evaluation of the indigenous fermented condiment okpeye available at various retail markets in the south-eastern region of Nigeria

In Africa, indigenous fermented condiments contribute to food security as a low-cost source of protein. Okpeye is an indigenous fermented condiment produced from Prosopis africana seeds. The reliance on spontaneous fermentation processes and unhygienic practices during production often results in the contamination of the final product with microbial hazards. A microbiological evaluation of 18 commercial samples of okpeye purchased from six markets in two cities in southeastern Nigeria was conducted. Fifty-nine (59) bacteria were isolated and identified at the species level by phenotyping and sequencing the 16S rRNA, gyrB and rpoB genes. Bacillus (47.4 %) and Staphylococcus (42.3 %) were the predominant bacterial genera in okpeye. Overall, B. amyloliquefaciens and S. simulans were the most frequently occurring bacteria and were present in all samples. In addition, B. cereus was isolated in samples obtained from all markets. Other bacterial species included B. velezensis, Oceanobacillus caeni, S. cohnii, Escherichia fergusonni and Vagacoccus lutrae. The B. cereus isolates (10) were screened for the presence of 8 enterotoxin genes (hblA, hblC, hblD, nheA, nheB, nheC, cytK, entFM) and one emetic gene (cesB). The non-haemolytic enterotoxin (nheABC) and haemolytic enterotoxin (hblABD) complexes were present in 70 % and 50 % of B. cereus respectively. The positive rate of cytK and entFM genes was 70 %, while the cesB gene was 30 %. Antibiotic susceptibility assessment showed that most of the isolates were susceptible to gentamicin, tetracycline, streptomycin, and erythromycin but resistant to ciprofloxacin and vancomycin. These findings highlight the need for further controls to reduce contamination with potential pathogenic bacteria in indigenous fermented condiments such as okpeye. There is also a need to educate producers regarding hygienic practices to safeguard public health and food security.

Undergraduates’ Participation in Campus Newspaper Production and Management in South East Nigeria

This study centered on the appraisal of undergraduates’ participation in campus newspaper production and management in southeast Nigeria. It studied public universities made of up both federal and state-owned universities as well as privately owned universities in the southeastern region of Nigeria. The sample size was 300 from 15 selected universities. The study was designed as a descriptive survey with the questionnaire as an instrument for data collection. Findings indicate that two out of the five federal universities do not offer mass communication whereas two privately owned institutions (though having mass communication departments) placed their campus newspaper production on hold. Findings also indicate that printing processes are outsourced (95%) while content creation and circulation are handled by the students (100%). The study recommends that universities offering communication and media studies should not only establish a campus newspaper but also set up a printing press to expose and enhance the skills of students for a holistic newspaper production and management capacity.

Cost of high workload on work–life balance: a moderated mediation model

ABSTRACT The study examined dual-pathway (emotional exhaustion and intensive smartphone use in the evening for non-work purposes) through which high workload is related to work–life balance (WLB). The study equally tested whether family cohesion moderated these mediation effects among university academics from the South-eastern region of Nigeria. Results from a 3-wave survey data (N = 683) using PROCESS model 14 showed that high workload related negatively to WLB. High workload related positively to emotional exhaustion. Emotional exhaustion mediated the relationship between high workload and WLB. The results equally indicated that high workload related positively to intensive smartphone use in the evening for non-work purposes. Intensive smartphone use in the evening mediated the negative relationship between high workload and WLB. Family cohesion moderated the mediation effect of emotional exhaustion by buffering its influence on WLB but did not moderate the mediation effect between intensive smartphone use in the evening for non-work purposes and WLB. Our findings extend the understanding of how high workload impairs WLB via emotional exhaustion and intensive smartphone use in the evening and shed light on how to cope with high workload to achieve WLB.

Utilisation of new media in communicating insecurity in Southeast Nigeria

  This paper aims to describe how in recent times, the issue of insecurity in the southeast of Nigeria is alarming. People are no longer safe as they have become targets for the perpetrators of insecurity within the region. In all of these cases, people must be fully aware of the level of insecurity in a specific location in order to determine the next course of action. In order to achieve this, this study examined the use of new media to communicate insecurity in Southeast Nigeria. The study was founded on the premise of technological determinism.  In this research, a survey research approach was used. Using the Wimmer and Dominick sample size calculator, a sample of 384 was generated from the study's population of 22,012,828. A questionnaire was utilised as a data collection tool. Meanwhile, the multistage sampling procedure was used. Data was analysed with the use of descriptive statistics and pie chart. The finding showed that 51.0% of respondents had been exposed to insecurity messages via new media to a very large extent. It was also revealed that on an average of 74.8% (N=367), new media has been used in communicating insecurity among residents in southeastern Nigeria to a very large extent. It was recommended that new media users should be sensitized on the need to use the platform appropriately or with a sense of responsibility instead of using it to fuel more security problems within the southeastern region of Nigeria.  

Stigma Affects the Health-Related Quality of Life of People Living with HIV by Activating Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms.

Stigma is a strong concern in the effort to manage the impact of many chronic diseases on patients and affects the quality of life (QoL) of patients, but little is understood regarding how this happens. We explored the perspective that stigma reduces health-related QoL (HRQoL) by evoking the traumatic experiences associated with HIV diagnosis. Outpatients (n = 250) receiving HIV-related care were recruited from 2 hospitals in the southeastern region of Nigeria. Participants completed measures of stigma, posttraumatic stress symptoms, and HRQoL. Mediation analyses were conducted using Hayes PROCESS Macro for SPSS. Result showed that stigma was negatively associated with HRQoL; patients who reported more traumatic symptoms also reported poorer HRQoL. Traumatic stress symptoms mediated the path between stigma and all the dimensions of HRQoL. Findings suggest that recognizing and addressing trauma symptoms are important in the management of PLWH. Perhaps addressing trauma would reduce the impact of stigma on HRQoL.

Indecent Dressing Among Female Undergraduates on Sexual Conduct and Study Engagement of Their Male Counterparts in Universities in the Southeast Nigeria

Although academic performance and indecent dressing had been hotlist in literature globally, the academic standard of students in Nigerian universities continues to be a downturn with those of the males being worse hit. Literature revealed a paucity of research on whether indecent dressing pattern of female undergraduates is contributory to this academic failure of their male counterparts. The thrust of this study, therefore, is to explore the impact indecent dressing of female undergraduates has on the sexual conduct and study engagement of their male counterparts. The study was carried out in the Southeastern region of Nigeria. The population of the study comprised all second and third year full-time single male undergraduates. A sample size of 1500 was selected for the study, drawn through a multi-stage sampling procedure. The instrument for data collection was researchers-structured 17-item questionnaire tagged “Male Undergraduates Study Engagement Questionnaire (MUSEQ).” The validity of the instrument was established through extensive use of relevant literature and also peer-reviewed by experts in Research Methods, Psychology and Counseling all from the Faculty of Education, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. Cronbach-Alpha reliability coefficient was used to determine the reliability of the instrument after data had been collected from a sample of 65 undergraduates from another university that was not part of the study. The pre-test of the instrument produced an alpha reliability coefficient of 0.82. Three research questions guided the study and were answered using percentages and mean values. Results indicated that indecent dressing of female undergraduates in southeastern, Nigeria, sexually compromises the study-related state of mind and negatively impacts the study engagement of male undergraduates. Based on these results, it was recommended among others that the university administrators should wake up and be intentional about enforcing the dress code policy which sets the rules about how students should dress and where one does not exist, a Dress Police Team made up of responsible members of staff of the universities should be established and empowered to discipline offenders.

PREVALENCE OF PHENOTYPIC CARBAPENEM-RESISTANT ENTEROBACTERALES ISOLATES AND THEIR DISTRIBUTION BY SEX, AGE GROUPS, STATE AND SPECIES IN SOUTH-EAST NIGERIA

Background: Carbapenems are broad spectrum β-lactam antibiotics that were introduced in response to the emergence of ESBL-producing Gram-negative bacteria. This study aimed at determining the occurence of carbapenem resistant Enterobacterales isolates among patients attending five tertiary hospitals with southeastern region of Nigeria. Methods: A total of 400 Enterobacterales were isolated from different participants. Carbapenem-resistance was detected using Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method with ertapenem, meropenem, imipenem, and doripenem. Results: A total of 117 isolates (29.2%) were resistant to the four carbapenems. When compared among the states, the prevalence were 33.6%, 29.1%, 28.8%, 26.9% and 24.7% for Enugu, Ebonyi, Imo, Anambra and Abia states respectively. The highest resistance was observed among P. mirabilis (52.6%) followed by K. oxytoca (35.7%), S. enterica (35.7%) and K. pneumoniae (33.8%). Conclusion: The overall prevalence was high and this is a cause for concern and urgent need for emergency intervention to forestall widespread emergence of pandrug resistant infections.

Attitudes and perceptions of Nigerians regarding receiving COVID-19 vaccines: an online cross-sectional study

Introductionthe success of controlling pandemics like COVID-19 can be achieved through its vaccination program. Besides masks, social distance, and good hand hygiene, a rapid vaccine program is crucial in controlling this COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, this study aimed to assess the attitudes and perceptions of Nigerians regarding accepting the COVID-19 vaccine.Methodsa cross-sectional study was carried out among 334 respondents aged 18 and above from the Southeastern region of Nigeria. A validated questionnaire was used for the data collection through an online Google form. The data analysis was done using SPSS version 25. The association of socio-demographics with attitudes and perceptions was analysed using chi-square tests and Fisher exact tests. At the 95 percent confidence level, a p-value of 0.05 was deemed statistically significant.Resultssixty point two percent (60.2%) (n = 201) of respondents showed positive attitudes with a mean of (13.96±2.97). Gender was the only demographic factor associated with attitudes (p< 0.001). Respondents with poor perceptions were higher by 53.0% (n = 177) with a mean value of (3.30±1.17). Age, education, gender, and marital status were seen to be associated with perceptions of vaccine acceptance (p<0.05). There was a link between attitudes and perceptions (P> 0.001), as those with positive attitudes also exercised good perceptions.Conclusionthis study revealed that respondents had positive attitudes regarding COVID-19 vaccination acceptance but negative perceptions of it. As a result, community and health promotion professionals, religious leaders, and local celebrities should use their platforms to raise awareness about the benefits of COVID-19 immunization.

Supervisor and customer incivility as moderators of the relationship between job insecurity and work engagement: Evidence from a new context

Earlier studies on job insecurity tested job resources that may buffer the usual negative impact of job insecurity on job outcomes. The current study extends prior results by establishing that, given certain conditions, such as during an economic crisis that often gives rise to a dearth of employment opportunities and a precariousness of employment, perceived job insecurity could positively predict work engagement. Specifically, this study examined the relationship between perceived job insecurity and work engagement, and supervisor and customer incivility as moderators of this relationship. Cross-sectional data were collected from 1,200 volunteer mini-bus drivers from nine mass transit services companies in the Southeastern region of Nigeria. Results of a structural equation model (SEM) showed that job insecurity was positively related to work engagement. In turn, this positive relationship was weakened by supervisor incivility (but not by customer incivility). The results suggest that when supervisors are not supervised they could jeopardize employee effort.

The Prevalence of Dengue Virus and Malaria Co-Infection among HIV-Infected Patients within South Eastern Nigeria

Background: Dengue and malaria are infections of great public health concern, especially in tropical countries like Nigeria where the burden of HIV infection is high. This study was conducted to determine the seroprevalence of dengue virus and dengue/malaria coinfection among febrile HIV-infected patients attending the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital and Nnamdi Azikiwe University teaching university both in the southeastern region of Nigeria. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, blood samples from 338 consenting HIV-infected patients were collected and tested for plasmodiasis and DENV using malaria microscopy and ELISA, respectively. Interviewer-based questionnaires were used to assess subjects’ sociodemographic variables and dengue risk factors. This study was conducted within the peak period of the dry season (January-February 2016). Results: Of the 338 screened participants, 13.02% were seropositive for DENV, whereas 55.8% were positive for Plasmodium spp. About 2.7% were positive for both dengue virus and Plasmodium spp. The overall seroprevalence of dengue virus by NS1 antigenemia, IgM and IgG antibodies was 9.5%, 5.6% and 8%. Conclusion: The high prevalence of malaria and DENV indicates the need to strengthen vector control and dengue surveillance programs.

Methicillin-Resistant &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Staphylococcus aureus&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; May Also Be Resistant to Clindamycin and Vancomycin

Objectives: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a global superbug widely distributed in hospitals, communities and livestock settings. This study investigated the presence and molecular characterization of MRSA co-resistance to clindamycin and vancomycin in the southeastern region of Nigeria. The susceptibility of these organisms to other selected antibiotics was also investigated. Method: Biological samples were obtained from consenting patients from three establishments in Enugu, Nigeria and cultured for isolation and purification. The pure isolates were subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility profiling using conventional antibiotics. The genomic DNAs of the pure isolates were isolated using the Promega genomic DNA purification kit while the antibiotic resistance genes (mecA) genes were identified using a multiplex polymerase chain reaction. Also, the minimum inhibitory concentration of the clindamycin and vancomycin antibiotics was determined as well as their combined activity on the MRSA isolates. Results: A large proportion (71%) of the MRSA isolates was from urine samples and then from the High Vaginal Swab (19%). All the isolates were resistant to cloxacillin while 95% were resistant to ciprofloxacin. MRSA isolates demonstrated resistance to clindamycin (with MIC of 23.44 - 250 μg/ml) and to vancomycin (with MIC of 62.5 - 250 μg/ml). The isolated MRSA also demonstrated multidrug-resistant traits. The combined effects of vancomycin and clindamycin against different species of MRSA exhibited additive, antagonistic and indifferent effects and none had a synergistic effect. Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction revealed that the majority of the strains were positive for the 162-bp internal fragment of the mecA gene of MRSA and basically displayed SCCmec type III, indicating that they were multidrug-resistant and hospital-acquired. Conclusion: Clindamycin and vancomycin-resistant MRSA infections are also within the Eastern region of Nigeria as found in other countries of the world. This superbug, therefore, may require drastic and urgent measures to curtail its spread and attendant healthcare challenges like outbreaks of infections. In addition, strict adherence to antibiotic policy and continuous surveillance is highly advocated.

A Review of the Effectiveness of Adopted, Applied, and Recommended Malaria Control Techniques within the Southeast Region of Nigeria

Malaria is a parasitic disease endemic in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Nigeria accounts for about 51 million cases globally and 207000 deaths annually. Different control measures have been adopted to control malaria in the south Eastern region of Nigeria. These measures includes vector control, chemotherapy etc. The most recommended is vector control and it is achieved through the use of insecticide treated nets, pesticides etc. ITNs are effective vector control tools and positively reduces mosquito abundance and serves as barrier to contacts with human hosts but the set back with the ITN use is the difference between ownership and usage . Most people who own ITNs don’t use it. Diagnosis of malaria is vital in the control and treatment of malaria however, in the south eastern part of Nigeria, outcome of studies revealed gap in microscopy expertise and it has led to lots of false positive results. Chemotherapy using ACT is currently subdued due to counterfeit anti malaria drugs in the markets. There are emerging malaria control methods but they are yet to be adopted and applied in the southeastern part of Nigeria. Currently the malaria control methods adopted in Southeastern Nigeria are effective but may not adequately lead to malaria control. It is imperative to augment with emerging malaria control methods or optimize current methods to achieve the desired results.

CONSUMER PURCHASE DECISION-MAKING AT STORE RETAILERS: A SURVEY OF ROBAN STORES IN SOUTH-EAST REGION OF NIGERIA

The study is on consumer purchase decision-making at store retailers. Roban stores activities as operators of store retailers were surveyed with emphasis on its operations at Abakaliki, in Ebonyi state, Enugu, in Enugu state and Nnewi, in Anambra state all in South-Eastern Region of Nigeria. As an emerging frontiers and a profound transformation in retailers’ store, the three locations of the company were chosen as the main areas of the study. Objectives are to ascertain consumers’ purchasing decisions and their reasons and preference in making purchases from the wide range varieties of product offered in the stores. Two hypotheses were tested on the above issues and the results were further subjected to statistical test using chi-square.

Umuada : Une institution sociopolitique pour la consolidation de la paix et la gestion des conflits au Nigeria

The Umuada is a traditional sociopolitical kin group in the south-eastern region of Nigeria, and is comprised of the first daughter of each family, called the Ada. It is given the utmost respect and granted ‘male’ privileges and responsibilities. Using postcolonial indigenous feminist methodologies, including interviews, observation, and dialogues with key informants across three communities in Enugu State, this chapter explores the Umuada as a local peacebuilding institution perduring from precolonial to modern times. It analyses the question, ‘What role does the Umuada play in de-escalating conflict and upholding peace in south-eastern Nigerian communities?’ The Umuada has historically served as a forum for women to voice their concerns, needs and desires. It is a vital pillar of the community, acting as an arbitration and de-escalation force and performing cultural roles men cannot. Furthermore, working closely with patriarchal institutions and occupying key cultural functions have allowed the Umuada to adapt to changing times and maintain a strong level of agency and respect in the community. These findings recommend the Umuada as a model of peacebuilding to women across Nigeria and beyond.

Evaluating the FRSC's "Don't Drink and Drive" Media Campaign in South-east, Nigeria: Effects on Motorists' Exposure and Compliance Levels

Background Several campaigns on road traffic accidents have been launched by the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) of Nigeria in collaboration with the Beer Sectoral Group (BSG). One such campaign is the "Don't Drink and Drive" intervention launched in 2008. This intervention was initiated to discourage drunk-driving and to improve safety on Nigerian roads through awareness creation. While it is a fact that the the combined enforcement and public education roles of the stakeholders has enormous potentials to tackle drunk driving problems, indigenous empirical evaluation on drivers' exposure and compliance to such DDD messages is scanty. This paper therefore examined motorists' exposure to FRSC's "Don't Drink and Drive" media campaign in South-east, Nigeria and its effects on their compliance levels. Methods A descriptive survey was used to elicit information from 360 registered commercial and private drivers in three selected states (Anambra, Ebonyi and Enugu) in South-eastern region of Nigeria. A multistage sampling approach was adopted in the study. Specifically, a combination of simple random sampling techniques and a purposive sampling procedure was adopted to access respondents across the region under study. Participants volunteered to complete paper version of the questionnaire at their convenience. An independent-samples t-test, a one-way between-groups analysis of variance (ANOVA) and a chi-square test for odd ratio (OR) and relative risks (RR) were performed to test the variables of interests in the study. Results Among other findings, data revealed that in terms of the participants' level of exposure to the DDD campaign, significant differences were observed in age, education, income and number of years spent driving. We also found that drivers' agreement level of the contents of the DDD campaigns was appreciable. Results particularly suggest that the DDD campaigns had a significant impact on drivers' likelihood of avoiding alcohol when driving, reducing alcohol intake at other times and educating others on the danger of drunk driving. Conclusion We conclude that the DDD campaigns might be more effective when policy designers and interventionists concerned with road safety begin to focus on the differences in the demographic characteristics of the drivers. Nonetheless, we advised that the intervention should continue alongside the use of legal back-up (i.e., by imposing some sanctions on drunk drivers) for optimal performance, while campaign efforts should factor in the roles of multiple variables that have been raised in this study.

Implications of COVID–19 Outbreak on the Construction and Property Development Sector in the South-East Nigeria

Pandemic like Covid-19 usually affects the productivity of man, let alone when there is a consequent total lock-down effect in the society. Construction and property development sector among others therefore is bound to suffer enormously since it involves the services of variety of labour force. The study therefore explores the implication and consequences of the Covid-19 outbreak on the construction and property development sector in the south eastern region of Nigeria. Data were collected electronically using field survey method of research design from the sampled respondents of building professionals in the area. Tau-b correlation method was adopted in the statistical analyses to determine the most commonly observed Covid-19 measures, most common vulnerable factors leading to spread and contraction of the pandemic in the study. Findings reveal that majority of the establishment in the area shutdown their operations according to the directive of the government; while about the three quarter of these establishments who were in active operations are observed as public owned corporations or projects. It is also discovered that hand washing, wearing of face mask and social distancing were mostly complied with. On the other hand, economic hardship, inflation, and difficulty in accessibility to fund noticeably affect the flow and progress of work projects. Despite the considerable compliance with the preventive measures, there is no significant relationship between conformity to social distancing and shut-down policy, and the volume of construction works in progress during the shut-down in the study area. In conclusion therefore, it is recommended that shut-down of economic activities should not be total but, in part and alternate form among the various sections of the economic activities within the society. Attention to the operations of the private construction and property development projects like in the and the public structure is also recommended for a more holistic arrangement, towards cushioning the effect of similar economic crisis occasioned by any pandemic like Covid-19 in general.

2023. Antimicrobial Resistance and Stewardship Knowledge and Perception among Medical and Pharmacy Students in Nigeria

BackgroundNigeria is the most populous country in Africa and has high rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The practice of antimicrobial stewardship in Nigerian hospitals is very limited and the subject is rarely included in undergraduate medical and pharmacy curriculums. To further acceptance and implementation of antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASP) in Nigeria health system, baseline measurements of the knowledge and perceptions held by graduating medical and pharmacy students was deemed essential. This study evaluated the knowledge and perceptions of a cohort of Nigerian medical and pharmacy students in concepts of AMR and ASP.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional questionnaire-based study of final year medical and pharmacy students from the two largest schools in the southeastern region of Nigeria. A previously published 20-items questionnaire measuring knowledge and perceptions toward AMR and ASP was adopted for the study. Results were expressed as frequencies and percentages.ResultsCompleted questionnaires were received from 79.3% (361 of 455 students), over half (60%) were male, and mostly between 22 and 25 years old (68.7%). More pharmacy students had formal training on ASP compared with medical students (41.3% vs. 27.5%, P < 0.05). Pharmacy students (n = 84.3% and 90.5%) were significantly more knowledgeable of factors that promote the spread of AMR and interventions to combat resistance than medical students (n = 73.9% and 82.3%), P < 0.05, respectively. Interestingly, 23.3% of medical students thought pharmacists should lead ASP teams, while 5.8% of pharmacy students thought doctors should lead ASP. However, both held poor perceptions of each other’s roles in the ASP team.ConclusionKnowledge of AMR and ASP among medical and pharmacy students in Nigeria is lacking. Inter-professional collaboration to change perceptions and drive ASP in urgently needed.Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.

Effect of Group Cognitive Behavioural Therapy on Depressive Symptoms in a Sample of College Adolescents in Nigeria

Studies have shown that cognitive behavioral therapy may be a useful method for alleviating the symptoms of depression. Depression is a growing issue among college adolescents in Nigeria. This study examined the effects of group cognitive behavioural therapy on depressive symptoms in a sample of college adolescents. We employed a randomized controlled trial design with 162 college adolescents in Southeastern region of Nigeria. One screening tool was used to ascertain the severity of depressive symptoms among the study participants at pre-treatment, post-treatment, and follow-up evaluations. In order to analyze the data collected, repeated measures analysis of variance and t test statistics were employed. Effect size of the intervention was determined using partial eta squared. The findings of the experiment showed that level of depressive symptoms of adolescents enrolled in the group cognitive behavioural therapy group was significantly reduced compared to the waitlisted control group at post-treatment evaluation. We also found that this significant reduction in depressive symptoms was maintained at follow-up.

Investigation of GSM Signal Strength in Rural Communities in the South-Eastern Region of Nigeria

This paper focuses on the investigation of GSM networks’ signal strength coverage in rural communities in the South-Eastern region of Nigeria. The Network Cell Info Lite application installed in two Gionee M5 phones was used to carry out measurement of the signal strength received from the transmitting stations of various GSM networks. Signal strength obtained from the application was compared with the Gionee android inbuilt signal meter for authentication purposes. The signal strength measurements were conducted in Amaigbo from 18th August to 26 th August 2018, Uli from 29th August to 6 th September 2018 and Amasa from 8 th September to 16th September 2018, all in South-Eastern region of Nigeria. The data obtained was analyzed to determine the GSM networks coverage levels, the availability of the networks, and the quality of the network provided in the aforementioned rural communities. The result of the study shows that most rural communities in the South-East region of Nigeria, like Amaigbo and Amasa, experiences a lot of periods of out of service as a result of poor network coverage level. It was also observed that in some rural communities in the east with high population density such as Uli, the network coverage level is relatively high. Thus, quality network services were recorded in Uli. It is therefore recommended that more booster stations be sited to enhance good network coverage level in rural communities within the South-Eastern region of Nigeria.