Southwestern States Of Nigeria Research Articles

Bridging linguistic gaps: the role of code-switching in enhancing learning outcomes in Nigerian public primary schools

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study is to investigate the pedagogical implications of code switching as a medium of instruction in Nigerian public primary schools. This study explores the language choices made by teachers and their implications for students’ learning experiences. Quantitative and qualitative case study approaches were used for the study. Three states, Osun, Oyo and Ogun, were randomly selected from the six states in South-Western Nigeria. From each of these states, three public primary schools were selected, based on their location, size, and diversity. The study targeted classrooms that use code-switching as a medium of instruction, and a total of five classrooms were selected from the five schools. Data were collected using a questionnaire and an interview guide, and analyzed using descriptive statistics and content analysis. The findings revealed that teachers in the sampled schools utilized a variety of languages for instruction by combining English with the local languages. Factors influencing the choice of code switching included official language policies, school directives, students’ comprehension levels, and the ethnic backgrounds of the students. The study also highlighted the prevalence and benefits of code switching as a pedagogical tool. Teachers employed code switching to enhance instructional effectiveness, maintain student interest, improve understanding, promote student participation, and create an inclusive learning environment. The study provides valuable insights for educators, policymakers, and researchers, suggesting the need for tailored instructional approaches that consider students’ linguistic abilities, cultural backgrounds, and educational outcomes.

Lipid profile and anthropometry indices of franchised fast-food consumers in South Western states in Nigeria

Background: Franchised fast foods are known for their unique tastes as it contains a number of spices that makes it delicious. Daily busy schedules have made consumption of franchised fast foods (FFFs) an easy option and control of our food choices even at home. Objective: This research investigated the lipid profile and anthropometric indices of consumers of franchised fast foods (FFFs) in South-Western States in Nigeria. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study in South-West Nigeria and comprised three states: Lagos, Oyo, and Ogun. 300 respondents were recruited from ten (10) purposively selected fast-food outlets in Ikeja, Abeokuta and Ibadan cities, Nigeria. Standardized method for assessing plasma lipid profile was used. A well-structured and pretested questionnaire was used for the survey. The statistical analysis was done using 95% confidence interval and an error percentage of 5%. Results: The major consumers of FFFs are single, younger adults, educated, and relatively high-income earners. Majority of male (39% and 23%) and females (33% and 41%) have excellent and good health status respectively. Significant association was observed between BMI and HDL-C (p=0.009) of male, and Significant differences existed among the BMI and all lipid profiles of female respondents (p<0.050). Conclusion: The study conclude that both genders are at risk of age-related NCDs in the future due to inadequate physical activity and dependence on FFFs. The consumption of FFFs is common among young people, high-income earners and educated people.

Water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) index for primary healthcare facilities: Towards achieving WASH security

This study focused on designing a WASH Index for assessing the status of WASH in Primary Healthcare Facilities (PHCs) especially for low- and middle-income countries. To assess the effectiveness of the WASH Index in evaluating the WASH in PHCs, PHCs were selected from 70 Local Government Areas (LGA) across 3 Southwestern States in Nigeria. The WASH index comprises of the five Joint Monitoring Programme service ladders as outlined in the World Health Organization Global Baseline Report for monitoring basic WASH services in health care facilities: water, sanitation, hygiene, waste management and environmental cleaning. The 5 service elements (termed as components) assessed were based on 10 indicators and 30 sub-indicators. The results of the WASH Index of the PHCs were compared statistically on LGA and State basis with emphasis on the status of WASH facilities. The study concludes that the result would further provide baseline information on the status of WASH in PHCs in the selected States in the quest to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This study recommends that the WASH Index could be adopted an assessment tool for evaluating WASH in PHCs in other to ensure communication of results to policy makers and other relevant stakeholders, for effective monitoring healthcare facilities.

Morphotaxonomic Studies and Abundance of Simulium damnosumTheobald (Diptera: Simuliidae) Complex in Two Local Government Areas of Ogun State

The sibling species composition of Simulium damnosum sensulato and abundance of these sibling species in two communities (Opeji and Imala-Odo) of Ogun State south-western Nigeria was carried out in the wet months (May to October). Morphological identification of black flies using standard protocol was done from 07:00hr-18:00hr twice every two weeks. Climatic data like temperature, rainfall and relative humidity were documented for each month. A total of 1543 flies were dissected, 1228(79.6%) in Opeji and 315(20.4%) in Imala-Odo with a statistical significance (p<0.05). The result revealed an allopatric existence of forest dwelling flies. All the flies identified had dark fore coxa but there was variation in the colours of their wing tuft where wing tuft grade 05 was predominant and no fly had wing tuft grade 01 and there was significant difference (p<0.05) in the wing tuft colours observed among the flies. In Opeji, 477(38.8%) flies were parous while 155(49.2%) parous flies were recorded in Imala-Odo. However, no black fly was infected with the larva of Onchocerca volvulus. Relative diurnal distribution of flies caught revealed a bimodal peak between 10:00-11:00hr and 15:00-16:00hr in both communities. Monthly data on abundance also revealed a bimodal peak in the study sites in June and September with a significant difference (p<0.05) in the abundance across the months. Highest biting rate was recorded in June (Opeji=4492.5; Imala-Odo=780) while August recorded the lowest monthly biting rates (Opeji=284; Imala-Odo=62). The relationship between flies abundance and climatic data showed no significant relationship in both communities (p>0.05). This study revealed that there is high abundance of forest black flies during wet season which have epidemiological implication on humans living in these areas and efforts should be made towards constant monitoring of the siblings species

Seroprevalence of infectious bronchitis in chickens in three south-western states of Nigeria

Seroprevalence of infectious bronchitis in chickens in three south-western states of Nigeria

Seroprevalence of equine influenza in three southwestern states of Nigeria

Seroprevalence of equine influenza in three southwestern states of Nigeria

Prevalence and Correlates of Substance Use and the Effects on the Young People in a Southwestern State of Nigeria

In 2015, psychoactive substance use led to the deaths of 72 young people within a month across Ondo, Edo, and Rivers states in Nigeria, with Ondo being the most affected. The youth attributed these deaths to the wrath of the gods (Malokun) rather than alcohol consumption. This study aims to identify demographic factors influencing youth substance use in Ondo State. Using a cross-sectional, descriptive community study design, 500 participants aged 10 to 24 years were recruited. Data collected through a socio-demographic questionnaire and the Alcohol, Smoking, and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST) were analyzed with Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 16. The findings revealed that alcohol was the most used substance, with a lifetime use prevalence of 69.6%, likely due to the availability and cultural acceptability of local alcoholic products like ogogoro and palm wine. Substance use was found to negatively impact social life. Significant correlates of substance use included gender, age, religion, and father’s relationship. Males had higher lifetime use than females (p = 0.008), and substance use prevalence was higher among late adolescents (p = 0.0034). Christian respondents reported higher lifetime use compared to Muslims (p = 0.010). These results highlight that alcohol is the predominant substance used by young people in Ondo State, with key correlates being male gender, religion, less friendly father relationships, and late adolescence, informing public health strategies to mitigate harmful effects of substance use.

The Risk Factors of Low Birth Weight in Primary Health Care Centres: A Comparative Study in Selected Rural and Urban Settings in a Southwestern State of Nigeria

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines low birth weight (LBW) as less than 2500g at birth, a critical predictor of infant morbidity and mortality. LBW prevalence is notably higher in developing countries (15%) compared to developed ones (7%), affecting 5–6 million children annually in Nigeria. This study aimed to identify and compare LBW risk factors in rural and urban areas of Ondo State, Nigeria, and to describe the socio-demographic and pregnancy characteristics of affected mothers. Conducted from January 2021 to August 2022, the case-control study analyzed live birth records from selected primary health centers. Factors such as socio-demographics, anthropometrics, nutrition, maternal morbidity, and antenatal care were considered. Logistic regression models, both bivariate and multivariate, were used to analyze the data. The study found a LBW incidence of 10.2%, with 9.7% in rural and 11% in urban areas. BMI, maternal age, occupation, and marital status were not correlated with LBW. In urban areas, lower parity and frequent medication use during pregnancy were linked to lower LBW risk, while ANC visits significantly impacted LBW incidence (p < 0.05). Overall, ANC visits, iron supplement use, and parity were significant LBW risk factors, particularly in urban settings, whereas socio-demographic factors showed no substantial association.

COMPARATIVE WOOD ANATOMY OF FOUR Vernonia delile SPECIES (ASTERACEAE) IN SOUTHWESTERN NIGERIA.

Wood anatomy of four Vernonia Delile species in Southwestern States of Nigeria was investigated with a view to identifying the anatomical features of the genus that could be used to delimit the taxa. Plant samples were collected from Oyo, Ekiti, Osun and Ondo States. Transverse, tangential and radial longitudinal sections were made from the wood of the species of Vernonia using Reichert sliding microtome at 10μm thickness. The woods were also macerated with Schultze's uid to separate the tissues and cells. The macerates and cut sections were stained with Safranine O reagent to reveal the differences in tissue arrangements, shapes and cell inclusions. The four species showed common anatomical features: pore shape at transverse plane are oval, round, rectangular circular to cylindrical, simple pitting of vessel elements and presence of - uniseriate, biseriate and multiseriate rays. The wood characteristics that can be used to distinguish the taxa are absent and presence of : tylose, bre length and percentage of solitary vessel, axial parenchyma type and its absence. These features conferred signicant taxonomic difference in the species and members were categorized into three major groups. These ndings serve as baseline for further research such as molecular studies.

Factors Associated with Quality of Perioperative Nursing Care: A Cross-Sectional Study from a Southwestern State of Nigeria

No Abstract

Effectiveness of Using AI-Driven Hotspot Mapping for Active Case Finding of Tuberculosis in Southwestern Nigeria.

Background: Nigeria is among the top five countries that have the highest gap between people reported as diagnosed and estimated to have developed tuberculosis (TB). To bridge this gap, there is a need for innovative approaches to identify geographical areas at high risk of TB transmission and targeted active case finding (ACF) interventions. Leveraging community-level data together with granular sociodemographic contextual information can unmask local hotspots that could be otherwise missed. This work evaluated whether this approach helps to reach communities with higher numbers of undiagnosed TB. Methodology: A retrospective analysis of the data generated from an ACF intervention program in four southwestern states in Nigeria was conducted. Wards (the smallest administrative level in Nigeria) were further subdivided into smaller population clusters. ACF sites and their respective TB screening outputs were mapped to these population clusters. This data were then combined with open-source high-resolution contextual data to train a Bayesian inference model. The model predicted TB positivity rates on the community level (population cluster level), and these were visualised on a customised geoportal for use by the local teams to identify communities at high risk of TB transmission and plan ACF interventions. The TB positivity yield (proportion) observed at model-predicted hotspots was compared with the yield obtained at other sites identified based on aggregated notification data. Results: The yield in population clusters that were predicted to have high TB positivity rates by the model was at least 1.75 times higher (p-value < 0.001) than the yield in other locations in all four states. Conclusions: The community-level Bayesian predictive model has the potential to guide ACF implementers to high-TB-positivity areas for finding undiagnosed TB in the communities, thus improving the efficiency of interventions.

The mediating impact of assessment process in the relationship between project-based learning and teamwork skills’ development

The significance of teamwork skills has been acknowledged in most professions and many organizations make performance evaluation judgments based on learners’ teamwork skills. Project-based learning (PBL) has the ability to harness the ability of students to work together. Consequently, this study evaluated the PBL based on the workshop/laboratory experiences of students by measuring the mediating effect of the assessment process to which PBL is employed to enhance students’ teamwork skills. A set of structured questionnaires was purposively administered to 205 students in technology and vocational education-related courses in tertiary institutions of South-Western States in Nigeria. The key analytical methods for the reliabilities test, normality measurements, composite average, explorative factor analysis, confirmative factor analysis, calculation, and structural model analyzes were Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), using version Statistics Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 22.0 and 22.0 of Movement Structures Analysis (AMOS). The outcomes of the analysis revealed that PBL in relation to teamwork skills were statistically insignificant. Though, the assessment process on learners’ teamwork skills was found to be significant. Thus, it implies there is a need to reinforce learners’ assessment process in influencing PBL towards the development of students’ teamwork skills in their various institutions.

Factors influencing organizational culture on business performance among employers in technological micro-enterprises

Microenterprises are crucial in sustaining the economy, especially in developing economies like Nigeria. Many of these microenterprises do not take cognizance of necessary determinants like organizational culture and its factors to ensure proper running of their day-to-day activities. The study aims to identify some demographic statistics of employers in technological microenterprises, investigate the factors influencing organizational culture and assess organizational culture's influence on business success among employers in selected technological microenterprises in southwest Nigeria. The study was carried out in three southwestern states in Nigeria with 213 business owners (employers) as respondents. Seventeen factors were explored, but eight were extracted to be considered in measuring the employers' organizational culture: climate, customer demand, technological changes, observed behaviour, norms, consistency, adaptability, and sense of mission. Linear regression analysis was also used to measure organizational culture's impact on technological microenterprises' business performance with SPSS as a statistical tool. The study confirms a positive and significant relationship between organizational culture and business performance at 5% significance. This study concludes that the eight variables extracted are important factors to consider when measuring the organizational culture of employers in technological microenterprises in southwest Nigeria for better business production.

Spatial distribution and policy implications of the exhaust emissions of two-stroke motorcycle taxis: a case study of southwestern state in Nigeria

Two-stroke motorcycles emit harmful exhaust fumes because of incomplete combustion. Although they constitute the main fleet of motorcycle taxis in sub-Saharan Africa, monitoring, spatial assessment, and regulation are weak, leaving dire health consequences in cities. This study collected motorcycle raw exhaust emissions of 1,950 two-stroke petrol-driven motorcycle taxis, otherwise called okada, in Ogun State, Nigeria, using an idle mode test approach under 10 minutes and employed correlations, hierarchical multiple linear regression models, and spatial analysis. It was found that carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrocarbons (HC) were the most highly concentrated, and the latter were beyond allowable limits. The concentration of CO was found to be at the minimum of 0.00 % and the highest being at 6.40% (an average of 1.05%), while the HC concentration was reported at the minimum of 18.00 ppm and the highest at 15446 ppm (an average of 3560 ppm). Notably, Kriging interpolation analysis indicated that cumulative effects due to the clustering and operations of motorcycle taxis could increase these concentrations over time, extending their long-term impacts. Given the severe effects of these emissions on health and the wider environment, a DPSIR policy framework is proposed to regulate two-stroke motorcycle taxis in sub-Saharan Africa.

Relationship between Quality of Marriages, Marital Counseling and Management of Oral Lesions among Married Female Worshippers attending Religious Worship Centers in South Western Population in Nigeria.

BACKGROUND/ AIMS AND OBJECTIVES&#x0D; Quality of marriage is a strong indicator of human health. Happily married people tend to show signs of better health when compared to the unmarried. Women in unhappy homes are under chronic stress, they show impaired social behavior, mental stress disorders and cardiovascular diseases. Information on the effects of marriage on oral health is very scanty despite the huge influence of oral health care on the quality of life. &#x0D; METHODOLODY&#x0D; This is a longitudinal designed study of female religious worshippers in a south western state of Nigeria. Religious Worship Centres (RWCs) were selected at random in the city. Married females in the selected RWCs were contacted through their leaders on the scheduled date. They were offered health education and were asked to complete a structured questionnaire on their oral health and quality of their marriages. Extra oral and intra oral examination were carried out and the findings recorded. Scaling and polishing, marital counseling with emphasis on the needs to maintain quality marriages, and appropriate routine dental treatments were delivered to all participants. Data analysis was done with STATA 16 software. Relationship between frequency of oral lesions before and after intervention was analyzed for using ttest, p &gt;0.01.&#x0D; RESULTS&#x0D; A total of 113 married female religious worshippers participated in the study. Their mean age was 57.9 years SD 12.8. Majority (101, 92%) currently reside with their husbands, 2(2%) divorced and 7% widowed. 81 (71.7%) had good quality of marriages while 32 (28.3%) had poor quality of marriages. Oral lesions seen before intervention are periodontitis (30, 26.5%), xerostomia (25, 22.1%), mouth odour (22, 19.1%) and Orofacial/TMJ pain (27, 23.3%). Lesions are significantly more prevalent among those with poor quality of marriages. After intervention the prevalence of mouth odour, periodontitis, xerostomia and extra marital romantic relationship reduced significantly by 82% (p=0.04), 53% (p=0.001), 76% (p=0.001) and 89 %( p=0.024) respectively.&#x0D; CONSCLUSION&#x0D; One third of married, self employed women in their fifth decade of life had poor quality of marriages. Oral lesions are more prevalent among married women with poor quality of marriage and they also have 94.4% chance of getting involved in extra marital romantic relationship. Significant oral lessons were mouth odour, Orofacial pain, xerostomia and periodontitis. Treatment of oral lesions coupled with marital counseling significantly reduced the prevalence of oral lesions and enhanced their marital life.&#x0D; Key words: Quality

Urinary schistosomiasis and anemia among school-aged children from southwestern Nigeria

ABSTRACT Schistosomiasis and anemia, are one of the leading global public health problem among children between age 5 and 14 years in marginalized settings. In this study, we provide prevalence and intensity data for both conditions in three southwestern states of Nigeria, where such are lacking. Epidemiological assessment involving parasitological analysis of urine and blood samples was conducted among 1783 consenting school-aged children in Ondo, Osun, Ekiti States of Nigeria. Participants’ age and sex data were obtained using field forms, and statistical analysis was performed in R software with a significance level of 95%. An overall prevalence of 26.8% and 29.5% was recorded for urinary schistosomiasis and anemia, respectively. Prevalence varied by location with (40.3% and 29.8%) in Ondo (34.4% and 37.5%) in Osun and (13.4% and 20.9%) in Ekiti for urinary schistosomiasis and anemia, respectively (p=0.00). Schistosoma infections were found among males (28.7%, p=0.05) and children between the age 9–11 years (30.0%, p=0.01). About 36% of children with anemia was also infected with schistosomiasis. Children who were positive for schistosomiasis (OR:1.51; 95% CI: 1.19, 1.93; p=0.001) and between the age category 15–16 years, (OR:1.86; 95% CI: 1.12, 3.09; p<0.05) were twice likely to become anemic. Our findings have shown that children infected with schistosomiasis are twice likely to become anemic than those without infection. It is important to complement ongoing MDA programmes targeted at schistosomiasis with nutrition intervention programs for example micronutrient supplementation for better impact and cost-effectiveness.

Impact of IPSAS Adoption on Financial Reporting Quality in Nigeria: A Case of South-Western Nigeria

The study investigated the effect of IPSAS Adoption of financial reporting quality using the six south western states in Nigeria. The public service in the six states of the south western Nigeria is the focus of the study. A total of 400 respondents are covered in the survey and professional staff like auditors and accountants in the public service form the nucleus of the respondents. Well-structured questionnaire was constructed and administered. The data harvested was analyzed using Structural Equation Modelling. Findings from the analysis revealed that. Generally, the adoption of IPSASs contributed to an improvement in financial reporting quality in the sample States. It is however recommended that all states in the federation should migrate to full implementation of accrual based IPSASs accounting systems because of its positive effect on financial reporting quality.

Making Primary Education Attractive: Quality of School Feeding Programme in Two South Western States of Nigeria

The enrolment and the attendance in public primary schools in Nigeria keep going down every year and the statistics of out-of-school children growing. This led to the introduction of School Feeding Programme (SFP) in all the states of the federation. It is believed that SFP can improve enrolment, attendance as well as completion rate of primary education, if well utilised. However, these can only be achieved through proper implementation of SFP. Hence, this study examines the quality of implementation of SFP in Osun and Oyo states of Nigeria. The study adopted triangulation design of mixed methods. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 90 primary school teachers, 75 parents and the State Coordinator of SFP from each state. Three self-designed research instruments were used for data collection namely; Perception of Parents about Quality SFP (0.75); Perception of teachers about SFP (0.71) and State Coordinator of SFP Interview guide. Five research questions were answered. Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. Results show that in Osun State, there is equal access to school meal among all primary classes I to IV pupils while Oyo State feeds primary I to III and some schools are not receiving meal at all. Both states are still struggling with quality and quantity of food for pupils, though report from Osun State shows better quality. There are fair community inputs in SFP in Osun State while this was found low in Oyo State. Qualitative data showed that overall success of the programme is at an average level in Osun State while it is low in Oyo State. It was recommended that Oyo state government should endeavour to improve the quality of implementation of SFP by adopting some of the strategies used in Osun States so as to attract learners and produce the expected results.

Distribution and toxicity of dihydroxybenzenes in drinking water sources in Nigeria.

This study provides, for the first time, data on the distribution and toxicity of catechol (CAT) and hydroquinone (HQ) in drinking water sources from Africa. Groundwater (boreholes and hand-dug wells) and surface water in three Southwestern States in Nigeria served as sampling sites. The concentrations of CAT and HQ in groundwater and surface water were determined throughout a period of 12 months, evaluating the effects of seasonal variation (rainy and dry seasons). Mean concentrations of CAT in water samples were higher than those of HQ. In this study, CAT was more frequently detected, with its mean concentration in groundwater samples higher in the rainy season (430 μg L-1) than in the dry season (175 μg L-1). Multivariate analysis using the Principal Component Analysis Software suggests that in most sample sites, CAT and HQ in water samples were from entirely different anthropogenic sources. The most impacted population groups were the toddlers and infants. Similarly, maximum and median concentrations of CAT in water samples pose serious risks to Daphnia at both acute and chronic levels. The results from this study suggest the need for further control of these dihydroxybenzenes through regular monitoring and removal from drinking water during treatment.

COVID-19 Vaccination Uptake and Associated Factors in Selected Communities in Two Southwestern States in Nigeria

COVID-19 Vaccination Uptake and Associated Factors in Selected Communities in Two Southwestern States in Nigeria