Nnamdi Azikiwe University Journals
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AQUEOUS EXTRACT OF SOLANUM NIGRUM LEAF REVERSED REPRODUCTIVE DYSFUNCTIONS ASSOCIATED WITH ANASTROZOLE-INDUCED POLYCYSTIC OVARIAN SYNDROME IN RATS
No full textBackground: Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), also referred to as Stein-Leventhal syndrome, is a common endocrine disorder that impacts 12-21% of women in their reproductive years.
Aim: The aqueous extract of Solanum nigrum leaves (AEoSNL) was investigated for its therapeutic effects on reproductive dysfunctions associated with anastrozole-induced PCOS in Wistar rats.
Method: Sixteen female Wistar rats (160.46 ± 4.11 g) were divided into four groups (A-D): group A were not induced into PCOS, while those in groups B, C and D were induced into PCOS by oral administration of 0.5 mg/kg body weight of anastrozole dissolved in 1% CMC (2 mL/kg) daily for 21 days. Animals in groups A and B both received 0.5 mL of distilled water, C and D received 0.5 ml co-administration of metformin (7.14mg/kg/day) and clomiphene citrate (2mg/kg/day) metformin, and 200 mg/kg body weight (bw) of AEoSNL once daily for fourteen days post-induction. Vaginal cytology, ovarian histology and levels of some reproductive hormones in the serum were determined.
Result: Anastrozole administration resulted in disrupted oestrous cyclicity, ovarian cyst formation and altered hormonal levels thereby replicating PCOS-like symptoms. The administration of 200mg/kg (bw) AEoSNL to PCOS rats significantly decreased (P≤ 0.05) serum testosterone, follicle stimulating hormone, progesterone and luteinizing hormone (LH) concentration but there was no significance difference (P≥0.05) in the prolactin level when compared with the control. The AEoSNL reversed the hyperandrogenemia, LH hypersecretion and irregular estrous cycle in PCOS-induced rats.
Conclusion: This study suggests that, 200 mg/kg(bwt) of AEoSNL exhibit therapeutic functions in anastrozole-induced PCOS in rats and can be explored in an anti-PCOS drug design subject to further experimentation
INFECTION PREVENTION AND CONTROL PRACTICE: COMPLIANCE AMONG HEALTHCARE WORKERS IN NIGERIA DURING COVID-19
No full textBackground: The COVID-19 infection has become a global pandemic and received attention worldwide with varying consequences of death or ill-health among Health Care Workers (HCWs). As a result of COVID-19, infection prevention and control (IPC) practices have been identified to play a concrete role in combating the spread of COVID-19 globally. Infection prevention and control (IPC) programs that are well-planned and carefully implemented have been shown to reduce illness, reduce hospital stays, prevent death, and save money.
Aim: This study aimed to investigate compliance with IPC practice among HCWs in Nigeria.
Methods: The study adopted a cross-sectional design that used a self-administered paper-based questionnaire. Seventy-eight (78) HCWs workers from different disciplines in different healthcare centres participated across Nigeria. A convenience sampling technique was used. Descriptive statistics of percentages and descriptive statistics were used to present the results.
Results: more than half of the participants 44 (56.4%), were medical doctors with the majority of respondents’ ages ranging between 25 and 34 years. All the respondents indicated 100% compliance with handwashing practices during the period of COVID-19. Only 65 (83.2%) wear surgical/N95 masks during patient contact while 51 (65.3%) ensure the maintenance of social/physical distancing during working hours.
Conclusion: This study revealed that the HCWs in Nigeria have a relatively good compliance rate to IPC practice indicating they are better positioned to combat outbreaks
ASSOCIATION BETWEEN CRANIOVERTEBRAL ANGLE AND THE RISK OF FALLS AMONG COMMUNITY-DWELLING OLDER ADULTS IN SELECTED COMMUNITIES IN OYO STATE, NIGERIA
No full textBackground: Reduced craniovertebral angle (< 490 ) i.e. forward head posture is the most common type of postural abnormality seen in older adults which result from displacement of the vertical line of the body’s centre of gravity.
Aim: This study was designed to determine the association between the craniovertebral angle (head posture) and risk of falls of community dwelling older adults in Oyo state.
Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study in which consecutive sampling was used to recruit 195 participants (97 females, 98 males). Universal goniometer and adapted Time-up-and-go test were used to measure the participant’s craniovertebral angle (CVA) and risk of fall respectively. Chi square test was used to determine the level of association between variables while Mann Whitney U test was used to determine the difference between the two age groups. Alpha level was set at < 0.05.
Results: The mean CVA of the participants was 36.10±6.80 degrees with 186 (95.40%) participants having CVA <49o (forward head posture). There was a significant association between craniovertebral angle and risk of fall (p=0.001) of the participants and there was also a significant difference in craniovertebral angle and the risk of fall between the two age groups (p=0.001) and (p=0.001) respectively.
Conclusion: The outcome of this study revealed that prevalence of forward head posture was high and there was significant association between the craniovertebral angle and the risk of fall of the geriatric population
Gender Participation in Agricultural Digitalization: Prospects and Challenges
No full textAgricultural digitalization offers new opportunities across the world, and holds promises for enhanced productivity growth and improved well-being of all citizens. However, a significant gender gap in the access, use and ownership of digital technologies is still present in many economies and beyond, limiting the equitable realization of the benefits of digital transformation. Gender access to digital tools and digital competencies affect rural smallholders’ participation in agricultural digitalization. Total harmonization of both men and women in agricultural digitalization is a road map to agricultural sustainability and food security. Placing gender divide gaps among farmers in terms of access to technological tools will not only create a lacuna in the field of agriculture but also will subject the people to hunger and starvation. Gender-inclusive solutions that help address barriers related to access, knowledge and skills, among others, are highlighted in this paper. Closing the gender gap in agriculture would produce significant gains for society by increasing agricultural productivity, reducing poverty and hunger, and increasing economic growth of the nation. Gender participation in agricultural digitalization is hampered by structural challenges, such as access to internet connectivity, poor or weak infrastructure, policy environment and regulations, and the limited ability of individuals to use the digital solutions. Despite all these challenges, women generally have great potentials for sustaining agricultural production and family income, if given adequate incentives and gender equity. Improvement in their social status and productivity is to increase output. Therefore, women should be allowed to have access to all the productive resources necessary for agricultural production. This paper looks at digitalization in agriculture from gender perspective. It investigates the prospects and challenges of gender participation in agricultural digitalization and zooms in on the potential opportunities that digitalization provides to women, especially in the developing world, and on the obstacle they face to benefit from it
Gender Participation in Agricultural Digitalization in Zangon-Kataf Local Government Areas, Kaduna State – Nigeria
No full textThis research collected primary data by administering 80 structured questionnaires to rural women within their communities, focusing on the domain of agricultural digitalization in the Zangon-Kataf Local Government Areas of Kaduna State, Nigeria. The data analysis employed various statistical methods, including descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation), correlation analysis to investigate the relationship between education level and digitalization engagement, Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) to identify factors contributing to rural women\u27s ability to promote agricultural digitalization, and chi-square tests to assess the association between challenges/prospects and effectiveness in promoting agricultural digitalization. The findings revealed that 46.2% of respondents belonged to the 46 to 60 years age group, 38.7% had a higher educational level, 30.0% were classified as ‘married’, 37.5% identified farming as their primary occupation, and 46.3% reported a higher percentage of women earning below N50. The tested hypotheses indicated a moderate to weak negative correlation of -0.140, illustrating the relationship between variables such as the level of education and involvement in digitalization activities. In conclusion, the study unveils significant socio-economic characteristics of rural women in the study area, providing valuable insights into their demographic profile and pivotal role in advancing agricultural digitalization. The research recommends that telecommunication companies, educational institutions and community-based organizations implement digital literacy programs tailored to the unique needs of rural women
REVISITING REAL EARNINGS MANAGEMENT AND FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE NEXUS IN NIGERIA: A PANEL ARDL MODELING OF LISTED OIL AND GAS COMPANIES
No full textThe study aimed to assess the impact of real earnings management on the financial performance of Nigerian oil and gas firms using the Panel Autoregressive Distributed Lag (PARDL) modeling technique. The research involved 12 years of panel data from 2011 to 2022, focusing on eight firms: Ardova, Coinoil, Eterna, Japaul, MRS, Total, Rakunity, and Seplat. Data on real earnings management was gathered from their annual reports. The dependent variable was net profit after tax, while the independent variables were abnormal cash flow level, abnormal production cost level, and abnormal discretionary expenses. The study analyzed the relationship between real earnings management and the financial performance of Nigerian oil and gas firms. The Pedroni Cointegration showed a higher than average proportion, indicating cointegration. The ECM result confirmed a long-run relationship, with all indicators of real earnings management positively influencing the financial performance of these firms. However, only abnormal cash flow and discretionary expenses had statistically significant effects. The dynamic side revealed no evidence of causality between real earnings management and the financial performance of these firms, indicating that real earnings management is not a long-term predictor of their financial performance
PROCUREMENT ETHICS AND ORGANIZATIONAL PERFORMANCE OF SMES IN NIGERIA
No full textEthical conduct in procurement is essential for maintaining transparency, integrity and fairness in the procurement process. Business ethics and professionalism play a vital role towards the success, sustainability and reputation of an organization. Ethics are moral principles and values that guide individuals and organizations in making decisions and conducting their actions. On the other hand, procurement is a continuous management process or function responsible for anticipation, identification and provision of materials, supplies, equipment, services and projects that are required by an organization for its operations. In both public and private sectors, procurement takes up to 70% of their expenditure. Hence the need for procurement ethics and professionalism. The aim of study was to investigate the effect of procurement ethics on organizational performance of small and medium enterprises in Nigeria. Descriptive survey design was adopted for this study and the population of the study comprised of all the procurement managers, senior procurement and finance personnel of all SMEs in Lagos with infinite figure. Consequently, convenient sampling techniques was used to select a sample size of 42 respondents. Data collected was analyzed with the aid of SPSS, using both descriptive and inferential statistics and presented in tables. Findings revealed that transparency, integrity and accountability resulting from procurement ethics did not have significant effect on organizational performance of SMEs in Nigeria. Base on this, the study recommended that managers of SMEs in Nigeria should review and scale up their ethical procurement process and professionalism. Also policies should be put in place to guide ethical behavior of procurement personnel and measures that promote employees adherence to set ethical code and professional practice
SOCIAL ENTEPRENEURSHIP AND THE SUSTAINABILITY OF SMALL AND MEDIUM SCALE ENTERPRISES (SMEs) IN KOGI STATE
No full textThis study examined the relationship between social entrepreneurship and the sustainability of small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) in Kogi state. Specifically, the study investigated the nature of the relationship that exists between social innovation and financial sustainability of small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) in Kogi state. The research design for this study is a quantitative research approach. Purposive sampling technique was used to select the participants for this study. The sample size was 20 entrepreneurs who are engaged in social entrepreneurship activities within Kogi State. The selection criteria were based on their involvement in social innovation and their willingness to participate in the study. Primary data was collected through a structured questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted closed[1]ended questions that measures the level of social innovation and financial sustainability of SMEs. The collected data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistical techniques. Descriptive statistics such as frequencies, means, and standard deviations was used to summarize and present the data. Inferential statistics such as correlation analysis and regression analysis were conducted to determine the nature of the relationship between social entrepreneurship and the sustainability of SMEs in Kogi State. The study therefore found out that there are significant and positives relationship between Social entrepreneurship and the sustainability of small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) in Kogi state. Based on the findings the study recommends that Entrepreneurs should engage in more of social activities rather than see entrepreneurship as profit making venture alone
EFFECT OF FINANCIAL INCLUSION ON FINANCIAL INTERMEDIATION IN NIGERIA: 2000-2021
No full textThis study assessed the effect of financial inclusion on financial intermediation in Nigeria for the period 2000 to 2021. Nigeria financial inclusion strategy has not achieved its target fully due to some citizens’ preference for cash transactions. The informal sector are patronized for savings and borrowings hence retarding the fast drive for financial inclusion. Financial inclusion proxies were automated teller machines per 100,000 adults (ATMs), commercial bank branches per 100,000 adults (CBB), domestic credit to private sector by banks as percentage of GDP (DCPS), depositors with commercial banks per 1,000 adults (DEPCB), while total savings/gross domestic product (TS/GDP) was proxy for financial intermediation. Specifically, the study assessed the effect of ATMs; CBB; DCPS and DEPCB on TS/GDP in Nigeria. The data used were extracted from the World Development Indicators data base and CBN statistical bulletin. The theoretical underpinning was the financial intermediation theory. The descriptive statistics, unit root test and regression analysis were done. The results showed that: there was no unit root among the variables, R-squared was 98% and prob (f-statistic) was 0.00000. Also, the regression output showed that: ATMs had positive and significant effect on TS/GDP; CBB had negative and nonsignificant effect on TS/GDP; DCPS had positive and significant effect on TS/GDP; while DEPCB had positive and significant effect on TS/GDP in Nigeria for the period reviewed. It was recommended that: banks should improve efficiency of ATMs and provide them in financially excluded locations; CBN / banks to enhance credit delivery to the domestic private sector and keep sensitizing Nigerians on the need to use the banks for their financial transactions