Madonna University, Nigeria - Open Access Journal System
Not a member yet
230 research outputs found
Sort by
FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH PREVALENCE OF HIV AMONG YOUTHS: A REVIEW OF AFRICA PERSPECTIVE
No full textHuman immunodeficiency virus/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) is a global pandemic. Regarding the socio-economic factors, unexpectedly poverty was found to have an insignificant effect on the prevalence of HIV/AIDS among male and female respondents in the year 2005. The most significant socio-economic factors associated with prevalence of HIV infection among youths are alcoholism and poverty. The major cultural factors associated with prevalence of HIV infection among youths are polygamy and early marriage with low condom use Multiple sexual partners is the behavioral factor associated with prevalence of HIV infection among youths with HIV
AN ASSOCIATION OF SERUM HAPTOGLOBLIN WITH SOME MARKERS OF INFLAMMATION IN POST DIAGNOSTIC BREAST CANCER PATIENTS
No full textChanges in serum Haptoglobulin is associated with poor prognosis in many malignant diseases. This study aimed at evaluating the serum haptoglobin and markers of inflammation in post-diagnostic breast cancer patients. A total of 50 subjects were recruited for the study. Twenty were post-diagnostic breast cancer patients attending cancer clinic at Federal Medical Centre Owerri, Nigeria while 30 were apparently healthy subjects age-matched with breast cancer and served as the control. The 50 subjects were within the age of 25-60 years. Serum samples obtained from the participants were used for the analysis of serum haptoglobin using the immune-assay technique. C-reactive protein was determined using the latex-enhanced nephelometry method, while ESR was determined using Westergren method. Data obtained was analyzed using SPSS version 21 and results were expressed as mean and standard deviation (mean ± SD). The difference in mean values between groups was assessed by student t-test. Tests with a probability value of P< 0.05 were considered statistically significant. The mean value of haptoglobin was significantly increased (p=0.000) in post diagnostic breast cancer patients (1224.02±109.18 µg/ml) when compared to controls (693.59±165.11 µg/ml). The mean value of CRP was significantly increased (p=0.000) in post diagnostic breast cancer patients (5.25±0.61 mg/L) when compared to controls (1.98±0.23 mg/L). The mean value of ESR was significantly increased (p=0.000) in post diagnostic breast cancer patients (89.00±16.08 mm/hr) when compared to controls (7.47±2.12 mm/hr). Results show Breast cancer is associated with significant elevated levels of haptogloblin, C-reactive protein and ESR. This indicates a positive association between Breast cancer and haptogloblin, which is predictive of poor disease outcome and survival in breast cancer.
Keywords: haptogloblin, markers, inflammation, diagnostic, breast cance
A BACTERIOLOGICAL STUDY OF THE PALM AMONG MADONNA UNIVERSITY STUDENTS, ELELE CAMPUS
No full textMicroorganism can be transferred to the human palms from contaminated surfaces. Contaminated hands can transmit disease to oneself as well as to others. This study was done to isolate bacteria present in palms of students of Madonna University Elele Campus, Rivers State Nigeria. A total of 85 palms were swabbed, samples were taken from randomly selected students males (45%) and females (40%). Out of these 85 samples of palm swabs, 36 isolates were gotten. From the result, the most frequently isolated organism was Staphylococcus aureus20 (55.5%) and the least isolated organism was Salmonella spp 2 (5.5%), other organisms isolated were Klebsiellaspp6(16.6%), Escherichia coli 8(22.2%). There was no significant difference p>0.05 among percentage occurrence among the organism isolated. Also this work shows that the highest number of isolates gotten from the males was 21(58.3%) and 15(41.6%) number of isolates from female students. The result show there was no significant p>0.05 difference among percentage occurrence of organism isolated when compared by gender between the types of organisms isolated and sex distribution of the organisms isolated. The subjects needed to be meticulously educated on need for proper hand hygiene and hand washing practice
ISOLATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF FUNGI ASSOCIATED WITH STALED BREAD IN MADONNA UNIVERSITY ELELE CAMPUS FEMALE HOSTEL
No full textBread is the most important staple food in the Western world and it is recognized as a perishable commodity, which is at its best when consumed 'fresh'. Unfortunately, bread remains 'fresh' for only a few hours after it leaves the oven. Isolation and characterization of fungi associated with staled bread in female hostels were investigated. The aim of this research is to examine the fungi associated with staled bread in Madonna University Elele campus female hostel. The bread sample used for this study was collected from the different female hostels at Madonna University, the glassware were sterilized properly in hot air oven at 1600c for two hours, other materials were sterilized by autoclaving at 1210C for 15minutes. The culture media used for this experiment is sabouraud Dextrose agar (SDA) which is known to support the growth of only fungal organisms. The organisms found to be associated with the spoilage of bread were strictly fungal organisms which include; Mucor spp. (30%), Rhizopus spp. (17%), Penicillium spp. (17%), Fusarium spp. (3%). However, the percentage distribution of fungal organisms isolated from staled bread in different female hostels of Madonna University Elele Campus showed that Omogo hostel had the highest percentage of 23% followed by Madonna hostel (21%), Barnabas hostel (17%), St. Anthony hostel (15%), MJS hostel (15%), Edeani hostel (8%). After analyzing the samples, Aspergillus spp was found to be the most occurring fungi in bread.
Keywords: isolation, characterization, fungi, staled brea
MICROBIAL EVALUATION OF RAW MILK FROM A DIARY FARM
No full textMilk is food that inherently favours microbial growth and due to its characteristics, several precautions must be taken to prevent contamination in its production, processing and consumption, which are routinely subject to changes. This study was carried out to evaluate the microbial quality of raw cow milk taken at different sampling points from Amokwe, Obioma and obinagu, all in Udi L.G.A of Enugu State between July to November 2020. The samples were serially diluted and inoculated using the streaking technique. Overall mean heterotrophic count, coliform count; yeast and mould count of milk produced in the study area were 1.25 x 103 - 8.0 3 x 102cfu/ml, 3.17 x 103 - 2.87 x 103cfu/ml, and 1.87 x 103 -0.90 x 102cfu/ml, respectively. Amongst the organisms isolated, Bacillus spp, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus spp had the highest frequency of occurrence. Only one species of Rhizopus was isolated. Raw milk collected from the dairy farm at Obinagu had the highest number of isolates. High heterotrophic, coliform and yeast and mould count obtained in this work is an indication of poor sanitary condition and this call for scrupulous hygienic measures during the handling of milk and its product.
Keywords: microbial evaluation, raw milk, diary far
ZINC LEVEL IN APPARENTLY PREGNANT WOMEN IN URBAN AREA
No full textPregnancy is the fertilization and development of one or more offspring, known as an embryo or foetus in a woman’s uterus. It is a critical stage of development during which maternal nutrition can strongly influence obstetric and neonatal outcomes. This study investigated the level of serum zinc levels among pregnant women attending antenatal in urban areas in Enugu. A total number of 100 pregnant women (test) and 50 non-pregnant women of reproductive age were involved in the study and they served as control. Estimation of serum zinc was done using Bio E lab fully automated Chemistry Analyzer As.280 while estimation of RBC parameters was done using Mindray Autohaematology Analyzer BC.2800 model. Results obtained were analyzed using t-test and Pearson correlation and values were considered significant at p<0.05 and non-significant at p>0.05.The result shows a significant (p<0.05) decrease in the mean values of zinc (163.8 ± 58.21 mg/dl) in pregnant when compared with the mean values of zinc (226.2 ± 98.99 mg/dl) in non-pregnant women. Also results showed a positive correlation (p<0.05) between zinc and (Hb) (r = 0.414; P = 0.000), and (PCV) (r = 0.393; P = 0.000), and also a negative correlation with (MCHC) (r = -0.236; P = 0.018).The result of this study has shown that pregnancy could be associated with zinc deficiency which could be as a result of mothers increasing requirement for zinc or less intake of zinc.
 
STUDIES ON HEPATITIS B VIRUS INFECTION IN EBONYI STATE NIGERIA USING HBSAG AS MARKERS: RAPID ASSESSMENT SURVEY
No full textStudies on Hepatitis B Virus infection in Ebonyi State Nigeria using HBsAg for Rapid Assessment Survey were carried out between the years 2018 to 2020. Ethical approval for the work was obtained from the ministry of Health Ebonyi State. Thereafter, appropriate advocacy visits were made to the authorities of the LGAs and communities in the state. Five communities in each of the thirteen (13) LGAs of the state were randomly selected for the survey. Informed Consent was also obtained from the participants aged 16-50 years of both sexes. Nine thousand five hundred and seventy (9570) participants (3543 males and 6027 females) were recruited for the study. Blood samples were appropriately collected from the subjects and screened for Hepatitis B Virus infection using antibody (Ab) rapid test kit. Serum from the positive samples were separated and stored at -20°C for subsequent molecular analysis in phase 2 of this work. The screening result showed 656 positives cases giving a significant prevalence of 6.9% in the study population. According to vaccination, 1.0% prevalence was of those vaccinated and 7.1% for non- vaccinated. This increase was found to be statistically significant. There was variation in prevalence with relation to age group: 3.8% was recorded for those aged 16-20 years, 4.4% for those aged 21-25 years, 6.3% for those aged 26-30 years, 9.0% for those aged 31-35 years, 11.8% for those aged 36-40 years, and a decline of 8.6% for those aged 41-45 and 4.4% for those aged 46-50 years. This variation was found to be statistically significant (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in prevalence according to sex, 7.3% for males and 6.6% for females. The result of this study with regard to location also showed significant difference in prevalence, (Ebonyi Central7.1%, Ebonyi North 8.9% and Ebonyi South 5.2%) which was statistically significant (P<0.05). The above result is alarming and looking at the age bracket involved, the work force of Ebonyi State is in danger and it calls for serious concern to the government and health authorities at all levels to save the state from a total collapse in the area of manpower.
 
KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDE OF PARENTS TOWARDS SEX EDUCATION FOR ADOLESCENTS (12-18 YEARS) IN THE ST. JOSEPH CATHOLIC CHURCH NIGERIA, DIOCESES OF ORLU
No full textThis research study is aimed at finding out the knowledge and attitude of parents towards sex education for adolescents (12-18 years) in the St. Joseph Catholic Church Nigeria, Dioceses of Orlu. Descriptive design is used; the sampling technique is convenient sampling because of irregularity of some parents to church services. Instrument of data collection is questionnaire made up of structured question from the research question, were distributed to the parents present at the time of the research study. The target population is 200, 100 questionnaires were distributed and the data collected were analyzed using simple percentage table. From the analysis of data, the researcher discovered that parents in St. Joseph Catholic Church Nigeria, Dioceses of Orlu, have the knowledge of sex education and a good attitude towards sex education. The study made some recommendations which if implemented would improve and equip parents the more in providing sex education
Political Marketing and Social Media Use in Nigerian Politics: Understanding the Nexus
No full textIn the 21st century, the importance of social media is highlighted in political marketing. Political players and stakeholders believe the use of social networking sites such as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and WhatsApp, among others, can influence political participation. Nowadays, social media tools are utilised within political communication campaigns to secure victory, encourage interaction between political parties/voters, promote and market identities, ideologies and build images. New media technologies have played essential roles in the Nigerian political landscape in the last two decades, both on the side of campaigners who work for political parties and the electorates who vote-in politicians marketed to them through political marketing. Hinged on the three-stage model of political marketing and the technological determinism theory, this paper examines and provides a contextual appraisal of the nexus between political marketing and the social media boom, particularly the Nigerian political system. This study employed an essentially exploratory and descriptive design with significant reliance on a desktop or library review of literature and theories presented alongside the analyses of relevant issues in work. The paper concluded that social media usage in political marketing encourages more engagement and interaction between the political actors and the electorates.
KEYWORDS: Political Marketing, Social Media, Political Communication, Nigeria, Political System
 
Macroeconomic Determinants of Stock Market Price In Nigeria
No full textThis study examined the effects of selected macroeconomic variables on stock market price in Nigeria, using quarterly time series data for the period 1985 to 2020, and the Vector Auto Regression (VAR) modeling technique. The results show that there exists a long-run relationship among stock prices, inflation rate, interest rate and real gross domestic product for the period under study. The variance decomposition results indicate that inflation rates, real GDP growth, interest rates are the key drivers of stock market price. The study therefore recommends a complete overhaul of current policies which have produced a regime of both high interest and inflation rates and a sluggish output growth.
Keywords: Stock Market Price, macroeconomic determinants, variance decomposition
JEL: O16 and