157 research outputs found
Cost-utility of burns management in Nigeria: A case study of the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Enugu
No full textA major problem of burns is the high cost of management, as well as the discrimination and disability they can cause to patients. Maximising resource utilisation is of key importance for lower-middle-income countries (LMICs) like Nigeria. There is a need to know if Nigerian patients who were victims of burns get the best value for money. This study aimed to evaluate the average cost of managing burns in Nigeria, and determine if the treatment approach is cost-effective. The study was a cost-utility analysis from the perspective of health service providers in Nigeria, a case study of the National Orthopaedic Hospital Enugu (NOHE) using 2013 Microsoft excel. Data on the cost of burn management were obtained from a retrospective study conducted in NOHE in 2012 on 285 patients. Costs were adjusted to reflect the future (2015) value using a real interest rate of 3%. These costs were presented in 2015 US dollars, and a discount rate of 3% was used for both cost and outcome. Health outcome was presented in disability adjusted life years (DALYs). Based on a cost-effectiveness threshold of 526.68/DALY averted). The result also showed that the cost of managing burns in Nigeria is $7,123.28 per patient, which is more than the average income. Burn management in Nigeria is cost-effective but too expensive for most Nigerians to afford.No Full Tex
Zika virus in west africa: A seroepidemiological study between 2007 and 2012
No full textAccording to the World Health Organization, the entire African continent is at risk of a Zika outbreak. To increase data availability on the epidemiology of Zika virus circulation in Africa, we evaluated the immunity to Zika virus in a selected cohort of subjects from West Africa between 2007 and 2012. Human serum samples were collected in 2007 and in 2011/2012 from a cohort of 2-29-year-old subjects from Mali, Senegal, and The Gambia. A sample that tested positive by Zika virus IgG ELISA and by Zika virus microneutralization test was defined as positive. In 2007, the highest prevalence was 21.9%, found in Senegal among 18-29-year-old subjects. In 2011/2012, the highest prevalence, 22.7%, was found still in Senegal, but in 11-17-year-old subjects. During both study periods, the lowest prevalence was found in Mali, where few positive cases were found only in 18-29-year-old subjects. The Gambia showed an intermediate prevalence. In the three countries, prevalence was strongly associated with increasing age. This study contributes to understanding Zika virus circulation within three different ecological and demographic contexts with scarce or no data currently available. Results showed that Zika virus circulated actively inWest Africa between the period 2007 and 2011/2012, but with some geographic specificity
Relevance of Water Recirculating System in Modern Aquaculture
No full textThe review of water recirculation in aquaculture practice presents the reality and benefits of a developed system for effective water re-use with optimum water quality, for intensive fish production. This advanced mechanism of adequate water re-use proves its relevance as it provides for intensive fish production, conservation of available water, conservation of available space, ease in site location, flexibility to locate production facilities near large markets, quick and effective disease control, complete and convenient harvesting, species and harvest diversity especially where available water for culture purpose is limited (considering how water intensive aquaculture is), and salvaging endangered species. The practice of recirculating aquaculture through Recirculating Aquaculture systems needs basic orientation for fish farmers especially in developing aquaculture practice areas, since it can be carried out at different intensities. Recirculating Aquaculture System is hence an optional technology for farming aquatic organisms that should be encouraged
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Econometric Analysis of Factors Influencing Fuel Wood Demand in Rural and Peri-Urban Farm Households of Kogi State
No full textThis study was designed to determine variables influencing fuelwood demand in rural areas of Kogi State. Eighty households were randomly sampled from all the Agricultural Zones of the state. A 2SLS method was then used for estimation of the coefficients of the simultaneous equation model. The most significant determinants of fuelwood demand in the study area are the price of fuelwood, kerosene’s price, household size and personal incomes of the household heads. In light of this study’s findings, recommendations included reduction of kerosene prices, investment in renewable energy, cooking gas and electricity and use of agricultural extension agents to educate farmers on sustainable farming
Econometric Analysis of Factors Influencing Fuel Wood Demand in Rural and Peri-Urban Farm Households of Kogi State
No full textThis study was designed to determine variables influencing fuelwood demand in rural areas of Kogi State. Eighty households were randomly sampled from all the Agricultural Zones of the state. A 2SLS method was then used for estimation of the coefficients of the simultaneous equation model. The most significant determinants of fuelwood demand in the study area are the price of fuelwood, kerosene’s price, household size and personal incomes of the household heads. In light of this study’s findings, recommendations included reduction of kerosene prices, investment in renewable energy, cooking gas and electricity and use of agricultural extension agents to educate farmers on sustainable farming.
 
Perceived Social Support, Perceived Stress as Correlates of Stress Symptomatology among University Students
No full textThe study sought to correlate Perceived Social Support and Perceived Stress with Stress symptomatology. 160 undergraduate students of drawn from a privately owned Nigerian university participated in the study. The participants ranged between 14 and 19 years in age (=16.26, SD = 1.68). The hypotheses were that significant correlations would be found between perceived stress and stress symptomatology, and between perceived social support and stress symptomatology. Perceived social support was measured using the Multidimensional Perceived Social Support Scale (Zimet, Dahlem, Zimet & Farley, 1988), perceived stress with Cohen Perceived Stress Scale, and stress symptomology with the SCL-90. Significant correlations (r = -.13, Ï< .05) was found between Perceived Social Support (PSS) and Stress symptomatology, and between Perceived Stress and Stress symptomatology (r = .39, p<.000). Males evinced a significantly higher mean stress compared to females. The findings are consistent with those of earlier studies that found negative associations between perceived social support and stress, as well as with the cognitive theory that perception of threat is actually related to the experience of threat.
Key Words: stress symptomatology, perceived social support, perceived stress, cognitive, University students
Increasing hybrid PV/wind/diesel generator power output with increased PV module efficiency
No full textThis research work focuses on increasing the power output of a hybrid energy system by giving a boost to the energy supplied from the PV module. It embraces the cooling of the PV module using a multi-concept cooling technique. An experiment was set up to reduce the surface temperature of the PV module to 20°C in order to increase its efficiency and hence power output. The experiment was performed using two 250 watts PV modules, water spraying was carried out on one of the modules which, was also attached with an Aluminium heat sink at the rear, while the other module was mounted without any form of cooling. The modelling of the hybrid energy system was done using MATLAB Simulink. An equation for PV module power output was used with a derating factor of 95% and the result of the experiment shows that power output of 262.4 watts is achievable, and the simulation result shows an increase in the power contributed by the module
Morphometric Characterization and Fillet Yield of Two Commercial Fish Species from Panyam Fish Farm Plateau State
No full textA total of 50 individual samples of Parachanna obscura and Clarias gariepinus were collected fresh from Panyam fish farm with the aid of crush ice for preservation until assessment was carried out to determine the fillet yield of Parachanna obscura in comparism with Clarias gariepinus.
The whole fresh fish samples were taken to the department of Fisheries and Aquaculture laboratory of the Federal University, of Agriculture, Makurdi for assessment. Their Total and Standard Lengths were recorded (in cm) using a Measuring Rule, while Total Body Weights were recorded (in grams) using an electronic weighing balance. Data were collected on: the Total Weight (g), Total Length (cm), Standard Length (cm), Visceral Weight (g), Head Length (cm), Weight of Bones (g), Weight of Fins (g) and Weight of Fillet (g) in comparism between the two fish species. Descriptive statistics for morphometric data were determined using Minitab 18® (Minitab 2017). Regression and correlation of variables was carried out in R (R Core Team 2020). Results of the mean measured parameters of Parachana obscura and Clarias gariepinus from Panyam Fish Farm Jos, showed that Total Length (42.66 ± 0.58cm), Standard Length (38.56 ± 0.29cm), Fin Weight (15.51 ± 0.37g), Visceral Weight (11.04 ± 0.17g), Head Weight (1.49 ± 4.01g), Bone weight (39.84 ± 0.80g) and Weight of fillet (89.02 ± 2.38g) of Parachana obscura were higher than the mean measured parameters of Clarias gariepinus. There was a significant difference (p= .05) among the measured parameters between P. obscura and C. gariepinus. The higher fillet percentage per body weight of P. obscura in comparism to C. gariepinus is a pointer to a relatively higher economic value for commercial purposes of this species. This assessment also provides information for further studies on this species to be built on, as there is obvious need for Nigeria’s aquaculture system to diversify from the prevalent catfish culture
Agronomic assessment of some sweet potato varieties for intercropping with pigeonpea in southern guinea savanna of Nigeria:
No full textABSTRACT Field experiments were conducted at the National Root Crops Research Institute sub-station, Otobi, in 2006 and 2007 to assess the suitability of improved sweet potato varieties for intercropping with pigeonpea and also to determine the planting pattern and the productivity of the intercropping system. Intercropping decreased total fresh root and saleable root yields of sweet potato when mixed or row-intercropped with pigeonpea. All intercropping combinations of sweet potato varieties and pigeonpea had land equivalent ratio above 1.0, except intercropping with WA Gabolige, signifying high intercrop advantages. TIS 87/0087 produced the highest total fresh root and saleable root yields in both cropping systems, irrespective of the planting pattern used. TIS 2532.O.P.1.13 and TIS 86/00356 sweet potato varieties had comparable yields with TIS 87/0087 in both cropping systems. Pigeonpea was the more competitive component of the intercrop. Farmers showed willingness to adopt the sweet potato + pigeonpea intercropping
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