Collaborative governance: The antidote for effective implementation of malaria elimination programme in Nigeria

Objective: The study examined the way inter-governmental collaboration can be improved to enhance malaria elimination programme in Southwestern Nigeria. Methodology: Primary data were collected through the administration of questionnaire and conduct of interviews. The study population comprised all categories of staff in the National Malaria Elimination Programme; staffs of Malaria Elimination Programme in three states and nine Local Governments in Southwestern Nigeria. A sample size of 388 respondents was selected for questionnaire administration from the study population. Interviews were conducted to complement information collected through questionnaire. Data collected were analysed using appropriate statistical methods. Results: The study revealed that increased allocation of funds; establishment of several anti-malaria programmes at all levels of government and integrated decision making were ways collaborative governance can be improved to enhance malaria elimination programme in the study area. Conclusion: The study concluded that collaborative governance is a sine qua non to the effective implementation of government programmes.

Usage of pedestrian overpass in Akure, Nigeria

Background This study addressed the safety challenge, motivation, and utilization factors regarding the usage of the pedestrian overpass by different people of dissimilar ages alongside Oba Adeshida road at Oja-Oba (Oba market) in Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria. It addressed the following objectives: determined the value of the pedestrian overpass as used by people of different ages; examined the reasons for using the pedestrian overpass in Akure; and examined the performance level of a pedestrian overpass in Akure. Methods In total, 384 users (who used the bridge) were purposively sampled for questionnaire administration, but 324 users participated in the questionnaire, which included multiple-choice and open-ended questions. Also, personal observation was employed for queue analysis. The “Semantic Differential Scale” and single-server queue system for the single queue were employed for data analysis. Conclusions In Akure, there was low or no usage of the pedestrian overpass when the road median was made use of metal and low concrete; but when the road median was made use of high concrete barrier, there was high usage of the pedestrian overpass. It also revealed that the engineering design of the pedestrian overpass is low compared to the contemporary design solutions in addressing the urban societal needs. The pedestrian overpass was used frequently and every day because it provides access to the car park, market, and central mosque. The performance of the pedestrian overpass in Akure is 105% which indicates that the pedestrian overpass is over-utilized by a pedestrian. It is recommended that there is a need to construct another pedestrian overpass to enhance the efficiency of the structure. The existing and future pedestrian overpass should be redesigned to constitute interesting aesthetics and architectural solutions that could harmonize with the environment and enhance flow of the disabled persons.

Heavy metal contamination and health risk assessment of mechanically milled delicacy called fufu

Contamination of food by heavy metals is a concern as consumption of contaminated food is one of the most likely human exposure routes to metals. Fufu is a delicacy in Ghana consumed mainly by the Akans. Human exposure to some heavy metals (Cr, Fe, Zn, Mn and Ni) through mechanically processed fufu consumption was analysed by atomic absorption spectrophotometer and ascertaining consumer awareness of potential exposure by questionnaire administration. A total of 30 milled and un-milled fufu samples (cassava and plantain) were sampled from Bomso, Kotei, Ayeduase, Ayigya and Kentikrono, all within Kumasi. The results showed that Fe and Zn levels after milling were elevated in the range: 2.816–7.297 and 0.753–7.529 mg/kg, respectively. The concentrations of Fe and Zn were below the Food and Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization (FAO/WHO) permissible limits except Zn concentration at Bomso. Cr, Mn and Ni were below the detection limit (0.05). Hazard quotients and indices were less than the US Environmental Protection Agency’s permitted level of one, indicating no possible harm to consumers. Findings from the questionnaire administration indicated a complete lack of knowledge on consumer exposure due to the food processing method.

Assessment of Waste Scavenging Activities in Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria

The study was focus on assessing waste scavenging activities in Calabar, Cross River State. Specifically, the study appraised the socioeconomic characteristics of solid waste scavengers in Calabar and analysed the contributions of scavengers in the waste management process. The study obtained data through questionnaire administration. A total of 50 copies of questionnaire were distributed purposively to waste scavengers in the study area while descriptive statistics was used in carrying out analysis. It was observed that scavenging is exclusively carried out by males and those between 31 years and 40 years dominate the waste scavenging process. It was equally revealed that the married form a larger percent of scavengers in the study area. Scavengers were observed to be engaged in picking up irons/metals, plastics, glasses, copper, bottles as well as vegetables and food remains. Scavengers are mainly involved in the exercise in order to enable them earn a living. Therefore, wastes materials that are pickup in the process are sold out to recycling companies. Specifically, iron scraps pickers sell them to iron recycling companies while vegetable waste pickers sell to fertilizer production companies. Very few scavengers use the wastes they pick up for personal uses. However, it was noted that scavengers contribute positively in the management of solid waste in Calabar. Based on the findings, it was suggested that waste sorting should be encouraged among youths through the organization of sensitization campaigns and the awareness since it has the potentials of reducing unemployment while promoting waste management. Equally, scavengers should be recognized by the government as managers in the waste sector and be given some incentives

Comparative Analysis of Ecological Footprint of Urban and Rural Households in Minna Emirate of Niger State, Nigeria

Nigeria is an unsustainable country due to an ecological deficit arising from the excessive utilization of natural resources. Resources are consumed more than their bio-capacity. Lifestyle and variation in the needs of households have exerted demands on the natural resources and eventually on the global environment. This research therefore aimed at estimating the Ecological Footprints of the average individual in a household in the urban and rural areas of the Minna region in Nigeria. It identifies the types of resource consumption; the impact of consumption on the EF and compares the EF of both about the level of sustainability. Data were collected employing primary and secondary sources for the study. A total of 400 households was selected for the study. Questionnaire administration was employed to collect the data and random sampling was employed. The data were analyzed through explanatory and inferential statistics. The result of the study shows that the EF of Minna and Maikunkele were 1.10 and 0.892 gha. Households require an average of 0.91 and 0.74 planets to sustain their living standard and generate 6.2 and 4.3 tonnes of CO2 annually. 9 and 6 factors influence EF. It is recommended that the lifestyle of the household in the Minna region has to be modified to reduce pressure on environmental resources and the emission of GHG for sustainable development.

Rented apartments an alternative shelter: characteristics and quality across the residential densities in the ancient town of Ile-Ife

PurposeThe study had examined the dynamism in rental housing characteristic in Ile-Ife, Nigeria.Design/methodology/approachData were collected through questionnaire administration on 550 tenants selected across high, medium and low density areas, using systematic random sampling.FindingsFindings revealed that rented apartments in the traditional town are built with modern materials like sandcrete blocks, cement, corrugated roofing sheet and aluminium. Further findings revealed a statistical significant variation in the rental housing typologies across the residential densities (χ2 = 94.732a, df = 10 and p = 0.000). The dominant housing typology in the low income earners areas is rooming apartments known traditionally as (face-to-face), in the middle income earners areas detached and semi-detached bungalows (Mini, 2bedroms and 3 bedrooms flat); and lastly, bungalows and duplexes dominates the high income earners areas. Therefore, the study likened the variation across the income areas to deferential in socioeconomic characteristics of tenants, surroundings peculiarities and the landlord and tenant relationships.Originality/valueThe outcome of this study could strengthen policies in creating design standards for construction of housing for renters; this is step towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11, creating an inclusive communities.

Effect of Increased Daily Cochlear Implant Use on Auditory Perception in Adults

Purpose Despite the recommendation for cochlear implant (CI) processor use during all waking hours, variability in average daily wear time remains high. Previous work has shown that objective wear time is significantly correlated with speech recognition outcomes. We aimed to investigate the causal link between daily wear time and speech recognition outcomes and assess one potential underlying mechanism, spectral processing, driving the causal link. We hypothesized that increased CI use would result in improved speech recognition via improved spectral processing. Method Twenty adult CI recipients completed two study visits. The baseline visit included auditory perception testing (speech recognition and spectral processing measures), questionnaire administration, and documentation of data logging from the CI software. Participants watched an educational video, and they were informed of the compensation schedule. Participants were then asked to increase their daily CI use over a 4-week period during everyday life. Baseline measures were reassessed following the 4-week period. Results Seventeen out of 20 participants increased their daily CI use. On average, participants’ speech recognition improved by 3.0, 2.4, and 7.0 percentage points per hour of increased average daily CI use for consonant–nucleus–consonant words, AzBio sentences, and AzBio sentences in noise, respectively. Questionnaire scores were similar between visits. Spectral processing showed significant improvement and accounted for a small amount of variance in the change in speech recognition values. Conclusions Improved consistency of processor use over a 4-week period yielded significant improvements in speech recognition scores. Though a significant factor, spectral processing is likely not the only mechanism driving improvement in speech recognition; further research is warranted.

THE POTENTIAL OF CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) TRANSMISSION IN MEDAN CITY, INDONESIA

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, mainly caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome, remains a global challenge. This study aimed to identify the potential of COVID-19 transmission in Medan City, Indonesia, by utilizing a quantitative descriptive design with a survey method based on questionnaire administration on Google Form. A total of 293 respondents were selected as a research sample through the accidental sampling technique. This study showed that the majority of the respondents (195, or 66.4%) traveled outside the city/country; 210 respondents (71.7%) used public transportation such as online and public transport; 54 respondents (18.4%) were in the area with an infected patient. This survey also includes the parameters of mask wearing, social distancing, avoiding hand contact, paying in cash, washing hands before or after touching an object, visiting outdoor activities, soaking the clothes after arriving home, and chronic disease history. This research concludes that positive confirmed cases in Medan city demonstrate a fluctuating trend in the infected COVID-19 cases from the respondents with frequent travel history.

Uso metodológico docente y rendimiento lector del alumnado: análisis fundamentado en PISA lectura 2018

Las investigaciones en las que se vincula el rendimiento académico en lectura del alumnado y la utilización de modelos didácticos por parte del profesorado se caracterizan por el carácter exiguo y dispar de los resultados. Esta investigación analizó la influencia y relación entre la utilización metodológica que realizan 13119 docentes de España y el rendimiento académico del alumnado español en PISA lectura 2018. Para este propósito, se implementó un diseño de investigación descriptivo-correlacional en el que se relacionaron los resultados del alumnado español obtenido en la prueba de PISA lectura 2018 con los resultados extraídos tras la administración del cuestionario UMEPE a los docentes de esos alumnos. Los resultados arrojaron relaciones significativas y una influencia positiva y lineal entre el uso de un modelo activo y el rendimiento del alumnado en lectura. Por el contrario, cuando se implementa un modelo tradicional no se produce influencia ni relación entre las variables. La aplicación ecléctica de ambos modelos puede generar un mayor o menor rendimiento del alumnado en lectura en función del contexto. Estos hallazgos se anteponen a la mayoría de la literatura vinculada y se posicionan junto a los estudios que asocian métodos y estrategias activas con un mayor rendimiento. The studies that relate the use of teaching models and student´s achievement in reading are characterized by their recent and disparate nature. This research analyzed both the influence and relationship between methodological usage made by 13119 Spanish teachers and the achievement of Spanish students in PISA reading 2018. To this end, a descriptive-correlational research design was implemented in which the results of Spanish students obtained in PISA reading test are related to the results obtained after UMEPE questionnaire administration to the teachers of those students. The results showed significant relationships and a positive and linear influence between the use of active models by teachers and students’ achievement in reading. On the contrary, when a traditional model is implemented, there is no influence or relationship between the variables. The eclectic application of both models can generate more or less students´ achievement in reading depending on the context. These findings taker precedence over most of the connected literature and rank alongside studies that associate active methods and strategies with higher achievement.

Liquidity Management Practices of Small and Medium-Scale Enterprises in Lagos State, Nigeria

The study investigated the extent of liquidity management practices among Small and Medium-Scale Enterprises in Lagos State, Nigeria. The study made use of primary data and the population of the study comprised of 4,460 registered Small and Medium-Scale Enterprises in Lagos State based on the Nigerian government contacts database (2015). Using Taro Yamane’s formula, a sample size of 367 Small and Medium-Scale Enterprises was computed for questionnaire administration. In each Small and Medium Enterprises that was randomly sampled, questionnaires were administered to the respondents; Owner, Supervisor or Financial Manager who provided the necessary information on liquidity management practices of their firms. Data collected from the study were analysed with the use of appropriate descriptive statistics. The result of the study revealed that SMEs engaged in liquidity management practices such as cash budget (97%), bank account operation (77%), investment in current assets (67%), and making current assets available for immediate conversion into cash (71%). Use of mechanisms in the realisation of sundry debtors (64%) and collection of debts due (64%). The study, therefore, recommended that regulatory authorities should put in place an appropriate policy with compliance measures to check high volume cash transactions and cash hoarding prevalent in the economy.