THE MASS MEDIA AND COVID-19 VACCINATION IN IMO STATE: AN EXTRAPOLATIVE ANALYSIS

This study sought to examine the influence of the mass media in mobilizing the masses for the Covid-19 vaccine. The study was anchored on Health Belief Model (HBM). The researcher adopted the survey research design. The population of this study is the population of residence of Imo state which according to the 2016 projected population is 5,408,756 (National Bureau of Statistics, 2016). The Taro Yamen’s formula was used to arrive at a sample size of 399. The questionnaire was the research instrument used for the data collection. Findings revealed that over 70% of the residents are highly aware of the covid-19 vaccine. However, the knowledge of the vaccine is low as the average mean of 2.3 indicated that residents in Imo State are not knowledgeable about the covid-19 vaccine. This is probably the reason why findings revealed that at an average mean of 1.9, residents in Imo State seem not to want to accept the intake of the covid-19 vaccine. The researchers recommended thus residents of Imo State should endeavor to get their news through reliable sources in order to have a good mental disposition towards the vaccine; and that people in Imo State should endeavor to go and take the covid-19 vaccine. This will help close the gate to the high rates of death recorded as a result of the covid-19 vaccine.

Evaluation of the socio-economic impact of landcover / landuse changes in Owerri Municipal, Imo State, Nigeria using remote sensing and geographic information systems

The study aimed at evaluating the socio-economic impact of landcover / landuse changes in Owerri Municipal, Imo State, Nigeria using remote sensing and GIS with a view to improving the quality of life and social development through its objectives; to identify the changes of the landcover and landuse pattern of the study area for a period of 30 years i.e. 1987 to 2002 to 2017, to evaluate the socio-economic and environmental impact of these changes and to predict future impact of landcover / landuse changes in the study area. The methodology adopted in this study involved sourcing of satellite data from United States Geological Survey (USGS) for the period of years under study, social survey in Owerri Municipal Area for socio-economic impact monitoring. ArcGIS 10.5 and QGIS 2.9 software were used for data processing, analysis and presentation. The study observed a significant increase in built-up area from 1987 (34%) to 2017 (65%), on the contrary, there was a noticeable decrease in the class of bare land (26% to 12%) and vegetation. (37% to 15%) followed by water body which kept fluctuating as result of rainfall. Rapid population growth triggered by rural urban migration coupled with hasty socio-economic development were the main drivers of these changes. Results showed that remote sensing and GIS approach are recommended for further studies as the tools are efficient for landcover/landuse mapping.

Women Entrepreneurships’ Development in Imo State, Nigeria, Challenges and Prospects

Empirical studies have found that developing countries are mostly affected by the whims of gender discrimination particularly against the women in their quest to be involveld in entrepreneurship activities and other economic ventures. Hence , the need to study Women Entrepreneurships’ Development in Imo State, Nigeria; Challenges and Prospects. Four hundred and fifty (450) women entrepreneurs from Imo State Nigeria were randomly selected from the list of registered women entrepreneurs in the three geopolitical zones of Imo State. A likert scale responses on questionnaire and rating scales were used to obtain the required data for the study. It deployed descriptive statistics and regression analysis for hypotheses testing. Findings reveal that, challenges (CHA) exerted significant negative influence on the women entrepreneurship development (WED) in Imo State, Nigeria. On the other hand, prospects (PRO) is a positive and significant function of WED. Results also reveal that, discriminatory laws and regulations (DLR) (with mean rank of 5.21) happens to be the highest challenge to women entrepreneurship in Imo State. While innovation (INNO) (with mean rank of 7.49) represents the highest Prospects for women entrepreneurship in Imo State. The study concluded that, the strength in the identified prospects will help curtail the gender biases in favour of the women. In all, dismantling of the discriminatory laws and regulations against women will produce the ultimate objective of economic growth and development. Consequently, the future of women entrepreneurship in Imo State, lies in those identified prospects. It recommended that government deliberate support programmes targeting the female folk will aid women entrepreneurship development. Thus, the more increase in participation by females in entrepreneurial activity will provide the required trajectory for development.

Bacteriological Evaluation of Nigerian Paper Currency (Naira Notes) Circulating In Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria

Generally, the contamination of currencies with various microbial species is increasingly being reported. This usually results from improper handling during exchange of goods, services and certain environmental factors. This study on the bacteriological evaluation of the Nigerian paper currency (Naira notes) circulating in Owerri, Imo State was carried out with the aim of evaluating the prevalence of bacteria contaminants of Nigerian currency notes in circulation. A total of One hundred and twenty (120) Naira notes of ₦5, ₦10, ₦20, ₦50, ₦100, ₦200, ₦500 and ₦1000 denominations were collected in separate polythene bags from traders, students, hawkers, meat sellers, food vendors, taxi drivers, keke drivers and banks for the study. The notes were chosen on the basis of denominations and physical appearance (Mint, Neat, dirty, very dirty and mutilated). Each of the notes was inserted into a sterile bottle containing 10mls of distilled water and allowed to stand for twenty minutes. Double dilution of the solution was inoculated into Nutrient agar, MacConkey agar, Mannitol Salt agar and Salmonella and Shigella agar for viable counts. Further identification of the bacteria was carried out using standard morphological and biochemical tests. The data from this study were subjected to statistical analysis using percentage, charts and anova. The result from the analysis showed that, 82 (68.33%) out of the 120 samples evaluated were contaminated. The study showed that dirty naira notes are potential routes for bacteriological disease transmission to man during handling and constitutes a public health risk. Therefore, the appropriate authorities should embark on public enlightenment campaign targeted at the handlers and associated risks.

Study of Antioxidants Vitamin E and Ascorbic Acid level in Pre-eclampsia and Normotensive Pregnant Women Attending the Antenatal Department of a Rural Hospital in Imo State South East Nigeria

Background: Deficiencies of nutrition are common during pregnancy especially in developing countries. Pregnant women in developing countries have been reported to consume diets that are low in minerals and vitamins. Inadequate dietary intake during pregnancy might be a high risk not only for the mother but also for the fetus. Deficiencies of antioxidant vitamins have been implicated in various reproductive disorders like infertility, congenital anomalies, pre-eclampsia, placental abruption, premature rupture of membranes, still births and low birth weight. Objective/Aim: This investigation was performed to compare the level of serum antioxidant vitamin E and Ascorbic Acid status in women with preeclampsia and normal pregnancy in Imo State. It was a randomized cross sectional study of 50 preeclampsia and 50 normotensive pregnant women attending the Dept. of Medicine and Antenatal clinic of specialist Hospital Umuguma, Owerri Imo State Nigeria. The study protocol was reviewed and the ethical committee and participants gave their consent. Data analysis was done using the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 20.0. P-value of < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Results: The mean antioxidant vitamins E and C were significantly lower in the preeclampsia group (0.29±0.07 and 0.31±0.20mg/dl) against the control (0.64±0.16 and 0.89±0.27mg/dl) P<0.05 respectively. Conclusion: The study showed significant decrease in the level of vitamin E and Ascorbic Acid suggesting the failure of compensatory antioxidant functions in preeclampsia women.

PREVALENCE AND HAEMATOLOGICAL INDICES OF GARDIASIS AND MALARIA AMONGST PUPILS OF PAEDIATRIC AGE (0-15) IN OWERRI WEST IMO STATE, NIGERIA

This study investigated the prevalence and haematological parameters of gardiasis and malaria amongst pupils of paediatric age (0-15)in 20 randomly selected primary schools was carried out in Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State, Nigeria. Observations were made of the age, sex, socio-economic status of parents and the schools locations to determine the secondary outcomes measures to these two diseases. Both blood and faecal samples were collected from each of the pupils between the hours of 8.00 am and 11.00 am using 19cc needle guage and 10 ml syringes into EDTA bottles for the blood and sterile applicator sticks employed for the faeces, into wide-mouthed screwed, non-greasy universal bottles. Exclusion procedures were also carried out to eliminate other possible protozoal parasites including administration of combantrin tablets to the 150 volunteers for deworming. Blood parasitaemia due to malaria parasites was determined using the giemsa stained thick and thin smears, while giardiasis was determined using the faecal wet preparation technique involving the Lugols iodine faecal smears for the presence of trophozoites, cysts or casts. Determinations of other haematological parameters were carried out using histochemical techniques. Results showed out of 150 samples, 78(52.0%) were infected with either giardiasis, 20(25.64%) or other malaria parasite forms 30(38.46%), while 28(35.89%) had mixed infections of both malaria and giardiasis. A total parasite count for both infections was 1958 represented as 37% and 62.92% for giardiasis and malaria respectively. Forty-two (42) samples were discarded due to indeterminate results. RBC counts (X1012/L) for control: scarification (5.6±2.0), unscarification (2.7±0.3) and for test (infected): malaria (4.1±3.2), giardiasis (2.9±1.3), and malaria+giardiasis (1.4±0.02) showed marked significant difference (t=3.7, p<0.002) and similarly between both infection categories (t=1.8, p<0.007). Recorded values for PCV showed control: scarification (42.5±3.3), unscarification (26.2±2.2) and for test (infected): malaria (30.4±4.2), giardiasis (28.4±1.0) are indirectly proportional to intensity of infection establishing significant correlation between parasite count (PC) and PCV (r=0.45, p<0.002), PC and RBC (r=0.36, p<0.002), PC and reticulocyte (r=0.08, p<0.02). MCV values did not show clear correlation pattern with PC (r= -0.07, p>0.02). Mean proteins from the test (infected) groups: total protein (malaria, 6.13±0.01 & giardiasis, 4.50±0.10) albumin – (malaria, 5.52±0.30 & giardiasis, 7.41±2.2) globulin- (malaria, 6.40±0.15 & giardiasis, 8.15±0.22) reduced significantly (p<0.01) compared with each of the control groups and showed significant correlation (r=0.01, p<0.003) with PC: malaria (104.4±3.3x105), and giardiasis (76.2±5.8x105).Giardia lamblia and malaria parasite species are naturally prevalent protozoan parasites. Notable significant difference in prevalence of these protozoan parasites infestations among children abound.