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Objectives: Clinical research is the bedrock of clinical innovation, education and practice. We characterized and critically appraised physiotherapy clinical research to avoid implementing misleading research findings into practice and to task the Nigerian physiotherapy societies on responsible conduct of clinical research. Methods: This is a systematic review of articles published in English between 2009 and 2023. We started with 2009 because at least few Nigerian Physiotherapy school had commenced postgraduate (research) training by then. We searched Pubmed, Medline, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Academic Search Complete, PsycINFO and African Journal Online, and reference lists of relevant articles. We Data were selected and extracted according to predesigned eligibility criteria and using a standardized data extraction table. Where appropriate, the Pedro and Cochrane ROBINS1 were used to examine the risk of bias. Results: A total of 76 Nigerian studies were included in this study. The mean age of the study participants was 46.7 ± 8.6 years. Approximately, 45% of the participants were males. Of the clinical experiments, the randomized controlled trial (RCT) was the most common design (87.5%). Musculoskeletal conditions (39.3%) were the most studied disorder. Approximately 86% of the RCT had studies possessed fair to good quality. Interventions constituted exercise therapy (76.3%), manual therapy (8.5%) and electrotherapy (8.5%). More than half (67.8%) of the studies recorded medium to large effect sizes. A fair proportion (48.2%) of the studies had a confounding-by-indication bias. Approximately 43% of the clinical experiments were underpowered, and a few studies conducted normality tests (10.9%) and intention-to-treat analysis (37.5%). Conclusions: RCT is the most frequent clinical experiment, with majority of them possessing fair to good quality. The most important flaws include improper computation of sample size, statistical analysis, absent intention-to-treat approach, among others. The magnitude of effects of Physiotherapy interventions varies from nil effect to large effect. Musculoskeletal condition is the most prevalent disorder and exercise is the most important intervention in Nigerian physiotherapy practice. Trial registration: We registered the protocol with PROSPERO. The registration number: CRD42021228514. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study adopted correlational survey design where it determined guidance services as correlate of primary four pupils' self-efficacy in mathematics. This study answered two research questions and tested two null hypotheses. A sample of 600 primary four pupils' was selected from public primary schools using the simple random sampling technique. An instrument titled "Guidance services and selfefficacy in Mathematics Questionnaire (GSSEMQ) was used for data collection. The reliability of the questionnaire established using Cronbach Alpha with a coefficient of .85 and .88 The hypotheses were tested using Pearson Product Moment correlation Coefficient at .05 level of significance. Findings of the study reveal that appraisal and information guidance services significantly relate with pupils' selfefficacy in Mathematics. Based on the findings of this study. It is therefore recommended amongst others that appraisal and information guidance programmes should be embedded in the primary school curriculum in order to increase pupils' self-efficacy in Mathematics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study specifically appraised the health-related facilities in public and private secondary Schools in Ile-Ife and the environment. The study employed the descriptive research design. Twenty secondary schools and a total of 600 respondents consisting of 300 public and 300 private secondary schools students were selected for the study using simple random sampling technique, age ranging from 14 to 24 years. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data for the study. Simple percentages, frequency count and statistical analysis were used to analyze the data. The results showed that there was no significant relationship between the public and private secondary schools as regards the availability of health-related facilities/equipment, there was a significant difference in the health personnel/sick bay available and a significant difference in the perceived health treats of poor health facilities and equipment in the public and private secondary schools. It is therefore recommended that the three tiers of the government and the school authority should make health-related facilities/equipment, health personnel/sick bay, first aid box with adequate materials available in the study areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nigerian universities have been attributed to lack of funds, inadequate infrastructure, improper teaching aids (laboratories, projectors, libraries, and computers) and irregular or lack, thereof, of salary as evidenced in some states in Nigeria. It is of little wonder then that the work performance of academic staff will spiral down particularly in terms of their teaching and supervision, research and publication and their involvement in community development services. This study, therefore, assessed teaching and supervision load of lecturers in some selected universities in Nigeria. Data were obtained using semi-structured questionnaire from nine universities. Through proportional sampling technique, 25% of the academic staff in each university were selected giving a total of 969 as the sample size. Data were analyzed using SPSS. The results showed that teaching and supervision load of the academic staff was quite heavy; hence, concluding that the performance of academic staff in terms of their teaching and supervision in the selected universities is unsatisfactory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper assesses the role of performance appraisal on the performance of the Nigerian civil service. The poor performance of the civil service in rendering qualitative service to citizenry was the problem that justified the need for the study. Sample of 265 respondents participated in the survey and they were selected using a simple random sampling technique. Multiple regression technique was used for the test of the hypotheses. The study found that objective assessment does not have significant effect on performance of the civil service, while it was found that feedback mechanism has significant effect on the performance of the civil service. The study recommends that for improved performance of the service, there is need to ensure that employees are provided timely feedback on their performance appraisal in the service. The basis for promotion or upgraded should be made clear and all should be transparent, as it affects employees' performance, which in turns affects the civil service performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The establishment of Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) was to ensure existence of regulatory framework to enhance Electricity Distribution Companies (DISCOs) performance. However, the extent to which NERC has discharged her functions in Nigeria is of great concern. Therefore, this work investigates the effect of NERC on the performance of Ibadan and Ikeja DISCOs. Explanatory mixed-method was employed for the research with role theory adopted as analytical framework. The finding revealed that NERC failed to provide regulatory environment to promote the thriving of DISCOs. Hence, we recommend, amongst others, the revision of NERC act to inject technocrats into its administration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dog bite cases pose a major public health threat in Nigeria and other nations of the world. Millions of people are bitten by dogs, and most cases are fatal when bitten by rabid dogs. This study evaluated dog bite cases in Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria. It is a retrospective study on the clinical records of dog bite patients managed between 2016 to 2018 at the Federal Medical Centre Umuahia. Out of 98 reported cases of dog bites, there was a higher incidence rate of (65.3%) among the male victims than females (37.7%). 19.4% of the cases were victims of less than 15 years of age. Lower limb (59.2%) was the major site of bite cases. 58.2% of the offending dogs were owned while 41.8% were stray dogs. Only 31.6% of offending dogs had up-to-date anti-rabies's vaccination. Clinic records showed that 52% of the patients were presented within 24hrs of the incidence at the hospital. Use of herbal balms (48%) was the most pre-hospital treatment received by dog bite victims. 4 victims had confirmed rabies case. Wound sustained by victims included open wound, lacerations, bruises and avulsion. Treatment pattern was based on evaluated risk of exposure of victims. In conclusion, dog bite cases in this study occurred more in males and adults with mostly owned dogs being involved in the reported cases. Most victims of dog bite cases at the Centre promptly presented their cases for medical consultation. Public awareness is required on the need to avoid provocative dog bites, prompt hospital visitation when bitten by a dog, and there is a need for dog owners to vaccinate their dogs annually against rabies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many organisations experience low productivity despite their acclaimed effective performance appraisal system. In Nigeria, many organisations, especially banks are experiencing low productivity and performance due to ineffective appraisal system. This study, therefore, seeks to investigate the impact of performance appraisal strategy on employee performance with specific reference to selected Nigerian banks. Five banks were selected through purposive method. Judgmental sampling technique was also used to select Head of Operation, Accountant, Auditor, and Branch Manager from 5 branches of the selected banks in Ibadan metropolis, Oyo State, Nigeria. One hundred respondents served as sample size for the study. The data collection instrument for the study was structured questionnaire to elicit information. Simple percentage and Ordinary Least Square (OLS) were adopted for data analysis. Findings show that the overall assessment of performance appraisal in Nigerian banks has a significant impact on employee performance and also reveals that most Nigerian banks make use of the ranking method to assess their staff. Consequently, the study recommends that bank authorities should not appraise the performance of employees based on the deposit target, but on their accomplished duties and responsibilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the competence of Nigerian quantity surveyors with a view to identify and assess required areas of interest.Design/methodology/approach A structured questionnaire was administered among relevant groups of respondent (quantity surveyors, architects, engineers, builders and clients) in Nigeria. The respondents were asked to give rating, on a five-point Likert scale, on the required competencies (variables) expected of Nigerian quantity surveyors. A mean item score statistical analysis was used to rank the variables and compare them within the different groups. The analysis was undertaken using the Statistical Packages for Social Science tool. In exploring the underlying relationship among the competence requirement, factor analysis statistical technique was used to categorize them into key components.Findings The results of the study identified required competencies and factorized them into three components. These are as follows: procurement and value management; commercial management; and communication and entrepreneurship.Originality/value The findings provide insight into the competencies needed to be incorporated and/or intensified in the training of quantity surveyors in Nigeria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nigeria's democracy has been marked by a paradigm shift where ultimate power no longer resides on the electorates but on the elect. Scholars have attributed this aberration to widespread voter apathy and disenchantment. The presupposition is that voter apathy can be systematically eroded through intensive democracy education. It is in the light of the foregoing that this study sought to ascertain how well the Nigerian broadcast media, especially radio, has efficiently and effectively carried out its role of informing and educating the populace on a wide range of issues, such as civic education. This has become most pertinent as the 2015 general elections draw near. The study entailed a content analysis of cognate programmes of three broadcast stations in Port Harcourt, a foremost city in the south- south region of Nigeria. The stations were purposively selected based on ideological posture, target audience and reach. The period of study was January - March, 2014. The actual days studied dovetailed within the composite week calendar as designed by Aust, Riffe and Lacy. Content categorization was done along the line of News, Commentaries, Interviews and Public service Announcements(PSAs) bearing in mind the fact that these programmes, by their very nature, are endowed with propensities for democracy education. Inter- coder reliability was done using Holsti formula while quantification; premised on frequency count formed the basis for data analysis. As inferred from the data, the three stations studied did not devote a significant portion of their informative and educative programmes to democracy education geared towards enlightening the populace on the benefits of active participation in the democratic and electioneering processes as characterized by voter registration, voter mobilization and the exercise of franchise. It was also found that the broadcast stations, through content, did not create a platform for discourse analysis as powered by issues driven politics. In the face of this worrisome trend, it was therefore recommended that there should be an increased capacity for broadcast stations in Nigeria to devote much of their airtime to democracy education geared towards strengthening each citizen's possibility and enablement to participate in the deliberations that govern the socio-political affairs of man. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fish production and marketing are as old as the rural communities involved in the lucrative occupation in Badagry area of Lagos State, Nigeria. A random sampling of 200 fishermen using Participatory Rural Appraisal techniques (PRA) in five Badagry villages was used to explore coastal fishing and socio-economic development in the study area with a view to enhancing local productivity and sustainability. The findings show that an average fisherman in Badagry is aware of the resources available in his environment, and can affect productivity levels positively if given adequate incentives. There are two lessons from this study; one has to do with what PRA tells us about the fishing community, the other is the importance of facilitators that have, amongst other things, good listening skills. The experience also revealed that field workers’ ability to listen and learn from local fishermen was a critical factor in collecting in-depth information that could be used for rural community planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study examined the contributions of students as an innovation in the performance appraisal of teachers in secondary schools in Nigeria. It reviewed the significance and role of students in the evaluation of their teachers in most parts of the developed world. Based on this premise, the researchers designed a teacher evaluation instrument (TEI), which was administered to students. Four hypotheses were formulated and tested. The results showed that students perceive their teachers as competent and dedicated. However, they saw the male and urban teachers as having cordial relationship with students than their female and rural counterparts. The urban teacher was perceived to be more competent in content and pedagogy. Useful suggestions were made to reflect the focus of the study, which calls for the inclusion of students' contributions in the evaluation of the Nigerian teacher. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: By the end of 2017, human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine had been introduced in 80 countries, but Nigeria proposes introducing the vaccine into her routine immunization program from late 2020 or early 2021. The current mode of HPV access in the country is through out-of-pocket purchase with only 1.4% of adolescent girls being vaccinated. Cervical cancer has remained the second highest cancer among women in Nigeria, and the incidence rate is significantly higher than the global rate. This study assessed the factors associated with HPV awareness and willingness to vaccinate daughters among mothers of female secondary school students in Abakaliki., Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 290 mothers of female students selected through multistage sampling technique using a pretested self-administered questionnaire. Data were analyzed with Epi Info™ version 7., Results: The mean age of the mothers was 42 ± 8 years, and 72.8% attained at least secondary education, while 37.2% were traders. Their awareness of HPV and uptake of cervical cancer screening were low, 42.8% and 9%, respectively. Although 89.1% were willing to vaccinate their daughters, only 6.9% of their daughters had ever received HPV vaccine. Lack of awareness on HPV vaccine and cost of purchase were the most cited reasons for low vaccine uptake. Education, screening status, mother-daughter vaccination status, and willingness to encourage others on HPV vaccine for daughters were significantly associated with HPV awareness., Conclusion: Most of the mothers were willing to vaccinate their daughters with HPV vaccine, but they lack awareness and the financial resources for the access. There is an urgent need for vigorous enlightenment campaigns on HPV vaccine and cervical cancer screening. Adding HPV vaccine in the routine immunization program will improve universal access and address financial concerns., Competing Interests: None