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Fish is a key component of Nigeria's protein supply, making up about 40% of the nation's protein intake and considerably aiding in the achievement of the second Sustainable Development Goal of feeding the expanding population. Despite its importance, Nigeria's fish production and supply cannot keep up with demand. While total fish output has increased from 1,073,059 tonnes in 2014 to 1,169,000 tonnes in 2018 and is expected to reach 1,275,000 tonnes by 2030, there is a great supply gap. Fish production not only affects food security but also the national economy and employment. Notwithstanding, the fisheries sub-sector suffers several difficulties, such as poor management, a deficient fisheries policy, overfishing, diminishing catch, and a lack of technical know-how among fish growers and fishermen. Thus, exploring untapped aquaculture potential and managing small-scale fisheries effectively are necessary to close the gap between the demand for and supply of fish. The fish output situation can be improved by enforcing fisheries policy and regulations, increasing investments in ethical fisheries and aquaculture, and providing sufficient training for fish farmers and fisherfolk. To reduce waste associated with the limited number of fish now produced, post-harvest losses must also be addressed. By solving these issues and putting in place the necessary actions, Nigeria can increase its fish production, strengthen its food security, and accomplish the sustainable development goals in its evolving blue economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to investigate the plants used medicinally in rural and semi-urban areas of Ondo State, Nigeria with a view to generating a comprehensive list of therapeutic plants and evaluating their importance quantitatively. Surveys were conducted in some communities in Ondo State between November 2021 and November 2022 with focus on different uses of plants. Structured questionnaires were administered to plant collectors and users. Data were analyzed based on some ethnobotanical indices. In total, 179 medicinal plants belonging to 66 plant families were recorded. The family Fabaceae had the highest (16.20%) representative species while shrubs formed the most used plant form (32%). The highest Frequency of Citation (FC, 49) was obtained for Azadirachta indica. The most valuable plant was A. indica (0.17) based on the Relative Frequency of Citation (RFC) and highest (1.67) Use Value (UV). The Consensus Index and Fidelity Level (FL) were also found to be highest with A. indica (50% and 83.33% respectively) while Fabaceae had the highest Family Importance Value (FIV, 10.98%). The ethnomedicinal use of A. indica, V. amygdalina etc. in the treatment of malaria/fever has been further confirmed in this study. The family Fabaceae has been shown to contain plant species that are important to the informants. The use of quantitative techniques in ethnomedicinal studies allows the identification of commonly used plants and their recommendation for pharmacological research to confirm traditional claims. There is need to properly educate plant users in the communities on the sustainable use of plant resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Food safety has become a serious global concern because of the accumulation of potentially toxic metals (PTMs) in crops cultivated on contaminated agricultural soils. Amongst these toxic elements, arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), and lead (Pb) receive worldwide attention because of their ability to cause deleterious health effects. Thus, an assessment of these toxic metals in the soils, irrigation waters, and the most widely consumed vegetables in Nigeria; Spinach (Amaranthushybridus), and Cabbage (Brassica oleracea) was evaluated using inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). The mean concentration (measured in mg kg−1) of the PTMs in the soils was in the sequence Cr (81.77) > Pb(19.91) > As(13.23) > Cd(3.25), exceeding the WHO recommended values in all cases. This contamination was corroborated by the pollution evaluation indices. The concentrations (measured in mg l−1) of the PTMs in the irrigation water followed a similar pattern i.e. Cr(1.87) > Pb(1.65) > As(0.85) > Cd(0.20). All the PTMs being studied, were found in the vegetables with Cr (5.37 and 5.88) having the highest concentration, followed by Pb (3.57 and 4.33), and As (1.09 and 1.67), while Cd (0.48 and 1.04) had the lowest concentration (all measured in mg kg−1) for cabbage and spinach, respectively. The concentration of the toxic metals was higher in spinach than in cabbage, which may be due to the redistribution of the greater proportion of the metals above the ground tissue, caused by the bioavailability of metals in the aqueous phase. Expectedly, the hazard index (HI),and carcinogenic risk values of spinach were higher than that of cabbage. This implies that spinach poses potentially higher health risks. Similarly, the Monte Carlo simulation results reveal that the 5th percentile, 95th percentile, and 50th percentile of the cumulative probability of cancer risks due to the consumption of these vegetables exceeds the acceptable range of 1.00E−6 and 1.00E−4. Thus, the probable risk of a cancerous effect is high, and necessary remedial actions are recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Makoko, a coastal fishing community in Lagos, Nigeria, aptly described as the "Venice of Africa", is also known as the world's largest floating slum. Contributions of women fisherfolk in artisanal fisheries are seldom appreciated despite the fact that in most coastal communities, women are the pillars and de facto household- heads, having to provide and sustain their households with little or no institutional or cultural support. This paper describes how women with different sizes of businesses (small, medium and large) conducted their fish trade in conjunction with their reproductive roles. Key findings suggest that sustainability of fisheries-based livelihoods for women fisherfolk is determined by working capital and access to credit facilities. Social networks and informal credit institutions were important factors to obtain capital by which the women were able to sustain and expand their businesses. Lack of formal education, poor access to information, discriminatory gender–based norms and cultural practices challenged sustainability of the women's livelihoods. This paper suggests approaches and interventions built on existing social networks and informal credit institutions to enhance women's economic contributions and mitigate constraints in their fisheries businesses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Existing participatory research approaches have failed to identify innovative methods that overcome the persistent barriers to adolescent sexual and reproductive health service demand and access. Increasingly, programmers have turned to human-centered design (HCD), a problem-solving process that centers the needs, perspectives, and experiences of people, when developing solutions to complex SRH challenges. This article describes the application of a youth-engaged version of HCD as part of Adolescents 360, a transdisciplinary initiative to increase 15- to 19-year-old girls' use of modern contraception in Nigeria, Ethiopia, and Tanzania. Youth-adult design teams (including 111 "youth designers" trained in HCD methods) undertook formative research to inform the design and implementation of interventions. We reflect on the practical implications of using instrumental strategies of HCD with a youth-led participatory approach. Our experience indicates that (1) engaging youth as project partners in transdisciplinary teams requires planned and dedicated financial and human resources; (2) involving youth as action researchers can help identify opportunities to improve program empathy and responsiveness; (3) it is difficult to recruit "extreme users" as project partners because of the high competencies needed in HCD; (4) centering empathy and employing design standards during prototyping can drive decision-making and resolve questions raised by conflicting evidence claims in existing bodies of literature; and (5) testing tangible services and products in real-world settings continues long after the intervention design phase. Youth-adult partnership should continue throughout this iterative and adaptive phase to ensure that the adolescent experience of the intervention remains at the core of intervention delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) provides advisory services to cassava growers in Ogun State in order to bring about sustainable improvements in the livelihoods of participants as well as contributing to the economic development of the State. This study assessed the determinants of adoption of GIZ-sponsored technologies among cassava farmers. A total of 336 farmers (168 participants and 168 non-participants) were randomly selected from the 14 Local Government Areas where GIZ operated. Questionnaire was used to obtain primary data. Data was analysed using frequency counts, percentages, Logistic regression and χ 2 test. Results showed that all (100.0%) of the participants had formal education and belonged to a farmers' association. The average farm size for participants was 1.64 hectares. The average period of participation in GIZ's service and number of training received by the farmers were 3 years and 11, respectively. Majority of the participants (98.8%) cultivated TME 419 and local cassava varieties, respectively. Logistic regression revealed technology cost (ß = 0.457), triability of technology (ß = 0.493), information accessibility (ß = −0.464), good relationship between GIZ's agents and farmers (ß = 1.018) and government policy (ß = 0.493) were the determinants (p < 0.01) of participants' involvement in GIZ's service. It was concluded that GIZ service had positive effect. The study therefore recommends complete information on the nature, associated risks and the benefits derivable from the sponsored technologies. Also, government-friendly and GIZ-friendly policies by both the GIZ and government for the benefit of the farmers' increased productivity is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Gorean snapper, Lutjanus goreensis is an important component of artisanal fisheries and trawl landings in the Gulf of Guinea. Despite its economic importance, there is a dearth of information on size structure and life history strategies of the species. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to provide baseline data on the life stages, exploitation status and habitat use for the species in Nigeria. Monthly samples were obtained from artisanal and trawl catches in Five Cowrie Creek and Lagos coastal waters between December 2008 and December 2010, respectively. Length-frequency distributions of the fishes caught were analysed to provide preliminary information on mean and modal lengths at capture and life - history strategies based on habitat use and estuarine-dependency for L. goreensis. A total of 822 specimens of L. goreensis were collected from Five Cowrie Creek while 377 specimens were collected from Lagos coastal waters. Total length varied between 7.90-34.90cm for creek samples and from 21.90-56.10cm for marine samples. Length-frequency histograms showed polymodal size distributions in creek and marine samples. Length-frequency distributions of L. goreensis showed a high abundance of juveniles (<20cm) and sub-adults (20-35cm) which accounted for 84.1% and 68.4% of creek and marine samples examined, respectively. For the creek samples, fish in modal length class of 13.00-13.99cm were the most exploited while in the marine samples, length classes of 29.00-30.99cm and 31.00-32.99cm constituted the most frequently exploited fishes. Increase in total lengths from the creek (mean±SD; 16.19±3.73cm) to the marine habitat samples (32.89±6.14cm) indicated ontogenetic shift in habitat use. Occurrence of a predominant juvenile population in Five Cowrie Creek by L. goreensis suggests estuarine-dependency and is indicative of a temporary juvenile habitat or a migratory corridor. In conclusion, data from the presently reported study and previous studies demonstrated that juvenile L. goreensis displays estuarine dependency and habitat flexibility. Hence, this underscores the importance of preserving estuarine environments as essential fish habitats to prevent overfishing. The study also concludes that the species is vulnerable to recruitment overfishing in the marine environment especially as a consequence of shrimping. Consequently, it advocates for ban on all fishing activities during peak spawning periods in breeding grounds and shrimp ground assemblage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The aim of the study is to assess the dietary diversity score (DDS) and nutritional status of women in the University of Agriculture extension village in rural areas of Ogun State, Nigeria. Design/methodology/approach – A representative sample of 204 women was surveyed from the rural villages in two seasons using simple random technique. A pretested interview guide was used to collect information on personal data, and socio demographic characteristics of the subjects. Information on dietary diversity was obtained using Food and Nutrition Technical Assistance Project questionnaire (FANTA). Body mass index (BMI), waist-hip ratio (WHR) and skin fold thickness were used in classifying obesity. Information on food intake was obtained from 24-hour dietary recall techniques. For each season, a DDS was computed and the nutritional status was assessed. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics; SPSS software package version 16.0. Findings – The socio economic characteristic revealed that more than half (53 percent) had no formal education, 59 percent were small scale farmers. The DDS increased from 3.55±7.6 to 3.93±4.3 between the two seasons. DDS within the various food groups showed that fruit group increased from 0.48±0.20 to 0.52.±0.10, vegetable group 0.60±0.30 to 0.66±0.30, and meat group 0.48±0.20 to 0.58±0.30 while cereals/grain groups and oil/dairies group decreased from 0.42±0.30 to 0.37, 0.11±0.30 to 0.09, respectively, between the two seasons. The nutrient content of the subjects was calculated from nutrient contents of foods obtained from food composition tables and compared to dietary reference intake (DRI). The results showed that the protein, energy and fat intakes of the subjects increased significantly during the rainy season (p<0.05). Two percent of the subjects gained weight, 4 percent had weight reduction from overweight and obese category. The result of the waist-hip ratio showed that 78 percent had normal waist-hip ratio, 14 percent had overweight, and 7 percent were obese. The dietary diversity score of the subjects was low. There is need for nutritional education in the villages. Originality/value – This may be the first research work to assess the dietary diversity score of rural women in Nigeria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of African Journal of Reproductive Health is the property of Women's Health & Action Research Centre and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The sexual behaviour and contraceptive practice of 498 clinical students of a randomly selected medical college in Southwest Nigeria was studied in June 2003. More than two-thirds (67.5%) of the students had (ever had) sexual intercourse while 49.8% of them had ever used contraception. Only 26.1% of the 119 sexually active students used contraception during their last sexual intercourse. The most common contraceptive methods ever used by the students were the condom (54.6%) and rhythm method (39.5%) though a third of them incorrectly identified the limits of the fertile period. Contraception for single sexually active students was disapproved by 11.2% of the participants while 9.8% of them regarded avoidance of HIV patients in the hospital as a preventive measure against HIV infection. This survey reinforces the need for integration of a suitable sexuality course into our medical undergraduate curriculum in order to facilitate the delivery of reproductive health programmes in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Identifies sustainable alternative internal sources of funds for agricultural extension service in Nigeria. Agricultural development; Technology review meetings.

Comments on the investigation of the effect of maternal nutritional status and dietary supplementation on the growth of infants in Ogun State, Nigeria. Comparison of anthropometric measurements of mother/infant pairs; Assessment of the quantity of breastmilk produced; Effect of marginal malnutrition on growth.

Abstract: Objective: To investigate the toxicity of an ethanolic extract of the aerial parts of Tithonia diversifolia, used in Nigeria to treat malaria, in rats. Materials and methods: A 70% ethanol extract was administered orally to adult Wistar rats at various dosages (400–1600mg/kg) and the animals sacrificed and various organs examined at a range of times from 30min up to 24h after administration. Results: The studies showed a dose- and time-dependent toxic effect, which was reversible on the kidney and liver while there was no noticeable adverse effect on the morphology of the heart, spleen and brain. Conclusion: A 70% ethanol extract of the aerial parts of Tithonia diversifolia, which had previously been shown to reduce parasitemia in mice infected with Plasmodium, displayed kidney and liver toxicity at the lowest dose tested. The use of this plant extract against malaria therefore raises concerns over its safety. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Many developing countries face challenges in managing food safety risks associated with consumption of animal-source foods. Efforts to address these challenges increasingly recognize the role of certification in agri-food systems governance. Understanding consumers' willingness to pay (WTP) for food safety certification is fundamental to determining the appropriate design and implementation of programs to reduce the burden of foodborne illnesses in developing countries. To address this need, we implemented a framed field experiment with consumers of eight farm-raised African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) products varying in certification status (safety certified versus uncertified) and product forms (live versus smoked) to examine their WTP for food safety certification in Nigeria. We applied a mixed-effects model to account for the hierarchical structure of the data with one participant entering multiple bids, and estimated a model with participant fixed effects as a robustness check. We found that consumers were willing to pay between 3.1% and 18.8% more for fish certified as safe compared to uncertified fish. Furthermore, there was an asymmetry in food safety certification valuation, with consumers paying significant premiums for high-value larger-sized certified live and smoked catfish, but not smaller-sized certified live and smoked catfish. The results are robust to a specification in which consumer fixed effects are included. Our findings suggest there exists consumer demand for certification programs to upgrade the food safety standards of higher-value fish products in Nigeria's domestic markets. Lower-value fish products typically consumed by lower-income consumers show less potential for certification. Alternative safety regulation is needed to ensure safety practices for low-end fish products. • A framed field experiment conducted to assess consumers' willingness to pay for aquaculture food safety certification. • Consumers in Nigeria are willing to pay a price premium in the range of 3.1%–18.8% for safe certified farm-raised catfish. • Consumers pay significant premiums for high-value larger-sized certified live and smoked catfish. • There exists consumer demand for safety certification programs for higher-value fish products. • Alternative safety regulation is needed to ensure safety practices for low-end fish products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fatty acid composition of samples of breast milk obtained from well-nourished Nigerian and Japanese women was determined by gas chromatography. The cultural differences in dietary intake was reflected in the fatty acid composition of breast milk samples. The milk of Nigerian women contained a significantly higher percentage of saturated fatty acids (48.75%) than that of Japanese women (46.65%). Nigerian milks were also richer in arachidonic (20:4 n-6), eicosatrienoic (20:3 n-6), and docosatetraenoic (22:4 n-6) acids. Conversely, the milk of Japanese woman contained significantly higher percentages of monoun-saturates as palmitoleic, heptadecenoic, oleic, and polyunsaturates of n-3 series as alpha-linolenic, eicosapentaenoic, and docosahexaenoic acid.