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Background/Aims: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is now a major public health problem with heavy morbidity and mortality in rural Africans despite the lingering dietary fiber-rich foodstuffs consumption. Studies have shown that increased intake of dietary fiber which contribute to low fecal pH and also influences the activity of intestinal microbiota, is associated with a lowered risk for CRC. However, whether or not the apparent high dietary fiber consumption by Africans do not longer protects against CRC risk is unknown. This study evaluated dietary fiber intake, fecal fiber components and pH levels in CRC patients. Methods: Thirty-five subjects (CRC=21, control=14), mean age 45 years were recruited for the study. A truncated food frequency questionnaire and modified Goering and Van Soest procedures were used. Results: We found that all subjects consumed variety of dietary fiber-rich foodstuffs. There is slight preponderance in consumption of dietary fiber by the control group than the CRC patients. We also found a significant difference in the mean fecal neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, hemicellulose, cellulose and lignin contents from the CRC patients compared to the controls (P

Background: The global incidence of snakebite has become a major concern to the community. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of mango seed kernel methanol extract on metalloproteases in Carpet Viper (Echis ocellatus) venom. Methods: Mango seed kernel methanolic extract was evaluated in vitro for its anti-venom activity and inhibition of metalloproteases of Carpet Viper's (Echis ocellatus) venom. Metalloprotease portion was partially purified from the venom of E. ocellatus with a yield of 71%, a purification fold of 2.63 and a specific activity of 19.00 µmol/min/mg protein. Results: The enzyme appeared as a band on SDS-PAGE with a molecular weight of 23 kDa. The kinetic properties of the enzyme showed a Km of 0.31 mg mL-1 and a Vmax of 9.09 µmol min-1. When the enzyme was incubated with the extract, kinetic studies revealed a mixed non-competitive pattern of inhibition with Km values of 0.56 and 1.11 mg mL-1 and Vmaxvalues of 6.67 and 4.17-µmol min-1 for 5% and 20% inhibitor concentrations, respectively. An estimated Ki value of 0.168 mg mL-1 was obtained from a secondary plot demonstrating that the extract had a high affinity for the partially purified enzyme; thus, could serve as an effective inhibitor. Conclusion: Methanol extract of mango seed kernel has a high affinity for the partially purified enzyme, and it might provide an inexpensive and readily available alternative to sheep serum in the management of snakebite envenomation. Therefore, further in vivo studies are necessary to assess its effectiveness and safety.

Introduction: In children with sickle cell anemia (SCA) without transcranial Doppler (TCD) screening, the incidence rates of ischemic strokes is approximately the same among children living in low- and high- low-resource settings (Pediatr Neurol. 2019;95:73-78.) with a prevalence of ~ 11%. However, in high-income settings, the standard use of TCD ultrasonography, coupled initially with monthly blood transfusion therapy has dropped the stroke prevalence to < 1%. In a low-income setting, such as Nigeria, where 50% of children in the world with SCA are born (150,000 per year), initial monthly blood transfusion therapy is not practical for most children. In the Stroke Prevention in Nigeria (SPIN) Feasibility Trial (NCT01801423), fixed moderate-dose hydroxyurea was associated with a decreased rate of strokes in children with SCA and abnormal time-averaged mean of the maximum velocity (TAMMV) TCD measurements (≥200cm/sec) when compared to no treatment in the STOP Trial, 0.76 and 10.7 strokes per 100 person-years, repsectively (Am J Hematol. 2020). Based on the success of the SPIN trial, plus the challenges of real-world implementation of a government-supported primary stroke prevention programs for estimated 40,0000 children with SCA in three states in Nigeria, we tested the hypothesis that fixed-moderate dose (~20 mg/kg/day) hydroxyurea therapy for primary stroke prevention results in a 66% relative risk reduction (9 to 3 events per 100 person-years) when compared to fixed low-dose hydroxyurea (~10 mg/kg/day) therapy in a randomized controlled trial (The SPRING Trial; NCT02560935). Methods: In this partial-blind controlled phase III trial, we randomly assigned children between 5 and 12 years of age with SCA and a TCD time-averaged mean of the maximum velocity (TAMMV) ≥ 200 cm/sec measured independently twice or TAMMV ≥220 cm/sec once at study screening to receive fixed low-dose or fixed moderate-dose hydroxyurea. The primary endpoint was a clinical stroke or a transient ischemic attack (TIA). Myelosuppression was assessed with monthly complete blood counts (CBCs). Adherence to hydroxyurea was primarily based on an increase in MCV from baseline and monthly pill count return as a percent of dispensed pills. Hemoglobin F levels were measured at baseline, annually and upon trial exit. To evaluate the safety of hydroxyurea in the trial, children attending the same SCA clinics with TCD (TAMMV) Results: A total of 220 children (mean age: 7.5 years, 51.8% female) were randomly assigned to fixed low- (10 mg/kg/day) or moderate- (20 mg/kg/day) dose hydroxyurea, and were followed for a median of 2.4 years (IQR 2.0-2.8). NINDS Clinical Trials leaders stopped the trial early because of futility for the primary outcome. In the fixed low- and moderate-dose hydroxyurea groups, the incidence rates of strokes per 100 person-years were 1.19 and 1.92 respectively, with an incidence rate ratio of 1.60 (95% CI: 0.31-10.34), p = 0.768. The incidence rate ratio of mortality when comparing the children treated with low- and moderate- fixed-dose hydroxyurea to the non-elevated TCD group (no hydroxyurea therapy, n= 211) was 1.97 (95% CI: 0.64-6.02) and 0.47 (95% CI: 0.05-2.38), p = 0.265 and 0.545, respectively. Returned pills during the trial was 5.4% and 4.8% in the fixed low- and moderate-dose groups, respectively, p= 0.144. MCV from baseline to endpoint increased 1.5fl and 7.2 fl in the fixed low- and moderate-dose groups, respectively, p Conclusions: For primary stroke prevention in children with SCA, fixed low-dose, when compared to fixed moderate-dose hydroxyurea therapy, demonstrated no difference in the incidence rate of strokes. Both fixed low- and moderate -dose hydroxyurea doses are superior to no treatment for primary stroke prevention with abnormal TCD values. In partnership with Katsina, Kano, and Kaduna health department's leaders in Nigeria, 9 distinct SCA and primary stroke prevention clinics have been established, with the provision of free fixed low-dose hydroxyurea therapy (Bond Chemical, Nigeria; $0.15 per 500 mg) for abnormal TCD values, and biannual CBCs as standard care ,for over 40,000 children with SCA. Disclosures DeBaun: Global Blood Therapeutics (GBT): Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. OffLabel Disclosure: fixed low and moderate dose hydroxyurea for primary stroke prevention in sickle cell

Introduction Dyslipidemia confers excess atherosclerotic cardiovascular risk in type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) patients, and this requires prompt identification and management to reduce morbidity and mortality. This study assessed the prevalence and pattern of dyslipidemia in type 2 DM patients in Zaria, Northwestern Nigeria. Methods This was a cross-sectional study of newly diagnosed type 2 DM patients at Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), Zaria. Demographic, clinical and laboratory data were extracted from the case notes of eligible patients and analyzed using STATA version 14. Continuous variables were presented as mean ± standard deviation (SD), or median and interquartile range (IQR) while categorical variables were as frequencies and percentages. Student t and chi-square tests were used to test for association at p < 0.05. Results A total of 322 subjects (161 male, 161 female) with a mean age of 53.5 ± 10.8 years partook in the study. The prevalence of dyslipidemia was 69.3%. Mixed dyslipidemia of high triglyceride (TG) and high low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) was present in 41.0%; high TG and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) in 2.8%; and high LDL and low HDL in 2.5%. Atherogenic dyslipidemia, isolated hypercholesterolemia and isolated low HDL-cholesterol were present in 3.4%, 2.5% and 23.6% respectively. Dyslipidemia status was not associated with age, sex, duration of DM or hypertension, obesity, and mean fasting blood sugar (FBS) and 2-hour postprandial glucose. Conclusion The prevalence of dyslipidemia is high in the newly diagnosed type 2 DM patients and therefore, initial management should incorporate measures to control dyslipidemia.

Introduction Indoor residual spraying (IRS) is among the major vector control strategies recommended for endemic populations by the World Health Organization (WHO). The success of IRS requires high coverage which is dependent on its acceptability. In Nigeria, IRS pilots have been ongoing and rejection has been a major setback to its coverage. We assessed coverage of IRS and determined factors associated with its acceptability in Nasarawa Eggon district, Nasarawa state, Nigeria. Methods A cross-sectional survey involving 409 households selected using multi-stage sampling was carried out. Trained data collectors administered pre-tested structured questionnaire to collect data on socio-demographic characteristics of household heads or their representatives, their perceptions on IRS and factors associated with IRS acceptability. Descriptive, bivariate and multivariate analyses were done at 5% level of significance. Results Majority of respondents were male (79.7%) and married (82.6%), and their mean age was 36.4 ± 13.3 years. Coverage of IRS was 99.3%. However, only 82.6% of those who previously accepted IRS were willing to accept it in again. Factors independently associated with acceptability were perceived effectiveness of IRS (aOR = 21.8; 95%CI = 6.9-68.8) and lower household cost of malaria prevention after IRS (aOR = 5.0; 95%CI = 1.1-21.8). Conclusion IRS coverage in the communities studied met WHO minimum standard of 85%. However, for similar results to be achieved in future, acceptability must be promoted by providing information on its effectiveness and its ability to reduce household cost of malaria prevention.

This article aimed at findings the impact of body language used by Arabic teacher on developing language performance of Arabic students. To justify the objectives of the article, the researchers stated one question and attempt was made to answer it. Senior Arabic Schools II in Kaduna State were used as a population of the study, quasi-experimental design was used for the research purposes. The sample of 80 students was drown from the population. They were further subdivided into two experimental group with (40) and control group (40) students, purposive sampling technique was employed in the sampling. The researchers designed questions derived from Arabic Grammar, Arabic liteary texts and Rhetorics to test the performance of the students. The results show that there is positive effect of body language used by Arabic teacher on developing language performance. Based on the research finding, the researchers recommend that Arabic teachers in Senior Arabic schools should use body language appropriately in order to develop students’ language performance. Also, National Board for Arabic and Islamic Studies, should train the Arabic teachers on the body language skills and the ways in which these skills can be used appropriately used during teaching.

IntroductionMalaria and HIV are two important global public health problems. Together, they cause more than two million deaths each year. In sub-Saharan Africa alone, more than 29 million people are living with HIV/AIDS and about 70% of population is at risk to malaria infection. Nigeria accounts for about a quarter of the global malaria cases and tenth of the global HIV cases. Recent theories suggested possibilities of high occurrence of HIV-malaria co-infection wherever there is geographical overlap of the two diseases. We therefore conducted this study to determine the prevalence of HIV-malaria co-infection and its determinants in a malaria endemic setting.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study. Two hundred and sixty-two clients attending antiretroviral treatment (ART) clinic in Zaria, Kaduna State were enrolled between February and April 2018 using systematic sampling technique. Questionnaires were administered to collect information on respondents’ personal characteristics as well as their knowledge, perception and practices on malaria prevention. Venous blood samples were collected and analyzed for malaria parasite, viral load, CD4, and FBC using Giemsa stained light microscopy, COBAS TaqMan equipment, BD FACS™ flow cytometer, and Sysmex haematology analyser respectively. Descriptive and inferential statistics were performed, predictors of HIV-malaria co-infection were ascertained at multivariate analysis.ResultsMedian age of the respondents was 33 years, 52% were females, 65% were married, 65% were employed, 57% lived in urban residence, and 34% had tertiary education. The prevalence of malaria co-infection among HIV patients was found to be 22.9%. Significant risk factors for the co-infection were high HIV viral load (aOR= 3.30, C.I = 1.15-9.45), being co-infected with TB (aOR= 5.60, C.I = 1.34-23.33), poor knowledge of malaria infection (aOR= 3.12, C.I = 1.27-7.72) and poor practice of malaria prevention (aOR= 13.30, C.I = 4.88-36.23).ConclusionThe level of occurrence of malaria among HIV infected patients in this setting calls for attention. We recommended that health education on malaria should be a priority in malaria control programme; the programmes for control of HIV, malaria and TB should collaborate to ensure integrated service delivery and that people living with HIV/AIDS should be given special consideration for malaria prevention.

Electricity is regarded as sine quo non for any meaningful social, economic and modern scientific advancement of any country in the world. It is regarded as a force and engine room of the industrial sector. However, in Nigeria, instability in power supply is negatively affecting manufacturing efficiency. Time series data for 1981 until 2015 was used to examine the symmetric relationship between the electric consumption, manufacturing output and financial development in Nigeria.? The result indicates the co-movement in the variable over long time horizon, meaning that any inefficiency in electricity supply would impedes industrial output. Moreover, the Granger causality test based on vector error correction framework shows the presence of causality between power utilization of manufacturing firms and economic growth without feedback. In this sense it can be stress that stable electricity consumption is important factor for Nigeria?s manufacturing sector. The result of variance decomposition further indicates that the variation in the industrial output responds more to shocks in the electricity supply than its own shock. This finding suggests that energy is the engine of manufacturing sector in Nigeria.

The use of control group in clinical trials has been universally acclaimed by researchers to effectively help discriminate between the actual effects of an intervention and those arising from other factors. However, the choice of the control that provided both scientific and ethical acceptability among researchers has been a source of intense debate. We conducted a literature search on the use of placebo and active controls in clinical trials and X-ray the arguments for and against both choices in randomized control trials and concluded by highlighting the scenarios where the use of placebo is justified.

This study examines the causal relationship between energy consumption and the economic growth of Turkey. The analysis was conducted within the Stochastic Impacts by Regression on Population, Affluence and Technology (STIRPAT) framework. This is a salient improvement from the previous studies because this unique method permits synergetic modelling of energy dynamics vis-a-vis its environmental impact. The study applied the structural break unit root test, bound testing cointegration and vector error correction causality analysis. The study found that the importation of energy is the major challenge to the Turkish conservative policy. When controlling for C02 emissions in the energy import model, the study found that an approximate 0.14% increase emission emanates from imported energy for Turkey in the short-run. Similarly, 1.1% of emissions results from electricity production and other related activities over the short-run. Even though, evidence of long-run relations was only presence in the C02 emission as well as the financial development models, the correcting process from the short-run deviation to the long-run equilibrium is higher in the electricity consumption model, in that 51% short-run disequilibrium is corrected toward the long-run equilibrium per year compared with 3.3% and 4.8% in the energy import and C02 emission models, respectively. One positive aspect observed is the robustness of Turkey’s financial institution to support the energy sector. However, financial institutional support for conservational policy is pathetically weak due to the low potential return.

Objective: To determine the hepatitis B vaccination coverage, full-dose (⩾3) coverage and the associated factors affecting uptake among pregnant women. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study among pregnant women attending antenatal care in six tertiary hospitals across all the geopolitical zones of Nigeria. Pregnant women who consented to the study completed screening questions about their hepatitis B vaccination status and coverage. The main outcome measures were hepatitis B vaccination coverage rate, dose, and factors affecting uptake. Bivariate analysis was performed by the chi-square test and conditional logistic regression analysis was used to determine variables associated with uptake of the vaccination. Odds ratios (ORs) and adjusted odds ratios (aORs) were calculated and statistical significance was accepted when p-value was Results: Of 159 pregnant women who completed the interview questions, 21 [13.2%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 7.9–18.5%] were vaccinated for hepatitis B for one to three doses. The numbers of doses received were: three doses (8/159, 5.0%), two doses (5/159, 3.1%), and one dose (8/159, 5.0%). The reasons for non-uptake of vaccination included: lack of awareness of the vaccine 83/138 (60.1%), inadequate access to vaccine 11/138 (8.0%), and positivity to hepatitis B virus 10/138 (7.2%). The uptake of hepatitis B vaccination was significantly affected by the level of education (OR 0.284, 95% CI 0.08–1.01, p = 0.041), but in multivariable logistic regression, adjusted for confounders, the association between hepatitis B vaccination and participants’ level of education (aOR 3.09; 95% CI 0.95–10.16; p = 0.061) did not remain significant. Conclusions: In Nigeria, the national hepatitis B vaccination coverage among pregnant women appears poor, with the full-dose coverage even poorer. The level of education was not positively associated with uptake of hepatitis B vaccination, while lack of awareness of the vaccine was the commonest reason for non-uptake. Funding: TETFund National Research Fund 2019 (grant number TETFund/DR&D/CE/NRF/STI/33).

Pastoral livestock production as a primary source of livelihood is increasingly becoming unsustainable due to the rapidly changing social context, perennial cattle rustling, unpredictable climatic conditions, and rapid population growth. Migration in response to these changes in social context has often increased competition for land and natural resources between the farmers and pastoralists. Using survey data from 1,750 agro-pastoral households, this study examines the impact of cattle rustling and relative deprivation on shaping the patterns of migration in Nigeria. The results of linear regression show that the loss of livestock, cattle rustling, income diversity, literacy, and herd size are significant determinants of migration patterns. These factors were instrumental in the households’ decision to migrate transitorily or permanently. While the findings indicate that relative deprivation is a significant push factor, migration in response to deprivation and cattle rustling may not necessarily decrease inequality due to weak social capital among the agro-pastoralists. In this sense, increasing pastoral social and economic capital is critical to the reduction of inequality and competition for natural capital. As such, rural livelihood enhancement intervention embedded within the context of a conflict mitigation mechanism is required to decrease the perceived relative deprivation.

The African continent is facing enormous challenges from cancer crisis, and the lack of reliable population database on cancer incidence and mortality hinders high quality decision on prevention and management modalities. The objective of this study is to analyze the trend of malignant tumors in a population of rural Africans attending Ahmadu Bello University Teaching (ABUTH) Hospital Zaria, Nigeria with particular emphasis on the first eighteen (18) frequently diagnosed cancers over a period of 46 consecutive years (1972 - 2019) excluding the year 1988. Histologically diagnosed cancers from the population-based cancer registry of the ABUTH Zaria were included in this study. There were 19, 884 histologically diagnosed cancers over 46 years in ABUTH Zaria with the following in descending order: Cervical cancer 2,335 (12%, [squamous cell carcinoma = 1, 809; others = 529]), Breast cancer 1,982 (10% [invasive ductal carcinoma = 1,589; others = 393]), Lymphoma 1,927 (10% [non–Hodgkin’s lymphoma = 1,335; Hodgkin’s lymphoma = 492]), Sarcomas 1,177 (6% [Kaposi sarcoma = 296; Rhabdomyosarcoma = 172; Osteosarcoma = 166; Dermatofibrosarcoma = 102; Fibrosarcoma = 83; others = 358]), Prostate cancer 1,073 (5%), Colorectal cancer 816 (4% [other adenocarcinomas = 666, mucinous adenocarcinoma = 93; signet ring cell adenocarcinoma =14, others = 43]), Non- melanoma skin cancer 717 (4%), Eye/ Orbit cancer 537 (3% [retinoblastoma = 302; squamous cell eye cancer = 153; others = 82]), Bladder cancer 515 (3%), Liver cancer 481 (2% [primary liver cell carcinoma = 399; others = 79]), Salivary gland cancer 398 (2%), Melanoma 394 (2%), Ovarian cancer 278 (1%), Nasopharyngeal cancer 235 (1%), Kidney cancer 201 (1% [nephroblastoma = 113; renal cell carcinoma = 77; others = 11]), Esophageal cancer 145 (1%), Thyroid cancer 122 (1%), Pancreatic cancer 60 (0.29%) and Others 7,053 (33%). This total, exclude referred cancer cases to oncology department of ABUTH from other hospitals across the country which makes up 60% of cancer cases treated in institution and a handful of clinically diagnosed cases. The results show unusual change in trend with: 2 fold increase for cervical cancer, 6 fold increase for Breast cancer, 8 fold increase for Prostate cancer, 3 fold increase for colorectal cancer; 6 fold increase for Pancreatic cancer, 13 fold increase for Nasopharyngeal cancer and 16 fold increase for Oesophageal cancer when comparing incidence of cancer from 2011-2019 with 1972-1980. However, the results show 12 fold decrease for Liver cancer and 3 fold decrease each for Lymphoma and Non-melanoma skin cancer when comparing cancer cases from 2011-2019 with 1972 - 1980. Understanding the phenomenon behind the rapid change in trend of different cancer types in sub Saharan Africa may contribute to addressing cancer challenges and better policy decision on cancer in the continent. Citation Format: Faruk Mohammed, Abdulmumini Hassan Rafindadi, Sani Ibrahim, Yawale Iliyasu, Sirajo Mohammed Aminu, Ahmed Adamu, Adamu Abdullahi, Aishatu Maude Suleiman, Abdullahi Mohammed, John Idoko, Abdulkadir Lawal Rafindadi, Danladi Amodu Ameh, Bello Kumo, Ahmad Bello, Abdullahi Jubril Randawa, Usman Mohammed Aminu, Muhammad Manko, Tajudeen Olasinde, Mohammed Dauda Maigatari, Ahmed Mai, LMD Yusuf, Abdullahi Alfa Mohammed, Yahaya Ukwenya, Oguntayo Olanrewaju Adekunle, Maitama Yusuf Hussaini. Emerging demographic changes of first eighteen (18) most common cancers among West Africans in Zaria Nigeria (1972 – 2019) [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Virtual Conference: Thirteenth AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2020 Oct 2-4. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2020;29(12 Suppl):Abstract nr PO-156.

Colorectal cancer incidence rates are rising among individuals age younger than 50 years (early-onset CRC) globally with causes unknown. Racial and ethnic disparities in early-onset CRC have also grown more pronounced, as blacks have higher early- onset CRC incidence and poorer survival compared with whites. We described the prevalence and burden of early-onset CRC among Africans in Nigeria and African Americans in the United States. We identified black individuals diagnosed with a first primary colorectal cancer ages 18 to 49 years between 1989 and 2017 at Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital in Zaria, Nigeria using the Zaria Cancer Registry (Nigerians), and from population-based cancer registries across the US (African Americans) using the NIH/NCI’s Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to investigate clinicopathologic and demographic differences between Nigerians and African Americans with early-onset CRC adjusted for age, sex, tumor site and grade. A total 566 and 31,284 colorectal adenocarcinoma cases were diagnosed among Nigerians and African Americans, respectively, in hospitals and clinics over the 28-year study period. More than 60% of Nigerian patients (n=354) were diagnosed with early-onset CRC. In contrast, one out of every 8 (12.5%) African Americans were diagnosed with CRC before age 50 years (n=3,898; P Citation Format: Andreana N. Holowatyj, Aishatu Suleiman Maude, Halimatu Sadiya Musa, Ahmed Adamu, Sani Ibrahim, Adamu Abdullahi, Muhammad Manko, Sirajo Mohammed Aminu, Abdullahi Mohammed, John Idoko, Yahaya Ukwenya, John Carpten, Paulette D. Chandler, Heather Hampel, Faruk Mohammed. Distinct patterns of early-onset colorectal cancer among Nigerians and African Americans: An international cohort study [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Virtual Conference: Thirteenth AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2020 Oct 2-4. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2020;29(12 Suppl):Abstract nr PO-191.

Sickle cell anaemia is a hereditary disease affecting the red blood cells as a result of acquisition of a mutant β-globin gene, one from each parent. One of the pathophysiology of sickle cell anaemia is abnormally high concentration of methaemoglobin in the circulating red blood cells. Treatments for sickle cell anaemia are complex and expensive, Hence, cheap alternative remedies have to be identified. This study evaluated the percentage methaemoglobin concentration of sodium metabisulphite sickled erythrocytes in the presence of methanolic extract and fractions of Sterculia setigera leaf at concentrations of 0.2mg/ml, 0.4mg/ml, 0.6mg/ml, 0.8mg/ml, and 1mg/ml which showed that a significant (p

Sound and efficient functioning of financial systems is critical to the economic prosperity of any economy. This paper investigates the tripartite relationship between financial sector output, employment and economic growth in North Cyprus. Using relevant time series data analysis (within the framework of structural breaks and VECM), we found that financial sector output in North Cyprus is sensitive to both internal and external shocks in that its economy is well linked with the global economy, in spite of the political isolation sustained since the bifurcation of Cyprus into North and South. The study further documents evidence of the neutrality hypothesis in the finance-growth nexus. The underlying variables were weakly connected in the short-run. However, economic growth responded to the short-run shocks and handled the equilibrating process of reverting to the long-run trend and thus, the demand following hypothesis is confirmed in the long-run.

Introduction : Malaria is the commonest cause of morbidity and mortality among displaced populations especially children in endemic countries. Nigeria, an endemic country, has had increase in internally displaced persons (IDP) due to insurgency. utilization of long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLIN) is a key strategy employed to achieve global targets of malaria elimination and its effectiveness is determined by utilization, coverage and maintenance. We determined the coverage and utilization of LLIN among children aged 6-59 months at IDP camps and its predictors. Methods : A cross-sectional study was conducted among children aged 6-59 months at the three IDP camps in Abuja. We collected data on socio-demographic characteristics, LLIN ownership and utilization using computer-aided interview, complemented by direct observation of nets. We defined universal LLIN coverage as the proportion of households with one LLIN to two persons and utilization as an eligible child sleeping under the LLIN the night preceeding the survey. Bivariate analysis was done at p < 0.25 and logistic regression at 5% level of significance. Results : Overall, 393 children were enrolled with mean age of 33.3 ± 17.4 months, 51.6% were female. Household LLIN ownership was 76.7.5%, universal coverage 11.2% and utilization 89.7%. Independent predictors of LLIN utilization were LLIN hung at sleeping area (adjusted OR: 99.9, CI: 22.7 – 438.8) and type of camp site (adjusted OR: 8.2, CI: 2.5 – 27.4). Conclusion : LLIN utilization was high in these IDP camps despite low coverage. LLIN distribution and hanging campaigns are recommended to reduce malaria transmission in the IDP camps.