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Background and Objective: The COVID-19 has prompted many countries to adopt temporary “lockdown” as an approach to curtail viral spread. This study investigated the food consumption and coping strategies of urban-households in Nigeria during COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. Methods: This cross-sectional, web-based study employed a snowball sampling technique to recruit 477 household heads/spouses living in cities/towns of six Nigerian states by encouraging those sent the survey questionnaire link to share with their eligible contacts. Logistic regression was used to reveal the socio-economic determinants of households’ food consumption and coping strategies, as reported on self-administered questionnaires. Respondents were asked to retrospectively indicate how lockdown affected their food consumption. Results: More than half (55.7%) of respondents and 50.8% of their spouses reported a decline in their earning capacity. A high (>4days/week) mean consumption frequency of six food groups was reported. Consuming less expensive (mean, 2.64 ± SD 2.44 days/week) or less preferred foods (1.93 ± 2.04 days/week), and meal rationing (limit portions at meal time -1.50 ± 2.11 days/week, reduce meal number- 1.4 ± 2.19 days/week, limit adults intake- 1.28 ± 2.18 days/week) were the most common coping strategies adopted by the households.. The likelihood of adopting coping strategies was significantly higher amongst households with income decline, the less educated and self-employed categories. Conclusion: In this study, a high frequency of diverse food consumption and mild adoption of food related coping strategies was generally observed, however the impact of the lockdown on food coping strategies was significantly felt by some groups. Efforts to target social assistance programs to these disadvantaged groups should be promoted, as it will strengthen their resilience to cope with food crisis.

Copyright of Journal of Agricultural Sciences, Belgrade is the property of University of Belgrade, Faculty of Agriculture 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.)

Hepatitis infection in HIV positive individuals with liver diseases causes high mortality worldwide. HIV worsens the pathological effect of hepatitis viruses and potentiates reactivation of latent hepatitis infections due to reduced immunity. This research therefore aimed to study the occurrence of HIV and hepatitis viruses among liver diseases patients (LVDP) attending tertiary hospitals in Osun State, southwestern Nigeria. A total of 121 LVDP blood samples collected were tested for HIV and Hepatitis B, C, and E using and enzyme linked Immunossorbent assay (ELISA). Data were analyzed using packages within SPSS and P ≤ 0.05 was considered significant. Prevalence of 32.2%, 0.8%, 10.7%, and 18.2% for HBsAg, Anti-HCV, HEV-IgM, and HIV were found respectively. Marital status showed a significant association with HEV-IgM infection (χ2 = 9.869, P =.020). The prevalence of HBsAg, HEV, and HIV among LVDP in Osun State is alarming and health education among the patients and general populace is hereby advocated. High HEV-IgM seroprevalence implies that HEV routine screening should be incorporated into blood screening. Since HEV is associated with unhygienic practice, people should be enlightened on how to improve their living conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Viral hepatitis is a deadly disease which can manifest as acute, chronic, hepatocellular carcinoma, and liver failure. Information about hepatitis is scarce among animal handlers. Due to Federal Government of Nigeria diversification programmes, many people are now involved in animal farming which can make them susceptible to viral hepatitis. This study aimed at determining the prevalence of Hepatitis B, C, and E viruses among animal handlers in Abeokuta, southwestern Nigerian. A total of 156 subjects were recruited for the study. Sociodemographic and risks factors data were fetched from subjects using interviewer-administered questionnaire. Blood samples were collected via venepuncture and tested for HCV, HBV, and HEV using ELISA technique. Results were analyzed using SPSS software version 21.0 and P value ≤ 0.05 was considered significant. The prevalence of HCV, HBV, and HEV were 46 (29.5%), 20 (12.8%), and 4 (2.6%) respectively while 6 (3.8%), 1 (0.6%), and 1 (0.6%) had co-infection of HBV-HCV, HBV-HEV, and HCV- HEV respectively. This study concludes that there is high prevalence of hepatitis C and B viruses among animal handlers in Abeokuta, Ogun state which is of significant public health problem, warranting further attention and research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Energy forecast and engineering designs within the atmosphere requires some essential measurable parameters connected to solar radiations. Global solar radiation accounts for the influx of solar radiation received at the ground level. The study presents twelve empirical models using sunshine duration, relative humidity, and temperature as basic parameters, from 25 years observatory data obtained from some stations. The annual and seasonal performance of the models was validated using statistical measure, i.e. Mean Bias Error (MBE), Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), Mean Percentage Error (MPE) and Pearsons correlation coefficient. The proposed models show the lowest MBE, RMSE, and MPE for the temperature based models in Sokoto and Ilorin while all models performed favorably for Port -Harcourt. Similar trends were observed in both wet and dry seasons with improved in the estimated of global solar radiation. The study recommends some of the models for future prediction of solar radiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Klebsiella pneumoniae is a pathogen of the Enterobacteriaceae family that causes healthcare-associated infections and has recently emerged as one of the most antibiotic-resistant organisms responsible for outbreaks in both community and healthcare settings. The aim of this study is to determine the resistance pattern of Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated from selected tertiary hospitals in Osun state, Nigeria. A total of 62 Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates were obtained from 1056 samples of urine, wound swab, ear swab, eye swab and other collection sites that were routinely submitted to the diagnostic laboratories of the selected tertiary hospitals. Susceptibility to twelve (12) antibiotics (Oxoid) was determined using the Kirby Bauer disk diffusion method for the 62 isolates. Rate of resistance to carbapenems, fluoroquinolones, polymyxins, monobactams, cephalosporins, penicillin and phosphonic acid derivative are 29.03%, 47.84%, 29.03%, 46.77%, 50.80%, 93.55%, and 37.10% respectively. The isolates were mostly susceptible to carbapenems, especially, Imipenem with 74.19%. Highest resistance was to Penicillin (93.55%). The multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) index revealed that 52 (83.87%) out of 62 isolates were multi-drug resistant. Increase in antibiotic resistance continues to be a problem amidst patients infected with Klebsiella pneumoniae which can be most likely attributed to increase in antibiotic misapplication, misuse and abuse which is most prevalent among youths. It is therefore of utmost importance that consistent monitoring of antibiotic resistance be done as it will assist in the appropriate selection of empiric antibiotic treatment in the proper setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a study to investigate the influence of Human Menopausal Gonadotropin (HMG) on egg production in guinea hens, five doses of HMG (0, 6, 12, 18 and 24 IU) were administered to the hens in two phases during the dry and rainy seasons and the effects monitored during the administration and post administration periods. Birds were individually housed in battery cages and feed (20%CP and 2850kcal/kg ME) and water were supplied ad libitum. Data collected included feed intake, body weight, egg number, hen day production and egg weight. Data collected were subjected to analysis of variance appropriate for 2x2x5 factorial design and means were separated using Duncan's Multiple Range Test. Results obtained showed that the season of administration had no influence (P>0.05) on feed intake and egg mass. Hen day production, egg number and egg weight were influenced (P<0.05) by the season and HMG administration. The birds had better (P<0.05) production in the rainy season and during the post HMG administration period. Production was better (P<0.05) in the post HMG administration in either season while production during HMG administration or post administration was similar in both seasons. The study indicated possible implication of season and hormones in the complex seasonal egg production pattern of the local helmeted guinea fowl in Nigeria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Agricultural Sciences, Belgrade is the property of University of Belgrade, Faculty of Agriculture 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.)

Egg laying performance of guinea hens reared on two production systems, floor and cage, was evaluated using 60 guinea pullets for either production systems. The birds were randomly selected from an existing guinea fowl population reared at the Teaching and Research Farm. Parameters monitored were age at sexual maturity, body weight at first egg, egg number, egg weight and egg mass till 72 weeks of age. Birds reared under both production systems had access to ad libitum feed and water and were under similar routine practices. Data collected from both groups were compared using the unpaired t-test. The result indicated that production system had no significant effect (P>0.05) on age at first egg, body weight at first egg, total feed intake to first egg, egg weight and number of eggs laid. However, birds kept in cages came into lay 21 days before those kept on the deep litter and had slightly lower body weight at first egg. Results obtained revealed that though birds raised in cages had lower feed intake, better feed efficiency and attained sexual maturity earlier, they laid 8.59 eggs less (P>0.05) than birds on the litter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]