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Background: High fertility is one of the primary determinants of rapid population growth, which can hinder socio-economic development. Age at first marriage is an important proximate determinant of fertility and one of the causes of high fertility level in developing countries where the practice of early marriage remains widespread. Objective: The objective was to assess the fertility behaviors among women of reproductive age in a rural community, in northwestern Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive community-based study with minimum sample size of 320 was conducted in 2019 using systematic sampling method. Results: The mean age (±SD) of females in the community was 26.9 (±SD 8.3) years. The mean age at first marriage was 15.31 (±SD 2.4) years, contraceptive use was 5.4%, and one-third of the women were in polygamous settings. The total fertility rate was 6.95 per woman. There was significant association between marriage type and number of marriages with the number of living children (P = 0.001). Conclusion: Majority of the women were under aged at first marriage, had very low rate of contraceptive use, and fertility rate was high among them. Marriage type of the respondents had a significant association with fertility. Policies and laws that prohibit child marriage are recommended, in order to encourage girl child education and improve female participation in decision-making with regard to fertility desire and behaviors.

One of the major obstacles to Nigeria's techno-economic development has been a lack of good road infrastructure. Despite a large deposit of natural bitumen in the form of semi-liquid and bitumen sand, the reliance on imported bitumen/asphalt for road construction and maintenance in Nigeria has reduced road coverage and quality. To use local bitumen as a binder in pavement construction, an efficient upgrading process is required using polymers, nanomaterials, and other chemical additives. However, the selection of an appropriate modifier depends on many factors including the origin, elemental and chemical composition of bitumen. This review presents vital properties of Nigerian bitumen extracted from oil wells and tar sands with the view to identifying potential additives as solutions for its upgrading. Based on predefined selection criteria, we conducted a systematic review of the literature. We gathered information on the current state of knowledge about the major issues encountered during the polymeric modification of bitumen. In addition, data on existing practices used by various road researchers to address such issues was gathered. Effort was made to review waste packaging polymers and plastics for possible utilization to ensure sustainable pavement infrastructure in Nigeria. The results of this review showed relatively little information on Nigerian bitumen upgrading. Many authors have investigated different polymer additives on asphaltic bitumen sourced from different countries and the results has pointed to the capability of polymeric modification to improve some of the properties of bitumen. A knowledge gap however, exists in the optimization of polymer dosage, and characterization of bitumen at the SARA level to aid the understanding of the effects of polymeric modification and mechanisms involved during the pavement degradation. Additionally, it has been challenging to generalize the effects of different polymers due to the variation of bitumen properties from different sources. This review identifies the potential for upgrading Nigerian bitumen using polymer additives, the potential of waste plastics, crumb rubbers, and packaging waste materials as alternative and sustainable additives also highlighted.

Selection of chemicals for the modification of Nigerian Ubalaka clay toward formulating a new water-based drilling fluid is very essential. This study investigated the use of NaOH, NaHCO3, KOH and NaCO3 for the modification of Ubakala clay to improve its suitability for water-based drilling fluid. The treated clay was characterized for particle size distribution, crystallinity, morphology, elemental composition and functional group using particle size analyzer, XRD, SEM, XRF and FTIR, respectively. Locally sourced additives namely: cassava starch (CS), breadfruit starch (BFS), bush mango seed (BMS) and corn fiber (CF), were used to improve the rheological properties of developed drilling fluid. Rheological properties were determined as viscosities obtained at 300 and 600 rpm using rheometer. Clay characterization reveal that the quality of montmorillonite was improved via treatment with NaHCO3. Rheological properties were significantly improved by the addition of the four additives. The highest viscosity recorded was 22.30 cp at 600 rpm. However, further optimization of additives is required to achieve properties comparable to those of API standard. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, consumption of mushroom is on the increase in many developing countries. They serve as food supplements in diets of the people. The present study was conducted to evaluate nutraceutical properties of the oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus), a widely cultivated mushroom in Nigeria. Properties such as proximate composition, mineral ions and antioxidants contents were analyzed using standard methods. P. ostreatus was found to contain high percentage of crude fibre, moisture content, carbohydrates, crude fat, total ash, crude protein and oil matter. Percentage of mineral ion such as sodium, calcium, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, copper and zinc were found to be lower in value. Antioxidants such as flavonoid, phenol, lycopene, ß Carotene and ascorbic acid in P. ostreatus were found to be high in value. Overall, the percentage content of minerals in P. ostreatus was less than 1%, proximate composition was 33.64% and antioxidants was 66.16%. This showed that P. ostreatus had a high content of antioxidants, moderate amount of proximate composition and low amount of minerals. As P. ostreatus contains low calorific value and very high content of antioxidants, dietary fibres and minerals, it can therefore be said to be potentially good for medicinal purposes especially among the vegetarian consumers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effects of phosphorous (P) level on performance, yield and nutritional value of Celosia argentea L. were evaluated with the aim of determining the P level that supports the best growth, yield and nutritional qualities of the crop. The levels of P were: normal (1.348 mg·kg-1 of P/pot, NP), medium (6.743 mg·kg-1 of P/pot, MP), high (13.48 mg·kg-1 of P/pot, HP) and no P application (control, CP). The crop growth rate (CGR) increased with increase in phosphorus gradients (NP = 0.05 g/m²·d-1, MP = 0.09 g/m2·d-1 and HP = 0.12 g/m²·d-1). High and medium P rates increased the relative growth rate (RGR), HP had the highest RGR (0.05 g·g-1/day) followed by MP (0.04 g·g-1/day). Addition of P increased leaf area (LA) of C. argentea. Crude protein of the control was higher (5.56%) compared to the other P treatments (NP = 5.14, MP = 5.11 and HP = 5.03%). Phosphorus applications were beneficial for growth and enhancement of nutritional quality of C. argentea. NP and MP are recommended for growing this vegetable [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The high cost of synthetic additives stemming from importation necessitates the use of materials which are cheaper and biodegradable for water-based drilling fluid (DF) employed in oil and gas exploration. Obtaining drilling fluid with comparable rheology to that of the American Petroleum Standard depends on the in-depth understanding of the formulation of DF using locally sourced materials. Therefore, this study investigated effects of cassava starch (CS), breadfruit starch (BFS), bush mango seed (BMS) and corn fibre (CF) as an additive on rheological properties of water based drilling fluid formulated using treated Nigerian clay. The additives were characterized using SEM and EDX for morphology and elemental composition respectively. Experiments were conducted to study the effects of each additive on the plastic viscosity, apparent viscosity, yield stress, consistency and flow index of the developed drilling fluid. The effect of each additive on the rheology was investigated using OFAT, by varying the concentration between 1 g and 8 g and fixing others at 4.5 g. Further experiments were conducted using to study the interactive effect and the optimum concentration of the polymers. SEM results reveal oval, ellipsoidal and cylindrical polymer granules. Element present in the CS and BFS includes C, O, Al, Si and Na. K is also detected in CS and BMS. Flow and consistency index plots reveal the drilling fluid rheological properties could be optimized at concentrations between 4 g and 7 g. Optimum viscosity of 28 cp at 600 rpm was achieved using 7 g of CS, BFS and BMS 2 g corn fibre. Sensitivity analysis revealed that all additives contributed significantly to the rheological properties and the developed drilling fluid is suitable for the efficient drilling process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Asteraceae annuals from South Africa’s winter-rainfall region often exhibit poor germination, and it is a challenge to establish a garden display using fresh seeds from the wild. Arctotis hirsuta (Harv.) Beauvard is a popular ornamental, Oncosiphon suffruticosum (L. Bolus) K. Bremer & Humphries is important in traditional medicine, and Cotula duckittiae (L. Bolus) K. Bremer & Humphries has a vulnerable (VU) status on the red list of South African plants. C. duckittiae is teetering on the brink of extinction in a few localities on severely threatened ecosystems due to continued pressure on land for housing developments and invasive aliens. At present, there is no knowledge of O. suffruticosum being cultivated exclusively for its healing properties. The successful cultivation of this species may allow it to fulfil not only a more acute medicinal role in society but also in the economy to create precious job opportunities. The potential to develop or improve certain plant breeding lines of A. hirsuta commercially, besides just normal wild forms of these species at the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, is huge. This, in addition to the ongoing pressure exerted on wild populations of C. duckittiae, warrants investigations into aspects of germination ecology of this VU species of the West Coast.

The poor quality of potable water sourced from boreholes and hand dug wells at Yetunde Brown, Gbagada, Lagos informed the integration of geophysical, physicochemical and Water Quality Index (WQI) to assess the condition of groundwater in the study area. Twenty-Five (25) Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES) data were acquired and complemented with water samples collected from three boreholes and two hand-dug wells within the neighborhood of the study area. The VES data were partially curve matched and inverted. Physicochemical parameters were measured in water samples. The results of the VES data revealed four to five geo-electric layers which correspond to the topsoil (with layer thickness and resistivity values from 0.6 to 1.3 m and 20.1 to 361.4 Ωm respectively), clay (with layer thickness and resistivity of 1.7 to 5.2 m and 2.8 to 22.1 Ωm), sandy clay (with layer thickness and resistivity values of 2.8 to 5.9 m and 12.4 to 56.8 Ωm) and clayey sand (with layer thickness and resistivity values of 23.8 to 31.8 m and 7.2 to 94.2 Ωm). The sand in VES 7, 9, 12-18 and 20 has resistivity values ranging from 151 to 331.5 Ωm. The depth to the identified aquifers fluctuates between 23.8 and 90.4 m. The measured iron, chloride and lead ions are above World Health Organization (WHO) recommendation for potable water in some water samples. WQI calculated reflected poor quality for two boreholes only, which could be due to the unconfined aquifers delineated in the second and fourth geo-electric layers making the water vulnerable to contamination. The study recommended that bore hole should be sunk at VES 7, 9, 12, 13, 18 and 20 at depth between 31.8 to 66.6 m for exploitation of good quality water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Female and male plants of difficult-to-root species Leucadendron elimense subsp. elimense were investigated for rooting potential with three rooting hormones: indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), and indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) at three different concentrations (2000 ppm, 4000 ppm, and 6000 ppm). The experiment was made under essential misting, bottom heat, and a naturally ventilated greenhouse. After 18 weeks the experiment terminated and callusing and rooting percentage, root number, and root length were determined. Female cuttings rooted in the highest percentage (80%), root number (>30), and root length (close to 100 mm) after treatment with IAA at 4000 ppm. Under the above treatment male cuttings rooted in 70%, with a mean root number of 24 and root length of 90 mm. The efficient rooting results could aid in saving the species in its natural habitat and supporting restoration ecology, as well as introducing this species into the flower market.

Rabies is an endemic, highly fatal, and vaccine-preventable disease with severe socio-economic implications. Most (99%) human rabies cases are transmitted through dog bites. Children under 15 years account for 40% of all dog bite victims and 35–50% of all rabies deaths. Rabies awareness among this vulnerable group is critical to rabies prevention. However, there is a paucity of data on rabies awareness among pupils under 15. Hence, this study assessed the awareness and attitude of pupils under 15 years towards canine rabies in Kwara state in Nigeria. The study was conducted as a cross-sectional survey of 1,388 pupils across the state using a structured questionnaire that was administered as a one-on-one interview using the Open Data Kit on Android phones in December 2019. Of the 1388 pupils included in this study, only 21.7% (n = 301) of them were aware of rabies. The mean rabies score was 1.7±0.8 and only 29.2% (n = 88/301) of the pupils had adequate knowledge of canine rabies. The dog ownership rate was 18.7% (n = 259) with an average of 1.93 dogs per household. Approximately 5% (n = 66) of the pupils have been previously bitten by a dog. One-third of the dog bite victims (35%, n = 23/66) were managed and treated at home and only 12% (n = 8/66) were treated in a health facility. The result of the multivariable logistic regression showed that students aged between 13–15 years were more likely (OR: 1.93; 95% CI: 0.72–3.01; p < 0.001) to have adequate knowledge of rabies than the younger pupils. Similarly, pupils that have dogs in their households (OR: 2.09; 95%CI: 1.49–2.75; p < 0.001) and those that reside in Kwara South (OR:1.78 95% CI:1.29, 2.44; p < 0.001) were more likely to be aware and have adequate knowledge of canine rabies respectively. Finally, Pupils from non-dog-owning households were more likely (OR:2.2; 95% CI: 1.45, 4.42; p < 0.001) to have been bitten by dogs than those from dog-owning households. The awareness and attitude of pupils under 15 to canine rabies was poor. We advocate the introduction of rabies lessons into the school curriculum in Kwara State to reduce the incidence of dog bites and prevent dog-mediated human rabies. Author summary Rabies is an endemic disease that kills approximately 59000 persons mostly in low- and middle-income countries. The disease is mostly transmitted through dog bites and children under 15 years account for 40% of all dog bite incidents and 35–50% of all rabies death. This study assessed the knowledge and perception of canine rabies among pupils under 15 years in Kwara State, Nigeria. Our findings showed a very low rabies awareness rate (21.7%) and equally low knowledge of rabies (29.2%) with a mean knowledge score of 1.7±0.8. The dog ownership rate was 18.7% with an average of 1.93 dogs per household. Approximately 5% of the pupils have been previously bitten by a dog. One-third of the dog bite victims were managed and treated at home and only 12% were treated in a health facility. The age of the pupil, their dog ownership status and their geopolitical location within Kwara State influenced the pupil’s knowledge of canine rabies. To control rabies, we must institute multi-sectoral collaborations of critical stakeholders and introduce rabies lessons into the school curriculum in Kwara State.