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Aims: This study investigated the antibiotic susceptibilities of avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) isolates from layer chickens that died of colibacillosis, in the 6 states of Southwest Nigeria. Methodology and results: From bacteriological cultures of dead layers with suspected colibacillosis, 509 APEC isolates were identified by Gram staining, microscopy, and biochemical reactions, and tested by the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method for susceptibility to 9 human and veterinary antibiotics: Streptomycin (Str, 200 µg); Nitrofurantoin (Nit, 300 μg); Augmentin (Aug, 30 µg); Amoxicillin (Amo, 25 µg); Chloramphenicol (Chl, 30 µg); Gentamicin (Gen, 10 µg); Tetracycline (Tet, 25 μg); Ofloxacin (Ofl, 5 µg); and Fosfotrim (Fos, 30 μg). The APEC isolates were highly resistance to Amo (99.2%), Chloramphenicol (96.5%), Tet (91.4%) and Ofl (86.4%); moderately resistant to Gen (67.2%), Aug (63.5%), Nit (51.7%) and Fos (37.9%); while 14.3% of the isolates were resistant to Str at the test concentration of 200 µg, equivalent to ten times the normal disc test concentration. Overall, 39 antibiotic resistance patterns were observed, and more than 84.68% (n = 431) of the APEC isolates were multi-drug resistant. Conclusion, significance and impact of study: These results indicate that there is widespread misuse of antimicrobials in the poultry industry in Southwest Nigeria, and portend a high failure rate for the treatment of avian colibacillosis in the region. Owing to the public health importance of multidrug resistant bacteria that arise from animal production systems, there is need for exhaustive review of the regulatory framework guiding the supply and use of veterinary antimicrobials in Nigeria.

An engaging first programming class (CS1) often inspires students' passion for computer science (CS). However, the evidence in the literature suggests that the average CS1 classes are anything but engaging for many students. The performance of CS compared to other science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) courses in international student engagement surveys seems to substantiate CS1 failure, attrition rates, and lack of diversity in most CS classes. Meanwhile, for its simplicity in introducing programming to beginners, primary and secondary schools use "Scratch," an educational programming environment developed by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA. For the same reason, higher institutions now include some forms of "Scratch" instruction in CS1. The question remains, to what extent is "Scratch" engaging, especially for students in higher education? This study addressed this gap by observing college computer science students exposed to a constructionist "Scratch" programming pedagogy. We adopted a descriptive design based on quantitative observations. To observe the class during a weekly 2-hour session, we employed five CS educators, one observer per week. Each observer, employing a 20-item observation protocol, rated the extent of affective, behavioral, and cognitive engagement of first-year CS students in a polytechnic in North Central Nigeria. Most of the students were learning to program for the first time. Analysis of the data showed a significant agreement in the ratings of the five observers for overall student engagement, although the impact was moderate. However, while agreement in their ratings for affective engagement was significant, with a large effect, there was no significant concordance in their ratings for behavioral engagement. Observers also significantly agreed in their ratings for cognitive engagement; however, the impact was moderate. These findings suggest that employing "Scratch" in higher education can be engaging and useful, especially for students with no prior programming experience.

This article presents datasets representing the demographics and achievements of computer science students in their first programming courses (CS1). They were collected from a research project comparing the effects of a constructionist Scratch programming and the conventional instructions on the achievements of CS1 students from selected Nigerian public colleges. The project consisted of two consecutive quasi-experiments. In both cases, we adopted a non-equivalent pretest-posttest control group design and multistage sampling. Institutions were selected following purposive sampling, and those selected were randomly assigned to the Scratch programming class (experimental) and the conventional (comparison) class. A questionnaire and pre- and post-introductory programming achievement tests were used to collect data. To strengthen the research design, we used the Coarsened Exact Matching (CEM) algorithm to create matched samples from the unmatched data obtained from both experiments.Future studies can use these data to identify the factors influencing CS1 students' performance, investigate how programming pedagogies or tools affect CS1 students' achievements in higher education, identify important trends using machine learning techniques, and address additional research ideas.

Purpose: The need to tackle the problem of inadequacy of advisory services on Climate Smart Agricultural Initiatives (CSAI) rendered by extension agents led this study to determine the competency need of extension agents on CSAI using the Borich needs assessment model. Methodology: Data on importance and competence of tasks associated with CSAI were collected from two-hundred and seventy-seven (277) extension agents and analysed using means, ranks, discrepancy score (DS), weighted discrepancy score (WDS) and mean weighted discrepancy score (MWDS). Findings: The results revealed that although the extension agents rated a lot of the CSAI as important, they were only competent on just few of these initiatives. Furthermore, prominent areas of training needs on CSAI were identified which provided direction on areas of curriculum emphasis for in-service training on CSAI. Practical Implication: The recognition of the major areas of competency needs of extension agents on CSAI has far-reaching implications for curriculum innovation in developing trainings that will enhance their knowledge and capacity in the dissemination of climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies. Theoretical Implication: The study fills the lacuna of scarcity of empirical research studies documenting issues relating to the competence of extension agents on CSAI with particular focus on highlighting the areas of priority training needs especially in the region. Originality/Value: This paper is one of only a few to have pointed out areas of priority competency needs of extension agents on CSAI. This has several implications for educating and training extension agents on climate change issues.

The education of farmers would be result oriented if among other things the learning enhancement situations are created. Farmers' receptivity to training largely depends on the use of several educational methods by extension agents to reach farmers in Mezam division of Northwest province of Cameroon. Data were collected from May to August 2000 using Kerlinger's n [greater than or equal] 30 sampling technique in the division since no definite sampling frame could be obtained. The result indicates that majority are males (62.5%); less than 40 years of age (68.6%), had formal education (81.3%), and can speak and write English language (56.3%). Farm visit is the most used teaching method (37.5%), while office calls (12.5%), group meetings (12.5%), and field days (6.3%) recorded low scores in the study area. The factor that was rated as the most important in enhancing learning of the farmers was that extension agents should be knowledgeable in farming (87.5%). The agent being a farmer and educated (56.3% each) follows this, language came fourth on the importance list (50%). (Contains 4 tables.)

Background: Knowledge of antimicrobial resistance patterns of bacteria in food and pet birds in our environment is a prerequisite to effective control of bacterial diseases in humans and other food animals. Particularly, there is a dearth of information on the prevalence of resistant bacteria in pet and zoo birds in Cameroon. This study was carried out to determine the antibiotic resistance profiles of Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp isolates in apparently healthy poultry and zoo birds in Cameroon and to phenotypically and genotypically identify extendedspectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) isolates in the poultry and aviary birds. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study of 320 randomly selected birds, which included 172 poultry and 148 zoo birds over a period of nine months, from which a total of 320 different non-repetitive samples were collected. The specimens were processed by standard microbiological culture methods at the National Veterinary Laboratory (LANAVET), Yaoundé annex, Cameroon. All isolated bacteria from cultures were identified as E. coli and Salmonella spp by conventional biochemical test scheme and confirmed with API®20E gallery. Antibiotic susceptibility test (AST) of confirmed isolates was done using the Kirby–Bauer disc diffusion technique, with AST results interpreted according to CLSI guidelines. Isolates with phenotypic characteristics of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase were subjected to molecular identification for blaCTX-M, blaTEM and blaSHV genes. Data obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: Out of the 320 samples, a total of 88 E. coli and 17 Salmonella species were isolated from both broilers and zoo birds with an overall isolation prevalence of 27.5% and 5.3% respectively. High resistance of E. coli was observed among isolates from broiler, especially to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (96.7%), ampicillin and ticarcillin (88.3%), norfloxacin (81.7%), piperacillin (78.3%) and ceftriaxone (63.3%). However, the resistance pattern among isolates from aviary birds was low with the highest resistance observed for imipenem (39.28%). The isolates had multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) indices between 0.18-0.94 with an average of 0.3. A striking MAR index of 0.94 was observed in an ESBL isolate. Detection of β-lactamase genes in 16 phenotypic ESBLproducing E. coli and Salmonella isolates showed the presence of 75.0%, 6.3% and 12.5% for blaCTX-M, blaTEM, and blaSHV genes respectively. Conclusion: ESBL isolates were widespread among apparently healthy broilers in live-bird markets in Cameroon with ESBL-producing E. coli and Salmonella species showing high resistance to penicillin, quinolones and sulphonamides. In addition, there is evidence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in wild birds which can be transmitted to humans through fecal droppings or by being in close contact with them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Infectious Bronchitis (IB) is a viral respiratory disease of chickens that is associated with huge economic losses. This study was designed to investigate its seroprevalence in unvaccinated exotic and indigenous chickens in some States of South-western Nigeria. Sera samples (n=750) were obtained from unvaccinated, intensively reared, exotic chickens (n=450) and unvaccinated extensively reared indigenous chickens (n=300) from Lagos, Ogun, and Oyo States. The antibodies to the IB virus were detected in serum utilizing enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Descriptive statistics, ANOVA, and an independent t-test were used to analyze the data. On average, 81.1% were seropositive to IB virus, distributed as 78.0%, 86.8%, and 78.4% in Lagos, Ogun, and Oyo States, respectively. Seroprevalence was high in both exotic (82.4%) and indigenous (79.0%) chickens, while mean antibody titres were significantly higher in exotic (49.74 ± 2.50 and 43.25 ± 4.64) than in indigenous chickens (24.71 ± 2.02 and 31.85 ± 2.24) in Lagos and Oyo states, respectively. Indigenous chickens raised in south-western Nigeria are likely exposed to infectious bronchitis virus in the environment and the presence of the antibodies in these chickens is an indicator of the endemicity of the virus. This also identifies a possible role for indigenous chickens in the dissemination of the virus. There is a need for continuous surveillance, improved vaccination, and stricter biosecurity measures in poultry production for optimal control of infectious bronchitis in Nigeria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eggs are considered to be one of the cheapest sources of protein, hence, support for their consumption ought to be particularly sought after in a nation like South Africa where many may be food insecure. With much of the population being unemployed and the unsteady economy that has contributed to the higher cost of living, malnutrition remains a challenge. The recognition and dissection of the socio-economic variables that lead to the avoidance of egg consumption will allow the implantation of programs that will encourage the incremental utilization of eggs, to improve on the moderately lower per capita consumption when compared to some African countries. This study examines the determinants of knowledge, practice, belief, and adherence to taboos on egg consumption in the KwaZuluNatal Province of South Africa where there is the lowest level of egg consumption compared to other provinces in the country. A descriptive and quantitative research design using a multi-stage sampling technique and the Rao Soft sample size calculator were used to select 125 households. Data were obtained with the use of a structured questionnaire and analysed with t-test statistics, Principal Component analysis and Probit regression analysis. The results show a significant relationship between egg consumption and taboos. The results revealed a decreasing order on the levels of knowledge, practice, belief and adherence to taboos among respondents. The study concluded that cultural reasons exercise a greater influence on egg consumption than socioeconomic, economic and availability factors. It is, therefore, recommended that interventions such as educational programs that encourage healthier eating behaviours should be designed and implemented. These programs should be designed in a way that will incorporate culturally relevant approaches that people in Kwazulu-Natal can resonate with to enhance their potential effectiveness in improving the frequency of egg consumption. Furthermore, it is recommended that future research should delve deeper into the history of the specific cultural norms, beliefs and practices surrounding egg consumption within the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Despite an increased focus on the importance of spirituality to human health, including adolescent health outcomes there remains an absence of evidence-based programs to address the spiritual needs of patients and families. A critical barrier is the absence of a clear conceptual understanding and operational definitions of spirituality for adolescents/young adults (AYAs) with cancer. The purposes of this concept analysis were to (a) clarify the concept of spirituality in the context of the AYAs' cancer experience and (b) generate a definition based on a review of the literature examining spiritual development and the role of spirituality in AYAs' health and cancer treatment. Method: We used Roger's evolutionary concept analysis method to identify antecedents, attributes, and consequences of spirituality in the context of AYAs' cancer using thematic analysis and included identification of case exemplars. Results: Of the 86 articles identified, 21 met our inclusion criteria. Analysis revealed four attributes of spirituality in AYAs with cancer: meaning and purpose, connectedness, life-long universal experience, and independent of or related to religion and faith traditions. Identified antecedents included the presence of spiritual resources, chronic illness, belief, or wonder about a higher power, and existential questions. Identified consequences included hope, meaning, feelings of peace, and enhanced well-being and illness acceptance. Based on the findings, we generated a definition of spirituality in AYAs with cancer. Discussion: Findings inform the development of measures and spiritual care interventions specific to AYAs with cancer. An important limitation to address in future research is the absence of AYAs' first-person accounts of their own spirituality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the implications of farmers' propensity to discontinue the adoption of agricultural technologies in southwestern Nigeria. This is predicated on the fact that extension education process should be proactive in addressing farmers in order to sustain the adoption process. Empirical studies looking at diffusion processes from an "ex post" perspective have failed to deliver in terms of effective "ex ante" policies and intervention strategies, and the transfer of the technology model has lost much of its lustre. Following a survey of arable crop farmers in two states of southwestern Nigeria, a Tobit model was estimated on the data collected during the 2002 growing season in order to identify variables significant in the farmers' discontinuance behaviour. The variables identified are: attitude, extension visit, feedback provision, marketability and input availability. From the estimation, foremost among the significant variables leading to discontinuance of improved maize and cowpea varieties is extension visits. (Contains 2 tables.)

Background: Urinary tract infection (UTI) refers to any part of urinary system infection caused by the presence and growth of microorganisms anywhere in the urinary tract. The infections are commonly found in women. Staphylococcus saprophyticus may infect the urinary tract. Methods: Isolation of Staphylococcus spp was carried out using the streak plate method on Mannitol salt and Blood agar. Pure isolates were subjected to different biochemical tests for identification. Kirby bauer method was used to determine the antibiotic susceptibility profile of the isolates. Results: S. saprophyticus accounted for 27 (55.1%) of the isolates, S.aureus accounted for 14 (28.6%) of the isolates, and S. epidermidis accounted for 8 (10.2%) of the isolates. Most of the isolates were susceptible to Levofloxacin and Rifampin, while Erythromycin, Clarithromycin, Streptromycin and Amoxicillin were resisted by the isolates of the Staphylococcus species. S. saprophyticus isolates were susceptible to Levofloxacin (55.6%) and least susceptible to Norfloxacin (11.1%). S. epidermidis were more susceptible to Levofloxacin (75.0%), and resistant to Ampicillin (0.0%), while S. aureus was most susceptible to Levofloxacin (78.6%) and least to Ampicillin and erythromycin (14.3%). Age, occupation, marital status and area of domicile of the patients were found to be associated with the occurrence of Staphylococcus species in the urine of patients (P<0.5). Educational status indicated no association with the incidence of Staphylococcus species in the urine of patients (P>0.5). Conclusion: S. saprophyticus was found as the most predominant Staphylococcus species in the urine of women attending IBB specialist hospital Minna, Niger state, Nigeria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the report of the first case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in Nigeria, surveillance of the disease has mostly been in chickens, with minimal focus on ducks. This work aimed to conduct a longitudinal study to determine the prevalence and temporal patterns of antibodies against Avian Influenza viruses (AIV) in healthy, unvaccinated scavenging ducks in some Local Governments Areas (LGAs) in Oyo State. We used a competitive ELISA to identify AI virus antibodies in a total of 200 duck sera collected from different households in Akinyele, Iseyin and Ibarapa Central Local government areas (LGAs) during dry and wet seasons as part of ongoing research on AI in the southwest, Nigeria. The overall seroprevalence obtained by ELISA was 42.5% (85/200). A significantly higher seroprevalence of 60% (60/100) of AI was found in the dry season than in the wet season with 25% (25/100). This study provides evidence of ongoing circulation of Avian influenza in the indigenous duck population in some selected local government areas in Oyo State, which may be a risk factor for future outbreaks of AI in chickens and possibly humans. Proper biosecurity and continuous surveillance are hereby advocated for effective prevention and control. Additionally, keeping ducks and chickens together should be discouraged both on farms and in households, particularly during the dry season. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]