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Purpose: Poor uptake of agricultural innovations on weed management practices is a major factor responsible for low productivity. This paper examines how communication media can help improve farmers' adoption behaviour. Methodology: A sample of 725 Nigerian cassava farmers, exposed to agricultural innovation on weed management practices from varying sources, were asked, through a structured questionnaire, to indicate their knowledge, attitudes, and practices of cassava weed management. The responses were compared with a sample of 190 cassava farmers who were not exposed to the information (control group). The data were analysed using frequency counts, percentages, mean, analysis of variance, and multivariate probit regression. Findings: Farmers exposed to the agricultural innovation in weed management practices indicated more positive behaviour (57.7%) towards improved weed management practices than the control group (26.8%). The mean knowledge, attitude, practice, and behaviour of the farmers exposed to the innovation through demonstration was significantly higher than for other sources. Practical implications: On-farm demonstrations as a means of communication will enhance the uptake and effectiveness of agricultural innovation on weed management practices. Theoretical implications: Findings on the influence of communication media on improved weed control and agronomy are significant, given that there is little well-documented data on how communication media enhances technology and innovation adoption in arable crop farming. Originality/value: This study generates important data that reinforces the imperatives of communication and media choices, and further underpins the debate that technology alone cannot lead to uptake by farmers but needs to be communicated.

Background: Adolescents and their communities in Ebonyi State, Nigeria have poor attitudes and beliefs towards adolescent sexual and reproductive health (SRH). This paper reports on the effects of a community-embedded intervention that focused on creating positive changes in the attitudes and beliefs of adolescents and community members to enhance adolescents' access to SRH information and services. Methods: This study adopted the Qualitative Impact Assessment approach to evaluate the changes in attitudes and beliefs about the SRH of adolescents from the perspectives of the beneficiaries of a community-embedded intervention namely, adolescents, parents, school teachers, and community leaders. The intervention was implemented in six local government areas in Ebonyi State, southeast Nigeria and the evaluation was undertaken four months after the implementation of the interventions commenced. Eighteen (18) interviews were conducted with 82 intervention beneficiaries including: (i) six in-depth interviews with school teachers; (ii) two sex-disaggregated FGDs with parents; (iii) two sex-disaggregated FGDs with community leaders; and (iv) eight sex-disaggregated FGDs with in school and out of school adolescents. A thematic analysis of data was performed with the aid of NVivo software, version 12. Results: The community-embedded intervention led to changes in individual attitudes and beliefs, as well as changes in community norms and values concerning adolescent SRH. Adolescents reported that following the community-embedded SRH intervention, they have become more comfortable discussing openly SRH issues with their peers, and they could more easily approach their parents and initiate SRH discussions. The parents of adolescents reported that following the intervention, they have become more willing to discuss sensitive SRH issues with adolescents, and frequently make out time to do so. It was also reported that parents no longer use euphemisms to describe sexual body parts, and community leaders now believe that it is all right to discuss SRH with adolescents. Hence, initiating or having SRH discussions with adolescents is no longer misconceived as encouraging sex, and menstruation in unmarried adolescents is no longer viewed as a sign of promiscuity. Respondents also highlighted changes in community norms of, (i) gendered parental communication of SRH matters, as both mothers and fathers have started discussing SRH issues with their adolescent boys and girls; and (ii) public shaming and discipline of pregnant teenage girls are on the decline. Conclusion: The community-based intervention had a positive impact on individual attitudes and beliefs, as well as community and societal values and norms about adolescent SRH. Interventions that take into account community norms and values regarding adolescent SRH should be prioritized to enable the achievement of the SRH-related target of SDG 3. Plain language summary: Adolescents face significant sexual and reproductive health (SRH) challenges which makes it difficult for them to access and utilize SRH services as a result of negative community norms and values. These norms discourage discussions relating to sex and sexuality in Nigeria because sexuality matters are regarded as taboo for young people, and sex is regarded as sacred and the exclusive reserve of the married. This qualitative study explored the views of adolescents, parents, and community leaders on the impact of a community-based intervention on their attitudes and beliefs concerning SRH issues. Using focus group discussions, the community members described the impact of the intervention on the beliefs and attitudes of adolescents, parents/guardians, and the community. Following the SRH intervention, parents started to make out time to discuss SRH issues with adolescents. They became more approachable and willing to discuss sensitive SRH issues with adolescents. Both mothers and fathers started to take up the role of communicating SRH matter with their adolescent boys and girls. Adolescents also started initiating SRH discussions with parents and could openly discuss SRH issues with their peers. In the community, adolescent girls were no longer publicly shamed for engaging in pre-marital sex. There were changes in community leaders' attitudes to teenage pregnancy and they no longer misconceive adolescent SRH issues. Considering the positive changes in individual attitudes, social values, and norms, there is a need for the community-embedded SRH intervention to be sustained and scaled up to other parts of the state by program managers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper examines Alex Asigbo's Once upon a School as a drama of social criticism through an interpretive analysis of embedded metaphors as forms of behaviour intrigues, twists and turns that characterize humans in quest to achieving their aspirations. The play evaluates behavioural tendencies as products of social construction of reality, which revolve around influences of nature and nurture, locale specific social realities and contexts. To discuss the behaviour of the characters in the play, the paper adopts content analysis approach regarding specific aspects of the play such as characters' choice of language, particularly humour, the characters' projected ideological inclinations, the existing didactic values, and the socio-cultural variables that propel the social construction of certain realities. Furthermore, the paper adopts Abraham Maslow's view on the humanistic perspective as the theoretical paradigm applicable to the analysis of the play's characters' conducts in specific circumstances. Lastly, the paper asserts that human behaviours are manifestations of locale specific social construction of realities and the propelling forces of an individual's nature and nurture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is obvious that broad world view provided by education can douse tension, discrimination, reduce hate speech and minimize aggression. Education is a weapon of mass instruction and has been powerful enough to push ignorance to the background. More so, it has become a prime function of education to illuminate the world with ideas and in its nature to unite the world through inventions and technological developments. Arguably, education has also introduced strange norms and vices especially among youth circles. But, because habits are hard to modify, the onus falls on the theatre that thrives on burlesques, parody, polar attitudes and modification of character to use the stage effectively for correction and preservation. Methodically, this paper x-rays selected theatre performances that have tried to reduce ethnic conflicts in Nigeria using the Fundamental Interpersonal Relations Orientation (FIRO) as theoretical backings. Through role playing on stage and in the classroom, the paper redirects the attention of the youth and government towards reorientation and sustainable values. The findings reveal that theatre has the capacity to influence minds and can engineer behavioral change which by extension ensures peaceful co-existence and sustainable developments. Thus, the paper recommends that History, Culture and Youth Education be incorporated in the secondary school curriculum. Also, if theatre performances with topical themes are sponsored for the benefit of the youths, it will increase tolerance. The research concludes that performing youth education in the classroom, at grass root level and public spaces will subtly promote nation building and integration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Nutrition outcomes among young children in Nigeria are among the worse globally. Mother’s limited knowledge about food choices, feeding, and health care seeking practices contributes significantly to negative nutrition outcomes for children in most developing countries. Much less is known about the relationship between mother’s nutrition-related knowledge and child nutritional outcomes in rural Nigeria. This paper investigates therefore: (i) the association of mother’s nutrition-related knowledge with nutrition outcomes of young children living in rural Nigeria, where access to education is limited, and (ii) whether mother’s education has a complementary effect on such knowledge in producing positive child nutrition outcomes in such settings. Methods: Using the Demographic and Health Survey data for Nigeria, we employ both descriptive and regression analyses approaches in analyzing the study’s objectives. In particular, we apply ordinary least square (OLS) to investigate the association of mother’s nutrition-related knowledge with child HAZ and WHZ while controlling for maternal, child, household and regional characteristics. An index was constructed for mother’s nutrition-related knowledge using information on dietary practices, disease treatment and prevention, child immunization, and family planning. Results: We found that mother’s knowledge is independently and positively associated with HAZ and WHZ scores in young children. Higher levels of mother’s education, typically above primary, have a significant, positive association with child HAZ and WHZ scores. We argue that mother’s knowledge of health and nutrition may substitute for education in reducing undernutrition in young children among populations with limited access to formal education. However, the present level of mother’s education in rural Nigeria appears insufficient to reinforce knowledge in producing better nutrition outcomes for children. Conclusions: This study suggests promotion of out-of-school (informal) education, such as adult literacy and numeracy classes where women without formal education can gain health and nutrition knowledge, and practices that could enhance child nutrition outcomes in Nigeria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study analyzed the price behavior of major staple foods in West Africa taking Nigeria as a case study (1966 - 2011). It described the trend of the major staple food prices and examined the linear relationship and interdependence of the major staple food prices in Nigeria. Secondary data were used for this study. The sources were; Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). These data were transformed from their nominal value to real value and analyzed using descriptive statistics, unit root test, Pearson correlation coefficient, granger-causality test and structural equation model. The study revealed that the prices of most of the major staple foods were at the maximum value between 1991 and 1993 while their prices were at the minimum value between 1978 and 1983. The study observed that the price of cowpea is most volatile seconded by maize. The results of the unit root test showed that all the variables studied were stationary. The prices of the major staple foods were linearly correlated; some were positively correlated while some were negatively correlated. Granger-causality test on the major staple foods prices showed that the prices of most staple foods were unidirectional while only few were bi-directional. The study further revealed that the prices of staple foods were interdependent. The study recommends political stability in the country as the major staple food prices reached maximum level during the period of 1993 presidential election crisis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poor record keeping among farmers in Nigeria greatly impedes the evaluation of the performance of farms, national planning, budgeting for commercial agricultural development, and control of postharvest losses. The study analysed the record keeping behavior of youth farmers in Ekiti State. Specifically, it assessed the level of record keeping among farmers; examined their attitude towards record keeping; assessed the farmers’ knowledge of record keeping; determined their intentions towards keeping farm records; and identified the constraints to farm record keeping. A three-stage random sampling technique was used to select 178 youth farmers on whom a structured interview schedule was administered. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and the Multiple Regression Analysis. Results reveal that most of the respondents were male (73.6%), with mean age of 28 years and average of 12 years farming experience. Farmers’ level of record keeping was low (Mean=2.26), and their attitude was poor (index=0.43). Farmers’ knowledge of record keeping was fair (index=0.66) while they had high intensions towards keeping records (index=0.77). Farmers’ overall behavior was fair (index=0.62) and determined by years of schooling (β=0.034) and age (β=0.013) at P<0.05. Poor understanding of the importance of record keeping (Mean= 3.48) and the fragmented nature of land holdings (Mean= 3.31) were the most severe constraints to record keeping. The study recommends increasing young farmers’ awareness regarding the benefits of record keeping and regular training particularly in the management of record keeping for multiple farm plots. Literacy programmes should also be organised to address deficiencies of poorly schooled youths. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: As a consequence of rapid social change and the resultant breakdown of traditional social structures, illegal use of drugs have spread across the globe without exception of Nigeria. Methods: Cross-sectional descriptive design was used. Five Senior Secondary Schools were selected. Using Research advisor (2006) Sampling table, 365 respondents were sampled using stratified random sampling technique out of 3812 students. Standardized questionnaire structured by Afuwai in 2016 was adapted. Data from the pilot study was analyzed using Cronbach's alpha an reliability indexes of 804 and .813 were obtained. This is to determine the internal consistency of the responses to the items. Statistics were presented in mean and standard deviation and a three point-scale was used. Hypothesis were tested using independent sample t-test at .05 level of significance. Results: The study revealed that students under the influence of drugs can: fight a teacher, sneak out of school and break school regulations, take part in fight where a group of their friends were against another group, damages school properties on purpose, got into problem with the police for something they did. The study showed that students who abuse drugs are often below average student in their respective classes. To buttress this, the null hypothesis which states that there is no significant influence of drug abuse on the academic performance of senior secondary schools student was rejected (p-value of 0.03 is less than 0.05 level of significance). Conclusion: Drugs abuse has an influence on both students' civic behavior and academic performances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Nigeria is a high-burden country in terms of young people's health. Understanding changes in young people's sexual and reproductive health (SRH) behaviours and the associated factors is important for framing appropriate interventions. Objective: This study assessed changes in SRH behaviours of unmarried young people aged 15–24 and associated factors over a ten-year period in Nigeria. Data and method: We analysed datasets from Nigeria Demographic and Health Surveys of 2008, 2013 and 2018 to assess changes in inconsistent condom use, non-use of modern contraceptives; multiple sexual partnership; and early sexual debut. Using binary logistic regression, we assessed the association of selected variables with the SRH behaviours. Results: Over four-fifths of unmarried young people (15–24) in Nigeria engaged in at least one risky sexual behaviour in each survey year. The pattern of changes in the four risky SRH behaviours was consistent over the 10-year period, with the highest rates of each behaviour occurring in 2018 while the lowest rates were in 2013, thus indicating an increase in the proportion of respondents engaging in risky sexual behaviours over the study period. Comprehensive HIV/AIDS knowledge, male gender, older age category (20–24), residence in south-west Nigeria, urban residence, higher socio-economic status, secondary/higher education were mostly protective against the four SRH variables analysed across the different data waves. Conclusion: Addressing the high and increasing level of risky SRH behaviours among young people in Nigeria is imperative to improve overall national health status and to ensure progress towards achieving SDG target 3.7 focusing on SRH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of serious games for civic learning and engagement is an area of growing interest. However, research to date has predominately examined such games in established democratic contexts and has primarily focused on the potential of in-game content and game mechanics for achieving learning and behavior change outcomes. This study used in-depth interviews with key developmental stakeholders for two civic-focused games, Haki2 in Kenya and Your Excellency in Nigeria, to further our understanding in two important but understudied areas: the potential for games to facilitate civic learning and engagement outcomes in developing democratic contexts; and the role of game production and dissemination processes in this potential. I argue that these processes provide opportunities for direct civic engagement, participatory learning, and group mobilization relevant to facilitating civic behavior in developing democratic contexts. While this research identifies critical limitations for games used as stand-alone tools to achieve civic learning and engagement outcomes, it also identifies the potential for game production and dissemination to engage communities in democratic deliberation, in identifying relevant civic-issues and solutions, to facilitate community discussion, and to mobilize players around relevant issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Promoting respectful care at childbirth is important to improve quality of care and encourage women to utilize skilled delivery services. However, there has been a relative lack of public health research on this topic in Nigeria. A systematic review was conducted to synthesize current evidence on disrespect and abuse of women during childbirth in Nigeria in order to understand its nature and extent, contributing factors and consequences, and propose solutions. Methods: Five electronic databases were searched for relevant published studies, and five data sources for additional grey literature. A qualitative synthesis was conducted using the Bowser and Hill landscape analytical framework on disrespect and abuse of women during childbirth. Results: Fourteen studies were included in this review. Of these studies, eleven were cross sectional studies, one was a qualitative study and two used a mixed method approach. The type of abuse most frequently reported was non-dignified care in form of negative, poor and unfriendly provider attitude and the least frequent were physical abuse and detention in facilities. These behaviors were influenced by low socioeconomic status, lack of education and empowerment of women, poor provider training and supervision, weak health systems, lack of accountability and legal redress mechanisms. Overall, disrespectful and abusive behavior undermined the utilization of health facilities for delivery and created psychological distance between women and health providers. Conclusion: This systematic review documented a broad range of disrespectful and abusive behavior experienced by women during childbirth in Nigeria, their contributing factors and consequences. The nature of the factors influencing disrespectful and abusive behavior suggests that educating women on their rights, strengthening health systems to respond to specific needs of women at childbirth, improving providers training to encompass interpersonal aspects of care, and implementing and enforcing policies on respectful maternity care are important. This review has also shown that more robust research is needed to explore disrespect and abuse of women during childbirth in Nigeria and propose compelling interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Some individuals experience their first sexual intercourse through physically forced sex, which affects the way they experience and cope with stress. We examined differences in sexual risk behavior, experience of stressors, and use of stress-coping strategies among adolescents in Nigeria based on their history of forced sexual initiation and HIV status. Methods: We analyzed data from 436 sexually active 10–19-year-old adolescents recruited through a population-based survey from 12 Nigerian states. Using Lazarus and Folkman’s conceptual framework of stress and coping, we assessed if adolescents who reported forced sexual initiation were more likely to report HIV sexual risk practices, to report as stressors events related to social expectations, medical care and body images, and loss and grief, and to use more avoidance than adaptive coping strategies to manage stress. We also assessed if HIV status affected experience of stressors and use of coping strategies. Results: Eighty-one adolescents (18.6%) reported a history of forced sexual initiation; these participants were significantly more likely to report anal sex practices (OR: 5.04; 95% CI: 2.14–11.87), and transactional sex (OR: 2.80; 95% CI: 1.56–4.95). Adolescents with no history of forced sexual initiation were more likely to identify as stressors, life events related to social expectations (OR: 1.03; 95% CI: 0.96–1.11) and loss and grief (OR: 1.34; 95% CI: 0.73–2.65), but not those related to medical care and body images (OR: 0.63; 95% CI: 0.34–1.18). They were also more likely to use adaptive responses (OR: 1.48; 95% CI: 0.62–3.50) than avoidance responses (OR: 0.90; 95% CI: 0.49–1.64) to cope with stress, though these differences were not significant. More adolescents with a history of forced sexual initiation who were HIV positive identified as stressors, life events related to medical care and body images (p = 0.03) and loss and grief (p = 0.009). Adolescents reporting forced sexual initiation and HIV-negative status were significantly less likely to use religion as a coping strategy (OR: 0.28; 95% CI: 0.09–0.83). Conclusion: History of forced sexual initiation and HIV status affected perception of events as stressors and use of specific coping strategies. Our study findings could inform best practice interventions and policies to prevent and address forced sexual initiation among adolescents in Nigeria and other countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Understanding the context where adolescents’ physical activity (PA) takes place could impact a more targeted approach to implement PA promotion and interventions in Africa. However, standardized data on adolescents’ PA behaviour is lacking in Nigeria. We described PA patterns in the various domains (home, school, transport, leisure-time) and intensity categories (light-intensity PA, moderate- to vigorous- intensity physical activity [MVPA] and total PA), and their associations with sociodemographic factors and socioeconomic status (SES) among secondary school adolescents in Nigeria. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in a representative sample of 1006 secondary school adolescents (12–18 years, 50.4% girls) in Maiduguri, Nigeria. Self-reported PA was assessed with an adapted version of the Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents and Young Adults. Outcomes were weekly minutes (min/wk) of PA spent in the various domains and intensity categories. Multivariate ANOVA was used to examine associations of PA scores (domains and intensity levels) with adolescents’ sociodemographic characteristics and SES, and track differences in PA scores between subgroups. Results: The total sample reported most PA at school (1525 min/wk), the least during active transportation (210 min/wk), and only 37% engaged in 60 min of MVPA daily. Boys reported significantly more leisure-time PA (P<0.001), active transportation (P<0.001), MVPA (P = 0.023) and total PA (P = 0.003) than girls, while girls reported more school-based PA (P = 0.009), home-based PA (P<0.001) and light-intensity PA (P<0.001) than boys. Moderate-intensity PA (P = 0.024) and total PA (P = 0.049) were significantly higher in younger age group than in older group. Household car ownership was associated with less active transportation (P = 0.009), less moderate-intensity PA (P = 0.048) and with more leisure-time PA (P = 0.013). High parental SES was associated with more leisure-time PA (P = 0.002), more MVPA (P = 0.047) and less active transportation (P<0.001). Adolescents of various weight status differed significantly in their leisure-time PA (P<0.001), moderate-intensity PA (P = 0.011) and total PA (P = 0.033). Conclusions: The patterns and levels of physical activity among adolescents in Nigeria vary according to the adolescents’ age, gender, weight status and SES. These findings have important public health implications for identifying subgroups of Nigerian adolescents that should be targeted for effective physical activity promoting interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Non-nutritive sucking (NNS) is a common behavior in childhood. The association between digit sucking, dental caries and oral health has been studied with inconclusive results. The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of, and the association between digit sucking, caries and oral hygiene status of children age six months to 12 years, resident in Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Ife Central Local Government Area of Osun State. Data were collected through a household survey using a multi-stage sampling procedure from children between six months and 12 years. Details of each child’s socio-demographic characteristics, digit sucking habits, caries status and oral health status were collected. The association between digit sucking, caries status and oral hygiene status was determined using Chi square and Logistic regression. Results: The mean age of the 992 study participants was 5.8 ± (3.2) years. The prevalence of digit sucking, caries and poor oral hygiene were 7.2%, 10.5% and 2.4% respectively. The mean dmft score was 0.22 ± (0.80), mean DMFT score was 0.04 ± (0.30) while mean Oral Hygiene Index score was 1.27 ± (0.73). Digit sucking increased the odds of having caries (OR: 1.28; CI: 0.58–2.81) but decreased the odds of having poor oral hygiene (OR: 0.58; CI: 0.34–1.01) insignificantly. Conclusions: Digit sucking was not a significant predictor of caries and oral hygiene status, although the odds of having caries increased while the odds of having poor oral hygiene decreased with digit sucking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose The aim of this study was to identify the correlation between instructors' and students' caring behaviors and to explore the impact of instructors' caring on students' perceptions of their own caring behaviors. Design A descriptive, nonexperimental design was used in this study. Methods A total of 586 student nurses from four countries (Greece, the Philippines, India, and Nigeria) were recruited to participate in this study during the months of September 2013 to January 2014. Data collection was based on interviews using two standardized questionnaires: the Nursing Students' Perception of Instructor Caring (NSPIC) and the Caring Behavior Inventory (CBI). Inferential statistics such as the Pearson r correlation and regression analysis were used to determine correlations between relevant variables. Findings Student nurses perceived 'instills confidence through caring' (mean = 4.275, SD = 0.755) as the most frequently demonstrated subscale, while 'control vs. flexibility' (mean = 3.469, SD = 0.701) was the least demonstrated subscale. The highest self-reported subscale in the CBI was 'assurance' (mean = 4.796, SD = 0.949), while 'connectedness' (mean = 4.541, SD = 0.985) was the lowest self-rated subscale. The NSPIC correlated significantly with the CBI ( r = .587, p < .001). Four of the five subscales in the NSPIC correlated significantly with the CBI when considered individually; the exception was the 'Supportive learning climate' subscale ( r = .009, p < .40). Among the NSPIC subscales, 'instills confidence through caring' explained 32% in the CBI and 'appreciation of life's meaning' explained 3% in the CBI. Conclusions Instructors' caring behaviors influenced nursing students' caring behaviors positively. Through positive faculty modeling and role modeling, nursing students can be professionally trained to develop the competence of caring. Clinical Relevance The knowledge generated from this study provides direction in developing useful and effective caring strategies and curricular programs for nursing students. Understanding this concept in a cross-cultural context is necessary in order to develop an international perspective about caring, which is necessary in developing and formulating effective teaching and clinical strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Face-to-face (FTF) interviews are the most frequently used means of obtaining information on sexual and drug injecting behaviours from men who have sex with men (MSM) and men who inject drugs (MWID). However, accurate information on these behaviours may be difficult to elicit because of sociocultural hostility towards these populations and the criminalization associated with these behaviours. Audio computer assisted self-interview (ACASI) is an interviewing technique that may mitigate social desirability bias in this context. Methods: This study evaluated differences in the reporting of HIV-related risky behaviours by MSM and MWID using ACASI and FTF interviews. Between August and September 2010, 712 MSM and 328 MWID in Nigeria were randomized to either ACASI or FTF interview for completion of a behavioural survey that included questions on sensitive sexual and injecting risk behaviours. Data were analyzed separately for MSM and MWID. Logistic regression was run for each behaviour as a dependent variable to determine differences in reporting methods. Results: MSM interviewed via ACASI reported significantly higher risky behaviours with both women (multiple female sexual partners 51% vs. 43%, p = 0.04; had unprotected anal sex with women 72% vs. 57%, p = 0.05) and men (multiple male sex partners 70% vs. 54%, p≤0.001) than through FTF. Additionally, they were more likely to self-identify as homosexual (AOR: 3.3, 95%CI:2.4–4.6) and report drug use in the past 12 months (AOR:40.0, 95%CI: 9.6–166.0). MWID interviewed with ACASI were more likely to report needle sharing (AOR:3.3, 95%CI:1.2–8.9) and re-use (AOR:2.2, 95%CI:1.2–3.9) in the past month and prior HIV testing (AOR:1.6, 95%CI 1.02–2.5). Conclusion: The feasibility of using ACASI in studies and clinics targeting key populations in Nigeria must be explored to increase the likelihood of obtaining more accurate data on high risk behaviours to inform improved risk reduction strategies that reduce HIV transmission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Knowledge of risk factors associated with high blood pressure and regular blood pressure screening is essential for early detection and treatment of hypertension and subsequently reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular disease, and mortality. This study examined the knowledge of risk factors associated with hypertension and further examined the practice of regular blood pressure (BP) monitoring in this study population. Methods: The study employed a quantitative design to elicit information about perception and knowledge of risk factors associated with hypertension and blood pressure monitoring practices. Three hundred and six respondents selected through a multi stage sampling technique formed the sample for this study. Data was collected with the aid of a validated self-administered questionnaire, and this was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences. Results: The result revealed that (45.8%) had good knowledge of risk factors associated with hypertension However, a very large number (67.0%) practiced BP monitoring poorly and they patronize patent medicine store (42.5%) as their health seeking behavior when detected high blood pressure. It further revealed that there exists a significant relationship between knowledge of risk factors associated with high blood pressure and blood pressure monitoring (χ2 = 29.8; p = 0.000) and also there exist a positive correlation between knowledge of risk factors and age (r = 0.31, p = 0.002) and level of education (r = .059, p = 0.305), socioeconomic status of respondents (r = 0.213, p = 0.000). Furthermore, finding shows that there exist a significant relationship between the blood pressure monitoring and age (r = 0.31, p = 0.000) and level of education (r = -0.020, p = 0.727) of respondents practice (r = 0.172, p = 0.003. Conclusion: This study concludes that measures should be put in place to ensure that workers participate in regular blood pressure screening; this will help in prevention and early detection and better prognosis of hypertension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the factors that influence the information seeking behavior of sandwich students in selected Nigerian Universities. Questionnaire was used to collect data with a response rate of (97.30%). Among the factors that influence information seeking is availability of internet resources in or near the library; (77.81%), opportunity to borrow book from the library; (72.10%), well stocked library; (66.88%), and a quiet environment; (57.09%). These were some of the factors influencing information seeking behavior of sandwich students. Some of the findings include the following responses Internet availability (99.51%); Opportunity to borrow books (97.55%); Well stocked library (92.50%); A quiet environment (75.04%).The hypotheses revealed that there is a significant difference between Undergraduate Students in factors that influence information seeking behavior by age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Across the globe, xenocentrism has emerged as a critical concept for understanding the behavior of consumers towards the purchase of local and foreign products. In line with this context, and based on samples collected from Malaysia and Nigeria, this study analyzed the direct effects of xenocentrism on the buying behavior of consumers towards imported products with perceived product quality, purchase intention, and product attitude as the variables used to measure consumers' buying behavior. XSCALE was used to measure xenocentrism, and the research model was analyzed with the partial least squares form of structural equation modeling. A total of 400 responses were gathered from Malaysia, whereas 453 responses were gathered from Nigeria. Findings from the investigation show that xenocentrism has a positive influence on perceived product quality (Malaysia = 46.7%, Nigeria = 35%), purchase intention (Malaysia = 46%, Nigeria = 47.3%), and product attitude (Malaysia = 39.2%, Nigeria = 38.4%), Based on these findings, this study concluded that xenocentrism is a valid construct for assessing the purchase behavior of consumers in Malaysia and Nigeria towards foreign products competing in their local markets. On the same note, the findings from this research can be used to develop sustainable marketing strategies suitable for xenocentric consumers across Malaysia and Nigeria (in particular), and the entire developing economies (in general). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current overriding thought in HIV/AIDS communication in developing countries is the need for a shift from the cognitive model, which emphasises the decision-making of the individual, to the activity model, which emphasises the context of the individual. In spite of the acknowledged media shift from the cognitive to the activity model in some developing countries, some HIV/AIDS communication scholars have felt otherwise. It was against this background that this study examined the content of some selected Nigerian newspapers to ascertain the attention paid to HIV/AIDS cognitive and activity information. Generally, the study found that Nigerian newspapers had shifted from the cognitive to the activity model of communication in their coverage of HIV/AIDS issues. The findings of the study seem inconsistent with the theoretical argument of some scholars that insufficient attention has been paid by mass media in developing countries to the activity model of HIV/AIDS communication. It is suggested that future research replicate the study for Nigerian and other developing countries' mass media. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the factors that militate against the information seeking behavior of sandwich students in selected Nigerian Universities. Questionnaire was used to collect data with a response rate of (97.30%). Among the militating factors are: lack of time , inconvenient location of library, unfriendly opening and closing hours, lack of relevant materials, uncooperative attitude of staff, and inability to use library catalogues. The findings revealed the following: Lack of time (76.18%), inconvenient location of library (66.88%); unfriendly opening and closing hours (66.88%); the need for information to d o class work (67.21%); preparation for examination (55.79%) and general knowledge (33.77%). The hypotheses revealed that there is a significant difference between the factors that militate against information seeking behaviour of undergraduate sandwich students by age and there is no significant difference between the factors that militates against undergraduate sandwich students' information seeking behaviour by gender. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The debate that Type A behavior pattern, characterized by a chronic struggle to achieve several goals and its resultant effect in triggering coronary heart disease is continuously ongoing. Contributing to this debate, this study examined the incidence of this behavior pattern among male and female postgraduate students. Two hundred eight postgraduate students (males 104, females=104) in the age range 25-50 (mean=20.18) years were randomly selected from the University of Lagos, Nigeria. Employing Type A Behavior Pattern Scale (TABS) it was observed that females obtained higher mean scores on Type A behavior and associated variables than the males (Females=54.98; Males=51.98 (TABS total score); hard driving (F=16.99, M=15.50); time urgency (F=20.32, M=19.05), and job pressure (F=17.76, M=16.56). A test for statistical significance with t-independent statistics revealed that scores of Type A Behavior Scale Total (TABT=2.36) as well as a sub-scale of Type A (hard driving=2.14) were significant at df, 207; p < 0.05, critical t=1.96. Implications of the result were discussed in line with obvious tilted gendered sphere, and the desire of the female gender for equity and psychological satisfaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]