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This study investigated the impact of work environment and remuneration on accounting lecturers’ performance in polytechnics in the North-West, Nigeria. Two research questions and two hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. The study adopted a descriptive survey design. The target population was 302 which included all the accounting lecturers in the 12 polytechnics in the North West, Nigeria. A total of 169 respondents was arrived at using Research advisors table for sample size determination. One hundred and fifty- four (154) sample members drawn from these Polytechnics filled and returned the copies of the questionnaires but only 145 copies are valid and useable for the analysis. The sample was selected using the proportionate stratified random sampling technique. Data was collected by using closed ended questionnaires and was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics with the aid of STATA Version 13. It was found out that both work environment and remuneration have positive and significant impact on the accounting lecturers’ performance of the sample respondents of the polytechnics in the North West, Nigeria. In conclusion, the entire two variables investigated i.e. work environment and remuneration have positively and significantly impacted on the accounting lecturers’ performance in Polytechnics in the North West, Nigeria. Based on the findings and conclusions, the study recommends that government should regularly review the salary structure of the polytechnic staff in order to enhance their performance. Government/Managements of the Polytechnics in Nigeria should ensure that the work environment is conducive and secured and adequate facilities for offices, teaching and learning are provided in the polytechnics in order to motivate accounting lecturers’ to perform their job (teaching, supervision and research) effectively and efficiently.

Abstract Background Stunting is a critical public health problem of developing countries like Ethiopia. Different interventions like irrigation activity have been carried out by the government of Ethiopia to improve the nutritional status of the community. However, there is scanty of data on childhood stunting and its associated factors between irrigation user and non-irrigation user. Objective To assess the magnitude of childhood stunting and its associated factors between irrigation and non-irrigation user in North Mecha District, Northwest Ethiopia. Methods A community-based comparative cross-sectional study design was employed from October to November 2019. A systematic sampling was used to draw mothers with children age 6–59 months (582 irrigated and 582 non- irrigated household users). Data were collected using questionnaire and anthropometric measurement tools. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify the predictors of stunting. Adjusted odds ratios with 95% CI were used to determine the degree of association between independent and outcome variable. A-p-value

Animut Tagele Tamiru,1 Bayew Kelkay Rade,1 Oumer Ali2 1Department of General Midwifery, School of Midwifery, College of Medicine and Health Sciences Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia; 2Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, University of Gondar, Gondar, EthiopiaCorrespondence: Animut Tagele Tamiru P.O Box: 196 Email animuut@gmail.comBackground: Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) is a form of liver disease which is unique to pregnancy with a worldwide prevalence ranging from 0.3% and 5.6% of pregnancies. It is presented with skin pruritus and elevated total serum bile salt and liver function test with unknown etiologic agent but suggested hormonal, environmental and genetic risk factors.Case Presentation: A 31-year-old Gravida III and Para II mother came to University of Gondar specialized hospital at the outpatient clinic in January 2019 with complain of generalized pruritus along with jaundice at 24 weeks gestational age (GA). She presented with singleton and intrauterine pregnancy with a history of one neonatal loss, one living child, and elevated bilirubin, on admission blood serum test showed elevated serum transaminases, and bilirubin. At 30 weeks GA her bilirubin total and bilirubin direct tests were 4.52 mg/dl and 3.45 mg/dl respectively. At 34 weeks GA her bilirubin values became elevated. At 37 weeks GA fetal delivery was carried out via successful caesarean section with an indication of non-reassuring fetal heart rate pattern after induction with oxytocin. The outcome was stable for both mother and baby. After a two week follow up in the outpatient set up, her liver biochemistry test was normal, and free of the clinical features with normal physical growth and intact primitive reflexes of a newborn.Conclusion: Presenting with a typical marker of increased liver function tests, bilirubin values and pruritus as a clinical feature, ICP was diagnosed. After an attempt at an oxytocin induction, an effective cesarean section was performed to deliver a live female baby, weighing 2.8 kg. The case disappeared after three weeks follow up in the puerperium.Keywords: cholestasis of pregnancy, pruritus, total bile acid, North West, Ethiopia

A library should be accessible and provide inclusive services. This is a challenge for many developing countries. However, with limited funding and infrastructure, there have been concerted attempts to mitigate this challenge. This paper focuses on mini-libs as a possible solution for library users with print disabilities. A case study approach is used to focus on a South African partnership between the North-West University and the North-West Provincial Department of Arts and Culture. Funding was sought to establish and support mini-libs in the North West Province community libraries through a leading South African petroleum company. Using a qualitative approach, the study investigated the implications of establishing mini-libraries (mini-libs) as a possible solution. The main results identified challenges in resource provision, negative attitudes in library staff, and accessibility to the min-libs. Training for both library patrons and library staff is recommended to resolve some of the challenges reported. The paper also recommends that resources be allocated for the mini-libs to be relevant to the library patrons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Stunting is a critical public health problem of developing countries like Ethiopia. Different interventions like irrigation activity have been carried out by the government of Ethiopia to improve the nutritional status of the community. However, there is scanty of data on childhood stunting and its associated factors between irrigation user and non-irrigation user. Objective: To assess the magnitude of childhood stunting and its associated factors between irrigation and non-irrigation user in North Mecha District, Northwest Ethiopia. Methods: A community-based comparative cross-sectional study design was employed from October to November 2019. A systematic sampling was used to draw mothers with children age 6–59 months (582 irrigated and 582 non- irrigated household users). Data were collected using questionnaire and anthropometric measurement tools. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify the predictors of stunting. Adjusted odds ratios with 95% CI were used to determine the degree of association between independent and outcome variable. A-p-value < 0.05 was used as cutoff point to declare statistically significant variables with the outcome variable. Results: The prevalence of childhood stunting (6–59 months) among irrigation users [32.8% at 95%CI [29.1%-36.7%]] was slightly lower than non-users [40.2% at 95%CI [[36.3%-44.2%]]]. However, the difference did not show significant variation. The odds of childhood stunting were higher among a child from a mother had no antenatal visit, a child whose age was between 12 and 47 months, a child from a mother who did not use water and soap always for washing hands, and a child who had fever. Conclusion: The prevalence of childhood stunting was high and did not show significant variation between irrigation and non-irrigation users. A child from mother had no antenatal visit, whose age was between 12 and 47 months, a mother who did not use water and soap always for washing hands, and who had fever were factors associated with higher child stunting. Thus, the identified modifiable factors should be strengthened to reduce stunting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global relevance of food security has attracted a plethora of research, because it is a determinant of either the prosperity or poverty of any nation. Accordingly, food security is directly associated with the poverty in many developing countries of the world today. Rural people around the world continue to struggle with food insecurity, persistent poverty and inequality, and environmental degradation. This necessitated a research study on food security in the North West province of South Africa, with a view to evaluate the food security status and its determinants in the area, as well as to compare the impact of gender on the food security status of households. A cross-sectional survey was conducted, where 346 maize farmers in the Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality of the North West, South Africa, were interviewed. A logically structured questionnaire was used to collect data where household expenditure survey was used to evaluate the food security status of these farmers, after which a logistics regression model was used to determine the factors responsible for food security. The findings reveal that, with more farming experience, the probability of household food security decreased. Also, an increase in the household size, by one member, decreases the probability of a household achieving food security. Similarly, a unit increase in the age of the head of household decreases the probability or likelihood of being food secured in the study area. The result also revealed that more than half of the farming households were food secure, while the female-headed households were more food secure, proportionately, compared to male-headed households. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

People in most developing countries’ rural areas around the world face food insecurity and malnutrition due to many factors, including low purchasing power. There is renewed interest in backyard or home gardens as a source of income and a pathway out of poverty and food insecurity among rural households. This paper identifies and analyzes the factors that influence income generation from backyard farming among backyard farmers in the rural communities of Bojanala district municipality in the North West province. Using a structured questionnaire, cross-sectional data was collected from 220 backyard farmers. Multiple linear regression was used to analyze the data; the findings reveal that gender of household head, formal employment, farm ownership, farming experience and annual income from livestock had a positive and significant influence on income generation from backyard farming. To maximize the potential of backyard gardens as a source of income generation and livelihood, policymakers and relevant government departments must pay close attention to these variables

Background and Aim: Ixodidae (hard ticks) are obligate blood-feeders of vertebrates with major roles in transmission of pathogenic microorganisms including theileriosis, babesiosis and CCHF virus, as well as relapsing fever, to domestic animals and humans. This study was conducted to determine the distribution of ixodidae species, vectors of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF), in the border areas in North West of Iran. Materials and Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted in Ahar and Kaliybar Counties, East Azarbaijan Province, Iran. Randomized cluster sampling was done in villages in the forest and mountainous regions. Ticks were isolated by forceps from the animals, kept in sampling tubes and transferred to the laboratory. Then the tick samples were identified using taxonomical keys. Results: A total of 2022 hard ticks were isolated from 1400 head of livestock (1000, 200, 180 and 20 head of sheep, goat, cow and buffalo, respectively). On the average, the infestation rate was 1.44 per head of cattle ─ 0.11% in goats, 0.32% in sheep, 0.90% in buffaloes, 9.25% cows. Out of the ticks isolated, 498 (24.63%) were male, 741 (36.65%) were female and 782 (38.67%) nymph, plus one larva. The ticks belonged to the lxodidae family, including four genera: Hyalomma (88.82%, with the following three species: Hyalommaanatolicum (39.22%), Hyalommamarginatum (9.15%) and Hyalommaasiaticum (0.69%)); Rhipicephalus (8.8%); Dermasentor (1.58%); and Haemaphisalis (0.8%). The others identified were Hyalomma nymph (38.67%), Hyalomma sp. (1.04%) and Hyalomma larva (0.05%), Rhipicephalus bursa (5.19%), Rhipicephalussanguineus (3.61%), Dermasentor marinates(1.58%), Haemaphisalissulcata (0.59%), and Haemaphisalispunctata (0.15%), as well as Haemaphisalisconcinae (0.05%). Hyalommaanatolicum was the dominant species. Conclusion: The dominant tick species in the regions studied was Hyalommaanatolicum, a tick having a major role in transmission of many disease vectors including CCHF, ovin babesiosis, theileriosis, anaplasmosis, ehrlichiosis, etc. It is essential that the provincial Contagious Disease Center and Veterinary Department take appropriate action with the collaboration of other relevant departments to combat the tick. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide, with nearly 1.7 million new cases diagnosed each year which accounts 12% of all new cancer cases and 25% of all cancers in women. Breast self-examination offers women the best opportunity for reducing breast cancer deaths. From a total of 222 respondents about 190 (85.6%) heard about breast selfexamination. One hundred forty-three (75.3%) had good knowledge about sign and symptoms of breast cancer and 47 (24.7%) had poor knowledge about the sign and symptoms of breast cancer. From total respondents of the study 120 (54.1%) practiced breast self-examination. Breast selfexamination practice is relatively frequent problem in Bahir Dar University, health science students. Negligence, forgetfulness and lack of knowledge are the main factors for poor practice of breast self-examination. Public health education using the media, clubs and leaflet could significantly reduce poor practice of breast self-examination and increases early detection of breast lump. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]