International Journal of Research and Review

646-652

Authors: Ihemanma CA, Amadi G, Okorie AC

Intestinal helminthic infections and malnutrition among school children in Etche L.G.A of Rivers State were studied between June - August, 2015. Anthropometric measurements consisting of weight, height and age were used as indicators to determine the nutritional status (malnutrition), examination of stool specimens was done using direct wet mount examination. The parasitosis and malnutrition were studied in 102 school children aged 3- 12 years. The result of stool examinations showed that 14 (13.7%) of the study subjects were infected by one or more parasites. The most frequent parasites were Ascaris lumbricoides (7.8%) and Ancylostoma duodenale (4.9%). The rate of intestinal helminthic infections was not significantly associated with sex, age and nutrition (p < 0.05). The overall prevalence of malnutrition was 43.1%. The study confirmed that malnutrition and parasitosis are important child health problems. Therefore, it is recommended that the local health sectors should make provision for regular examination of intestinal parasites. Counseling on nutrition should also be an important component of children health care services. This will go a long way to reduce the undesirable effects of intestinal parasitosis and malnutrition in children. Keywords: Intestinal Helminthic infection, malnutrition, Ascaris lumbricoides, Ancylostoma duodenale, Trichuris trichiura.

656-671

Authors: Martin E. Omene, Joseph U. Chokor, Moses O. Eyankware

The extent of deforestation and its effects on Nigeria soils cannot be over emphasised. The study was conducted in Omavovwe - Agbarha in Ughelli North LGA of Delta State in sole aim of assessing the variation in soil physicochemical properties in relation to change in land use type, depth and seasonal variation effect. In other to effectively undertake this study, Soils characteristics in three land cover areas, rubber plantation, farmland, and residential land use, were recorded and soil samples were analyzed. In each of the sample sites, ten soil surface samples at (0-15 cm) and (15 - 30cm) depth were collected in triplicates and in two seasons – dry and rainy season. The samples were dried at room temperature until constant weight is achieved and sieved using a 2-mm Sieve. Soil characterization and analyses were carried out using various Laboratory experiment and statistical methods. Deforestation was found to increase erosion rates and also it was discovered that the sand content increased with cultivation. The pH was acidic in all soils but they varied. Soil particle sizes were significantly different between the three soils types, rubber plantation had less sand which again relates to reduced erosion activity and high SOM. Rubber plantation had a high amount of pH, CEC, soil organic matter (SOM), total P, total K when compared with deforested land and farm land, although we had a similar case in total C, but it was so only for dry season. Deforestation significantly decreased soil pH, CEC, SOM, total P, total K, but increased bulk density and N. Exchangeable Ca, Na, Mg and K were significantly reduced in deforested land. It is therefore concluded that deforestation has significant negative effects on soil physicochemical properties and as such there is need to curb the trend. Keywords: Physicochemical, Land use, Rubber Plantation, Resident Area and Farmland.

677-691

Authors: Samuel Lakew, Teka Zewodie

A comparative cross sectional study was carried out among women of reproductive age group in rural West Gojjam zone to assess factors affecting the use of community based reproductive health program (CBRHP) and its sustainability. The study was conducted in four peasant associations of the zone taking successful and weak/failed program areas. Both quantitative and qualitative approaches were employed for data collection. The qualitative method included key informants interview (with program coordinator and health professionals), and Focus Group discussions with community-based reproductive health agents (CBRHAs). A multistage sampling technique was employed to select 408 study subjects for the study. Descriptive statistics, multivariate analysis and logistic regression analysis were used for data analysis. Odd ratio, Chi-square, 95% confidence interval and p-value were used for statistical significance value. The results indicated that about 98.53% of respondents know at least one Modern Contraceptive Methods (MCM) in successful as compared to 88.23% in weak program areas. The proportions of women who were using MCM (94.12% & 52.45%) & attended antenatal care service at least once (42.65% & 18.34%) were found to be Statistically significant in Successful than weak program areas respectively. Attitude and knowledge of the women, interpersonal communication by the agents, the service and level of support were found to be the major factors affecting the women use of CBRHP. Almost all the reproductive health programs given at the community level were given before the birth of the child (prenatal), too low postnatal services for given for women after birth. Keywords: Reproductive Health, Sexual Transmitted disease, Modern Contraceptive methods, Community Based Reproductive Health Program.

697-702

Authors: Fazal Akbar, Abdul Razak Bin Omar, Fazli Wadood

This paper aim to explore that niche marketing strategy are beneficial for smaller firms, as they dont have much resources for advertisement. The companies that have adopted niche marketing starategy are enjoying big market share. Globalization forces companies to do search for something new and unique which differentiate them from their competators. As normal in presence, that company stay long in the market whose have knowledge of customers and also offering a unique product. Most important the niches strategy is the knowledge of customers that drives the niche starategy, by understanding and serving the needs of niche market better than any other firms, and awareness of the customers help to safegaurd the customers loyalty. Keywords: Niche Marketing Strategy, market share, uniqueness, knowledge, customers.