International Journal of Emerging Multidisciplinaries: Biomedical and Clinical Research

Identification Of Ticks Species On Cattle In Ungwan Rimi, Kaduna North Local Government Area, Kaduna State

Dalhatu Mercy Inyomi* — 2025-09-27

The aim of this study was to identify the tick species prevalent on cattle from Ungwan Rimi, Kaduna North L.G.A., Kaduna State. Oral interview and questionnaire were used to get information on age of cattle, effects of tick infestation on cattle. Percentage was used to determine the prevalence of ticks on cattle and chi-square was used to determine the association of tick infestation with age and sex of cattle. Ticks were picked with tweezers from the body of the cattle and preserved in 10% formalin and taken to Zoology laboratory of department of Biological Sciences of Kaduna State University for identification. Out of 152 cattle examined, (57.24%) were infested with ticks. Eight species of ticks were identified with R. microplus having the highest prevalence (52.95%) while R. decolaratus had the least (2.17%). In terms of tick infestation in relation to sex, (49.28%) of the males were infested while (63.86%) of the females were infested. The infestation in respect to age showed that (73.81%) of the young cattle were infested while (50.91%) of the adults were infested. The prevalence of ticks in relation to predilection site showed that the head had the highest number of ticks (42.5%), while the body had the least (6.10%) About the effects of tick infestation on cattle, most of the respondents (70.5%) said that damage of hides and skins of cattle was the common effect of tick infestation. In conclusion, the prevalence of tick infestation is high in this study; so awareness creation is recommended.

Effect of Hydrolyzed Feather Meal as Substitute for Fish Meal in the Diet of Clarias gariepinus (Burchell 1822)

Basira Ibrahim, Usman Danjuma Mohammed, Ishaya Kato Auta — 2025-07-06

Clarias gariepinus is a globally popular aquaculture species and it’s distributed throughout Africa. The study was aimed at examining the effects of hydrolysed feather meal as a substitute for fish meal in the diets of African catfish Clarias gariepinus fingerlings. Three months feeding trial was conducted to examine the partial replacement of fish meal (65% CP) with hydrolyzed feather meal (85% CP) in the diets of Clarias gariepinus. One hundred and eighty (180) fingerlings were selected with the mean weight of 9.5g. They were randomly grouped into six (6) treatments and three (3) replicates with ten (10) fish per 200L truncated conical aqua drum plastic tanks with the diameter at the top and bottom as (0.62 and 0.50m); the height and slant height as 0.8m and 0.82m. This experiment was designed with two control treatments T₁, (a standard commercial diet, Coppens 2mm) and T₂ (a diet with 0% FTM, 100% FM); the remaining treatment feeds had FTM inclusions at 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% in substitution for fish meal which represented T₃, T₄, T₅, and T₆ respectively. The control feed in T₁ (Coppens) turned out to be the best feed, mostly acceptable when considering the time of feed intake, growth performance and nutrient utilization, but was at a disadvantage when analyzing its cost hence, became the most expensive amongst the treatment feeds. The profit index ranged from 7.55 in T₅ (75% inclusion of FTM) to 1.91 in control T₁ (Coppens). The result indicates that T₅ had the best growth performance and cost effectiveness. T₅ also had the best survival rate which was a plus to its sales. therefor, feather meal can be substituted for fish meal up to 75% to obtain optimum yield, higher survival rate and at a lower cost in the diet of Clarias gariepinus fingerlings

Determinants of Acceptability, Uptake, and Adherence to Micronutrient Powder Among Caregivers of Children Aged 6–23 Months in Kano Metropolis: A Concurrent Mixed-Methods Study

Nura Abubakar — 2025-10-26

Background
Childhood malnutrition remains a major public health challenge in Northern Nigeria, where micronutrient deficiencies are highly prevalent. The World Health Organisation recommends home fortification with micronutrient powder (MNP) to address these deficiencies, yet evidence on its real-world utilisation in Kano State is limited.

Objective
This study assessed the acceptability, uptake, and adherence to MNP among caregivers of children aged 6–23 months in Kano Metropolis and identified key predictors and barriers influencing use.

Methods
A concurrent mixed-methods cross-sectional design was employed among 375 caregivers, using interviewer-administered questionnaires and eight focus group discussions. Descriptive, bivariate, and multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Qualitative data were thematically analysed to explore facilitators and barriers.

Results
Nearly all caregivers (98.4%) reported having administered MNP at least once, demonstrating high acceptability. However, only 76.4% achieved daily uptake and 78.9% met adherence (≥80% sachets in 24 days). Acceptability was strongly associated with caregivers’ belief that MNP can prevent diseases (AOR = 3.58; 95% CI: 1.19–10.73; p = 0.001). Uptake was predicted by child tolerance (AOR = 7.21; 95% CI: 3.07–16.89; p < 0.001). Adherence was associated with caregiver employment (AOR = 2.03; 95% CI: 1.18–3.52; p = 0.011), presence of house help (AOR = 1.87; 95% CI: 1.07–3.26; p = 0.028), and child tolerance (AOR = 2.35; 95% CI: 1.15–4.80; p = 0.019). Perceived side effects, misinformation, and spousal opposition emerged as major barriers, while caregiver awareness, positive child response, and trust in health workers facilitated use.

Conclusion
Despite high acceptability, uptake and adherence remain suboptimal. Strengthening caregiver education, engaging male household members, and ensuring consistent MNP supply are critical for improving sustained utilisation in malnutrition-prone settings like Kano State.

Reynolds Number-dependent Flow Dynamics of Twin Non-Circular Particles in a Vertical Channel

Muhammad Shahid * — 2025-08-25

A numerical study of falling particles in the fluid domain has been presented in Reynolds number perspective. The analysis for the movement of non-circular particles i.e. triangle, square and pentagon has been conducted. The simulations are carried out for four different Reynolds numbers which are 100, 200, 300 and 1000. The numerical results are found for x- and y-components of velocity profile and trajectory paths of twin particles settling in the channel. At each Reynolds number the results have been compared with particle’s shape. Furthermore, the data in tabular form has been presented for minimum x-and y-velocity indicating time for velocity of falling particle in the computational domain, also mentioned the height. The minimum distance between twin particles indicating time at which the minimum distance has been achieved and the height it attains at that time. The simulations are conducted by using fictitious boundary method (FBM) combined with an Eulerian approach, which has been utilized for expressing the free movement of particles in the channel. We applied an explicit volume integral approach for finding the hydrodynamic forces exerted on the surfaces of particle. The numerical simulations are carried out using a multigrid finite element solver FEATFLOW in the fluid flow.

Fabrication of Graphene-Based Tin Oxide (Sno2) Composite With Improved Visible Light For The Photocatalytic Degradation of Methylene Blue

Williams Uyo Queen * — 2025-08-22

The SnO₂ nanoparticles were synthesized via the co-precipitation method by varying weight percentages (1%, 2%, 3% and 4%) of GO loaded on the SnO₂ nanoparticles. The effect of varied composition of GO on the SnO₂/GO nanocomposite were investigated using spectroscopic instruments such as Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Transmission electron microscope (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Element mapping, Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (EDX), the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), photoluminescence (PL), the Ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis) and Diffuse reflectance spectrum (DRS) showed the successful formation of GO/SnO₂ nanostructures. furthermore, the photocatalytic activity of the GO/SnO₂ nanocomposites and SnO₂ were studied through the photodegradation of methylene blue under visible light irradiation. The degradation efficiencies of the GO/SnO₂ were much higher than that of pure SnO₂. From the results obtained, we believe that this current work will provide relevant views for further fabrication of other novel nanostructures and exploration of their applications.

KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICES TOWARDS PREVENTION OF MOTHER-TO-CHILD TRANSMISSION OF HIV AMONG MARRIED MEN ATTENDING THE ANTIRETROVIRAL CLINIC IN AMINU KANO TEACHING HOSPITAL, KANO, NIGERIA

Sani Abdulkareem — 2025-11-26

Abstract

Background: The Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) of HIV programme was introduced as a comprehensive package of interventions to reduce Mother–to–Child Transmission (MTCT) of HIV. The programme offers an opportunity to identify pregnant women and their partners to prevent the transmission of HIV to the baby. This study is aimed at assessing the knowledge and practices of married HIV positive male partners towards PMTCT.

Method: A descriptive cross-sectional study that interviewed 220 HIV positive male partners using interviewer-administered questionnaire.

Results: The study revealed that 145 respondents (65.9%) were between the age group of 31 and 40 years. More than half 130 (59%) of the respondents had good knowledge of PMTCT, while 135 (61.4%) of the respondents had good practice of PMTCT. Respondents with formal education were 1.5 times more odds of having knowledge of the PMTCT programme than those having informal education [p=0.03, AOR=1.53, 95%CI = (1.98-4.54)]. Similarly, respondents with formal education were 2.5 times more likely to practice the PMTCT programme than those having informal education [p=0.03, AOR=2.53, 95%CI = (1.63-4.54)]. In addition, Male partners who were above 30 years of age were 3 times more likely to participate in PMTCT activities compared to those who were less than 30 years [p=0.02, AOR=2.17, 95%CI = (0.01-4.12)].

Conclusion: While many male partners know about the PMTCT program, significant gaps exist in both their knowledge and active participation. To improve PMTCT uptake and decrease MTCT, it is essential to strengthen male involvement through targeted, culturally sensitive interventions.

Outcome Predictors of Lumbar Degenerative Spine Diseases: A Systematic Review of Literature

Olabisi Ogunleye * — 2025-09-08

Lumbar degenerative spine diseases (LDSD) are a major source of chronic pain and disability around the globe, greatly affecting individuals' quality of life. The development of LDSD is shaped by a mix of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors, but the specific predictors are not well understood. This study seeks to identify and examine the main predictors of LDSD through an in-depth analysis of clinical, demographic, and behavioral factors. By assessing variables such as age, body mass index, physical activity levels, genetic predisposition, and occupational strain, this research aims to provide insights for the early detection and prevention of LDSD. The results are intended to guide targeted interventions and enhance patient outcomes by facilitating personalized treatment strategies.

The Mental Health of A Nigerian Child : A Literary Commentary

Ehinomwen Itebiye * — 2025-08-22

Mental health, as defined by the World Health Organization (WHO), is a state of well-being that allows individuals to handle life’s stresses, recognize their abilities, learn effectively, and contribute to their communities. Mental and physical health are interconnected, influencing a child’s ability to succeed in education, work, and social life. In Nigeria, children’s mental health is significantly affected by various factors, including limited access to mental health services, insecurity, academic pressures, socioeconomic challenges, and family dynamics. Poor care-giving, unfair living conditions, and societal neglect further worsen mental health outcomes for children.

Assessment of child mental health involves various tools, however language barriers and cultural stigmatization complicate access to mental health care, requiring translation and adaptation of some assessment tools.

Nigeria’s lack of a structured child and adolescent mental health policy places children at risk. Key factors influencing child mental health include family structure, economic stability, education, community security, and access to healthcare. Emotional intelligence, attachment styles, and school environments also play crucial roles. Economic hardships exacerbate mental health issues, while proper early childhood care and education can serve as protective factors.

The country’s weak healthcare system, inadequate funding, and social stigma hinder effective mental health interventions. Efforts are being made to integrate mental health into primary healthcare, train professionals, and develop community-based programs. Collaboration between government, private sectors, and non-profit organizations is essential to improving child mental health. Increased funding, policy reform, awareness campaigns, and research are needed to create a comprehensive and effective mental health system for Nigerian Children.