Detecting Changes in Hydro-Climatic Variables during the Last Four Decades (1975-2014) on Downstream Kaduna River Catchment, Nigeria

This study aimed to detect trends in the long-term hydro-climatic series using non-parametric methods. The annual and seasonal linear trends of rainfall, temperature, runoff, water level and evaporation were analysed for stations in downstream Kaduna River Basin during 1975-2014. The non-parametric Mann-Kendall and Sen’s estimator of slope procedures were adopted to identify if there exists an increasing or decreasing trend with their statistical significance at 95% level of confidence. The datasets were checked to account for auto-correlation prior to determining trends using Mann-Kendall test. The existence of abrupt changes was detected by means of Cumulative Sum Charts and Bootstrapping analysis. The results of study indicated increasing trends for seasonal and annual temperature and runoff series. Water level and evaporation revealed statistically decreasing trends both on annual and seasonal periods. However, for the period 1975 to 2014 no significant distinctive trend was observed for rainfall at the investigated stations. Change-points in time series were identified in all the investigated hydro-climatic records for the sub-basin. Generally, the detection of the trend for hydro-climatic variables by Mann-Kendall test conforms to Sen’s test results. It is concluded that the basin is sensitive to climate variability and water stress impacts which will affect food security. So, it would be necessary to make adjustments in the adaptive water-use strategies being adopted at present in the catchment.

Households Vulnerability and Adaptation to Climate Variability Induced Water Stress on Downstream Kaduna River Basin

Water stress is one of the risks emanating from worsening climatic variations. It poses serious threats on vulnerable continents, people and livelihoods globally. However, little information is available on how the specific climate threat is impacting people’s livelihoods and water resources on different temporal and spatial scales in Nigeria basins. This study aimed at investigating household vulnerability and adaptation to water stress induced by climate variability on a downstream Kaduna River basin with the goal of supporting/facilitating climate change adaptation. The research analyzed hydro-climatic data and employed vulnerability-based framework consistent with stakeholders’ participatory approach, within the context of current climate conditions experienced, and/or water stress conditions already affecting household livelihoods in six communities at three study sites;Shiroro, Gbako and Lavun, and adaptive strategies engaged to deal with water stress. Findings revealed that households have been exposed and experienced changes in water availability through variations in rainfall, temperature and runoff. Consequently, these changes have impacted on food production and livelihoods. Households have individually and collectively employed adaptation techniques which are reactive, short-term indigenous coping strategies usually adopted during periods of stress to minimize water-related vulnerabilities. The study demonstrated how an understanding of the local household vulnerabilities will enable the recognition of early indicators of water stress in addition to the occurrence of extreme events. Overall, households’ vulnerability decreased from one village to another due to differences in sensitivity to stress, access to resources and local institutional capacity. Resilience of households can be increased through early warning system during flood events, providing access to water from rainwater harvesting techniques, and integration of climate change adaptation into policies regarding development initiatives especially in the area of agriculture.

Evaluation of Factors Influencing Medication Adherence in Patients with Epilepsy in Rural Communities of Kaduna State, Nigeria

Background and Objective: Adherence to medication is the backbone to effectiveness of a therapy. In the absence of a definitive curative therapy, antiepileptic therapy is a key intervention aimed at prolonging and improving the quality of life of patients with epilepsy (PWE) who suffer from a disease known for its stigmatization with many cultural misconceptions. The aim of the study is to assess the level of, and factors influencing adherence to antiepileptic therapy among patients in rural communities attending the outpatient clinics in Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria and Jicon Hospital, Kaduna, Northern Nigeria. Materials and Methodology: A cross-sectional descriptive study design was used. Interviewer-administered, structured questionnaires were administered to a sample of 272 PWE attending Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital/Jicon Hospital Kaduna, who had been on antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) for at least one year. Systematic random sampling technique was used to select the patients. Information was obtained on their knowledge of epilepsy and adherence to antiepileptic therapy regimen as well as factors influencing adherence to AED regimen. Results: The level of knowledge of epilepsy based on signs and symptoms was high as 57.8% and 25.9% of the PWE had excellent and good knowledge respectively. Also, most of the PWE (78.6%) had adequate knowledge of antiepileptic therapy, however only 32.6% of the patients were adherent to treatment. There was a significant association between knowledge of AED therapy and adherence to therapy (p = 0.00385) but there was no association between age (p = 0.067), sex (p = 0.182) educational status (p = 0.688), income (p = 0.519) religion (p = 0.69), place of residence (p = 0.157) with AED adherence. The reasons for non-adherence included forgetfulness, drug-induced fatigue and being away from home. Conclusion: This study showed that patients with epilepsy had adequate knowledge of epilepsy and its treatment. Medication adherence was demonstrated to be low due to forgetfulness, fatigue and being away from home. We therefore recommend adherence counseling in the clinic and health educational interventions to improve adherence in our rural communities. Further exploration of the relationship between clinical outcomes and other non-drug self-management strategies is needed.

Bio-chemical characterization of bacterial flora associated with spoilt vegetables in kaduna markets Northern Nigeria

Some vegetables such as Capsicum annum (Pepper), Lycopersicon esculentum (Tomato), Allium cepa (Onion), Cucumis sativus (Cucumber), Solanum tubero- sum (Potato) and Daucus carrota (Carrot) which are consumed more frequently in the area were obtained from Kaduna central market and Kawo market with the aim of isolating and characterizing the different bacterial flora associated with their spoilage. Four bacteriological media: Mannitol Salt Agar (MSA), MacConkey Agar (MA), Salmonella Shigella Agar (SSA) and Blood Agar (BA) were used for the isolation of the bacterial populations. The results obtained from Kaduna central market indicated the presence of two Gram positive bacteria viz: Staphylococcus and Streptococcus strains as well as three Gram negative bacteria including Escherichia coli, Citrobacter and Klebsiella spp. Staphylococcus aureus is the most abundant (with 80% relative occurrence) with Strep-tococcus spp being the least abundant (with 10% relative occurrence). Furthermore, among the Gram negative isolates, Escherichia coli, Citrobacter and Kleb- siella spp had the highest occurrence of 30% each, while Enterobacter spp had the least. Similar results were obtained of the isolates from Kawo market except that among the Gram negatives, Edwardsiella spp was found in Kawo market but E. coli is absent. More so, S. aureus and K. spp has the highest percentage of 605 each in Kawo market. The result showed that the people consuming these vegetables are at higher risk of boils, carbuncles, impetigo, infections of wounds and burns, breast abscesses, whitlow, osteomyelitis, bronchopneumonia, septicemia, bacteremia, acute endocarditis, food poisoning and scalded skin syndrome due to these bacterial populations.

Hydroclimatology of the Kaduna River Basin

This study examined the hydroclimatology of the Kaduna River Basin (KRB) in northern Nigeria. In achieving this, monthly data on temperature (T) and rainfall (P) were sourced from ten hydrometeorological stations across the basin from 1990 to 2018. DrinC (Drought Indices Calculator) software was deployed to calculate Potential Evapotranspiration (PET) adopting Thornthwaite approach. Water Balance (WB) model was used further to estimate other WB components i.e. soil moisture (SM), actual evapotranspiration (ETa), Water surplus (S) and Runoff (R). WB components are used to examine the temporal and spatial variability of the KRB for hydrological years (1990-2018). KRB was divided into two sub-basins (Lower and Upper KRB). The WB analyses indicated the peak of R generally occurs during the wet season (i.e. April through October) most especially at the Upper KRB. The study further reveals that the runoff efficiencies imply that <44% of annual P results in R at the upper KRB while <27% of annual P results in R at the lower KRB. The study shows that SM utilization occurs mostly towards the end of the year and at the early months (i.e. November through March) across the basin while the majority of S is generated during wet season months, particularly from April through October when ~95% of S occurs on average with the peak S in August. The results of this study provide a baseline understanding of the hydroclimatology of the KRB which can be used as a starting point for further analyses, especially for water resources management.

Assessment of sanitary conditions of unregistered pig slaughter slabs and post mortem examination of pigs for Taenia solium metacestodes in Kaduna metropolis, Nigeria

Background:A number of studies document the prevalence of Taenia solium infections in Nigeria,yet these studies do not cover porcine cysticercosis in private home slaughter slabs where there is no routine meat inspection and backyard pig keeping,slaughtering and sale are common practice.Methods:An environmental and sanitary assessment was conducted within two unregistered home pig slaughter slabs in selected parts of the Kaduna metropolis in Nigeria.Slaughter premises were inspected for availability of basic facilities and questionnaires were used to elicit necessary informative data.Butchers were examined for taeniasis by stool microscopy and copro-antigen enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(copro-Ag ELISA)to ascertain T.solium-taeniasis.Pigs slaughtered at the premises were examined for cysticerci.Results:Home slaughter conditions were substandard,unhygienic and lacked the basic facilities of a proper slaughterhouse.Prevalence of porcine cysticercosis was 9.3%.The butchers participating in the study had very poor knowledge of T.solium infections and 30%tested positive for taeniasis by copro-Ag ELISA at the time of the study.Conclusion:Home slaughter of pigs in the areas studied should be considered and integrated as a component of prevention and control programmes-particularly through educational interventions-in order to equip individuals involved with a good understanding of the risks associated with animal husbandry and human practices.

尼日利亚阿卡铁路路基表层填料改良的研讨与实践

尼日利亚阿卡铁路是第一条按照中国标准进行设计和施工的海外铁路项目,由于尼日利亚当地地材等自然条件限制、中西标准的体系差别、尼方业主和欧洲咨询对中国标准的不理解,造成实施过程中尤其初期沟通困难重重。介绍路基表层填料由原设计的A组填料优化变更为改良B料的实践和体会,其研究方法可供类似工程项目借鉴和参考。

尼日利亚阿卡铁路客运服务质量提升的探讨

阿卡铁路是尼日利亚第一条标准轨距铁路,完全采用中国铁路技术标准设计建造,商业运营也由中方提供技术支持。研究以中方技术支持服务为切入点,在阐述阿卡铁路旅客运输组织中的客运站分布、人员车辆配备、旅客列车编组、列车时刻安排和客票定价制度的基础上,结合阿卡铁路实际运营情况和客运服务质量调查结果,分析阿卡铁路的客流周期性、客流密度、客流成分和客流总体情况等客流特征,针对客运服务需求,从提升运输效率、改进服务质量、加强安全管控、丰富服务内容等方面提出近、远期阿卡铁路客运服务质量改进对策。

论设计创新及变更在海外施工中的重要角色

设计创新、设计变更是施工行业中的常见措施,主要为提高施工效率、完善工程设计。文章以第一条按照中国标准自行设计施工的国际化铁路--阿布贾至卡杜纳铁路项目为研究主体,首先简要介绍了阿卡铁路项目情况;之后列举阿卡铁路项目的两个重大设计变更,对"设计创新及变更"在海外施工中的重要性进行了必要分析;最后对设计创新、变更的目的与方法进行了总结。