Research Papers/Topics in Natural and Environmental Sciences

Assessment Of Household Solid Waste Management In Makina Informal Settlements, Nairobi Kenya

The purpose of this study was to assess the household management of domestic solid waste in the Makina area informal settlements, Kibera division of Nairobi city. This is because of the increasing sites of unattended solid wastes in its public places. The objectives of the study were: To establish the types of domestic solid waste generated in Makina area; to evaluate the effectiveness of the solid waste management at the household level and to examine the role-played by stakeholders in d...

Environmental Sustainability In Informal Settlement Upgrading Projects In Nairobi, Mombasa And Kisumu Cities In Kenya

The phenomenal growth of urban centres in developing countries makes cities important sites for engaging with environmental issues. The prevalence of informal settlements in cities and its implication on environmental sustainability has become a growing concern. Metabolic processes of these spatial units significantly shape the urban ecological system and define quality of life in cities. However, the significance of this space in the environmental sustainability function has not been ad...

Public Acceptance Of A Proposed Ban On Plastic Bags In Nigeria: The Case Of Yola-Jimeta, Adamawa State

ABSTRACT Plastic litter negatively affects the environment and human health. Therefore, some countries and states have banned or taxed plastic bag use. For example, Rwanda, Mexico City, and China have introduced bans on plastic bags, as have Kenya and Rwanda in Africa. In this study, I assessed public perceptions of a proposed federal ban on plastic bags in Nigeria. Using a structured questionnaire, I interviewed 200 customers and 10 shop managers in Yola-Jimeta, northeastern Nigeria. More t...

Identification And Characterization Of Bioremedation Potential Of Microorganisms In Soil From Waste Dumps In Yola-Jimeta Northeastern

ABSTRACT Biodegradation has proved over time that it is the cheapest and safest method human can use to tackle waste and population. The study of biodegradation of polypropylene revels that Actinomycyte and three other unknown strains are capable of biodegrading polypropylene (making new functional group) within 3weeks. The new functional group seen after 3 weeks were ester, cyanide, and ketone. The microbial community at the Yola waste are a community of diverse organism. Each with its own ...

Dental Fluorosis In A Rural Nigerian Community: Is The Water To Blame?

ABSTRACT Drinking water can contain fluoride which is effective in preventing dental caries at concentration of ≤1.5 mg/L however at concentrations ≥1.5 mg/L, it could lead to dental fluorosis. Dental fluorosis is a disorder that occurs due to excessive fluoride intake during the mineralization of the teeth, resulting in an uneven distribution of brown and yellow coloration. I assessed fluoride levels in 19 samples of natural water sources (such as boreholes, streams, and wells) and comm...

Investigating The Problems Of Agricultural Credit In Adamawa State (Case Study; Yola South)

ABSTRACT This research was conducted with the aim of pointing out the problems that prevent farmers from having access to credit in Yola south. The research also gives an analysis of the socio-economic characteristics of farmers in the study area and their access to credit. Furthermore, the research also identifies the main sources of credit to farmers in the study area and the benefits derived from the credit obtained. During this research, three communities were purposively selected in Yo...

Mothers’ Breastfeeding Practice And Attitudes Toward Exclusive Breastfeeding In Adamawa State, Northeastern Nigeria

ABSTRACT Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) practice have been a serious public health concern, not only in Nigeria but in the world at large. It have severally been reported that there is low practice and awareness of EBF in Nigeria. I evaluated the variation in the level of knowledge of exclusive breastfeeding between mothers in Yola and those in Fufure IDP camp as well as their perceptions towards its practice. I also assessed the most effective medium of awareness for the knowledge of exclusi...

Contribution Of Secondary Schools Voluntary Environmental Clubs To Best Environmental Management Practices In South – Alego Ward, Siaya County

Environmental resources are key in supporting life systems and their destruction can lead to adverse effects on human wellbeing. In the management of environmental resources several intervention measures and strategies have been considered. Among these are the use of the school curriculum to enhance public awareness of the need for environmental preservation and protection. This study seeks to investigate the contribution of secondary school environmental clubs to best environmental managemen...

Assesment Of Carbon Monoxide From Biomass Burning In Rural Households In Adamawa State, Northeastern Nigeria

ABSTRACT Indoor air pollution (IAP) kills 4 million people worldwide, particularly in developing countries where many people rely heavily on biomass for energy. Globally, 3 billion people use biomass fuel for cooking and heating. Burning biomass emits carbon monoxide (CO) and other pollutants. Hence, IAP is the leading cause of non-communicable diseases in the world. Women and children suffer most of the burden of IAP because they are usually responsible for cooking. In a rural, poor communi...

Campus Critters: Using Camera Traps To Determine The Presence And Distribution Of Wildlife On A Nigerian University Campus

ABSTRACT Widely used to study wildlife, camera trapping involves automated devices that record pictures or videos using infrared sensors that detect motion. Camera trapping has greatly improved scientific investigation as it can gather data on rare, cryptic, or nocturnal species. On the American University of Nigeria campus in Adamawa State, northeastern Nigeria, I used camera trapping to determine the presence and distribution of wildlife species and the habitat use of two nocturnal mammals,...

Hippos And Humans: Human-Wildlife Conflict At The Kiri Dam, Northeastern Nigeria

ABSTRACT Globally, human-wildlife conflict is increasing due to increased encroachment by human populations into natural habitats. The hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibious) is often involved in human-wildlife conflict in Africa. This conflict is a major threat to hippos, which are classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN. Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa, has a relatively small number of hippos – estimated at 300 individuals. I investigated the perceptions and attitudes of local p...

Characterization Of Patients With Peptic Ulcer Disease In Northeastern Nigeria: Influence Of Lifestyle, Wealth, And Environmental Factors

ABSTRACT Peptic ulcer disease is a disorder in the gastrointestinal tract. It is caused by an increase in stomach acid. There are only a few studies on peptic ulcer disease in Africa. This study was conducted to characterize the lifestyle, wealth, and environmental factors of peptic ulcer patients in the Northeastern Nigeria. The lifestyle factors that were examined were cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption. A targeted sampling method was used to sample 52 PUD (n=52) patients at Federal...

Effect Of Irrigation Using Water From Fish Ponds On Plant Growth In Northeastern Nigeria

ABSTRACT The irrational consumption of water is one of the greatest problem in the world today. Irrigation of agricultural crops with fish effluent is one way to solve this problem. Rather than disposing of effluents gotten from aquaculture; then providing nutrients from fertilizer and irrigation from another source of water. We could use water containing fish effluent to irrigate agricultural crop. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of irrigating with water from fish ponds on...

Potential Health Implications Of Liquid Herbal Medicine In Jimeta-Yola Region, Northeastern Nigeria

ABSTRACT No studies have been conducted, to examine the negative impacts of liquid forms of local herbal medicine sold in Yola and Jimeta in Adamawa state, Nigeria. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the potential negative health impacts of these medicines, by conducting lab experiments to investigate the presence of pathogenic bacteria in purchased herbal medicine samples. 17 samples were purchased from Yola market and Jimeta. Standard laboratory experiments were conducted, using Lysogen...