The effect of electricity consumption on economic growth of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Member Countries has been examined during the period 2007–2016. The study applied both static and dynamic panel models in the form of Fixed‐Effect, Random‐Effect, Difference GMM and System GMM. The results revealed that electricity consumption has a positive and statistically significant impact on economic growth for both static and dynamic panel models. Capital has also been found to have impacted positively and significantly on economic growth in both models. Similarly, labour showed a positive and significant impact on economic growth system GMM model only. Since the study supports electricity consumption led‐growth hypothesis, therefore, it is recommended that ECOWAS countries should explore other alternative sources of electricity generation in order to ensure sufficient and reliable supply of electricity. This can be achieved at individual country level by utilising the potentials of renewable endowments such as biomass, biofuels and solar energy available to each country. Equally, the regional efforts to establish West African Power Pool (WAPP) and West African Gas Pipeline (WAGP) in order to increase the supply as well as grid reliability should be strengthened.
Stroke education programs at schools and colleges help to promote public knowledge of stroke, but the impact in Nigeria is not well known. This study assessed stroke-related knowledge and attitudes among university students in Nigeria, where health studies are parts of college curricula. This was a cross-sectional study of students at three universities in Northeast Nigeria. Using questionnaire survey, we assessed biographical data and participant knowledge of the primary site, warning signs and risk factors of stroke. Responses were graded on a knowledge score, where ≥2.5 points indicated adequate knowledge. Data were analyzed with the SPSS version 21 program. We studied 824 participants, 67.1% males. Males were older than females (mean age ± SD: 27.42±5.58 years versus 26.27±5.31 years; P = 0.009; 95% CI: 0.29 – 1.99) and 14.5% participants had stroke lectures during general studies. Major sources of stroke knowledge were personal discussions (44.6%) and internet websites (24.5%). Only 15.7% participants correctly identified the brain as the primary site of stroke, while knowledge of one or more stroke warning signs and risk factors were noted in 42.2% and 49.6%, respectively. Mean knowledge score was 1.08 ± 0.99. Adequate knowledge of stroke was noted in 13.2% participants, and was higher in females (17.7% versus 10.7%; P = 0.01). Logistic regression analysis showed significant associations between adequate knowledge of stroke with female sex (OR 1.8; 95% CI: 1.2 – 2.8; P = 0.008) and a history of stroke in close relatives (OR 1.7; 95% CI: 1.1 – 2.6; P = 0.025) but not with age, academic discipline or stroke lectures. University students in Northeast Nigeria have low knowledge of stroke, which is worse in males. Although health issues are taught at universities, little is taught on stroke, suggesting a need to prioritize stroke knowledge in the university curriculum.
Snakebite is a major cause of death and disability in developing countries. The common clinical features of snake envenomation include bleeding, acute kidney injury, dilated pupils and muscle paralysis resulting from the deleterious effects of venom toxins on human plasma proteins, cell membranes, muscle fibers and vascular endothelium. Snakes also harbour pathogenic organisms that may infect bite victims during envenomation, but few studies have described this phenomenon. We herein report a rare case of acute transverse myelitis occurring after snakebite in Northeast Nigeria, and discuss the possible role of bacteria and viruses after excluding other potential causes of myelopathy. This knowledge may help improve the care of snakebite victims among internists and emergency physicians.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.