No abstract

The study examined the linkage behaviour and practices of agencies in the agricultural innovation transfer sub system in Southeastern Nigeria. A total sample size of 210 respondents purposively selected from ADPs(60), LGs(60), profit NGOs(60), non-profit NGOs(30) were used. Data were collected by the use of questionnaires; and analyzed using percentage, mean scores, and factor analysis. The study revealed poor linkage dynamics among the agencies. Majority (72.2%) ADPS of the respondents indicated strong linkages with research institutes, but linkages with agencies in the transfer subsystem were either weak or not in existence. The LGs as well as profit NGOs had either weak or no linkage with most agencies in both innovation generation and transfer subsystems. Non-profit NGOs(50.0%) reported somewhat strong linkages with research institutes; while (61.5%,65.5%and 50.0%) indicated that linkages with universities of agriculture, colleges of agriculture and para-veterinary firms were not in existent, respectively. The major linkage mechanisms that existed among the agencies were use of bulletin, annual reports, and magazine. Factors constraining linkages among the agencies were policy related, organizational, attitude-related, and motivational. The study concludes that operational and structural mechanisms should be put in place to facilitate strong and effective linkages for efficiency of resource use and cost effectiveness through synergies and complementarities of efforts. Government should entrench linkage mandate in policies establishing research-extension system to encourage and facilitate public-public and public-private linkages in the subsystem. Existing institutional framework for linkages between research and extension system should be re-visited to evolve more dynamic arrangements and to create mechanism for increase participation of private agencies. Also policy makers should invest on orientation and building linkage leadership among administrators and extension practitioners to stimulate innovation culture.

Introduction:Non-communicable diseases are emerging as an important component of the burden of diseases in developing countries. Knowledge on admission and mortality patterns of endocrine-related diseases will give insight into the magnitude of these conditions and provide effective tools for planning, delivery, and evaluation of health-care needs relating to endocrinology.Materials and Methods:We retrieved medical records of patients that visited the emergency unit of the Lagos University Teaching hospital, over a period of 1 year (March 2011 to February 2012) from the hospital admissions and death registers. Information obtained included: Age, gender, diagnosis at admission and death, co-morbidities. Diagnoses were classified as endocrine-related and non-endocrine related diseases. Records with incomplete data were excluded from the study.Results:A total of 1703 adult medical cases were seen; of these, 174 were endocrine-related, accounting for 10.2% of the total emergency room admission in the hospital. The most common cause of endocrine-related admission was hyperglycaemic crises, 75 (43.1%) of cases; followed by diabetes mellitus foot syndrome, 33 (19.0%); hypoglycaemia 23 (13.2%) and diabetes mellitus related co-morbidities 33 (19.0%). There were 39 endocrine-related deaths recorded. The result revealed that 46.1% of the total mortality was related to hyperglycaemic emergencies. Most of the mortalities were sepsis-related (35.8%), with hyperglycaemic crises worst affected (71.42%). However, the case fatalities were highest in subjects with thyrotoxic crisis and hypoglycaemic coma.Conclusion:Diabetic complications were the leading causes of endocrine-related admissions and mortality in this health facility. The co-morbidity of sepsis and hyperglycaemia may worsen mortality in patients who present with hyperglycaemic crises. Hence, evidence of infection should be sought early in such patients and appropriate therapy instituted.

No abstract