Yellow pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) is the second market gardening crop after tomato, and subsequently, a major source of income to farmers in Nigeria. Pests and diseases reduce yields and quality of marketable fruits. A study was conducted in Ibagwa-Agu, Lejja, Edem, Alor-Uno and EhaAlumona agro-based communities of Nsukka Local Government Area to assess the economic implications of insect infestation and control strategies on yellow pepper yield. Data on insect pests was collected using the modified Whittaker sampling techniques from July to September 2015, while farming practices and economic consequences of pest infestation were monitored using questionnaires in December 2015. A total of 2,279 insects comprising 10 pests and 2 predators were collected. Myzus persicae Sulzer (27.6% of total collections), Bemisia tabaci Genn. (21.1%), Aphis gossypii Glov. (14.1%) and Zonocerus variegatus Gestro(7.99%) were the four prominent insect pests, while Ladybird beetle larva of Harmoni axyridis (2.3%) and praying mantis Stagmonantis crolina (1.4) were the main predators encountered. Mean percentage of plants attacked and yield losses were significantly (P <0.05) lower in communities with a high percentage of farmers utilizing cultural control methods. A higher percentage of the farmers were females. Farmers in Edem, Eha-Alumona, Lejja, AlorUno and Ibagwa-Agu in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State therefore experience enormous economic loss in yellow pepper cultivation from the infestation of insect pests. Communities with a high percentage of farmers practicing cultural control methods had fewer plants attacked, while the predators were also more abundant. Further research is needed to ascertain the efficacy of these cultural methods.
Background Knowledge and utilization of standardized stroke outcome measures (SOMs) are important as it helps in the evaluation of patient response to therapy and decision of further step in patient care. This study evaluated the current knowledge and utilization of standardized stroke outcome measures and the factors that influence them. Methods A cross-sectional survey research design was used for the study. The consecutive sampling technique was used to recruit 40 (16 females and 24 males) respondents from two tertiary hospitals located in Anambra State. Data were analyzed using the IBM Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21. The frequency counts and percentages, mean and standard deviation, chi-square test, and Spearman rank-order correlation were used in the analysis of different variables. The alpha level was set at 0.05. Results A total of 37.5% had poor knowledge, 30% had fair knowledge, and 32.5% had good knowledge of SOMs. The highest familiarity (i.e., very familiar) was observed as follows: 6-min walk test (72.5%), Modified Ashworth Scale (70%), Barthel Index (65.75%), Mini-mental Stroke Examination (52.5%), Functional Independence Measure (65%), Berg Balance Scale (50%), and National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (50%). Poor utilization was observed in % of the respondents, fair utilization was observed in 25%, and good was observed in 20% of them. There was a positive correlation between knowledge and utilization of standardized stroke outcome measures (p < 0.01). Knowledge and utilization were each significantly associated with gender and educational qualification. Utilization alone was significantly associated with years of experience and the center of practice. Conclusion There is still a deficit in the awareness and utilization of standardized stroke outcome measures in the study population. There has not been an appreciable improvement in the knowledge of SOMs among the population of physiotherapists that participated in the current study. However, the utilization of SOMs is still at a low level. This requires action from critical stakeholders in Nigeria’s health system to encourage its regular use in clinical practice as it will serve to improve service delivery to patients.
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