Funding of Ebonyi State Nigeria Agricultural Public Extension Service in a deregulated economy was studied. The specific objectives were to describe the socio-economic characteristics of the respondents; identify the major recommended packages/technologies and services extended to the farmers and examine the trend in the funding of agricultural extension services from 2001 to 2010. A total of 240 contact farmers were selected using a multistage random sampling technique. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The study found that majority (65.42%) of the respondents were males; had a mean age of 49 years, married; had a relatively large household size of 8 persons; and relatively low educational status. Average farm holding was 0.90 ha and personal savings were the major sources of farm finance. Government funding of the agricultural public extension dwindled throughout the period with budget estimate at the peak of N220.4 m recorded in 2013 and the lowest of about N69.3 m in 2001, whereas the highest actual expenditure was about N99.5 m in 2010 and the lowest amount of about N37.1 m was also recorded in 2009. A big difference between the budget estimate and actual expenditure was observed in 2009 with a budget deficit of about 46.5%. The amount farmers were willing to pay for extension services was not also stable with the highest amount of about N9.2 m in 2005 and least amount of N800,000.00 in 2003. The amount expended by government was higher than the amount farmers are willing to pay with 98.2% difference in 2004. The study indicated that the proportion of farmers willing to pay for extension services is low. This could lead to reduced adoption and utilization of improved technologies and decline in farmers’ and farm productivity in a deregulated economy. Recommendations such as educating farmers on cost of extension services and the need for their contribution, backing up extension services with interest free loans, deregulating extension services in a gradual process and in phases, and improving the country’s educational system were made among others.
Background: Hepatitis B virus is the most serious type of viral hepatitis and can cause both acute and chronic infections. The aim of the study was to assess the knowledge of hepatitis B virus infection and its mode of transmission among women of reproductive age in Work and Study programme of Ebonyi State University Abakaliki, Nigeria Methodology: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study. A systematic sampling technique was used to select 326 respondents. Information was obtained using a pre-tested, self-administered questionnaire. Statistical Package for Social Sciences, version 22 was used in the analysis. Results: Majority (77.6%) of the respondents were aware of hepatitis B virus infection and the major (50%) source of information was health workers. Knowledge on method of transmission of the virus included blood transfusion, 62.3%; unprotected sexual intercourse, 54.0%; mother to child transmission, 40.5% while for prevention, screening of blood before transfusion had 62.6%; vaccination, 48.8% and use of condom, 42.6%. A minor proportion (32.5%) had been vaccinated with the Hepatitis B vaccine and only 39.6% had received the recommended three doses. The major (50%) reason for non-vaccination was ignorance. Out of 27.0% who had been screened for the virus 1.5% knew they tested positive for hepatitis B surface antigen. Conclusions: Majority of the respondents were aware of hepatitis B virus infection. Though most of the respondents had good knowledge of the transmission of the virus, their understanding of the methods of prevention was poor. There is need for public enlightenment on the burden of hepatitis B virus infection in Nigeria and the availability and importance of the hepatitis B vaccine.
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