Gully erosion is one of the severe environmental problems facing Gombe metropolis. It threatens urban infrastructure, properties, lives and the physical growth of the town. This article assesses the socioeconomic effect of gully erosion in Gombe metropolis. The aim of the study was to assess the socioeconomic effect of gully erosion on land use in Gombe metropolis. Data used in this study were derived from field administration of questionnaire and focus group discussion. Three sampled gully profiles cutting across different land use areas were purposively selected for the study. They were referred as Gully A, transect FCE-Arawa-M/Inna-U/Uku Gully site; Gully profile B, transect Fed.lowcost-B/Yero-Idi-Herwagana-Idi-U/Uku Gully site and Gully profile C, transect Old/GRA-Gabukka-Barunde-Madaki-Bogo-Doma. From each gully profiles, 10% of the population around the gully site was used as population sample administering the total of 207 questionnaires in all the three gully sites under different landuse areas. Results obtained through questionnaires and focus group discussions was analysed, using simple percentage presented in different tables and discussed.The results indicated that several buildings, farmlands/plots and other properties worth millions of naira as well as both human and animal lives were lost due to effect of gully erosion in the study area.

The paper tries to analyse soil properties around three sampled gully erosion sites that cut across different land use in the study area. The aim of the study is to determine the soil physical and chemical properties of the major gully sites cutting across different land use in Gombe metropolis. Data used in this study were derived from soil samples collected from the gully sites and other secondary sources. Three sampled gully profiles were purposively selected for the study. Soil samples were collected at 0-0.30, 0.30-1.0, 1-2, 2-3, 3-4 and 4> meters respectively along the gully wall layers where there are changes in soil types based on the textural characteristics. Soil samples collected were taken to the laboratory for analysis, different soil physical and chemical properties were tested and results obtained. The difference in the soils physical and chemical properties between the three different gully erosion sites were analyzed using the analysis of (variance ANOVA) with the aid of statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 16.0. In all the different land use areas studied, the soil is mostly loose and very porous dominated by sandy material with low proportion of silt and clay. Atterberg limits are generally low in all the land use areas which resulted into the weakness of the soil, soil chemical properties and bulk density are low and soil particles are not consolidated, therefore, detached easily when impacted by flood water. This was what facilitates the development of deep and wide gullies found in most areas.

A comparative study was conducted among three different cropping areas. Samples were collected from each area and are taken to laboratory for analysis, and variables such as organic carbon, available phosphorous, total nitrogen, PH, electrical conductivity, particle size distribution, exchangeable bases and CEC were tested. The statistical analysis is used to obtain the mean values of the result obtained from each variable. A fertility rating score was design using the evaluation key to determine the fertility level under each cultivation area. The score shows that score one is extremely low, score two very low, and score three moderately low. The total scores obtained from each cropping area are summed up to obtain the total score from each land.

This is comprehensive study of malaria and malaria infection in Gusau Township to generate baseline line information which may be useful in the planning control and preventive measures. A total of 5666 blood samples from patients were examined for malaria parasites between the month January to December, 2017, out which 2606 representing 46.0% were positive for malaria parasites, which was high. Both males and females were equally infected at the same rates and between the age groups. Malaria was hyperendemic in Gusau Township with transmission occurring throughout the months of the year. The best way to prevent malaria is avoiding mosquito bite through the use mosquito nets and screening of windows and doors.

Malaria knowledge, attitude, perception and practices (KAPP) of patients who attended the Microbiology Laboratories of Ahmad Yariman Bakura Specialist Hospital and Federal Medical Centre of Gusau, Zamfara State, Nigeria, between January to December, 2017 was studied. One thousand, one hundred and one (1101) participants (consisted of 428(38.87%) females and 673(61.13%) males) participated and a structured questionnaire was used. The knowledge of the participants about malaria parasites, mosquito vector, signs, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, prevention and control was remarkable. Majority 796(72.3%) had positive attitude towards malaria infection and in seeking treatment. The perception on malaria (in relation to causes, symptoms, vector, diagnosis and treatment) of the respondents was impressive and this was however guided the positive attitude. The practices of the respondents on malaria diagnosis, treatment, control and prevention varies from individual to individual with majority 655(59.49%) using doctor’s prescription, 601(54.49%) using the artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT). Both adults and children slept under mosquito net with majority 745(67.67%) using insecticide residual sprays both indoor and outdoor.