This descriptive cross-sectional survey determined the influence of socioeconomic , household and child-related factors on the nutritional status of children (0-5yrs) in farming households of Oyo State, Nigeria. The study was conducted using a multistage sampling technique to select 201 mother-child pairs from 18 farming communities in the state. Data were collected from the mothers, using a structured interview schedule and anthropometric measurements of their children were taken to determine the prevalence of stunting, underweight and wasting. The data obtained were analyzed using frequency distribution, percentages, mean and standard deviation. Pearson Product Moment Correlation was used to determine the influence of the underlying determinants of nutritional status. The mean age of women was 35.75 years, while that of the children was 22.20 months. Majority (59.0%) of the women had between 5 and 8 children, 42.7% of the respondents were primarily farmers, while 57.3% combined farming with trading, agro-processing, artisan and paid jobs. The average farm size was 1.86 hectare. Women with some form of education constituted 70.7%, while 29.3% had no education at all. The most frequently consumed food items in the households (consumed at least 4 times a week) included bread (99.5%), cassava/cassava products, rice (98.8%), yam/yam products (89.6%) and meat (70%). Fruits were, however, not frequently consumed. Household food security data showed that 77.2% were moderately food secure while 9.9% were food insecure. Only 12.8% were food secure. The results indicate that the nutritional status of children in the farming households in the study area was generally suboptimal. Overall stunting prevalence was 35.7%, underweight 14.9% and wasting 5.5%. Factors which were significantly associated with nutritional status of the children included age of child, frequency of breastfeeding, eating pattern of child, provision of snacks, household food security status, number of hours mother spends on childcare, mother's use of health services, mother's education, frequency and scope of travel of mother beyond the immediate locality and source of drinking water. It is recommended that the primary intervention strategies should be to address poverty among subsistence farmers' households, promote sustainable livelihoods, and provide primary health care services which will in turn improve the nutritional status of children.

No abstract

The study examined the attitude of students towards technical education in Osun State, Nigeria. Descriptive research method was adopted by the investigator. The population of the study was made of 350 students comprising 200 males and 150 females. One validated research instrument was used to gather data. One research hypothesis was answered in the study. The results showed that: male students were more favourably disposed towards Technical Education since there was a significant difference between their mean attitude scores(4.008); students from rural setting had a higher disposition toward Technical Education as compared with their counter parts from the urban setting(4.912); the composition of the students showed a positive disposition with no much difference between their mean attitude scores; the t-value computed to establish the relationship between attitude and performance levels of students showed a negative correlation (t = -1.48); in spite of geographical location there was no marked difference in the attitude and interest of students for Technical Education. Almost half of the colleges do not have enough competent instructors. Among others, it was recommended that the state government should make efforts to purchase more teaching and learning aids for effective teaching in technical colleges. Comprehensive in-service programme must be devised by government for practicing instructors to update their knowledge in their various area of specialization.

This study assessed the food safety knowledge, practices, and training needs of local processors and vendors of soy products in South West Nigeria. Ninety women, processors, and vendors were interviewed using a structured interview schedule about their training in food processing; knowledge of food hygiene, spoilage, and poisoning; primary source of water for processing; method of refuse disposal; types of toilet facilities; and hand washing, storage, and packaging practices. Laboratory studies were conducted to improve the storage of soymilk and soy cheese displayed for daily sale and to develop training in good food safety practices for local processors and vendors as an intervention strategy.

No abstract