Science education is believed to be a vital tool for individual and societal development at large. The persistent low levels of students' achievement in sciences at the various public examinations in Nigeria have continued to draw the attention of major stakeholders in education. This study examined academic achievement of Senior Secondary School students in biology and gender difference in students' achievement was examined. Ex-post facto design of descriptive research was adopted for the study. A proforma was used to collect data from a sample of two hundred (200) students, selected using stratified random sampling procedure from the Science secondary schools in Kano state Nigeria. The data collected were the students' performances in biology achievement tests. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics and independent-sample t-test. Overall results showed that the test internal consistency reliability is low and unsatisfactory; the students performed below average (M=47.02, SD=16.493 (47%). Similarly, gender difference exists in biology performance with another significant difference between performance of urban and rural school students. The study concludes that, biology test used in Kano state qualifying examinations to assess students potential ability in biology is not a reliable measurement tool and that, academic performance of students in biology is unsatisfactory and evidence of differential performance between gender and schools locations. The implication for measurements and evaluation of learning as well as recommendations has been discussed.

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Context: Premarital screening has been proven to be an effective means of reducing the overall burden of genetic disorders like Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) in the general population. Aims: To determine the knowledge, attitude and perception of traditional and religious leaders on premarital screening for SCD in Sokoto, NorthWestern , Nigeria. Settings and Design: Descriptive cross-sectional study. Methods and Material: Pre-tested interviewer administered questionnaire was administered to 375 participants selected through multistage sampling method. Data on the knowledge, attitude and perception of premarital screening for sickle cell disease were obtained. Statistical analysis used: Data were analyzed with SPSS Version 20.0. P < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: The mean age ± SD of the participants was 37.0±11.6 years and the majority of respondents were male 310 (83.1%), married 247 (67.1%) and had tertiary education 179 (50.4%). Good knowledge of SCD was demonstrated by 263 (70.1%) and positive attitude was shown by 259 (69.1%) while positive perception was received from 242 (67.9%). Age, marital and educational status were significantly associated with knowledge of SCD (p< 0.05). Knowledge of the SCD had great influence on the participant's perception for premarital screening in the same way their perception influenced their attitude on premarital screening for SCD (p=0.01). Conclusion: The traditional and religious leaders in Sokoto metropolis showed good knowledge of SCD as well as positive attitude and perception on premarital screening for SCD. We therefore, recommend intensive public awareness programmes and implementation of premarital screening of SCD as well as utilisation of the community leaders as change agents to curb the menace of SCD.

Background The health and safety of children at schools in Palestine are not paid the attention they require. Our objective was to assess the major risks and patterns associated with hygiene and sanitation at selected schools in Nablus in the West Bank. Methods A two-layer cross-sectional survey was implemented to collect data on hygiene, sanitation, and bacterial contamination from pupils and staff at ten urban schools in Nablus. We took swab samples from 199 children's and eight food handlers' dominant hands and from 82 school bathrooms and classrooms. We observed and recorded variables related to school hygiene on a pre-prepared form. Bacterial identification for each sample was done at An-Najah National University. Using univariate and multivariate analysis, risk factors related to hygiene and sanitation were tested for individual and combined association with the presence of bacterial species transmitted primarily through fecal-oral contamination. Approval was obtained from the institutional review board committee at An-Najah University and consent forms were signed by children's parents and by food handlers. Findings Our findings showed non-statistically significant associations between the presence of bacterial species that indicate a substantial risk of fecal-oral contamination (Listeria, Streptococcus, Microccocus, Bacillus subtilis, and Gram-negative bacilli) and the following factors: school address (univariate analysis, p=0•384), absence of soap in the school, absence of hand washing after use of bathroom, increased number of children per classroom, and decreased numbers of teachers, toilets, and sinks per number of students at school (ordinal logistic regression, p=0•084). Interpretation This pilot study highlights the presence of several risk factors for bacterial contamination, including child behaviour and aspects of the school environment, favouring the possible spread of fecal-oral transmitted diseases. Policy makers' efforts should be turned towards new policies rendering schools a safer place for Palestinian children. This study has to be validated on a larger scale and in other cities in the occupied Palestinian territories. Funding This research was funded by An-Najah University as a support for research projects of medical students. Contributors RK, GS, and AS conceived the idea for the study. RK wrote the Abstract. DS, HR, and RH collected the samples in Nablus and LK, MA, AA, and FI identified the bacteria. DS, HR, and RH did the analysis under the supervision of RK and GS. MA and LK contributed equally. Declaration of interests We declare no competing interests.

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