The aim of this study is to determine the effect of neem leaves in preserving the mineral elements content of two tomato types from Sokoto state, Nigeria. Healthy, ripe and firm tomato fruits brought from Sokoto City, were selected, cleaned for this study. 5%, 10% and 25% by were prepared by dissolving respective 5g, 10g and 25g neem extracts in 9.5, 9.0 and 7.5 liters of distilled water respectively to preserve tomatoes. The experiment was laid in a completely randomized design. And elements, Na, K, Ca, Mg, and P were determined in the tomatoes after the experiment using atomic absorption spectroscopy. The levels of Na, K, Ca, and P in Daneka after preservation ranges are: 1.1-1.3(ppm), 2.1-2.3 (ppm), 1.0-1.3 (ppm), 0.30-0.34 (ppm), and 0.3200-0.3330 (ppm) respectively. The levels of Na, K, Ca, and P in UTC after preservation ranges are: 1.6-1.10 (ppm), 1.6-1.10 (ppm), 0.10-1.16 (ppm), 0.30-0.35 (ppm), and 0.9997-1.0998 (ppm) respectively; revealing an increasing trend of elemental contents of all the tomato cultivars with an increasing neem concentration. Thus, the neem leaves indicate the capacity to preserve a typical quality parameter of tomatoes, that is concentration of Na, K, Ca, and P elements at p < 0.05 significant level.

Plastic materials are ubiquitous in our environment due to increased demand and poor management. Therein, these materials find their way into biological systems on land and water, leading to public health problems. Plastics become fragmented or degraded to yield smaller particles that enter into the body, which may be retained or translocated to organs and tissues. Thus, this paper identifies common fates and biochemical interaction with biological system and creates awareness and measures to curtail the escalating trend of plastics dangers in our environment.

Health determinants are factors that can influence our health either positively or negatively. This paper determined the factors that affect the health of Almajiri in their system of study in Gwadabawa local government of Sokoto state, Nigeria. Interview and visual observation were used to collect data, which was analyzed by thematic networks method. The result of this study was shown. Most (50.0%) of the Almajiri live in buildings own by school,whereas, 33.5% of them in donated buildings .There were three types of houses / classes where Almajiri live.Most (50.0%) were made of cement/modern style ,then (33.3%) the mud houses / classes, and (16.7%) were the ones from zinc .There were toilets for urination only ,no one was slated for defecation . In 75% of the schools there was no water, whereas 33.3% have water source from unprotected wells. In 33.3 % of the schools there was refuse dumps .In 33.3% there were no any source of risk. Whereas, in 16.7% there were gutters, and in 16.7% there were roads nearby. Personal hygiene was observed. 75.0% of Almajiri wore dirty garments.25.0% wore cleaned garments, 12.5% wore torn garments, and 87.5% wore untorn garments. 62.5% wore shoes and 37.5% have no shoes. 62.5% take bath weekly, 37.7% take bath daily. Interms of livelihood, most of them relied on begging for food; 25.0% do domestic work to get food and other needs. 70.0% of them eat twice in a day, 25.0% thrice, whereas, 5.0% once; in most cases. The result revealed many health determinants which can negatively affect the health of Almajiri.

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The objective of this study was to investigate substance abuse amongst in-school and out-of-school youth in Sokoto, northwestern Nigeria using cross-sectional descriptive survey. In the course of the survey, the commonly use substances, causes, effects, and protection were assessed. The data obtained show that, most of the respondents were males (93%), only few were females (6.7%). All the respondents were Muslims. Most of the out-of-school youth (OSY) were married (80%) and only 6.7% are married among in-school youth (ISY).The respondent’s age was within 18-22 years in most cases. Most (80%) of ISY were at senior secondary classes, 46.7% of OSY left school after primary education, 26.7% never attended school. Most of the respondents have more than 2 kids (93.3%), only 6.7% have about 10 kids. Commonly cited drugs are: cigarette, cannabis, alcohol,  inhalants, tranquilizers, opiates, and hallucinogens. Reasons for substance abuse were: social/ peer pressure, rebellion, overwork/learning, shyness, fear, parental influence, fun and lack of role model. It also revealed that ISY started drug use earlier than the OSY. Friends, drug pushers, curiosity introduced youth to drugs. Effects of substance abuse are: bad temper, disturbed sleep, ill-health, depression, anxiety, tiredness, disrespect, failure at workplace/school on individual. At family level the effects include: disgrace, breakdown of relationship, loss of confidence in child, and ill-health. While at friend’s level, the effects include: breakdown of relationship, fear, anxiety. And at community or society levels, the effects listed were: crime, reduced productivity, violence, ill-health, high cost of treatment, accidents. To protect youth from substance abuse diverse efforts by governmentand NGOs and interventions are required. Keywords: Substance abuse, drug, out-of-school youth, in-school youth, key informants, public health