Rivers State University of Science and Technology

About: Rivers State University of Science and Technology is a education organization based out in Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Threatened species. The organization has 1826 authors who have published 1833 publications receiving 15183 citations.

Temporal and comparative analysis of thunderstorms and some related phenomena in Zaria, Jos, and Kaduna (Nigeria)

Abstract: This is a temporal and comparative analysis of thunderstorms and some related phenomena in three towns in the northern part of Nigeria.

Microbiology and Heavy Metal Content of Wetlands Impacted by Crude Oil Pollution in Rivers State, Southern Nigeria

Abstract: Wetland soils constitute vast, under-exploited and sometimes undiscovered ecologies in many countries of the World, including Nigeria. A total of 54 wetland soil samples including surface and subsurface soil at depths of 0-15 cm and 15-30 cm were collected using a sterile hand auger for a period of three months between August and October and subjected to standard and analytical microbiological procedures. The wetland soil samples were further subjected to atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) to check for presence and concentration of heavy metals. Results obtained showed that apart from heterotrophic bacterial and fungal counts, hydrocarbon utilizing bacteria (HUB) counts were higher in the surface soil ranging from 12.06±3.43X10 cfu/g at Iwofe to 6.19±2.67 a X10 7 cfu/g at Chokocho while subsurface soil had HUB ranging from 8.91±6.67 a X10 3 cfu/g at Eagle Island to 4.93±3.95X10cfu/g at Chokocho. Heavy metals such as Fe, Pb, Cd and Ni were recorded in concentrations above FEPA permissible limit in the surface and subsurface soil across the three wetlands. The heavy metal concentration in each wetland however, decreased with an increase in soil depth. According to literatures, elevated levels of heavy metals in soils decrease Original Research Article Chibuike et al.; MRJI, 31(2): 53-63, 2021; Article no.MRJI.66612 54 microbial population, diversity and activities. However, the microbial population in this study increased with increasing heavy metal concentration which indicates that the microbes can tolerate or utilize heavy metals in their systems; as such can be used for bioremediation of heavy metal polluted soils.

Genomic Characterization and Plasmid Profile of Listeria and Salmonella Species Isolated from Oreochromis niloticus Sold in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract: Fish are generally regarded as safe, nutritious and beneficial but aquaculture products have sometimes been associated with certain food safety issues. Consumption of fish may also cause diseases due to infection or intoxication, Hence, the aim of this study is to characterize using genomic analysis and plasmid profile of Listeria and Salmonella species isolated from Oreochromis niloticus sold in Port Harcourt. A total of one hundred and eighty samples (180) were collected from three different markets namely; Creek road, Mile one and Rumuokoro markets over a period of six months. The samples were labelled and transported in an ice packed coolers to the laboratory for analyses. Standard analytical protocols were employed to determine the Original Research Article Ogbonna et al.; IJPR, 6(3): 52-62, 2021; Article no.IJPR.66177 53 bacteriological characteristics of the various parts such as Intestine, Gill, flesh of the sample. Statistical analyses were carried out using ANOVA and All pairs tukey-kramer. Results obtained from the study showed that the total heterotrophic bacteria count ranged from 5.1 to 5.9 x10 x10 6 cfu/g across the markets for the flesh part, 6.0 to 7.7 x10 6 cfu/g (Gill) and 7.1 to 7.6 x10 6 cfu/g for the intestinal samples. Total coliform count ranged from 4.2 to 5.4 x10cfu/g (flesh), 5.2 to 5.4 x10 4 cfu/g ((Gill) and 6.1 to 8.0 x10 4 cfu/g (Intestine). Listeria count range from 2.7 to 2.9 x10 4 cfu/g (Fresh), 3.3 to 3.7 cfu/g (Gill)), and 3.8 to 4.3 cfu/g (Intestine), and Salmonella count ranged from 1.0 x10 1 .1 x10 cfu/g (Flesh) 1.0 to 1.6 x10 cfu/g (Gill) and 1.2 to 2.0 x10 cfu/g (intestine). This results shows that the intestines harbours more bacterial load than the gill and flesh. Mean values for all the microbial counts were significantly different (P<0.05) in the three samples across the sampled markets The result of the conventional and genomics identification confirms the following species of Listeria and Salmonella: L. grayi VD-Sfg with accession number MW020239 having a closest gene bank match with Listeria grayi CIP 100% identified, L. monocytogenes VD-Sfg with accession number MW020240 closest to L. monocytogenes NCTC 10357 with 99.73% identified, L. seeligeri VD-SFF accession number MW020241 closet to L. seeligeri ATCC 35967 with 98.95%, L. welshimeri VD-SF MW020242 closest to L. welshimeri ATCC 35897 with 99.9%, L. monocytogenes VD-Fg MW020243 closet to L. monocytogenes NCTC 10357 eith 99.73% identity, S. bongori VD-SwfiA MW020245 closest to S. bongori NCTC 12419 and S. enterica VD-SwfiD MW20244 closest with S. entrica LT2 both with 100% identity. Gel electrophoresis of the plasmid DNA showed that all the isolates possess plasmid. This finding is of public health concern as these organisms are the known causes of food-borne diseases and also serve as reservoirs for resistance plasmids that may be transferred to otherwise susceptible bacteria making them resistant, thus increasing the occurrence of antibiotic resistance among microorganisms.

Impact of Poverty Alleviation Programmes on Indigenous Women's Economic Empowerment in Nigeria: Evidence From Port Harcourt Metropolis

Abstract: This study was designed to assess the impact of participation of Port Harcourt indigenous women in poverty eradication programmes in Rivers State, Nigeria. The study used a questionnaire to elicit responses from 385 indigenous women who were randomly selected through a multi-stage technique from the study area. Descriptive statistics and t-tests were used to analyse the data collected. Results showed that majority (58.3 per cent) of the women were members of a cooperative society, 63.5 per cent were members of a community based organization (CBO), while 60.9 per cent were member of “Esusu” (rotatory credit schemes). The result further showed that 66.3 per cent of the women had engaged in jobs aimed at poverty alleviation. Only 6.0 per cent identified that they were not member of any poverty alleviation programmes (PAP) by government. It was found that after joining the PAP, 75.5 per cent of them experienced an increase in income of 36.6 per cent. The hypothesis test indicated that statistically significant differences existed in the income of the women from various sources of the economic undertakings after joining poverty alleviation programmes. It was therefore recommended that more programmes designed at alleviating poverty in Rivers State should target indigenous women. In addition to this, the study also recommended the establishment of entrepreneurship capacity-building programmes to enable the women to bring out their optimal input while participating in the poverty eradication programmes.

Correlational analysis of sewage disposal methods and incidence rates of typhoid fever and cholera in Port Harcourt Metropolis, Nigeria

Abstract: This work of correlating incidence rates of typhoid fever and cholera to sewage disposal methods was necessitated by the observed occurrence of typhoid fever and cholera incidences with respect to sewage management approaches. The aim of the work was achieved by observations, interviews and medical records of 25 years (1986 to 2010) from two major health facilities of University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) and Braithwaite Memorial Hospital (BMH). The purpose of this work is to highlight the typhoid fever and cholera consequences resulting from improper disposal of sewage. In the first sewage management regime where pit latrines, bucket latrine and pier latrines were used, records show incidence rates of 49% typhoid and 51% cholera for UPTH and 53% typhoid and 47% cholera for BMH. The second sewage management regime where water carriage/closet systems of sewage disposal systems and septic tanks were used, the incidence rate of typhoid fever was 94% and cholera was 6% for both UPTH and BMH. This implies evident correlation of incidences of typhoid fever and cholera with sewage disposal methods in time and space. The increases in the incidences of typhoid fever and cholera are majorly underpinned by poverty, poor food hygiene, poor water sanitation, and generally poor environmental sanitation. Water carriage/closet systems of sewage disposal are here recommended to reduce contamination of food, surface and ground water by sewage.