University of Nigeria, Nsukka

About: University of Nigeria, Nsukka is a education organization based out in Nsukka, Nigeria. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Health care. The organization has 10211 authors who have published 13685 publications receiving 138922 citations.

Influence of Post-Stroke Depression on Functional Independence in Activities of Daily Living

Abstract: Background Little attention has been paid to screening of depression among stroke survivors in outpatient physiotherapy clinics. Post-stroke depression is reported to have a negative impact on functional recovery. However, the exact influence on the outcome of rehabilitation such as level of functional independence remains controversial. This study aims at ascertaining the influence of post-stroke depression on functional independence in activities of daily living. Methods The study is a cross sectional survey of stroke survivors attending outpatient physiotherapy clinics of the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH) Enugu, and the Enugu State University Teaching Hospital (ESUTH). Participants were evaluated for socio-demographic characteristics. Post-stroke depression and level of functional recovery in Activities of Daily Living were assessed using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and the Barthel Index respectively. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 23, with α set at 0.01. Results A total of 66 participants, 42 females and 24 males, were purposively recruited into the study. Over 80% (56) of the participant had depression, with over 50% (32) being severely depressed. Post-stroke depression was associated with less functional independence in activities of daily living (p=0.000). A significant difference was found in the level of functional independence between participants with and without depression (p=0.00). Conclusion Participants with post-stroke depression have less independence in activities of daily living. A longitudinal study with a larger sample size is, however, recommended so as to improve the external validity. In the mean time, outpatient rehabilitation of depressed stroke survivors should include pharmacological and psychological components.

Relationship between STS approach, scientific literacy, and achievement in biology

Abstract: This study set out to investigate the relationship between STS approach, scientific literacy (SL), and achievement in biology. A quasi-experimental design of the nonequivalent group was employed. Four secondary schools, eight teachers, and 246 students from Nigeria were involved in the study. Two classes were randomly selected from each school and assigned to either the experimental or control group. Two instruments were used to collect data: an Achievement Test on Reproduction and Family Planning and a SL Scale. Results showed that there is no relationship between SL and achievement in biology. The split-wise posttest regression showed a weak positive relationship between SL and achievement in biology for the experimental group and a no relationship for the control group. However, STS approach mediated between SL and achievement to effect a slightly stronger significant positive relationship. The slope of SL was greater when we controlled for instruction showing that the relationship between SL and achievement is not spurious when instruction is taken into account. We therefore conclude that STS approach might be affecting other variables in the science classroom that in turn affect achievement in the sciences. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Sci Ed87:31–39, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/sce.10012

Effects of bone particle on the properties and microstructure of polypropylene/bone ash particulate composites

Abstract: The effects of uncarbonized (fresh) and carbonized bone particles on the microstructure and properties of polypropylene composites have been studied. The addition of the bone particles ranges from 5 to 25 wt% in uncarbonized and carbonized forms in the polypropylene matrix. The physical and mechanical properties were used as criteria for the evaluation of the composites. Microstructures of the composites were assessed with scanning electron microscopy (SEM/EDS). The results revealed that the addition of carbonized bone particles reinforcement has superior properties than uncarbonized bone particles composite based materials with an increase in the compressive strength, hardness values, tensile strength and flexural strength by 53%, 45% and 35% respectively, and a decrease in the % elongation and impact energy by 75% and 32%, respectively at 25 wt% carbonized bone, with 28% increase in tensile strength at 15 wt% carbonized bone addition. The increase in strength and hardness values was attributed to the distribution of hard phases of bone particles in the ductile polypropylene matrix.