usa state questionnaire samples
84158367
After site selection and before data analysis: sampling, sorting, and laboratory procedures used in stream benthic macroinvertebrate monitoring programs by USA state agencies
A survey of methods used by US state agencies for collecting and processing benthic macroinvertebrate samples from streams was conducted by questionnaire; 90 responses were received and used to describe trends in methods. The responses represented an estimated 13,000 15,000 samples collected and processed per year. Kicknet devices were used in 64.5% of the methods; other sampling devices included fixed area samplers (Surber and Hess) artificial substrates (Hester Dendy and rock baskets) grabs, and dipnets. Regional differences existed, e.g. the 1 m kicknet was used more often in the eastern US than in the western US. Mesh sizes varied among programs but 80.2% of the methods used a mesh size between 500 and 600 mm. Mesh size variations within US Environmental Protection Agency regions were large, with size differences ranging from 100 to 700 mm. Most samples collected were composites; the mean area sampled was 1.7 m2. Samples rarely were collected using a random method (4.7% most samples (70.6% were collected using "expert opinion" which may make data obtained operator specific. Only 26.3% of the methods sorted all the organisms from a sample; the remainder subsampled in the laboratory. The most common method of subsampling was to remove 100 organisms (range 100 550) The magnification used for sorting ranged from 1 (sorting by eye) to 30x, which results in inconsistent separation of macroinvertebrates from detritus. In addition to subsampling, 53% of the methods sorted large/rare organisms from a sample. The taxonomic level used for identifying organisms varied among taxa; Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera were generally identified to a finer taxonomic resolution (genus and species) than other taxa. Because there currently exists a large range of field and laboratory methods used by state programs, calibration among all programs to increase data comparability would be exceptionally challenging. However, because many techniques are shared among methods, limited testing could be designed to evaluate whether procedural differences affect the ability to determine levels of environmental impairment using benthic macroinvertebrate communities.
Journal of the North American Benthological Society
James L Carter Vincent H Resh
196811548
Seroprevalence and risk factors of Brucella ovis in domestic sheep in Wyoming, USA
BackgroundBrucella ovis causes a sexually transmitted, infectious disease of domestic sheep characterized by genital lesions and epididymitis in rams, placentitis and rare abortions in ewes, and neonatal mortality in lambs. This study was designed to 1) estimate animal and flock seroprevalence of B. ovis in sheep across Wyoming, USA, and 2) describe epidemiologic risk factors associated with seropositive sheep and flocks. For the animal seroprevalence estimate, 2423 blood samples were collected from sheep on 18 producer selected operations and a questionnaire about possible risk factors was distributed. For the flock seroprevalence estimate, blood samples from 82 operations were obtained, including samples from the previous 18 operations and 64 additional operations that sent samples to the Wyoming State Veterinary Laboratory for diagnostic testing. Categorical risk factors were created based on questionnaires and submission forms. Sera was analyzed using the B. ovis enzyme linked immunosorbent assay.ResultsEstimated true animal and flock seroprevalence were 0.53% (95% CI: 0.21 1.01% 22/2,423) and 22.5% (95% CI: 14 32% 18/82) respectively. Using Fisher's exact and Mid p exact tests to compare apparent seroprevalence with respect to possible risk factors, increased age and breed type were risk factors associated with seropositive sheep, while region and large flock size were risk factors associated with seropositive flocks.ConclusionsResults from this study suggest few sheep have been exposed to B. ovis, but many flocks contain at least one seropositive animal. Each region in Wyoming contained at least one seropositive animal and flock, emphasizing the importance of disease free documentation before purchasing new sheep. Aged sheep 6 years of age) had the highest seroprevalence among age groups; hence, we propose the separation of young rams from older rams to help reduce disease spread outside the breeding season. Wool breeds (Rambouillet and Merino) may be less susceptible to B. ovis infection given they had the lowest animal seroprevalence of the breed types, and large flocks 100 breeding rams) had the highest seroprevalence of the flock size categories, likely due to more intensive management strategies that can contribute to the introduction and persistence of B. ovis infection in sheep and flocks.
BMC Veterinary Research
Molly J Elderbrook Brant A Schumaker Todd E Cornish Dannele Peck Kerry S Sondgeroth
212532745
Secondary School Principals` Perceived Effects of Abusing Sustances in Day Secondary Schools in Bauchi Senetorial District of Bauchi State Nigeria
This study aimed at determining the secondary school principals` perceived effects of drugs abuse among students of day secondary schools. Descriptive research design was used for the study while questionnaire was adopted for data collection. The population of the study consisted of only principals of secondary schools. The samples of the study were 40 secondary school principals who participated in the study and simple random sampling was adopted to sample the school principals. Piloting was carried out in one secondary school. A sample of 01school principal participated in the pilot study. Test re test method of reliability was used to ensure the reliability of the instrument and data obtained was computer analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) The descriptive statistics that is, frequency distribution and percentages were used to analyzed data. The findings of the study revealed that availability of drugs, lack of effective guidance and counseling, family background; societal and influence of peer group were identified as the causes of drug abuse among day secondary schools students. The finding further identified high rate of school violence, exposing other students to drugs abuse and, mental illness as effects of drug abuse among students of secondary schools. The finding recommends that government should ensure policy formulation to address the menace of drug abuse in secondary schools while parents should monitor the affairs of their children and ensure they associate with good friends. Government should also intensify campaign against drug abuse and the dangers associated with the menace. Guidance and counseling unit and drug free club should be strengthening. I. BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY he use of drug is as old as man himself. In itself, the use of drugs does not cause any harm. They are for curing and healing, thus promoting better health condition. In order word drugs properly used have been a medical blessing (Maithya, 2009) Over the past few decades, the use of illegal drugs has increased at higher rate in almost every part of the world. According to a United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime Report (2005) reveals that some 200 million people, or 5 percent of the total world`s population age 15 64 have used drugs at least once in the last 12 months and implied 15 million people more than the 2004 estimate. Every country in the world experienced substantial costs as a result of damages caused by substance abuse (World Drug Report, 2005) Despite numerous efforts and sensitizations campaigns to curtail drug abuse in Africa, the region remains a major supplier of some drugs such as cannabis, which is regarded as one of the most widely abused drugs in the world (Maithya, 2009) The World Drug Report by UNODC (2005) reveals that there were about 141 million drug abusers globally including 8 million heroin addicts, 30 million amphetamine users and 13 million cocaine users. The report further indicates that in USA and Canada about 360,000 were heroin users in 1991, and 600,000 in the year 2000. This shows that there was a serious increase of drug abusers worldwide. A reports by Kadiri in 2012 clearly reveals that, in UK, Ireland, Denmark and Italy, 2 percent of 16 and 17 years old had use abuse drugs, while 6 percent of America young people including students of secondary schools had used cocaine. Drug abuse is regarded as one of the current issues of our time threatening peace, stability, good citizenship and human development not only in Nigeria, Africa but also globally. The abuse of drugs can devastate not only the individual, family but the society at large. Since society needs effective citizen who can participate and contribute to its growth, abuse of drugs negates this purpose and rather puts a burden on society that deflates its values resources and creates a measure. Drug abuse does not only mean the abuse of ordinary every day prescribed drugs in the hospital. It specifically refers to the illegal use of such dangerous substance as Marijuana, LSD, heroin, cocaine, opium and other socially disapproved drugs (Kadiri, 2012) Addiction to these drugs has been the major challenge in the society. It has been identified that the large number of psychiatric patients in our hospitals and those on streets and rehabilitation centers has to a large extent resulted from drug addiction (Olley, 2009) For example, a single dose of Indian hemp has been found to produce severe psychological responses. These include anxiety which may lead to panic, depressed mood, sense of unreality pertaining to one self or to surroundings, illusions, hallucinations, paranoid ideas and delirium (Obot, 2005).This unfortunate situation has become a serious concern in Nigeria. It is in line with this, that United Nations Organization has urged member countries to co operate and take appropriate local measures to check the increasing wave of drug abuse. The Nigerian government has accordingly established agencies and other institutions to deal with the drug abuse issue. Those experiencing drugs problem live with disruption in their lives. Drug abuse has a negative impact on the education of secondary school students. T International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) |Volume III, Issue I, January 2019|ISSN 2454 6186 www.rsisinternational.org Page 72 The overall health of the user is affected negatively and behaviours associated with drug abuse predispose the abuser to crime and contagious diseases including HIV/AIDS (Cookson,H 1992) They often experience physical illnesses, such as damage to important organs of the body like brain, liver and lungs, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, damage to un born child when drugs are used during pregnancy. Abusers of drugs experience psychological traumas, such as sleeplessness, anxiety, loss of memory, hallucinations, depression and psychosis. Many social problems are associated with drug abuse and drug users experience problems which disrupt their personal, social and economic life. These include loss of job, family disintegration, expulsion from school, delinquency, criminal offence which includes stealing, rape, murder, prostitution among others. Report had shown that drugs are found in almost all cities in Nigeria, motor parks, street corners, joints on campuses, uncompleted buildings and under flyovers. A nationwide survey of secondary school students reveals that 65 percent of the students in Nigeria used drugs to have good time with their friends, 54 percent wanted to experiment to see what it like, 20 percent to 40 percent used it to alter their moods, to feel good, to relax, to relive tension and to overcome boredom and problem (Obot, 2005) Majority of secondary schools students ignorantly depend on one form of drug or the other from various daily activities, social, educational, political, moral etc. Such drugs include: Tobacco, Indian hemp, Cocaine, Morphine, Heroine, Alcohol, Ephedrine, Glue, Barbiturates and Amphetamines. Recent statistics in Nigeria indicates that one in every three secondary school students consumes alcohol while 8.3 percent smoke cigarettes and almost one in every ten chew Miraa, About 3 percent smoke bhang, and use hard drugs like Cocaine. According to Olley (2009) use of alcohol contributes 25% of the total explanatory power of sexual risky behavior among adolescent which expose them a high risk of HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases (WHO) II. STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM Drugs abuse in our schools and colleges has today become a very serious menace in Nigerian system of education despite the various measures that are being taken to remedy the incidence .In some secondary schools; drugs abuse has remained a tradition by students despite all effort by the management of the schools to curtail/eradicate the act. Drugs free club and parents' teachers association (PTA) have also been carrying out lectures/mobilization on the dangers of abusing drugs, yet students fall victims of drugs abuse at all times. The Nigerian government has established agencies such as drugs law enforcement agency and other agencies to deal with drugs problems but unfortunately the menace is still increasing day in day out hence, the need to carry out the study. The purpose of the study was to investigate school principals' perceived effects of drugs abuse among students of day secondary schools in the study area. The following objectives were formulated for the study: To identify the causes of drugs abuse among students of day secondary schools. To examine the extent to which drugs abuse affects students of day secondary schools in the study area To propose strategies that would be adopted to minimize drug abuse in day secondary schools. III. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY Descriptive survey design was used. The descriptive survey design is the most frequent used method for collecting information about people`s opinion, habits, or any of the variety of education or social science issues (Kombo Tromp 2006).This design is preferred since the study aims at sampling secondary schools principals as participant of the study. According Orodho (2004) a descriptive survey design is a method of collecting information by administrating a questionnaire to a sample of individuals. This design aimed at obtaining pertinent and precise information concerning the current status of a phenomenon and whatever possible to draw a valid general conclusion from the facts discovered (Gay 1976, Kombo &Tromp 2006) A descriptive survey design was chosen because the researcher sought to describe the effects of drugs abuse on students of day secondary schools in Bauchi Senatorial District. The target populations for the study were all the 120 principals of day secondary schools in Bauchi Senatorial District. The sample size consisted of 40 school principals. This sample size is representative enough since is above the recommended proportion of 10% (Gay 1992; Kombo Tr
Yunusa Umar Abubakar Suleiman Muhammed Saleh
214389041
Blood Cell Profiling of Malaria Patients Attending Gaya General Hospital, Kano State, Northern Nigeria
Background: Changes in blood cell profile were common findings in malaria. In the rural community of Kano State, Nigeria, information on haematological changes in human malaria was scanty in spite of their role in the pathophysiology of malaria. This cross sectional study was undertaken to determine blood cell profiles in malaria patients attending a rural hospital in malariaendemic region. Methods: Blood samples (3 ml each) were collected in EDTA containers from 150 randomly selected outpatients attending Gaya General Hospital, screened for malaria using RDT kit (CareStart Malaria HRP 2, Access Bio Inc. USA) based on Histidine rich protein 2 (PfHRP 2) and blood cell profiles determined using automated Sysmex haematologic analyser. Data on sociodemographics and medical history related to the study objectives, such as taking antimalarial regimen and/or haematinic, and direct involvement in blood transfusion, were obtained by questionnaire administration supplemented with oral interview. Original Research Article Ali et al. IJTDH, 39(2) 1 11, 2019; Article no.IJTDH.48512 2 Findings: The study revealed a malaria prevalence of 67.33% with highest in 11 20years (80.95% and lowest (55.00% in 1 10years age groups; slightly higher in females (68.25% than in males (66.67% without significant difference (P<0.05) For blood parameters, malaria positive patients have a significantly lower mean PCV of 32.2% as compared to 38.18% obtained for malaria negative patients (P<0.05) The mean Hb was 10.76+ 2.27g/dL and 12.65+ 2.38g/dL (P<0.05) while WBC revealed 6.91x109/L and 6.56x109/L in malaria positive and negative patients, respectively. Platelet counts recorded 179.24x109/L and 230.47x109/L (P<0.05) Sociodemographic factors such as level of education, occupation and marital status did not significantly influence malaria prevalence. Interpretation: Low PCV and Hb in malaria patients indicate mild anaemia due to malaria related haemolysis. The occurrence of thrombocytopenia may be due to other underlying pathology as further studies with larger sample size are needed to ascertain the cause of low platelet counts in malaria patients in the study area.
M U Ali Ankeet Panda Sani Mohammed Yahaya Umar Aliyu Umar M S Inuwa Ya'u Sabo Ajingi S Idris
4874580
Adolescent depressive symptoms in India, Australia and USA: Exploratory Structural Equation Modelling of cross national invariance and predictions by gender and age.
BACKGROUND The present study compares depressive symptoms in adolescents from three countries: Mumbai, India; Seattle, United States; and Melbourne, Australia measured using the Short Moods and Feelings Questionnaire (SMFQ) The study cross nationally compares SMFQ depressive symptom responses by age and gender. METHODS Data from a cross nationally matched survey were used to compare factorial and measurement characteristics from samples of students from Grade 7 and 9 in Mumbai, India (n=3268) with the equivalent cohorts in the Washington State, USA (n=1907) and Victoria, Australia (n=1900) Exploratory Structural Equation Modelling (ESEM) was used to cross nationally examine factor structure and measurement invariance. RESULTS A number of reports suggesting that SMFQ is uni dimensional were not supported in findings from any country. A model with two factors was a better fit and suggested a first factor clustering symptoms that were affective and physiologically based symptoms and a second factor of self critical, cognitive symptoms. The two factor model showed convincing cross national configural invariance and acceptable measurement invariance. The present findings revealed that adolescents in Mumbai, India, reported substantially higher depressive symptoms in both factors, but particularly for the self critical dimension, as compared to their peers in Australia and the USA and that males in Mumbai report high levels of depressive symptoms than females in Mumbai. LIMITATIONS the cross sectional study collected data for adolescents in Melbourne and Seattle in 2002 and the data for adolescents in Mumbai was obtained in 2010 2011 CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that previous findings in developed nations of higher depressive symptoms amongst females compared to males may have an important cultural component and cannot be generalised as a universal feature of adolescent development.
Journal of affective disorders
Andrew Lewis Bosco Rowland Aiden Tran Renatti F Solomon George C Patton Richard F Catalano John W Toumbourou
20753887
A test of the measurement invariance of a brief version of the Penn State Worry Questionnaire between American and Spanish older adults.
BACKGROUND Both anxiety disorders and subclinical anxiety symptoms are related to poorer health and functioning in later life. Because worry is an important component of anxiety, the accurate measurement of worry is crucial to studying the etiology, prevention and treatment of anxiety disorders. Assessment of the trait worry has emerged as the most widely used strategy to establish the presence and extent of pathological worry. However, the Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ) the most widely used measure of the trait worry, has not been validated cross culturally in groups outside of the U.S.A. METHODS We tested the psychometric properties and measurement invariance of an 8 item abbreviated version of the PSWQ (PSWQ A) in American (N 206) and Spanish (N 137) older adult samples. RESULTS Internal consistency was high and analyses supported a unidimensional solution in both samples. Measurement invariance was tested using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and Rasch models. Results of the CFA suggest that measurement invariance between the samples can be assumed for women but not for men. Rasch modeling results by gender suggested that three items have different endorsability levels in the two samples, suggesting that certain items may more closely represent the construct of the trait worry in American and Spanish older adults. CONCLUSIONS Overall, the PSWQ A appears appropriate for cross cultural use, although deletion of one item (item 6) may improve the psychometric properties of the scale across different populations.
International psychogeriatrics
Roberto Nuevo Margaret-Anne Mackintosh Margaret Gatz Ignacio Montorio Julie Loebach Wetherell
14050107
Perception of emotionally loaded vocal expressions and its connection to responses to music. A cross cultural investigation: Estonia, Finland, Sweden, Russia, and the USA
The present study focused on voice quality and the perception of the basic emotions from speech samples in cross cultural conditions. It was examined whether voice quality, cultural, or language background, age, or gender were related to the identification of the emotions. Professional actors (n2) and actresses (n2) produced non sense sentences (n32) and protracted vowels (n8) expressing the six basic emotions, interest, and a neutral emotional state. The impact of musical interests on the ability to distinguish between emotions or valence (on an axis positivity neutrality negativity) from voice samples was studied. Listening tests were conducted on location in five countries: Estonia, Finland, Russia, Sweden, and the USA with 50 randomly chosen participants (25 males and 25 females) in each country. The participants (total N 250) completed a questionnaire eliciting their background information and musical interests. The responses in the listening test and the questionnaires were statistically analyzed. Voice quality parameters and the share of the emotions and valence identified correlated significantly with each other for both genders. The percentage of emotions and valence identified was clearly above the chance level in each of the five countries studied, however, the countries differed significantly from each other for the identified emotions and the gender of the speaker. The samples produced by females were identified significantly better than those produced by males. Listener's age was a significant variable. Only minor gender differences were found for the identification. Perceptual confusion in the listening test between emotions seemed to be dependent on their similar voice production types. Musical interests tended to have a positive effect on the identification of the emotions. The results also suggest that identifying emotions from speech samples may be easier for those listeners who share a similar language or cultural background with the speaker.
Front. Psychol.
Teija Waaramaa Timo Leisio
80364603
P3.66 How far is the fight against hbv and hiv among antenatal attendees in makurdi metropolitan city, benue state, nigeria
Introduction Benue State in Nigeria is one of the regions in sub Saharan Africa with rising morbidity and mortality among adults from HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases. This retrospective study was conducted to determine the impact of the fight against HBV and HIV among antenatal attendees in Makurdi metropolitan city. Methods A total of 757 cross sectional blood samples; 250 (2007) and 507 (2012) were collected and screened for both Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and HIV antibodies. HBsAg was screened using rapid test kits and ELISA kits while HIV antibodies was screened for using Determine (Japan) and Stat Pak (USA) rapid test kits. Other information generated with the help of questionnaire and data analysis was done using chi square in SPSS version 20 software. P values equal or less than 0.05 was considered significant. Results Overall, HBV infection rate of 12.4% (2007) was significantly higher (p=0.027) than 7.5% in 2012 but there was no difference in HIV rates between 2007 and 2012 (p=0.777) There was also a significant difference in HBV rates among attendees with no formal education in 2007 (26.7% and those of 2012 (8.3% (p=0.029) HIV on the other hand was significantly (p=0.025) lower among individuals with secondary education in 2008 (1.2% compared with those of 2012 (8.2% Farmers (2008) significantly had higher HBV (35.5% than their counterpart in 2012 (0.0% (p=0.001) Similarly, HBV infection rates recorded in 2007 was significantly higher than those of 2012 among those vaccinated, unvaccinated (p=0.016) as well as those with history of transfusion (p=0.008) Alcoholics (p=0.043) and surgery (p=0.043) Conclusion The study observed a significant decrease in HBV infection between 2007 and 2012 attributable to HBV vaccination, safer blood transfusion and surgery. Hence, there is need to sustain the fight against HBV but efforts needs to be intensified towards combating HIV.
Sexually Transmitted Infections
Emmanuel Msugh Mbaawuaga Atakpa Pb Iroegbu Cu Ikeme Ac
71190702
Parvovirus B19: Evaluation of Incidence, Prevalence and Risk Factors among Pregnant Women Attending Ante Natal Clinic in Nasarawa State, North Central of Nigeria
Trans placental transmission of parvovirus B19 during pregnancy has been reported as one of the leading causes of non immune fetal hydrops, spontaneous abortion or intra uterine fetal death. We therefore set out to determine the presence of parvovirus B19 (Ig G and IgM) antibodies and their risk factors among pregnant wo men attending ante natal clin ic, at Federal Medical Center, Keffi, Nasarawa State, Nigeria.A total of 273 pregnant women (Age range 15 40 years) participated after informed consent and clearance fro m the research ethics committee. Each filled a self ad ministered questionnaire and donated blood samples between January and August 2012. A reco mbinant parvovirus B19 IgM and Ig G ELISA kit fro m DeMediTec (USA) was used for the assays.Of the 273 participants, 36 (13.2 had IgM antibodies, while 75 (27.5% had Ig G antibodies with those aged 15 20 and 36 40 years having the highest incidence and prevalence rates. Being a house wife, having more ch ild ren and histories of blood transfusion, miscarriage and still b irth were associated with infection (P 0.05).The study reveals high incidence and prevalence of parvovirus B19 infect ion among the pregnant women. The presence of parvovirus B19 IgM antibody particularly in the first and second trimesters of pregnancy poses the danger of likely trans placental transmission leading to spontaneous abortion and intra uterine fetal death.
A AkyalaIshaku Amuta E U Agieni Ashem Godwin
74822266
Sero Epidemiology of Human Parvo B19 Virus among Pregnant Women Attending Ante Natal Federal Medical Center Keffi, Nasarawa State, Nigeria
Trans placental transmission of parvovirus B19 during pregnancy has been reported as one of the leading causes of non immune fetal hydrops, spontaneous abortion or intra uterine fetal death. We therefore set out to determine the presence of parvovirus B19 (Ig G and IgM) antibodies and their risk factors among pregnant wo men attending ante natal clin ic, at Federal Medical Center, Keffi, Nasarawa State, Nigeria. A total of 273 pregnant wo men (Age range 15 40 years) participated after informed consent and clearance fro m the research ethics committee. Each filled a self ad ministered questionnaire and donated blood samples between January and August 2012. A reco mbinant parvovirus B19 IgM and Ig G ELISA kit fro m DeMediTec (USA) was used for the assays. Of the 273 participants, 36 (13.2 had IgM antibodies, while 75 (27.5% had Ig G antibodies with those aged 15 20 and 36 40 years having the highest incidence and prevalence rates. Being a house wife, having more ch ildren and histories of blood transfusion, miscarriage and still b irth were associated with infection (P 0.05) The study reveals high incidence and prevalence of parvovirus B19 infection among the pregnant wo men. The presence of parvovirus B19 IgM antibody particularly in the first and second trimesters of pregnancy poses the danger of likely transplacental transmission leading to spontaneous abortion and intra uterine fetal death.
A AkyalaIshaku Amuta E U Azua A T