Heavy Metal Assessment of Borehole Water Use in Oil Refinery Host Communities (Published)
The research was carried out to assess heavy metal presence in borehole water used in eleme Port Harcourt Refinery host communities in Rivers State. The physicochemical parameters determined include: Temperature, pH, turbidity, alkalinity, and total dissolved solid (TDS) using conventional equipment and standard laboratory procedures, also the concentration of of Pb, Hg, Fe, CD, SO4, SO3, CO3 and Cl-, were determined using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer(AAS), bacterial analysis were carried out and characterized using standard methods. The results showed that physical parameters such as pH, temperature and turbidity in some communities did not show any reason for concern. The chemical parameters measured are within the World Health Organisation (WHO) and National Standard for Drinking Water Quality (NSDWQ) standard except for cadmium which show a very high concentration with the range of 0.13-0.48mg/l as compared to approved 0.003mg/lof World Health Organisation and 0.05mg/l of National standard for Drinking Water Quality respectively. Also, the concentration of iron (Fe) was very high in all the communities sampled with the range of 0.19 -0.44mg/l as compared to approved 0.3mg/l of WHO and NSDWQ. The concentration of of Cadmium (Cd)detected was very high compared to the approved standard of World Health Organisation and National Standard for Drinking Water Quality as it ranges from 0.00-0.4750mg/l. The presence of Cadmium may be due to the leaching of petroleum and hydrocarbon compounds in the sampled area. Intervention of Government and Non- governmental Organisation is highly recommended.
Keywords: Borehole, Community, Quality, water
Child Abuse: A Significant Contemporary Community Problem (Published)
The definition of child abuses and neglect is fairly broad. Individuals, ethnic groups, religious institutions, professional entities, etc. have different perspectives on it as it happens. Although there are many other types of child abuse and neglect, including physical violence, verbal abuse, emotional/psychological abuse, child labor, child abandonment, and child sexual abuse, they have all been covered in this essay. Additionally, the causes of child abuse and child neglect in our culture were discussed. The effects of seeing child abuse and neglect can have a profound impact on a person’s life. It affects a person’s physical health and well-being, intellectual and cognitive growth, as well as their emotional, psychological, and behavioral aspects of life. In this study, all of these were critically examined.
Citation: Ajisafe L, B., Ohaeri, B., Ojo I.O., and Babarimisa O. (2023) Child Abuse: A Significant Contemporary Community Problem, International Journal of Public Health, Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Vol. 8, No.1, pp.18-26
Keywords: Abuse, Child, Community, problem
Community Participation and Empowerment in Promoting Healthy Communities (Published)
Community participation and empowerment could be imperative in achieving healthy communities if properly utilized and implemented. A community is a configuration of individuals, families, and groups whose values, characteristics, interests, geography, or social relations unite them in some way and the word is used to denote both the people living in a place, and the place itself. Community participation and empowerment are community-based actions, policies or programs that are driven by community members which can affect local factors that can influence health, and has the potential to promote healthy communities. This paper on community participation and empowerment in promoting healthy communities discussed concepts such as community participation and empowerment, healthy community, importance of community participation and empowerment, the need for community participation and empowerment, roles of community participation and empowerment on healthy communities, partnerships for healthy communities, components of a healthy community and benefits of healthy communities.
Keywords: Community, Empowerment, Participation, healthy community
Influences of parental guidance towards sex education among teenagers in Sama and Ilelema communities, Rivers state, Nigeria (Published)
Sex is an important part of human life to which many people desperately seek answers, with its knowledge and attitude being very significant that humans are to seek it from any available source. However, most parents, even the educated ones and those in civilized climes find it difficult to discuss it with their children and wards. To this end, the later seek it from different sources, some of which may be detrimental to them. The study ascertained the influence of parents on the sexual behavior of their children. A cross-sectional aimed at measuring the influences of parental guidance towards sex education among teenagers in Sama and Ilelema communities, Asari-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers state. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 20 and the results presented as frequencies and percentages. About half of the respondents, 136(45.4%) are 17-19 years old, with the least, 71(23.6%) been 10-13 years. More females, 162(54.0%) participated, with most, 272(90.7%) been single while 28(9.3%) are married. Most, 253(84.3%) have secondary education and most are also students, 269(89.7%). Almost all the respondents, 294(98.0%) knew that sex education can reduce the problem of sexually transmitted diseases. 273(91.0%) agreed that correct information about sex education will prevent premarital sex, while 278(92.7%) agreed its early knowledge will not corrupt the children. 206(68.7%) have heard of sex education, with most hearing about it more than 6 times, 84(40.8%), of which 54(22.2%) heard it from peer groups/friends. About half, 167(55.7%) have had boy/girlfriend, with most of the former having between 1-3 boy/girlfriends. One hundred and seventeen (39.0%) have not had sexual intercourse, while 193(64.3%) waiting until they are married before having sex. Similarly, 247(82.3%) did not have pressure to have sex, with friends being most cause of pressure in 43(81.1%). 212(70.7%) are into serious relationship, with 66(22.0%) expecting the relationship to get to marriage. 92(82.9%) employed a means of preventing pregnancy during intercourse, of which 46(30.0%) and 33(35.9%) used condoms and withdrawal methods respectively. The respondents are aware of sex education and the effects of indulging in early sex, but peer groups/ friends pressure militate against their will to abide by tenets of safe sex. Vigorous enlightenments should be carried out by religious bodies, parents and other organizations, on the importance of sex education and the risks of early and unprotected sexual relationships. Sex education should, thus be given early to avoid children seeking information from peers, which may not be accurate. Doing this, will give them a clearer perception and better fuure.
Keywords: Community, Pressure, Sex Education, teenage
Influences of parental guidance towards sex education among teenagers in Sama and Ilelema communities, Asari-toru Local Government Area, Rivers State, Nigeria (Published)
Sex is an important part of human life to which many people desperately seek answers, with its knowledge and attitude being very significant that humans are to seek it from any available source. However, most parents, even the educated ones and those in civilized climes find it difficult to discuss it with their children and wards. To this end, the later seek it from different sources, some of which may be detrimental to them. The study ascertained the influence of parents towards the sexual behavior of their teenage children. A cross-sectional aimed at measuring the influences of parental guidance towards sex education among teenagers in Sama and Ilelema communities, Asari-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers state. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 20 and the results presented as frequencies and percentages. The results revealed that about half of the respondents, 136(45.4%) are 17-19 years old, with the least, 71(23.6%) been 10-13 years. More females, 162(54.0%) participated, with most, 272(90.7%) been single while 28(9.3%) are married. Most, 253(84.3%) have secondary education and most are also students, 269(89.7%). Almost all the respondents, 294(98.0%) knew that sex education can reduce the problem of sexually transmitted diseases. 273(91.0%) agreed that correct information about sex education will prevent premarital sex, while 278(92.7%) agreed its early knowledge will not corrupt the children. 206(68.7%) have heard of sex education, with most hearing about it more than 6 times, 84(40.8%), of which 54(22.2%) heard it from peer groups/friends. About half, 167(55.7%) have had boy/girlfriend, with most of the former having between 1-3 boy/girlfriends. One hundred and seventeen (39.0%) have not had sexual intercourse, while 193(64.3%) waiting until they are married before having sex. Similarly, 247(82.3%) did not have pressure to have sex, with friends being most cause of pressure in 43(81.1%). 212(70.7%) are into serious relationship, with 66(22.0%) expecting the relationship to get to marriage. 92(82.9%) employed a means of preventing pregnancy during intercourse, of which 46(30.0%) and 33(35.9%) used condoms and withdrawal methods respectively. The respondents are aware of sex education and the effects of indulging in early sex, but peer groups/ friends pressure militate against their will to abide by tenets of safe sex. Vigorous enlightenments should be carried out by religious bodies, parents and other organizations, on the importance of sex education and the risks of early and unprotected sexual relationships. Sex education should, thus be given early to avoid children seeking information from peers, which may not be accurate. Doing this will give them a clearer perception and better future.
Keywords: Community, Pressure, Sex Education, indulgence, teenage