Abdullahi Ibrahim JALO, Pharmacy - Ahmadu Bello University, 2023

For a long time, it was believed that students studying health related courses required only knowledge and skills to be effective professionals. It is now clear that becoming a professional is a complex process involving not only knowledge and/or skills but also the formation of a professional identity. The aim of this study was to explore perceptions of final year pharmacy students of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria about their professional identities and the competencies they had acquired during their undergraduate training. The study was cross sectional and used a structured questionnaire to collect data in October 2023. The study questionnaire was subdivided into three sections. The first section collected information about respondents’ demographic characteristics. Items in the second section explored respondents’ perceptions of their professional identity and the final section contained 26 behavioral statements as contained in the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) global competency framework. Descriptive statistics were used to report the results obtained. A total of 104 responses was obtained out of 123 students selected, producing an 84.6% response rate. Majority of the respondents were male (51.9%) and aged between 21-25 years (52.9%). Most of the respondents considered themselves pharmacists (74%) and reported having an understanding of their roles as pharmacists (95.2%). Of the 9 potential professional identities for pharmacists provided to respondents, medicines advisor was the most selected identity (90.4%) while the least selected one was unremarkable character (26.9%). Respondent’ agreement with the behavioral statements ranged from 77.9% to 99%. In conclusion, respondents identified with several professional roles and perceived themselves as capable of carrying out the selected FIP behavioral statements.

Aisha ABDULWAHEED, Human Anatomy - Ahmadu Bello University, 2023

Stress is not a situation or a condition during an adverse condition, as it is generally assumed. In fact, it is a way by which the body overcomes a demanding or undesirable situation. Every day, young and old experience stress at some level. According to the American Psychological Association of Stress (2020), it has been estimated that nearly 2 in 3 adults (65%) are faced with stress. In Drosophila Melanogaster, heat stress can deplete energy level reserves in them. A transient thermal stress can induce a lasting 'memory effect' on body fat storage in Drosophila melanogaster, which can reduce their survivorship. This study was carried out to determine the effect of heat stress at different time ranges on Drosophila melanogaster. Whirlch wild type Drosophila melanogaster was populated and then grouped into four groups with 30 flies of 3 replicate each and were maintained in a plastic vial on standard cornmeal food at 25°C. The control group flies were maintained under normal temperature, while the experimental group flies were induced with 20 mins, 30 mins, and 40 mins heat shock respectively. This experiment lasted for 15 days. We recorded the climbing performance of flies and ran a statistical analysis using One-Way ANOVA followed by a post Hoc Tukey test, and we discovered a significant decrease (*p=<0.05) in the climbing performance of flies induced with heat shock compared to the control group, also we observed a significant increase (*p=<0.05) in the MDA level of flies induced with heat shock when compared with the control group. And a significant decrease (*p=<0.05) in the GSH level was observed when compared with that of the control.

Aisha Danladi MUSA , Nursing Science - Ahmadu Bello University, 2023

The study was carried out to assess nurses' attitudes and practices towards Patient Teaching in Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), Zaria. The objectives of this study are to assess nurses' attitudes toward patient teaching, to find out whether nurses practice patient teaching in ABUTH, to identify strategies and types of patient teaching adopted by nurses in ABUTH, to determine challenges nurses encounter in patient teaching in ABUTH, Zaria. A cross-sectional descriptive study was used for the study. Relevant literature was reviewed. A sample size of eighty-seven (87) was used for the study. Online questionnaires were used to collect data from the respondents. The data collected was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 25. The findings in this study reveal that the majority of the respondents (79.1%) strongly agreed that they view patient teaching as a core responsibility for nurses, 97.7% of the respondents engaged in patient teaching, and 51.7% said they use the unplanned (informal) method of teaching. 40.2% of the respondents use the discussion method (one-to-one/group discussion) to teach adult patients, 42.5% of the respondents use storybooks as a teaching tool for children, 37.9% of the respondents indicated a conducive environment as a strategy for patient teaching. 65.5% indicated that they encounter shortage of staff, 77.0% of the respondents indicated that cultural and religious beliefs prevent them from patient teaching. Based on the findings, it was concluded that the Nurses in Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital Zaria have a positive attitude and practice towards Patient Teaching and it was recommended that the ways to improve nurses' attitude and practice of patient teaching is by employment of more nurses to enable them to have time to teach patients, provision of adequate teaching materials, and a conducive environment.

Abdulhakim Dangana MUSA, MicroBiology - Ahmadu Bello University, 2023

Fungal contaminants of dried date fruits were isolated from three (3) locations in Samaru, Zaria. A total of 30 samples were collected from the sample collection sites namely Samaru Market, front of Suleiman Hall, and opposite North Gate, ten (10) samples from each. Samples were cultured on Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) after which they were sub-cultured onto Malt Extract Agar (MEA) to obtain pure isolates. A total of 60 isolates were isolated from the 30 total samples obtained, with 20 isolates gotten from each sample collection sites. Basic slide culture technique was used for the identification and characterization of the isolates based on the presence of distinct features. The fungal contaminants identified were Rhizopus oryzae, Aspergillus niger, and penicillium spp.

Nafisat ISSA, Botany - Ahmadu Bello University, 2023

Allelopathy is a biological phenomenon by which an organism produces one or more biochemicals that influences the germination, growth, survival and reproduction of other organisms. This study was designed to investigate the effect of Eugenia jambolana leaf aqueous extract on the growth of Vigna unguiculata. Aqueous extract of the leaves of Eugenia jambolana were screened for phytochemicals and its effect on the growth of Vigna unguiculata were investigated. The leaf extract was made into a solution to obtain two rates (100mg, 300mg, 500mg, 800mg and 1000mg) which were compared with the control (0g). Preliminary phytochemical screening revealed the presence of steroids, saponins, flavonoids, cardiac glycosides, tannins, terpenoids, carbohydrates and phenols. The aqueous extract significantly (p<0.05) had higher inhibitory effect on the radicle and plumule lenght of Vigna unguiculata from Day 4 and Day 5 after planting when compared to the control and other treatments (100mg, 300mg and 500mg) to that of 800mg and 1000mg.

Mustapha MURTALA, Building Technology - Ahmadu Bello University, 2023

The aim of the study is to assess the factors leading to wastage of timber in some selected construction site within Mabushi Abuja.

Oluwatoyin Mary OLAWUYI, Botany - Ahmadu Bello University, 2023

The study is aimed at isolating and identifying the fungi associated with late blight of potatoes in Jos South Local Government Area of plateau State. The infected leaf samples were collected from three different fields in Jos South Local Government Area and transported to the laboratory, the infected leaves were cut into smaller portions using a sterile blade and inoculated on the Potato Dextrose Agar, it was incubated at room temperature for 5 days after which the different colonies obtained were identified using the slide culture technique. The result obtained indicated the presence of 3 different fungal species with their percentage occurrence: Phytophtora sp. (50%), Aspergillus niger (33.3%) and Aspergillus flavus (16.7%), However Phytophtora sp. was the most predominant specie while Aspergillus flavus was the least common. It was concluded that 3 fungal species were found to be responsible for the deterioration of potato plant in the potato fields in Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State. In order to prevent the fungal infection on the leaves and other parts of the plant, this study recommends the development of suitable cultural, chemical and management practices to improve the quality of potato tuber right from the field.

Rofiat ABUBAKAR , Botany - Ahmadu Bello University, 2023

In vitro anti-trypanosomal effects of aqueous and ethanolic leaf extracts of Ocimum sanctum against Trypanosoma brucei brucei was examined. The leaf of Ocimum sanctum was collected and maceration method was used for extraction. Aqueous and ethanolic leaf extract of Ocimum sanctum extract was subjected to qualitative phytochemical screening using the method described by (Trease and Evans). Which revealed the presence and absence of active compounds which includes; alkaloids, phenols, tannins, saponins, cardiac glycosides, carbohydrates, flavonoids, terpenoids, steroids and it further revealed the absence of anthraquinones The in vitro test of anti-trypanosomal activity of aqueous and ethanolic extract of Ocimum sanctum was carried out in a 96 well micro-titre plate. Twenty micro-litres (20µl) of blood were exposed to 10µl of the extract solution concentration of 2.5mg/ml, 5mg/ml and 10mg/ml respectively 10µl of the standard drug Diminazine diaceturate, was used as the positive control; while 10µl of phosphate buffered saline glucose was used as the negative control. At five minutes’ incubation, a drop of the incubated blood sample was placed on a glass slide, covered with a cover slip and mounted on a light microscope. The parasite was monitored every 5 minutes of a total of 60 minute, the parasite motility was observed and tracked under microscope at X400 magnification. It was discovered that the leaf extract of Ocimum sanctum exhibited anti-trypanosomal activity in a concentration and time dependent manner on the parasite. When the parasite was exposed to 2.5mg/ml of aqueous and ethanolic leaf extract of Ocimum sanctum, the parasites were slightly weak in 5 minutes of exposure, under 10 minutes of exposure, motility ceased until 60 minutes. The same procedure applies for 5mg/ml and 10mg/ml of aqueous and ethanolic leaf extract of Ocimum sanctum, the parasite's motility ceased in 5 minutes till 60 minutes of these concentrations. It can be concluded that the aqueous and ethanolic leaf extract of Ocimum sanctum exhibited good anti-trypanosomal activity against Trypanosoma brucei brucei. The bioactive compounds in the plant extract are attributed to the anti-trypanosomal activity. The p-value is < 0.05, here we reject the null hypothesis and concluded that the Ocimum sanctum leaf extract has significant anti-trypanosomal activity.

Basiratu Chindo SANI, Human Physiology - Ahmadu Bello University, 2023

Pain is always subjective. Each individual learns the application of the word through life’s experiences related to injury. Biologists recognize that those stimuli which cause pain are liable to cause tissue damage. A diurnal rhythm is a periodic or rhythmic change in the physiological or behavioral characteristics of an organism with a periodicity of approximately 24hours which regulates behavior, organs and cells in living organisms, studies have highlighted the influence of circadian rhythms on pain sensitivity. The study, “Diurnal variation in mechanical pain threshold in female swiss albino mice” was used to examine the effect of diurnal variation on mechanically- induced pain in mice paw. Following the procedure of the Randall-Selitto test, twenty swiss albino mice were grouped into two (light and dark phase) and subjected to mechanical pain induced by an analgesiometer in the morning (light phase) and in the evening (dark phase) for a duration of two days. From the results obtained, it was seen that mechanical pain threshold was higher during the dark phase than in the light phase although it was not statistically significant. It may be concluded that mechanical pain threshold may exhibit diurnal or temporal fluctuation

Okpanachi Abubakar , Electrical Engineering - Ahmadu Bello University, 2024

This research work proposed the use of genetic algorithm methods for the optimal allocation of multiple distributed generation units in a distribution network. The aim of the integration is to minimize the system losses and enhance voltage profile of the distribution network. This combination guarantees convergence accuracy and speed in multiple distributed generation units’ allocation. The active power, size, and location are simultaneously considered during distribution network loss minimization. This proposed technique is applied to 33-bus test distribution systems. The test results show that the proposed genetic algorithm (GA) could lead to optimal or near-optimal solution, while requiring lower computational effort.

Asmau Yakubu MOHAMMED , Community Medicine - Ahmadu Bello University, 2023

While youths and university students generally have lower rates of morbidity and mortality, they frequently have noticeable health issues that are often hidden and/or underdiagnosed. Some of these health problems are related to behaviours that are common within this age group/demographic. Still, reports show that their utilization of health services is low. Poor health seeking behaviour is common among them, which could be detrimental to their overall health and well-being.

Musa Zainab MUSTAPHA, Community Medicine - Ahmadu Bello University, 2023

Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) of individual is assessed to have an information on how health status affects the quality of life. The Almajiri children continue to face several challenges that pose a threat to their health and well-being. Consequentially, this is seen to affect their quality of life. The aim of this study is to assess the health-related quality of life of Almajirai in selected Qur’anic Schools in Sabon Gari Local Government Area (LGA), Kaduna State.

Suleiman Muktar SALKA, Community Medicine - Ahmadu Bello University, 2023

Self-medication among medical students is on the increase. Though the WHO recommends the practice of self-medication, inappropriate use can lead to several consequences. Various factors influence the pattern of self-medication, the choice of drugs, reasons, duration of treatment, likelihood to see a doctor after not getting relief and the type of ailment it is being used for.

Abdulmuiz Idowu ABDULKADRI, Community Medicine - Ahmadu Bello University, 2023

Prostatic Cancer (PCa) is the most common cancer among Nigerian men and the second most common cause of cancer related death in men worldwide. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge and perception of PCa among middle-aged men in Biye Community, and to also assess the prevalence of the disease in the community.

TUMBA Nuhu, Community Medicine - Ahmadu Bello University, 2007

This study showed a high injury rate among health care workers as shown by other studies. Even though the level of safety awareness is fair, the practice of universal precaution is poor. Hence, concerted effort is needed to encourage health care workers to adhere to the principles of universal precautions, for the sake of their health and that of their patients.