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Item PRISON AND SOCIETY-BASED FACTORS INFLUENCING RECIDIVISM IN THE MEDIUM CUSTODIAL CENTRE, LAGOS, NIGERIA(University Of Ilorin, 2024) HASSAN, AbdulazeezThe need to protect members of society from dangerous criminals as well as making the offenders functional members after release from prison custody are some of the justifications for the establishment of prisons globally. However, these objectives have not been adequately met, leading to increasing rate of recidivism in Nigeria. While most of the existing studies focused on the inadequacies in the prisons, there are limited studies on the integration of prison and societal-based factors of recidivism. Therefore, the study examined the effects of prison and societal-based factors on recidivism in the Medium Custodial Centre, Lagos State Command. The specific objectives were to: (i) examine the effect of inadequate rehabilitation facilities on recidivism; (ii) assess the effect of insufficient skilled professionals on recidivism; (iii) assess the effect of deficient empowerment programs for discharged inmates on recidivism; (iv) examine the effect of existing regulations on family/friend visitation on recidivism; and (v) assess the effect of discrimination against ex-convicts by community members on recidivism. This study employed survey design using mixed method approach. The population for this study was 3,076 recidivists in the Command. A sample size of 781 respondents was selected using quota sampling technique from different strata of the recidivists based on the number of times they have returned to the prison. Also, purposive sampling technique was used to select 30 participants from correctional officers, community leaders, social workers and concerned NGOs for qualitative data. Data for this study were gathered through questionnaire and in-depth Interview. Cronbach alpha was used to test the reliability of the instrument used for data collection at a minimum parameter of 0.60. Frequency and percentage were used for descriptive analysis of the data; while multinomial logistic regression analysis was used to test the formulated hypotheses. Content analysis was employed to analyse qualitative data. The findings of the study were that: inadequate rehabilitation facilities had a positive effect on recidivism (β=1.28; P-value=0.014); insufficient professionals in the correctional center had a positive effect on recidivism (β=1.34; P-value=0.002); deficient empowerment programs for discharged inmates had a positive effect on recidivism (β=1.05; P-value=0.001); existing regulations on family/friend visitation had a positive effect on recidivism (β=1.09; P-value=0.013);Item THE IMPACT OF AGRO-CLIMATIC VARIABLES ON WHEAT YIELD IN SAVANNAH ECOLOGICAL ZONE OF NIGERIA(University Of Ilorin, 2024) AKPAN, Godwin PeterClimate constitutes the major determinant of crop production globally. Although climate and weather variables influence human activities and environmental resources sustainability, its variability causes pronounced seasonality in rainfall and threatens food security such as wheat production. This study aimed at examining the impact of selected agro-climatic variables on wheat yield in savannah ecological zone of Nigeria. The objectives were to: (i) examine the pattern of climate parameters in the study area from 2011 to 2020; (ii) assess the relationship between agro-climatic variables and wheat yield; (iii) assess the reliability of rainfall onset and cessation, rain days and their implications for wheat growth; (iv) determine the climatic suitability level for wheat crop; (v) predict future climatic suitability level for wheat growth; and (vi) identify the most biophysically suitable zone(s) for wheat growth in the study area. Six climatic variables, namely rainfall, minimum and maximum temperature, sunshine hour, relative humidity, evaporation and wheat yield data were obtained for 10 years in three savannah ecological zones (Derived Guinea, Guinea and Sudan/Sahel). Climatic data were collected from the record of Nigeria Meteorological Agency, Abuja while wheat yield data were obtained from Lake Chad Research Institute, Borno State. Data obtained were analysed using descriptive statistics such as frequency, percentages; and inferential statistics such as Pearson Product Moment correlation, Multiple Regression analysis and Global Agro Ecological Zone (GAEZ) model. The findings of the study were that: rainfall and evaporation displayed increasing trends in the three zones (0.34, 0.36, 0.62 and 0.13, 0.16, 0.06, respectively). Conversely, minimum temperature, sunshine, and wheat yield displayed decreasing trends across all zones (0.48, 0.22, 0.009; 0.69, 0.13, 0.0002; and 0.018, 0.011, 0.53, respectively). Other variables in the savannah zone exhibited fluctuating pattern; correlation coefficient (r) of wheat yield with each of maximum temperature (r = 0.10), evaporation (r = 0.02) and sunshine (r = 0.82). Only Sunshine was statistically significant. Similarly, with rainfall (r = -0.50), minimum temperature (r = -0.28) and relative humidity (r = -0.81) which showed negative correlation, rainfall and relative humidity were statistically significant. Coefficient of determination R2 revealed that 79.5% variance in wheat yield was explained by the six explanatory variables; wheat production in Guinea and Sudan/Sahel Savannah is negatively impacted by low probability of rainfall reliability (Interdiurnal Variability Index < 70%). climate suitability for wheat growth is high in guinea savannah zone (> 63%) while Sudan/Sahel and derived guinea savannah indicated good suitability (> 50%) and marginal suitability (> 0%) respectively; The result of GAEZ model predicted declining climate suitability level for wheat growth in baseline period of 2041 to 2070; and Guinea Savannah was identified as the most suitable region (42.65%) for wheat growth. The study concluded that agro-climatic variables have significant impact on wheat yield. The study therefore, recommended that wheat belt be extended to guinea savannah. Climate-resilient wheat varieties should be developed while irrigation system be made available to wheat farmers in the guinea savannah eco-zone.Item INFLUENCE OF SOCIO-ECONOMIC FACTORS ON CRIME PERPETRATION: A STUDY OF MALE INMATES AT CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES IN SOUTH-WEST NIGERIA(University Of Ilorin, 2024) AGBOOLA Ebenezer BayodeStudies indicate that crime rate is on increase in Nigeria. As at 2023, the country scored 7.28 (on a scale of 0-10) as against 7.15 in 2021. Based on this, Nigeria was ranked second in Africa on organised crime index. Specific socio-economic variables have been linked with crimes in Nigeria and beyond. However, most of the existing studies on the influence of socio-economicfactors on crimes were largely perceptual and conducted outside the correctional centers. Therefore, the study aimed at exploring the influence of socio-economic factors on crime perpetration among male inmates at correctional facilities in Southwest Nigeria. The objectives of the study were to: (i) examine the effect of income level on crime and perpetration among male inmates; (ii) assess the effects of employment status on crime perpetration among male inmates; (iii) examine the effects of ‘neighbourhood conditions’ on crime perpetration among male inmates; (iv) investigate the effect of educational qualification on crime perpetration amongmale inmates; (v)explore the effect of age on crime perpetration among male inmates. The study adopted survey research design. The multi-stage sampling technique was used. Clustersampling was used to delineate the Southwest based on the existingstates. Then, simple random sampling was used to select one correctional facility from each State. The total population of inmates in the selected six (6) correctional facilities is 826, where a total of 663 convicted inmates were selected using purposive sampling technique premised on who had already been convicted. Out of 663, only 539 completely filled the questionnaire. For the in-depth interviews, three (3) staff each were selected from the chosen correctional facilities. Questionnaire was administered to collect quantitative data; while in-depth interviews were conducted to collect qualitative data. Test and re-test method was used to ensure the reliability of the instrument; while Cronbach alpha was used to determine the validity of the quantitative instrument, which yielded a coefficient of 0.76. Both descriptive and inferential statistical tools were used. Hypotheses were tested using logistic regressions; while qualitative data were analysed using content analysis. The findings of the study were that: inmates whose income level was low were 2.311 times more likely to continue engaging in crimes (β=2.311;p-value=0.014); inmates who were unemployed were 2.913 times more likely to continue engaging in crimes (β=2.913;p-value=0.024); inmates with lower educational status were 1.421 times more likely to continue engaging in crimes (β=1.421;p-value=0.010); inmates who were younger in age were 2.045 times more likely to continue engaging in crimes (β=2.045;p-value=0.008); inmates who lived in poor neighbourhoods were 1.971 times more likely to continue engaging in crimes (β=1.971;p-value=0.001); and qualitative findings further showed that peer influence and family history of crime could also contribute to crime perpetration among inmates. The study concluded that socio-economic factors significantly predict crime perpetration in Southwest, Nigeria. The study therefore recommended thatgovernment should put in place policies that will enhance income level and employment opportunities as well as improve neighbourhood conditions.Item SOCIO-CULTURAL FACTORS AND UTILIZATION OF HEALTHCARE FACILITIES: IMPLICATIONS FOR MATERNAL MORTALITY IN URBAN AREAS OF EKITI STATE, NIGERIA(UNIVERSITY OF ILORIN, 2018-03) OWOSENI, Joseph SinaIn Nigeria, maternal mortality remains a social health problem as more than 140 women die daily from pregnancy - related complications. Studies have adduced a number of factors such as lack of skilled birth attendants, household income, education and distance from facilities without considering the socio-cultural factors. This study therefore investigated socio-cultural factors that may influence utilization of healthcare facilities in urban centers of Ekiti State, Nigeria. The objectives were to: (i) identify socio-cultural characteristics of pregnant women in Ekiti State; (ii) examine the level of utilization of healthcare facilities among pregnant women; (iii) assess the influence of socio-cultural factors on the utilization of healthcare facilities among pregnant women in the State; and (iv) examine the implications of this on maternal mortality. The study utilized Benerji political economy theory and Andersen’s Health-seeking behavioural model. Survey design was adopted to achieve the objectives of the study. Quantitative data were generated through the use of structured questionnaire, while qualitative data were sourced from In-depth interviews (IDIs) and key informant interviews (KIIs). With a multi-stage procedure, 100 respondents were sampled from each headquarters of the sixteen Local Government Areas in Ekiti State, totaling 1,600 respondents but only 1580 responded for the analysis. Frequency distribution was used to present the pattern of socio-cultural and behavioural characteristics of the respondents while multiple regression analysis was used to establish the relationship between the socio-cultural factors and respondents’ utilization of healthcare facilities at 0.05 level of significance. The findings of the study were that: i. pregnant women were between 30-39 years of age (53.4%); 45.3% have tertiary education, 64.5% were married, 63.9% were Christian, 83.8% were employed and 38.3% earn above N50,000 monthly; ii. the attendance of health care facilities showed that, 54.4% were frequent; 4.8% periodically; 8.0% occasionally; while 32.8% rarely visited the facilities; iii. socio-cultural factors influencing healthcare facilities utilization among pregnant women were: religious belief (R2 =0.628); cost of service (R2 = 0.821); efficacy of the service (R2 = 0.726); women’s working conditions (R2 = 0.182); stereotypes (R2 = 0.845) and family customs (R2 = 0.814) while marital status exhibit an inverse relationship (R2 = -0.120); iv. 78.7% of the respondents affirmed that women died during child birth due to complications that arise as a result of socio-cultural practices engaged in during pregnancy; v. majority of the women needed to get the consent of their husband before they seek health care services; and vi. majority of the women took herbs during pregnancy and did not utilize health care facilities unless they have complication. The study concluded that socio-cultural and other factors have significant influence on utilization of healthcare facilities among pregnant women in the study area with their negative consequence on maternal mortality. The study therefore recommended that; women should be educated especially on harmful cultural practices that may affect them, while there should be public enlightenment by government,religious institutions and prominent members of the community.Item