AFRICAN JOURNAL OF HEALTH & ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES, ENTREPRENEURSHIP, ENGINEERING & AGRICULTURE

Sedentary behaviour characterised by prolonged sitting or low energy activities such as screen time has become increasingly common among young adults due to academic, occupational and social demands. This lifestyle is associated with negative health outcomes such as reduced physical fitness, increased risks of obesity and poor mental wellbeing. The study investigated the determinants of sedentary behaviour among young adults in Port Harcourt Local Government Area, Rivers State. A descriptive survey design was adopted for the study and the population comprised of all young adults in Port Harcourt Local Government Area, Rivers State who were resident in the area as at the time of the study. Cochrane formula was used to obtain of sample of 384 and a multistage sampling procedure was used to distribute the sample. The instrument for data collection was a self-structured questionnaire with 0.774 coefficient of reliability. Descriptive analysis was done using frequency counts, percentages, mean and standard deviation, while the hypotheses were tested using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) at 0.05 alpha level of significance. The findings showed that 16.9% exhibited very high sedentary behaviour. 50.0% of respondents between 20years and below exhibited high level of sedentary behaviour while 76.0% of those between ages 31years and above exhibited low level of sedentary behaviours. More than half of the respondents (both males and females) exhibited high level sedentary behaviour. 63.3% of those who always succumb to negative peer pressure exhibited high level of sedentary behaviour while more than half of those who were poor as well as those who were in the upper exhibited high level of sedentary behaviour. More than half (63%) of the respondents with good health status exhibited low sedentary behaviour while more than half of those with very poor health status exhibited high sedentary behaviour. Furthermore, it was revealed that age (F= 13.065; p= 0.000), peer pressure (F= 18.140; p= 0.000), socio-economic status (F= 11.352; p= 0.000) and health status (F= 10.356; p= 0.000) were significant determinants of sedentary behaviour among young adults in Port Harcourt Local Government Area, Rivers State. Parents and caregivers should organize family outings that involve physical activities such as hiking, biking, or team sports to encourage their wards participate in a more active lifestyle; in addition, Public Health Workers should run awareness campaigns through social media, television, and community programs to educate youth and their families about the importance of reducing sedentary behaviour and increasing physical activity

Seafood serves as a significant vector for various bacterial pathogens, posing substantial public health concerns worldwide. Among these, Vibrio species- particularly Vibrio Vulnifus and Vibrio Parahaemolyticus- are prevalent in warm marine environments and are associated with severe illnesses ranging from gastroenteritis to life- threatening septicemia, especially following the consumption of raw or uncooked shellfish. Listeria monocytogenes, notable for its ability to survive at refrigeration temperature, contaminates ready to eat seafood products like shellfish, leading to listeriosis, a disease with high mortality rates among immunocompromised individuals. Salmonella spp. and Escherichia coli often infilterate seafood through fecal contamination in polluted waters, causing gastrointestinal disturbances that can escalate to systemic infections. Clostridium botulism an anaerobic, spore forming bacteria, can produce potent neurotoxins in improperly processed seafood, resulting in botulism a potentially fatal condition. Staphylococus aureus, introduced during handling, can generate heat stable enterotoxins in seafood, leading to seafood poisoning characterised by nausea, vomiting and abdominal cramps.Vibrio parahaemolyticus, infections typically result in symptoms like watery diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, and sometimes fever. The bacterium’s virulence is largely attributedto the presence of hemolysin genes, notably tdh and trh. Environmental factors such as rising ocean temperatures and poor sanitation have contributed to the increasing incidence of V.parahaemolyticus outbreaks globally. Preventative strategies, including seafood safety regulations, proper cooking, and public awareness, are essential to reduce health risks associated  with this pathogen.

This study investigates the effect of gas flaring on the environs around the igwuruta flow station. The study adopted the completely randomized block design (CRBD) due to the similarity of the experimental points where the ambient air quality readings (from 4 stations). Instruments like Aero Qual 500 Series (Gas Monitor), GT 321 Particulate Metre, Automated Global Position System (GPS), Extech Meteorology Metre, and Measuring Tape were used to assess the parameters or pollutants in the environs around the Igwuruta flow station. The study revealed that the environs around the Igwuruta flow station is polluted with pollutants like: CO2 =563.5 μg/m3, N02 = 0.070 μg/m3, O3 = 0.0175 μg/m3, So2 = 0.00 μg/m3, H2S = 0.00 μg/m3, CH4 =0 μg/m3, CO =0.2μg/m3, NH3 =0.2 μg/m3, Pm 2.5 =0.009 μg/m3, Pm 10 = 0.0134 μg/m3, noise =54.2dBA, temperature =31.7 OC, WS =1.43 m/s, and RH = 71.2% which differ from the daily WHO and DPR standards. Furthermore, the study found that the concentration of CO2 could lead to the possibility of respiratory diseases, skin disease, ear defects, etc. While the high temperature could lead to intense heat that can affect humans (especially pregnant women delivering prematurely), including plants and animals. The study recommended amongst others that: trees should  be  planted  to  absorb  the  excess concentration of CO2 around the environs of the Igwuruta flow station, alongside high temperature resistant plant like Lantana should be planted in the communities bordering the Igwuruta or Agada flow station with high intensity of temperature.

Urbanization is a global phenomenon that is transforming human settlements. Economic growth and rapid growth of cities have brought enormous change to most cities in Nigeria, raising living standards and reducing poverty. Sustainable cities have been the major centres of economic growth and social development, generating new ideas and creating numerous new and existing jobs especially during the era following industrial revolution through economies of scale and agglomeration and fostering creative and innovative civil cultures. This paper provides an overview of issues related to managing urbanization towards sustainable cities. The survey method using questionnaire was employed in the study. The stratified, random and systematic sampling techniques were used in selection of Owerri City and 240 respondents from six zones of the city. Descriptive statistics were used in analyzing the data. The result shows that urbanization has brought enormous economic, social, political and environmental transformations of unprecedented portions to the cities but at the same time causing problems for rural development. There is a growing loss of productive agricultural land to peri-urban development and is increasing pressures for structural region in agriculture. The benefits that larger cities offer in opportunities for infrastructures are making it difficult for rural areas to compete and attract skilled persons to support development. The consequences of urbanization are poverty, high rate of unemployment, crime, alcoholic etc. The study therefore concludes that urbanization brought about economic growth and the rapid growth of cities also brought enormous change to most cities of Nigeria; especially in Owerri, and infrastructures should also be extended to the rural areas as well.