Morufu Olalekan Raimi

By Raimi Morufu Olalekan, Aziba-anyam Gift Raimi and Teddy Charles Adias

Given the unprecedented novel nature and scale of coronavirus and the global nature of this public health crisis, which upended many public/environmental research norms almost overnight. However, with further waves of the virus expected and more pandemics anticipated. The COVID-19 pandemic of 2020 opened our eyes to the ever-changing conditions and uncertainty that exists in our world today, particularly with regards to environmental and public health practices disruption. This paper explores environmental and public health evidence-based practices toward responding to Covid-19. A literature review tried to do a deep dive through the use of various search engines such as Mendeley, Research Gate, CAB Abstract, Google Scholar, Summon, PubMed, Scopus, Hinari, Dimension, OARE Abstract, SSRN, Academia search strategy toward retrieving research publications, “gray literature” as well as reports from expert working groups. To achieve enhanced population health, it is recommended to adopt widespread evidence-based strategies, particularly in this uncertain time. As only together can evidence-informed decision-making (EIDM) can become a reality which include effective policies and practices, transparency and accountability of decisions, and equity outcomes; these are all more relevant in resource-constrained contexts, such as Nigeria. Effective and ethical EIDM though requires the production as well as use of high-quality evidence that are timely, appropriate and structured. One way to do so is through co-production. Co-production (or co-creation or co-design) of environmental/public health evidence considered as a key tool for addressing complex global crises such as the high risk of severe COVID-19 in different nations. A significant evidence-based component of environmental/public health (EBEPH) consist of decisions making based on best accessible, evidence that is peer-reviewed; using data as well as systematic information systems; community engagement in policy making; conducting sound evaluation; do a thorough program-planning frameworks; as well as disseminating what is being learned. As researchers, scientists, statisticians, journal editors, practitioners, as well as decision makers strive to improve population health, having a natural tendency toward scrutinizing the scientific literature aimed at novel research findings serving as the foundation for intervention as well as prevention programs. The main inspiration behind conducting research ought to be toward stimulating and collaborating appropriately on public/environmental health action. Hence, there is need for a “Plan B” of effective behavioral, environmental, social as well as systems interventions (BESSI) toward reducing transmission.

Part of the book: Science-Based Approaches to Respond to COVID and Other Public Health Threats

By Morufu Olalekan Raimi, Henry Olawale Sawyerr, Ifeanyichukwu Clinton Ezekwe and Salako Gabriel

Groundwater pollution is a major issue in many tropical countries. Governments at all levels are doing little or nothing to supply inhabitants with clean and accessible water, particularly in Nigeria’s Niger Delta region. This study compares differences in water quality parameters in the study area (determine the level of pollutions in the different sites). The investigation made use of standard analytical methodologies. All sampling, conservation, transportation as well as analysis followed the usual APHA procedures (2012). To prevent degradation of the organic substances, all obtained samples were transferred to the laboratory, while keeping in an icebox. Result shows that during wet season, the mean values obtained for water quality parameters were significantly lower in site 9 compared with that obtained in other sites (p < 0.05) with the exemptions of temperature, DO, BOD, COD, acidity, TH, TDS, K, Mg, Zn, Mn, Cd, Pb, Cu, Cr, NH3, NO2, NO3, Ni though slightly lower in most cases in site 9 were not significantly different (p > 0.05) and both alkalinity and SO4 which were significantly higher in site 9 than site 1 (p < 0.05). Result obtained during dry season reveals that there is no remarkable difference in pH, acidity, Pb and Ni between the nine sites (p > 0.05) while other water quality parameters were significantly lower in site 9 than other sites excluding Cl and Mg which were both significantly higher in site 9 than site 8 (p < 0.05). Extra efforts must be made to completely understand the hydrogeochemical properties and appropriateness of groundwater in Nigeria’s core Niger Delta region in order to ensure quality groundwater supply for varied applications. As a result, this research will contribute to the establishment of a quantitative understanding of the effects of many causes on groundwater level changes in every aquifer worldwide. This analysis also reinforces a useful resource for scholars, activists, and public officials looking to improve community awareness, planning, and performance. The verdicts will serve as a valuable guideline for policymakers, the Ministry of Water Resources, and development practitioners, as they highlight the need for appropriate approaches to mitigating toxic elements of water resource contamination in the core Niger Delta in order to protect public health from carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks.

Part of the book: Environmental Impact and Remediation of Heavy Metals