| 1 |
Author(s):
Egonu Joy Ifeyinwa, Ilo Ifeyinwa Clementine.
Page No : 1-14
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Utilization of National Health Insurance Scheme Among Healthcare Professionals in Federal Medical Centre Asaba Delta State
Abstract
The difficulties encountered in out of pocket financing of healthcare have compelled the introduction of prepaid health insurance in many countries, including Nigeria. This is borne out of a universal and equitable healthcare cover as a fundamental human right. This study assessed the utilization of the National Health Insurance Scheme among healthcare professionals in Federal Medical Centre Asaba. Descriptive cross sectional survey design was used. Three research questions and two hypotheses guided the study. A sample size of 271 respondents who met the inclusion criteria participated in the study. A structured questionnaire was used for data collection. A pilot study was carried out with a reliability index of 0.86 after face and content validation. Frequencies, percentages and chi-square were used for descriptive and inferential statistics for data analysis. Findings revealed that the majority of the respondents (92.3%) registered with NHIS. A greater proportion of the healthcare professionals have utilized the scheme. Higher level of education was found to be significantly associated with utilization of NHIS. Conversely, no association was found between healthcare professionals’ gender and their utilization of NHIS. Findings revealed a high rate of utilization of the NHIS among respondents that were enrolled and a reduction in out of pocket payment for healthcare under the NHIS. Based on the above, healthcare providers should be subjected to seminars and workshops to enlighten them on the importance of enrolling with the scheme. Intensified campaigns should emphasize on the objective, and benefits of the scheme, using the mass media as a way of reaching a vast majority of the workforce.
| 2 |
Author(s):
Akindele Emmanuel Oni, Emwinloghosa Kenneth Guobadia, Emmanuel Okechukwu Ezunu, Christogonus Ifeanyichukwu Ugoh.
Page No : 15-24
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Risk Factors Associated with Cardiovascular Diseases among Adults Attending Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital in Anambra State, Nigeria
Abstract
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is one of the major cause of death in Anambra state. This study aims to examine the association between risk factors and CVD among adult patients in Anambra state between years 2015 and 2022. This is a cross-sectional study that utilizes the 2015 and 2022 data on patients admitted and examined at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital. A total of 5267 and 4371 patients’ records in 2015 and 2022 respectively were included. Over weight and obesity (BMI) were considered the most prevalent CVD risk factor, followed by hypertension. Compared to females, males were 1.48 times more likely to have CVD in 2015 which increased in 2022. Compared to non-alcohol consumers, those that take alcohol every day were 0.74 times more likely in 2015 and 0.35 times more likely in 2017 to have CVD. Compared to non-smokers, every day smokers were 1.87 times more likely in 2015 and 3.08 times more likely in 2022 to have CVD. Persons with high cholesterol compared to low cholesterol were 2.45 times more likely in 2015 and 1.54 times more likely in 2022 to have CVD. Furthermore, persons with hypertension compared to non-hypertensive persons were 3.61 times more likely in 2015 and 5.17 times more likely in 2022 to have CVD, and those with diabetes status compared with non-diabetic persons were 2.95 times more likely in 2015 and 2.01 times more likely in 2022 to have CVD. Preventable cardiovascular risk factor should be prime target of both public health and healthcare providers across the state and the entire nation.
| 3 |
Author(s):
Lineo Florina Motsieloa.
Page No : 25-42
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Examining the Level of Integration of Nutrition Management Service for Hypertensive Elderly Patients in Maseru City Council Health Facilities
Abstract
Integration is an important part of reform used in health care to reduce healthcare costs for both patients and the health system. NMS integration into hypertension services for elderly patients has the potential to help put the blood pressure of patients under control. The study aimed to determine the level of integration of NMS in the hypertension service delivery chain for hypertensive elderly patients receiving outpatient care in Maseru City Council health facilities. This was a descriptive cross-sectional study that used quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection and analysis. The results revealed the low integration of NMS for hypertensive elderly patients in these two facilities. The inputs for the service were available but inadequate, and some were unavailable, and this hurt NMS processes provision. Out of 74 patients who participated, none of them had their weights and heights measured, and only 9.5% were asked about lifestyle and diet compliance. NMS integration was low in both facilities for several reasons.
| 4 |
Author(s):
Nwosu S.C., Atulomah N.O.S., Nwankwo N.V..
Page No : 43-52
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Effect of Educational-Intervention Programme on Predisposing Factors Involved in Adherence to Ergonomic Principles among Janitorial Staff of Tertiary Educational Institutions in Ogun State, Nigeria
Abstract
Adherence to workplace ergonomic principles protects against musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are a leading cause of debility and early retirement of workers. They are a major contributor to the global burden of disease. The effects of MSDs are observed at the individual, organizational and societal levels and have implications on personal-level dispositions of workers involved. Due to the gradual and imperceptibility of onset of MSDs, early detection or diagnosis is impossible; therefore, ergonomic-based health educational programs offer the best mitigation (Khan, Rehman, & Ali, 2012). Janitorial occupation is fraught with recognized MSDs risk factors. This study evaluated the effect of an innovative theory-grounded health educational intervention program on the predisposing factors involved in adherence to ergonomic principles by the janitorial staff of selected universities in Ogun State, Nigeria. The study was a quasi-experimental intervention design that utilized a 42-item validated six-sections questionnaire with Cronbach’s alpha internal consistency coefficient ranging from 0.782 to 0.934 using a multistage sampling technique to derive participants. The study was for twelve weeks in which baseline and 12th week follow-up data was collected regarding information on predisposing factors of knowledge, attitudinal dispositions and perceptions involved in adherence to ergonomic principles from sixty janitorial workers who consented to participate in the study. Participants were categorized into a control group (CG) and an intervention group (IG). The mean age of participants in CG was 43.2 ± 9.35 while for IG was 39.83 ± 11.11. Data was analyzed using descriptive (mean, standard deviation, frequency, percentage) and inferential (paired t-test, effect size) statistics at 5% confidence level. The results show that educational intervention programs improved the predisposing factors of knowledge, perceptions and attitudinal dispositions.
| 5 |
Author(s):
Umeh Kobimdi Cordelia , Onuigbo Ugochukwu U..
Page No : 53-67
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Exploring the Effectiveness of Anti-Drug Campaigns in Combating and Preventing Drug Abuse among South-East Nigerian University Students
Abstract
This study x-rayed the effectiveness of anti-drug campaigns in combating and preventing drug abuse among south-east Nigerian university students. Objectives of the study were to identify if the South-East University students were aware of Anti-Drug Abuse Campaigns and to find out the reactions of the students on Anti-Drug Abuse Campaigns. The study was anchored on the Agenda Setting Theory which states that the theory is one of the important roles of the media. It is defined as the process whereby the media determine what we think and worry about. Lippmann (1920), who first observed this, pointed out that the public reacts not to actual events but to the picture in their head. The effect of the agenda-setting is epitomized in Cohen (1963), the press may not as much be successful in telling people what to think, but is stunningly successful in telling its readers what to think about. The methodology adopted in the study was the survey research method, and the sample size was purposively determined, sampling 120 respondents. The major findings revealed that South-East university students are much aware of Anti-Drug Abuse campaigns. It was concluded that the Anti-Drug Abuse campaigns amongst the South-East university students make them hate drug abuse and educate others about its negative effects. It was also recommended that Constant campaigns on Anti-Drug Abuse campaigns should be made in order to educate the students on the negative effects of Drug Abuse in the society as well as in their health conditions and that the use of different media platforms, such as the social media, television, radio, newspapers, magazines, handbills, billboards, as well as the school management and student's union governments in various universities in order to educate, inform and criticize the negative effects of drug abuse to the society and human health respectively.
| 6 |
Author(s):
Ubiaza Ehidiabhen Lawrence, Dr. Aina Oluwaseun James, Dr. Ajayi Oluwaseun Chidera, Dr. Agboola Segun Mattew, Patience Uhunoma Oghagbon.
Page No : 68-80
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An Assessment of Solid Waste Management in Ikenne Local Government Area of Ogun State, Nigeria
Abstract
Background: Sanitation has remained an important and long standing global public health challenge, especially in middle and low income countries. Efforts have been made, and are still being made at finding a total solution to the problems of waste management by successive governments in Nigeria, but none has been fruitful. This study assessed solid waste management in Ikenne Local Government Area of Ogun State, Nigeria. Methodology: For the purpose of this research, a qualitative approach was adopted. This approach employed the use of a Key Informant Interview (KII) and a Focus Group Discussion (FGD). The study was carried out in Ikenne Local Government Area, one of the existing local council areas in Ogun State, the Southwestern part of the country. Twelve personnel of the Water and Environmental Sanitation (WES) department of Ikenne Local Government Area were interviewed for the purpose of this study. The sample consists of the director, deputy director, three chief environmental officers, two senior environmental officers, and five field workers. Results: The respondents stated that there are just two collection trucks servicing the entire five communities. The stress placed on these vehicles would only last for a short while as they are liable to break down. The department also lacks personal protective equipment for health attendants, which ought to help them prevent infectious diseases in the course of performing their duties. Households from the three different communities have shown their dissatisfaction towards the services rendered to the communities by the WES department. They voiced out their displeasures during the focused group discussions where most of them said they are rarely served, even on environmental sanitation days. These options revolve around seeking a redress to institutional constraints. Lack of reliable funding system has affected a lot of functions that ought to be carried out by environmental officers. It all comes down to a single factor – fund. The provision of official vans for inspection purposes, collection trucks, manpower (skilled and unskilled) and other tools are all determined by availability of funds. Conclusion: The study was able to establish that institutional constraint is the major factor militating against solid waste management systems in Ikenne Local Government Area. Every finger points towards this direction and so also the institution admits to this fact. When there is no collection vehicle to carry wastes, the available ones can only serve a few of the population. This is not to say that manpower to collect wastes from households is less important, as they are needed to transfer the wastes into the trucks and also dispose of them, as the services rendered to the people.
| 7 |
Author(s):
Obi- Nicholas Favour Chinwe, Dr. Ajayi Oluwaseun Chidera, Dr. Aina Oluwaseun James, Kwarbai Aaron Maitala, Ubiaza Ehidiabhen Lawrence.
Page No : 81-93
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Knowledge Attitude and Practice of Pregnant Women Towards Physical Exercise in Agege Local Government Area of Lagos State, Nigeria
Abstract
Introduction: Pregnancy is a good time to develop a healthy lifestyle in pregnant women which includes physical exercise. The objective of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of physical exercise among pregnant women in Agege local government area in Lagos state, Nigeria. Methodology: A cross-sectional survey method was used; 400 pregnant women were recruited into the study using convenience sampling technique. A structured and validated questionnaire was designed to assess knowledge, attitude and practice of pregnant women towards physical exercise was used to collect data. All the results were tested at 0.05 level of confidence. Results: The result showed that 36% of the pregnant women were between the age of 21-25 years and more than 35% were between 15-20 years, more than (71%) of the women have heard about physical exercise. Nevertheless, only 52% of the pregnant women engaged in physical exercise. Most (54.0%) of them actually prefer domestic activities over real physical exercise. The result suggests that women’s knowledge concerning physical exercise during pregnancy is reasonable and their attitude is positive; however, a large number do not practice physical exercise. Antenatal program may be tailored into introducing guided physical exercise and introduce pregnant women into guided models of fitting exercises for each trimester. Conclusion: Physical exercise in pregnancy is important to aid bodily movement produced by skeletal muscles that results in energy expenditure. Exercise is a subset of physical activity that is planned, structured, and repetitive and has as objective to improve or maintain physical fitness. Physical activity and exercise promote health and longevity, and minimal adherence to current physical activity guidelines is associated with a significant 20-30% reduction in risk of all-cause mortality. Pregnancy leads to a reduced level of physical activity for most women, the activity level is often further reduced throughout pregnancy, and the pre-pregnancy exercise level is usually not regained six months after childbirth
