| 1 |
Author(s):
Ewu G.A., Nwankwo B.B..
Page No : 1-14
|
Psychosocial Problems of Adults Living with HIV/AIDS in Jos, North Central Nigeria
Abstract
Introduction: HIV is a major global public health issue. People living with HIV and their families have a wide variety of problems including psychosocial problems which need to be addressed. Methods: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study carried out to identify and measure the psychosocial needs of adult PLWHA attending two hospitals in Jos, Nigeria. Results: There was a total of 390 respondents interviewed. The mean age was 33.4 + 7.7 years and 245 (62.8%) respondents were females while 145 (37.2%) were males. In all, 360 (92.7%) reported disclosing their status while 338 (86.7%) reportedly received counselling for disclosure. Most respondents, 224 (77.8%), disclosed their status to their partners while only 61.5% know their partner’s HIV status. Also, over 4% reported no preventive/protective measures for their partners. Most respondents (92.1%) desire spiritual support and the preferred source of Spiritual support for the majority (63.4%) of the respondents is their pastor or Imam while some (16.5%) would rather relate with their God directly. Conclusion: In conclusion, although counselling for disclosure and disclosure to partners was high, spiritual support and involvement in care and support groups were low. There is a need to sustain and strengthen psychosocial support for PLHA in order to meet these needs thus improving their quality of life.
| 2 |
Author(s):
Biyaya Beatrice Nwankwo, Abdul Abdulazeez.
Page No : 15-28
|
Anthropometric Indices Associated with Disparities in Mean Blood Pressure between two Ethnic Groups in Gwagwalada, Nigeria
Abstract
Background: Several studies have demonstrated the association between the development of hypertension and elevated indices of overweight and obesity. The Fulani people are considered to have genetic origin comprising West African, North Africa, and Arabian descent while the Gbagyi people are of the Benue-Congo linguistic family indigenous to the Nigerian FCT. Whereas the Fulani are generally slender the Gbagyi people often have more sturdy appearances phenotypically. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we investigated two phenotypically distinct ethnic groups resident in Northcentral Nigeria to ascertain associations between their blood pressures and anthropometric indices. Results: Hypertension was detected in 24.7% of the combined study populations. The prevalence rates for were 23.2 versus 26.3% for the Fulani and Gbagyi ethnic groups with those differences being statistically insignificant (p=0.498) However there were significant differences in the SBP of 122.15 versus 126.1 mmHg and DBP of 77.21 versus 83.16mmHg between the Fulani and Gbagyi groups respectively. Similarly, there were observed significant differences in the anthropometric measurements in the weight, Body Mass Index, Waist Circumference and Waist to Hip Ratio between the two groups. Conclusion: This study lends support to the association between higher anthropometric indices and mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures in the general population. The Fulani people had lower systolic and diastolic blood pressures, associated with lighter body weight, lower body mass index, smaller, waist circumference, and lower waist to hip ratios compared to the Gbagyis
| 3 |
Author(s):
Gbenga Adenitire, Catherine O. Agbede.
Page No : 29-38
|
Perception and Prevention Practices Relating to Covid 19 Infection Among Elderly in Ogun State, Nigeria
Abstract
The risk of contracting COVID-19 and becoming seriously ill increases with age. This study assessed perception and prevention practices relating to COVID 19 infection among the elderly in Ogun State. This study adopted a survey design. One hundred and seventy-five participants were selected using a multi-stage sampling technique. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire, and data collected were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The majority 142(81.9%) of the participants perceived themselves to be susceptible to COVID-19 infection, with 25(14.3%) perceiving it to be a serious disease. Less than a quarter 40(22.9) of the participants perceived COVID 19 prevention to be highly beneficial while most 115(65.7%) of the participants reported that their levels of barriers to prevention of COVID-19 were high. More than half of 95(54.3%) of the participants had low preventive practices for COVID-19. Participants’ perceived susceptibility to COVID 19 was negatively correlated with their prevention practices (r = -0.15; p = 0.04). In conclusion, the participants had a poor perception of COVID 19 infection and low prevention practices. It is recommended that COVID-19 awareness campaigns should focus on raising more awareness of the risks associated with the COVID 19 infection to make the elderly engage more in preventive behaviours.
| 4 |
Author(s):
Babarinde Olamide J., Nnodimele Atulomah O..
Page No : 39-48
|
Effect of Educational Intervention on Knowledge for Immunization Among Mothers With Under-5 Children in Oyo State, Nigeria
Abstract
This study assessed the effects of educational intervention on the knowledge of immunization among mothers with under-5 children in Oyo state, Nigeria Methods: A quasi-experimental study was conducted among 60 mothers of under-5 children recruited by multistage sampling technique divided into intervention and control groups. There was a baseline assessment of mothers’ knowledge in both the intervention and control groups using a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire. Thereafter, immunization education training was given via lectures and demonstrations and another assessment was done post-intervention. Six weeks after the intervention, another assessment of the same mothers was conducted with the same instrument. Mother and knowledge responses were measured on a 33-point rating scale. Data was analyzed using IBM SPSS version 23 to generate descriptive and inferential results. Results: At the baseline, the mother knowledge in the control group had a mean score of 7.70±1.50 while the experimental group had a mean score of 9.6±2.60. At the immediate post-intervention stage, there was a statistically significant increase in the mean knowledge score of the experimental group (15.67±3.28; p = 0.000) while there was no increase in the mean knowledge score of the control group (8.83±2.36). This significant increase in the mean knowledge score of the experimental group (21.80±3.50; p = 0.000) was also observed during a 6-week follow-up period. Conclusion/ Recommendation: The immunization education training was effective in improving the mothers’ knowledge. It is recommended that mothers of under-5 children should be trained on the importance of immunization appointment-keeping practice by the government.
| 5 |
Author(s):
Edim Eka James, Inyang Bassey Inyang, Ann Ochuole Ochelebe.
Page No : 49-63
|
Enhancing Public Awareness of Lassa Fever Virus Through Publicity in Cross River State, Nigeria
Abstract
This study centered on enhancing public awareness of Lassa Fever Virus through publicity in Cross River State. It was aimed at determining the influences of press releases, factsheet and social media on public awareness of Lassa Fever Virus. As a cross-sectional study, primary data were obtained from 208 residents of Calabar Metropolis through a structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were adopted for data analysis and interpretation, while hypothesis testing was done using simple linear regression. Consequently, the findings of the study revealed that press releases, factsheet and social media were publicity tools that significantly enhanced public awareness of Lassa Fever Virus in Cross River State. Therefore, we have recommended that: The Nigerian government (at Federal, State and Local levels), and public health organizations should intensify the use of press releases, factsheets and social media as effective publicity tools for providing factual and credible information about public health challenges to improve public awareness and mobilize members of the public in an effort to combat them in a way that sustainably preserves the public’s health. Practical implications and a future research agenda were also presented.
| 6 |
Author(s):
Johnson Faith Alexandra, Atulomah Nnodimele Onuigbo, Ayokanm Israel, Nwachukwu Boris Chichebem, Ajayi Oluwaseun Chidera.
Page No : 64-77
|
Non-Modifiable Factors Associated with Medication-Adherence among Stroke Survivors in Lagos State, Nigeria
Abstract
Stroke is the world's second most common cause of mortality and the third most common cause of morbidity and disability. Recurrent strokes make up a significant number of stroke admissions to the emergency room. This condition is largely preventable by identifying and addressing the risk factors involved. Hence, this study examined the non-modifiable risk factors associated with medication adherence among stroke survivors in Lagos state, Nigeria. A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted using a multistage sampling technique, including 386 stroke survivors from 10 stroke rehabilitation facilities in Lagos state. A validated structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square and Binary logistic regression at a significance level of 5%. The participants' mean age was 52.42 ± 12.143. Results showed that participants aged 51-60years were more likely to adhere to their medication than other age groups. The result also showed no association existed between the age of stroke survivors and medication adherence (OR = 1.119, CI = 0.941-1.332, p = 0.549), ethnicity and medication adherence (OR = 1.176, CI 0.89-1.55, p = 0.211), and the gender (OR = 1.147, CI = 0.748-1.761, p = 0.665). However, there is a significant association between number of stroke and medication adherence (OR = 0.699, CI = 0.499-0.980, p = 0.038). This study's findings highlight important gaps in the factors that influence and are associated with medication adherence. Therefore, other non-modifiable factors asides from the ones assessed in this study should be researched.
