Community Medicine

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://irepos.unijos.edu.ng/handle/123456789/11479

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Alcohol Use among Tricycle Riders in Jos Nigeria
(IOSR Journal of Dental and Medical Sciences, 2018-02) Tyavyar J. Akosu1, Afolaranmi Tolulope2 Joseph Iornumbe Usar3
Background; Driving under the influence of alcohol contribute significantly to morbidity and mortality globally. Studies have reported high prevalence of alcohol use among commercial drivers in many parts of the worldbut such studies have not been reported, to our knowledge, among tricycle drivers even though they play an important role in inner city transport in many cities.The purpose of this studytherefore was to determine the pattern of alcohol use and drink driving among tricycle drivers in Jos, Nigeria and their involvement in road traffic accidents. Methodology A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 195 tricycle drivers using an interviewer administered adapted alcohol use AUDIT questionnaire. Data analysis was done with epi info statistical software version 7.2, 95% confidence interval was used with a probability value of < 0.05 considered statistically significant. Results All the one hundred and ninety-five tricycle drivers studiedwere males and all consume alcohol. Most of them (67.4%) drink and drive. A hundred and seventeen (60%) of respondents have had an accident in the last year and 70% of the accidents occurred while driving after drinking alcohol. There was no significant relationship between frequency of drinking and involvement in road traffic accident. Conclusion The level of alcohol use by tricycle drivers in Jos is alarming and this increases the risk of road crashes. Effective legislation with resources for its implementation are required to reduce drink driving and traffic accidents.
CONTRACEPTIVE UPTAKE AMONG WOMEN OF REPRODUCTIVE AGE IN A SEMI URBAN AREA IN JOS SOUTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF PLATEAU STATE, NORTH CENTRAL NIGERIA.
(THE NIGERIAN HEALTH JOURNAL, 2013-06) Moses Chingle, Mathilda Banwat, Luret Lar, Ayuba Zoakah
BACKGROUND Family planning reduces the number of unintended and unwanted pregnancies and thereby saving women from high risk pregnancies and unsafe abortions. Despite the persistent advocacy urging the use of modern contraceptive methods for family planning, the fertility rates in most sub-Saharan African countries still remain unacceptably high mostly due to poor uptake of contraception because of cultural, economic and political barriers. Evidence from the recent Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey indicates that only about 15 percent of sexually active women currently practice effective contraception. The objective of the study was to assess the knowledge of contraceptive and its uptake among women of reproductive age in Gering community in Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State. METHODS A cross sectional study design was used to assess knowledge and uptake of contraceptive among 400 respondents selected by multi stage sampling technique in Gering community using a semi structured interviewer administered questioner. Information about their knowledge, uptake, methods and factors that determine uptake of contraceptives was obtained. Data was analyzed using Epi Info statistical software and results were presented as tables. Chi square was used to test association between qualitative variables. RESULTS Majority, 362 (90.5%) of the respondents were aware of contraceptives, 200 (55.2%) had used one form of contraceptive or the other. Two common methods of contraceptives used were pills, 184 (34.2%) and injectable 176 (32.8%). Determinants of uptake included: prevention of unintended pregnancies in 136 (53.1%) and to space timing of child birth in 78 (30.5%). Factors found to be associated with contraceptives uptake among women included age, (p=0.000), education (p=0.000) and marital status (p=0.000). CONCLUSION This study showed that despite high awareness about contraceptives, the uptake is relatively low compared to the rates in developed countries. Factors like age, marital and educational status have statistically significant relationship with contraceptive uptake. There is a strong need to encourage continuing female education to enhance awareness on contraceptives and their benefits in reproductive health.
Knowledge and use of oral rehydration solution in the home management of diarrhea among mothers of under fives in Jos, Plateau State
(International Journal of Biomedical Research, 2017) Danjuma A Bello; Tolulope O Afolaranmi; Zuwaira I Hassan; Faith C Ogbonna; Patrick G Inedu; Cecilia Ejiga; Olubunmi O Chirdan
Background: Diarrheal disease is one of the leading causes of pediatric morbidity and mortality worldwide, with an estimated 1.8 million childhood deaths annually, accounting for 17% of childhood deaths. Death can occur following severe dehydration if body fluids and electrolytes are not replenished either through the use of Oral Rehydration Salt (ORS) solution or intravenous fluid. Hence, this study was conducted to determine the level of use of ORS among mothers of under fives. Methodology: This was a cross sectional study conducted among 158 mothers of under-fives attending the FHC between November 2014 and April 2015 using quantitative method of data collection. Epi info statistical software version 3.5.4 was used for data analysis with a 95% confidence interval was used in this study and a p-value of ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Result: The mean age of the respondents in this study was 29 ±5 years. Good knowledge of ORS was found among 94 (59.5%) of the respondent with a corresponding 96 (60.8%) engaging in good use of ORS in the management of diarrhoea disease for their under five children. Use of ORS in management of diarrhoea disease was significantly influenced by level o knowledge of ORS, age of the mothers, availability of prep-packed ORS and tertiary education. Conclusion: This study revealed a fairly high level of knowledge and practice of ORT in the home management of diarrhoea amongst mothers of under–fives.
Knowledge of Scabies Among a Cohort of Medical Students
(Open Science Journal of Clinical Medicine, 2015-09) Halima Mwuese Sule1, Zuwaira I. Hassan2, Mark D. Gyang3, Kenneth Yakuba1
Scabies is a common skin infestation, endemic in developing countries, usually affecting families and large groups of people living together. The intense discomfort caused by the primary disease, the life threatening complications from secondary bacterial infection, along with the challenges and costs of correct diagnosis and proper treatment make it a public health problem. Sufficient knowledge about scabies by healthcare professionals is an essential tool in fighting the scourge of scabies. Methods: We undertook a survey to assess the level of knowledge about scabies among clinical medical students, potential doctors who had completed postings in dermatology and paediatrics where the subject of scabies is routinely taught, with the aim of identifying any possible needs for an improved education on this topic. Self-administered questionnaires were distributed to a cohort of clinical medical students in a university, selected by multi-staged random sampling. Results: Of 140 medical students surveyed, the overall mean knowledge score was 7.8±2.4 out of a maximum of 14 correct answers. Only 13(9.3%) of them had satisfactory scores (≥ 75%). Neither gender, number of years in medical school or having seen at least one clinical case of scabies influenced the knowledge. Conclusion: There exists a poor knowledge of scabies among clinical students who are potential doctors.
Medical Emergencies in Primary Schools and School Ownership of First Aid Boxes
(Medical Journal of Zambia, 2015) Agbo HA; Envuladu EA; Hassan Z; Enokela E; Zoakah IA
Introduction: The school system aims at developing pupils academically and socially. In the process of achieving this, pupils are prone to accidents and medical emergencies due to their vulnerabilities. The ability of the school system to respond to these challenges may depend on the availability of well equipped First Aid Boxes (FABs) and the promptness of initiation of first Aid treatment. Objectives: The study determined the prevalence and types of medical emergencies in primary schools and the level of ownership of FABs. Methods: Using a multi-stage sampling technique, twenty-two primary schools were studied and a cross sectional study design was employed. Interviewer administered questionnaire and check-list were the instruments of data collection. SPSS statistical software version 16.0 was used for the analysis. Results: The 22 primary schools had a total population of 6,933 pupils; (4.9%) of the 139,494 population of the district. Twenty seven percent of the respondents experienced bruises, falls, and cuts; (22.7%) fever, cuts and episodes of convulsion; (13.6%) fever, bruises, stomach pains, falls and fractures. About (59.1%) of the primary schools had FABs with only (45.5%) of these schools with FABs containing the basic items. Conclusion: This study has brought to light the level of ownership of FABs in primary schools as well as prevalence and types of medical emergencies in primary schools. In view of this, actions need to be taken to address the identified gaps.
Sociocultural factors influencing the control of malaria in an endemic city in North Central Nigeria
(International Journal of Biological & Medical Researc, 2010) Godwin T. Jombo; Emmanuel M. Mbaawuaga; Priscilla Denen Akaa; Olusayo O. Alao; Etete J. Peters; Simon J. Utsalo; Edward E. Okwori; Tyavyar J. Akosu; Etiobong A. Etukumana
The continued persistence of malaria in Africa appears to be largely due to socio-cultural factors which very often, are at variance with the standard control methods. The study was therefore designed to ascertain the socio-cultural factors affecting the control of malaria in an endemic city- Makurdi, north central Nigeria. The study was cross-sectional in nature using systematic sampling methods to identify households; both quantitative and qualitative data were generated from adult women using structured and semi-structured questionnaires, and focused group discussions (FGDs) to obtain information on malaria. Questionnaires were administered requesting such as age, educational level, marital status, and awareness or otherwise of the existence of malaria, and methods of prevention. Focused group discussions were used to obtain qualitative information on malaria not captured in the questionnaires. Data obtained was analysed using Epi Info 6 statistical software. Of the 2,075 adult women studied, 97.0% (n=2,013) were aware of the existence of malaria. Out of these, 83.0% (n=1,671) did not consider malaria to be a serious health problem that would need urgent attention. Educational level and marriage had a positive impact on knowledge about the disease (P< 0.05). Accessibility to information on malaria and general knowledge of the modes of transmission and control was generally low, and to a large extent influenced by their cultural beliefs, values and low economic strengths. There is a need to intensify adult health education and provision should be made for home health educators to raise peoples' knowledge about the disease. Policies meant to reduce the poverty level of the people should be put in place to raise their economic status.