Community Medicine

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

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    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.
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    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.
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    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.