Perception and practices relating to hepatitis B Infection among in-school adolescents in Ogun State, Nigeria

Objective: This study examined the perception and practices relating to Hepatitis B infection among In-school adolescents in Ogun State, Nigeria.Methods: A cross-sectional study of 300 in-school adolescents selected by a multi-stage sampling method. Data were elicited using a pretested self-administered questionnaire which included questions relating to respondents' risky practices, and a 35-point Hepatitis B perception scale. Descriptive statistics, as well as Chi-square statistics, were generated using IBM SPSS Version 23, and the significance level was set at 0.05.Results: The mean age of the respondents was14.31 ± 1.73years and slightly over half (51.7%) were females. Less than half (45%) of the adolescents perceived themselves to be susceptible to Hepatitis B infection, while 31% perceived Hepatitis B infection to be a serious disease. Almost half (49%) of the adolescents had unfavorable perceptions. The most common risky practices among the respondents were sharing skin-piercing instruments with their family members (79%) and friends (68.7%). There are significant associations between sex (gender) and risky practices such as the practices of unsafe sex (X2= 9.11; p=0.10); having multiple sexual partners (X2= 12.08;p =0.02); and sharing skin-piercing instruments (X2= 5.52;p=0.01) with more males reporting the above practices than females. Conclusion/Recommendation: To minimize the identified risky practices and unfavorable perception, educational intervention programs aimed at promoting Hepatitis B virus preventive behaviors and increasing the level of perception of vulnerability and seriousness of HBV infection among in-school adolescents should be conducted.

Outcome of training intervention on teachers' knowledge, perception and self-efficacy for preventing childhood lead poisoning in Ido Local Government Area, Ibadan Nigeria

Exposure of school children to lead from various sources, including the school environment, is perilous to their health. In this study, teachers' knowledge of Lead Poisoning (LP) was assessed and the effects of training on their knowledge, perceptions and self-efficacy for preventing childhood LP in Ido Local Government Area (LGA), Oyo state was determined. The quasi- experimental study involved an Experimental Group (EG) of 27 teachers nominated by 15 purposively selected schools in Ido LGA and a Control Group (CG) of 30 teachers from 15 schools in Egbeda LGA. The two groups completed a pre -test using a validated questionnaire and the results were used to design a 4-day Training Intervention for the EG. A post-test was conducted among the two groups using the same questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive, Chi-square, ANOVA and t-test statistics. The EG and CG Mean Knowledge (MK) scores at pre-test using a 74-point knowledge scale were 20.2±16.3 and 14.6±14.4 respectively. Mean scores at post-test for the EG and CG were 71.8±3.1 and 19.2±17.8 respectively (p<0.05). A significant difference was found between the EG's pre-test (20.2±16.3) and post-test (71.8±3.1) scores (p<0.05). The control's mean pre-test and post-test knowledge scores of 14.6±14.4 and 19.2±17.8 respectively were not significantly different. Perception of the EG that LP is more serious in children than adults changed from 5% at pre-test to 100% at post-test (p<0.05), while for the control perceptions were 13.3% and 23.3% for pre-test and post-test respectively with no significant difference. The EG participant's self-efficacy relating to level of confidence in advocating for school-based LP control rose significantly from 29% at pre-test to 100% at post-test (p<0.05); values among the control at pre-test and post-test were 26.7% and 23.3% respectively (p>0.05). Training intervention was effective in improving teachers' knowledge and influenced their perception and self-efficacy relating to the control of LP. Teachers can be used to upgrade their peers' knowledge

Effects of peer education on the knowledge and use of HIV counselling and testing services among young persons in Ibadan, Nigeria

Although HIV counselling and testing (HCT) service plays important roles in prevention and control of AIDS; many young Nigerians under-utilize it. A peer education intervention was implemented to promote use of HCT among secondary school students and apprentices in Ibadan; Nigeria. Baseline data were collected from 1281 students from six schools and 100 apprentice workshops in four Local Government Areas of Ibadan. A total of 897 students from four schools and apprentices from 25 workshops were assigned as experimental group while 682 students from two schools and apprentices from 25 workshops were the controls. Three intervention activities were implemented: a one-day sensitization workshop for 31 apprentice instructors and 20 secondary school teacher-supervisors; training of 75 students and 46 apprentices as Peer Educators (PE); and development of Behaviour Change Communication (BCC) materials including posters and handbills. Six months after implementing these interventions; a follow-up survey was conducted to assess the effects of the PE on young person's knowledge of HIV and HCT and reported use of HCT services. Follow-up data were collected from 760 respondents from the experimental sites and 298 from the control areas using the same questionnaire administered during the baseline survey. PE educated a total of 1;917 persons with information on HIV/HCT-related issues. In addition; at follow-up; records of use of HCT services were obtained from two HCT centres situated in the experimental sites and one from the control. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and t-tests. The results showed significant increase in knowledge of HCT among experimental (1.3 to 7.5) (p0.05) and control groups (0.6 to 6.8) (p0.05) at follow-up. At baseline; 29.0% of the experimental and 36.0% of control knew of the location of a HCT centre; at follow-up the percentage of experimental groups who could do so increased to 62.0%; while the number dropped to 34.0% among controls. Records at HCT centres showed that a greater number (309) of experimental groups used HCT services than control (43). PE were successful in influencing behaviour of their peers to use HCT services