Prevalence and correlates of erectile dysfunction among long-distance commercial vehicle drivers and commercial motorcycle riders in Ibadan Nigeria: a comparative cross-sectional study

Background: Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a global public health problem that affects the quality of life, interpersonal, occupational, and social functioning of sufferers. Despite being high-risk groups, there is a paucity of data on erectile dysfunction among commercial vehicle drivers and motorcycle riders. Objectives: We aimed to determine and compare the prevalence and factors associated with ED among long-distance commercial vehicle drivers (CVDs) and commercial motorcycle riders (CMRs) in Ibadan, Nigeria. Methods: We used a comparative cross-sectional study design to enroll eligible male respondents in selected motor/motorcycle parks within Ibadan metropolis. Interviewer administered questionnaires were used to elicit sociodemographic/health-related characteristics, and ED status among participants. Data was analyzed using STATA version 12. Chi-square and Binary logistic regression were conducted to explore the association between ED and other covariates. Analyses were performed at 5% significance level. Results: The prevalence of ED was significantly higher among motorcycle riders than vehicle drivers (71.4% vs 47.4%, p = 0.001). Predictors of ED among CMRs were monogamous marriage type and history of perineal injury; while among CVRs were aged above 40-years, history of perineal injury, and current use of alcohol. Conclusion: There is a need for public education and awareness programmes on ED to reduce the burden and improve well-being in these populations

Inter-professional rivalry in Nigerian health sector: a search for a potential beginning

Background: Inter-professional rivalry (IPR) in Nigerian health sector has become a common practice for over a decade due to abuse of the existing laws and ethics governing the operations of the professional cadres manning the health institutions in the country. This has led to incessant strikes by the different cadres in the hospitals across the country, thereby affecting the quality of services delivered by all the categories of healthcare staff. This study was aimed at identifying the initial source of the problem by interviewing the students of the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences of Bayero University Kano (BUK) and that of Yusuf Maitama Sule University (YUMSUK) and those that have passed their examinations and joined the clinical and allied science departments in Bayero University Kano. The Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences is the initial confluent point where all medical and students of allied sciences receive their training together especially in the first and second year of their training. Method: A random sampling method was used to select the subjects. Two hundred questionnaires were distributed but 139 (69.5%) students at various levels of training filled and returned the questionnaire. Results: Females constituted 62 (44.6%), while the male were 77 (55.4%). Those in level 4 and 6 dominated the study with 55 (39.6%) and 41 (29.5%) respectively. Medical students and students of Physiology program constituted 42(30.2%) and 23(16.5%) respectively. Majority of the students 126 (90.6%) chose their respective courses without external influence and 85 (61.2%) believed that their course of study has a supportive role in the health care system. Up to 63 (45.3%) believed there is no superiority among the various courses of study. Of the factors fueling superiority feelings among students, 70 (50.4%) did not provide any reason, while those that believe professional bodies encourage it constituted 40 (28.8%), followed by teachers 11 (7.9%) and students themselves 10 (7.2%). Superiority feelings lead to rivalry among the various programs as opined by 78 (56.1%), chaos in the health sector 26 (18.7%) and poor patients management 12 (8.6%). Majority, 61 (43.9%) believed that rivalry in health sector can be prevented by giving uniform opportunity to all professional group. Conclusion: It is clear that half of the students interviewed were not aware of superiority feeling among the different programs of study. However, professional bodies rank first among the factors fueling superiority feeling during undergraduate training. Superiority feeling has negative effects on the healthcare system, one of which is rivalry among the healthcare staff and it can be avoided by giving uniform opportunity to different professional groups

Perceptions of why Malawians engage in concurrent sexual partnerships among a select population of radio listeners: findings from an exploratory study

Concurrent sexual partnerships have been identified as a potential driver in the HIV epidemic in Southern Africa. This study utilised an innovative approach to explore perceptions of why Malawians may engage in these relationships, and their suggestions for reducing the practice among a select population of radio listeners. Using radio listener feedback in the form of text messages, we analysed approximately 1 000 text messages sent by individuals who listened to a reality radio programme that included real stories, told by Malawians, on topics related to HIV/AIDS. Listeners suggested that lack of satisfaction with one's partner was the overarching reason why individuals had concurrent sexual partnerships. Within the context of lack of satisfaction, listeners cited alcohol use, poor communication and gendered norms as factors related to satisfaction. Listeners suggested that couple communication could increase satisfaction, which, in turn, could reduce concurrent sexual partnerships. Prevention efforts should consider how to utilise couple communication to improve satisfaction as an approach to reduce HIV risk in Southern Africa

A qualitative Exploration of Resilience in Pre-Adolescent AIDS Orphans Living in a Residential Care Facility

This article presents the findings of a study among a small group of South African AIDS orphans living in a residential care facility; Lebone Land. The research was conducted between June and September 2006. A qualitative; exploratory study consisting of in-depth; semistructured interviews with eight children and seven key informants aimed to identify and investigate developmental assets operating in the children's lives to help them cope amid exposure to adversities. The findings indicate that the developmental assets that facilitate coping and foster resilience in these children relate to four main components: external stressors and challenges; external supports; inner strengths and interpersonal and problem-solving skills. Emerging key themes relate to the experience of illness; death; poverty and violence; as well as the important roles of morality; social values; resistance skills; religion and faith in assisting these children in defining their purpose in life. To this end; constructive use of time; commitment to learning; goal-setting; problem-solving ability and self-efficacy are fundamental in the children's attainment of their future projections. Therefore; qualities such as optimism; perseverance and hope seem to permeate the children's process of recovery. Strong networks of support; particularly friendships with other children; also seem to contribute to developing and sustaining resilience

Gender-Wise Comparison on Emotional Intelligence and Marital Satisfaction

The research aims at exploring and comparing the marital satisfaction and emotional intelligence of people between age 25-65. Tools used were namely Marital Satisfaction Scale (MSS) and Exploring Emotional Abilities (EEA). A fairly representative data of 316 respondents was collected from Maharashtra; India. The analysis indicates a significant gender difference on certain areas of emotional intelligence; namely; openness to criticism; self management and empathy. A significant gender difference is also noted on two areas of marital satisfaction; namely; sexual relations and sharing household responsibilities; which can be traced to the socio-cultural influences. This has helped in understanding the relationship of gender with core traits of one's emotionality; which influence the marital relationship

Communication skills : A tool for Interpersonal Relationship in Nursing Care

Background: The interpersonal relationship between the nurse and other health care providers is poor. Moreover; the ineffective therapeutic communication skills within the health team are the bane to effective and efficient health care delivery system. Nurses; as members of the health team are supposed to communicate information about the client to other members of the team to enable them carry out a comprehensive plan of care; though this is found wanting. The lack of knowledge of the factors that influence or inhibit effective communication among health care providers contribute to the lopsided health care delivery system. Results : This paper reviews the process of communication; its skills in the nursing process which involves the client's family and other health care professionals in identifying the health care needs of the client. Factors that influence or inhibit effective communication is discussed. Effective communication establishes good working relationships between the nurse; client and other health care providers. Thus; this promotes client's well-being and reduction of death rates in our hospitals. Methods: A review of the process of communication in the nursing process utilizing relevant texts and papers obtained by manual/Medline search. Conclusion: Effective communication is necessary for the nurse's role in helping the client to adapt to the changes resulting from health alterations. Nursing is a communicative interaction and it is believed that the foundation of nursing lies in the communicative attitude. It is a fact that failure to communicate leads to serious problems that can threaten professional credibility

Communication skills: A tool for interpersonal relationship in nursing care

Background: The interpersonal relationship between the nurse and other health care providers is poor. Moreover; the ineffective therapeutic communication skills within the health team are the bane to effective and efficient health care delivery system. Nurses; as members of the health team are supposed to communicate information about the client to other members of the team to enable them carry out a comprehensive plan of care; though this is found wanting. The lack of knowledge of the factors that influence or inhibit effective communication among health care providers contribute to the lopsided health care delivery system.Methods: A review of the process of communication in the nursing process utilizing relevant texts andpapers obtained by manual/Medline search.Results: This paper reviews the process of communication; its skills in the nursing process which involves the client's family and other health care professionals in identifying the health care needs of the client. Factors that influence or inhibit effective communication is discussed. Effective communication establishes good working relationships between the nurse; client and other health care providers. Thus; this promotes client's well-being and reduction of death rates in our hospitals.Conclusion: Effective communication is necessary for the nurse's role in helping the client to adapt to the changes resulting from health alterations. Nursing is a communicative interaction and it is believed that the foundation of nursing lies in the communicative attitude. It is a fact that failure to communicate leads to serious problems that can threaten professional credibility

Medical Students' Perceptions of their Development of 'Soft Skills' - Part I: A qualitative Research Methodology

Background: Following the introduction of a new; integrated; problem-oriented undergraduate medical curriculum at the University of Pretoria (UP) in 1997; a research project was undertaken to study interpersonal skills; professional attitudes; teamwork; ethics and related topics - which have come to be known collectively as 'soft skills'. This contribution is the first of two articles on the professional socialisation of medical students and their development of 'soft skills'. It describes the particular qualitative methodology developed for; and applied to; the study of soft skills among medical students at UP.Methods: This paper describes the aim of the study; reasons for adopting a qualitative research approach to achieve this aim; the theoretical orientation underpinning the qualitative approach that we considered most suitable; the design; the sampling; the data management and analysis; and the methods that we deployed to ensure the credibility of the findings.Research Design: The aim of the study was to explore the subjective meanings that students attributed to soft skills; as they understood them. These subjective meanings involve the way students interact meaningfully with fellow students; lecturers and other individuals participating in the medical and clinical education programme; and the way they construct shared conceptualisations of soft skills and medical education in their lives and social world. A qualitative approach was considered most appropriate; as this study set out to uncover subjective and diverse meanings that do not necessarily amount to generalisable truths. The particular qualitative strategy or design used was that of an extended case study; or 'casing'; within the modernist theoretical orientation of symbolic interactionism. Elements of process evaluation were incorporated into the design to account for the process of curriculum reform within which this study was embedded. We recruited participants for this study from two cohorts of students. The first group; who completed their studies in 2001; had followed the traditional curriculum; while the second group; who completed their programme in 2002; had followed the reformed curriculum. The data collection tools were face-to-face individual interviews; focused group interviews and solicited autobiographical sketches. The utilisation of more than one method or data source enabled triangulation or cross-checking of findings. We followed an inductive reasoning approach; which means that we did not search for data to test any hypotheses that had been formulated prior to commencing the study; but focused instead on building constructs that were grounded in or reflected intimate familiarity with the students' world.Conclusion: The modernist qualitative research approach enabled us to uncover; describe and illuminate the subjective points of view on soft skills as expressed by final-year medical students before and after curriculum reform. More specifically; by carrying out an extended case study we were able to perform a process evaluation of the curriculum reform in terms of soft skills and the professional socialisation of the students. This paper outlines how qualitative research methods enabled us to capture and explore aspects of the inner life (social worlds) of these students. Whether they would be the same; similar or different in another setting are questions for further exploration or research - questions prompted by our study in a manner that illuminates the qualities that may be inherent in these subjective meanings

Nursing within the primary health care context

The nurse's function in Primary Health Care requires a high level of communication and interpersonal relationship skills and reorientation focus on the whole community served rather than just the sick individual