Factors associated with risky sexual behaviour among sexually experienced undergraduates in Osun state, Nigeria

Background: Risky sexual behavior (RSB) is common among youths which predispose them to sexually transmitted infections. This study sets out to identify the factors associated with RSB among undergraduates in Osun state. Methods: The study design was descriptive cross sectional and a total of 550 respondents from two universities in Osun state were sampled using a multistage sampling technique, out of which data from 266 sexually experienced respondents was further analyzed. Data collected via a semi­structured self-administered questionnaire and analyzed using univariate, bivariate and multivariate analyses. Results: The 266 respondents consisted of 54.5% males and 45.5% females and larger percentage of them were in the age group 15-24years. Seven out of ten respondents (69.9%) were sexually active while 65.8% were involved in at least one RSB. Of the 266 respondents, 28.6% ever had concurrent multiple sexual partners, 15.8% used alcohol/drugs at last sex while 48.1% did not use condom at last sex. More males (71.7%), alcohol users (76.8%), drug users (78.0%), pornography watchers (82.7%), internet users (71.2%) respondents "not in good terms with mum" (86.7%) and "those whose mum doesn't instruct them morally" (84.2%) were involved in RSB compared to their respective counterparts (p<0.05). However, there were no identifiable predictors of RSB on regression analysis. Conclusion: Risky Sexual Behavior is prevalent among undergraduates with males being more involved, among other associated factors. Concerned stakeholders should engage youths via behavioral change communication strategies so as to significantly reduce their involvement in RSB

Job satisfaction and personal factors among medical librarians: empirical evidence from teaching hospitals in southern Nigeria

This study was to provide empirical evidence of areas of job satisfaction among medical librarians, as well as record difference in job satisfaction based on personal factors (sex, age, educational qualification and years of work experience) of medical librarians in Southern Nigeria. The study used the descriptive survey method and made use of medical librarians from six selected teaching hospitals the Southern part of Nigeria. The study employed the use of a questionnaire adapted from the Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire (MSQ) for the collection of data. The data collected were analyzed using Mean, Standard Deviation (SD), student t-test, and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) at 0.05 level of significance. Five areas of job satisfaction were investigated. Results revealed that medical librarians are not satisfied with two areas, while they expressed satisfaction in three areas. The study recorded no significant difference in the job satisfaction of medical librarians based on their personal factors. Key Words: Job Satisfaction, Personal Factors, Medical Librarians, Teaching Hospitals.

Influence de l'age et de la parite de la mere sur le poids de naissance (Cas du Centre de Sante Shungu en RDC)

OBJECTIF:Cette etude avait pour objectif d'etablir la relation entre l'age; la parite de la mere d'une part et le poids a la naissance d'autre part MeTHODOLOGIE: Une etude transversale et descriptive; a ete menee sur un echantillon de 314 couples meres - enfants au Centre de Sante Shungu en RDC durant la periode allant du 1er Janvier 2010 au 31 Decembre 2011. Notre population d'etude concerne tous les cas des accouchements a terme durant la periode de l'etude. Les donnees ont ete recueillies a l'aide d'une grille a partir des registres de la maternite. Puis elles ont ete encodees; saisies; traitees et analysees a l'aide du logiciel SPSS (version 19). ReSULTATS L'analyse a revele que le poids moyen de naissance est significativement plus bas chez les primipares que chez les multipares et chez les meres de moins de 18 ans que chez celles de plus de 18 ans. Le risque d'accoucher d'un enfant de faible poids de naissance a ete 9 fois plus eleve chez les primipares que chez les multipares et 23 fois superieures chez les meres de moins de 18 ans que chez celles de plus de 18 ans. CONCLUSION : Le faible poids de la naissance est un probleme majeur de sante publique aussi bien dans les pays en voie de developpement que dans les pays developpes. La maitrise des facteurs maternels qui ont le plus d'influence sur le poids et sur lequel on peut agir tel que l'age; la parite; et l'etat nutritionnel est d'une necessite dans la lutte contre le faible poids de naissance

Pronostic maternel des accouchements aux ages extremes a Mbujimayi

Objectifs : L'accouchement aux ages extremes est considere comme a haut risque a travers le monde. Cette etude se propose de tester la validite de ce constat dans notre milieu pour une meilleure prise en charge. Methodologie : Cette etude retrospective et transversale a ete realisee dans le service de gynecologie-obstetrique de l'hopital Bonzola du 1er janvier au 31 decembre 2011. Elle compare les parturientes de chaque extreme d'ages de la vie reproductive (53 adolescentes d'age 20 ans et 338 parturientes d'age

Age; Poverty and Alcohol Use as HIV Risk Factors for Women in Mongu; Zambia

Background: Age; poverty and alcohol use are seen as risk factors for HIV among women in sub-Saharan Africa. Objective: The objective of this study was to understand the influence of socioeconomic factors (including age and poverty) as well as alcohol use on risky sexual behaviors among women in Mongu; Zambia. Methods: This study examines these factors in the local context of Mongu; Zambia using the Priorities for Local AIDS Control Efforts (PLACE) methodology. This methodology allows for the study of risky behaviors while taking into consideration local factors. The two outcome variable studied were transactional sex in the past year and having two or more sexual partners in the past year. Results: In this study age was not a significant factor; but alcohol use and poverty/desire for economic advancement were significant factors. Conclusion: Programs and policies need to address the influence of alcohol on risky sexual behaviors and also the important but complex influence of poverty

Age at sexual debut: a determinant of multiple partnership among south african youth

Age at sexual debut is an important determinant of HIV infection. The paper investigates the effects of age at sexual debut on sexual behaviour among South African youth. Among 2 875 respondents who ever had sexual intercourse, 39% had early sexual debut (sexual debut at age 16 years and below). Males (44.6%) were significantly more likely than females (35.1%) to report early sexual debut (odds ratio (OR)=1.45, p-value <0.001). Multiple sexual partners are significantly more common among those that had early sexual debut (10.4% vs. 4.8%) than those who had late sexual debut, (OR=2.29, p-value<0.001). Those aged 15 to 19 years were 1.4 times more likely to report multiple partners compared to those aged 20 to 24 years. Delaying sexual debut is a strategy many national programmes are promoting. The results of this study provide additional arguments to support such initiatives and show the need to strengthen intervention targeting youth (Afr. J. Reprod. Health 2010; 14[2]:47-54)

Dog Bites to the Head; Neck and Face in Children

Dog bites are a poorly understood and complex public health problem. Children are most frequently the victims of dog bites and the face is often the favoured target. A review of dog bite wounds in small children presenting to the Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital was carried out over a period of 13.5 years (1991-2004). One thousand eight hundred and seventy-one dog bite wounds were admitted from a total of 125;677 patients treated. From 1;871 patients presenting with dog bite injuries; we identified 596 children who sustained injuries to the head; face or neck. Dog bites to the head; face or neck were responsible for 0.5 of all trauma unit presentations and 32 of all dog bite injuries. The mean age of the children was 5.1 years. Male children accounted for 68 of the patients. The peak incidence was noted in children aged 2 to 4 years old. One hundred and seventy-two (29) bites occurred between the summer months of December and February. Two hundred and forty-nine (42) patients presented to hospital between the hours of 12:00 and 18:00 hours and 275 (46) children presented between 18:00 and 0:00 hours. A large proportion of all attacks occurred either inside or outside the victim's own home and at the home of friends or family. Superficial injuries were treated with wound cleaning; suturing and dressing. There were no fatalities. Dog bites are relatively common in small children; but do not represent a major cause of morbidity and mortality

Determinants of Extramarital Sex by Men in Tanzania: A Case Study of Mbeya Region

This paper attempts to identify some factors associated with extramarital sex by men in the Mbeya region of Tanzania using data from a survey conducted in 2003/2004. The choice of Mbeya region was prompted by the fact that it has been found by previous studies to be one of the regions with the highest HIV prevalence rate in Tanzania. Correlates of extramarital sex that were considered include current age; education; residence; age at first sexual intercourse; age at first marriage and sex before marriage. A bivariate analysis of the survey data; which comprised a sample size of 568 married men aged between 15 and 62 years revealed statistically significant association between extramarital sex with current age; education; age at first intercourse and sex before marriage. The effect of these variables was tested through a multivariate logistic regression analysis and all the four independent variables were found to be statistically significant predictors of extramarital sex in Mbeya region

Age at menarche and the menstrual pattern of Igbo Women of South-east Nigeria

This study determines the age at menarche and menstrual pattern of an Igbo population in 12 randomly selected rural communities of Ebonyi State. Information on recalled ages at menarche, menstrual flow duration and cycle length was collected using a semi structured questionnaire over three months. 1209 women of reproductive age were interviewed. The mean age at menarche was 15.0 years and this declined over the years. The mean menstrual flow duration and cycle lengths were 3.3 days and 29.7 days respectively. Only 10.2% had a menstrual cycle length of 28 days. Account should be taken of the average length of 29-30 days in the rural Igbo population when calculating the expected date of delivery and in the family planning clinics. (Afr Reprod Health 2008; 12[1]:90-95)

Health Services and the Adolescent Situation in a Rural Setting : the Kenya Experience

This study examined the adolescent health situation in Siaya District. The findings indicate that there are no particular health services specifically targeting the adolescent in the district. The adolescent health situation in the district is badly off and prevalence of diseases is high amongst them. They are faced with STDs/AIDS; pregnancies; drug abuse; abortion; alcoholism among others. The adolescent in the district are not aware of the existing health services that could be of help to them. They are not aware of their general and reproductive health as it were; but they are very much aware of contraceptives. The study revealed that their attitude towards the existing medical and nursing services including the medical staff is very negative. They do no have proper information system and the health facilities are inaccessible to them. Teachers and radio play a major part in disseminating information to them. The health staff are very much aware of the adolescent health needs. Most health staff have communication problems with the adolescents. Not so many schools offer heath services and for those which offer; it is only simple diagnosis and treatment. Students dropping out of schools are mostly victims of pregnancies and drug-abuse or alcoholism. This revealed that the adolescents in the district need immediate help as far as their health needs are concerned

Some aspects of sexual behaviour and the potential demographic impact of AIDS in developing countries

This review examines recent research on the influence of heterogeneity in sexual behaviour on the transmission dynamics of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV); the aetiological agent of AIDS. Attention is focused on the potential demographic impact of AIDS in developing countries and how this is influenced by the structure of networks of sexual contacts (who mixes with whom); age-dependency in rates of sexual partner change and differences in the ages of female and male sexual partners. Analyses based on the construction of simple and complex mathematical models of the spread of HIV via heterosexual contact serve as a template for the interpretation of observed pattern and as a guide to the major aspects of sexual behaviour that govern the transmission dynamics of the virus. It is argued that much greater attention must be addressed to the quantification of patterns of sexual behaviour in defined communities; despite the many practical problems that surround data collection and interpretation

Family planning in rural Uganda: knowledge and use of modern and traditional methods in Ankole

Ankole has recorded the highest fertility in Uganda over the past several decades. One of the main proximate determinants of fertility in the area is the low level of contraception. A study of knowledge and use of modern and traditional contraceptive methods is reported in this paper. It is shown that higher proportions of women known and practice traditional methods compared with modern ones. Several factors contributing to past low use of modern contraceptives in the area are examined and current contraceptive use is also examined

Seroepidemiology of HIV infection: an early survey in a peripheral area of Uganda

At the end of 1985; when the AIDS epidemic was in its early stages in Uganda; a survey was carried out in a peripheral area of the country. Sera were collected from groups of people; and examined for the presence of HIV infection. The results show a very limited number of positive cases; present only among sexually active subjects. High specificity and sensitivity in the laboratory tests was shown by the Western blot technique

The association of genital ulcer disease and HIV infection at a dermatology-STD clinic in Uganda

At Mulago Hospital in Kampala; Uganda; 270 consecutive patients at the dermatology and sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinic were enrolled in a study to evaluate the association of clinical STD syndromes and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Female patients became sexually active earlier than male patients and were younger at marriage. Persons with a history of an STD during the preceding 5 years were more likely to be HIV infected (43pc) than those without such a history (26pc; OR 2.08; 95pc C.I. 1.17; 3.73). Examination at the time of the visit demonstrated an association between genital ulcers and HIV infection in male and female patients (OR 2.21; 95pc C.I. 1.08; 4.53; and OR 8.54; 95pc C.I. 1.45; 87.55; respectively) but no association between HIV and urethritis or vaginal discharge. The etiologic fraction for HIV infection of genital ulcers was 0.218. Men with a history of contact with prostitutes were more likely to be HIV infected than those without contact (50pc versus 28pc; p less than 0.05); but once controlled for STDs; this relationship was no longer significant. This study confirms other studies from East Africa that have shown a relationship between genital ulcers and HIV infection. This finding; in the presence of no association between other STD syndromes and HIV infection; suggests that genital ulcers may be truly associated with HIV infection rather than a marker of high-risk activities