Stroke-related knowledge and attitudes among university students in Northeast Nigeria

te public knowledge of stroke, but the impact in Nigeria is notwell known. This study assessed stroke-related knowledge andattitudes among university students in Nigeria, where health stud-ies are parts of college curricula. This was a cross-sectional studyof students at three universities in Northeast Nigeria. Using ques-tionnaire survey, we assessed biographical data and participantknowledge of the primary site, warning signs and risk factors ofstroke. Responses were graded on a knowledge score, where ≥2.5points indicated adequate knowledge. Data were analyzed with theSPSS version 21 program. We studied 824 participants, 67.1%males. Males were older than females (mean age ± SD: 27.42±5.58years versus 26.27±5.31 years; P = 0.009; 95% CI: 0.29 ­ 1.99)and 14.5% participants had stroke lectures during general studies.Major sources of stroke knowledge were personal discussions(44.6%) and internet websites (24.5%). Only 15.7% participantscorrectly identified the brain as the primary site of stroke, whileknowledge of one or more stroke warning signs and risk factorswere noted in 42.2% and 49.6%, respectively. Mean knowledgescore was 1.08 ± 0.99. Adequate knowledge of stroke was noted in13.2% participants, and was higher in females (17.7% versus10.7%; P = 0.01). Logistic regression analysis showed significantassociations between adequate knowledge of stroke with femalesex (OR 1.8; 95% CI: 1.2 ­ 2.8; P = 0.008) and a history of strokein close relatives (OR 1.7; 95% CI: 1.1 ­ 2.6; P = 0.025) but notwith age, academic discipline or stroke lectures. University stu-dents in Northeast Nigeria have low knowledge of stroke, which isworse in males. Although health issues are taught at universities,little is taught on stroke, suggesting a need to prioritize strokeknowledge in the universities little is taught on stroke, suggeting a need to prioritize stroke knowlegde in the university curriculum .

Provider-related predictors of utilization of university health services in Nigeria

BACKGROUND: The utilization of health services is an important policy concern in most developing countries. Many staff and students do not utilize the health services within the university system despite the availability of good quality services. This study investigated the provider-related factors related to utilization of university health service by staff and students in a privately owneduniversity in Nigeria. METHODS: The perception of the quality of a university health service was investigated among a cross-section of 600 university staff and students who were selected by a stratified random sampling scheme. A self-administered questionnaire-based study was conducted. The structure, process and output predictors of utilization of the university health facility were assessed. Data analysis was carried out using Stata I/C 15.0. RESULTS: The average age of the participants was 22.93±7.58 years. About two-thirds of them did not have opinion about the mortality and morbidity rates at the university health center. Significant proportions of the participants reported good perceptions about the structure and process quality of service indicators. Utilization of the university health center was predicted by some structure and process indicators namely; the availability/experience of staff (AOR 2.44; CI 1.67-3.58), the organization of healthcare (AOR 1.64; CI 1.11-2.41), the continuity of treatment (AOR 1.74; CI 1.12-2.70) and the waiting time (AOR 0.41; CI 0.28-0.61). CONCLUSION: The utilization of university health services was predicted by availability/experience of staff, the organization of healthcare, the waiting time and the continuity of care. The structure-process-outcome approach discriminates between the students and staff who utilize the university health center and those who donot. It also suggests a complex interplay of factors in the prediction of choice of a health facility

The use, knowledge and attitudes regarding hormonal contraceptive products of female first-year students in a Faculty of Health Sciences

Background: Effective contraception plays a major role in the economic advancement of women. New hormonal products offer more effective solutions with fewer side effects. This study aimed to assess the use, knowledge and attitudes regarding hormonal contraception of female first-year students across various health profession courses. Methods: A descriptive study was conducted during August to October 2017 targeting all female first-year students of the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of the Free State. Results: Self-administered anonymous questionnaires were completed by 261 students (response rate 81.6%). At the time of the study, 29.6% of the study population reported using hormonal contraceptive products; 51.7% of users cited acne as the indication. Among users of hormonal contraceptives, combined oral contraception was the most commonly used (86.0%), and was regarded as the most effective (33.2%). A third of the students (36.2%) were aware that some medication could influence the effectiveness of combined oral contraception. Half (52.3%) had no knowledge of the subdermal implant and 34.8% did not know what an intrauterine system was. According to 28.2%, post-coital use of hormonal products is not an acceptable method of contraception. Almost 90% (87.3%) indicated that an education intervention regarding hormonal contraception is needed at the university. Conclusion: The study population lacks detailed and sufficient knowledge of critical aspects of contraception, such as relative effectiveness, and factors that affect these; long-acting reversible contraceptives; and emergency contraception. A formal education intervention is proposed

Sports injuries in second-cycle institutions: the burden on, and risk factors associated with student health

Introduction: Adolescent engagement in sport and other recreational activities has been increasingly embraced worldwide due to its benefits. Notwithstanding, it also remains one of the major contributors to injury burden translating into half of the global injury rate. Yet not much is known about the prevalence of sports-related injuries and the associated risk factors among second-cycle institution athletes in Ghana. This study sought to estimate prevalence and identify the risk factors associated with sport injuries among athletes in Second-cycle institutions in the Kumasi Metropolitan area. Method: A cross-sectional design was carried out with 600 athletes from 16 out of the 24 public schools in the Kumasi metropolis through a two-stage cluster sampling. A smartphone interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from the athletes. Data were summarized in tables and figures. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression were performed to identify independent predictors of injury. Data were analyzed with STATA version 14.0. Result: The overall injury prevalence estimated was thirty-eight percent. Dislocations and sprains (46.7%) and closed wounds (1.5%) were the common and least injury types recorded. Likewise, ankle and elbow were the most and least body region to be affected respectively. Individual factors such as nature of sports and years of playing experience were the identified predictors of adolescent injuries. Conclusion: Adolescent sports injury prevalence is high in Kumasi metropolis among second-cycle institution. Dislocation and sprains were the most common injuries. These were mostly associated with contact sports

Factors Affecting Utilization of University Health Services in a Tertiary Institution in South-West Nigeria

Background: Most university health services have extensive health infrastructures; for the provision of effective and efficient health services to the students. In this study; we have tried to determine student's perception of factors affecting their utilization.Objective: To determine students' perception of health care services provided in a tertiary institution and assess students' attitude towards utilization.Materials and Methods: Simple random sampling technique was used to select 540 respondents; comprising of 390 males and 150 females. A structured and self-administered questionnaire was the instrument used to collect data for the study; while data collected was analyzed using descriptive statistics of frequency count and percentage.Results: High cost of drugs (72.0); non availability of essential drugs (54.8); time spent waiting for treatment (67.2); inadequate referral services (81.7); and satisfaction with services (60.6) were considered by the respondents as factors affecting the utilization of university health services. Students-medical staff relationship and accessibility to health facility (77.6 and 74.3 respectively) were; however; not considered as factors that affect utilization of university health services.Conclusion: It is recommended that to improve utilization and cost of care; government should make necessary efforts to incorporate tertiary institution into National Health Insurance scheme so that students above the age of 18 years can benefit from free treatment

Cigarette smoking among 60 Makerere University students; 1988/89

A descriptive study to determine the magnitude and factors in cigarette smoking was carried out on 60 Makerere University students; 1988/89. The prevalence of cigarette smoking was 21.7 per cent. The major factors in cigarette smoking were sex and marital status. Men may be the ones who pass over the behaviour to women. It suggested that the prevalence of cigarette smoking can be reduced by public health workers persuading and working with government against smoking. A more realistic view about smoking habits can be obtained by studying larger adolescent populations in Uganda