Determinants of occupational health hazards among roadside automobile mechanics in Sokoto Metropolis, Nigeria

Roadside automobile mechanics are in the course of their work exposed to several hazards that put them at risk of severe debilitating health challenges. This group of workers, however, is reported not to know much about such hazards and to have little or no training on workplace safety. Aim: The study aimed to identify the determinants of occupational health hazards among roadside automobile mechanics in Sokoto Metropolis. Methodology: This was a descriptive, cross-sectional study, and using a two-stage sampling technique, a total of 205 roadside mechanics were recruited for the study. A semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was used, and the data were imputed into and analyzed using IBM SPSS. Results: The mean age of the respondents was 31.10 ± 10.19 years, and over one-third of them (38.1%) were general vehicle repairers. Majority of the respondents had good knowledge of and attitude toward workplace hazards. However, a good proportion (91.0%) of the mechanics felt that their occupation was a risky one and 80.1% ate and 86.1% drank while working. Type of training and job description were the predictors of knowledge of workplace hazards. Job description was the only predictor of attitude. Burns, bruises, headache/dizziness, and cuts were the most reported work-related illnesses and injuries. Conclusion: Although most of the auto-mechanics were aware and had good knowledge of workplace hazards, they did not adhere to safety practices in the workplace, mostly due to nonavailability of protective apparels. There is, therefore, need for continuous health education under the platform of the auto-mechanics association so that they can voluntarily adopt safety practices in their workplace

Prevalence and Predictors of Bullying Victimization among in-School Adolescents in Sokoto Metropolis, North-Western Nigeria

Introduction: Bullying victimization is a common experienceamong adolescents. Victimization is associated with negativeconsequences including negative mental outcomes, pooracademic results, and poor social relationships. We describethe various forms of bullying victimization and the predictorsof victimization among in-school adolescents in Sokotometropolis.Material and Methods: We conducted a cross-sectionalstudy among in-school adolescents in Sokoto metropolis.Using a multistage sampling technique, 450 respondents wereselected from public and private schools We used an adapted,validated, pretested and interviewer-administered peervictimization scale questionnaire to collect information fromrespondents. We conducted a descriptive statistic, bivariateand multivariate analysis at 5% level of significance.Results: Of the 450 respondents, 182 (40.4%) were in earlyadolescence and 220 (48.9%) were females. The mean ageof respondents was 15.2 ± 1.9 years. Two hundred and thirty(51.1%), 102 (22.7%), 38 (8.4%), 161 (35.8) respondentshad experienced physical, verbal, relational and damage-toproperty victimization respectively. Overall, 295 (65.6%) hadexperienced at least one type of bullying victimization. Beingin junior class (adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 2.1, 95% CI= 1.2-3.5) being in a boarding school (aOR: 3.4, 95% CI= 1.7-6.8),having friends that influence decisions (aOR: 2.5 (1.1-5.6),not smoking (aOR: 3.3, 95% CI = 1.1-10.0) and not knowingschool policy on bullying (aOR: 2.1, 95% CI= 1.2-3.8) wereindependent predictors of bullying victimization.Conclusion: There is a high prevalence of bullyingvictimization among in-school adolescents in Sokotometropolis. We recommend that school policy shouldprotect junior students and those in boarding schools fromvictimization.

Educational intervention on knowledge of cervical cancer and uptake of pap smear test among market women in Niger State, Nigeria

Cervical cancer is the most common female genital tract carcinoma worldwide. It is increasingly becoming the leading carcinoma seen among women in the developing world. The aim of our study was to showcase the effect of educational intervention on the knowledge of cervical cancer and subsequently the uptake of Pap smear test amongst market women in Niger state, Nigeria. The state has a rich network of markets in all the local government areas because of the fishing activities, bountiful agricultural produce yearly and its situation to the North of the national capital, Abuja. This was a quasi-experimental study conducted in two groups with pre and post intervention data collection. Sample size was determined based on a previous similar study done in Nigeria. Multi stage sampling technique was used for recruiting the study participants. SPSS statistical software was used for data entry, editing and analysis. Respondents' knowledge of cervical cancer were comparable at pre-intervention but were statistically significantly better (P<0.0001) at post-intervention in the intervention group compared to the control group for every variable measured. However, there was only a (Fisher's exact, P=0.621) compared to the control group. This study showed an increase in knowledge about cervical cancer and Pap smear test however the uptake of Pap smear test remained low even after intervention. This underscores the need for sustained intervention programs to eventually translate knowledge acquired to habitual practice