More reliable data for diarrhoeal intervention programmes: rethinking on knowledge, attitude and practice studies.

The aim of this study was to propose an alternative approach to traditional knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) studies to enhance the quality of data on which educational health programmes are based. The methodology proposed and illustrated involved a triangulation of approaches derived from linguistics, cognitive science, and medical laboratory sciences. Three diarrhoeal health talks (educational messages) as given to mothers in three primary-care facilities in Borno State (Northeast Nigeria) were subjected to a linguistics analysis. Relationships were then sought between the ontology of knowledge in the health talks as revealed by the text analysis and two other kinds of data, namely: (a) mothers' answers to a set of ecologically-sensitive reasoning questions that test how much relevant inferential knowledge the health talks allow for and (b) results of microbiological and biochemical analyses of salt-sugar rehydration solutions prepared by mothers participating in the study. The findings of the study show a relationship between contents/formatting of the health talks and the extent to which relevant inferential competence was supported or demonstrated by mothers. It was also evident that the laboratory analyses could be related either directly to the health talks or indirectly in terms of what the health talks need to emphasize on. The conclusion shows how the methodology proposed addresses shortcomings of traditional KAP studies in respect of the gap between health knowledge and practice.

Perceptions of and management practices for Diarrhoeal Diseases by traditional healers in northeastern Nigeria.

In Nigeria, there is a paucity of data on the beliefs and practices of traditional healers concerning diarrhoeal diseases. This study was undertaken to provide baseline data for integrating activities of traditional healers into the national Control of Diarrhoeal Diseases (CDD) programme. Interviews of 14 traditional healers, drawn from two large ethnic groups in northeastern Nigeria, were conducted. All but one of them willingly discussed their beliefs and practices. Almost all traditional healers used herbs expecting that it would stop diarrhoea episode. Most traditional healers (n = 11) were, however, aware of the sugar-salt solution (SSS), and six of them had positive impression about it. Ten were willing to be further trained in the preparation/use of SSS, and five reported its past use. Some healers strongly believed that breast-feeding was an important cause of diarrhoea and that, in some cases, diarrhoea was only amenable to traditional treatment. The results of this study suggest that the traditional healers in the region may contribute to promoting the appropriate home management of diarrhoea. However, their perceptions and practices need to be upgraded to ensure success.

Evaluation of the population - Genetics of Haemoglobin(s) in a rural population of Borno State

Laboratory studies were carried out on the blood samples of 2000 respondents drawn from thirty-two (32) indigenous ethnic groups in Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State; Nigeria. Of these respondents; 753 were females (37.65) and 1247 were males (62.53). The result of study showed haemoglobin electrophoretic patterns AA 79.50(1590); AS 20.10(402 and SS 0.40(8). The incidence of Hb. AS and Hb. SS vary significantly from the results observed in similar studies in Garki; Kano (1) (28.90respectively) and Ibadan (Hb. AS 24). It also significantly varies from the national average reference (2) (AA 651; AS 25; SS 2)

The epidemiology and management of sexually transmitted diseases in Maiduguri metropolis

Organization of special venereology clinics in many developing countries; including Nigeria; as a means of controlling sexually transmitted diseases in these countries. The epidemiology; and especially the bihavioural determinants of these diseases; are so varied; even within the same country; that such clinics alone may not be enough or even contribute significantly to the control of these diseases. This study of the epidemiology and treatment patterns of the STDs in Maiduguri in North Eastern Nigeria shows that in spite of the availibility of two special treatment (STD) clinics in the town; only a very small percentage (0.8 percent) of the patients in that city are seen in these clinics. Some of the social and health management factors responsible for this attendance pattern are identified and discussed in the study