Prevalence and predictors of child labour among junior public secondary school students in Enugu, Nigeria: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Globally, millions of children are involved in child labour. However, low- and middle-income countries are mostly hit. This study examined the predictors of child labour among public secondary school students in the Enugu metropolis. METHODS: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study of 332 junior secondary students attending public schools in Enugu metropolis, Nigeria. Multistage sampling technique was used to select the six secondary schools and the students that participated in the study. Data collection was done from September to October 2018. Pretested structured, interviewer-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. The questionnaire contained information on the sociodemographic variables, the kind of work done by the respondents and the number of working hours spent weekly. UNICEF's standard indicator for child labour was used to estimate the prevalence of child labour. Logistic regression was used to identify socioeconomic predictors of child labour. RESULTS: The prevalence of overall child labour was 71.7%, while for domestic and economic child labour prevalence were 52.1 and 34.0%, respectively. About 35.2% of the respondents worked under hazardous conditions while 8% were forced to work. Two-thirds (236, 65%) of the respondents who have heard about child labour perceived it as wrong. The child labourers mainly worked to render financial assistance to their parents. The predictors of child labour were class of study (AOR = 2.208 (95% CI: 1.199-4.066) and weekly income earned (AOR = 0.316 (95% CI: 0.176-0.567). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of child labour among junior students in public secondary schools in Enugu is high, and is predicted by the level of schooling and income earned. Economic and social reforms could contribute to addressing the predictors of child labour.

E-learning readiness from perspectives of medical students: A survey in Nigeria.

CONTEXT: Learning in the medical school of the study university is still by the traditional face-to-face approach with minimal e-communication. AIM: This paper assesses student's perspectives of E-learning readiness, its predictors and presents a model for assessing them. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: A descriptive cross-sectional study of medical students. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: By proportional quota sampling 284 students responded to a semi-structured self-administered questionnaire adapted from literature. Ethical issues were given full consideration. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Analysis was with SPSS version 20, using descriptive statistics, ANOVA, Spearman's correlation, and multiple regression. Statistical significance was considered at P < 0.05. RESULTS: Medical students are ready for E-learning (Mlr = 3.8 > Melr = 3.4), beyond reliance on the face-to-face approach (69.7%), expecting effective (51.1%), and quality improvement in their learning (73.1%). Having basic information and communications technology skills (68.9%) (Mict = 3.7 > Melr = 3.4), access to laptops (76.1%), ability to use web browsers confidently (91.8%) (Mwb = 4.3 > Melr = 3.4), with only few able to use asynchronous tools (45.5%), they consider content design important to attract users (75.6%), and agree they need training on E-learning content (71.4%). They however do not believe the university has enough information technology infrastructure (62.4%) (Mi = 2.7 < Melr = 3.4) nor sufficient professionals to train them (M = 2.9). Predictors are attitude, content readiness, technological readiness, and culture readiness. The model however only explains 37.1% of readiness in the population. CONCLUSIONS: Medical students in this environment are ready to advance to E-learning. Predicted by their attitude, content, technological and cultural readiness. Further study with qualitative methodology will help in preparing for this evolution in learning.

Determinants of patterns of maternal and child health service utilization in a rural community in south eastern Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Women and children constitute a large proportion of any population. They are the most vulnerable to morbidity and mortality especially in developing countries. In many situations the problem of poor maternal and child health stems from the poor use of available services even when they are not of optimum quality. This study seeks to describe the patterns of utilization of Maternal and Child health (MCH) services in a rural area of Enugu State, and identify factors that are associated with and responsible for determining them. METHODS: The study used a cross sectional analytic design. Pretested semi structured questionnaires were administered by interviewers to 602 women from a rural community in Enugu state, South east Nigeria. Two focus group discussions (FGDs) involving 8-10 men/ women each were conducted to identify factors affecting service utilization. Chi square analysis was done to identify factors associated with Maternal and Child Health services utilization. Logistic regression was used to identify determinants of utilization patterns. N vivo software was used to analyze findings of the FGDs. RESULTS: The study revealed that increasing age, educational level, monthly income, number of children and occupation of both women and their husbands were associated with increased MCH service utilization. Average monthly income (OR: 1.317, p = 0.048, CI: 0.073-0.986) and number of children (OR: 1.196, p < 0.01,CI: 1.563-7.000) were determinants of increased use of child care services while educational level (OR: 0.495, p < 0.001, CI: 1.244-2.164) and age (OR: 0.115, p < 0.001, CI: 0.838-0.948) determined better use of delivery and family planning services respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Improved use of MCH services is related to socio economic challenges women face such as illiteracy and low income. Furthermore, the way health facilities and their staff are perceived by rural women affect how they use some of these services and should be considered in programs which seek to reduce maternal and child mortality. Behavioral change programs with high local content need to be implemented within rural areas especially among younger, illiterate women .