Knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding prevention of rheumatic heart disease among primary health-care workers in sokoto metropolis, Sokoto State, Nigeria.

Background: Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is the only preventable cardiovascular disease that still causes significant morbidity and mortality in low- and middle-income countries like Nigeria where it is classified as a neglected disease. The inciting agent causes pharyngitis often not properly treated. Aim and Objectives: To study the knowledge and preventive practices of RHD amongst primary healthcare workers who are in contact with larger ratio of populace in order to recommend appropriate interventions. Methodology: A cross-sectional study conducted among health workers in primary health centres in Sokoto metropolis. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to recruit the study participants. A structured questionnaire and focus group discussion guide was used to collect the information. Data was analysed using IBM SPSS version 25. Results: Majority (109/182; 59.8%) had RHD inadequate knowledge of causes, risk factors and treatment of pharyngitis which predisposes to RHD. Only 49 (26.9%) of the respondents knew the name of the causative agent. The knowledge gap was related to length of training and attendance at a training (ꭓ2 = 8.38; P=0.015 & ꭓ2 = 7.92; P=0.004). Majority of the respondents with 168 out of 182 (92.3%) had positive attitude. Practice grading was adequate in only less than half of the respondents (88/182; 48.4%). Male gender and negative attitude were predictors of adequacy of preventive practices (aOR= 0.49; 95% C.I =0.267-0.929; P=0.03 & aOR= 3.87; 95% C.I =1.027-14.586; P=0.046). Conclusion: The health workers had inadequate knowledge and poor practice on prevention of rheumatic heart disease. It is necessary to upscale information available to them by medical specialists and upgrade their curriculum.

Résumé Arrière-plan: La cardiopathie rhumatismale (RHD) est la seule maladie cardiovasculaire évitable qui cause encore une morbidité et une mortalité importantes dans les pays à revenu faible et intermédiaire comme le Nigeria où elle est classée comme une maladie négligée. L'agent incitant provoque une pharyngite souvent mal traitée. But et objectifs: Étudier les connaissances et les pratiques préventives de RHD parmi les agents de santé primaires qui sont en contact avec une plus grande proportion de la population afin de recommander des interventions appropriées. Méthodologie: Une étude transversale menée auprès des agents de santé des centres de santé primaires de la métropole de Sokoto. La technique d'échantillonnage à plusieurs degrés a été utilisée pour recruter les participants à l'étude. Un questionnaire structuré et un guide de discussion de groupe ont été utilisés pour recueillir les informations. Les données ont été analysées à l'aide d'IBM SPSS version 25. Résultats: La majorité (109/182 ; 59,8 %) avaient une connaissance inadéquate des causes, des facteurs de risque et du traitement de la pharyngite qui prédispose à la RHD. Seuls 49 (26,9%) des répondants connaissaient le nom de l'agent causal. Le déficit de connaissances était lié à la durée de la formation et à la participation à une formation (ꭓ2 = 8,38 ; P=0,015 & ꭓ2 = 7,92 ; P=0,004). La majorité des répondants avec 168 sur 182 (92,3%) avaient une attitude positive. La notation de la pratique n'était adéquate que pour moins de la moitié des répondants (88/182 ; 48,4 %). Le sexe masculin et l'attitude négative étaient des prédicteurs de l'adéquation des pratiques préventives (aOR = 0,49 ; IC à 95 % = 0,267-0,929 ; P = 0,03 et aOR = 3,87 ; IC à 95 % = 1,027-14,586 ; P = 0,046). Conclusion: Les agents de santé avaient des connaissances insuffisantes et de mauvaises pratiques en matière de prévention des cardiopathies rhumatismales. Il est nécessaire de valoriser les informations mises à leur disposition par les médecins spécialistes et d'améliorer leur cursus. Mots-clés: rhumatisme articulaire aigu, attitude, GABHS, savoir, pharyngite, pratique, prévention, soins de santé primaires, cardiopathie rhumatismale, Sokoto.

Prevalence, pattern and determinants of contraceptive use among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic (ANC) in a secondary health facility in Kebbi State: a cross-sectional study.

Introduction: rapidly rising population in Africa is of great concern, especially in Nigeria because of its impact on social stability. Nigeria has been unable to meet the set targets in respect of scaling up access to contraception, and increasing contraceptive prevalence. Thus, being projected to be the third most populous country by 2050 amidst a rising unemployment rate and a shrinking economy. Methods: a cross-sectional study was conducted among 350 pregnant women attending antenatal clinic (ANC) in General Hospital Argungu, Kebbi State, and data were obtained using an interviewer-administered questionnaire and analyzed using IBM SPSS version 22. Results: most 318 (90.9%) of the 350 respondents were aware of contraception. The prevalence of previous use of contraceptives among the respondents was 59.4%, while 70% of them intend to use contraception in the future. Concerns about the return of fertility 56 (50.9) after contraceptive use was a major reason given by respondents who had never used any form of contraceptive. Educational attainment, age at marriage, and occupation were the factors that were associated with awareness, previous use, and future use of contraception. Conclusion: this study underscores the need to promote girl-child education as a cardinal strategy in increasing the level of contraception among the populace.

Knowledge of health effects and determinants of psychoactive substance use among secondary school students in Sokoto Metropolis, Nigeria.

INTRODUCTION: psychoactive substance use (PSU) is a patterned use of a drug in which the user consumes the substance in amounts or methods which are harmful to themselves or others. Psychoactive substance use takes a considerable toll on financial status, academic achievement and health status of addicts. In Nigeria, PSU is on the increase, one of the most disturbing health-related problems and a leading cause of premature death among school aged population worldwide. We therefore, determined the knowledge of health effects and determinants of psychoactive substance use among secondary school students in Sokoto Metropolis, Nigeria. METHODS: we conducted a cross-sectional study among 430 secondary school students that were selected using multistage sampling in Sokoto, Northwestern, Nigeria from April to May 2019. We collected data using a semi-structured, interviewer-administered questionnaire. We calculated proportions and adjusted odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) in a binary logistic regression model. RESULTS: knowledge of health effects of PSU was good in 38.1% of the respondents with a mean score of 19.6 ± 10.0. The overall prevalence of PSU was high among current users (16.3%), male participants (78.6%) and those aged 17-years or more (68.6%). Independent predictors of current use of psychoactive substances were poor knowledge of health effects (aOR: 4.1, 95% CI: 1.7-10.0) and father´s use of psychoactive substances (aOR: 10.3, 95% CI= 1.9-57.1). CONCLUSION: knowledge of health effects of psychoactive substances was generally poor among the participants with an associated high prevalence among current users. Poor knowledge of its health effects determines the use of psychoactive substances. We conducted awareness campaigns and health talk on health effects of PSU to secondary school students in the State. The Federal Ministry of Education should ensure that PSU-related topics are incorporated in the secondary school curriculum.

Effect of food hygiene training on food handlers' knowledge in Sokoto Metropolis: a quasi-experimental study.

INTRODUCTION: training intervention for food handlers is necessary to increase their knowledge and awareness about food hygiene. Research in this area has been given low attention in Nigeria, especially in the Northern part of the country. Therefore, we assessed the effect of food hygiene training on the knowledge of food hygiene among food handlers in Sokoto metropolis. METHODS: we conducted a quasi-experimental study between January and July 2019. We used a multistage sampling technique to select 360 food handlers randomized into intervention and control groups. We conducted a training intervention after the baseline data collection. Post-intervention data collection was conducted six months after the intervention. We estimated the proportion of respondents with good knowledge at baseline and post-intervention. We assessed the difference in pre-and post-intervention proportions using McNemars Marginal Homogeneity test at 5% level of significance. RESULTS: in the intervention and control groups, 19 (10.6%) and 18 (10.0%) had primary education respectively, p = 0.231. At baseline, 23 (12.8%) and 22 (12.2%) in intervention and control groups respectively had good knowledge, p= 0.515. At post-intervention, the proportion of those with good knowledge in the intervention group increased to 56.7%, p < 0.001; while in the control group, there was no significant difference in the proportion of those with good knowledge, p = 0.248. CONCLUSION: the training intervention has significantly improved the knowledge of the food handlers. We recommend that the National Food and Drug Agency, in collaboration with restaurant owners, ensure regular on-the-job training of food handlers.

Pattern of noma (cancrum oris) and its risk factors in Northwestern Nigeria: A hospital-based retrospective study.

Background: Noma (cancrum oris) remains the scourge of children and the "face of poverty" in Sub-Saharan Africa. Recent data on the burden of noma and its risk factors are needed for evaluating and redesigning interventions for its prevention and control. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the pattern of noma and its risk factors in Northwestern Nigeria. Materials and Methods: It was a retrospective study that looked into cases of noma (cancrum oris) admitted into the Noma Children Hospital, Sokoto, Nigeria, between January 1999 and December 2011. Information on patients' bio-data, the site and severity of lesions, and presence of trismus and its severity were extracted from the patients' case files and analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: One hundred and fifty-nine (8.3%) of the 1923 patients admitted to the hospital from January 1999 to December 2011 were diagnosed with fresh noma. The mean age of the patients was 3.0 ± 1.4 years, and majority of them, 139 (87.4%) were aged 1-5 years. The soft-tissue lesions essentially involved multiple sites but most commonly the outer and inner cheeks (84.3%). The most common risk factors identified were measles (47.2%) and protein-energy malnutrition (42.1%). There were rises and falls in the prevalence of noma in the period studied. Conclusion: This study showed a high burden of noma in Northwestern Nigeria, mostly among children aged 1-5 years, and with soft-tissue lesions involving multiple sites. Measles and malnutrition were the major risk factors identified, and the disease trend showed a wave-like pattern. There is an urgent need to eliminate the disease in Nigeria through prevention and control of infectious diseases and malnutrition.

RésuméContexte: Le noma (cancrum oris) demeure le fléau des enfants et le "visage de la pauvreté" en Afrique subsaharienne. Des données récentes sur le fardeau du noma et de ses facteurs de risque sont nécessaires pour évaluer et redéfinir les interventions en vue de sa prévention et de son contrôle. Objectifs: Cette étude visait à déterminer la structure du noma et de ses facteurs de risque dans le nord-ouest du Nigeria. Matériels et Méthodes: Il s'agissait d'une étude rétrospective qui a examiné les cas de noma (cancrum oris) admis à l'Hôpital Noma Children, Sokoto, au Nigeria, entre janvier 1999 et décembre 2011. Informations sur les bio-données des patients, le site et la sévérité des les lésions, et la présence de trismus et sa gravité ont été extraites des dossiers des patients et analysées à l'aide de statistiques descriptives. Résultats: Cent cinquante-neuf (8,3%) des 1923 patients admis à l'hôpital entre janvier 1999 et décembre 2011 ont reçu un diagnostic de noma frais. L'âge moyen des patients était de 3.0 ± 1.4 ans et la majorité d'entre eux 139 (87.4%) étaient âgés de 1 à 5 ans. La lésion des tissus mous concernait essentiellement plusieurs sites, mais le plus souvent les joues externe et interne (84.3%). Les facteurs de risque les plus fréquemment identifiés étaient la rougeole (47.2%) et la malnutrition protéino-énergétique (42.1%). Il y avait des augmentations et des chutes de la prévalence du noma dans la période étudiée. Conclusion: Cette étude a montré une forte charge de noma dans le nord-ouest du Nigeria, principalement chez les enfants âgés de 1 à 5 ans, et avec des lésions des tissus mous impliquant plusieurs sites. La rougeole et la malnutrition ont été les principaux facteurs de risque identifiés, et la tendance de la maladie a montré un profil ondulatoire. Il est urgent d'éliminer la maladie au Nigéria grâce à la prévention et au contrôle des maladies infectieuses et de la malnutrition.

Knowledge and practices related to stroke prevention among hypertensive and diabetic patients attending Specialist Hospital, Sokoto, Nigeria.

INTRODUCTION: Stroke has become a problem of public health importance worldwide. Knowledge and practices related to stroke prevention among hypertensive and diabetic patients are important in the control of the disease. In Nigeria, recent reports indicate an emerging epidemic of stroke. This study aimed to determine the knowledge and practices related to stroke prevention among hypertensive and diabetic patients in Sokoto, Nigeria. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study among 248 patients attending hypertension and diabetes clinic of Specialist Hospital, Sokoto, Nigeria, selected by systematic sampling technique. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data on the research variables. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 20 statistical package. RESULTS: The mean age of respondents was 48.21 ± 15.07 years and they were predominantly females (65.7%). The respondents had good knowledge of stroke (70.3%), organs or parts of body affected by stroke (89.1%), signs or symptoms of stroke (87.0%), stroke risk factors (86.6%) and stroke prevention (90.8%). Formal education was the sole predictor of good knowledge of signs or symptoms of stroke (aOR = 3.99, 95% CI = 1.58-10.13, p = 0.004), stroke risk factors (aOR = 4.24, 95% CI = 1.68-10.67, p = 0.002) and stroke prevention (aOR = 3.45, 95% CI = 1.09-10.93, p = 0.035). Stroke prevention practices were sub-optimal and significantly associated with formal education and being employed. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest the need for all stakeholders to focus on both patients' education and empowerment in halting the rising burden of stroke across the globe.

Awareness and attitude to deceased kidney donation among health-care workers in Sokoto, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Access to renal replacement therapy by the increasing population of patients with end-stage kidney disease across Sub-Saharan Africa, including Nigeria, has become a major public health challenge. Although deceased kidney donation constitutes a viable source, its uptake by patients is contingent on its acceptance by health-care workers. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to assess the awareness and attitude to deceased kidney donation among health-care workers in Sokoto, Nigeria. MATERIALS AND METHODS:: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 470 staff of Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto, Nigeria (attending a 1-week seminar), selected by universal sampling. Data were collected with a set of pretested, self-administered, and semi-structured questionnaire. RESULTS: The mean age of the respondents was 34.1 ± 7.8 years, and most of them (77.7%) were aged <40 years. Majority of respondents were males (60.6%), married (76.5%), and Moslems (73.5%). While almost all the respondents (98.1%) were aware of deceased kidney donation, only about half (51.9%) were willing to accept deceased kidney donation. Furthermore, 43.4% were willing to give consent to donate deceased relative's kidney, and 26.1% were willing to carry an organ donation card. Predictors of willingness to accept deceased kidney donation were male sex, being a medical doctor or laboratory scientist and being a Moslem (Odds ratio >2, P < 0.05). The major disincentives reported were fear that it may not work (42%) and fear of disease transmission (37.0%). CONCLUSION: Periodic education of health-care workers on effectiveness and safety of deceased kidney donation is crucial to promoting its acceptance among them.

Contexte: L'accès à la thérapie de remplacement rénal par l'augmentation de la population de patients atteints d'insuffisance rénale terminale à travers l'Afrique subsaharienne, y compris le Nigéria, est devenu un défi de santé publique majeur. Bien que le don de rein décédé constitue une source viable, son acceptation par les patients dépend de son acceptation par les travailleurs de la santé. Objectifs: Évaluer la sensibilisation et l'attitude envers le don de rein décédé chez les professionnels de la santé à Sokoto, au Nigeria. Méthodes: Une étude transversale a été menée auprès de 470 membres du personnel de l'hôpital universitaire d'UsmanuDanfodiyo, Sokoto, au Nigeria (participation à un séminaire d'une semaine) sélectionnés par échantillonnage universel. Les données ont été recueillies avec un ensemble de questionnaires pré-testés, auto-administrés et semi-structurés.Résultats: L'âge moyen des répondants était de 34,1 + 7,8 ans, et la plupart d'entre eux (77,7%) avaient moins de 40 ans. La majorité des répondants étaient des hommes (60,6%), mariés (76,5%) et musulmans (73,5%). Alors que presque tous les répondants (98,1%) étaient au courant du don de rein décédé, seulement environ la moitié (51,9%) étaient disposés à accepter un don de rein décédé. De plus, 43,4% étaient prêts à consentir à donner le rein d'un parent décédé et 26,1% étaient disposés à porter une carte de don d'organes. Les prédicteurs de la volonté d'accepter un don de rein décédé étaient le sexe masculin, étant un médecin ou un scientifique de laboratoire et étant musulman (Odds ratio> 2, p <0,05). Les principaux facteurs de dissuasion signalés étaient la crainte que cela ne fonctionne pas (42,0%) et la peur de la transmission de la maladie (37,0%). Conclusion: L'éducation périodique des travailleurs de la santé sur l'efficacité et la sécurité du don de rein décédé est cruciale pour promouvoir son acceptation parmi eux. Mots-clés: attitude, don de rein décédé, Sensibilisation, travailleurs de la santé.

Nutritional status, weight perception and weight control practices among office employees in Sokoto, Nigeria.

INTRODUCTION: Overweight and obesity have become the fifth leading risk for global deaths. Office employees have been identified as a high risk group due to the sedentary nature of their work, and accurate weight perception is believed to be critical to acceptance of weight control interventions. This study was conducted to assess the nutritional status, weight perception and weight control practices of office employees in Sokoto, Nigeria. METHODS: A cross sectional study was conducted among 285 randomly selected office employees in private establishments in Sokoto, Nigeria, in February and March 2013. Anthropometry was done for the participants in addition to questionnaire administration. RESULTS: The mean age of the participants was 33.08 ± 7.23 years, they were predominantly males (56.5%) and married (57.5%). None was underweight, 111 (38.9%) had normal weight, 105 (36.8%) were overweight and 69 (24.2%) were obese. Among the participants with normal weight, overweight and obesity, 71.2%, 35.2% and 58.0% respectively accurately perceived their weight; while 28.8%, 50.5% and 30.4% respectively underestimated their weight. There was poor agreement between actual and perceived weight (k statistics = 0.341, p < 0.001). Only 67 (23.5%) of the 285 participants were engaged in weight control practices. CONCLUSION: This study showed high prevalence of overweight and obesity, weight misperceptions, and poor uptake of weight control practices among office employees in Sokoto, Nigeria. These findings underscore the need for a holistic approach to obesity control interventions that encompasses both body image perception and nutritional assessment.

Determinants of Knowledge and Safety Practices of Occupational Hazards of Textile Dye Workers in Sokoto, Nigeria: A Descriptive Analytic Study.

Textile dye workers are subject to occupational hazards on a daily basis due to exposure to precarious conditions in the workplace. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude and safety practices and its determinants among textile dye workers in Sokoto metropolis, Nigeria. This is a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted among 200 textile dye workers and the respondents were selected by multi stage sampling technique. Data was collected using an interviewer administered questionnaire. Data was processed using SPSS IBM version 20 and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Majority of the respondents (74.0%) had good knowledge of workplace hazards; (81.0%) had positive attitude and only 20% observed all the safety practices. Formal education (P=0.047); working less than 5 days a week (P=0.001) and permanent employment (P=0.013) were found to be determinants of respondents' knowledge and attitude towards workplace hazards. Although the respondents had good knowledge and positive attitude, their lack of observance of safety practices brings to fore the need for direct safety instruction and training and retraining of textile dye workers on workplace hazards and safety practices.

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.

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

Prevalence and pattern of sexual assault in Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto, Nigeria.

INTRODUCTION: Sexual violence is an important public health problem of growing concern all over the world. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence and pattern of sexual assault managed in Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital Sokoto, Nigeria. METHODS: It was a retrospective study that looked into cases of sexual assault admitted into the hospital between January 2010 and December 2014. Information on patients' biodata, and relevant details on the cases were extracted from the patients' case files and analyzed. RESULTS: Out of the 5317 gynecological admissions during the period under study, 45 (0.84%) were cases of sexual assault. Of these, only 34 case files were available for data extraction. The patients' ages ranged from 2 to 37 years (mean = 12.6 + 8.3). About two thirds (61.8%) of those affected were young children (aged 12 years and below). In majority of cases (70.6%) the assault was penetrative, and in most of the cases (91.2%) only a single assailant was involved. In close to two thirds of cases, the assailant was either an acquaintance (38.2%) or a family member (20.6%). Although law enforcement agents were informed in majority (58.8%) of cases, arrests were made in less than half (41.2%). CONCLUSION: Although the prevalence of sexual assault in this study appears to be low, a major cause for concern is the fact that those affected were predominantly young children. Parents should be more vigilant in monitoring their children's movement, and stringent laws should be enacted and enforced to curb this heinous act.