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.

Socio-demographic Factors Associated with Knowledge and Uptake of Family Planning Among Women of Reproductive Age in a Rural Community of Abuja, Nigeria / Jurnal Sains Kesihatan Malaysia

@#Nigeria has a population of about 180 million, estimated to double in 22 years due to low uptake of family planningservices. Low utilization of family planning is the major factor associated with high fertility pattern in Nigeria. Thistrend is higher among rural women in Northern Nigeria. Without a thorough understanding of, and due attention to thelocal context, utilization of family planning may continue to be low. Identification of correlates of family planning wouldbe invaluable in designing strategies for ultimately improving uptake of family planning services. This study becamerelevant as no previous study on family planning has been carried out in Ushafa Community. The study was conductedat Ushafa community, a rural community, located in Bwari Area Council on the northern axis of the Federal CapitalTerritory (FCT) of Nigeria. The study was a descriptive cross-sectional study, conducted among women of reproductiveage (15-49 years) who were permanent resident of Ushafa Community. Using proportion of contraceptive usage of 16%from a previous study, 240 women were recruited into the study by systematic sampling technique. Data was collected bymeans of a structured interviewer administered questionnaire, data was entered and analysed using statistical packagefor social sciences (SPSS) version 20. All tests were conducted using 2 tails while level of significance was set at 0.05.About a quarter of respondents (26.3%) knew that amenorrhoea could be a side effect of oral contraceptive pills, 51.1%knew that oral contraceptive pills must be taken daily, 58% were not using any form of family planning. Age (χ2 = 8.382,p = 0.01) and marital status (χ2 = 8.915, p = 0.01) were significantly associated with family planning knowledge. Levelof education was significantly associated with current use of family planning (χ2 = 10.78, p = 0.03). Educational statuswas significantly associated with likelihood of using family planning in the future (χ2 = 8.64, p = 0.04). Although therespondents had fairly good knowledge of family planning, the study observed some misconceptions especially withrespect to side effects and methodology of use of the commodities. Low uptake of family planning was observed amongthe respondents. Age and marital status were significantly associated with family planning knowledge; level of educationwas significantly associated with current use of family planning. There is need for incorporation of facts on usage andside effects of family planning in message disseminated by health workers in health facilities in Ushafa Community so as to correct misconceptions.