Socio-demographic predictors of food security among rural households in Langai district in Plateau-Nigeria: a cross-sectional study.

Introduction: household food insecurity is a critical social determinant of health globally. There is a rising global prevalence of food insecurity which affects households' access to food of adequate quantity and quality. This study assessed the level of food security and its socio-demographic determinants among rural households. Methods: this is a cross-sectional community survey among 201 rural households in Langai district representing a total population of 1,284. Reported food security was assessed using Food Consumption Scores and Coping Strategy Index. Data were analysed with SPSS 21. Analysis was done to assess the level of food-security associated factors. Multivariable analysis was done to assess determinants of food security. P-value <0.05 is considered significant. Results: forty-three percent of all households have a total income greater than the national minimum wage. Overall, 21.4% are quality-food insecure (FCS), 6.5% have severe coping behaviour (CSI-food insecure) and 34.8% are highly economically vulnerable to food insecurity. Significant predictors of household food security include women earning than the basic monthly wage (AOR: 4.29 [95%CI: 1.34-13.71]; p=0.014); those without marital partners (AOR: 4.91 [95%CI: 1.01-23.90]; p=0.049); smaller household size (≤ 5) (AOR: 2.69 [95%CI: 1.16-6.24]; p=0.021); and those not receiving financial support (AOR: 2.68 [95%CI: 1.17-6.13]; p=0.020). Conclusion: almost a quarter of all households' experience food insecurity with more than one-third being highly vulnerable to food insecurity. Efforts should be made to cushion the effect of global food insecurity among vulnerable populations and improve livelihood through improved agricultural practices to have sustainable and equitable food security.

Knowledge, attitude, practices and associated factors of HIV/AIDS among adolescents in Ora Community, Edo State

Background: Adolescents constitute a significant proportion of the vulnerable group in the society and often engage in risky sexual behaviours which predispose to HIV/AIDS. Objective: To assess the knowledge, attitude,preventive practices of HIV/AIDS and its associated factors amongadolescentsin Ora community, Edo State.Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among440 secondary school students selected by stratified sampling technique. Data was obtained with pretested interviewer-administered questionnaires.Results:Two hundred and forty-two(242; 55.0%) of the respondents were aged 10 ­14 years.Two hundred and seventy-one 271 (61.6%) ofthe respondentshad good knowledge of HIV/AIDS, while 291 (59.3%) had a positive attitude towards HIV/AIDS. Age15 ­19 years(p=0.001) malesex(p =0.049) and respondents in SS2 class (p=0.005) were significantly associated with knowledge.A negative attitude was recorded among139 (51.3%) students who had good knowledge. The relationship between knowledgeand attitude towards HIV/AIDS was statistically significant(p=0.01). Twenty-five(73.5%) of the sexually active respondents had poor preventive practiceregardingHIV/AIDS.Conclusion: More than half of the students had good knowledge and positive attitude towards HIV/AIDS while a majority of themwho were sexually active had poor preventive practices. Respondents aged 15­19 years, malesand in SS2class significantly had goodknowledgeof HIV/AIDS. Health education intervention programstargeted on the prevention of HIV/AIDS should be designed for Secondary School Students

Strengthening intersectoral collaboration for primary health care in developing countries: can the health sector play broader roles?

Many strategic challenges impeding the success of primary health care are rooted in weak strategic inputs, including intersectoral collaboration. Some encouraging evidence from programmes, projects, and studies suggests that intersectoral collaboration is feasible and useful. The strategy has the potential to fast-track the attainment of Millenium Development Goals. However, the strategy is not commonly utilised in developing countries. The health sector expects inputs from other sectors which may not necessarily subscribe to a shared responsibility for health improvement, whereas the public expects ''health" from the health sector. Yet, the health sector rarely takes on initiatives in that direction. The sector is challenged to mobilise all stakeholders for intersectoral collaboration through advocacy and programming. Pilot projects are advised in order to allow for cumulative experience, incremental lessons and more supportive evidence.