Prevalence, Pattern and Predictors of Elder Abuse in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria: An Urban and Rural Comparison.

BACKGROUND: Elder abuse is a growing concern globally and the consequences can be detrimental to the wellbeing of the elderly. In Nigeria, it is a hidden problem, under-reported with limited national response. This study compared the prevalence and pattern of elder abuse and its determinants between urban and rural communities in Benin-City. METHODS: A comparative cross-sectional analytical studywas conducted among 445 urban and 468 rural elderly respondents selected using multi-stage sampling technique. Data was collected using a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire and analysed by IBM SPSS version 23.0. Descriptive and inferential statistics were done with level of significance set at p<0.05. RESULTS: The lifetime prevalence of elder abuse was 18.6% and 17.6% while the one-year prevalence was 14.7% and 13.3% in the rural and urban areas, respectively. The most common was psychological abuse (86.2% vs 84.2%) while the least was sexual abuse (3.4% vs 9.2%) in rural and urban areas, respectively. The predictors of elder abuse in the urban area were low level of education (aOR=2.080; 95%CI=1.031-4.196), poor social support (aOR=2.249; 95%CI=1.005-5.033) and social dissatisfaction (aOR=9.308; 95%CI=3.876-22.353) while predictors in the rural area included male gender (aOR=2.051; 95%CI=1.042-4.036), poor social support (aOR=3.555; 95%CI=1.642-7.696), social dissatisfaction (aOR=65.320; 95%CI=21.656-97.022) and good social network (aOR= 0.261; 95%CI=0.092-0.739). CONCLUSION: Elder abuse is not uncommon in our environment and the pattern is in consonance with the global typologies. Appropriate strategies to raise awareness on this emerging public health concern and establishing a holistic policy to respond to the problem and care for the elderly are recommended.

BACKGROUND: La maltraitance des personnes âgées est une préoccupation croissante dans le monde entier, et ses conséquences peuvent être préjudiciables au bien-être des personnes âgées. Au Nigéria, il s'agit d'un problème caché, insuffisamment signalé avec une réponse nationale limitée. Cette étude a comparé la prévalence et le modèle de la maltraitance des personnes âgées et ses déterminants entre les communautés urbaines et rurales de la ville de Bénin. MÉTHODES: Une étude analytique transversale comparative a été menée auprès de 445 personnes âgées en milieu urbain et 468 en milieu rural sélectionnées à l'aide d'une technique d'échantillonnage à plusieurs degrés. Les données ont été recueillies à l'aide d'un questionnaire structuré administré par un enquêteur, et analysées par la version 23.0 du IBM SPSS. Des statistiques descriptives et inférentielles ont été réalisées avec un niveau de signification fixé à p<0,05. de signification fixé à p<0,05. RÉSULTATS: La prévalence à vie de la maltraitance des personnes âgées était de 18,6 % et 17,6 %, tandis que la prévalence sur un an était de 14,7 % et 13,3 % dans les zones rurales et urbaines respectivement. La plus fréquente était l'abus psychologique (86,2% vs 84,2 %) et la moins fréquente était l'abus sexuel (3,4 % vs 9,2 %) dans les zones rurales et urbaines, respectivement. Les prédicteurs de la maltraitance des personnes âgées dans la zone urbaine étaient un faible niveau d'éducation (aOR=2,080; 95%CI=1,031-4,196), soutien social insuffisant (aOR=2,249; 95%CI=1,005-5,033) et l'insatisfaction sociale (aOR=9,005 ; 95%CI=1,005-5,033), sociale (aOR=9,308; 95%CI=3,876-22,353), tandis que les prédicteurs prédicteurs dans la zone rurale comprenaient le sexe masculin (aOR=2,051; 95%CI=1,042-4,036), un faible soutien social (aOR=3,555; 95%CI=1,642-7,696), l'insatisfaction sociale (aOR=65,320; 95%CI=21,656-97,022) et un bon réseau social (aOR= 0,261; 95%CI=0,092-0,739). CONCLUSION: La maltraitance des personnes âgées n'est pas rare dans notre environnement et le modèle est en consonance avec les typologies mondiales. Des stratégies appropriées pour sensibiliser à cette problème de santé publique émergent et l'établissement d'une politique politique holistique pour répondre au problème et prendre soin des personnes âgées recommandées. Mots clés: Maltraitance des personnes âgées; Prévalence; Modèle; Déterminants; Ville de Bénin.

Knowledge and Skills of Health Care Workers Implementing Integrated Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Strategy in Edo State, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: The Integrated Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (IMNCH) strategy which advocates for integrated care of mother and newborn requires skilled health care workers (HCWs) for effective implementation. This study assessed the capacity of HCWs in Primary Health Care (PHC) facilities in Edo State to implement the IMNCH strategy. METHODS: This cross-sectional study involved 333 HCWs drawn from PHC facilities in Edo State using multistage sampling technique. Data was collected by structured self-administered questionnaire and analysed using IBM SPSS version 21.0. Descriptive and inferential statistics were done with level of significance set at p<0.05. RESULTS: One hundred and seventy-four (52.3%) of the respondents had good knowledge of IMNCH strategy, 223 (67.0%) had good practice of focused antenatal care (FANC) while 92 (27.6%) had good of routine and basic emergency obstetric care (BEOC) including essential newborn care (ENC). Respondents' designation was the only significant predictor of knowledge of IMNCH strategy (aOR=5.03, 95%CI=2.92-8.67, p<0.001). Respondents' designation (aOR=6.50; 95%CI=3.11-13.99, p<0.001) and good knowledge of IMNCH strategy (aOR=0.21, 95%CI=0.12-0.38, p<0.001) were the significant predictors of good practice of FANC. Respondents' designation (aOR=6.13, 95%CI=3.27-11.48, p<0.001) and good knowledge of IMNCH strategy (aOR=0.28, 95%CI=0.14-0.54, p<0.001) were the significant predictors of good practice of routine and BEOC including ENC. CONCLUSION: The study found overall good knowledge of IMNCH strategy, good practice of FANC but poor practice of routine, basic emergency obstetric and newborn care among HCWs in PHC facilities in Edo State. Engaging more skilled HCWs and continuous professional training of employed staff is recommended for effective implementation of the IMNH strategy.

CONTEXTE: La stratégie de la santé intégrée de la mère, du nouveau-né et de l'enfant (IMNCH), qui préconise des soins intégrés pour la mère et le nouveau-né, exige des travailleurs de la santé qualifiés pour une mise en œuvre efficace. Cette étude a évalué la capacité des travailleurs de la santé dans les établissements de soins de santé primaires (SSP) de l'État d'Edo à mettre en œuvre la stratégie IMNCH. MÉTHODES: Cette étude transversale a impliqué 333 travailleurs de santé sélectionnés dans les établissements de soins primaires de l'État d'Edo en utilisant une technique d'échantillonnage à plusieurs degrés. Les données ont été collectées au moyen d'un questionnaire structuré auto-administré et analysées avec IBM SPSS version 21.0. Des statistiques descriptives et inférentielles ont été réalisées avec un niveau de signification fixé à p<0,05. RÉSULTATS: Cent soixante-quatorze (52,3%) des répondants avaient une bonne connaissance de la stratégie IMNCH, 223 (67,0%) avaient une bonne pratique des soins prénataux ciblés (FANC) tandis que 92 (27,6%) avaient une bonne pratique des soins obstétricaux d'urgence de routine et de base (BEOC), y compris les soins essentiels au nouveauné (ENC). La désignation des répondants était le seul prédicteur significatif de la connaissance de la stratégie IMNCH (aOR=5,03, 95%CI=2,92-8,67, p<0,001). La désignation des répondants (aOR=6,50 ; 95%CI=3,11-13,99, p<0,001) et une bonne connaissance de la stratégie IMNCH (aOR=0,21, 95%CI=0,12-0,38, p<0,001) étaient les prédicteurs significatifs d'une bonne pratique des FANC. La désignation des répondants (aOR=6.13, 95%CI=3.27-11.48, p<0.001) et la bonne connaissance de la stratégie IMNCH (aOR=0.28, 95%CI=0.14-0.54, p<0.001) étaient les prédicteurs significatifs de la bonne pratique de la routine et du BEOC incluant l'ENC. CONCLUSION: L'étude a révélé une bonne connaissance générale de la stratégie IMNCH, une bonne pratique des FANC mais une faible pratique des soins de routine, des soins obstétriques d'urgence de base et des soins aux nouveau-nés parmi les travailleurs de santé dans les établissements PHC de l'état d'Edo. L'engagement d'un plus grand nombre d'agents sanitaires qualifiés et la formation professionnelle continue du personnel employé sont recommandés pour une mise en œuvre efficace de la stratégie IMNH. MOTS CLÉS: IMNCH ; Mise en œuvre ; Agents de santé ; Soins de santé primaires, État d'Edo.

Knowledge, Attitude and Preventive Practices Against Lassa Fever Among Residents in a Rural Community in Southern Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Lassa fever is of significant public health concern due to the high morbidity and mortality associated with the disease. There is need for the general public, especially those in the rural communities, to have adequate knowledge of Lassa fever as well as engage in proper measures that will prevent the occurrence of future outbreaks. OBJECTIVE: To assess the knowledge, attitude and preventive practices against Lassa fever of adult residents among a rural community in Edo State, Nigeria. METHODS: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study among adult residents of a rural community in Etsako Central LGA, Edo State. The participants were selected using multistage sampling technique. Data was collected using structured interviewer-administered questionnaires and data analysis was by IBM SPSS version 21.0. The level of significance was set at p < 0.05. RESULTS: Four hundred and sixty-five respondents with a mean age of 34.6 ± 14.7 years participated in the study. Majority (89.0%) had heard of Lassa fever and of these, 82.9% and 85.3% had poor knowledge of Lassa fever and positive attitude towards preventive measures against Lassa fever, respectively. Over half (59.1%) had poor preventive practices against Lassa fever. Knowledge, attitude and preventive practice was found to be better among educated respondents. CONCLUSION: The study showed a gap in knowledge of Lassa fever and preventive practices against the disease among the respondents. Adequate measures such as enforcing policies against bush burning should be put in place by all stakeholders to ensure that this gap observed is bridged.

Lung function indices of flour millworkers in Edo and Delta States.

UNLABELLED: AIMS AND OBJECTIVES Flour dust has been associated with lung function impairment and Chronic Obstructive Airway Disease (COAD) among grain workers. This study was therefore conducted to assess the lung function indices of flour mill workers in Edo and Delta states, of Nigeria. MATERIALS AND METHODS Comparative cross-sectional study designed was utilized for the study and it was carried out over a period of six months, (Nov 2010 to May 2011) among 200 flour mill workers and 200 hospital workers in Edo and Delta states.A modified Medical Research Council (MRC) questionnaire which was interviewer administered and an electronic hand held spirometer was used to collect data. Data analysis was carried out using Statistical Package for Scientific Solution (SPSS) version 17. RESULTS: The Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR) of the flour dust exposed workers was significantly lower (p<0.001) compared to that of the unexposed population. All other lung function parameters were also lower although not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Flour dust exposed workers in Edo Delta states like grain workers elsewhere have lung impairment, hence the need to provide protective equipment and also carry out regular periodic medical checks.

Epidemiology of pulmonary tuberculosis in University of Benin Teaching Hospital and Central Hospital, Benin City.

BACKGROUND: Poverty, overcrowding, homelessness, malnutrition and the AIDS pandemic has worsen the problem of tuberculosis in the developing countries, Nigeria inclusive with Nigeria being the fifth among the twenty-two high tuberculosis burden countries. OBJECTIVE: To identify the epidemiological factors associated with the distribution of tuberculosis in Benin City, Nigeria. METHODS: This study was a cross-sectional and descriptive one and carried out in two major public hospitals in Benin City, Nigeria, namely University of Benin Teaching Hospital (a tertiary hospital) and the Central Hospital (a secondary hospital) within one year period. RESULTS: The results of study revealed more males were affected than females (1.7:1). The mean age was 39.9 +/- 16.7 years with the largest number of patients (71.5%) being in the age groups 21 - 30 years. The major defaulters to anti-tuberculosis drugs were those with primary education and no formal education, which together constituted 80%. CONCLUSION: Tuberculosis was seen to be more common in males than females and the age group mostly affected was between 21 and 30 years. It still remains a disease of the low socio-economic status and those living in overcrowded environment. Compliance was poor amongst the uneducated and the poor.

An epidemiological study of football (soccer) injuries in Benin City, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: The increase in popularity of soccer and expectations from players make significant numbers of soccer injuries conceivable. Concerns have been expressed about the demand placed on the modern-day footballer and translation of these physical and mental demands into injuries. Despite the popularity and importance of the game of soccer in Benin, no detailed study on the occurrence of soccer injury has been carried out. OBJECTIVE: The study sets out to describe and assess the determinants and effects of soccer injuries. METHODOLOGY: Seven clubs (196 players) from the premiership, professional, national and state amateur clubs were studied using a descriptive cross-sectional study design. A pre-designed semi-structured questionnaire and key informants interview guide were used for data collection. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used in the analysis, with significant levels generally taken at 5% level of significance. RESULTS: A total of 196 players sustained 204 injuries with a prevalence rate of 81.6%. More injuries were recorded during matches (46.1%) than during training (36.8%). Injuries occurring by body contact constituted 62.3% of the total injuries. The ankle (25%) was the most affected site, followed by the knee (20.1%), while sprain injury (33.3%) and strain (13.2%) were the commonest injury types. Moderate injury (28.9%) was the highest form of severity recorded. Recurrent injury accounted for 38.8% of injuries, occurring more in training (44.9%) than in matches (36.7%). A greater percentage (86.8%) of the injuries were traumatic in nature, with tackling (44.6%) being the commonest mechanism. Defenders (34.3%) and strikers (31.4%) had higher injury occurrence. The association between the player's role and the mechanism of injury was significant (p = 0.02), while that between weather condition and injury type was very significant (p = 0.004). Moreover, the association between experience and mechanism of injury was extremely significant (p<0.001). The study also shows that injury has economic, physical and psychological impacts on players. CONCLUSION: A prevalence rate of 81.6% was recorded. Sprain was the leading injury type, while the ankle was the most affected anatomical site. Factors such as weather, previous injury, experience, role, and activity tend to influence injury occurrence. Soccer injury also has economic, physical and psychological implications. It is therefore recommended that preventive measures such as adequate treatment of injuries, full rehabilitation after injuries, use of protective equipment, appropriate exercises and warm-ups, continual team education on injury managements and skill improvement, etc., be utilised and enforced to protect this group of sport workers.

Awareness of high blood pressure status, treatment and control in a rural community in Edo State.

A cross-sectional study was carried out in Udo, a rural community in Ovia South-west LGA of Edo State to assess the level of awareness of high blood pressure status, treatment and control. Cluster sampling method was used to select participants and data collection was by researcher administered questionnaire. Blood pressure measurement was by standardized method. A total of 590 respondents with mean age 30.7 +/- 14.6 years participated in the study. The prevalence of hypertension was 20.2% using the WHO/ISH criteria of SBP > or = 140 mmHg and/or DBP > or = 90 mmHg. Twenty two (18.5%) of the hypertensives were aware of their high blood pressure status. Awareness was higher in females, increased with age and decreased with higher educational status. Of those aware of their condition, 77.3% were on treatment and ofthese, 29.4% had adequate blood pressure control. This study has revealed a low level of awareness of high blood pressure status and control in this rural community. Therefore, there is urgent need for regular community-based hypertension screening programmes.

Environmental sanitation in an urban community in benin city, edo state.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the sanitary conditions in an urban community in Benin City, Edo State. METHODS: A cross-sectional descriptive study using multi-staged sampling method. Data collection was by means semi-structured researcher-administered questionnaires. Intervention in the form of health education was carried out among the respondents on various environmental sanitation issues. Data was analysed using the Computer Programme for Epidemiologists (PEPI). RESULTS: A majority 213(50.4%) of the respondents obtained their water from private boreholes while 93(22.0%) obtained irregular pipe-borne water supplies from the public utility board, with only 160(37.8%) having adequate supplies and 291(68.8%) not using any form of water purification methods. 321(75.8%) of the respondents used the water closet for sewage disposal though these toilets were not flushed after every use in 70.7% of cases. The commonest methods of refuse disposal were open dumping (59.0%) and burning (26.4%). Indices of personal hygiene practices were high (average 87.8%), though the proportions of respondents who used soap for hand washing were all lower than those of hand washing without soap. Vector and pest control were mainly by the use of mosquito nettings of doors and windows (30.4%) and fumigation (18.8%). CONCLUSION: The overall level of sanitation is unsatisfactory. There is therefore need for intensive and continued health education to address these deficiencies.

Knowledge of HIV/AIDS and sexual practices among adolescents in Benin City, Nigeria.

A cross sectional study to determine the knowledge of HIV/AIDS and sexual practices of adolescents was undertaken in Benin City, Nigeria. Benin City the capital of Edo State, Nigeria, has 40 government owned secondary schools comprising 6 boys, 10 girls, and 24 mixed. Out of these 3 schools were randomly selected for survey viz; Adolor (boys only), Iyoba (girls only), Army Day (mixed). The sample size for the survey was 920 while the total population for selected schools was 1692 giving a sampling ratio of 1:2. Using the systematic sampling method and class register as sampling frame every other child was selected for the study. However, only 852 students consented to participate giving a response rate of 92.6%. An overwhelming majority of the adolescents were aware of HIV/AIDS but only 16.2% knew the cause of the disease. The submission that kissing, living with infected persons and sharing their utensils could lead to infection was an indication of ignorance. Sexual intercourse was the predominant route of transmission mentioned by 60.0% while multiple sexual partners was prevalent among age group 13-15 years. Playing with sharps, frequent clean head shave with unsterilised instruments in the barbing saloon and promiscuity were some of the activities that adolescents were involved in that could lead to HIV/AIDS infection. In conclusion, the knowledge of the study population was poor and correlates with their reckless sexual practices. Prevention is the best option to the disease. Better informed youths on HIV/AIDS will enhance the principle of prevention.

An assessment of food hygiene among food handlers in a Nigerian university campus.

INTRODUCTION: Food handlers play a major role in ensuring food safety throughout the chain of producing, processing, storage and preparation. Mishandling and disregard for hygiene measures on their part may result in food contamination and its attendant consequences. OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to assess the knowledge and practice of food hygiene by food handlers in a Nigerian University Campus. METHODOLOGY: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was carried out on randomly selected food handlers operating on the campus. A total of 102 respondents were interviewed and inspected using a structural questionnaire administered by researchers. RESULTS: Ninety (88.2%) of the respondents were female, and there was a predominantly poor level knowledge of food hygiene. The practice of storing and reheating leftovers was low and agreed to by 15 (14.7%) of the respondents; there was a very low frequency of hand washing. Inspection of food handlers showed a low level of personal hygiene. Only 31 (30.4%) had had pre employment medical examination and only 49 (48%) had received any form of health education. CONCLUSION: This study has revealed a poor knowledge and practice of food hygiene among food handlers providing food for undergraduates in a Nigerian University. It is recommended that a massive health education campaign directed at both the public and food handlers be embarked on, to enable people take necessary steps to prevent food borne diseases.

Psychosocial effects of river blindness in a rural community in Nigeria.

Onchocerciasis (river blindness) is a serious public health problem with important socioeconomic consequences. The presence of onchocercal skin lesions is unsightly and has a psychosocial effect on the affected. This cross-sectional study was undertaken to assess the perception and social implication of onchocerciasis in the village of Apana in Nigeria. Apana is a rural community, hyper-endemic for onchocerciasis and currently receiving ivermectin treatment. The village is one of the ten communities of Uzairue district of Etsako West Local Government Area (LGA), Edo State, Nigeria. There are many water streams in the community which serve the domestic needs of the inhabitants but also provide the breeding sites for the vector flies of onchocerciasis. Multi-stage sampling methods were used to select the 385 respondents that participated after informed consent was obtained. A structured researcher-administered questionnaire was the tool for data collection. Of the 385 respondents that participated in the survey, 240 (62.3%) were male while 145 (37.7%) were female. The awareness of the disease among the respondents was fair. They were aware of the nuisance value of blackflies ('Uja-ini') and associated the bite with itching. The signs and symptoms of onchocerciasis were recognised as specific diseases with specific local names. They called itching and rashes 'Erhue', nodules and leopard skin 'Evbiomu-Ogui', worm in the eye 'Okogho-Ikpalo' and blindness 'Orunalo'. The attitude of the non-affected towards the affected was partially discriminatory and suspicious. The affected were socially withdrawn, probably due to the frustration of their health condition. There is a need to improve people's attitude towards the disease and improve disease awareness through appropriate health education, which will encourage the acceptance of ivermectin as adequate treatment and compliance to the treatment regimen to reduce morbidity and promote self-esteem.

Hospital workers' opinions on the predisposing factors to blood-related work accidents in Central Hospital, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria.

INTRODUCTION: Hospital workers are prone to accidental injuries during their day-to-day activities at work. These accidental injuries are of importance because many of these predispose the workers to blood-borne infections. METHODS: A total of 242 hospital workers at Central Hospital, Benin City, Edo State participated in a cross-sectional study carried out between June and August 1999 aimed at finding out the predisposing factors to blood-related work accidents. The study group consisted of 53 doctors, 34 laboratory workers and 155 nurses. All doctors and laboratory workers at Central Hospital were involved in the study, while 50% of the nursing population were involved in the study. The nurses were selected using a stratified random sampling method. The respondents completed a pretested self-administered questionnaire. RESULTS: The results showed that the four main factors responsible for accidents among the hospital workers were: non-availability of protective measures; desire to hasten the procedure; type of procedure; and use of inadequate/inappropriate equipment. The major factor responsible for accidents at work among hospital workers was non-availability of protective measures. RECOMMENDATIONS: It is therefore recommended that adequate materials and equipment should be provided. This study could be further validated using a qualitative study design (focus group discussions).

Knowledge and practice of universal precautions among nurses in central hospital, Benin-City, Edo State, Nigeria.

Nurses are faced with professional hazards such as needle pricks and blood-borne infections in their day to day activities in the work place. This study is aimed at finding out the knowledge and practice of universal precautions among nurses at the Central Hospital, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. One hundred and fifty-five (155) nurses participated in the cross-sectional study. The nurses were selected using the stratified random sampling method. The nurses had a poor knowledge about universal precautions as only 34.2% of nurses had heard about universal precautions. There was also a poor observance of universal precautions. Knowledge of measures to be taken after the occurrence of occupational accidents/ injuries was also poor, as only 26(16.8%) nurses would report puncture injuries to the clinic, only 13(8.4%) nurses would screen patients for HIV antibody after consent when they sustain work related accident/injuries. Twelve (7.7%) nurses would screen patient to determine hepatitis B status of patient while only 8(5.2%) nurses would go for medical check-up/immunisation with hepatitis B vaccine.

Assessment of health of senior executives in a developing country.

In a study of 202 senior executives, aged 25-64 y, in Benin City, Nigeria, the prevalence rate of hypertension was found to be 34.7%. Blood pressures increased with age for both sexes; however, the men had higher mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure and body mass indices (BMI) than the females. Contributing to this was a high level of inactivity, and diets high in carbohydrate and fat. High-risk social behaviour such as smoking and alcohol consumption was observed. It is recommended that management of the companies concerned put programs into place to assist this group of their workers to maintain a good health status, which will, in turn, improve their productivity.

Occupational health services in manufacturing industries in Nigeria.

The provision of adequate health care facilities to cater for the health of workers is an important consideration in the management of manufacturing industries, since productivity is dependent on the health status of the workers. There are very few studies evaluating the health care provision in Nigerian industries. This study elucidates such health care services in Edo and Delta States of Nigeria. One hundred and thirty-five (56%) of the 241 registered manufacturing industries in Edo and Delta States of Nigeria were randomly selected and investigated. The response rate was 91.1% and the result showed that the medical staff comprised 2.5% of the total workforce, with the large scale industries contributing the highest proportion of these. Four point five per cent of the medical staff had formal training in occupational health and 15.6% of them visited the factory shop floor. The doctor:staff ratio in the medium and large scale industries were 1:819 and 1:618 respectively. It was found that all the industries used the health care facilities provided by the government, there were no clinics in all the small scale industries and group practice was not used by any of the industries studied. Pre-employment medical examinations were carried out in each of the groups of industries (100%, 39.4% and 5%) respectively, as were periodic medical examinations during employment, although to a lesser extent (100%, 13.2%, 0%) for the large, medium and small scale industries respectively. These finding suggest the availability of a reasonable standard of health care provision for large scale industries and somewhat less availability for medium and small scale industries. Health education of both the employers of labour, and the employees and the enforcement of existing laws are needed to improve the existing standard of occupational health services.

Knowledge, attitude and practice towards AIDS among civil servants in Nigeria.

A study about knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) towards AIDS was carried out amongst 340 randomly selected workers in Benin City in Nigeria using self-administered questionnaires. Three hundred and thirty (97.1%) of the workers were aware of the existence of AIDS but only 50 (14.7%) had the correct knowledge of the aetiology of AIDS, and of these 29 (8.5%) had tertiary education. Generally there was a good knowledge of the different routes of transmission except for the erroneous belief by a high number, 125 (36.8%) and 129 (37.9%) that it could be transmitted through sharing of utensils and causal kissing respectively. The attitude to AIDS sufferers is poor and 156 (45.9%) actually think they should be ostracized. Twenty-one (6.2%) of the respondents still keep multiple sexual partners while 142 (41.8%) would willingly use the condom for safer sex. There is therefore the need for an intensive and effective health education campaign to combat this deadly disease in the country.

PIP: A KAP survey conducted among 341 government workers in Benin City, Nigeria, revealed a need for intensive health education to prevent the further spread of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). 111 civil servants were female and 229 were male; the age range was 20-54 years. Although 330 (97.1%) were aware of AIDS, only 67 (19.7%) had correct knowledge of the etiology of the disease. Common misconceptions were that the AIDS virus could be transmitted through sharing food utensils, casual kissing, and casual contact. Moreover, 93 (27.4%) believed that some people have natural immunity against infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and 25 (7.4%) thought that AIDS was curable. 164 (48.2%) were aware that condoms help prevent HIV transmission and 142 (41.8%) expressed a willingness to use condoms. 156 (45.9%) of civil servants felt that persons with AIDS should be ostracized. Although workers with a tertiary education tended to be somewhat more knowledge about AIDS than their less-educated counterparts, this trend was neither significant nor consistent.