Awareness and utilization of female condoms among street youths in Ibadan, an urban setting in South-West Nigeria.

INTRODUCTION: Female condom awareness and use have been poorly documented in sub-Saharan region especially among street youths. This study assessed its awareness and use among street youths. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 964 youths between ages 15 to 24 years old using questionnaires to elicit information. Univariate and multivariate analysis were conducted at 5% level of significance. RESULTS: More than half (69.9%) were males and between 20-25 years of age (61.2%). More than three-quarter (81.0%) had initiated sexual activity. Almost half (47.9%) of the respondents have heard about female condoms however only 16.8% have ever seen while 4.3% have actually ever used a female condom. Age, education, current sexual activity and experience of rape attempt were predictors of female condom awareness. CONCLUSION: Awareness of female condom was a significant predictor of utilization of female condoms. There is therefore a need for proper awareness and education on the effectiveness of female condoms.

Knowledge and home treatment of measles infection by caregivers of children under five in a low-income urban community, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND:  Despite the availability of a safe and effective vaccine for over 50 years, measles remains a leading cause of death among young children in developing countries. AIM:  This study assessed the knowledge and home treatment of measles by caregivers of children under 5 years. SETTING:  Abebi community, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. METHODS:  A descriptive cross-sectional study of 509 caregivers of children aged 6 months to 5 years in a semi-urban community in Ibadan was conducted using a multi-stage sampling method. An interviewer administered structured questionnaire was used to collect information on socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge of aetiology, main symptoms and signs, and home treatment of measles. Chi-square test and logistic regression were used to explore associations at 5% level of significance. RESULTS:  Most of the caregivers were females (96.3%), married (86.1%) and were the biological parents of the children (90.9%). More than half had good knowledge of the cause (59.7%) and main symptoms and signs (52.8%) of measles. However, the composite knowledge was good in 57.6% of caregivers. Over half (54.4%) of the caregivers reported that their children ever had measles. Majority (91.3%) of caregivers whose children had measles gave home treatment, while 24 (8.7%) sought treatment from health facilities alone. There was a significant association between caregivers' educational status, age, tribe and marital status and their knowledge of measles; however, tribe was the only significant predictor of knowledge after regression analysis. Caregivers from other tribes were 3.3 times more likely to have good knowledge of measles than Yoruba caregivers. Caregivers who were 35 years and older compared to those younger than 35 years (OR: 0.625; 95% CI: 0.425-0.921) and those who were not currently married compared to those married (OR: 0.455; 95% CI: 0.273-0.758) had lower odds of having good knowledge of measles, respectively. CONCLUSION:  Home treatment by caregivers of children with measles is high. Health education on the cause, prevention and treatment of measles should be provided for caregivers.

After obstetric fistula repair; willingness of women in Northern Nigeria to use family planning.

Utilisation of modern family planning (FP) is important for women with obstetric fistula (OF). Preventing pregnancy ensures a proper healing and the success of fistula repair. In Northern Nigeria, prevalence of OF is high while the prevalence of FP utilisation is low. This study assessed the willingness to use family planning among 420 women receiving care at obstetric fistula centres in three northern Nigerian States using a semi-structured questionnaire. Concerning family planning methods, 56.7% were aware, only three (1.3%) had ever utilised any method and 63.8% were willing to use a family planning method in the near future. Age, type of marriage and the presence of surviving children were the significant predictors of willingness to use family planning among women with fistula. There is a moderate awareness of family planning with very low utilisation rates. However, a high proportion of these women are willing to use FP. Therefore, there is a need for integration of FP services with OF services. Impact statement What is already known on this subject? Obstetric fistula remains a problem of public health significance in developing countries and emphasis is being laid on surgical repair which is successful in 80-95% of cases. What do the results of this study add? The willingness of women with OF to use FP to improve repair success rate and prevent recurrence by delaying pregnancy. What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? It provides a proxy for post-repair practice. It also assesses the integrated fistula repair services which include counselling and providing the use of family planning services.

Knowledge and home treatment of measles infection by caregivers of children under five in a low-income urban community, Nigeria

Background: Despite the availability of a safe and effective vaccine for over 50 years, measles remains a leading cause of death among young children in developing countries.Aim: This study assessed the knowledge and home treatment of measles by caregivers of children under 5 years.Setting: Abebi community, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria.Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study of 509 caregivers of children aged 6 months to 5 years in a semi-urban community in Ibadan was conducted using a multi-stage sampling method. An interviewer administered structured questionnaire was used to collect information on socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge of aetiology, main symptoms and signs, and home treatment of measles. Chi-square test and logistic regression were used to explore associations at 5% level of significance.Results: Most of the caregivers were females (96.3%), married (86.1%) and were the biological parents of the children (90.9%). More than half had good knowledge of the cause (59.7%) and main symptoms and signs (52.8%) of measles. However, the composite knowledge was good in 57.6% of caregivers. Over half (54.4%) of the caregivers reported that their children ever had measles. Majority (91.3%) of caregivers whose children had measles gave home treatment, while 24 (8.7%) sought treatment from health facilities alone. There was a significant association between caregivers' educational status, age, tribe and marital status and their knowledge of measles; however, tribe was the only significant predictor of knowledge after regression analysis. Caregivers from other tribes were 3.3 times more likely to have good knowledge of measles than Yoruba caregivers. Caregivers who were 35 years and older compared to those younger than 35 years (OR: 0.625; 95% CI: 0.425­0.921) and those who were not currently married compared to those married (OR: 0.455; 95% CI: 0.273­0.758) had lower odds of having good knowledge of measles, respectively. Conclusion: Home treatment by caregivers of children with measles is high. Health education on the cause, prevention and treatment of measles should be provided for caregivers

Knowledge and home treatment of measles infection by caregivers of children under five in a low-income urban community, Nigeria

Background: Despite the availability of a safe and effective vaccine for over 50 years, measles remains a leading cause of death among young children in developing countries. Aim: This study assessed the knowledge and home treatment of measles by caregivers of children under 5 years. Setting: Abebi community, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study of 509 caregivers of children aged 6 months to 5years in a semi-urban community in Ibadan was conducted using a multi-stage sampling method. An interviewer administered structured questionnaire was used to collect information on socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge of aetiology, main symptoms and signs, and home treatment of measles. Chi-square test and logistic regression were used to explore associations at 5% level of significance. Results: Most of the caregivers were females (96.3%), married (86.1%) and were the biological parents of the children (90.9%). More than half had good knowledge of the cause (59.7%) and main symptoms and signs (52.8%) of measles. However, the composite knowledge was good in 57.6% of caregivers. Over half (54.4%) of the caregivers reported that their children ever had measles. Majority (91.3%) of caregivers whose children had measles gave home treatment, while 24 (8.7%) sought treatment from health facilities alone. There was a significant association between caregivers' educational status, age, tribe and marital status and their knowledge of measles; however, tribe was the only significant predictor of knowledge after regression analysis. Caregivers from other tribes were 3.3 times more likely to have good knowledge of measles than Yoruba caregivers. Caregivers who were 35 years and older compared to those younger than 35 years (OR: 0.625; 95% CI: 0.425­0.921) and those who were not currently married compared to those married (OR: 0.455; 95% CI: 0.273­0.758) had lower odds of having good knowledge of measles, respectively. Conclusion: Home treatment by caregivers of children with measles is high. Health education on the cause, prevention and treatment of measles should be provided for caregivers

Resilience among secondary school students in South-Western Nigeria; association with abuse and neglect.

INTRODUCTION: Resilience, which aids coping and adjustment, prevents the development of mental health issues for individuals exposed to adversities. Abuse and neglect are some of the adversities that affect the health of adolescents. This study examined the relationship between abuse, neglect and resilience of adolescents. METHODS: The study adopted a cross-sectional design among 522 secondary school adolescents using interviewer-administered semi-structured questionnaires. Information on socio-demographics, abuse, neglect and resilience were elicited. Associations were tested with significance set at 5%. RESULTS: The mean age of respondents was 15.9 ± 1.5, 301 (57.7%) were females and 144 (27.6%) were from polygamous homes. Two hundred and forty-three (46.4%) had high resilience, 141 (27.0%) moderate resilience and 138 (26.6%) had low resilience. Psychological, physical and sexual abuse were reported among 238 (45.7%), 168 (32.1%) and 45 (8.6%) adolescents, respectively, while 71 (13.6%) and 134 (25.8%) experienced psychological and physical neglect, respectively. Adolescents who experienced physical abuse and sexual abuse were about 2 and 2.5 times less likely, respectively, to have high resilience than those who did not experience physical and sexual abuse. CONCLUSION: Abuse and neglect negatively influence resilience of adolescents. Interventions targeted at reducing abuse and neglect should be incorporated in adolescent health protocols to increase their resilience.

Willingness of tobacco retailers in Oyo State to participate in tobacco control programmes.

INTRODUCTION: Tobacco control strategies have not incorporated retailers, despite being the focus by the tobacco industry to promote its products. Few studies exist on their possible roles in tobacco control. This study, therefore, assessed retailer awareness of tobacco control laws and willingness to be involved in control activities. METHODS: A cross sectional study was carried out on all 218 tobacco retailers in Ibarapa Central and Ibarapa East Local Government Areas of Oyo State. The willingness of tobacco retailers to participate in tobacco-use control was evaluated using a questionnaire. RESULTS: The majority of the respondents were females (95%), and 30-39 years old with respect to age. Almost two-thirds (65%) of the respondents reported the sale of tobacco as a profitable business, and a third reported that their income would decrease if they stopped tobacco sales. Up to 35% of retailers were aware of laws restricting smoking in public places and 45% aware of a ban on the sale of tobacco products to minors. Retailers were willing to: support anti-tobacco legislations (84%), counsel smokers to quit smoking (84%), and display anti-tobacco messages in their shops (77%). CONCLUSIONS: The sale of tobacco products is a profitable venture for retailers. Willingness to participate in tobacco control was high among the retailers. There is a need to raise awareness and co-opt tobacco retailers as change agents in tobacco control efforts.

Urinary schistosomiasis among vulnerable children in a rehabilitation home in Ibadan, Oyo state, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Schistosomiasis is a disease of public health importance with long term complications mostly common among children, rural dwellers, poor and migrant workers. Studies have not documented the burden among migrant workers and their families. The study aimed to describe the burden of schistosomiasis and demographic characteristics among children of migrant workers residing in a rehabilitation home in Ibadan, Nigeria. METHODS: A cross-sectional study using sixty six children, who were tested following complaints of haematuria by six of them. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect information on demographic and environmental characteristics of the children and urine microscopy, was conducted. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics and correlation. Statistical significance was set at 5%. RESULTS: Mean age of respondents was 11.8 ± 4.0 years and 57.6% were males. The prevalence of schistosomiasis was 19.7% with preponderance among males (64.3%) and children aged 12 years and above (71.4%); 85.7% of infected children were from Kwara State; 78.6% waded in water body and 92.9% had red blood cells and pus cells on urine microscopy. CONCLUSIONS: The burden of schistosomiasis is high among children of migrant workers and they serve as reservoirs for transmission of the disease. Government needs to work synergistically with NGOs, FBOs and other partners to achieve schistosomiasis prevention and control among this particular group.