Sexual behaviour and knowledge of prevention of sexually transmitted infections among students in coeducational and non-coeducational secondary schools in Ibadan, Nigeria.

INTRODUCTION: Sexual interaction between students may be different in coeducational (CE) and non-coeducational (NC) schools. The objective was to compare sexual behaviour and knowledge of prevention of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among senior secondary school students in CE and NC institutions in Ibadan, Nigeria. METHOD: A comparative cross-sectional study was carried out using a multistage sampling technique. A total of 510 respondents (250 from CE schools and 260 from NC schools) completed semi-structured self-administered questionnaires which included a 30-point STI knowledge scale with scores classified as good and poor. Chi-square statistics were significant at P ≤ 0.05. RESULTS: The mean age of respondents was 15.9 ± 1.5 years, 47.5% were girls. There were no significant differences in sexual behaviour and knowledge of STIs between the students in the two types of schools. However, there were gender differences, as a significantly higher proportion of girls in CE than NC schools had ever had sexual intercourse with the opposite sex (25.6%-CE, 12.4%-NC) and had multiple sexual partners (29.0%-CE, 0%-NC). Girls in NC schools had better knowledge of causes and prevention of STIs than those in CE schools (28.8%-CE, 45.5%-NC). There were no significant differences in the sexual practices and knowledge of STIs among boys in the two types of schools. CONCLUSION: More girls in CE schools have had sexual intercourse compared to NC schools whereas girls in NC schools had better knowledge of the prevention of STIs. There is a need for strategies to increase reproductive health education in schools, particularly in CE schools.

Effects of Educational Intervention on Nurses' Knowledge and Attitude Towards Providing Cervical Cancer Screening Information in Selected Health Facilities in Ibadan, Nigeria.

Cervical cancer is a major cause of death among women especially in developing nations. It can be prevented through screening yet many women are unaware of screening options. Nurses are in vantage position to provide cervical cancer screening (CCS) information and services especially in antenatal clinics. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of an educational intervention (EI) on nurses' knowledge and attitude towards providing CCS information. This quasi-experimental study was conducted in eight health facilities in Ibadan, Nigeria. The facilities were randomly divided into intervention group (IG) and control group (CG). A total of 133 consenting nurses (60 in the IG and 73 in the CG) participated. Baseline data were collected using self-administered questionnaire. The nurses in the IG received the EI and both groups were administered with a post-test questionnaire after 6 months. Data were analysed using chi square and Student's t test at p = 0.05. Nurses' mean age was 41.7 years. Knowledge scores for the IG (11.8 ± 3.3) and CG (11.7 ± 3.3) were comparable at baseline (p = 0.901) but was significantly higher among nurses in the IG (14.63 ± 3.12) than CG (12.7 ± 3.5) at 6 months PI (p = 0.01). More nurses in the IG had high level of knowledge than CG. There was no significant difference in their attitude at baseline and at PI. There was a significant association between knowledge and attitude towards providing cervical cancer screening information (p < 0.000). Education improved knowledge of nurses on cervical cancer screening. Regular education programmes for nurses may result in improved counselling on major health issues like cancer.

Occupational exposure, attitude to HIV-positive patients and uptake of HIV counselling and testing among health care workers in a tertiary hospital in Nigeria.

Health care workers (HCWs) are at risk of occupational exposure to HIV. Their attitude to HIV-positive patients influences patients' willingness and ability to access quality care. HIV counselling and testing (HCT) services are available to inform HCWs and patients about their status. There is little information about HCT uptake and attitude to HIV-positive patients among HCWs in tertiary health facilities in Nigeria. The aim of this study was to determine occupational exposure and attitude to HIV-positive patients and level of uptake of HCT services among HCWs in a tertiary hospital in Nigeria. A cross-sectional design was utilized. A total of 977 HCWs were surveyed using semi-structured, self-administered questionnaires. Nurses and doctors comprised 78.2% of the respondents. Their mean age was 35 ± 8.4 years. Almost half, 47.0%, reported accidental exposure to blood and body fluids (BBFs) in the preceding year. The main predictor of accidental exposure to BBFs in the last year was working in a surgical department, OR = 1.7, 95% CI (1.1-2.6). HCWs aged <40 years, OR = 5.5, 95% CI (1.9-15.9), who had worked for >5 years, OR = 3.6, 95% CI (1.4-9.3) and who work in nursing department, OR = 6.8, 95% CI (1.7-27.1) were more likely to be exposed to BBFs. Almost half, 52.9%, had accessed HCT services. Predictors for HCT uptake were age <40 years OR = 1.6, 95% CI (1.1-2.4), having worked for >5 years OR = 1.5, 95% CI (1.03-2.2) and working in medical department OR = 1.7, 95% CI (1.1-2.8). Respondents in nursing departments were more likely to require routine HIV test for all patients, OR = 3.9, 95% CI (2.4-6.2). HCWs in the laboratory departments were more likely to believe that HIV patients should be on separate wards, OR = 3.6, 95% CI (1.9-7.0). HCWs should be protected and encouraged to access HCT services in order to be effective role models in the prevention of HIV/AIDS.

Contraceptive Use, Unwanted Pregnancies and Abortions among Hairdressers in Ibadan, Southwest Nigeria.

The study was conducted in Ibadan, Southwest Nigeria to determine prevalence and predictors of contraceptive use, unwanted pregnancies and induced abortions among hairdressers. 1687 female hairdressers were surveyed using a cross sectional design and cluster sampling technique. Mean age was 27.0±8.1 years, 851 (50.4%) were single and 1005 (59.6%) qualified hairdressers. 817 (56.8%) of sexually active were currently using contraception. Attainment of secondary school education was a predictor of contraceptive use; OR=1.4, 95% CI (1.1-1.8). 429 (29.8%) ever had an unwanted pregnancy; 26.5 % among singles, 32.3 % among married. Predictors of unwanted pregnancies were age >30years; OR=1.9, 95% CI (1.4-2.5) and being a qualified hairdresser; OR=1.6, 95% CI (1.2-2.2). 347 (24.1%) ever had an induced abortion; 21.5.0 % of singles, 26% of married. Being married; OR=5.2, 95% CI (2.2-11.9) was the only predictor of induced abortion. Prevalence of unwanted pregnancies and abortions were high especially among married hairdressers.

Paid work, domestic work, and other determinants of pregnancy outcome in Ibadan, southwest Nigeria.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the determinants of low birth weight (LBW), preterm birth, and stillbirth, and the factors associated with paid or domestic work that affected pregnancy outcome in Ibadan, Nigeria. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of women who delivered live or stillborn singleton neonates at 4 hospitals between February and June 2008. Participants were interviewed to obtain information on paid and domestic work activities during pregnancy, as well as obstetric history. Pregnancy outcomes and other clinical data were extracted from case notes. RESULTS: A total of 1504 mothers aged 20-45 years recorded 137 (9.1%) LBW neonates (<2.5 kg), 154 (10.2%) preterm deliveries (<37 weeks), and 56 (3.7%) stillbirths. There was no overall increased risk of these outcomes among working mothers. Multivariate logistic regression analysis of working mothers who had booked their deliveries revealed that lifting heavy objects at home, a clinical record of proteinuria, and hospital admission during pregnancy were associated with LBW. Predictors for preterm birth were self-reported exposure to vibration at work, nulliparity, history of preterm birth, 4 or fewer compared with more than 8 antenatal visits, and prolonged rupture of membranes. Predictors for stillbirth were low education and prolonged rupture of membranes. CONCLUSION: The results further support recommendations that physical exertion in paid and domestic work should be reduced during pregnancy.

Hearing impairment among mill workers in small scale enterprises in southwest Nigeria.

This cross-sectional study was conducted among mill workers in a large market in Ibadan, southwest Nigeria. These workers are engaged in small scale businesses with little or no regulation of work exposures. Questionnaires administered to mill workers sought information on personal characteristics, length of time engaged in the job, type of milling done and symptoms of hearing impairment. Noise exposure and hearing impairment were assessed among 85 mill workers. Audiometry was done on mill workers and 45 controls with no known exposure to noise and no history of aural disease. Noise levels at work stations ranged from 88-90dB for small mills and 101-105 for larger mills. None of the workers used hearing protection. Analysis based on total number of ears showed that 56% of the workers had hearing impairment ranging from mild (49%) moderate (6.4%) to severe (0.6%) whilst 33% of the controls had hearing impairment which was mild (26%), moderate (7%) and no severe losses, P = 0.001. There was no association between age and hearing impairment but prevalence of hearing impairment was highest among those who had been engaged in the trade for more than 20 years. There is a need for regulation of small scale enterprises to protect the health of workers. Health education and provision of low cost ear plugs will reduce the occurrence and severity of hearing impairment among these low income workers.

Home management of malaria by mothers of children under-five in Abeokuta, Southwest Nigeria.

This study reported mothers' practices of home management of malaria in their children aged 0-5 years and highlighted the differences between home management of children with complicated malaria and those with uncomplicated malaria. Of the 380 children seen in the study, 112 (29.5%) had complicated malaria. Complicated malaria was associated with the increasing number of days before presentation at a health facility and delay in the use of antimalarials.

Knowledge about HIV/AIDS and sexual practices among automobile repair workers in Ibadan, Southwest Nigeria.

HIV/AIDS is a rapidly growing epidemic in sub-Saharan Africa. Very few studies have focussed on outdoor workers. A cross sectional survey was conducted among automobile repair workers in Ibadan, Southwest Nigeria. A structured questionnaire was administered by interviewers to collect information on knowledge of transmission and prevention of HIV/AIDS and sexual practices among automobile repair workers. Twenty five questions were designed to determine knowledge about HIV/AIDS, each with a minimum score of 0 and a maximum of 1. Eight hundred workers participated in the study. They were all male aged between 12 and 80 years, mean 29.8 years. About half of the population were single. Majority (96%) had heard of HIV/AIDS. Over 95% of respondents knew about transmission by sexual intercourse and blood transfusion. A mean knowledge score of 17.6 out of 25 was recorded. Several misconceptions such as transmission of HIV/AIDS by mosquitoes and through sharing of clothes were prevalent. Ninety-three percent had ever had sexual intercourse and 87% of singles were sexually active. Two hundred and thirty-nine, (30%) had casual sex partners. Of these, only 59% used condoms during the last sexual intercourse with casual partners. In spite of a high knowledge score among this male dominated low income workers, their sexual practices are such that will encourage transmission of HIV.

Health status of working and non-working school children in Ibadan, Nigeria.

Child labour continues to pose a challenge to national and international agencies. This study compares the health status of working and non-working school children in Ibadan, Nigeria. Altogether, 223 working and 230 non-working children were interviewed. Their ages ranged between 8 and 15 years. Fifty-nine (13%) reported fever, 36 (8%) visual problems, 28 (6%) skin lesions, 17 (4%) muscular and joint pains and 5 (1%) diarrhoea. Schistosoma ova were observed in 25 (6%) children. There was no difference in the occurrence of diseases between working and non-working children. Twenty-seven per cent of the children were underweight and 30% were stunted. Malnutrition was more prevalent among working children as 74 (33%) were underweight (p =0.001) and 76 (34%) were stunted. Public enlightenment about the effect of child labour might discourage parents from engaging their school-age children in work. Governments should address the socio-economic factors that promote child labour.

Low back pain in an urban population in Southwest Nigeria.

This cross-sectional study was designed to determine the prevalence and risk factors for low back pain in an urban community. A house-to-house enquiry was conducted using a questionnaire administered by trained interviewers. Four hundred and seventy-four respondents, 271 men (57%) and 203 women (43%) participated in the study. The 12-month prevalence of low back pain was 44%, while the point prevalence was 39%. Back pain was more prevalent among men (49%) than women (39%). It was also associated with a history of trauma and low educational status. The prevalence of back pain was highest among farmers (85%) and lowest among housewives (32%). The prevalence of low back pain in this community is comparable to levels recorded in industrialized countries. However, in this study low back pain did not feature as a main cause of morbidity, accounting for a mean of 3 days off work per person per year.

Low back pain in a rural community in South West Nigeria.

A cross sectional in South West Nigeria to determined the prevalence and risk factors for low back pain within the community. Nine hundred adults were selected using a multistage sampling technique. A questionnaire was administered which sought information on demographic characteristics, smoking status, presence of low back pain in the last 12 months and at the time of the survey and the duration and severity of the low back pain. Three hundred and sixty one (40% of the population) had low back pain in the last 12 months while (303) 33% had low back pain at the time of the study. The prevalence among males was higher than among females; 44.7% and 35.6% respectively. The prevalence of low back pain was highest mong farmers (mostly men) and lowest among petty traders (mostly women). The severity and mean duration of low back pain was also highest among farmers. Risk factors highlighted on bivariate analysis were male sex and farming as an occupational category but neither of these were sustained in multivariate analysis, an indication that male preponderance in this study is related to occupational factors. This study concludes that low back pain is prevalent in rural income communities and may occur at levels similar to those reported in high income countries.