Prevalence and Pattern of Alcoholic Beverage Consumption among Undergraduates in Remo, Ogun State, Southwest, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Alcoholic beverages come in various shades and flavours, often intensely advertised to the youthful population on various media channels within the state. Excessive intake is known to have deleterious effects on several dimensions of health. This study therefore assessed the prevalence and pattern of alcoholic beverage consumption among undergraduates in Remo division of Ogun State, Nigeria. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 420 students attending three tertiary institutions in Remo area, Ogun State, selected via multi-stage sampling. Data were collected using a validated self-administered, semi-structured questionnaire and analyzed with SPSS 20.0. Relevant descriptive and inferential statistics were calculated (p<0.05). RESULTS: The mean age of respondents was 20.12±3.2 years, with 219 (54.3%) being female. Only 14 (3.5%) respondents believed alcoholic beverage consumption was good. One hundred and forty-two (35.2%) participants consumed alcoholic beverages. Of these, 58 (40.8%) engaged in binge drinking; 28 (19.7%) drank daily; 101 (70.9%) consumed wines and related drinks. One hundred and twenty (84.5%) of these respondents had difficulty controlling their intake; 25 (17.6%) got drunk; 16 (11.3%) got into fights; 35 (24.6%) skipped meals after drinking; 39 (27.5%) experienced some difficulty with memory; 52 (36.6%) had parents who consumed alcoholic beverages regularly. Alcohol consumption was significantly associated with: age; parents' occupation; living arrangement and religion. CONCLUSION: Alcoholic beverage consumption was slightly high, with majority of these respondents drinking at a moderate level. Targeted behaviour change communication and counseling services will be most beneficial to address this emerging public health concern.

CONTEXTE: Les boissons alcoolisées se présentent sous diverses formes et saveurs, et font souvent l'objet d'une publicité intense auprès des jeunes sur les jeunes sur divers médias de l'État. On sait qu'une consommation excessive a des effets délétères sur plusieurs dimensions de la santé. Cette étude a donc évalué la prévalence et les habitudes de consommation de boissons alcoolisées parmi les étudiants de premier cycle de la division Remo de l'État d'Ogun, Nigeria. MÉTHODES: Une étude transversale a été réalisée parmi 420 étudiants fréquentant trois institutions tertiaires dans la région de Remo, dans l'État d'Ogun, sélectionnés via un échantillonnage à plusieurs degrés. Les données ont été collectées à l'aide d'un questionnaire validé auto-administré, questionnaire semi-structuré validé et analysées avec SPSS 20.0. Les statistiques descriptives et inférentielles pertinentes ont été calculées (p<0,05). RÉSULTATS: L'âge moyen des répondants était de 20,12±3,2 ans, 219 (54,3 %) étaient des femmes. Seuls 14 répondants (3,5 %) pensaient que la consommation de boissons d'alcool était bonne. Cent quarantedeux (35,2 %) participants ont consommé des boissons alcoolisées. Parmi eux, 58 (40,8 %). s'adonnaient à la consommation excessive d'alcool ; 28 (19,7 %) buvaient quotidiennement ; 101 (70,9 %), ont consommé des vins et des boissons apparentées. Cent vingt (84,5 %) de ces répondants ont eu des difficultés à contrôler leur consommation ; 25 (17,6 %) se sont enivrés ; 16 (11,3 %) se sont bagarrés ; 35 (24,6 %) ont sauté des repas après avoir bu ; 39 (27,5 %) ont éprouvé des difficultés de mémoire ; 52 (36,6 %) avaient des parents qui consommaient régulièrement des boissons alcoolisées. La consommation d'alcool est significativement associée à l'âge, à la profession des parents, au mode de vie et à la religion. CONCLUSION: La consommation de boissons alcoolisées était légèrement élevée avec la majorité de ces répondants consommant à un niveau modéré. Des services de communication et de conseil ciblés sur les changements de comportement seront les plus bénéfiques pour répondre à ce nouveau problème de santé publique. MOTS CLÉS: Alcool, Prévalence, Étudiants de premier cycle, Boissons, Sud-ouest.

Too Little for Comfort: Food Insecurity among Medical Students in Sagamu, Southwest Nigeria.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Food insecurity is an issue of public health importance all over the world. It is particularly worse in developing countries and among disadvantaged groups. Food insecurity is higher among university students, with medical students at more risk. This study therefore determined the prevalence and factors associated with food insecurity among medical students in Sagamu, Nigeria. METHODS: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was carried among all the 250 clinical medical students in Sagamu southwest Nigeria in January 2020. Data were collected using a semi-structured, self-administered questionnaire, containing the FANTA - developed HFIAS tool, while analysis was carried out using SPSS 21.0. Relevant descriptive and inferential statistics were calculated, with p<0.05. Participation was fully voluntary and informed consent was obtained. RESULTS: Mean age of respondents was 22.4 ± 5.2years, 46.8% were male. All respondents ate a limited variety of foods in the preceding month due to a lack of resources; 13.2% went to bed hungry because they had no food to eat. The prevalence of food insecurity was 81.2%; severe food insecurity was reported by 11.8% of participants. Food insecurity was associated with monthly income, living arrangements and parents' occupation. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of food insecurity was high among medical students in Sagamu, Nigeria, with just about one-tenth experiencing hunger. Each of monthly allowance, living arrangement was associated with food insecurity. Food assistance and other social support programs will go a long way in addressing the issue.

CONTEXTE ET OBJECTIF: L'insécurité alimentaire est un problème de santé publique important dans le monde entier. Elle est particulièrement grave dans les pays en développement et parmi les groupes défavorisés. L'insécurité alimentaire est plus élevée chez les étudiants universitaires, les étudiants en médecine étant plus exposés. Cette étude a donc déterminé la prévalence et les facteurs associés à l'insécurité alimentaire chez les étudiants en médecine de Sagamu, au Nigeria. MÉTHODES: Une étude descriptive et transversale a été menée auprès des 250 étudiants en médecine de Sagamu, dans le sud-ouest du Nigeria, en janvier 2020. Les données ont été recueillies à l'aide d'un questionnaire semi-structuré, auto-administré, contenant l'outil HFIAS développé par FANTA, tandis que l'analyse a été effectuée à l'aide de SPSS 21.0. Les statistiques descriptives et inférentiellespertinentes ont été calculées, avec p<0,05. La participation était entièrement volontaire et un consentement éclairé a été obtenu. RÉSULTATS: L'âge moyen des répondants était de 22,4 ± 5,2 ans, 46,8% étaient des hommes. Tous les répondants ont mangé une variété limitée d'aliments au cours du mois précédent en raison d'un manque de ressources ; 13,2% se sont couchés le ventre vide parce qu'ils n'avaient rien à manger. La prévalence de l'insécurité alimentaire était de 81,2% ; une insécurité alimentaire grave a été signalée par 11,8% des participants. L'insécurité alimentaire était associée au revenu mensuel, aux conditions de vie et à la profession des parents. CONCLUSION: La prévalence de l'insécurité alimentaire était élevée chez les étudiants en médecine de Sagamu, au Nigeria, un dixième d'entre eux seulement connaissant la faim. Chaque allocation mensuelle, chaque mode de vie était associé à l'insécurité alimentaire. L'aide alimentaire et d'autres programmes de soutien social contribueront grandement à résoudre ce problème.Mots clés: Insécurité alimentaire, étudiants en médecine, faim, Sagamu.

Perception of red eye among senior secondary students in Sagamu, Southwest Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Red eye is a very common presenting complaint in clinical practice among all age groups, including adolescents. Health habits formed during adolescence is carried to adulthood and is often a consequence of their perception. This study, therefore, determined the perception of students toward the red eye. AIM: To determine the perception of red eye and its associated factors among secondary school students in Sagamu. METHODS: A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out among 1082 senior secondary school students in Sagamu local government area, using a semi-structured self-administered questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS Version 20. Relevant descriptive and inferential statistics were calculated. RESULTS: The mean age of respondents was 15.27 ± 1.48 years. There were more females (54.8%) than males. Majority (81%) had heard of red eye, and this was mainly from neighbors; 58.4% felt they could not contact red eye from an infected person. About 35% would instill onion if they had a red eye. About 50.2% felt red eye could lead to blindness. Awareness of red eye was associated with age (P = 0.005), but not with sex and religion. Among respondents, 95.5% and 96.2% had a poor perception as well as a poor attitude toward red eye, respectively. CONCLUSION: The perception and attitude of senior secondary school students in Sagamu to red eye is poor. Appropriate eye health education and promotional services, including periodic eye examination of students, should be carried out in school health services. Early presentation to eye care centers for its treatment should be encouraged.

Characteristics of clients accessing HIV counseling and testing services in a tertiary hospital in Sagamu, Southwestern Nigeria.

INTRODUCTION: Client-initiated HIV testing and counseling has helped millions of people learn their HIV status. Nevertheless, global coverage of HIV testing and counseling programs remains low. This study describes the characteristics of clients who accessed HIV counseling and testing (HCT) services in Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, (OOUTH) Sagamu. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study of the clients accessing HCT services in OOUTH. Data was collected from clients using a client intake form. Pre-test counseling, HIV screening and post-test counseling were carried out. Informed consent and confidentiality were ensured. Data obtained were analyzed using SPSS 10.0. RESULTS: A total of 2607 clients accessed our HCT services between May 1 st 2008 and April 30 th 2010. The clients were between the ages of 1 year and 90 years. The mean age was 33.3 ± 15.26. The median age was found to be 32.0 years, with the modal age being 30.0 years. 73.7% (1828) were non-reactive (negative result), 25.9% (643) were reactive (positive result), while 0.3% (8) were indeterminate. Among the reactive results, 9.3% (242) were males while 15.1% (394) were females. CONCLUSION: A fair uptake of HCT services was noted. More females accessed services than males. More positive results were seen among females than males (P<0.05). RECOMMENDATIONS: Upscale of HCT services to involve Sexually transmitted infections clinics and free-standing, client-initiated testing centers is necessary. Continuous AIDS education and risk reduction should be promoted.

Safeguarding the health of the Nigerian worker: the role of a workplace HIV/AIDS policy.

BACKGROUND: In recent times, HIV/AIDS has been a cause for concern and a major threat to human well being and development. An important dimension brought to light, is the socio-economic impact of HIV infection on low and middle-income countries. The population mostly affected are the young, vibrant, economically-productive workforce. METHOD: A review of literature on the relevance, scope and benefits of workplace HIV/AIDS policies and programmes was done. FINDINGS: An effective work place policy when properly implemented will encompass all aspects of HIV/AIDS prevention, screening and care among workers. When workers' health and rights are protected, their families, communities and the nation will benefit tremendously. The burden of care will reduce and the nation's economy will improve. The ILO Code of Practice on HIV and the World of Work states clear guidelines for policy formulation, implementation and evaluation. Domestication of international policies, with adequate monitoring and evaluation will ensure effectiveness. It is a collective responsibility of all stakeholders in the workplace.