Assessment of workhour feeding practices, healthy behaviour score and body mass index of physicians in Northern Nigeria: a cross-sectional multi-centre study.

Background: The increasing prevalence of obesity and overweight among health workers calls for an appraisal of their lifestyle. This study assessed medical practitioners' workhour feeding and lifestyle practices and explored the relationship between these practices and their body mass index (BMI). Methods: The survey involved 321 medical practitioners selected from 9 northern Nigeria hospitals in 2021. Data collected included biodata, medication history, workhour feeding characteristics, lifestyle behaviours, blood pressure, height, and weight measurements. Data were analyzed using Epi info software (version 7). Results: Most respondents were male (70.7%). Their mean age was 38 ± 7.4 years. During their last workhours, 84.1% had lunch, and 46.4% took sugary drinks. Usually, 41.7% source their lunch from the hospital canteen, and 18.7% patronize their canteen at least weekly. Most reported healthy behaviour towards alcohol consumption (99.7%), fruit and vegetable consumption (54.8%) and smoking (98.4%). However, only 22.4% were physically active. Their mean healthy behaviour score and BMI were 2.8 ± 0.7 and 26.1 ± 4.6 kg/m2, respectively. The obesity and overweight rates were 18.4% and 37.7%, respectively. Their source of lunch during workhours, age, sex, years of practice, employment duration, marital status, job category, systolic blood pressure, anti-hypertensive, and antidiabetic medication use were significantly associated with mean BMI. However, only antihypertensive medication use, being married, inadequate fruit/vegetable consumption and workhour sugary drinks consumption predicted obesity. The predictors of overweight/obese were years of practice (< 10 y) and use of antihypertensive medications. Conclusions: Obesity and overweight rates were high. Most were physically inactive. Workhour sugary drink consumption predicted obesity. Effective workplace and community interventions to improve practitioners' lifestyle behaviour and curtail obesity and overweight are needed.

Knowledge, attitude, and practices of patients and caregivers attending a Northern Nigerian family medicine clinic regarding the use of face mask during COVID-19 pandemic: a hospital-based cross-sectional study.

Introduction: facemask use is well recognized as an effective public health strategy for preventing COVID-19. However, facemask can only provide enough protection if people recognize its importance and learn how to use it properly. The objective of the study was to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of patients or caregivers regarding the use of facemasks as a COVID-19 preventive measure and identifies the factors associated with its practice. Methods: a cross-sectional study where 480 patients or caregivers attending the Family Medicine Clinic were systematically selected over four weeks. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data on KAP regarding facemasks use. Student t-test and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to examine the relationship between the socio-demographic characteristics and KAP. Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to determine the relationship between knowledge, attitudes and practices. A p-value ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: about 82% of the respondents knew the correct steps of wearing a facemask, but with low positive attitudes. Further analyses showed that respondents were more likely to wear a facemask at clinics and public places than at home. There was a moderately strong correlation between knowledge and practices but weak correlations between attitude and knowledge, and attitude and practices of facemask use. Conclusion: the study revealed good knowledge and practices but low attitudes towards facemask use. Therefore, public health programmes or interventions on facemask usage as a COVID-19 preventive measure, should address the attitudinal problems and also involve the family and community leaders to enhance compliance.

Prevalence and sociodemographic predictors of perceived family functionality, marital satisfaction and intimate partner violence during the COVID-19 lockdown among married primary healthcare users.

Background: The impact of COVID-19 lockdown on family experiences has not been thoroughly evaluated, given the consequent stressful home environment it reportedly caused that can adversely affect family dynamics. This study examined the prevalence and sociodemographic predictors of perceived family functionality, marital satisfaction and intimate partner violence (IPV) during the lockdown among married healthcare users in a Nigerian primary care setting. Materials and Methods: The study was cross sectional. Data were collected randomly from 432 eligible attendees of a primary care clinic in Kano, Nigeria. Information regarding participants' sociodemographic characteristics, family functioning, marital satisfaction and IPV were measured using a sociodemographic questionnaire, APGAR-, Kansas marital satisfaction- and verbal HITS-scales. Results: Respondents' mean (range) age was 30 (15-70) years; 293 (67.8%) were females. Family dysfunction, marital dissatisfaction and probable IPV were found in 44.2, 56.5 and 50.5% of respondents, respectively. The odds of a functional family were higher among caregiver and female respondents but lower among those aged ≥50 years, students, non-Hausa/Fulani, those with low education and residing outside the Kano metropolis during the lockdown. Marital satisfaction was higher among caregivers and respondents from polygamous families and lower among respondents aged ≥50 years. No studied sociodemographic variable predicted probable IPV. Conclusion: There was a high prevalence of family dysfunction, marital dissatisfaction and probable IPV among the respondents during the lockdown. These findings suggest screening married patients for family dysfunction, marital dissatisfaction and IPV during similar lockdowns for appropriate interventions. The predictor variables could form essential considerations for the screening.