Patients' satisfaction with services obtained from aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, Northern Nigeria

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Wind Power Generation in Sudano-Sahelian Region of Nigeria: a Review

Over a couple of years, the world's energy demand has turned to renewable energy sources due to the menace of global warming, while some African countries still depend on fossil fuels despite their harmful effects. Out of approximately 4 trillion (kWh) of renewable energy that is expected to be generated by the year 2030, wind energy is projected to contribute up to 1.1 trillion (kWh). Wind energy studies will be the centre for future renewable engineering efforts, being one of the most likely economic and affordable alternate energy sources. Furthermore, wind resources analysis has also revealed that the Northern part of Nigeria, which occupies almost all the meteorological locations in the Sudano-Sahelian Ecological Zone, possesses enormous potential for harvesting wind energy. This paper involves a systematic review of relevant literature to identify the outcome of various initiatives of researchers at appraising the prospects of electricity production from wind for sustainable development in the region. It was established that the area is blessed with enormous opportunities for harnessing wind for various applications, having possible average wind speeds reaching as high as 8.70 m/s at 10 m above the ground. The region can adequately utilize wind for power generation if the fundamental challenges facing wind energy utilization are addressed. There is a need to systematically model and simulate the system's feasibility before actual implementation to assist in other managerial and technical decisions. Wind energy integration will immensely contribute to providing lasting solutions to the energy situation in the region and the country at large

Predictors of Attitude towards HIV Counselling and Testing (HCT) among Antenatal Clients attending Primary Healthcare Facilities in Kano State, Nigeria

Background This descriptive cross sectional study evaluated social and demographic factors predicting antenatal care (ANC) clients’ attitude towards HCT in primary health care (PHC) settings in northern Nigeria. Methods Data was collected from 464 newly booked ANC clients using semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaires and analyzed using Epi-info 3.3.02 computer statistical software. Results Our assessment revealed that only 54 (11.6%) of the clients had a positive attitude towards HCT. Clients’ type of marriage, occupation, and educational status significantly influenced the antenatal clients’ attitude towards HCT. After adjusting for confounders however, clients’ education emerged as predictor of their attitude to HCT. Clients with formal education were 2 times more likely to have positive attitude to HCT. Conclusions We recommend that government at all levels should make girl child education compulsory up to at least the secondary school level, in line with the current policy on basic education in Nigeria. Key words: HIV Counselling and Testing, Attitude, Predictor

Medical and social problems of patients in an urban Vesico-Vaginal fistula centre in Kano state

Aim: Vesico-vaginal fistula (VVF) is still a public health problem in developing countries. This study aims to assess the current medical and social problems of VVF patients in MMSH and also determine the factors associated with developing such fistulae against the backdrop of the availability of an urban VVF centre in the region. Method : A structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to interview 266 VVF patients in MMSH between April and June 2009 to determine their medical and social problems. Results : Their ages ranged between 14 and 64 years with a mean age of 25 years with standard deviation of 9.7 years. Most of the patients had their first marriage between 14 and 17 years and had their first deliveries at ages between 16 and 19 years, majority of them 183 (68%) were still married at the time of the study. Faecal incontinence, foot drop, peri-natal losses were found to be their main medical problems, while divorce and social out casting were their main social problems. Conclusion: VVF patients experience medical and social problems, and despite improvements in the social acceptance and awareness about VVF patients from the community, more needs to be done to help the futureKEY WORDS: Vesico-vaginal fistula, prolonged labour, social Outcasts, perinatal mortality, divorc

Wind Power Generation in Sudano-Sahelian Region of Nigeria: a Review

Over a couple of years, the world's energy demand has turned to renewable energy sources due to the menace of global warming, while some African countries still depend on fossil fuels despite their harmful effects. Out of approximately 4 trillion (kWh) of renewable energy that is expected to be generated by the year 2030, wind energy is projected to contribute up to 1.1 trillion (kWh). Wind energy studies will be the centre for future renewable engineering efforts, being one of the most likely economic and affordable alternate energy sources. Furthermore, wind resources analysis has also revealed that the Northern part of Nigeria, which occupies almost all the meteorological locations in the Sudano-Sahelian Ecological Zone, possesses enormous potential for harvesting wind energy. This paper involves a systematic review of relevant literature to identify the outcome of various initiatives of researchers at appraising the prospects of electricity production from wind for sustainable development in the region. It was established that the area is blessed with enormous opportunities for harnessing wind for various applications, having possible average wind speeds reaching as high as 8.70 m/s at 10 m above the ground. The region can adequately utilize wind for power generation if the fundamental challenges facing wind energy utilization are addressed. There is a need to systematically model and simulate the system's feasibility before actual implementation to assist in other managerial and technical decisions. Wind energy integration will immensely contribute to providing lasting solutions to the energy situation in the region and the country at large

Health Risks AssociatedWith Air Pollution: Public Perception In Kano, NorthWestern Nigeria.

Setting: This study examined public perception in Kano metropolis, north-western Nigeria about air pollution.Objectives: To determine the awareness and perception of the public in Kano metropolis about common causes of air pollution; associated health risks; ways of control and roles of stakeholders in its control.Methods: using a descriptive cross-sectional design 335 eligible adults were studied using pretested, semi structured, interviewer-administered questionnaires. Data were analysed using Epi info version 3.5.1 statistical software.Results: Majority of the respondents (40.0%) correctly described air pollution. Industrial emission (83.6%), exhaust fumes (74.0%) dusts (68.7%) were perceived as the most common causes of air pollution. Major perceived health effects of air pollution were respiratory problems (100.0%) and eye irritation (65.2%). Industrial workers and residents of industrial areas were perceived to be most at risk of the deleterious effects of air pollution. Most of the respondents (89.6%) believed air pollution should be controlled and 61.0% believed that its control is the combined responsibility of government and the public; while 26.3% believed that only the government was responsible. Environmental sanitation (73.1%) and good town planning (69.0%) were identified as the major ways of controlling air pollution. Nearly half of the respondents (49.0%) described the air they breathe as unclean; and 60.0% were willing to pay extra levy for clean air in Kano.Conclusion: Majority of the public in Kano have a fair awareness of air pollution, the health risks associated with it and the control measures. However a significant percentage wrongly perceived that its control is the sole responsibility of the government.Key words: Public perception; air pollution; health risk

Personal and food hygiene practices of subsistence food vendors operating in Kano metropolis, northwestern Nigeria

Background: Foodborne diseases are on the increase throughout the world due to poor attention given to personal and food hygiene measures by both lawmakers and people in charge of food preparation, especially in the developing countries. Objective: To examine the knowledge and practices of food vendors operating in urban Kano on personal and food hygiene. Materials and Methods: We used a descriptive cross-sectional design to study a random sample of 380 food vendors in Kano metropolis. Data were collected using pretested interviewer administered semi-structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using Epi Infos software, version 3.5.1. Results: The mean age of the food vendors was 27.78 ± 7.63 years. The majority (61.1%) of them were men (53.2%), married (61.8%), and had at least secondary education (51.1%). More than two-thirds (89.7%) had fair knowledge of personal hygiene, although there were deficiencies in some of the key hygiene areas, but 62.4% and 36.6% had good and fair knowledge of food hygiene, respectively. Most of the food vendors had good practices of personal hygiene (93.2%). Paradoxically, only 17.1% had good practice of food hygiene. Furthermore, more than half (54.2%) showed bad workplace hygiene practices. Conclusion: Food vendors operating in Kano generally knew about personal and food hygiene, but this was not reflected in their hygienic practices. It is the statutory responsibility of the environmental health officers to safeguard and implement food hygiene laws in Nigeria. But despite the available structure and personnel at the local government area level, the laws are still inactive. The health authorities at the state and federal levels should empower the environmental health officers with the necessary policy and logistic support they require to fully implement the laws in Kano and Nigeria as a whole. The laws should also be reviewed to ensure more severe penalty for offenders

A Survey of Weight Perception and Social Desirability of Obesity

BACKGROUND: Obesity and its complications are emergent health challenges in developing countries including Nigeria.  We determined the concordance of perceived with measured weight and assessed the social desirability of obesity among adults in Kano metropolis in northern Nigeria.METHODS: A cross sectional descriptive study was conducted among 400 adults using structured interview questionnaires.  RESULTS: Among 386 respondents, 58 (84.1%) of underweight adults, 106 (46.2%) of healthy weight adults, 46 (66.7%) of overweight adults and 16 (84.2%) of obese adults incorrectly perceived their weight category. Sixty (15.5%) participants considered obesity as socially desirable and a sign of good living and affluence. Older respondents (≥40 years) (P=0.0001), Igbo or Yoruba ethnicity (P=0.0035) and non-formal or primary education (P<0.0001) were significantly associated with positive view of obesity. However, only ethnicity; Yoruba-Adjusted Odds Ratio (aOR) =1.60, 95% Confidence Interval (95% CI)  (1.20-2.86), P=0.018, Igbo (aOR=3.22, 95% CI (1.64-6.3), P=0.005 and educational status; non-formal (aOR=4.61, 95% CI (1.62-16.9), P=0.01; primary (aOR=4.95, 95% CI(1.4-17.8), P=0.015 remained significant predictors after adjusting for confounding.  CONCLUSION: The discordance between perceived and measured weight is worrisome but the low social desirability of obesity should be encouraged. Weight control using periodic weight measurements, nutritional education and physical exercise are paramount.KEY WORDS: Weight, perception, obesity, social desire, Nigeri

Predictors of public attitude toward living organ donation in Kano, northern Nigeria

Organ shortage is a major public health challenge for transplant programs globally. The sustenance of such programs as an effective therapy for end-stage organ failure (ESOF) requires an exploration of public awareness and willingness to donate organs. This is imperative, especially in developing countries where ESOF is highly prevalent. We studied the awareness and predictors of public attitude toward organ donation in Kano city in northern Nigeria. Using interviewer-administered questionnaires, we assessed the awareness and willingness to donate solid organs among 400 adults in the Kano metropolis. Three hundred and five of the 383 respondents (79.6%) reported that they had heard about organ donation. There was a significant variation of awareness by education and ethnicity (P <0.05). Most respondents, 303 (79.1%), were willing to donate an organ. Gender [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 2.13; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.40-4.95], educational attainment (AOR = 2.55; 95% CI: 1.35-5.88), marital status (AOR = 4.5; 95% CI: 2.97-9.1), religion (AOR = 3.40; 95% CI: 1.43-8.10) and ethnicity (AOR = 2.36; 95% CI 1.04-5.35) were significant predictors of willingness to donate an organ. Preferred organ recipients were parents (48.9%), children (21.3%), spouses (14.6%) and other relatives (13.4%). Reasons for willingness to donate organs included religion (51.2%), moral obligation (21.4%) and compassion (11.9%), among others. However, there was widespread ignorance of religious precepts concerning organ donation. The high level of awareness and willingness to donate organs in this society could be further enhanced by intensive information, education and communication strategies providing clear messages on societal benefits, religious aspects and bioethical guidance regarding organ donation