Assessment of the Pattern and Factors Associated with Childhood Malnutrition in Nigeria

Introduction/Background: Malnutrition contributes to high rates of morbidity and mortality among children under five years old in Nigeria. Despite initiatives to address this problem, developing and executing successful interventions requires a thorough grasp of malnutrition patterns and underlying causes. It was hypothesized that the prevalence of malnutrition differs in Nigerian regions and is impacted by a confluence of environmental, sociodemographic, and economic factors. The study aims to assess the patterns and factors associated with childhood malnutrition in various regions of Nigeria. Methods: Data were extracted from the Nigeria Demographic and Health Surveys (NDHS) 2018 and analyzed. Data on anthropometric indices of malnutrition, such as stunting, wasting, and underweight, and the sociodemographic, economic, and environmental factors influencing malnutrition in children aged 6-59 months in the NDHS 2018 were extracted and analyzed systematically. Results: Thirty-seven percent of Nigerian children aged 6-59 months are stunted, 22% are underweight, 7% are wasted, and 2% are overweight. Regionally, the South East (18%) had the lowest stunting rate, while the North West (57%) had the highest rate. Furthermore, compared to the other zones (4-6%), wasting was roughly twice as prevalent in the North East (10%) and North West (9%) regions. Maternal education and nutritional status, place of residence, and the household wealth index were all significant factors in the development of malnutrition. Conclusion: This study highlights the high rate of childhood malnutrition in Nigeria, with substantial geographical variations. The determinants that have been discovered underscore the complex and diverse nature of this problem, thus underscoring the necessity of focused interventions that tackle socio-economic and environmental aspects alongside healthcare accessibility. Raising household economic standards and bolstering maternal education and nutrition are crucial in tackling childhood malnutrition

Perception and utilization of tetanus toxoid immunization among pregnant women attending a tertiary centre in North-West Nigeria

Background: Despite the availability of inexpensive and effective tetanus-toxoid-containing vaccines, elimination of maternal and neonatal tetanus worldwide has become a herculean task, particularly in low-income countries, due to poor immunization coverage. This study aimed to assess the perception and utilization of tetanus toxoid immunization among pregnant women attending a tertiary centre in North-West Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 254 pregnant women (selected by systematic sampling technique) attending the antenatal clinic of Specialist Hospital, Sokoto, Nigeria. A structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data on the research variables. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 20 statistical computer software package. Results: Most, 221 (87.0%) of the 254 respondents had heard of tetanus toxoid immunization. Of these, only about half (51.1%) believed that it protects both mother and newborn baby from tetanus. Majority of respondents considered TT immunization to be effective in protecting against tetanus infection (73.3%) and also safe for both mother and baby (79.2%). About two-thirds of respondents (68.8%) had the misconception that a single dose of TT immunization protects from tetanus infection. Less than a quarter of respondents (23.6%) had received two or more doses of the vaccine. The main barriers to utilization of vaccines were lack of awareness of the vaccine (41.8%), not being aware of its benefits (36.7%), and fear of side effects (21.5%) Conclusion: Despite high levels of perception of the effectiveness and safety of TT immunization, the respondents in this study had low levels of perception and utilization of the protective doses of the vaccine. Government and healthcare workers should scale-up education of the populace on TT immunization schedule and implement community based vaccination of women of child bearing age in North-West Nigeria. Keywords: Perception, utilization, tetanus toxoid immunization, pregnant wome

Prevalence, perception and correlates of low back pain among healthcare workers in tertiary health institutions in Sokoto, Nigeria

Background: Low back pain (LBP) is a common cause of disability worldwide. Healthcare workers are particularly prone to it because of the physical and emotional factors associated with their profession.Objectives: To determine the prevalence, perception and correlates of LBP among healthcare workers in tertiary health institutions in Sokoto, Nigeria.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 320 healthcare workers selected by multistage sampling technique from July to September 2016. Anthropometry was done for the participants in addition to questionnaire administration.Results: The mean age of the study participants was 36.99 +/- 8.23 years. The lifetime, annual, and point prevalence of LBP among the participants were 56.2%, 39.1% and 17.2% respectively. Most, 151 (83.9%) of the 180 participants that have ever experienced LBP reported that it commenced after starting work, and they perceived it to be due to standing for long hours (57.2%), awkward postures (22.2%) and carrying heavy objects/patients at work (20.6%). Older age, female sex, longer duration of practice, overweight/obesity, and lifting heavy objects/patients at work were significantly associated with LBP among the participants.Conclusion: The prevalence of LBP is high among healthcare workers in Sokoto, Nigeria; although it was also associated with older age and female sex, being in practice for 10 years and above, overweight/obesity, and lifting heavy objects/patients at work were the predictors identified. Management of the respective hospitals should prevent workplace exposures to heavy weight/objects by establishing “lift teams” as a temporary measure, and also implement “zero lift programs” in their facilities.Funding: NilKeywords: Prevalence, perception, correlates, low back pain, healthcare workers

Prevalence of Anaemia in Pregnancy and Related Factors among Women Attending Antenatal Care (ANC) in General Hospital Bunza, Kebbi State, Nigeria

Background: Anaemia in pregnancy remains a major cause of maternal death in Sub-Saharan Africa, and it mostly results from a deficiency of iron and folate.Objectives: To determine the prevalence of anemia and the factors associated with it among pregnant women in Bunza, Nigeria. Materials and Method: A cross-sectional study conducted among 327 pregnant women attending ANC in General Hospital Bunza, Kebbi State, Nigeria. Data were collected using a pretested questionnaire. Estimation of packed cell volume and RDT were alsodone for the participants; datawereanalysedusing IBMSPSS version 20. Results: The mean packed cell volume of the respondents was 30.7, with a SD 3.7 and majority of the respondents were having anemia 240(75.7%). Level of education of the respondents and their spouses, age at first pregnancy, spouses’ occupation, and the trimester at which the respondents booked were found to be significant p ?0.05for anemic status. Conclusion: The prevalence of anemia in pregnancy is high among pregnant women in Bunza, Nigeria, with the factors associated with it being the levels of education of the woman and that of her spouse, spouse’s occupation, having the first pregnancy before the age of 19 years, and late booking. Recommendations: Anemia in Pregnancy should be considered a public health problem in the LGA and state in general and girl child education should be given priority as a long term measure

Knowledge of School Health Programme among Public Primary School Teachers in Sokoto Metropolis, Northwestern Nigeria

Background: School health program takes care of the health needs of a significant proportion of the population, especially in the third world countries, by ensuring that children of school age remain healthy and benefit maximally from their education. This study aimed to assess the knowledge of School Health Programme (SHP) among primary school teachers in Sokoto metropolis, northwestern, Nigeria.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 382 public primary school teachers that were selected by multistage sampling technique. Data was collected using a structured, self-administered questionnaire. Proportions and adjusted odds ratios (OR) were calculated with 95% confidence intervals (CI) in a binary logistic regression model. All levels of significance were set at p < 0.05.Results: The mean age of the respondents was 34.8 ± 8.6 years. More than half of the respondents were Nigerian Certificate in Education (NCE) holders 245 (64.1%). Knowledge of SHP was good in 198 (51.8%) of the respondents. The predictors of good knowledge were belonging to other ethnicity (aOR: 3.70; 95% CI=1.11–12.50, p=0.034), having degree or postgraduate qualification in education (aOR: 4.55; 95% CI=2.63–7.69, p<0.001) and having worked for two or more decades (aOR: 4.15; 95% CI=1.34–12.78, p=0.011)Conclusion: Nearly half of the respondents had poor knowledge of SHP and this is likely to deny a large number of school children of being healthy and benefitting from th eir education. Awareness campaigns and trainings on SHP to fill in the knowledge gap is highly recommended

Knowledge and practices related to stroke prevention among hypertensive and diabetic patients attending Specialist Hospital, Sokoto, Nigeria

Introduction: Stroke has become a problem of public health importance worldwide. Knowledge and practices related to stroke prevention among hypertensive and diabetic patients are important in the control of the disease. In Nigeria, recent reports indicate an emerging epidemic of stroke. This study aimed to determine the knowledge and practices related to stroke prevention among hypertensive and diabetic patients in Sokoto, Nigeria. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study among 248 patients attending hypertension and diabetes clinic of Specialist Hospital, Sokoto, Nigeria, selected by systematic sampling technique. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data on the research variables. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 20 statistical package. Results: The mean age of respondents was 48.21 ± 15.07 years and they were predominantly females (65.7%). The respondents had good knowledge of stroke (70.3%), organs or parts of body affected by stroke (89.1%), signs or symptoms of stroke (87.0%), stroke risk factors (86.6%) and stroke prevention (90.8%). Formal education was the sole predictor of good knowledge of signs or symptoms of stroke (aOR = 3.99, 95% CI = 1.58-10.13, p = 0.004), stroke risk factors (aOR = 4.24, 95% CI = 1.68-10.67, p = 0.002) and stroke prevention (aOR = 3.45, 95% CI = 1.09-10.93, p = 0.035). Stroke prevention practices were sub-optimal and significantly associated with formal education and being employed. Conclusion: These findings suggest the need for all stakeholders to focus on both patients' education and empowerment in halting the rising burden of stroke across the globe

CONTRACEPTIVE USE AND FAMILY SIZE PREFERENCES AMONG RURAL WOMEN IN SOKOTO STATE, NIGERIA

Background: The interplay of high fertility, low contraceptive use and high maternal mortality continues to decimate populations across sub-Saharan Africa. This study aimed to determine contraceptive use and family size preferences among rural women in Sokoto State, Nigeria. Methods: It was a cross-sectional study conducted in rural communities of Sokoto State, Nigeria, using both quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection. It involved interviews to a random sample of 202 women of child bearing age using semi-structured interviewer- administered questionnaires, and focus group discussions among women and men. The quantitative data were analyzed using the IBM SPSS version 17 computer statistical package; while the qualitative data were transcribed, sorted, categorized and analyzed thematically. Results: The mean age of the women was 27.9 + 8.0 years, most of them had no formal education (85.6%) and were aged 14-19 years when they had their first pregnancy (84.2%). Of the 202 respondents only 10 (5.0%) were using modern contraceptives, most commonly pills 4 (40.0%), and injectable contraceptives 4 (40.0%). The main barriers to use of modern contraceptives were religious beliefs, desire for more pregnancies, poor understanding of FP concept/ disapproval by husbands; and lack of communication between couples. Almost all the respondents 197 (97.5%) preferred large family sizes and most of them 149 (73.8%) were willing to have as many children as possible. Conclusion: These findings underscore the need for governments and other stakeholders to make female education the central focus of FP promotion programs, in addition to involving men and religious leaders. Keywords: Contraceptive use, modern contraceptives, family size preferences, rural women, SokotoÂ

KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE OF PHARMACOVIGILANCE AMONG OPERATORS OF PHARMACIES AND PATENT MEDICINE STORES IN SOKOTO METROPOLIS, NIGERIA

Background: The weak pharmacovigilance (PV) systems in many developing countries of the world have undoubtedly hampered the global quest for safe drug use. Operators of pharmacies and patent medicine stores have important roles to play in developing the PV systems in these countries being the main source of medicines for acute conditions. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of pharmacovigilance among operators of pharmacies and patent medicine stores in Sokoto metropolis, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 249 operators of pharmacies and patent medicine stores selected by multistage sampling technique. Data were collected with a set of pretested self- administered, semi-structured questionnaire. Results: Although, the majority, 173 (69.5%) of the 249 respondents were aware of PV, less than a fifth (17.3%) had good knowledge of it. Despite positive attitude towards PV, only about half, 56 (52.3%) of the 107 respondents that had observed adverse drug reactions (ADRs) in clients reported; and of these, only about a tenth (12.8%) formally reported to the organization in charge of PV. The most commonly cited reasons for non-reporting were that they didn’t know where and how to report (51.0%), and unavailability of reporting forms (23.5%). Conclusion: This study showed poor knowledge of PV and sub-optimal ADRs reporting despite positive attitude towards it by operators of pharmacies and patent medicine stores in Sokoto metropolis, Nigeria. Sensitization of the populace and training of healthcare providers on PV and ADRs reporting are necessary for revitalizing the PV system in Sokoto State, Nigeria. Keywords: Pharmacovigilance, knowledge, attitude, practic

AWARENESS, RISK PERCEPTION AND PRACTICE OF SELF-MEDICATION AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN ATTENDING ANTE-NATAL CLINICS IN SOKOTO, NIGERIA

Background: In addition to its adverse health effects on mother and fetus, self-medication is believed to be one of the main driving forces behind the increasing burden of antimicrobial resistance worldwide. This study aimed to assess the awareness, risk perception and practice of self-medication among pregnant women attending ante-natal clinics in Sokoto, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 315 pregnant women (selected by a two-stage sampling technique) attending the antenatal clinics of the Primary Healthcare Centres in Sokoto metropolis, Nigeria. Data were collected with a set of pretested, interviewer-administered, structured questionnaire. Data analysis was done using IBM SPSS version 20 statistical package. Results: Whereas, almost all the respondents (98.4%) were aware of self-medication, less than half of them (47.3%) perceived it as a serious threat to their health and the health of their unborn baby. Majority of respondents (67.9%) had self-medicated, with the most commonly self-medicated drugs being analgesics/antipyretics (35.1%), antimalarials (31.3%) and antibiotics (24.3%). The most commonly cited reasons for self-medicating were financial problems (28.5%), lack of the required drugs in the hospital (16.8%), lack of time (12.6%), and sickness being mild (9.8%). Self-medication practice was influenced by respondents’ age, marital status, educational background and perception of risk. Conclusion: This study showed low risk perception and high prevalence of self-medication among pregnant women in Sokoto, Nigeria. Sensitization of members of the public on the hazards of self-medication, poverty alleviation, and provision of comprehensive healthcare services at subsidized prices for pregnant women are hereby suggested. Keywords: Awareness, risk perception, practices, self-medication, pregnant wome

Effect of food hygiene training on food handlers´ knowledge in Sokoto Metropolis: a quasi-experimental study

Introduction: training intervention for food handlers is necessary to increase their knowledge and awareness about food hygiene. Research in this area has been given low attention in Nigeria, especially in the Northern part of the country. Therefore, we assessed the effect of food hygiene training on the knowledge of food hygiene among food handlers in Sokoto metropolis. Methods: we conducted a quasi-experimental study between January and July 2019. We used a multistage sampling technique to select 360 food handlers randomized into intervention and control groups. We conducted a training intervention after the baseline data collection. Post-intervention data collection was conducted six months after the intervention. We estimated the proportion of respondents with good knowledge at baseline and post-intervention. We assessed the difference in pre-and post-intervention proportions using McNemars Marginal Homogeneity test at 5% level of significance. Results: in the intervention and control groups, 19 (10.6%) and 18 (10.0%) had primary education respectively, p = 0.231. At baseline, 23 (12.8%) and 22 (12.2%) in intervention and control groups respectively had good knowledge, p= 0.515. At post-intervention, the proportion of those with good knowledge in the intervention group increased to 56.7%, p < 0.001; while in the control group, there was no significant difference in the proportion of those with good knowledge, p = 0.248. Conclusion: the training intervention has significantly improved the knowledge of the food handlers. We recommend that the National Food and Drug Agency, in collaboration with restaurant owners, ensure regular on-the-job training of food handlers