Community survey on blood donation practices in a northern state of Nigeria

Introduction. Volunteer blood donors account for less than half of the blood supply in developing countries; and few countries have mobilized efforts to encourage voluntary blood donation (VBD). The objective of this study was to determine the knowledge and blood donation practices among adults in a state in Northern Nigeria. Methods. Descriptive cross sectional study using multistage sampling technique was carried out among 936 respondents. Semi structured interviewer administered questionnaire was used to generate relevant data and information from the respondents. Data entry and analysis was done using EPI-info software package. Results. The knowledge of the respondents on blood donation was low. Less than half 432 (46.2%) knew some indications for blood transfusion. Two hundred and twelve (22.6%) respondents had donated blood in the past but only 1% of these were VBD while 95% were donations based on blood needs by family members, relations and friends. Few respondents 112 (12%) had received blood transfusion in the past, and the main source of blood transfused was paid commercial donors 50 (44.6%). The fear of HIV screening was a major hindrance and limitation to voluntary blood donation among respondents. Conclusion. The gaps in knowledge and practice of VBD can be addressed through public awareness campaigns, and motivational programmes such as free medical services for voluntary blood donors

The Influence Of Environmental Sanitation Practices And Hygiene On The Incidence Of Diarrhoea – The Case Of Koforidua Municipality, Ghana

A case-control study was done using a convenience sample of 100 pairs of mothers and children (less than five years old) divided into two groups; the first group made of children with diarrhoea and their mothers (case group) and the second group made up of mothers and children who did not have diarrhoea (control). A structured interview schedule and review of routine data were used to collect data. Only 12.5% of children less than six months in the case group were exclusively being breastfed compared with 75% of the control group. 56% of the cases used water from unprotected wells for domestic activity while 70% of the control group used pipe- borne water. Also 24% of the case group did not cover stored water while 76% of the control group covered stored water. This demonstrated poor food and water safety. Only 10% of cases had access to flushing water closets for human excreta disposal while the remaining 90% either used pit latrines or disposal into surrounding bushes. It was recommended that good amenities for the disposal of refuse in the communities be provided by the government and the delivery of pipe-borne water be made more regular to the inhabitants Further, appropriate education in simple language is to be offered by health personnel especially at Ante-Natal Clinic and on radio stations and mothers are to be encouraged to put into practice what they learn about the treatment and prevention of diarrhoea.African Journal of Clinical and Experimental Microbiology Vol. 10 (1) 2009: pp. 56-6

Willingness to pay for safety label on sugar and vegetable oil among households in South – Western Nigeria

This study investigates willingness to pay for safety label on sugar and vegetable oil among households in South – Western Nigeria. In all, 390 consumers comprising 180 from Oyo and 210 from Lagos were sampled. Data collected include socio-economic, market and food safety information variables using structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and logit regression model were used for data analysis. Most (61.6% and 70.0%) of sugar and vegetable oil consumers are in their active age bracket of 16 and 45 years. Gender wise 55.6% and 56.3% of female consumed sugar and vegetable oil, while the corresponding values for male are 44.4% and 43.7% respectively. Consumer distribution by monthly income showed that 34.4% of sugar consumers earned an average income of N48,500 (±8,445) while 32.5% of vegetable oil consumers earned an average income greater than N95,500 (±10,500). Majority of sugar (52.2%), vegetable oil (51.1%) consumers had primary and tertiary education respectively. The mean household size for sugar and vegetable oil consumers are 4 (±2) and 6 (±3) respectively. Fewer (33.3%) of consumers of sugar and (43.8%) of vegetable oil consumers are aware of food safety information. Consumers have higher (66.3%) level of awareness of Vitamin A in vegetable oil compared to sugar (21.1%). The consumer’s mean WTP for food safety information was N36.41k/kg for sugar and N15.98/litre of vegetable oil. This represented a market premium of 91.3% and 53.3% of the maximum bid for food safety in both sugar and vegetable oil. While increased in age (â = -0.11) reduced WTP for safety information in sugar, higher level of education increased WTP (â 0.4569) at P < 0.01. In the case of vegetable oil being a woman (â = 0.9521), having high income (â = 0.9956) and purchasing from registered shop (â = 0.9452) increased WTP at P < 0.05. Consumers are willing to pay more for food safety information on sugar compared with vegetable oil. However, consumers willingness to pay (WTP) for safety label increased with buying from registered shop and having high income

Incidence of Poverty among Fish Farming Households in Oyo and Osun States of Nigeria

The objective of the study is to analyse poverty among fish farming households based on functioning and capabilities in the study area. The study covered both Oyo and Osun states of Nigeria. Primary data were collected via structured questionnaire. The study employed multistage sampling technique. In all, a total of 280 respondents were used for the study. Information on dimensions of functioning, income and expenditure were derived from the data collected. Data were analysed using input distance function and Foster, Greer and Tobecke (FGT )1984 Poverty measure The study revealed that about 16% of fish farmers were non poor, 14% were moderately poor and 70% were core poor. Fish farmers in the study area did not enjoy moderate levels of standard of living (0.35).Moderate poverty incidence is highest in the households without formal education and lowest in the households with tertiary education. Household heads with age range of 31-40 years had highest moderate poverty incidence while those with age range of 41-50 years had highest core poverty incidence. Household heads that were divorced /separated had highest moderate poverty incidence while those that were married had highest core poverty incidence. Household heads that had no formal education had the highest poverty intensity of 60%. Household head with the age group of 41-50 years had the highest poverty intensity of 43%. Household heads with household size above ten members had the highest poverty intensity of 61%. Household heads that were married had the highest poverty intensity of 98%. Mean values for many constituents of standard of living reveals that the total durable asset dimension scores highest followed by education, housing condition and per capita income dimensions.Key words: Core poor, moderately poor, poverty incidence, poverty intensit

Prevalence and Predictors of Tuberculosis Coinfection among HIV-Seropositive Patients Attending the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Northern Nigeria

Background: The HIV/AIDS epidemic has been accompanied by a severe epidemic of tuberculosis (TB), although the prevalence of coinfection is largely unknown, especially in developing countries, including Nigeria. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and predictors of TB coinfection among HIV-seropositive Nigerians. Methods: The case files of HIV/AIDS patients attending Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Nigeria from January to December 2006 were reviewed. Results: A total of 1320 HIV/AIDS patients had complete records and were reviewed, among which 138 (10.5%) were coinfected with TB (95% CI, 8.9% to 12.2%). Pulmonary TB was diagnosed in 103 (74.6%) patients, among whom only 18 (17.5%) were sputum-positive. Fifty (36.2%) coinfected patients had some type of extrapulmonary TB (EPTB); 15 had both pulmonary TB and EPTB. Among the 35 patients with EPTB only, 20 (57.1%) had abdominal TB, 5 (14.3%) had TB adenitis, 5 (14.3%) had spinal TB, 3 (8.6%) were being monitored for tuberculous meningitis, and 1 (2.9%) each had renal TB and tuberculous adrenalitis. The highest prevalence of TB, 13.7% (n = 28), was seen among patients aged 41–50 years. TB coinfection was significantly associated with marital status, WHO clinical stage, and CD4 count. Marital status (OR, 2.1; 95% CI, 1.28–3.59; P = 0.04), WHO clinical stage at presentation (4.81; 1.42–8.34; P = 0.001), and baseline CD4 count (2.71; 1.51–6.21; P = 0.02) remained significant predictors after adjustment for confounding. Conclusions: The moderately high prevalence of TB among HIV-seropositive patients underscores the urgent need for strategies that lead to rapid identification and treatment of coinfection with active or latent TB

Child fostering and adoption in Nigeria: a case study of Kwara State and literature review

The aim of this study is to evaluate the state of fostering and adoption services in Kwara State, which is the gateway between the northern and southern parts of the Nigeria. We will be determining the major reasons for child placement, common kindred cases as well as common medical conditions seen amongst the children under care. A retrospective analysis of case records in government owned family welfare institutions in the state between 1995 and 2005 was done. Oral interview was also conducted for officer's in-charge of these institutions. The results showed that cases of child abuse and neglect are the major reasons for child placement in foster care, and a steady rise has been noticed in spite of the existence of protective laws and regulations. This has led to an overwhelming of the available family welfare services in the state. There is need for community sensitization on the adverse effects of abuse and neglect; on the child, the family and the society at large. Government should strengthen the various family welfare service institutions and improve on its family economic empowerment programmes. This will enhance the family income and prevent children from entering into inadequate and inappropriate foster care system. Keywords: fostering, adoption, Child, Kwara State, Nigeria The Tropical Journal of Health Sciences Vol. 13(2) 2006: 1-

An Assessment of the Availability and Utilization of Toilet Facilities at Alanamu Ward, Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria.

The study assessed the availability of toilet facilities in Alanamu Ward of Ilorin, the capital city of Kwara State of Nigeria. It also critically appraised the utilization of the toilets and factors affecting both availability and utilization. Heads of households or their representatives in 112 houses selected by systematic random sampling were interviewed. One hundred and ten of the questionnaires were found suitable for analysis. Results obtained showed that people in Alanamu use other methods beside the toilet for defaecation and excreta disposal. These other methods include refuse dumping sites, bush at backyard of houses, bowls and the surroundings. Factors such as accessibility, education, culture and socio-economy have strong influence on toilet availability and utilization in Alanamu. Recommendations were made in order to improve latrine conditions and excreta disposal generally. There is also an urgent need for further research, particularly, KAP survey of people on excreta disposal and its health implications. Sahel Med. J. Vol.5(4) 2002: 199-20

Occupational Health Problems Associated with Traditional Cloth Weaving in Ilorin, Nigeria.

A study of the health hazards that traditional cloth weavers encounter at the workplace was carried out over a three-week period in Ilorin, Nigeria. All the registered members of the Association whose workplace could be identified were included in the study. The questionnaires were administered as interview schedule by four doctors who had previously been trained in questionnaire administration. One hundred and fifteen of the 124 questionnaires administered were found suitable for analysis. Musculo-skeletal disorders accounted for 62.0% of all illnesses recorded. Causes of musculo-skeletal disorders identified included overwork, long duration of working, lack of backrest on the seats for workers, ignorance about hazards associated with the occupation, and lack of knowledge about ergonomic principles. It is recommended that the level of awareness of these workers be improved through enlightenment campaigns. Also, design of seats with backrest for the workers will go a long way in reducing most of the identified hazards. KEYWORDS: Traditional-cloth-weavers, Hazards, Prevention, Ergonomics, Enlightenment. Sahel Med. J. Vol.6(1) 2003: 6-

Malaria Diagnosis And Treatment Practices By Patent And Proprietary Medicine Vendors In Bauchi Metropolis, Bauchi State in North Eastern Nigeria

Malaria is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in Nigeria with about 50% of the population having at least an episode of clinical malaria each year. Patent medicine vendors are the first and most common source of malaria treatment in Nigeria. This study assessed malaria diagnosis and treatment practices by Patent and Proprietary Medicine Vendors (PPMVs) in Bauchi metropolis, Bauchi L.G.A., Bauchi State, Nigeria. This study was a cross sectional analytical study involving PPMVs in Bauchi metropolis. A total of 396 PPMVs were recruited into the study. The data was collected using 40 items questionnaire and were analyzed with frequencies, percentages and chi-square. The hypotheses postulated were tested at 0.05 level of significance. The data was analyzed by using SPSS Version 16.0.Respondents consisted of 253 (63.9%) health professionals (HPs) and 143 (36.15) non professionals (NHPs). About two third of the respondents; 99 (69.2%) among HPs and NHPs 88(61.3%) have good knowledge about malaria transmission. Only few respondents used Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) in identifying malaria; 12 (8.7%) among NHPs and 22 (12.6%) among HPs. The difference is not statistically significant (P-value 0.217). Moreover, 121 (47.8%) and 48 (33.6%) for both NHPs and HPs respectively reported lack of skills as the reason for not using RDT. Majority of the respondents are still dispensing Chloroquine (CQ) for malaria with 68.4% and 69.2% among NHPs and HPs respectively. The used of RDT by the respondent is poor. There is need to train PPMVs on current national policy onmalaria, especially malaria identification using RDT kits and used of Artemisinin –based Combination Therapy (ACT) in treatment of malaria. The RDT kits should also be made available.Keywords: Malaria, Diagnosis, RDT, Patent Medicine Vendors, Bauchi metropolis