In-Vitro Fertilization Practice: Awareness and Perceptions AmongWomen Attending Fertility Clinics in Okija, Anambra State, Nigeria

BACKGROUND: In-vitro fertilization(IVF) is a procedure that is one of the options in managing infertility. It involves fertilizing the egg from the female with the spermatozoa from the male outside the human body. It is a common practice in the developed world. However it is still a new phenomenon in the developing countries. This is due to the level of awareness and acceptability, worsened by cost which is still beyond the reach of the poor masses in the developing countries. AIM: To assess the level of awareness andperceptions of invitro fertilization among women attending fertility clinics in Okija, Ihiala local Government area of Anambra State, Nigeria. METHODS: The study is a cross-sectional descriptive study. A total of 500 women attending fertility clinics in Okija were recruited using systematic sampling technique. Data were collected using pre-tested, structured, interviewer administered questionnaire and analyzed manually. RESULTS: The mean age of the respondents was 30 years. The mean duration of infertility was 11 years. Secondary infertility was more common (66%) than primary infertility (34%).Only 37.6%of the respondentswere aware of in-vitro fertilization. Only 37.2% of those that that aware accepted to undergo IVF procedure. 79.7% of those who rejected IVF claimed that the babies are abnormal, while 12.7% of believedthat the cost is high. CONCLUSION: There is need to put in efforts in spreading the knowledge of in-vitro fertilization in developing countries like Nigeria. Efforts should be made to make the procedure more affordable and accessible to the masses. Keywords: Awareness, Perceptions, In-vitro fertilization (IVF), Okija

An assessment of job satisfaction among primary health care workers in Rivers state, Nigeria

Background: Primary Health Care (PHC) is considered to be a more appropriate approach to health, and the health system, improving access to health services, as well as disease prevention. The availability and efficiency of PHC is a key determinant of the overall health and wellbeing of a people, and a useful yardstick for assessment of a nation's health system. Hence, PHC workforce are at the vanguard of essential health service delivery through direct contact with grassroots community members, within and without the health facilities, for provision of preventive, treatment, referral and follow-up health services. Poor motivation and non-retention of PHC workers weakens the health systems' ability to meet the above goals.Aim: To assessed the job satisfaction of primary health care workers in Rivers State, Nigeria.Methodology: The study utilized the descriptive cross-sectional design and the mixed methods of data collection. The quantitative method used semi-structured, pretested, self- administered questionnaires to obtain information on socio-demographic and occupational characteristics, job satisfaction, motivation, frustration, retention potentials and awareness of existing policies and incentives of respondents. The respondents which included Community Health Extension Workers (CHEW), Community Health Officers (CHO), nurses and doctors in Primary health facilities in the State, were selected using the multistage sampling method. Quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS version 20.0 software and results presented using tables and charts.Results: A total of 378 respondents participated in the study. Nurses constituted 47.6% of the respondents, with equal proportions of CHEWs and CHOs [23.8% and 23.8% respectively] and 4.8% were doctors. The mean age of the respondents was39.8±8.1 years; with 89.7% females and 10.3% males. Of all the respondents, 79.6% were married,82% were senior cadre staff and 78.8% were Pentecostal Christians. Ikwerre, Ogoni and Kalabari had the highest distribution in ethnicity (19.3%, 14.8% and14.0% respectively). Among the respondents, 75.7% had worked for less than 7 years in their current facility while 82.9% had worked for same duration in their previous facility. Almost two third 240 (63.5%) reported that their workplace was far from their residence while 12 (3.2%) stated that it was very close. A high proportion of the respondents (78.3%) were satisfied with the general working condition in their Primary Health Care facility while 21.7% of the respondents were satisfied with the pay and promotion potentials of their work place. Notably, while 97.9% of the respondents were satisfied with their work relationships, 57.7% were satisfied with the use of their skills and abilities at their workplace and 88.1% of the respondents were satisfied with their work activities. These gave a good job satisfaction score for 88.9% of the respondents. Profession, community, distance from work and duration of work were significant factors (p < 0.05).Conclusion: This study concluded that age, marital status, profession, and location of health facility, duration of work played vital roles in level of satisfaction of PHC workers. Hence, offering opportunities for professional advancement through training of the healthcare workers though already included in the Nigerian National Healthcare policy, should be efficiently implemented and monitored by the government and other relevant stakeholders to improve job satisfaction and in turn quality health service delivery.Keywords: Job Satisfaction, Healthcare Worker

Adolescent Sexual Behaviour and Practices in Nigeria: A Twelve Year Review

Background: Adolescence is a time of opportunity and risk. During this time, attitudes, values and behaviours that forms a young person's future begin to develop and take shape. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 70% of premature deaths among adults are largely due to behaviours initiated during adolescence. Age of sexual debut is generally low, yet there is dearth of knowledge on sexuality.Objective: The article reviewed the sexual practices and behaviours of Nigerian adolescents in the last twelve years.Methods: Available publications in local and international journals on adolescent sexual behaviour and practices covering a twelve-year period from January 2000 to December 2011 were retrieved from the Library (NAUTH Medical Library). Additional search for published articles was done on the internet from Pubmed/Medline and other search engines.Results: Adolescents engage in unhealthy sexual behaviours, characterized by early age at sexual initiation, unsafe sex and multiple sex partners. Reasons given for this include curiosity, peer influence, pleasure and financial benefit, amongst others.Conclusion: The strategies given in this review have the potential to increase sexual awareness in adolescents, encourage contraceptive use and improve adolescent reproductive and sexual health in the country.Keywords: Adolescent sexual behaviour, Adolescent health and development, secondary school students, adolescent pregnancy

Influence of HIV/AIDS Awareness on Sexual Behaviour of Undergraduates in Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka

Background: The awareness of HIV/AIDS can influence sexual behaviour which can in turn decrease the rate of transmission of HIV. This study was done at Nnamdi Azikiwe University (NAU), Awka, Anambra State, to determine the awareness of HIV/AIDS and its effect on sexual behaviour of undergraduate students.Method: This was a cross-sectional study which covered students at the main campus of the University. A convenience sampling technique was used and most of the faculties were randomly covered. A structured questionnaire was designed based on the findings from literature review.Result: Approximately 98% of the students have heard of HIV/AIDS prior to the study and more than 89% could identify ways to protect oneself against sexually transmitted HIV/AIDS. More females (72%) than males (37%) reported non-use of condom during sex.Conclusion: Majority of the students have heard of HIV/AIDS and many believe that it can be prevented. The high level of awareness has not timely influenced the students' sexual practice because it has not translated into healthier sexual practices. A significant number of students are sexually active and are involved in risky sexual practices that can expose them to HIV infectio

Nutrition Transition in Developing Countries: A Review

Background: Over the centuries there have been changes in the diet of man. This is accompanied by changes in the level of activity and body composition. These changes have effects on the health of man. Modern science has continued to reveal the relationship between the changes in diet, physical activity, body composition of man and his health and the general effect on his life expectancy and quality of life. These changes occur at different rates in different parts of the world. Objective: This paper aims at studying these shifts in pattern of diet, physical activity and body composition with special interest in developing countries. Method: Relevant literature was reviewed from medical journals, library search, PubMed search, google search and search using other internet search engines. The key words employed were: Nutrition transition, with particular emphasis on developing countries. Result: Several studies have given perspectives on nutrition transition, the factors that are responsible for the transition, the effects on the health of man, the scenarios in developed world and in the developing countries. Also highlighted are the challenges it poses to humanity and possible measures to arrest the situation. Conclusion: It is obvious that nutrition transition is a reality that is present with humanity. In the developing world we have more problems on our hands as we have not succeeded in controlling the communicable diseases and the non-communicable diseases most of which are nutrition related are becoming predominant. This calls for action to prevent the dire consequences of inaction. Keywords: Nutrition Transition, Developing countries