Prevalence and Pattern of Adverse Drug Reactions among HIV Infected Patients on Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) in Imo State, Nigeria: A Hospital Based Survey

Introduction:  It is a proven fact that almost all drugs carry the potential to produce undesirable effects in addition to the desired ones. Aim:  The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence, pattern and socio-demographic determinants of adverse drug reactions among patients on HAART attending clinics in hospitals in Imo State Nigeria. Methodology:  This was a hospital-based cross-sectional study carried out among HIV patients attending clinics in hospitals in Imo State.  The 400 participants were selected using a multistage sampling technique.  Data was collected using an interviewer administered, semi-structured questionnaire and analyzed using EPI Info version 3:2:1. Chi-square and regression analysis was used to test association between variables. P-value was set at ≤ 0.05. Results: The mean age of the participants was 41.7±3.0 years with a male to female ration of 1:2. The adherence level to HIV treatment was 85.0%. The prevalence of ADRs in the last 1 year preceding the study was 13.7% and the common forms of ADR experienced by patients was Hematological symptoms (34%), GIT symptoms (21.8%) and skin manifestation (20.0%). Socio-demographic determinants of the occurrence of ADR among the participants were: age 50 years and above (OR: 9.28), female gender (OR: 2.55) and living in a rural area (OR: 4.47). Conclusion:  Though the prevalence of ADR reported in this study was low, there is need to increase the depth of knowledge among HIV patients in the State, monitor patients closely by care givers and find possible ways to increase adherence to HIV drugs which was not optimal among participants. Keywords: Prevalence, Pattern, Adverse Drug reactions, HAART, HIV, Patients, Imo State

CONTRACEPTIVE METHOD CHOICE AND COMMODITY SOURCES AMONG WOMEN OF REPRODUCTIVE AGE CURRENTLY USING ANY FORM OF CONTRACEPTION IN COMMUNITIES IN IMO STATE, NIGERIA

Introduction: The choice and use of a particular contraceptive method and their sources varies globally. The common modern contraceptive methods used were; condoms, injectables, pills and Intra Uterine Contraceptive Devices (IUCD). Aim: The aims of this study was to determine the pattern of contraceptive method choice and commodity  sources among women of reproductive age who are currently using any contraception in communities in Imo State, Nigeria. Methodology: This study was a community based cross-sectional study carried out among 1123 women of reproductive age (15-49 years) living in communities in Imo State, Nigeria. Eligible participant were selected using a multistage random sampling technique and data was collected using a pretested, semi structured and interviewed administered questionnaire. Data was analyzed using a computer software (EPI-INFO Version 3.3.2). Results: The mean age of the women was 32.0±8.0 years. Out of the 1123 women studied, only 305 (27.2%) were current contraceptive users. About two-third of the users (18.2%) were using any form of modern contraceptive method. The common contraceptive methods used were; condoms, periodic abstinence, injections and pills. Contraceptive choice varies with age, marital status, religion and resident of women. Overall most women sourced their contraceptives from the private sector. Most of the barrier methods and pills were sourced from the chemist while the injections, IUCD tubal ligation and implants were sourced from the hospitals. Conclusion: Use of modern contraceptive method was low and the choice of a particular contraceptive type and source of the commodity varies with socio-demographic characteristics of the women. There is need to make contraceptives available and family services accessible to women in a way that will be culturally acceptable to them. Keyword: Contraceptive method, choice, commodity sources, communities, Imo Stat

Sexual Behavior and Abuse: A Case Study of University Undergraduates in Tertiary Institutions in Imo State, Nigeria

Introduction: In young people including adolescents, risky sexual behavior has been recognized as an important health, social and demographic concern in the developing world. Aim: To assess sexual behaviors and their association with current and life-time occurrence of sexual abuse among female undergraduates in tertiary institutions in Imo State, Nigeria. Methodology: This was a school based cross sectional study involving 600 female students selected from tertiary institutions in Imo State Nigeria, using the multistage sampling technique. Data was collected using a semi-structured, self-administered questionnaire and analyzed using a data software (EPI-INFO version 3.3.2). Descriptive variables were presented using summary indices, frequency tables/percentages, and graph while associations between variables were done using the Chi-square and binary regression. A p-value of 0.05 was considered significant. Results: The mean age of the students was 21.73.2 years. About 65.2% of the respondents have initiated sexual intercourse and of this proportion, 75.6% were sexually active in the last one year preceding survey. The mean age at initiation of sexual debut among the students was 18.93.8 years and the commonest form of sexual act practiced was penile/vaginal sex. About 15.2% of the students had been currently abused. Predictors of current sexual abuse were; ever had sexual intercourse (OR.4.63), being within 14-19 years of age at first sexual initiation, (OR: 0.42), had first sexual exposure with a casual partner (OR: 12.38), and being sexually active in the last 1 year preceding study, (OR: 2.16). Conclusion: Risky sexual behaviors were prevalent and were found to influence the occurrence of sexual abuse, among the students. Thus, there is need to institute appropriate prevention strategies to limit risky sexual behaviors and it consequences among adolescents and young adults

Contraceptive Prevalence, Pattern and Socio-demographic Determinants among In- Union Women of Reproductive Age (15-49 years) in Semi-urban Communities of Orlu town, Imo state, Nigeria

Introduction: The use of contraceptives is very important in controlling high and unsustainable population growth thereby reducing its attendant problems of poor national economy and health outcomes of women and children. Methodology: The study was a community based cross-sectional study carried out among 600 in-union women of reproductive age living in suburban communities in Orlu, Imo State, Nigeria.  They were selected using multistage sampling technique.  Data was collected using a pre-tested, semi-structured and interviewer administered questionnaire and was analyzed using EPI-INFO version 3.2.1. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square test and regression analysis were performed where necessary. A p-value of ≤ 0.05 was considered significant. Result:  Contraceptive ever used and current use was 66.7% and 36.7% respectively.  The commonest modern contraceptive type ever used and currently used was the oral Contraceptive pill (65% vs. 22.8%). Socio-demographic and economic factors found to influence contraceptive use among the women were; age of women (p=0.002), status of union(p˂0.0001), age at union (p = 0.043), duration of union (p = 0.002), level of education of women (p ˂ 0.0001), religion of women (p ˂ 0.0001), family size (p ˂ 0.0001), number of male children (p ˂ 0.0001), monthly income (p ˂ 0.0001) and previous use of contraceptives (p ˂ 0.0001). Conclusion: The use of contraceptive was low and the commonest reason for non-use was due to religious beliefs.  Most of the factors influencing use can be modified by appropriate intervention programs.  Thus there is need to institute intervention programs by relevant authorities of the state that can help increase contraceptive use among these women. Keywords:  Contraceptive use, prevalence, pattern, socio-demographic, determinants, Orlu, Imo State

Prevalence and Sociodemographic Determinants of Malnutrition among Under-Five Children in Rural Communities in Imo State, Nigeria

Abstract Background: Malnutrition is a global issue with patterns and prevalence that vary significantly not only among different nations of the world but also in different region of a country. Methodology: This was a crosssectional descriptive study carried out among under-five children in households in rural communities in Imo State. The multi-stage sampling technique was used for the selection of subjects. Data was collected by direct measurement of anthropometric parameters as well as the use of a semi-structured questionnaire to obtain caregivers' information. Result: This mean age of the children was 21.0 ± 17.9 months. The mean weight, height, MUAC, and Head Circumference of the children were 10.6±4.4kg, 82.7±13.7cm, 20.2±3.6cm and 51.5±0.8cm respectively. The prevalence of overweight/obesity, underweight, wasting and stunting were, 9.8%, 28.6%, 23.6% and 28.1% respectively. Conclusion: Based on our findings, there is high prevalence of malnutrition among underfive children in the studied communities, thus there is need to institute appropriate control measures by the relevant authorities to reverse this problem owing to the fact that most of the causes of malnutrition are preventable

Evaluation of Patient Satisfaction with Tuberculosis Services in Southern Nigeria

Objective Knowing tuberculosis (TB) patients’ satisfaction enables TB program managers to identify gaps in service delivery and institute measures to address them. This study is aimed at evaluating patients’ satisfaction with TB services in southern Nigeria. Materials and Methods A total of 378 patients accessing TB care were studied using a validated Patient Satisfaction (PS-38) questionnaire on various aspects of TB services. Factor analysis was used to identify eight factors related to TB patient satisfaction. Test of association was used to study the relation between patient satisfaction scores and patient and health facility characteristics, while multilinear regression analysis was used to identify predictors of patient satisfaction. Results Highest satisfaction was reported for adherence counseling and access to care. Patient characteristics were associated with overall satisfaction, registration, adherence counseling, access to care, amenities, and staff attitude, while health system factors were associated with staff attitude, amenities, and health education. Predictors of satisfaction with TB services included gender, educational status, if tested for HIV, distance, payment for TB services, and level and type of health-care facility. Conclusion Patient- and health system–related factors were found to influence patient satisfaction and, hence, should be taken into consideration in TB service programing