Assessment of knowledge and sexual behaviour among undergraduates in a Nigerian tertiary institution

Background and introduction: The achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), particularly goals 5 and 6, is strongly underpinned by the progress that can be made on sexual and reproductive health education of young adults.The large population of young single adults in tertiary institutions in Nigeria and the present dearth of human resources for health necessitates that interventions for this group of individuals are tailored to meet identified gaps in awareness and sexual behaviour.This study sets out to assess the sexual behaviour and practice among single-undergraduates in a tertiary institution in Nigeria.Method: A descriptive cross sectional study was carried out among 410 consenting students selected through a multistage sampling method. Data was collected using a structured self- administered questionnaire and analysed using Statistical Package for Scientific Solutions (SPSS) version 16.0.Results: Mean age of respondents was 20 + 4.4 years, 228 (55.6%) were females and 182 (44.4%) males.The respondents' awareness of contraceptive devices was 81.7% (335) for condoms and less than 20% knew about other forms of contraception such as intrauterine device, tubal ligation and vasectomy.Over 65.7% (270) opined abstinence and use of condom to be the ideal methods for prevention of HIV/AIDS/ STI transmission. The overall mean age at first sexual contact was 14.0+1.4((14.2+1.6) in males and (13.8 +1.2) in females). A Very high proportion of sexually active respondents (93.6%) volunteered they do not routinely use condom in their sexual encounter.Undesired pregnancies occurred in about 11% of females.Recommendations: There is an urgent need for the establishment of specially designated youth friendly centres in the tertiary institutions in the country, manned with staff appropriately trained in the delivery of reproductive health information and services.Keywords: Sexual Behaviour,Undergraduates,Tertiary Institution,Nigeri

Assessment of Home Management of Malaria by Caregivers in a Rural Community in Edo State, South-South, Nigeria

Malaria remains the leading cause of child mortality and morbidity in sub-Saharan Africa. Home-based management of malaria (HMM) is promoted as a major strategy of reducing malaria mortality and severe morbidity, in line with the Millennium Development Goal 6. This study assessed the treatment of malaria at home in a rurul community in South-South Nigeria. A descriptive cross sectional study was carried out among 165 mothers in Okada community, Ovia north-east, Edo state. A Systematic sampling technique was used for selecting respondents. Data was collected using an interviewer administered questionnaire and analysed with SPSS version 16. The mean age of caregiver was 32 ± 1.4 years. 87(53%) of the respomlents associated fever, vomiting and body weakness with childhood malaria. One hundred and nine 109(66.1 %) of the caregivers started treatment at home using orthodox medicine, with patent medicine dealers as the common source of meclication. Chloroquine and fansidar were the commonly used anti-malaria drugs. The study shows that majority of the caregiver treated malaria at home using Chloroquine and fansidar. There is however need to improve and sustain the strategy (HMM), placing more emphasis on educating the caregivers on current drug protocols to achieve better results in controlling the prevalence and incidence of malaria especially at the community level. Emphasis should be laid on health education highlighting and encouraging the caregiver on the use of ACT for the treatment of malaria. Key words: Assessment Malaria, Caregiver, Home, Management, South-Sout