Knowledge and perception of microbicides among healthcare providers in Calabar, Nigeria

Background: With the worldwide spread of HIV/AIDS, the absence of a known cure and the challenges associated with existing prevention  methodologies, there is need for new prevention technologies. The  successful uptake of healthcare products and services depend, to a large extent, on healthcare providers’ knowledge, perception and attitude  regarding them.Objectives: To determine the knowledge and perception of healthcare providers regarding microbicides.Methods: A semi-structured questionnaire was administered on 400  randomly selected health care providers in Calabar, Cross River State of Nigeria. Data obtained from the 350 returned questionnaire were analyzed using EPI –Info software version 3.5.1Results: One hundred and sixty-four (46.9%) respondents were medical doctors while 157 (44.9%) were nurses, 7 (2%) were Pharmacists and 22 (6.2%) belonged to “other” categories. Thirty- two percent knew the  advantages of microbicides over condoms. Sixty-eight percent indicated that microbicides would benefit only women while to 27%, it would benefit both men and women. Seventy-five percent of respondents would be willing to act as community advocates for microbicides while 21% would not be willing and 4% were not decided. There was a statistically significant association between professional group and willingness to act as  community advocates for microbicides. Medical doctors were more likely to act as advocates than other professional groups (p<0.05). Female  respondents were more likely to have correct knowledge regarding  microbicides than males (p<0.05)Conclusion: There are gaps in knowledge regarding microbicides among the health care providers. Capacity building would be successful since the majority are willing to act as community advocates

Predictors of sickness absence and job satisfaction among staff of a coastal hospital in Calabar, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Sickness absence can predict job satisfaction in many systems;whereas job satisfaction drives active participation in decision-making processes and is a bed-rock for effective patient care among healthcare workers.AIM:The objectives of this study were to determine the predictors of sickness absence and job satisfaction and their relationship among staff of a hospital in Calabar,Nigeria.METHODOLOGY: This was a cross-sectional analytic hospital-based study involving 324 healthcare workers of the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital.The study used a semi-structured pre-tested interviewer administered questionnaire, developed and standardized by the researchers. Data generated was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences for windows version 18, descriptive and regression statistics, with the p-value set at 0.05.RESULT: Thirty-five (10.8%) of the respondents were physicians, 42(13.0%) nurses, while non-clinician health workers constituted 55.9%.Their average age was 37.05±8.84 years with a slight preponderance of female over male (1.4:1). There were statistically significant associations between duration of sickness absence and job satisfaction (p=0.002). Following logistic regression, occupation was found as an independent predictor of job satisfaction. Participants who were non-clinician health workers, {Odds Ratio3.3;95% Confidence interval 1.505- 7.261} were significantly more likely to have job satisfaction compared with the clinicians.CONCLUSION: The study found a high level of dis-satisfaction with the job using specific parameters in the work setting for assessment.The institution of a safety unit in the Hospital,adjustment of work schedules together with the supply of ergonomic-oriented work equipment to check discomfort at work are recommended

Motorcycling as a Risk Factor for Erectile Dysfunction: Implications for Appropriate Intervention and Prevention Strategies.

Background: Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a major family health problem. This study aimed to investigate the role of motorcycling, a popular means of transportation in Nigeria as a risk factor for erectile dysfunction.Methods: This was a cross-sectional study designed to assess the presence of erectile dysfunction among registered motorcyclists in Uyo, South-South, Nigeria. Data was collected using the abridged version of the international index of erectile function (IIEF-5). Ethical considerations were resolved with the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital Health Research & Ethical Committee. The seventeenth version of the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS 17.0) was used for statistical analysis.Results: Nine hundred and eighty-eight (84%) registered motorcyclists agreed to participate in the study. The mean age of respondents was 31.10 years. The overall prevalence of ED among the respondents was 57.5%; made up of mild (18.5%), mild to moderate (14.8%), moderate (13.1%) and severe (11.1%). In this study, the use of alcohol was not significant among respondents with erectile dysfunction (p=0.30). Smoking of cigarette was prevalent among them (p=0.001), and the number of hours spent per day in operating the motorcycle was significant for erectile dysfunction (p=0.001).Conclusion: It is concluded that motorcyclists, physicians and policy makers need to know the inherent danger in motorcycle operation with respect to erectile dysfunction, with a view to working out appropriate intervention and prevention strategies.Keywords: Erectile Dysfunction, Motorcycling, Family Physician

Teaching Family Medicine in Medical Schools - The Perspective from a Nigerian Medical School.

No abstract

Use of the General Health Questionnaire as a screening tool for Geriatric Patients in Calabar, Nigeria

BACKGROUND:Old age is inevitably associated with general biological and physical decline.Mental health issues are among the most prevalent health problems of the elderly and constitute an important source of distress for patients and caregivers. Primary care providers frequently fail to diagnose these problems, and, even when they do, management may not be optimal. This study aimed to determine the proportion of geriatric mental health morbidity detected by Family Physicians and compare this with General Health Questionnaire detection in the recognition of morbidity in this cohort.METHOD: This was a cross-sectional descriptive survey involving 107 elderly respondents, conveniently recruited for the study from the Family Medicine Geriatric Clinic of the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar.  Respondents were grouped into 'cases' and 'non-cases' using a cut-off score of '3' with the General Health Questionnaire as the main comparative detection instrument. Family Physicians' abilities to identify mental health morbidity were then compared with the General Health Questionnaire ratings. Socio-demographic correlates and identification rates were determined by statistical tests of associations.RESULTS: The General Health Questionnaire identified 48.6% 'cases' while the Family Physicians identified 9.4% among the attendees. Statistically significant differences in socio-demographic characteristics of respondents were found for marital status(X2 = 21.84; p< 0.009),level of education(X2 =42.58; p< 0.005) and sexX2= (6.98; p < 0.008). CONCLUSION: This study concludes that using the General Health Questionnaire and paying attention to geriatrics' socio-demographic parameters can improve the detection of mental health morbidities in the elderlyby Family Physicians.KEY WORDS: Care of the Elderly, Geriatric Mental Health, Family Physicia