Drug Use and Sources of Drug Information among Secondary School Students in Imo State, Nigeria

This study was an investigation into drug use and sources of drug information among secondary school students in Imo State, Nigeria. A sample of 1400 students, aged 16-17 years was studied. Percentages were used to describe the students’ drug use and sources of drug information. Chi-square was used to verify the four hypotheses postulated for the study. Results showed that the main drugs the students who took part in the study used included analgesics, stimulants, anti-malaria, alcohol, worm expellants, nasal decongestants, sleeping pills, laxatives, and anti-biotics and their main sources of drug information included print media, television, radio, and friends and peers. Chi-square tests indicated that the differences in the use of drugs between boys and girls were significant in most cases. It is recommended that drug education be made an integral part of secondary school curriculum. Keywords: Drug use, Sources of information, Secondary school students, Imo Stat

Menstrual Hygiene Practices and Sources of Menstrual Hygiene Information among Adolescent Secondary School Girls in Abakaliki Education Zone of Ebonyi State

Menstruation is clouded by socio-cultural restrictions resulting in adolescent girls remaining ignorant of hygienic practices. The study was designed to ascertain the menstrual hygiene practices and sources of menstrual hygiene information among 1200 adolescent secondary school girls, who completed the questionnaire designed for the study. Out of 1200, 1191, representing about 99.3% return rate, correctly completed and returned their copies of the questionnaire. Percentages and chi-square (2) statistic were used to analyse the data. Percentages were used to describe the menstrual hygiene practices and sources of menstrual hygiene information among the respondents and chi-square statistic was used to determine whether significant differences (p < 0.05) existed in the girls’ menstrual hygiene practices and sources of menstrual hygiene information in relation to age, father’s occupation, mother’s occupation and number of senior sisters. Results showed that the girls’ menstrual hygiene practices were not cheering and received menstrual information from undependable sources. Significant differences were found among the girls in their menstrual hygiene practices and sources of menstrual hygiene information. Menstrual hygiene should be linked to the hygiene education programme in schools with active involvement of teachers and caring environment for menstrual hygiene has to be provided both at home and in school. Key words: Menstrual, hygiene, practices, adolescent girls, secondary schools, Ebonyi state

Personal Health Risks Behaviour Profile among University Students in the South East Nigeria: Implication for Health Education

This descriptive survey was carried out in order to determine the personal health risks behaviour profile among university students in the south east of Nigeria. A random sample of 900 students completed the questionnaire designed for the study. Out of this number 821, representing about 91.2% return rate, were used for data analysis. Means and standards deviations were used to describe the personal health risks behaviour profile of the students. T-test was used to test the entire hypotheses. Results showed that the respondents had no identifiable mental health-related, nutrition-related, physical activity-related, substance abuse-related and personal health care-related risks. T-test showed that no significant differences existed in most of the personal health risks behaviour profile between male and female respondents. Where significant differences existed, they inclined towards favouring the females. The study supports the need for compulsory health education curriculum activities to help educate the students in making healthy behaviour choices and leading a healthier lifestyle in order to improve or at worst maintain the status quo in their personal health risks behaviour profile. Keywords: Personal health, Risks behaviour, Profile, Students, Health educatio

Family and Community Practices for Child Survival, Growth and Development (SGD) among Mothers in Enugu State, Nigeria

The study was conducted in order to identify the family and community practices (FCPs) for child survival, growth and development (SGD) among mothers in Enugu State. To achieve this two research questions were formulated. Quantitative data were collected from 1969 mothers using family and community practices questionnaire (FCPQ). The data collected were analyzed using frequency distribution, percentages and mean to answer the research questions. The findings of the study showed that mothers adopted FCPs except hygiene and use of insecticide treated bed nets practices in Enugu State. The findings further indicated the mothers adopted FCPs except hygiene and use of insecticide treated bed nets practices to a great extent. It is recommended that appropriate information, education and communication (IEC) messages for promoting FCPs should be carried out on mothers by health workers, including health education teachers, to ensure survival, healthy growth and development of the child. Key words: Family, Community practices, Child survival, Growth and developmen

Maternal Compliance Practices during Childhood Pneumonia in Imo State, Nigeria

Pneumonia is a serious acute respiratory infection which, if not prevented, could cause serious illness among children. It can be prevented and treated effectively if mothers could comply with treatment regimen, follow-up and referral practices. Compliance practices are in most cases influenced by factors such as level of education, parity and occupation of mothers. This study aimed at identifying the mothers’ compliance practices during childhood pneumonia in Imo State. A cross-sectional survey design was used in order to achieve the objectives of the study. A sample of 2400 mothers of child bearing age (15-49 years) randomly drawn from 26 out of 27 local government areas in Imo State participated in the study. The instrument used to collect data was a structured questionnaire which had a reliability coefficient of 0.86. Results of the study showed that level of education, parity and occupation influenced mothers’ compliance practices during childhood pneumonia. Among the recommendations include that doctors, nurses and health educators should teach mothers the importance of adequate compliance practices during childhood pneumonia to avoid drug resistance and death. Keywords: Maternal, compliance, practices, childhood pneumonia, Imo Stat

Health Problems Among Adolescent Boys and Girls in Secondary Schools in Obollo-Afor Education Zone of Enugu State, Nigeria

The cross-sectional survey was utilized to determine the health problems among adolescent boys and girls in secondary schools in Obollo-Afor education zone of Enugu state. Employing the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), 1463 self-completed copies of questionnaire (98.3% of those distributed) were used for data analysis, using percentages and chi-square (p < .05). Results showed that boys reported higher rates of skin rashes, accidents and sexually transmitted diseases than did girls. Significant differences were found in skin rashes, malaria, eye defects, respiratory track diseases, accidents, mouth odour, abdominal pain and sexually transmitted diseases. With regard to mental health problems, girls reported higher rates of most of symptoms than did boys. Significant differences (p < .05) were found in fear, forgetfulness, fatigue and stress. In social health problems, boys reported higher rates in most of the symptoms than girls. Significant differences were found in lack of finance, frequent punishment, hatred by others, smoking, rape, violence and secret cult activities. It is recommended that interventions that could help students avoid health-risk behaviour should be initiated. Keywords: health problems, adolescent, boys and girls, secondary schools

Socio-Demographic Characteristics and Acceptance of Family Planning Methods among Married Persons in Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Family planning acceptance remains a global health challenge especially in Sub-Saharan Africa where culture, religion, lack of knowledge and ignorance determine FPMs acceptance.  The study investigated the differences in levels of acceptance of family planning methods among married persons in Abakaliki Education Zone of Ebonyi State by socio-demographic variables of education, gender, religion and location. Multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select four Local Government Areas from Abakaliki education zone (2 urban, 2 rural) and 1,098 married persons for the study. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire titled Acceptance of Family Planning Methods Questionnaire (AFPMQ). The instrument was subjected to face validity. The reliability score of the instrument was 0.75 using Cronbach alpha. Data were collated and analyzed using mean and standard deviation, criterion mean score of 2.50. Inferential statistics of t-test and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) statistics were used to test the hypotheses at alpha level of 0.05. The results of the study showed that there was low level of acceptance of all family planning methods (Mean values < 2.50). Results also showed that level of acceptance of family planning methods differed significantly among married persons by education, gender, religion and location (p < 0.05). The study concluded that acceptance of FPMs among married person in Abakaliki Education Zone was generally and recommended, that family planning programme designs must incorporate all shades of belief, values and convictions in program planning and that government at all levels should partner with religious organizations and traditional rulers to help create more awareness of FPMs through intensive health education, as this will help to increase the level of acceptance of FPMs Keywords: Family planning methods, acceptance, gender, age, education, location, married person

Socio-Demographic Characteristics and Acceptance of Family Planning Methods among Married Persons in Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Family planning acceptance remains a global health challenge especially in Sub-Saharan Africa where culture, religion, lack of knowledge and ignorance determine FPMs acceptance.  The study investigated the differences in levels of acceptance of family planning methods among married persons in Abakaliki Education Zone of Ebonyi State by socio-demographic variables of education, gender, religion and location. Multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select four Local Government Areas from Abakaliki education zone (2 urban, 2 rural) and 1,098 married persons for the study. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire titled Acceptance of Family Planning Methods Questionnaire (AFPMQ). The instrument was subjected to face validity. The reliability score of the instrument was 0.75 using Cronbach alpha. Data were collated and analyzed using mean and standard deviation, criterion mean score of 2.50. Inferential statistics of t-test and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) statistics were used to test the hypotheses at alpha level of 0.05. The results of the study showed that there was low level of acceptance of all family planning methods (Mean values < 2.50). Results also showed that level of acceptance of family planning methods differed significantly among married persons by education, gender, religion and location (p < 0.05). The study concluded that acceptance of FPMs among married person in Abakaliki Education Zone was generally and recommended, that family planning programme designs must incorporate all shades of belief, values and convictions in program planning and that government at all levels should partner with religious organizations and traditional rulers to help create more awareness of FPMs through intensive health education, as this will help to increase the level of acceptance of FPMs Keywords: Family planning methods, acceptance, gender, age, education, location, married person

Perceived Benefits of Prenatal Exercise Among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinic at Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, Nigeria

This paper investigated the perceived benefits of prenatal exercise among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki, Ebonyi State. One research question and two hypotheses guided the study. Descriptive survey design was used, the population of the study was 7200 pregnant women while the sample for the study was 720 pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at Federal Hospital Abakaliki, Ebonyi State. A self-developed structured questionnaire was used as instrument for data collection. Mean and standard deviation was used to answer research question while ANOVA statistics were used to test the hypotheses at 0.05 level of significant. The study found that pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki, Ebonyi State had positive perception on the benefit of prenatal exercise and that there are significant differences on the perception of benefit of prenatal exercise among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki, Ebonyi State based on age and level of education. It was recommended that Government, health educators and hospital management should organize continuing education programmes, seminars and workshop to promote prenatal exercise among pregnant women to actualize the perceived benefits of prenatal exercise in pregnancy. Keywords: Exercise, prenatal exercise, pregnant woman, perceived benefit

HIV/AIDS knowledge and attitude towards people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA): a cross-sectional study of primary school teachers

Background: Teachers are in advantage position to propagate correct information with regard to HIV/AIDS thereby influencing attitude towards PLWHA. With correct information stigmatization leading to spread of the scourge might be prevented. Aims & Objectives: The study was conducted to determine knowledge and attitude of primary school teachers towards PLWHA. Methods & Materials: The cross-sectional survey was used to study a sample of 400 primary school teachers in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. The instrument used for data collection was researchers\u2019 designed questionnaire. Out of 400 copies of questionnaire administered; 394 representing 98.5% return rate, were used for analysis of data. Results: Results showed respondents had moderate (57.4%) knowledge concerning HIV/AIDS and positive attitude (3.09 \ub1 0.98) to PLWHA. Female teachers\u2019 dispositions to PLWHA were better than the males based on their attitude scores and the difference was not significant in general knowledge of HIV/AIDS and attitude to PLWHA. Conclusion: Our findings underscore the need for a universal health education programme, focusing on HIV/AIDS education, in education institutions that train teachers in Nigeria so as to possibly mitigate the discrepancy in knowledge regarding curability of AIDS and any undesirable attitude towards PLWHA that may arise among teachers