Consistent Condom Use among Sex Workers in Nigeria

Objectives: This study examines factors influencing consistent condom use among sex workers in Nigeria. Such information can help improve the design of intervention campaigns to reduce the spread of HIV among high-risk groups and the general population. Methods: We used a nationally representative sample of 2,578 sex workers collected in 1998. This study uses logistic regression to predict the effect of exposure to advertising for “Gold Circle” and “Cool” brand condoms (two popular social marketed brands), knowledge of HIV transmission, number of regular partners, self-efficacy, risk perception, and demographic variables on consistency of condom use. Results: The findings suggest that most sex workers lived in urban (84%) areas, were below age 30 (74%), and over half had secondary or higher education (55%). Most respondents had been involved in sex work for two or less years (73%) and had a regular partner (72%). Although the majority of sex workers were worried about AIDS (81%), only 55% reported consistent condom use in the last five sex acts. Among sex workers who usually asked clients to use condoms, 76 percent used condoms in the last five sex acts, compared to 8% of those who do not ask all clients to use condoms. After controlling for background variables and other factors, multivariate results suggested that sex workers who had been exposed to two or more sources of advertising for “Gold Circle” and “Cool” condom brands were about two times more likely to consistently use condoms than those who did not see any advertisements (p < 0.001). Sex workers who knew of two or more modes of HIV transmission were 44% more likely to consistently use condoms than those who had no knowledge (p < 0.05). Sex workers who worried about contracting HIV were two times more likely to consistently use condoms than those who were not worried (p < 0.001). The most important predictor of consistent condom use was self-efficacy. Sex workers who asked all their clients to use condoms were 39 times more likely to consistently use condoms than those who did not ask all their clients to use condoms. Conclusions: Program interventions that use multiple communication media to increase condom brand awareness, to provide information about the modes of HIV transmission and its consequences, and to increase self-efficacy can help improve consistency of condom use among Nigerian sex workers. This may reduce the likelihood of HIV transmission to other populations

Where Do People in Nigeria Get Their Contraception?

Knowing where users obtain different contraceptive methods is useful for planning service delivery, argues Ladipo, who examines a new study on contraception in Nigeria

The Role of HIV/AIDS Prevention Campaigns on HIV Related Behavioural Changes in Ibadan, Nigeria

This study examined the impact of sources of AIDS education on HIV-related behavioural changes, and its implications for HIV prevention and service delivery in Nigeria. We analysed cross-sectional data obtained from a structured face-to-face interview with 1,373 respondents aged 15-50, who have ever had sex in Ibadan, Nigeria. Knowledge of HIV/AIDS, its route of transmission and prevention strategies was high.  About 20 % of the respondents were exposed to the AIDS prevention campaigns. A majority reported sexual behavioral changes, which included restriction of sex partners, use of condoms, sexual abstinence and avoidance of casual sex. Thirty-nine percent took some steps to reduce risk of infection by avoiding transfusion with unscreened blood and testing for HIV status.  Using multiple logistic regressions, the factors affecting the reported changes were identified. The application of health belief model shows that the model cannot wholly explain the changes in behavior. The role of female powerlessness in safer sex decision-making is noted. Despite the limitations of the study, the need for a sustained AIDS prevention campaign is stressed. The implications of the study for AIDS programs and research are highlighted

A Review and Integration of the Partial Models of Consumer Behaviour

Business organizations offer products with the hope of providing consumers with satisfaction and to earn maximum returns. To achieve these objectives, it is important that managers understand how target consumers behave and the factors that influence their buying patterns. Models of consumer behaviour are vital tools for this purpose. However, the models available for managers to rely on have one criticism or the other. It is argued that the partial models are limited in scope and so do not provide an in-depth understanding of consumer behaviour while the comprehensive models are too complicated and complex. Consequently, this paper presents a review of the partial models of consumer behaviour (economic, linear experimental, psychoanalytic and sociological models) by recognizing their contributions and limitations in explaining consumer behaviour. Following this review, a simplified comprehensive model that integrates the views of the partial models as well as marketing-mix variables and relationships identified by the authors is proposed. Keywords: consumer behaviour, business organizations, buying pattern, influences, model, consumer purchase decisio

Qualitative Exploration of factors affecting Uptake and Demand for Contraception and other Family Planning Services in North-West Nigeria

In spite of the improvements in knowledge about family planning (FP), the contraceptive prevalence rate and unmet need for FP remain poor in most parts of Northern Nigeria. This study sought to explore specific factors that influence contraceptive uptake and demand in North-West Nigeria. Key Informant and In-depth Interviews were conducted using guides among stakeholders in two selected states in North-West Nigeria, Kebbi and Sokoto States. Interviewees were selected purposively to include Reproductive  Health Focal Persons at the local government level, service providers,  Women of Reproductive Age (WRA) and FP coordinators. Factors inhibiting contraceptive uptake included lack of health education, religion, fear of spousal rejection and side effects. Poor government funding and  inadequate number of health workers were also identified as systemic factors. Suggested methods of overcoming identified challenges include; task-shifting, increased stakeholder participation and political will.Keywords: Contraceptive demand, North-West Nigeria, factors affecting FP demandMalgré l'amélioration des connaissances sur la planification familiale (PF), le taux de la prévalence contraceptive et les besoins non satisfaits en PF restent pauvres dans la plupart des régions du nord du Nigéria. Cette étude a cherché à explorer des facteurs spécifiques qui influencent l'adoption et la demande des contraceptifs dans le nord-ouest du Nigéria. Des entretiens avec des informateurs clés et approfondis ont été menés à l'aide de guides parmi les parties prenantes de deux États sélectionnés du nordouest du Nigéria, les États de Kebbi et de Sokoto. Les personnes interrogées ont été choisies à dessein pour inclure les personnes focales en santé de la reproduction au niveau du gouvernement local, les prestataires de services, les femmes en âge de procréer (FAP) et les  coordinateurs de PF. Les facteurs inhibant l'adoption des contraceptifs comprenaient le manque d'éducation  sanitaire, la religion, la peur du rejet du conjoint et les effets secondaires. Le financement insuffisant du  gouvernement et le nombre insuffisant d'agents de santé ont également été identifiés comme des facteurs  systémiques. Les méthodes suggérées pour surmonter les défis identifiés comprennent: le transfert de tâches, la participation accrue des parties prenantes et la volonté politique.Mots-clés: Demande des contraceptifs, nord-ouest du Nigéria, facteurs affectant la demande de P

A Review of Posttraumatic Bowel Injuries in Ibadan

Background. Bowel injuries are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality following trauma. Evaluating patients who sustained abdominal trauma with bowel injury may pose a significant diagnostic challenge to the surgeon. Prompt recognition and timely intervention is necessary to improve outcome. Aim. This study was undertaken to evaluate treatment and outcome of patients with bowel trauma. Methods. A 5-year retrospective study of all patients presenting with abdominal trauma requiring surgical intervention seen in the UCH Ibadan, Nigeria was undertaken. Results. There were 71 patients (59 males and 12 females). The majority of cases (70%) occurred between the 3rd and 5th decades of life. Some 37 patients (52%) sustained blunt abdominal injury, while 34 patients (48%) sustained penetrating abdominal injury. There were 27 patients with bowel injuries (38%). Isolated bowel injuries occurred in 19 patients (27%). The most common surgical operation performed was simple closure. There were 3 deaths in patients with bowel injuries. Conclusion. Most cases of bowel injury can be managed by simple closure, a technique that is not so technically demanding for surgeons in less-developed countries. This study has also incidentally identified a “rule of six” for patients with bowel injuries and abdominal trauma

Influence Of Smartphone Attributes On Student’s Buying Decision In Lagos State Tetiary Institutions

The study was carried out to evaluate the influence of smartphone attributes on student’s buying decision in Lagos State Tertiary Institutions. Research design adopted was purely descriptive, employing cross sectional survey method in data collection. Data for the study were generated through the use of structured questionnaire and administered to a sample of 362 out of 3,792 students in selected tertiary institutions in Lagos State. Data collected were analyzed using Multiple Regression Analysis. The results showed that all smartphone attributes considered in the study were found to be positively and significantly related to student’s buying decision. Specifically, technology attribute has highest impact on student’s buying decisions, followed by application and price attributes. The study concluded that technology, application and price are considered the most top three attributes that significantly influenced student’s buying decision of Smartphone. It was recommended that firms should focus on improving their technology in other to bring about innovative features and application, and more importantly adopt variety of price strategies while not neglecting the image and design attributes, as these were regarded as secondary attributes in determining consumers’ choice of Smartphone

Partnership, ownership and control: the impact of corporate governance on employment relations

Prevailing patterns of dispersed share ownership and rules of corporate governance for UK listed companies appear to constrain the ability of managers to make credible, long-term commitments to employees of the kind needed to foster effective labour-management partnerships. We present case study evidence which suggests that such partnerships can nevertheless emerge where product market conditions and the regulatory environment favour a stakeholder orientation. Proactive and mature partnerships may also be sustained where the board takes a strategic approach to mediating between the claims of different stakeholder groups, institutional investors are prepared to take a long-term view of their holdings, and strong and independent trade unions are in a position to facilitate organisational change