Sexual Behaviour And Condom Use Among Nigerian Soldiers In Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria

Background/Objective: Studies have shown that military personnel are aware and knowledgeable about HIV/AIDS and its impact on combat preparedness and efficiency. However, this knowledge did not appear to have translated to reduced risky sexual behaviours. This study, therefore aimed at determining the sexual behaviour and condom use among Nigerian Army personnel in Ilorin, Nigeria. Materials and methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study using a multistage sampling technique to select 400 participants. A pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire was administered. Results: Out of 386 respondents (response rate 96.5%) males constituted 91.2%. Two hundred and seventy two (70.5 %) were married while 42 (15.4%) of the married did not live with their spouses. A significant proportion of the respondents (45.5%), especially those within the age of 18 to 34 years (p=0.000), those who had participated in foreign military operations (p=0.030) and those who did not live with their spouses (p=0.000) engaged in pre/extramarital sexual activities. Regular condom use among the respondents was low. Conclusion/Recommendations: There was a high risky sexual behaviour with irregular condom use among the study population. A continuous information, education and communication on HIV/AIDS to effect safe sex behaviours and regular condom use among this population are recommended. Keywords: Sexual, Behaviour, Condom, Nigerian, Soldiers, Ilorin African Journal of Clinical and Experimental Microbiology Vol. 10 (2) 2009: pp. 128-13

Prevalence of cigarette smoking and knowledge of its health implications among Nigerian soldiers

Objective. Several studies have reported a negative relationship between smoking and military performance. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of cigarette smoking and knowledge of its health implications among Nigerian Army personnel.Methods. A descriptive cross-sectional survey of 853 soldiers using a self-administered pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire.Results. One hundred and seventy three respondents (20.3%) out of 853 respondents smoked. About three-quarter of them started smoking in the army. Derivation of pleasure and relaxation (24.9%), allaying anxiety (21.4%) and peer influence (34.1%) were the most frequent reasons for smoking. Skin disorder (75.9%), lung cancer (68.6%), addiction (65.2%) and dental problems (57.5%) were the most commonly reported effects of smoking. Only half (50.3%) of the total respondents believed that these effects of smoking could limit military fitness and performance. Forty five (26.1%) of the smokers had attempted to quit smoking. Majority (92.7%) of all the respondents have never had anti-smoking sensitization while in the army.Conclusion The prevalence of smoking among the respondents was high. In spite of their knowledge its health hazards, the respondents could not relate this to military fitness and combat effectiveness. Also, their knowledge of the adverse effects did not translate to their smoking behaviour. There is need for continuous anti-smoking programmes to be established by the medical authority in the Nigerian Army to sensitize personnel on the dangers of cigarette smoking

Prevalence of cigarette smoking and the knowledge of its health implications among Nigerian soldiers

Objective. Several studies have reported a negative relationship between smoking and military performance. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of cigarette smoking and knowledge of its health implications among Nigerian Army personnel.Materials and Methods. A descriptive cross-sectional survey of 853 soldiers using a self-administered pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire.Results. One hundred and seventy three respondents (20.3%) out of 853 respondents smoked. About three-quarter of them started smoking in the army. Derivation of pleasure and relaxation (24.9%), allaying anxiety (21.4%) and peer influence (34.1%) were the most frequent reasons for smoking. Skin disorder (75.9%), lung cancer (68.6%), addiction (65.2%) and dental problems (57.5%) were the most commonly reported effects of smoking. Only half (50.3%) of the total respondents believed that these effects of smoking could limit military fitness and performance. Forty five (26.1%) of the smokers had attempted to quit smoking. Majority (92.7%) of all the respondents have never had anti-smoking sensitization while in the army.Conclusion The prevalence of smoking among the respondents was high. In spite of their knowledge its health hazards, the respondents could not relate this to military fitness and combat effectiveness. Also, their knowledge of the adverse effects did not translate to their smokingbehaviour. There is need for continuous anti-smoking programmes to be established by the medical authority in the Nigerian Army to sensitize personnel on the dangers of cigarette smoking

Management and Outcomes Following Surgery for Gastrointestinal Typhoid: An International, Prospective, Multicentre Cohort Study

Background: Gastrointestinal perforation is the most serious complication of typhoid fever, with a high disease burden in low-income countries. Reliable, prospective, contemporary surgical outcome data are scarce in these settings. This study aimed to investigate surgical outcomes following surgery for intestinal typhoid. Methods: Two multicentre, international prospective cohort studies of consecutive patients undergoing surgery for gastrointestinal typhoid perforation were conducted. Outcomes were measured at 30 days and included mortality, surgical site infection, organ space infection and reintervention rate. Multilevel logistic regression models were used to adjust for clinically plausible explanatory variables. Effect estimates are expressed as odds ratios (ORs) alongside their corresponding 95% confidence intervals. Results: A total of 88 patients across the GlobalSurg 1 and GlobalSurg 2 studies were included, from 11 countries. Children comprised 38.6% (34/88) of included patients. Most patients (87/88) had intestinal perforation. The 30-day mortality rate was 9.1% (8/88), which was higher in children (14.7 vs. 5.6%). Surgical site infection was common, at 67.0% (59/88). Organ site infection was common, with 10.2% of patients affected. An ASA grade of III and above was a strong predictor of 30-day post-operative mortality, at the univariable level and following adjustment for explanatory variables (OR 15.82, 95% CI 1.53–163.57, p = 0.021). Conclusions: With high mortality and complication rates, outcomes from surgery for intestinal typhoid remain poor. Future studies in this area should focus on sustainable interventions which can reduce perioperative morbidity. At a policy level, improving these outcomes will require both surgical and public health system advances