Challenges of Paper-Based Reporting and Willingness of Primary Health Care Workers to the Use of Electronic Immunisation Registry in Kaduna State, Nigeria

This study assessed challenges of paper based reporting and willingness of Primary Health Care workers to use Electronic Immunisation Registry (EIR) in Kaduna State, Nigeria. Qualitative approach of In-Depth-Interview (IDI) was employed to obtain information from 50 Officers-In-Charge of PHCs on (i) Time and effort required in reporting paper-based RI data (time spent in completion of RI reporting tools, travel time to LGAs monthly for submission of RI data/report, and waiting time in LGA). (ii) Cost of reporting (stationery cost and transportation cost) and (iii) Security and Storage issues (iv) willingness to be trained and use of EIR for RI data reporting.  This study shows that PHCs spend a mean time of 67.7 minutes for the completion of RI data reporting tools, 104.7 minutes for travel to LGA headquaters for monthly submission of reports and 36.5 minutes as waiting time at LGA headquaters. They also spend a mean amount of ₦1,500.50K on stationery and ₦1,340.50K on transportation to the LGA headquaters monthly. In addition, paper-based RI data lacks adequate security and storage. Moreover, PHC workers expressed their willingness to be trained on the use of EIR.  In view of the challenges of paper-based reporting systems and willingness of PHC workers to use EIRs as shown in the study, there is a need for the implementation of EIR for efficient RI data reporting. Keywords: Paper-based reporting, Routine Immunisation data, PHC workers, willingness to use EIR, Kaduna State. DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/11-12-01 Publication date:June 30th 202

“If I use pad, I feel comfortable and safe”: a mixed-method analysis of knowledge, attitude, and practice of menstrual hygiene management among in-school adolescent girls in a Nigerian city

Background Adolescence is a pivotal stage in human development that presents unique challenges, especially for girls navigating the complexities of menstruation. Despite the importance of menstrual hygiene management for adolescent girls’ well-being, this vital aspect of personal health is often overlooked, particularly in regions where cultural stigma prevails. This study examines knowledge, attitude, and practice of menstrual hygiene management among in-school adolescent girls in Abuja, Nigeria. Methods The study employed a cross-sectional mixed-method design, integrating quantitative surveys with focus group discussions. A survey was conducted among 420 adolescent girls across four government junior secondary schools through a multistage sampling technique. Also, Focus Group Discussions were conducted among 80 respondents in groups of 10 discussants. The quantitative data set was subjected to descriptive and inferential statistical analysis, while the qualitative data were analysed using content analysis. Results Findings revealed that the majority (53.45%) of the respondents had good knowledge of menstruation and menstrual hygiene management. Junior Secondary School (JSS) 3 students [OR = 2,09; 95% CI = 1.24–3.52] and those who started menstruation at age 15 years and above [OR = 7.52; 95% CI = 1.43–39.49] were associated with increased odds of having good knowledge of menstrual hygiene management. The attitude of most respondents (70.08%) towards menstrual hygiene management was good. Those in the JSS 3 class [OR = 6.47; 95% CI = 3.34–12.54], respondents who are Muslim [OR = 2.29; 95% CI = 1.63–5.48], and those whose parents had tertiary education [OR = 3.58; 95% CI = 1.25–10.25] were more likely to demonstrate more positive attitudes compared to their counterparts whose parents do not have tertiary education. In relation to practice, about 3 in 5 (57.80%) reportedly practise good menstrual hygiene management. Respondents who practice traditional religion [OR = 0.33; 95% CI = 0.02–4.56] were less likely to practise good menstrual hygiene management, while respondents who are the third child of their parents [OR = 2.09; 95% CI = 1.04–4.23] were more likely to practise menstrual hygiene compared to respondents with other birth orders. Qualitative results showed that participants had good knowledge of menstruation and menstrual hygiene management, and mothers were the main source of menstruation-related information. Participants had mixed feelings and reactions during their first menstruation, with 3 in 5 participants reporting experiencing menstruation-related stigma restrictions when menstruating. Conclusions In-school adolescent girls in Abuja, Nigeria, have good menstruation-related knowledge and positive attitudes, as well as practise menstrual hygiene management. Students’ class and age at first menstruation were major factors associated with good knowledge of menstruation and menstrual hygiene management; respondents’ class, religion and parents’ educational qualification were associated with a positive attitude, while respondents’ religion and parity line were associated with menstrual hygiene practice. Future interventions should focus on conducting school and community-level awareness programs to increase knowledge and dispel myths and misconceptions about menstruation and menstrual hygiene management

Examining Psychosocial Factors and Community Mitigation Practices to Limit the Spread of COVID-19: Evidence from Nigeria

We examine the psychosocial factors influencing community adoption of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPI) to limit the spread of COVID-19. Using data from 990 respondents in communities across Nigeria, we examine the correlation of health behaviors and socioeconomic indicators. We conduct logistic regression to estimate the relationship between mask wearing as a health-seeking NPI with demographic and socioeconomic variables. We estimate separate models in the sensitivity robustness checks with other NPIs and control for differences across sex, age, education, number in household, and the presence of a student in the respondent’s household. A crucial finding is that health-seeking NPI behaviors are statistically significantly affected in different ways by the menu of socioeconomic indicators. The control for age, sex, education, and household size indicates that there is intersectionality of how these factors influence specific mitigation practices. We find that women are more likely to engage in mask wearing, hand washing, and use of hand sanitizers and tissues than men, and the provision of palliatives and access to family supplies significantly enhances community mitigation. Palliatives and access to family supplies enhance most health-seeking behaviors. The implication for pandemic mitigation policy is that minimizing incidence rates requires having responsive initiatives such as information updates on pandemic progression