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

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

Tuberculosis Prevalence- A Contemporary Public Health Challenge and the Instituted Barriers in Presbyterian Joint Hospital Uburu, Ohaozara L. G. A. Ebonyi State, Nigeria

A prevalence study is crucial in assessing the extent of occurrence with regard to an outbreak of a disease. High prevalence of tuberculosis (TB) has been reported in Nigeria. The study aimed at investigating the prevalence of tuberculosis reported cases from 2009-2013 and tuberculosis instituted barriers in Presbyterian Joint Hospital Uburu (PJHU) in Ohaozara Local Government Area, Ebonyi State of Nigeria. Ex-post-facto research design was used for the study. The study population consisted of 675 tuberculosis reported cases from 2009-2013 in PJHU. The same number (675) was the sample size for the study. Data were collected using the researcher’s Template which was filled with information from the hospital’s records. The template consisted of four items viz: year case was reported, number of cases, gender and TB instituted barriers in PJHU. Analysis of the data showed that the prevalence of tuberculosis reported cases in 2009 was 196 (29.0%), 152 (22.5%), in 2010; 138 (20.4%) in 2011; 110 (16.3%) in 2012 and 79 (11.7%) in 2013. The results showed that the highest prevalence rate 29.0% was recorded in 2009 while the lowest prevalence rate of 11.7% was recorded in 2013. Tuberculosis instituted barriers in PJHU included isolation, safe disposal of sputum, personal hygiene and others as presented in Table 2. The Chi-square analysis of no significant difference in the prevalence of tuberculosis by gender was accepted (X2 Cal 2.376 < X2 Tab.3.841, df 1, P= .05). From the findings of the study males were found to be as susceptible to tuberculosis as females. It was recommended among others that teaching of tuberculosis control practices by health workers should be integrated into a wider scheme for health care education and family planning services as well as establishing Directly Observed Home Treatment Short Course (DOHTS) in order to take TB services to the door steps of TB patients. Keywords: Tuberculosis, Prevalence, Control practices, and gender

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