The road map as the regional strategy for accelerating the reduction of maternal and newborn morbidity and mortality in Africa

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Teachers’ Perception of Factors Influencing Internet Use in English Language Classroom in Nigeria

The study investigated teachers’ perceptions of factors influencing internet use in the English Language Classroom. The study adopted descriptive research design. Teachers perceived that lack of internet facilities, language laboratory, teachers’ reluctance to adapt to internet use, low morale of English language teachers, absence of modern software, overcrowded classrooms and poor interest influence the use of internet in English language classroom. The study also found no significant relationship between gender and teachers’ perception of factors influencing internet use in English language teaching; teachers’ qualification has no effect on their perception of factors influencing internet use in English language; no significant relationship exists between the teachers’ experience and their perception of factors influencing internet use in English language teaching. It is therefore recommended that government should endeavour to provide internet facilities in all the senior secondary schools including rural and urban areas for effective teaching and learning English.Keywords: Teachers, Perception, Factors, internet use, Classroo

Teachersa Qualification And Subject Mastery As Predictors Of Achievement In English Language In Ibarapapa Division Of Oyo State

The study investigated the extent to which teachers qualification and subject mastery could predict students achievement in English language among senior secondary students in Ibarapa Division of Oyo state The study adopted a descriptive research design of survey type to provide answers to four research questions The study covered twenty 20 senior secondary schools randomly sampled In each of the schools a total number of fifty 50 senior secondary II students were selected to participate in the study making a total of one thousand 1000 S S II students in all All the S S II English language teachers in the selected schools also participated in the study Subject Mastery r 74 Questionnaire and English Language Achievement Test r 72 were used in data collection Data collected were analyzed using frequency counts and simple percentage Multiple regression analysis was also used for data analysis All research questions were answered at 0 05 level of significance The findings of this study showed that Teachers teaching qualification has a significant relative contribution to students academic achievement in English language 0 192 t 5 756 P 0 05 Teachers knowledge of subject mastery has significant relative contribution to academic achievement of students in English language 0 116 t 4 923 p 0 05 The joint contributions of teachers qualification and teachers subject mastery to student s achievement in English is significant F 1 1252 10 105 P 0 05 The two variables in this study Teachers teaching qualification 0 192 t 5 756 P 0 05 and teachers subject mastery 0 116 t 4 923 p 0 05 can predict student academic achievement in English language Based on these findings it is recommended that Government should organize seminars workshops to foster teachers mastery of the subject Government should also make sure that teachers employed possess the necessary teaching qu

Do diabetes-specialty clinics differ in management approach and outcome? A cross-sectional assessment of ambulatory type 2 diabetes patients in two teaching hospitals in Nigeria

Objectives: To evaluate management approach and outcome in two endocrinologist-managed clinics using data on treatment adherence, diabetes specific parameters, prescribed medications and self-management practices among ambulatory type 2 diabetes patients. Opinion on cause(s) and perceived fear about diabetes were also explored.Design: A cross-sectional prospective study using semi-structured interview among consented patients for eightweek, and a review of participants’ case notes at 3-month post-interactive contact for details of diabetes-specific parameters and antidiabetes medicationsSettings: The University College Hospital (UCH) and Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex (OAUTHC) in southwestern Nigeria.Participants: Adult patients with type 2 diabetes, on therapies for >3-month and who had average fasting blood glucose (FBG)>6.0mmol/L were enrolled. All patients with type 1 diabetes, and type 2 diabetes who decline participation were excluded. Out of 185 participants who were approached, 176(95.1%) consented and completed the study including 113(64.2%) from UCH and 63(35.8%) in OAUTHC.Results: Mean FBG for patients were 9.6mmol/L in UCH and 11.0mmol/L in OAUTHC (p=0.03). Medication adherence among patients was 47(46.5%) in UCH and 31(52.5%) in OAUTHC (p=0.46). Prescribed antidiabetes medications between the clinics significantly differ. Practice of self-monitoring of blood glucose among participants was 26(23.0%) in UCH and 13(20.6%) in OAUTHC (p=0.72). Thirty two participants (29.4%) in UCH and 33(43.4%) from OAUTHC (p=0.02) mentioned complications as perceived fear about type 2 diabetes.Conclusion: There are differences and similarities between the diabetes-specialty clinics with respect to diabetes management and outcome. This underscores the necessity for a protocol-driven treatment approach in ensuring improved diabetes care and outcome.Funding: None declaredKeywords: Ambulatory care, Diabetes-specialty clinic, Management approach, Type 2 diabete

Writing anxiety: an affective filter for essay writing instruction among ESL students in Ibadan

This study which adopted the descriptive research design investigated the relationship between writing anxiety and students’ achievement in essay writing. SS2 Students from six schools in Ibadan Metropolis were used for the study. The instruments used were Essay Writing Achievement Test(r=0.81) and Writing Anxiety Questionnaire(r=0.86). Data collected were analysed using Pearson Product Moment Correlation at 0.05 level of significance. Findings revealed a negative significant relationship between writing anxiety and students’ achievement in essay writing. This implies that the higher the writing anxiety, the lower the achievement in essay writing. It was therefore recommended among others that the teaching and learning of essay writing in classroom should be devoid of unnecessary tension and stress so as not to heighten students’ anxiety in essay writing. Also, English language teachers should devise any means of reducing writing anxiety among students so they can write better essays

Evaluation of prescription pattern and patients’ opinion on healthcare practices in selected primary healthcare facilities in Ibadan, South-Western Nigeria

Background: Inappropriate prescribing negatively impacts on health and economy of individual and the society.Objectives: To evaluate the prescribing patterns and patients’ opinions on healthcare practices in selected primary healthcare centres (PHC) in Ibadan, South-Western Nigeria.Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study was carried out among patients and healthcare workers in selected PHCs using semi-structured questionnaires. Also, patients’ prescription records were reviewed using the WHO-prescribing indicators.Results: About one-half (210; 52.5%) were very satisfied with convenience of obtaining prescribed medicines in the PHCs, accessibility of PHC to abode (158;39.5%) and affordable medications (136;34.0%). Patients were dissatisfied with follow-up of care (191; 47.8%), courtesy of workers (184; 46.3%) and non-availability of medicines (138;34.5%). Number of drugs per encounter was 5.8±2.3 and % encounter with an antibiotic was >26.8% in each facility. Hematinics accounted for (814; 35.0%), analgesics (544; 23.4%), antimicrobials (303;13.0%) and antihypertensives (5; 0.2%).Conclusion: Primary healthcare attendees were satisfied with medication costs affordability and accessibility of PHC to abode but expressed dissatisfaction with follow-up of care and courtesy of workers. Also, inappropriate prescriptions characterized by polypharmacy and overuse of antibiotics were common underscoring the need for regular training of PHC workers on rational drug use and instituting appropriate measures for improvement.Keywords: Primary healthcare, healthcare workers, prescribing pattern

Social Support, Treatment Adherence and Outcome among Hypertensive and Type 2 Diabetes Patients in Ambulatory Care Settings in southwestern Nigeria

Objectives: To evaluate available and desired sources and types of social-support among hypertensive and type-2- diabetes (T2D) patients. Associations of medication adherence and clinical outcome with access to most available social-support and medicine affordability were subsequently investigated.Design: Cross-sectional questionnaire-guided interview among 250-hypertensive and 200-T2D patients, and review of medical records to retrieve disease-specific clinical parameters.Settings: University College Hospital and Ring-Road State Hospital, Ibadan, southwestern Nigeria.Participants: Adults out-patients with hypertension, T2D, and T2D comorbid with hypertension were enrolled, while in-patients were excluded.Results: Family source of support was the most available [hypertensive (225; 90.0%); T2D (174; 87.0%)], but government and non-governmental organisation support were largely desired, with financial support preferred, 233(93.2%) hypertensive and 190(95.0%) T2D, respectively. Adherent hypertensive patients with or without access to family support were (127; 56.4%) versus (18; 72.0%), p=0.135; while for T2D were (103; 59.2%) versus (21;80.8%), p=0.035. Mean systolic blood pressure of hypertensive and fasting plasma glucose of T2D with access to family and financial support were better than their counterparts without access (p>0.05). Hypertensive (110; 76.4%) and T2D (87; 87.0%) participants who consistently afford medicine expenses had significantly better adherence and outcome (p<0.05).Conclusions: Family source of support is the most accessible, but government and non-governmental organisation support were largely desired. Access to family support did not positively influence medication adherence, while access to financial support marginally impacted on outcome among hypertensive and T2D patients. However, unwaveringtendency for therapy affordability significantly influenced adherence and outcome, thus, the need for expanded social-support system in order to consistently ensure improved outcome.Funding: None declaredKeywords: Social support system, Type 2 diabetes, Hypertension, Treatment adherence and outcome, Out-patient

Medication use in pregnancy: A cross-sectional assessment of pregnant women at antenatal clinic of Adeoyo Maternity Teaching Hospital, Ibadan, southwestern Nigeria

Background: Medication use in pregnancy is a major public health concern requiring regular and ongoing awareness among healthcare providers and the pregnant  populace.Objectives: To evaluate opinion of pregnant women on medication use and  associated risks in pregnancy with a view to identify areas of focus to improve counseling and outcome.Method: A cross-sectional questionnaire-guided interview among 150 pregnant women in Adeoyo Maternity Teaching Hospital, Ibadan, southwestern Nigeria. Information on socio-demographic characteristics and opinion on medicine use during pregnancy was obtained. Total sampling of consented pregnant women was done. Descriptive statistics was used to summarize data. Ranked variables were evaluated using Kruskal-Wallis test at p<0.05.Results: Majority (96; 64.0%) were within the age of 20-30years and 88 (58.7%) had tertiary education. A substantial number (71; 49.7%) were in the third  trimester, 101 (76.8%) liked to take medicine during pregnancy. Of these, 48 (47.5%) preferred taking only the prescribed medicines, 36 (35.6%) multivitamins, 10 (9.9%) spiritual oil/water and 7 (6.9%) preferred to take herbal medicines. Paracetamol (64; 17.8%) was the only analgesic reported by participants. One hundred and thirty-three (88.7%) were aware that unprescribed medicine can cause harm to the foetus.Conclusion: A substantial proportion of pregnant women liked using medicine during pregnancy especially if it is prescribed, and majority were aware that medicine can cause harmful effects to the foetus. However, there is need for continuous and  ongoing counseling of pregnant women on rational use of medicine, emphasizing the consequences of unguided use of medicines including herbal supplements during pregnancy.Keywords: Medicine use, Pregnant women, Antenatal care, Nigeri

Attitude and use of herbal medicines among pregnant women in Nigeria

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The use of herbal medicines among pregnant women in Nigeria has not been widely studied.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Opinion of 595 pregnant women in three geopolitical zones in Nigeria on the use of herbal medicines, safety on usage, knowledge of potential effects of herbal remedies on the fetus and potential benefits or harms that may be derived from combining herbal remedies with conventional therapies were obtained using a structured questionnaire between September 2007 and March 2008. Descriptive statistics and Fisher's exact tests were used at 95% confidence level to evaluate the data obtained. Level of significance was set at p < 0.05.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>More than two-third of respondents [67.5%] had used herbal medicines in crude forms or as pharmaceutical prepackaged dosage forms, with 74.3% preferring self-prepared formulations. Almost 30% who were using herbal medicine at the time of the study believed that the use of herbal medicines during pregnancy is safe. Respondents' reasons for taking herbal medications were varied and included reasons such as herbs having better efficacy than conventional medicines [22.4%], herbs being natural, are safer to use during pregnancy than conventional medicines [21.1%], low efficacy of conventional medicines [19.7%], easier access to herbal medicines [11.2%], traditional and cultural belief in herbal medicines to cure many illnesses [12.5%], and comparatively low cost of herbal medicines [5.9%].</p> <p>Over half the respondents, 56.6% did not support combining herbal medicines with conventional drugs to forestall drug-herb interaction. About 33.4% respondents believed herbal medicines possess no adverse effects while 181 [30.4%] were of the opinion that adverse/side effects of some herbal medicines could be dangerous. Marital status, geopolitical zones, and educational qualification of respondents had statistically significant effects on respondents views on side effects of herbal medicines [p < 0.05)] while only geopolitical zones and educational qualifications seemed to have influence on respondents' opinion on the harmful effects of herbal medicines to the fetus [p < 0.05].</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The study emphasized the wide spread use of herbal medicines by pregnant women in Nigeria highlighting an urgent need for health care practitioners and other health care givers to be aware of this practice and make efforts in obtaining information about herb use during ante-natal care. This will help forestall possible interaction between herbal and conventional medicines.</p