Assessment of Cervical Cancer Health Literacy among Female Secondary School Teachers in Anambra State. Nigeria.

Abstract Background: cervical cancer health information equips women with basic knowledge that enables them to take informed decisions to prevent and control infection. Cervical cancer awareness will help curtail the raising trend of cervical cancer disease among Nigerian women. Purpose: the research was carried out to assess the cervical cancer literacy level of female secondary school teachers in Anambra State, Nigeria. Design: it is a descriptive survey of 3,031 female secondary school teachers. Findings: the research outcome shows that the respondent’s cervical cancer health literacy level is low. This is in terms of their knowledge and awareness of the risk factors, signs and symptoms, and preventive and control measures of cervical cancer. Originality/value: this is the first survey of secondary school female teachers’ cervical cancer health literacy in Anambra State. The results may inform appropriate intervention based on reliable data. Keywords: cervical cancer literacy, cervical cancer, health literacy, health information, female teachers, cervical cancer information Paper Type: original research article

PREVALENCE OF OVERWEIGHT AND OBESITY AND ASSESSMENT OF LIPID PROFILE AND FASTING BLOOD GLUCOSE LEVELS AMONG FEMALE PREMEDICAL STUDENTS AT NNAMDI AZIKIWE UNIVERSITY, NNEWI CAMPUS, NIGERIA

Objective: Obesity is a major public health issue and a significant risk factor for metabolic disorders. This prospective study was aimed at evaluating the prevalence of obesity, lipid profiles, and fasting blood glucose (FBG) among female premedical students of NAU, Nnewi Campus, Nigeria.Methods: A total of 320 female premedical students aged 18–35 years were recruited. The participants were classified using Body mass index(BMI) as underweight (35), overweight (104), obese (26), and control (155). FBG and lipids were estimated using enzymatic methods. Obesity was assessed using BMI and waist circumference. Blood pressure (BP) was measured using accoson sphygmomanometer.Results: The study observed 10.9% underweight, 32.5% overweight, and 8.1% obesity. Underweight was higher among participants aged 18–23 years (48.6%), while overweight and obesity were more among participants aged 24–29 years (57.7% and 53.8%). Central obesity was observed in 28.8% of participants. BPs were higher in obese and overweight participants than in other groups. FBG was higher in obese and overweight participants than in other groups. The mean total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC) were significantly higher in obese and overweight participants, while high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC) was significantly lower when compared to their corresponding values in underweight and control participants (p<0.05).Conclusions: The study showed high prevalence of underweight, overweight, and obesity among the study population. The significantly higher levels of TC, LDLC, FBG, and elevated BP with significantly lower HDLC in overweight and obese participants compared to control suggests a possible risk of dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension. The significant correlation between the lipid parameters, FBG, and anthropometric indices suggests high-risk cardiovascular disorders

Assessment of Cervical Cancer Health Literacy among Female Secondary School Teachers in Anambra State. Nigeria.

Abstract Background: cervical cancer health information equips women with basic knowledge that enables them to take informed decisions to prevent and control infection. Cervical cancer awareness will help curtail the raising trend of cervical cancer disease among Nigerian women. Purpose: the research was carried out to assess the cervical cancer literacy level of female secondary school teachers in Anambra State, Nigeria. Design: it is a descriptive survey of 3,031 female secondary school teachers. Findings: the research outcome shows that the respondent’s cervical cancer health literacy level is low. This is in terms of their knowledge and awareness of the risk factors, signs and symptoms, and preventive and control measures of cervical cancer. Originality/value: this is the first survey of secondary school female teachers’ cervical cancer health literacy in Anambra State. The results may inform appropriate intervention based on reliable data. Keywords: cervical cancer literacy, cervical cancer, health literacy, health information, female teachers, cervical cancer information Paper Type: original research article

The Association of Socio-demographics of Female Secondary School Teachers with their Cervical Cancer Health Literacy in Nigeria.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine whether there is an associated effect between the socio-demographic characteristics and the cervical cancer health literacy levels of female secondary school teachers in Anambra State. Design: it is a descriptive survey of 3,031 female secondary school teachers using a self – administered questionnaire. Analysis was done with descriptive statistical methods and Chi-square tests. Results: Six socio-demographic factors were studied using properly filled and returned copies of the questionnaire from 2,186 teachers. Cervical cancer health literacy was seen to have associations with age, years of teaching experience, educational qualification and number of children the respondents have. For marital status and family history of cervical cancer, no significant association was indicated. Conclusion: Certain socio-demographic factors have associations with health literacy, while others do not. This established clearer view will aid health stakeholders in intervention measures for mitigating cervical cancer rising menace in Nigeria. Originality/value: This paper adds to the extremely scanty literature on the relationship between socio-demographic characteristics of female teachers and their cervical cancer literacy in Nigeria. It is to provide government and other stakeholders with information for appropriate cervical cancer intervention targeting the female population. Paper type: Original empirical research article. Keywords: health information, health literacy, cervical cancer literacy, female teachers’ cervical cancer literacy, socio-demographics and cervical cancer literacy, cervical cancer information

The Association of Socio-demographics of Female Secondary School Teachers with their Cervical Cancer Health Literacy in Nigeria.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine whether there is an associated effect between the socio-demographic characteristics and the cervical cancer health literacy levels of female secondary school teachers in Anambra State. Design: it is a descriptive survey of 3,031 female secondary school teachers using a self – administered questionnaire. Analysis was done with descriptive statistical methods and Chi-square tests. Results: Six socio-demographic factors were studied using properly filled and returned copies of the questionnaire from 2,186 teachers. Cervical cancer health literacy was seen to have associations with age, years of teaching experience, educational qualification and number of children the respondents have. For marital status and family history of cervical cancer, no significant association was indicated. Conclusion: Certain socio-demographic factors have associations with health literacy, while others do not. This established clearer view will aid health stakeholders in intervention measures for mitigating cervical cancer rising menace in Nigeria. Originality/value: This paper adds to the extremely scanty literature on the relationship between socio-demographic characteristics of female teachers and their cervical cancer literacy in Nigeria. It is to provide government and other stakeholders with information for appropriate cervical cancer intervention targeting the female population. Paper type: Original empirical research article. Keywords: health information, health literacy, cervical cancer literacy, female teachers’ cervical cancer literacy, socio-demographics and cervical cancer literacy, cervical cancer information

Impact of thyroid function abnormalities on reproductive hormones during menstrual cycle in premenopausal HIV infected females at NAUTH, Nnewi, Nigeria

<div><p>Background</p><p>This was a prospective study designed to evaluate the impact of thyroid function abnormalities on reproductive hormones during menstrual cycle in HIV infected females at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital Nnewi, South-East Nigeria.</p><p>Methods</p><p>The study randomly recruited 35 Symptomatic HIV infected females and 35 Symptomatic HIV infected females on antiretroviral therapy (HAART) for not less than six weeks from an HIV clinic and 40 apparently heathy control females among the hospital staff of NAUTH Nnewi. They were all premenopausal females with regular menstrual cycle and aged between 15–45 years. Blood samples were collected at follicular and luteal phases of their menstrual cycle for assay of Thyroid indices (FT3, FT4 and TSH) and Reproductive indices (FSH, LH, Estrogen, Progesterone, Prolactin and Testosterone) using ELISA method.</p><p>Results</p><p>The result showed significantly higher FSH and LH but significantly lower progesterone (prog) and estrogen (E2) in the test females compared to control females at both phases of menstrual cycle (P<0.05). There was significantly lower FT3 but significantly higher TSH value in Symptomatic HIV females (P<0.05). FSH, LH and TSH values were significantly lowered while prog and FT3 were significantly higher in Symptomatic HIV on ART compared to Symptomatic HIV females (P<0.05). FT3, FT4, Prog and E2 were inversely correlated while FSH and LH were positively correlated with duration of HIV infection in HIV females (P<0.05 respectively). There was a direct correlation between CD4+ count and FT3 while inverse correlation was found between CD4+ count and TSH levels (P<0.05).</p><p>Discussion</p><p>The present study demonstrated hypothyroidism with a significant degree of primary hypogonadism in Symptomatic HIV infected females at both follicular and luteal phases of menstrual cycle which tends to normalize on treatments.</p></div

Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models.

<p>Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models.</p

Comparison of mean (±SD) serum levels of progesterone and estradiol in test groups and control group at follicular and luteal phases of menstrual cycle.

<p>Key- Progesterone in all Test groups vs Control (C) = P<0.05 at both phases. Estradiol in all test groups vs control (C) = P<0.05 at follicular and luteal phases of menstrual cycle.</p

Correlation between thyroid function tests and CD4+ count.

<p>Correlation between thyroid function tests and CD4+ count.</p