Substance abuse among students in selected secondary schools of an urban community of Oyo-state, South West Nigeria: implication for policy action

Background: Substance abuse among youths is fast becoming a global Public Health concern.Objectives: This study assessed the prevalence and factors associated with substance abuse in selected public schools in Ogbomoso, South-West Nigeria.Methods: Cross-sectional study design and multi-stage sampling method were utilized among 249 study participants who gave informed consent/assent. Data were collected using facilitated, self-administered questionnaire.Descriptive and inferential statistics using the Chi-Square test were carried out at p<0.05.Results: The mean age of our respondents was 16.3±2SD; 40.0% of them had positive attitude to substance abuse while 21.7% had ever consumed alcoholic drinks. In all, 31(26.3%) of the respondents satisfied the criteria used in defining substance abuse.Tramadol was the most commonly abused substance apart from alcohol; reported by 39.0% of the substance abusers. Most (35.5%) of the substance abusers did so believing it could enhance their academic performance. The proportion of respondents who were substance abusers was significantly higher among students who had not received any formal lectures on the subject at school compared to those who had.(47.5% vs 29.7% ;p=0.023).Conclusion: Our findings underscore an urgent need to intensify awareness against substance abuse among secondary school students in Nigeria.Keywords: Substance abuse, youth, adolescents, attitude, secondary schools, Nigeria

Substance abuse among students in selected secondary schools of an urban community of Oyo-state, South West Nigeria: implication for policy action

Background: Substance abuse among youths is fast becoming a global Public Health concern. Objectives: This study assessed the prevalence and factors associated with substance abuse in selected public schools in Ogbomoso, South-West Nigeria. Methods: Cross-sectional study design and multi-stage sampling method were utilized among 249 study participants who gave informed consent/assent. Data were collected using facilitated, self-administered questionnaire.Descriptive and inferential statistics using the Chi-Square test were carried out at p<0.05. Results: The mean age of our respondents was 16.3\ub12SD; 40.0% of them had positive attitude to substance abuse while 21.7% had ever consumed alcoholic drinks. In all, 31(26.3%) of the respondents satisfied the criteria used in defining substance abuse. Tramadol was the most commonly abused substance apart from alcohol; reported by 39.0% of the substance abusers. Most (35.5%) of the substance abusers did so believing it could enhance their academic performance. The proportion of respondents who were substance abusers was significantly higher among students who had not received any formal lectures on the subject at school compared to those who had.(47.5% vs 29.7% ;p=0.023). Conclusion: Our findings underscore an urgent need to intensify awareness against substance abuse among secondary school students in Nigeria

Assessment of knowledge, attitude and practice about menstruation and menstrual hygiene among secondary high school girls in Ogbomoso, Oyo state, Nigeria

Background: Menstruation has more profound effect on quality of education than other aspect of puberty because it involves a learning component as well as elements affected by the school environment and infrastructure. It is, therefore, imperative to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice of Secondary School girls in Ogbomoso on the subject of menstruation and menstrual hygiene.Methods: It was a cross-sectional study carried out between June and August 2016. A total of 447 eligible female adolescent secondary school students were selected by multistage sampling technique. A semi-structured facilitated self- administered questionnaire was used.Results: Majority (96.4%) of the adolescents have heard about menstruation before menarche while 55.9% had good knowledge of menstruation and menstrual hygiene. Despite the high level of knowledge, about 64% of the respondents describe their response to their first menses as scary, discomforting or emotionally disturbing. Also, only 25% of the respondents had good menstrual hygiene practice. Factors that were significantly associated with good knowledge of menstruation and menstrual hygiene in this study were older adolescent age (15-19 years) (χ2=47.68, P<0.0001); adolescents whose mothers have greater than secondary school education (χ2=42.52, P<0.0001); and those living with their parents (χ2=123.9 ,P=0.001)  while only living with parents significantly influenced good practices.Conclusions: The study concluded that majority of the adolescents do not observe good hygienic practice during menstruation despite relatively good knowledge of menstruation and menstrual hygiene. Efforts have to be put into ensuring that adolescents are well educated on the meaning of menstruation, the importance of good hygienic practice both in schools and at home.

Pattern of utilization of ante-natal and delivery services in a semi-urban community of North-Central Nigeria.

Background: Nigeria accounts for only 2% of the world\u2019s population, but contributes up to 10 % of the global estimates of maternal deaths. The study assesses the utilization of antenatal and delivery services by women of reproductive age in Afon community. Methodology: It was a descriptive cross-sectional study that collected both quantitative and qualitative data using semi-structured interviewer administered questionnaire and focus group discussions (FGD). Interviews were house-hold based. FGD had two homogenous groups. Data was analysed using Epi-info version 3.5.1 software package. Level of statistical significance was set at p &lt;0.05. Results: There was a high level of utilization of antenatal/delivery services in the community. Barriers to utilization of ANC/ delivery services include lack of money, distance from health facility, long waiting time, poor attitude of health workers and no permission from husbands. Level of education and employment status were significantly associated with utilization of ANC/ delivery services. Conclusion: Girl- child education and women empowerment are required to improve utilization of services. Ante-natal care providers need to be trained to improve quality of care in the discharge of their duties

Birth Preparedness and Complication Readiness among Women Attending Antenatal Clinics in Ogbomoso, South West, Nigeria

Background: Information on factors associated with birth preparedness and complication readiness (BP/CR) is central in designing cost effective programs for reducing maternal deaths among women. This study assessed factors influencing BP/CR among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in Ogbomoso, South West Nigeria. Methodology: This is a cross-sectional study conducted between January and April, 2015. Systematic sampling technique was employed to recruit 400 women attending antenatal clinic at Bowen University Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, Nigeria. A pre-tested questionnaire was used for data collection and data analysis was done using SPSS version 21. Chi-square test was used for bivariate analysis while binary logistic regression was used for multivariate analysis. Statistical significance was set at p <0.05. Results: More than half (51.3%) of our respondents were in the 30-39 age category. Only 40.3% of these respondents were reported well prepared for births and were complication ready. The proportion of women who had BP/CR was significantly higher among those in the middle socio-economic group (51.6%, p<0.05), those who practiced Christianity (76.4%, p<0.05) and those from Yoruba ethnic group (80.1%, p<0.05). Respondents in lower socio-economic group were 42% less likely to have prepared for birth compared to women in the high socio-economic class (OR: 0.58, 95% CI: 0.34-0.99). Conclusion and Global Health Implications: The proportion of Nigerian women in our sample who were well-prepared for birth and its complication was below average. There is need for more awareness programs on BP/CR; such programs should target all women especially the vulnerable grou