Malaria Preventive Practices among Pregnant Women in Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Malaria remains a global health challenge especially in sub-Sahara Africa where the most dangerous species thrive. It is a popular belief that the best way of halting the spread of any communicable disease is to adopt health preventive practices. A cross-sectional survey was carried out to determined malaria preventive practices among pregnant women in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Stratified sampling technique was used in selecting 504 pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in 12 hospitals in the state. A face validated, self constructed questionnaire which was subjected to a reliability test using Cronbach Alpha method yielded a reliability value of 0.91. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics of mean and inferential statistics of T-test and ANOVA. Results showed that pregnant women often (  = 1.70-3.05) adopted most of the malaria preventive practices. There was a significant difference in 9 out of 11 malaria preventive practices adpted by women who reside in urban and rural areas in favour of women who reside in the urban areas. Level of education significantly affected malaria preventive practices in favour of women with post secondary education. Intervention efforts should focus on rural pregnant women and formulated to accommodate the less educated members of this group. Keywords: Malaria, Preventive practices, Pregnant women, Ebonyi State, Nigeri

KNOWLEDGE OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY WITH BLOOD PRESSURE DISTRIBUTION AND DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS AMONG SECONDARY SCHOOL ADOLESCENTS IN EBONYI STATE, NIGERIA

This study determined the knowledge of physical activity on blood pressure distribution among Secondary School Students in Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State. A cross-sectional survey was employed for this study. Five research questions and 5 hypotheses guided the study. The instrument used for the study was validated by three experienced lecturers. The population for this study consisted of all secondary students in the area. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 264 senior secondary students from 6 schools as they were properly guided on the complete filing and return of the questionnaires titled, Physical Activity and Blood Pressure Questionnaire, (PABPQ). The reliability coefficient value obtained was r=0.763. Two hundred and sixty-four questionnaires were administered and had a return rate of 95%. Data obtained were analyzed using frequency and percentages to answer research questions and chi-square to test research hypotheses at .05 alpha levels. The findings of the study showed a high level of knowledge of physical activity on blood pressure among respondents. Also, knowledge of physical activity on blood pressure distribution based on class, age and gender of the students were indicated to be high. Based on the findings, it was thus recommended amongst others that there should be the inclusion of the practical aspect of physical activity into the school system, as more suitable physical activities should be taught at all levels of learning. Nevertheless, there is a need to put into practice this knowledge gained for optimal and healthy living.  Article visualizations

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic in Nigeria: Preventive and Control Challenges within the First Two Months of Outbreak

The spread of the novel Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has continued to rise in Nigeria despite all scientifically proven preventive measures. Factors militating against preventive and control efforts are yet to be addressed thus the study examined COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria within the first two months of outbreak and its preventive and control challenges. Data from the daily updates of Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) were graphically used to describe the trend of spread while facts from both verified online and print media reports on COVID-19 were used to assess the challenges. Outcome of the study showed a steady increase in COVID-19 from one case on the 27thof February 2020 to 1,932 confirmed cases, 58 fatalities, and 319 discharged cases by 30th April 2020. COVID-19 preventive measures in the country include hand washing, use of sanitizers, wearing of face masks, lockdown and social distancing. Factors which undermined government preventive efforts were poor compliance attitude, selective lockdown, social media interference, misconceptions and myths, stigmatization, fear, inadequat e health facilities, and distrust for government. It is recommended among others that there is need to ameliorate the adverse effects of COVID-19 misconceptions and myths through evidence-based campaigns using all sources of information. Keywords: COVID-19, Prevention and Control, Nigeria, Challenge   La propagation de la nouvelle maladie à coronavirus (COVID-19) a continué d'augmenter au Nigéria malgré toutes les mesures préventives scientifiquement prouvées. Les facteurs qui militent contre les efforts de prévention et de contrôle doivent encore être abordés. L'étude a donc examiné la pandémie de COVID-19 au Nigéria au cours des deux premiers mois de l'épidémie et ses défis en matière de prévention et de contrôle. Les données des mises à jour quotidiennes du Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC) ont été utilisées graphiquement pour décrire la tendance de la propagation, tandis que les faits des rapports vérifiés des médias en ligne et imprimés sur le COVID-19 ont été utilisés pour évaluer les défis. Les résultats de l'étude ont montré une augmentation constante du COVID-19 d'un cas le 27 février 2020 à 1 932 cas confirmés, 58 décès et 319 cas libérés au 30 avril 2020. Les mesures préventives du COVID-19 dans le pays comprennent le lavage des mains, utilisation de désinfectants, port demasques faciaux,  Verrouillage et éloignement social. Les facteurs qui ont sapé les efforts de prévention du gouvernement étaient la mauvaise attitude de conformité, le verrouillage sélectif, l'ingérence des médias sociaux, les idées fausses et les mythes, la stigmatisation, la peur, les établissements de santé inadéquats et la méfiance à l'égard du gouvernement. Il est recommandé, entre autres, qu'il soit nécessaire d'améliorer les effets néfastes des idées fausses et des mythes sur le COVID-19 grâce à des campagnes fondées sur des preuves utilisant toutes les sources d'information. Mots-clés: COVID-19, Prévention et Contrôle, Nigéria, Défi &nbsp

Maternal characteristics as predictors of immunization status of under-five in Ebonyi State of Nigeria. A community based cross-sectional study

Background: : Childhood immunization with the interacting factors has been a significant public health challenge especially in the sub-Saharan Africa. Nigeria has been presented as one the countries with the worst under-five mortality rates, and factors affecting childhood immunization are poorly understood. This study determined the influence of maternal characteristics as a predictor of immunization status of under-five in Ebonyi State of Nigeria.Subjects and Method: The design in this study is cross-sectional survey. The population of the study was 572,955 under-five children in Ebonyi State from which 2865 was sampled. Data were analyzed using percentages and chi-square.Results: The results revealed that 83.01% of under-5 children were fully immunized, suggesting a high immunization status in Ebonyi State. The chi-square analysis shows a significant influence of mothers’ age (p < 0.05), mothers’ location of residence (p < 0.05), mothers’ educational level (p < 0.05) and immunization status of under-five children.Conclusion: It was concluded that immunization status of under-five children in Ebonyi State was high and maternal characteristics had significant influence on immunization status of under-five children. Thus, it was reco­mmended among others, that government at all levels should provide tangible incentives to mothers who fully immunized their children and promulgate a law to prevent children without immunization cards, also compel mothers, teachers to show full immunization of under-five children by registering in public and private primary schools. Keywords: maternal characteristics, immunization status, under-five childrenCorrespondence: Christian Okechukwu Aleke, Department of Human Kinetics and Health Education, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Nigeria. Tel: 234-703-085-6506. E-mail: [email protected]. [email protected] of Maternal and Child Health (2022), 07(03): 294-306https://doi.org/10.26911/thejmch.2022.07.03.06