Knowledge and attitude of men towards risk factors influencing maternal mortality in magume community, Zaria

Most studies related to maternal mortality have focused mainly on direct clinical causes. However, it is imperative to look at the importance of tackling background predisposing factors in a bid to reducing deaths occurring in this vulnerable group. Innovative and effective options towards preventing as well as reducing maternal deaths must include active participation of men, who more often than not are not knowledgeable about these risk factors. Aims: To assess the knowledge and attitude of men towards risk factors influencing maternal mortality in Magume Community, in Zaria LGA. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in 2016 using a pretested semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaire. A total of 170 respondents were sampled using a multistage sampling technique. Data were analysed based on descriptive statistics, chi-square and Fisher's exact test using SPSS version 21. The level of statistical significance was set at p<0.05. The results were presented using tables and charts. Results: The mean age of the respondents was 38(±11.2) years. Knowledge scores show that approximately 46% of the respondents had good knowledge, while 40% had poor knowledge and 14% had fair knowledge. Lack of ANC services during pregnancy was the most commonly identified (93.1%) maternal mortality risk factor and lack of family planning was the least identified (34.3%). Attitude to maternal mortality risk factors was negative in half (50.9%) of the respondents. There was a statistically significant relationship between educational level; occupation with both knowledge and attitude scores. Conclusion: This cross-sectional study has highlighted the need for increased male involvement and participation in maternal health issues. Interventions such as health education and community mobilization that aims to educate men on risk factors and danger signs associated with poor maternal health outcomes should be carried out in this area

Hepatitis B and C: An assessment of risk exposure and prevalence among preclinical medical students in northwestern Nigeria

Background: The risk of transmission of hepatitis B and C (HBV and HCV) infection is of particular concern among medical students training in high endemic regions. In this study,we investigated the risk and prevalence of hepatitis B and C viruses among preclinical medical students in a government-owned medical school in northwestern Nigeria.Methods: We employed a cross-sectional studytargeting the whole population of preclinical medical students of Kaduna State University, Kaduna State northwestern Nigeria. Data were collected usinga self-administered, semi-structured questionnaire and blood testing for HBsAg and HCV antibodies using rapid screening kits.Data were analyzed using SPSS version 22.Results: A total of 133 students participated, and 79.7% of them had a previous risk exposure to injuries by sharps. The seroprevalence for HBV and HCV was 0.8% for both infections. Complete HBV vaccination uptake (3 doses)before enrolment in medical school was 18.8%. The knowledge that HBV infection is preventable was a significant determinant for the previous testing for hepatitis B and C.Conclusion: Risk exposure to injuries by sharps was high in preclinical students. But their seroprevalence for both hepatitis B and C were low. Keywords: Hepatitis B and C viruses;prevalence; medical students;sharp injurie

Sociodemographic Correlates of Choice of Health Care Services in Six Rural Communities in North Central Nigeria

Household expenditure on health has increasingly remained a major source of health care financing in Nigeria despite the introduction of several social health scheme policies provided by the government for meeting the health care costs of patients. Recognizing these limitations, this study assessed the type of health care services people commonly use in various illnesses and the sociodemographic correlates of the preferred health care services by household heads in six rural communities of North Central Nigeria. A cross-sectional community-based descriptive study design was used to study 154 household heads in the settlements using a multistage sampling method. Multiple logistic regressions were performed to investigate independent predictors that had significant chi-square at P<0.05. The leading causes of illness experienced by respondents were medical conditions (42.0%) and 41.7% of them sought treatment from patent medicine vendors. The dominant reasons for health-seeking preferences were financial access (53.7%) and proximity (48.6%). Age had a higher impact (Beta = 0.892) on the health-seeking preferences of the respondents as compared to their occupation and religion (Beta = 0.368 and −0.746, resp.). Therefore, in order to meet the health care of patients, it is pertinent that the unmet needs of patients are properly addressed by appropriate agencies

Knowledge and preventive practices regarding malnutrition among mothers of under-fives in Kaduna North Local Government Area: A descriptive cross-sectional study

Background: Malnutrition (undernutrition) and its attendant complications remain the plight of many countries globally. However, sub-Saharan Africa is disproportionately affected with the burden of this largely preventable condition. Basic knowledge of nutrition and good feeding practices among caregivers are essential to reduce childhood malnutrition. The aim of this study was to determine the knowledge and preventive practices related to malnutrition among mothers of children aged <5 years in Kaduna North Local Government Area. Methods: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study that was carried out to determine the knowledge and preventive practices related to malnutrition among mothers of children aged <5 years. A multistage sampling technique was used to select 262 mothers of children aged <5 years, from whom data were collected using interviewer-administered questionnaires. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25. Results: The mean age of the respondents was 27.5 ± 3.5 years. The majority of the respondents, 164 (62.6%), had secondary school education. Only 11.5% of the respondents had good knowledge on malnutrition. Almost one-third (30.9%) of the respondents had good preventive practices regarding malnutrition. There was a statistically significant relationship between respondents' knowledge of malnutrition and their educational status (P < 0.0001), occupation (P < 0.0001), and the number of children they have (P < 0.0001). There was a statistically significant relationship between respondents' preventive practice regarding malnutrition and their educational status (P < 0.0001) and occupation (P < 0.0001). Conclusion: In view of the findings of poor knowledge and practice among the respondents, improving female education will lead to better nutritional outcomes among their children