Knowledge of malaria amongst caregivers of young children in rural and urban communities in Southwest Nigeria

Purpose: To compare the awareness and treatment knowledge of malaria amongst caregivers of young children in urban and rural areas of Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area in Ogun State. Method: Structured questionnaires were administered to caregivers of children under the age of five years in 1472 households using a multistage random sampling technique. Results: Many respondents (65%) attributed the cause of malaria to mosquito bite. The knowledge of malaria treatment (particularly the knowledge of pediatric doses) was generally poor. Caregivers in urban areas had better understanding of the dosage regimen for both adult and pediatric doses (

Promoting cessation and a tobacco free future: willingness of pharmacy students at the University of Lagos, Nigeria

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Tobacco use is projected to cause nearly 450 million deaths worldwide during the next 50 years. Health professionals can have a critical role in reducing tobacco use. Therefore, one of the strategies to reduce the number of smoking-related deaths is to encourage the involvement of health professionals in tobacco-use prevention and cessation counseling. As future health care providers, pharmacy students should consider providing assistance to others to overcome tobacco use and be involved in promoting a tobacco free future as part of their professional responsibility.</p> <p>This research was to determine the knowledge of tobacco/smoking policy, willingness to be involved in tobacco cessation, attitude to keeping a tobacco free environment and the smoking habit among pharmacy students at the University of Lagos.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Data was collected by the use of self administered questionnaire which was aimed at assessing their smoking habit, determining their knowledge and attitude to smoking policy and willingness to be involved in smoking cessation. The population sample was all the pharmacy students in their professional years (200 to 500 Levels) at Idi-Araba Campus of the University of Lagos.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Out of 327 qualified participants, 297 responded to the questionnaire which was about 91% participation rate but out of these only 291 questionnaires were useful which came to 89%.</p> <p>There seemed to be no statistically significant difference between the smoking habits among the different levels (p > 0.05). Overall, the current smoking prevalence was 5.5% which is lower than the national prevalence rate of 8.9%.</p> <p>Awareness of WHO FCTC global tobacco treaty was low (9.3%) among pharmacy students but they agreed that pharmacists and pharmacy students should be involved in quit smoking program (93.1%) and they were willing to be involved in helping smokers to quit (85.9%). Majority agreed that smoking should not be permitted in pharmacies (87.9%) and at pharmacy students' events (86.9%).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>From this study it can be concluded that smoking prevalence is low among pharmacy students at the University of Lagos. Awareness of global policy is low but they are willing to be involved in smoking cessation and promoting a tobacco free future.</p

Preservation of Smoked African Catfish, Clarias gariepinus Burchell against Dermestes maculatus De Geer (Coleoptera: Dermestidae) using Neem Seed Oil-iodized Salt Mixtures

Dermestes maculatus is a major fish pest causing serious damage when left uncontrolled. This work identifies the fatty acids of Nigeria-obtained neem seed oil (NSO) and the potential of different mixtures of the NSO and iodized salt in the control of the pest. Seven fatty acids: palmitic acid (18.09%), linoleic acid (33.73%), stearic acid (14.37%), oleic acid (13.4%), octadecanoic acid (12.93%), 9, 12–octadecadienoic acid (1.47%) and arachidic acid (3.33%) were identified in the NSO. Percentage of D. maculatus adu1t mortality (100%) observed in fish treated with 0.00 μl NSO + 0.50 mg salt, 100 μl NSO + 0.125 mg salt and 0.00 μl NSO + 0.25 mg salt was significantly (p<0.05) different from mortality observed in untreated fish (31.25%). Percentage of live larvae (0.0%) in fish treated with 0.50 mg salt + 0.00 μl NSO, 100 μl NSO + 0.125 mg salt, 0.00 μ1 NSO + 0.25 mg salt and 50 μl NSO + 0.125 mg salt was lower than 63.97% observed in the control. Percentage of weight loss of untreated (75.10%) and 50 μl NSO-treated fish (69.65%) was significantly higher than values obtained from fish treated with 0.5 mg salt (26.93%), 100 μ1 NSO + 0.125 mg salt (25.73%) and 0.25 mg salt (23.63%). Application of NSO-iodized salt did not change the colour and odour of treated fish. Consumers significantly rejected fish treated with ≥ 50 μl NSO

HIV/AIDS: Knowledge and attitudes of dentists in South-Western Nigeria

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the knowledge and attitudes of dentists in South-Western Nigeria in relation to HIV/AIDS. Materials and methods: A questionnaire survey of 164 dentists in Lagos, Ibadan and Benin The data was analyzed using Epi-info statistical software. Results: The modes of transmission incorrectly identified by the respondents were through saliva (25%), mosquito bites (1.8%), and touching (1.8%). Although not statistically significant, general practitioners gave more incorrect responses to known modes of transmission of HIV than other cadres. About one-quarter of all the respondents did not know the high risk groups. Ninety- two percent knew the precautions to be taken to prevent HIV transmission in the clinic. About 43% of all the dentists had not attended any continuous education course on HIV. Over three-quarters (78.4%) of dentists indicated a willingness to treat HIV/AIDS patients. Males were significantly more willing to treat than females(

Human resources development in a public health sector: the role of manpower planning and training

No Abstract.International Journal of Deveolpement and Policy Studies Vol. 2 (1) 2006: pp. 98-10

Prevalence and intensity of geohelminths infection in Oba-Ile Community of Osun State, Nigeria

This study has determined the prevalence and intensity of geohelminth infections and the effect of some epidemiological factors on their distribution in Oba Ile, Osun State, Nigeria. The study was conducted between November 2004 and March 2005. Of 489 school children examined, 76.9% harboured Ascaris lumbricoides while 54.6% and 29.2% had hookworm and Trichuris trichiura respectively. The prevalence and intensity of all the three species of geohelminths significantly (

A Comparison of Client Perception of the Quality of Child Welfare Service at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital and a Primary Health Centre in Mushin LGA, Lagos State

The objective of this study was to compare client perception of the quality of child welfare service at Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) and Palm Avenue health centre in Mushin LGA. A descriptive cross sectional study was carried out in March 2004. Study instrument was an interviewer–administered questionnaire. Exit interviews were conducted at Community Health Outpatient Clinic, (CHOP) LUTH and at the Palm Avenue Primary School Health Care Centre over a 3-week period. Data was analyzed with EPI-INFO. A total of 100 respondents and 99 respondents were interviewed at CHOP and Palm Avenue Health Centres respectively. The mean age at CHOP was 30.2yrs while it was 29.1yrs at Palm Avenue. The mean waiting time to see the primary care giver at CHOP was 92.4 mins. compared to 55.9mins at Palm Avenue Health Centre. Overall, majority of clients (above 80%) were satisfied with service at both centers, through the proportion was higher at Palm Avenue. Age of respondents was significantly associated with client satisfaction with the staff attitude.; the older respondents were more satisfied than the younger ones. Majority of clients were satisfied with services at the health centre. However, there is a need for client flow analysis and a plan of action to reduce the time spent at these clinics to further improve client satisfaction with health services. Keywords: client, perception of child welfare service.NQJHM Vol. 15 (4) 2005: pp. 150-15

Assessment of the Quality of Packaged Water on Sale in Onitsha Metropolis

Background: In recent years, sale of packaged water has been on the increase in most urban cities in Nigeria. In order to safe guard public health, it is essential that the available packaged water is of the highest quality. Objective: To assess the physical, chemical and bacteriological quality of packaged water on sale in Onitsha metropolis Methodology: Two samples each of 60 brands of packaged water were randomly obtained from six different commercial locations within two LGAs in Onitsha metropolis. The samples were analysed for colour, odour, turbidity, pH, fluoride and coliform count. Membrane filtration technique was used for coliform count. Results: Forty five (75%) of samples were of high aesthetic value. All samples recorded fluoride levels within recommended WHO range of 0.5- 1.5 mg/dl. . Majority (70% ) of all samples of water were found to have coliform count of 10 or more per 100ml. 34% of samples were faecally contaminated with Klebsiella and E.coli being the major organisms.. Packaged water that was registered by NAFDAC had a higher bacteriological quality compared to unregistered ones.( Odds'ratio 6.05 CI : 1.37-36.4, p< 0.01.) Conclusion: Majority of the packaged water on sale in Onitsha metropolis were bacteriologically unsafe though most were of acceptable physical quality. There is a need for continuous monitoring of packaged water products by NAFDAC which should ensure strict enforcement of regulations to promote availability of potable packaged water. Keywords: Assessment, Quality, Packaged Water NQJHM Vol. 16 (2) 2006: pp. 56-5

Factors Determining Correct Case Management of Acute Respiratory Infections in Children by Primary Health care in Ibadan

Background: Inappropriate case management of Acute Respiratory Infections (ARIs) is one of the factors responsible for the high ARI mortality in developing countries. Identification of factors which influence ARI case management by health workers is key for interventions to improve Quality of case management. Objective: To identify factors which determine correct case management of Acute Respiratory Infections (ARIs) in children by primary health care workers in Ibadan. Design: A descriptive cross sectional study was carried out from June to December 1999 in Ibadan South East LGA and Lagelu LGA. Study materials included observation checklists, validation checklist, and health worker interview questionnaires. Results: Twenty-five health workers and 20 health workers were observed managing 390 children and 386 children in Ibadan South East and Lagelu LGA respectively. More than half of Pneumonia cases were correctly treated in the two LGAs (62.3% and 66.1% respectively). Sex and category of health workers was significantly associated with correct treatment of mild ARI with female workers and Nursing staff doing better (Odds ratio 4.57, 95% CI 2.15, 9.95 and 4.61, 95% CI 2.57, 8.31 respectively). Health workers who had been trained performed better in the management of Pneumonia though it was not statistically significant. Conclusions: There is a need for targeted research to identify the relative contribution of the myriad of factors influencing health worker performance in specific localities in order to improve the quality of care in child health programmes. Keywords: Factors, Case Management, ARI, Health workers.NQJHM Vol. 16 (1) 2005: pp. 14-1