Contraceptive use among female traders in Ibadan, Nigeria

Context: Female traders are a part of the informal sector which is characterized by flexible timing, easy entry and exit, proximity to residence and compatibility between work and family responsibilities especially child care. More than half of Nigerian women are traders and are reported to have the highest fertility rates. The ability to regulate and control fertility has tremendous impact on women's health by reducing rates of unintended pregnancies and the need for unsafe abortion.Objectives: The study was designed to assess use of contraceptives and associated factors among female traders in a well-defined market.Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was carried out among a total sample of 225 female traders aged 15-49years in Sango market, Ibadan, south west Nigeria. An interviewer administered questionnaire was used to collect information on their socio-demographic characteristics and contraceptive use.Main Outcome Measures: Prevalence of ever and current contraceptive use, types and factors associated with contraceptive use was determined.Results: Their mean age was 32.3± 8.2 years, 172 (76.4%) were married and 102 (45.3%) had secondary education. Ever and current use of contraceptive was reported by 34.7% and 25.3% of respondents respectively. The Intrauterine Contraceptive Device (IUCD) was the most used method (30.0%). Current contraceptive use was highest among respondents aged 30-39 years (p=0.009).Conclusions: Level of contraceptive use among female traders in Nigeria is quite low. Efforts should be made to increase use through market based family planning programmes.Key words: Contraceptive use, reproductive age, female traders, well-defined market

Knowledge about complications and practice of abortion among female undergraduates in the University of Ibadan, Nigeria

Background: Unwanted pregnancies and unsafe abortion pose major health risks to women in the reproductive age group. Female undergraduates are particularly exposed to these risks. This study was carried out to assess the knowledge about complications and practice of abortion among female undergraduates of the University of Ibadan. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using structured, self-administered questionnaires, to collect data on respondents’ socio-demographic characteristics, sexual behaviour, knowledge about various complications of abortion and practice of abortion. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 14. Results: A total of 425 students were interviewed, mean age of the undergraduates was 21.5± 2.8 years. Overall, 122 (29%) of the respondents had ever had sexual intercourse. Twenty five percent of those who were sexually active had ever been pregnant and 90% had terminated the pregnancy. The most common reason given for termination was that pregnancy was unplanned for. Most of the respondents 354 (83.3%) had a good knowledge about complications of abortion and mean knowledge score was 4.01±1.58 (range 0-5). Conclusion: This group of students were aware of the risks associated with unsafe abortion; however, the abortion rate was still high. Sexual reproductive health interventions are needed on campus in order to equip female undergraduates with comprehensive knowledge and skills to reduce the likelihood of unplanned pregnanciesKeywords: knowledge, abortion complications, female undergraduates, Nigeria

Perception about the 'Opt Out Strategy' for HIV testing and counselling among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in Ibadan, Nigeria

Background: Opt out strategy was designed to improve uptake of HIV testing and counselling (HTC) services but only a fifth of the population utilise this service in Nigeria. This study was conducted to determine perception about the opt out strategy for HIV screening among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in a secondary health facility in Ibadan, Nigeria where the opt out strategy was used for HIV screening.Methodology: Cross sectional study was conducted and systematic random sampling was used to recruit 500 pregnant women. Data regarding sociodemographic characteristics, general knowledge about HIV transmission, assessment of HIV screening services in the hospital and attitude towards HIV screening was obtained.Results: Mean age of respondents was 27.4 (SD±6.1) years, 86.8% were married and 79.2% had at least secondary school education. Overall, 69.2% had good knowledge about routes of HIV transmission. More than 90% reported that information received during the HTC session was understood. Only 41.8% reported adequate privacy during screening process while 20.4% felt they were forced to participate. Positive attitude towards HTC was seen in 72.0%. Higher education was associated with better knowledge of routes of HIV transmission (OR=3.8; 95%CI= -4.3-3.3) Being married or cohabiting with a partner (OR=3.7; 95% CI=16.8-0.8), having more than one sexual partner  (OR=3.3; 95%CI=-3.7-2.97) and being HIV negative (OR=3.9; 95%CI=39.0-0.39) was associated with a positive attitude towards HIV screening.Conclusion: Inadequate privacy and patient's voluntariness were major complaints about opt out strategy for HTC. Improving privacy and stressing that screening is optional may improve general uptake of HTC when using the opt out strategy.Keywords: Pregnant women, HIV screening, Opt out strategy, Antenata

How acceptable are the Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) of HIV services among pregnant women in a secondary health facility in Ibadan, Nigeria?

Background: Prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV (PMTCT) programme was designed to reduce mother to child transmission (MTCT) of HIV and it has been shown to be effective. However, the uptake of the services is still very low in Nigeria.Objective: This study was designed to determine how acceptable the different services of PMTCT are to pregnant women in Ibadan, Nigeria.Method: Systematic random sampling was used to recruit 500 pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in a secondary health facility. Questionnaires were used to obtain data regarding socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge about MTCT of HIV and prevention, the awareness and attitude towards infant feeding options for HIV positive mothers. Data were analysed using student’s t test and Chi-square test with p set at 0.05.Results: Mean age of respondents was 27.4±6.1years. Most known routes of MTCT of HIV were during pregnancy (86.0%) and from breastfeeding (86.0%). More than 80% knew that having good antenatal care, appropriate supervised delivery, taking antiretroviral drugs and not breast feeding a baby are ways of PMTCT. About two thirds had a positive attitude towards HIV testing and counselling (HTC). Only 18.4% were aware of the exclusive breast feeding option for feeding infants of HIV positive mothers while 52.2% would not comply if asked not to breast feed. Women aged 35 years and above had better attitude towards non breast feeding.Conclusion: Intensified health education on the importance of HTC and promotion of exclusive breast feeding for infants of HIV positive mothers is recommended

Effect of a road safety education intervention on road safety knowledge of university drivers in Ibadan, Nigeria

Background: It is essential for drivers employed in the formal sector to have good knowledge of road safety in order to safeguard their lives and those of the staff they are employed to drive. The study was conducted to determine the effect of a road safety education intervention on road safety knowledge of drivers employed in the University of Ibadan, Nigeria.Methods: A quasi-experimental study of 98 intervention and 78 control drivers selected using a cluster sampling technique was conducted. The intervention comprised a two-day training on road safety and first aid. The drivers’ knowledge of road safety was measured at baseline, immediately and 4-months postintervention. Aggregate scores of road safety knowledge were computed giving minimum and maximum obtainable scores of 0 and 16 respectively. Change in mean scores over the three measurement periods was assessed using Repeated Measures Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). Independent t-test was used to compare the scores between intervention and control drivers at each of the assessment periods. Twenty-nine drivers did not complete the study (attrition rate = 16.5%).Results: At baseline, mean road safety knowledge scores for the intervention and control drivers were 12.7±2.2 and 12.9± 2.3 (p = 0.510) respectively. Immediately and four months post intervention, the scores of the intervention drivers were 13.8±1.9 and 12.8±1.6; while scores for the controls were 13.3±2.0 and 13.2±1.8. Repeated measures ANOVA revealed that the increase in knowledge over the three assessment periods was not statistically significant.Conclusions: The intervention resulted in an initial increase in road safety knowledge of the intervention drivers. However, this was not sustained to the forth month post-intervention. This finding suggests periodic refresher trainings to sustain the knowledge acquired.Keywords: Road safety knowledge; University drivers, Fleet safety, Road safety educatio

Psychosocial skills intervention for substance use amongst street children in a Local Government Area in South west Nigeria

Introduction: The unrestrained exposure to the street and its associated lifestyles make the street child vulnerable to substance use. However, the effectiveness of psycho-social skills intervention on the knowledge and use of these substances among street children in transitional communities has not been fully investigated, hence the need for this study.Methods: A community interventional study was conducted with a total sample of 360 street children allocated to the intervention and control clusters. The  knowledge of and psychosocial correlates of substance use were assessed and an interactive psycho-social skills intervention package implemented for the  intervention group while the control group had an HIV/AIDS health education programme.Results: The mean age was 16 ± 1.2 years and 16 ± 1.3 years for the intervention and control groups, respectively, 54% of intervention group were males compared to 62.8% in control group. For children fully on the street, baseline current substance use was 58.7% and 69.7% in intervention and control groups, respectively. Mean knowledge scores increased from 8.6 ± 3.9 at baseline to 17.3 ± 2.9 at 12 weeks post intervention in the intervention group compared to the control group, where it increased slightly from 8.0 ± 5.1 at baseline 8.7 ± 4.1 at the 12 weeks post  intervention period, (p<0.005). Post intervention, there was a statistically   significant reduction in the current use of hypno-sedatives, tobacco, pawpaw leaves, solvents, and ethanol but not stimulant. In the control group, there was a general increase in the current use of the substances at the 12 weeks post intervention.Conclusions: An interactive psychosocial package may be effective for reducing psychoactive substance use amongst street children. However, further research will be needed to address stimulant use which was not affected by our intervention.Keywords: Street children, Psycho-social skills intervention, Substance use,

The role of employers in facilitating smoking cessation among staff: perspective of drivers in a Nigerian university

Background: Several interventions have been instituted to encourage smoking cessation among smokers. Many adults are currently working and spend several hours a day at work. Employers thus have a role to play in encouraging staff who smoke to quit. This study investigated the perception of drivers employed in the University of Ibadan, Nigeria on the role of their employers in facilitating smoking cessation among staff who smoke.Methods: All 176 drivers employed by the University and who were available on the days of the interviews were interviewed. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to obtain information on drivers’ opinion on the role of employers in facilitating smoking cessation among staff.Results: All the drivers were male and had a mean age of 51.2 ± 5.8 years. Five (2.8%) drivers were current smokers. One hundred and thirty-six (77.3%) drivers were of the opinion that their employers had a role to play in encouraging smoking cessation among staff who smoke. They felt this could be done by organizing workshops to sensitize staff on the dangers of smoking 73 (53.7%), educating staff about the health effects of smoking 26 (19.1%) and arresting staff caught smoking during official hours 20 (14.7%).Conclusions: Many of the drivers felt that their employers had a role to play in encouraging smoking cessation among staff. The University authorities should build on this and take specific steps to institute a comprehensive workplace antitobacco policy which includes smoking cessation interventions to assist staff whosmoke to quit.Keywords: Tobacco cessation, Workplace no-smoking policy, Workplace smoking cessation intervention

Working School Children in a Nigerian Community: Revisiting the Issues

Purpose: The prevalence, risk factors and effects of work on school performance and health consequences of child labour among school children in a rapidly urbanising community in south west Nigeria was assessed. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study of 386 Junior Secondary School students was conducted. Questionnaires were used to obtain information on the students’ socio-demographic characteristics, history of child labour activities, and recent history of illness. The academic records of the students were also reviewed. Results: The prevalence of child labour was 72.5%, the median number of hours spent working per week was 18 hours (range 2- 56 hours). The main reason for working was to augment the family income (37.6%). Child labour was commoner among those: whose mothers were not educated; who had four to eight siblings, and who had a working sibling. Higher proportions of working children had repeated a class and had failed the previous term’s examinations. More of the working children reported being ill and injured in the previous term. Conclusion: Child labour is quite common in this area and is associated with negative academic and health outcomes. Multidisciplinary programmes targeted at reducing the practice should be developed.Keywords: Child labour, secondary school students, south west Nigeri

Prevalence and Predictors of Adverse Childhood Experiences among Youths in Rural communities of Oyo State, South-west, Nigeria

Background: Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are traumatic events a child is exposed to early in life. It is a global problem that constitutes a public health concern. However, few studies have been conducted on ACEs in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) like Nigeria. This study assessed the prevalence and predictors of ACEs among youths in rural communities in Oyo State, South-west, Nigeria.Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 575 youths selected by multistage sampling technique. A structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to obtain information on exposure to ACEs; abuse, neglect and household dysfunctions among respondents. Data were analyzed with SPSS version 21.0. Associations were explored with chi-square test and logistics regression analysis. Level of significance was set at 5%.Results: The mean age (SD) of respondents was 26.3 (4.9) years. Three hundred and forty-two (59.5%) respondents were males, 252 (43.8%) had secondary education and 276 (24.5%) were classified into the lowest wealth quintiles. Most respondents 529 (92%) reported they had experienced ACEs. Most prevalent ACEs were psychological neglect 247 (42.9%), physical neglect 236 (41.0%), psychological abuse 231 (40.2%) and household substance abuse 223 (38.8%). The predictors of experiencing ACEs were having a mother with primary education and below (AOR=2.61; CI=1.383.51) and being in the lowest wealth quintile (AOR=1.53 CI=1.24-2.87).Conclusion: Poor education and poverty contributed to the high occurrence of ACEs among youths in rural south-west. Strategic interventions by government/organizations to improve parental education and ameliorate poverty may be beneficial in reducing ACEs and ensure optimal child development. Keywords: Adverse childhood experiences; Predictors; Youths; Rural; Nigeri

Male knowledge of danger signs of obstetric complications in an urban city in south west Nigeria

Background: Knowledge of danger signs in pregnancy can be regardedas one of the ways to eliminate the first level of delay as a factor influencing maternal mortality. The role of men as decision makerscannot be overlooked in this regard. The aim of this study was to determine men’s knowledge of danger signs in pregnancy and theirrole in pregnancy related decision making.Methods: A cross sectional survey was conducted among 259 men aged15-65 years in selected communities in Ibadan, Oyo State by multistagesampling. A semi-structured pretested questionnaire was used to obtaininformation on socio-demographic characteristics, attitude and practices concerning antenatal care, knowledge of danger signs in pregnancy and decision to seek hospital care. Knowledge of danger signs was the main outcome measure categorized into poor and good based on a score of < 6 and > 6. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and bivariate analysis with level of significance set at 5%.Results: Mean age of respondents was 40.4 ± 11.4 years. Almost halfhad at least secondary education (47.5%) and were mainly artisans byoccupation (59.8%), while 18.1% could not mention any danger sign.Majority had poor knowledge about danger signs in pregnancy (60.6%).There was no significant difference in knowledge of respondents withindifferent age groups, by occupation, number of children and fromdifferent educational levels.Conclusion: Poor knowledge of obstetric danger signs was evidentamong these men. Programmes targeted at providing education aboutdanger signs in pregnancy for men are recommended.Keywords: Danger Signs in Pregnancy, Obstetric Complications, Male Knowledg