Reproductive behaviour and determinants of fertility among men in a semi-urban Nigerian community

Context: A relatively high fertility is still sustained in sub-urban and rural Nigeria despite the efforts of government and other non-governmental family planning service providers. This study was conducted to examine the reproductive behavior and determine the factors that determine the fertility of men at Ganmo, a sub-urban community on the outskirts of Ilorin, Nigeria. Methodology: The study employed a cross-sectional descriptive design. An interviewer-administered semi-structured questionnaire was used to elicit information from 360 men in the households. Only males above the age of 15 years resident in the community were selected for interview. A proportionate sampling procedure was employed in selecting the required number of men from each of the 32 compounds that make up the community. Results: The median age at first marriage for men was found to be 25 years. While about two-thirds of these men were married, at least 25% of them were in polygynous relationships. The Mean Number of Children Ever-Fathered (MNCEF), Mean Number of Living children (MNLC) and Mean Ideal Family Size (MIFS) for the men were 5.2, 4.2 and 5.8, respectively. For men above 50 years old who may be considered to have completed their families, these indicators were 9.3, 7.3 and 5.8 respectively. The predictors of high fertility among the men were low education, being a Muslim and having more than one wife. Men reproduced mainly because they wanted children that will carry on the family name and for economic support in old age. Conclusion: The study concluded that men at Ganmo still have preference for large family sizes and an intensive drive at adult education was advocated among other recommendations.Keywords: men, reproductive behaviour, fertilityJournal of Community Medicine and Primary Health Care 2005, 17(1): 13-1

Preferred Choice of Health Facilities for Healthcare among Adult Residents in Ilorin Metropolis, Kwara State, Nigeria

Purpose: The choice of health facilities for healthcare by an individual is largely determined by several factors. This study aims to determine predictors of preferred choice of health facility for care. Methods: In a descriptive cross-sectional study, pre-tested semi-structure questionnaire was administered to 366 adults selected through a multi-stage sampling technique in Ilorin metropolis. Data collected were analysed using Epi Info software version 3.4.1 and level of significance set at p < 0.05. Results: The preferred health facility for medical care was private hospitals (35.2%) followed by pharmaceutical store (27.9%) and 17.0% for general/teaching hospitals and only 12.3% for primary health care (PHC). Quick service and availability of drugs were the major reasons for their preference which were said to be better in private hospitals. Sex, marital status, educational status, occupation and city area where the respondents dwell are all associated with the preferred choice of health facility for care. Conclusion: This study has shown that the private sector is preferred to the public ones with regards to receiving healthcare and that within the public sector, the higher levels of health facilities are preferred to the primary health care centres. Improving the image and performance of the public health facilities especially the PHC is very important for appropriate utilization of health servicesKeywords: Preference, Health Facilities, Public hospital, Private hospita

The effect of injection safety training on knowledge and attitude of primary health care workers in Ilorin, Nigeria

Background: Studies have shown poor injection safety practices among health workers in Nigeria and this was adduced to lack of adequate training on injection safety practices. Objective: The study assessed the effect of the training intervention on the knowledge and attitude of primary healthcare workers on injection safety in Ilorin. Methodology; The study was quasi-experimental, conducted in 3 phases using multistage random sampling to recruit 126 Primary Health Care Workers into training intervention group and 121 in control group. Pretested semi-structured questionnaire was used at pre-intervention and post-intervention phases. Result; The observed improvement in intervention group’s knowledge at pre intervention phase (35.7%) and post intervention phase (66.7%) was statistically significant (