LEPROSY ELIMINATION: PROGRESS AND CHALLENGES IN NIGERIA; KADUNA STATE TB AND LEPROSY CONTROL PROGRAMME AS A CASE STUDY

The study aims at describing the achievements and challenges of Leprosy control in Kaduna State using appropriate indicators. The study was a five year (2004-2008) retrospective review of the Leprosy records and annual reports of all the twenty three LGAs in Kaduna State. Various Leprosy indicators were calculated and presented in different graphic presentations. Focus group discussions were organised with the aim of identifying current challenges of Leprosy control in the State. There was a decline in the new Leprosy cases detected annually from 226 cases in 2004 to 140 cases in 2008. The prevalence rate ranged between 0.3-0.4 per 10,000 population within the five year period. The proportion of children among new cases dropped from 12% in 2004 to 5% in 2007 and increased to 9% in 2008. Grade 2 disability among new cases was very high (between 21%-27%) within the same period. Leprosy elimination target has been achieved in Kaduna State, but new cases with high proportion of children and WHO grade 2 disability were still been reporte

EFFECT OF FIRM SIZE ON EXPECTED RETURNS OF LISTED COMPANIES IN NIGERIA CAPITAL MARKET

Over the years, Nigeria capital market has experienced persistent decrease in performance. Investment decision is one of the key corporate decisions that affect firm financial performance. This study investigated the effect of firm size on expected returns of listed companies in Nigeria. The population of the study is all the listed companies in Nigeria. Adjusted population of 103 companies was used for data analysis. The period of the study is between 2010 and 2018. Monthly stock data were extracted from Bloomberg. Cross sectional regression and z-test technique were used as technique for data analysis. The outcome from the regression revealed that firm size has positive significant relationship with expected returns. The z-test analysis revealed that larger size firms have higher return than smaller size firms. The outcome was consistent with product life cycle theory. It was recommended that companies increase firm size by adopting profit maximization policy and issuing more equity

EFFECT OF BOARD CHARACTERISTICS ON SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF LISTED ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE FIRMS IN NIGERIA

Social and Environmental Disclosure has been at its adoption phase in Nigeria despite the trend of disclosure practices by firms around the world. As a step towards addressing this shortcoming, the paper examined Board characteristics and their effects on Social and Environmental Disclosure in Nigeria. Mixed theoretical approach was deployed in explaining relationship between board characteristics and Social and Environmental Disclosure. Companies were graded on their Social and Environmental Disclosure performance using the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Index. For a period of seven years (2012 - 2018), data were obtained from the published Annual Reports of fifty (50) selected environmentally sensitive enterprises listed on the website of the Nigerian Exchange Group as of 2019. Panel corrected Standard Error (PCSE) regression was found appropriate in testing the hypotheses. Board size, board expertise, board independence and board gender diversity were found to be positive and significant to Social and Environmental Disclosure. The study concluded that Board Characteristics impact Social and Environmental Disclosure and further recommends that listed firms should comply adequately with corporate governance requirements related to Board Characteristics to ensure that Social and Environmental Disclosure is not compromised

Emotions, Relationships and Behaviour:a Qualitative Study on Experiences of Stigma among Persons Affected by Leprosy in Northern Nigeria

Purpose: Leprosy is a highly stigmatised disease with far-reaching psychosocial and economic consequences. This study explored the social consequences of leprosy and the factors that drive stigma among persons affected by leprosy in northern Nigeria. Method: The study used a cross-sectional design with a qualitative approach. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with 20 persons affected by leprosy. Data were collected from September to November 2020. ILEP’s four stigma domains (emotions, thoughts, behaviour and relationships) were used to develop the interview guide and to analyse the data. The framework approach to thematic analysis was performed. Results: The study identified: (1) negative societal attitudes and behaviour towards persons affected by leprosy, (2) restrictions in social participation among affected persons, such as in communal eating, job opportunities and education, (3) negative impact of leprosy on marital life and marriage prospects, also experienced by family members, and (4) negative emotions such as sadness and despair. Some of the problems seemed to be caused by negative perceptions and a lack of knowledge of leprosy. The main coping strategies included adjustments in behaviour (e.g., marrying other persons affected by leprosy and communal eating amongst persons affected), and religion (by seeking consolation through faith in God/Allah). Conclusion: High levels of stigma were experienced by the participants. This underscores the importance of sustained information, education and communication interventions via traditional and modern media, to fill knowledge gaps and address misconceptions and myths about leprosy.</p

Emotions, Relationships and Behaviour:a Qualitative Study on Experiences of Stigma among Persons Affected by Leprosy in Northern Nigeria

Purpose: Leprosy is a highly stigmatised disease with far-reaching psychosocial and economic consequences. This study explored the social consequences of leprosy and the factors that drive stigma among persons affected by leprosy in northern Nigeria. Method: The study used a cross-sectional design with a qualitative approach. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with 20 persons affected by leprosy. Data were collected from September to November 2020. ILEP’s four stigma domains (emotions, thoughts, behaviour and relationships) were used to develop the interview guide and to analyse the data. The framework approach to thematic analysis was performed. Results: The study identified: (1) negative societal attitudes and behaviour towards persons affected by leprosy, (2) restrictions in social participation among affected persons, such as in communal eating, job opportunities and education, (3) negative impact of leprosy on marital life and marriage prospects, also experienced by family members, and (4) negative emotions such as sadness and despair. Some of the problems seemed to be caused by negative perceptions and a lack of knowledge of leprosy. The main coping strategies included adjustments in behaviour (e.g., marrying other persons affected by leprosy and communal eating amongst persons affected), and religion (by seeking consolation through faith in God/Allah). Conclusion: High levels of stigma were experienced by the participants. This underscores the importance of sustained information, education and communication interventions via traditional and modern media, to fill knowledge gaps and address misconceptions and myths about leprosy.</p

Community perspectives on leprosy and related stigma in northern Nigeria: a qualitative study

Aim This study explored community perceptions about leprosy and the extent, root causes, and drivers of stigma in Kano State, northern Nigeria. Methodology The study used a cross-sectional design with a qualitative approach. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with community members unaffected by leprosy. Participants were selected using stratified purposive sampling. Thematic analysis was performed based on the “Framework Approach”. Results A total of 21 community members were included in this study. We found that the majority of the participants perceived persons affected by leprosy negatively, they were considered dirty, incurable, and inferior. Participants indicated that they avoid touching, social interactions, and sharing meals with persons affected by leprosy. In addition, leprosy was said to negatively impact employment opportunities and the marriage prospects of persons affected and their family members. Marriage prospects were considered worse for women affected by leprosy. We identified four main drivers of stigmatization: (1) local beliefs and misconceptions about leprosy (e.g. the belief that leprosy is hereditary, incurable, or highly infectious), (2) fear of disability and deformity, (3) fear of infection, and (4) perceived poor personal hygiene of persons affected. Conclusion This study revealed negative perceptions regarding leprosy, including misconceptions about etiology, fear and desire to keep social distance towards persons affected. Our findings underscore the importance of community education and behavior change as key to transforming perceptions and behavior towards persons affected

Fistula-in-Ano Complicated by Fournierfs Gangrene Our Experience in North-Eastern Region of Nigeria

Background: Fistula-in-ano when complicated by Fournierfs gangrene is an unusual finding and always carries high morbidity. This study details our experience in managing 10 cases. Methods of Study: Case files of all patients managed in University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital and Federal Medical Center of Yola and Gombe from January, 2007 to December, 2011 were retrieved from Medical Record Departments and other Hospital Records. These were analyzed for demographic, clinical and pathological variables, the type of treatment and follow upResults: A total of 10 men with a mean age of 50.5 years (35.60) were managed in the period of study. Nearly, 50% of the patients were farmers, 30% businessmen and 20% were civil servant. 7 (70%) of these patients presented with Fournierfs gangrene within 4 weeks of development of fistula.in.ano and the rest within 8 weeks. 4 (40%) of these patients had inadequate drainage of their perianal abscess and 2 (20%) had incisionand drainage. Another 4 (40%) had spontaneously rupture of the perianal abscess. 6 (60%) of the fistula.in.ano was submuscular, 30%  subcutaneous and 10% were complex or recurrent. Nearly, 20% of patients had fistulotomy and seton application for adequate drainage. Mucosal advancement flap was performed in 5 (50%) and fistulotomy in 3 (30%) patients. Another 30% had fistulotomy and continuing sitz bath. Conclusion: Cryptoglandular infection is an important cause of perianal abscesses and fistula.in.ano and if poorly managed results in Fournierfs gangrene. Early broad spectrum parenteral antibiotic therapy and primary surgical treatment can prevent Fournierfs gangrene.Keywords: Fistula-in-ano, Fournierfs gangrene, perianal absces

Fistula-in-Ano complicated by Fournier′s gangrene our experience in North-Eastern region of Nigeria

Background: Fistula-in-ano when complicated by Fournier′s gangrene is an unusual finding and always carries high morbidity. This study details our experience in managing 10 cases. Methods of Study: Case files of all patients managed in University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital and Federal Medical Center of Yola and Gombe from January, 2007 to December, 2011 were retrieved from Medical Record Departments and other Hospital Records. These were analyzed for demographic, clinical and pathological variables, the type of treatment and follow-up. Results: A total of 10 men with a mean age of 50.5 years (35-60) were managed in the period of study. Nearly, 50% of the patients were farmers, 30% businessmen and 20% were civil servant. 7 (70%) of these patients presented with Fournier′s gangrene within 4 weeks of development of fistula-in-ano and the rest within 8 weeks. 4 (40%) of these patients had inadequate drainage of their perianal abscess and 2 (20%) had incision and drainage. Another 4 (40%) had spontaneously rupture of the perianal abscess. 6 (60%) of the fistula-in-ano was submuscular, 30% subcutaneous and 10% were complex or recurrent. Nearly, 20% of patients had fistulotomy and seton application for adequate drainage. Mucosal advancement flap was performed in 5 (50%) and fistulotomy in 3 (30%) patients. Another 30% had fistulotomy and continuing sitz bath. Conclusion: Cryptoglandular infection is an important cause of perianal abscesses and fistula-in-ano and if poorly managed results in Fournier′s gangrene. Early broad spectrum parenteral antibiotic therapy and primary surgical treatment can prevent Fournier′s gangrene