Perception and utilization of tetanus toxoid immunization among pregnant women attending a tertiary centre in North-West Nigeria

Background: Despite the availability of inexpensive and effective tetanus-toxoid-containing vaccines, elimination of maternal and neonatal tetanus worldwide has become a herculean task, particularly in low-income countries, due to poor immunization coverage. This study aimed to assess the perception and utilization of tetanus toxoid immunization among pregnant women attending a tertiary centre in North-West Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 254 pregnant women (selected by systematic sampling technique) attending the antenatal clinic of Specialist Hospital, Sokoto, Nigeria. A structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data on the research variables. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 20 statistical computer software package. Results: Most, 221 (87.0%) of the 254 respondents had heard of tetanus toxoid immunization. Of these, only about half (51.1%) believed that it protects both mother and newborn baby from tetanus. Majority of respondents considered TT immunization to be effective in protecting against tetanus infection (73.3%) and also safe for both mother and baby (79.2%). About two-thirds of respondents (68.8%) had the misconception that a single dose of TT immunization protects from tetanus infection. Less than a quarter of respondents (23.6%) had received two or more doses of the vaccine. The main barriers to utilization of vaccines were lack of awareness of the vaccine (41.8%), not being aware of its benefits (36.7%), and fear of side effects (21.5%) Conclusion: Despite high levels of perception of the effectiveness and safety of TT immunization, the respondents in this study had low levels of perception and utilization of the protective doses of the vaccine. Government and healthcare workers should scale-up education of the populace on TT immunization schedule and implement community based vaccination of women of child bearing age in North-West Nigeria. Keywords: Perception, utilization, tetanus toxoid immunization, pregnant wome

KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE OF PHARMACOVIGILANCE AMONG OPERATORS OF PHARMACIES AND PATENT MEDICINE STORES IN SOKOTO METROPOLIS, NIGERIA

Background: The weak pharmacovigilance (PV) systems in many developing countries of the world have undoubtedly hampered the global quest for safe drug use. Operators of pharmacies and patent medicine stores have important roles to play in developing the PV systems in these countries being the main source of medicines for acute conditions. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of pharmacovigilance among operators of pharmacies and patent medicine stores in Sokoto metropolis, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 249 operators of pharmacies and patent medicine stores selected by multistage sampling technique. Data were collected with a set of pretested self- administered, semi-structured questionnaire. Results: Although, the majority, 173 (69.5%) of the 249 respondents were aware of PV, less than a fifth (17.3%) had good knowledge of it. Despite positive attitude towards PV, only about half, 56 (52.3%) of the 107 respondents that had observed adverse drug reactions (ADRs) in clients reported; and of these, only about a tenth (12.8%) formally reported to the organization in charge of PV. The most commonly cited reasons for non-reporting were that they didn’t know where and how to report (51.0%), and unavailability of reporting forms (23.5%). Conclusion: This study showed poor knowledge of PV and sub-optimal ADRs reporting despite positive attitude towards it by operators of pharmacies and patent medicine stores in Sokoto metropolis, Nigeria. Sensitization of the populace and training of healthcare providers on PV and ADRs reporting are necessary for revitalizing the PV system in Sokoto State, Nigeria. Keywords: Pharmacovigilance, knowledge, attitude, practic

Impact of dietary patterns, individual and workplace characteristics on blood pressure status among civil servants in Bida and Wushishi communities of Niger State, Nigeria

The global burden estimate of hypertension is alarming and results in several million deaths annually. A high incidence of sudden deaths from cardiovascular diseases in the civil workforce in Nigeria is often reported. However, the associations between Dietary Patterns (DPs), individual, and workplace characteristics of hypertension among this workforce have not been fully explored. This study aimed to identify DP in the Bida and Wushishi Communities of Niger State and establish its relationship with hypertension along with other individual and workplace characteristics. Factor analysis was used to establish DP, Chi-square test to identify their relationships with hypertension, and logistic regression to determine the predictor risk factors. The prevalence of hypertension was 43.7%; mean weight, height, and body fat were: 72.8±15 kg, 166±8.9 mm and 30.4%, respectively. Three DPs: “Efficient Diet,” “Local diet,” and “Energy Boost Diet” were identified. The factor loading scores for these factors were divided into quintiles Q1–Q5; none of them had a significant effect on hypertension status. Conversely, increase in age, the Ministry, Department, and Agency (MDA) of employment, frequency of eating in restaurants, and obesity were identified as significant risk factors. After adjusting for confounders (age, body mass index, MDA, and eating habits), a high score (Q5) in “efficient diet pattern” was significantly related to a lower likelihood of hypertension than a low score (Q1). The prevalence of hypertension among the participants was relatively very high. An increase in age and working in educational sector were risk factors associated with hypertension. Therefore, it is recommended that civil servants engage in frequent exercise and undergo regular medical checkups, especially as they get older. These findings highlight the need for large-scale assessment of the impact of variables considered in this study on hypertension, among the civil workforce across Niger state and Nigeria

A Qualitative Study on Coping Strategies Among Patients with Non-Specific Low-Back Pain

Background: Non-specific low-back pain (NSLBP) is a common health problem worldwide, but the perception and coping strategies used by patients are underreported. Objectives: The objectives of the study were to evaluate the perception of patients with NSLBP, the ways the pain interrfered with their basic life, and coping strategies employed by them. Methods: Twenty patients consisting of 10 males (50%) and 10 females (50%) participated in this study. A qualitative interview was conducted using a three-section modified structured interview guide by Gwenda. Section A contained sociodemographic infor-mation, section B was the numerical pain rating scale, and section C asked questions about the pain duration, the ways of pain interference with the patient’s life, and strategies used to cope with pain. The data were analyzed using thematic content analysis. Results: The results showed that 50% of the patients were within the age range of 58 years or above. Ten (50%) patients perceived that NSLBP was caused by work-related activities and 10% perceived that NSLBP was a spiritual problem. Fifty percent reported that the pain interfered with their activities of daily living, and four (20%) mentioned that NSLBP interfered with their sexual function and religious activities. Concerning the coping strategy, 40% used prayer, 15% usually ignored the pain, and 35% used the conventional approach. Conclusions: It can be concluded that half of the patients with NSLBP perceived NSLBP to be caused by work-related activities. Be-sides, NSLBP interfered with basic activities of daily living, and about 40% were coping with NSLBP with prayer and spiritual means

Prevalence and Correlates of Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use among Cancer Patients in Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto, Nigeria

Background: The rate of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use among cancer patients is on the increase worldwide. This is due to the innate urge among humans to try new and alternative ways of medicine, especially where conventional medicine failed to provide satisfactory solution such as in sickle cell disease and cancer. Objective: To assess the prevalence and correlates of CAM use among cancer patients in Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH), Sokoto, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A cross‑sectional study was conducted among 240 cancer patients selected by systematic sampling technique from July to September 2016. Data were collected using a semi‑structured standardized questionnaire. Results: The mean age of the study participants was 45 ± 13.7 years. Majority, 159 (66.3%) of the 240 respondents, were CAM users, with the most common methods being prayer (30.8%) and herbal therapy (28.3%). Majority of CAM users (64.2%) did not derive any benefit from CAM use, but rather reported adverse effects such as nausea and vomiting (52.5%) and diarrhea (44.2%). Physicians were unaware of CAM use in most cases (87.4%), and this was majorly attributed to the physicians not asking them about CAM use. Male sex and absence of comorbidities were the predictors of CAM use identified. Conclusion: The prevalence of CAM use is high among cancer patients in UDUTH, Sokoto, Nigeria, but the physicians were largely unaware of CAM use due to communication gap. These findings underscore the need for physicians to consistently ask their patients on CAM use, while government should enact laws regulating CAM use in Nigeria.Keywords: Cancer patients, complementary and alternative medicine, correlates, prevalenc