Clinical features of malaria parasiteamia among children in parts of the Niger Delta Area of Nigeria

This study was carried out to investigate the prevalence of malaria parasitamiae and its clinical features in children aged 0-5 years in parts of Delta State of Nigeria. Blood samples were randomly collectedfrom the thumb of each child using the finger prick method. A total of 600 blood samples (360 males and 240 females) were examined using the thick and thin smear method. The children were also examined clinically for related signs and symptoms. The result showed that a total of 485 (81.0%) children were positive and only Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium malariae were found among the positive cases. Plasmodium falciparum was significantly higher than Plasmodium malariae (P<0.05).Although males were more infected (82%) than females (79%) the difference was not statistical significant (P>0.05). The least prevalence of 55.6% was observed in 0-6 months age group. Common signs and symptoms observed among children include fever, cough, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. Fever was the highest sign. The public health implications of these findings and the need to promote environmental sanitation are highlighted

Socio-demographic correlates of sexual behaviours: A cross sectional survey of adolescents in Imo state secondary schools

The study was designed to determine the socio- demographic correlates of sexual behaviours of the adolescents in Imo State secondary schools. Three objectives and three hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. A cross sectional survey design was used and sample size was 3360 (2.2%) adolescents. A structured, validated and reliable questionnaire (r = 0.79) and focus group discussion were used as the instruments for data collection. Data analysis was done using mean and ANOVA statistics. The result generally, showed that the average sexual behaviours of the adolescents were below the decision mean of 2.50 and as such the  adolescents were said to be sexually inactive. In Imo State secondary schools, various family sizes did not significantly influence the sexual behaviours of the adolescents (F- cal. 2.39, F-tab. 3.00 & P>0.05), family structure significantly influenced their sexual behaviours (F- cal. 17.78, F-tab. 3.00 & P<0.05) and different financial strengths influenced the adolescents sexual behaviours significantly (F- cal. 22.88, F-tab. 2.37 & P<0.05. Of great worry is that unrestricted/uncontrolled adolescents sexualbehaviours may expose them to sexually transmitted infections/HIV/AIDS, unwanted pregnancies, illegal abortion and dropping out of school. Thus comprehensive sex education was recommended.Keywords: Socio-Demographic, Correlates, Sexual, Behaviours,  Adolescent