Stress among Secondary School Teachers in Ebonyi State, Nigeria: Suggested Interventions in the Worksite Milieu

The aim of the study was to determine the level of stress experienced by secondary school teachers in Ebonyi State. The dimensions of stress studied included physical stress, mental stress, emotional stress and social stress. The study adopted the cross-sectional survey design using a sample of 660 (male 259, female 401) teachers randomly drawn from 33 secondary schools in Ebonyi State. The secondary schools were selected from two (Abakaliki and Afikpo) out of three education zones in Ebonyi State. In each school 20 teachers were randomly selected using systematic random sampling technique. A self-developed instrument titled: Teacher Stress Questionnaire (TSQ) was used to collect data for the study. Five experts in Health Education and Psychology were used for validating the TSQ. Data collected from 30 secondary school teachers yielded an overall reliability coefficient of r = 0.72. The researchers personally collected the data which were analysed using mean, standard deviation, t-Test, Pearson’s correlation and Stepwise Multiple Regression. Six hundred and fourteen copies (male 232, female 382) of the questionnaire, representing about 93% return rate, were used for analysis. The results showed that the secondary school teachers had a high level of stress and the difference in the level of stress reported by male and female teachers was significant with male teachers reporting higher level of stress than female teachers. Each dimension of stress contributed significantly to the overall level of stress experienced by the secondary school teachers. Interventions, such as stress management, can be carried out to reduce stress in the worksite. Keywords: Stress, Secondary school teachers, Interventions, Worksite milie

Menstrual Hygiene Practices and Sources of Menstrual Hygiene Information among Adolescent Secondary School Girls in Abakaliki Education Zone of Ebonyi State

Menstruation is clouded by socio-cultural restrictions resulting in adolescent girls remaining ignorant of hygienic practices. The study was designed to ascertain the menstrual hygiene practices and sources of menstrual hygiene information among 1200 adolescent secondary school girls, who completed the questionnaire designed for the study. Out of 1200, 1191, representing about 99.3% return rate, correctly completed and returned their copies of the questionnaire. Percentages and chi-square (2) statistic were used to analyse the data. Percentages were used to describe the menstrual hygiene practices and sources of menstrual hygiene information among the respondents and chi-square statistic was used to determine whether significant differences (p < 0.05) existed in the girls’ menstrual hygiene practices and sources of menstrual hygiene information in relation to age, father’s occupation, mother’s occupation and number of senior sisters. Results showed that the girls’ menstrual hygiene practices were not cheering and received menstrual information from undependable sources. Significant differences were found among the girls in their menstrual hygiene practices and sources of menstrual hygiene information. Menstrual hygiene should be linked to the hygiene education programme in schools with active involvement of teachers and caring environment for menstrual hygiene has to be provided both at home and in school. Key words: Menstrual, hygiene, practices, adolescent girls, secondary schools, Ebonyi state

Drug Use and Sources of Drug Information among Secondary School Students in Imo State, Nigeria

This study was an investigation into drug use and sources of drug information among secondary school students in Imo State, Nigeria. A sample of 1400 students, aged 16-17 years was studied. Percentages were used to describe the students’ drug use and sources of drug information. Chi-square was used to verify the four hypotheses postulated for the study. Results showed that the main drugs the students who took part in the study used included analgesics, stimulants, anti-malaria, alcohol, worm expellants, nasal decongestants, sleeping pills, laxatives, and anti-biotics and their main sources of drug information included print media, television, radio, and friends and peers. Chi-square tests indicated that the differences in the use of drugs between boys and girls were significant in most cases. It is recommended that drug education be made an integral part of secondary school curriculum. Keywords: Drug use, Sources of information, Secondary school students, Imo Stat

Personal Health Risks Behaviour Profile among University Students in the South East Nigeria: Implication for Health Education

This descriptive survey was carried out in order to determine the personal health risks behaviour profile among university students in the south east of Nigeria. A random sample of 900 students completed the questionnaire designed for the study. Out of this number 821, representing about 91.2% return rate, were used for data analysis. Means and standards deviations were used to describe the personal health risks behaviour profile of the students. T-test was used to test the entire hypotheses. Results showed that the respondents had no identifiable mental health-related, nutrition-related, physical activity-related, substance abuse-related and personal health care-related risks. T-test showed that no significant differences existed in most of the personal health risks behaviour profile between male and female respondents. Where significant differences existed, they inclined towards favouring the females. The study supports the need for compulsory health education curriculum activities to help educate the students in making healthy behaviour choices and leading a healthier lifestyle in order to improve or at worst maintain the status quo in their personal health risks behaviour profile. Keywords: Personal health, Risks behaviour, Profile, Students, Health educatio

Family and Community Practices for Child Survival, Growth and Development (SGD) among Mothers in Enugu State, Nigeria

The study was conducted in order to identify the family and community practices (FCPs) for child survival, growth and development (SGD) among mothers in Enugu State. To achieve this two research questions were formulated. Quantitative data were collected from 1969 mothers using family and community practices questionnaire (FCPQ). The data collected were analyzed using frequency distribution, percentages and mean to answer the research questions. The findings of the study showed that mothers adopted FCPs except hygiene and use of insecticide treated bed nets practices in Enugu State. The findings further indicated the mothers adopted FCPs except hygiene and use of insecticide treated bed nets practices to a great extent. It is recommended that appropriate information, education and communication (IEC) messages for promoting FCPs should be carried out on mothers by health workers, including health education teachers, to ensure survival, healthy growth and development of the child. Key words: Family, Community practices, Child survival, Growth and developmen

Maternal Compliance Practices during Childhood Pneumonia in Imo State, Nigeria

Pneumonia is a serious acute respiratory infection which, if not prevented, could cause serious illness among children. It can be prevented and treated effectively if mothers could comply with treatment regimen, follow-up and referral practices. Compliance practices are in most cases influenced by factors such as level of education, parity and occupation of mothers. This study aimed at identifying the mothers’ compliance practices during childhood pneumonia in Imo State. A cross-sectional survey design was used in order to achieve the objectives of the study. A sample of 2400 mothers of child bearing age (15-49 years) randomly drawn from 26 out of 27 local government areas in Imo State participated in the study. The instrument used to collect data was a structured questionnaire which had a reliability coefficient of 0.86. Results of the study showed that level of education, parity and occupation influenced mothers’ compliance practices during childhood pneumonia. Among the recommendations include that doctors, nurses and health educators should teach mothers the importance of adequate compliance practices during childhood pneumonia to avoid drug resistance and death. Keywords: Maternal, compliance, practices, childhood pneumonia, Imo Stat

Factors associated with parental intent not to circumcise daughters in Enugu State of Nigeria: an application of the theory of planned behavior

This study explored intention of parents not to circumcise daughters in Enugu State, Nigeria using theory of planned behavior (TPB) as a framework. A survey of 1345 parents was carried out using structured questionnaire with FGM question items based on TPB constructs of attitude, subjective norm (SN), perceived behavioral control (PBC), and intention. Intention was dichotomized into two categories and logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the association between the constructs of TPB while controlling for some socio-demographic factors. 70% of respondents did not intend circumcising daughters. Constructs of TPB associated significantly, at p < 0.0001, with intention not to perform FGM on daughters with PBC having the strongest association. Having a post-secondary education (OR = 3.94; CI = 2.73-5.67) and absence of history of FGM in family (OR = 3.39; CI = 2.62-4.39) are the socio-demographic variables most significantly associated with the intention not to circumcise daughters. Homer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit statistics indicated logistic regressions model 1 was significant (p < 0.05) making TPB a good theoretical basis for study of FGM. Intervention activity should focus on improving attitude of parents and especially those with less than post-secondary education and those with cases of FGM in their household.Keywords: Female genital mutilation, parental intent, circumcision, childbearing age, Enugu State, Nigeria, Theory of planned behavio