scholarly journals SENSE OF SELF AS A PREDICTOR OF BREAST SELF EXAMINATION AMONG UNDERGRADUATE GIRLS IN THE NORTH CENTRAL NIGERIA

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 584-590
Author(s):  
Benjamin N. Ojotu ◽  
◽  
Sheidu N. Attai ◽  

Cancer is among the deadliest public health problem in the universe. The burden of cancers is a serious public health concern, especially in developing nations, including Nigeria. Evidence has shown that breast self-examination is a crucial strategy for early detection and avoidance of breast cancer. The current study aimed to investigate the variation in BSE practice among undergraduate girls in North-central Nigeria based on their sense of self. A cross-sectional survey design was adopted. The population comprised undergraduates in tertiary institutions in the North Central States of Nigeria. Two hundred and sixty-nine female undergraduates participated in the study. The participant completed a self-report measure including the Sense of Self Scale (SOSS) and a BSE practice questionnaire. The result revealed that most of the respondents (78.4%) had never practiced BSE, while only (21.6%) had practiced BSE. Also, it was found that the sense of self statistically significantly predicted BSE practice. The study concluded that a sense of self is a predictor of BSE practice and recommends that an understanding of self-enhancement strategy be adopted.

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. 940-946
Author(s):  
Ekpa Joseph ◽  

For many decades, cancer has remained a ubiquitous part of public health concern that has assumed a public health problem across the globe. Perhaps, several actions have been documented that attempt to provide a solution to the increasing spread of the disease. Breast self-examination is a cancer curbing strategy that has received enormous research attention in recent years. Nevertheless, many factors have been implicated in the BSE variance. Numerous studies have suggested that body appreciation is positively correlated with health behaviors and health care practice. The current study examined the relationship between body appreciation and BSE practice, using a sample of women (N = 248) in Kogi State, Nigeria. Linear regression resultsestablisheda positive correlation between body appreciation and BSE practice (p < .0.05). This result informs knowledge regarding determinants of BSE behavior among the female. The research concludes with a discussion of the practical implications and recommendations.


2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine Jildeh ◽  
Ziad Abdeen ◽  
Haleama Al Sabbah ◽  
Christopher Papandreou ◽  
Ibrahim Ghannam ◽  
...  

Background. Labor related injuries among Palestinian schoolchildren are a significant undocumented public health concern. This study aimed at documenting the prevalence and nature of work related injuries among schoolchildren as well as identifying sociodemographic factors that predict these injuries. Methods. A cross-sectional survey included 15,963 children of whom 6458 (40.8%) completed an optional package related to labor. Students aged 12–18 years self-completed the international WHO collaborative HBSC valid questionnaires between April and May of 2006. Results. Approximately 73.8% of the students who filled the optional package reported working during the last 12 months, of whom 79.1% sustained a work related injury. Work injuries were significantly higher among boys, younger children, and children enrolled in UNRWA schools and living in Gaza Strip P<0.05. Children working ≥3 hours/day were more likely to experience injuries, 1.73 (95% CI, 1.53–1.95), than those working ≤3/day. About half of the children worked in retail trade (51.5%), agriculture (20.0%), and cleaning (11.4%). Injury type was related to the type of work performed. Conclusions. The high prevalence of injuries among working Palestinian schoolchildren confirms its severity as a public health problem. To reduce occupational injuries, policymakers and professionals should develop intervention programs that target the public and health providers.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 544-550
Author(s):  
Veronica a ◽  
◽  
Ejeh b ◽  
Benjamine N. Ojotu ◽  
◽  
...  

Over the years, individuals have been visiting the drug stores intending to treat their respective illnesses without expert consultation. Self-medication has been defined as self-prescription and self-administration of drugs by an individual without consulting a medical expert. It is a public health concern. Research has established several predictor variables in self-medication. Thus, the purpose of this study is to examine the predictive role of peer influence and self-esteem on self-medication practice among the youth in the middle-belt region of Nigeria. A cross-sectional survey was adopted. Two hundred and sixteen youth pooled from four large public health institutions in Kogi and Benue State participated in the study. The participant completed a self-report measure,and a multiple regression model was used to test the hypothesis. The result showed that peerinfluence statistically significantly predicted self-medication practice, while self-esteem did not. The study recommends a robust anti-self-medication campaign.


2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
F Solorza ◽  
C Urquidi ◽  
V Ramírez ◽  
P Marró

Abstract Background Suicide is a public health problem. The highest rates occur in men of 45-60 years old, and the most common methods are hanging, ingestion of pesticides, and firearms. Self-harm with or without suicide intention is the most critical factor identified for prevention, and it requires health care services. In Chile, the central-south regions are the most vulnerable areas. We described the epidemiological profile and trends of hospitalized self-harm in Chile between the years 2008 and 2017 and identified susceptible geographical regions and subpopulations. Methods We analyzed the codes X60-X84 (ICD-10) for self-harm, from the hospital discharge records of the Department of Health Statistics of Chile. Chilean population data (National Statistics Institute) and standard world population information were used to adjust self-injury rates by age. Administrative shapefiles containing boundaries of standard geographic locations were obtained from the Chilean National Congress website. We analyzed data by sex, groups of age, and by administrative Region. Self-injury mechanisms were grouped into six categories. Results For the period 2008-2017, 31,363 cases of self-harm were hospitalized. The global self-harm rate for the period was 20.9 per 100.000 inhabitants, 29.5 for women, and 12.0 for men. For age groups 10-19, 20-64, and 65 or more, these rates were 40.4, 15.1, and 7.9, respectively. The highest self-harm rates were observed in the north and central regions (Arica:43.5, O'higgins:37.9, Valparaiso:35.4). The most common methods of self-harm were drugs/substance use (89%), sharp and blunt objects use (4.4%), and hanging/drowning (3.1%). In men, the letality rate of self-harm was 2.5% and 0.6% in women. Conclusions In Chile, hospitalized self-harm rates are high in women and adolescents, mainly in the north and central regions of the country. Key messages Prevention of suicide should be targeted in different populations than the already known epidemiological profile of suicide. Self-harm should be a public health concern, for prevention and surveillance, especially in adolescents and women.


BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. e041609
Author(s):  
Emmanuel Nii-Boye Quarshie ◽  
Farag Shuweihdi ◽  
Mitch Waterman ◽  
Allan House

ObjectivesTo identify the prevalence, methods, associations and reported reasons for self-harm among in-school and street-connected adolescents in Ghana.DesignA cross-sectional survey. We applied multi-level regression models and model-based cluster analysis to the data.SettingThree contexts in the Greater Accra region were used: second cycle schools, facilities of charity organisations and street census enumeration areas (sleeping places of street-connected adolescents, street corners, quiet spots of restaurants, markets, train and bus stations, and lorry and car parks).ParticipantsA regionally representative sample of 2107 (1723 in-school and 384 street-connected) adolescents aged 13–21 years.Outcome measuresParticipants responded to a structured self-report anonymous questionnaire describing their experience of self-harm and eliciting demographic information and social and personal adversities.ResultsThe lifetime prevalence of self-harm was 20.2% (95% CI 19.0% to 22.0%), 12-month prevalence was 16.6% (95% CI 15.0% to 18.0%) and 1-month prevalence was 3.1% (95% CI 2.0% to 4.0%). Self-injury alone accounted for 54.5% episodes and self-poisoning alone for 16.2% episodes, with more than one method used in 26% of episodes. Self-cutting (38.7%) was the most common form of self-injury, whereas alcohol (39.2%) and medications (27.7%) were the most commonly reported means of self-poisoning. The factors associated with self-harm were interpersonal: conflict with parents (adjusted OR (aOR)=1.87, 95% CI 1.24 to 2.81), physical abuse victimisation (aOR=1.69, 95% CI 1.16 to 2.47), difficulty in making and keeping friends (aOR=1.24, 95% CI 0.85 to 1.80), sexual abuse victimisation (aOR=1.21, 95% CI 0.78 to 1.87) and conflict between parents (aOR=1.07, 95% CI 0.73 to 1.56).ConclusionsSelf-harm is a significant public health problem among in-school and street-connected adolescents in the Greater Accra region of Ghana. Its origins are very largely in social and familial adversity, and therefore prevention and treatment measures need to be focused in these areas.


2021 ◽  
pp. 105413732095224
Author(s):  
Charleen D. Adams

Suicide is a major public health concern. In 2015, it was the 10th leading cause of death in the US. The number of suicides increased by 30% in the US from 1999 to 2016, and a greater uptick in suicides is predicted to occur as a result of the COVID-19 crisis, for which the primary public-health strategy is physical distancing and during which alcohol sales have soared. Thus, current strategies for identifying at-risk individuals and preventing suicides, such as relying on self-reported suicidal ideation, are insufficient, especially under conditions of physical distancing, which exacerbate isolation, loneliness, economic stress, and possibly alcohol consumption. New strategies are urgent now and into the future. To that aim, here, a two-sample Mendelian randomization (an instrumental variables technique using public genome-wide association study data as data sources) was performed to determine whether alcohol-associated changes in DNA methylation mediate risk for suicidal behavior. The results suggest that higher alcohol-associated DNA methylation levels at cg18120259 confer a weak causal effect. Replication and triangulation of the results, both experimentally and with designs other than Mendelian randomization, are needed. If the findings replicate, the information might be utilized to raise awareness about the biological links between alcohol and suicide and possibly explored as a biomarker of risk, perhaps especially for early detection of those who may not self-report suicidal intent.


1990 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 136-142 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maureen Beckett ◽  
Selina Redman ◽  
Christina Lee

Fifty women with a history of breast lumps, and fifty control women matched for age and educational level, were administered a self-report questionnaire to determine knowledge of breast cancer, frequency and proficiency of breast self-examination (BSE), and health beliefs relating to BSE. Although women with previous breast lumps were more knowledgeable about breast cancer than those without, the two groups did not differ in attitudes or preventive behaviours. Overall knowledge of cancer and of BSE practice was low. This suggests a need for educational campaigns to increase knowledge and awareness, as a first step towards behaviour change, and a need for research to identify more effective predictors of BSE practice.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (04) ◽  
pp. 495-500
Author(s):  
Muhammad-Badar S. Jibrin ◽  
◽  
Thomas Adubika ◽  

The purpose of this present study was to determine the predictive role of English proficiency on effective classroom communication using undergraduates from tertiary institutions in the North Central of Nigeria. Two hundred and thirty undergraduates (n=230) were randomly selected from Kogi and Benue states as the participants. Data for the study was collected using a self-report instrument measuring English proficiency and classroom communication as operationalized in the study. Linear regression analysis was conducted on the data, and the result showed that English proficiency statistically significantly predicted classroom communication. The study concludes that English proficiency is a determinant of student-teacher classroom interaction. The practical implications are discussed.


Author(s):  
Pratibha U. Mulik ◽  
Sudam R. Suryawanshi

Background: After comparing data of NFHS-3 and 4, prevalence of overweight and obesity in women of an urban population almost doubled in 10 yr. So, the causes of increasing prevalence need to be studied as public health concern. Objective of the study is to determine prevalence of overweight and obesity among reproductive age group (15-49 years) of women in an urban slum of Mumbai.Methods: Total 220 women were selected among 11 sectors from A to K by simple random method and data collected by using validated questionnaire. WHO’s classification was used to classify as overweight and obese.Results: Out of 220 women participated in study, 14 (6.36%) were obese, 75 (34.09%) were overweight according to BMI and 17 (7.7%) were found to be obese according to waist to hip ratio. From the present study it was seen that age group of the women, socio economic class, education, history of hypothyroidism, family history of obesity, types of work women do, hours of television watching, calorie and fat intake, had a significant relationship with BMI, whereas physical exercise they used to do and tendency to sleep in the afternoon and hours of sleep in the night had non-significant relationship with BMI.Conclusions: Obesity and overweight is found to be a growing public health problem and can be preventable. Interventional measures include developing healthy eating habits, regular moderate physical exercise, sleeping habits, health camps for screening of overweight and obesity.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marian Evans ◽  
Breanna De Leon ◽  
Reaghan Bathrick ◽  
Annie Ricupero

Background: Unintended pregnancy continues to be a public health concern across the nation. National data demonstrates the highest rates of unintended pregnancy occurs in women who are 18 to 24 years old. Providing practical and meaningful health education about contraception has the potential to reduce unintended pregnancy and improve quality of life for young adults. This paper describes the design and methodology for a comprehensive contraceptive education intervention at a public university. Methods: Convenience sampling was used with a custom survey conducted in Women’s Health classes from 2015-2021. Surveys contained questions about demographic characteristics, knowledge of contraception options, sources of knowledge, stress levels, and confidence in knowledge. Students completed a pretest, received a comprehensive contraception health education lecture, and completed a post-test. Data collection was approved by the university’s IRB, and analyses were conducted using SPSS Version 27. Conclusion: At a time when reproductive freedom, choice, and justice is scrutinized and suppressed, it is imperative that young adults maintain and understand the importance of having control over when, where, and how they decide to have children if they desire to do so. There is a need for continued comprehensive health education and appropriate resources at the university level. The use of assessments, building trusted professor-student relationships, and exploring credible and reliable information sources can be used to reduce the number of unintended pregnancies for college-aged students. If significant, the replication of the design and methods could have a significant impact on the public health problem of unintended pregnancies, maternal health equity, and reproductive justice.


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