Knowledge of Adolescents Regarding Health Implications of Body Piercing

vThe period of puberty to legal adulthood falls under the age group of 17-19, and the Transitional stage of physical and psychological development falls under this age. In a modern scenario the adolescents are aware of the different kind of piercing since it has been increasing popularity around the world. Piercing has a high potential for infectious complications such as pain, edema, prolonged bleeding, cyst, scar, or Keloid. Objectives: To assess the knowledge level of adolescents regarding health implication of body piercing and to find the association between knowledge score and demographic variables. Materials and Methods: A descriptive research design was adopted in this study. The sample consists of 92 adolescents. The study was conducted in Father Muller Medical College, Mangaluru. A Knowledge Questionnaire was used to collect the data regarding knowledge on health implication of body piercing. Result: The findings revealed that majority 52 (56.5%) of the adolescents had poor knowledge and 37 (40.2%) of them had an average knowledge on health implication of body piercing. Very few 3(3.3%) had good knowledge on health implication of body piercing. There exists no significant association of knowledge score with the selected demographic variables. Interpretation and Conclusion: The study concluded that majority of the adolescents have a general lack of knowledge about body piercing and its adverse effects; this causes an increased risk of adverse effects following body piercing. A health teaching on the health implications of body piercing will be very helpful for the young people to acquire knowledge and to practice accordingly. Key words: Body piercing, Adolescents, Health Implication, Knowledge. .

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AMONG WOMEN IN NIGERIA AND ITS HEALTH IMPLICATION - REVIEW

Purpose: All too frequent the media is filled with news of high-profile domestic violence cases. It is becoming a routine for one to wake up and hear or read the news of domestic violence. Wives are murdered by their husbands, unmarried ladies are daily murdered by a rejected lover and other form of inhuman treatment which are meted mainly on the female. Many women do not report the abuse because they are ashamed that their marriages are not working and for most women in Nigeria, divorce is not an option, so they suffer in silence. This work is aimed at reviewing the different types of domestic violence among women in Nigeria and its health implication, as well as proffered solutions. Methodology: The method used in the collection of these data was qualitative. Officially published literatures which included textbooks, journals, newspapers and surveys were reviewed. Findings: Factors associated with the occurrence of domestic violence occurrence in Nigeria included ethnicity, culture, religious practices, socio-economic dependence, gender inequality, psychological factors, power and control. Reports revealed high level of violence against women in Nigeria. Up to two-thirds of women in Nigeria’s Lagos state have experienced domestic violence. In South East, Nigeria, 70% of respondents reported abuse in their family, with 92% of the victims being female partners and 8% being male. A study on women’s perception of wife beating in Nigeria showed that 64.4% and 50.4% of ever married and unmarried women respectively expressed consent for wife beating. Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: Noticing and acknowledging the signs of an abusive relationship are the first step to ending it. No one should live in fear of the person they love. Domestic violence does not discriminate, it can happen among heterosexual couples and those in same-sex relationship. It can occur within all age range, ethnic background and economic levels. While women are more commonly victimized, men are also abused especially verbally and emotionally, though it can be physical at times. Domestic violence should never be acceptable, whether it is coming from a man or woman. It destroys ones self-esteem with other health consequences.

Public health implication of solid waste generated by households in Bekwarra Local Government area

Background: This study was conducted in Bekwarra Local Government Area of Cross River State, Nigeria, to determine the public health implication of solid waste generated by households. Methods: A cross sectional descriptive design was employed, using a semi-structured questionnaire together with an obser- vation checklist to elicit information from the respondents. Proportionate sampling was used to select 400 respondents of 18 years and above for the study area. Data collected were analysed using the Microsoft Excel 2007 and Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 20. Results: Respondents knowledge concerning solid waste disposal was assessed and the results showed that majority of the respondents 193 (63.7%) had high level of knowledge of solid waste disposal, while 170 (42.5%) had average level of knowl- edge of solid waste disposal. Wastes produced by households in the study include vegetables (95.5%), ash (94%), clothing/ rag (94.2%), wood (95%), and animal waste (86.2%) had the highest abundance. Diseases associated with these wastes pro- duced by households include cholera (18.2%), malaria (47.2%), lassa fever (10.7%) and diarrhea (23.9%) with malaria been the most prevalence infection. Conclusion: The result shows solid waste posed a serious health hazard and lead to the spread of infectious diseases. These issues can be addressed through health education and enlightenment of the people on waste disposal. Keywords: Municipal waste; public health; infection; health hazard; environmental pollution.

Review on effect of dumpsite leachate to the environmental and public health implication

Over the years, there has been an increase in the rate of environmental pollution due to improper disposal and management of dumpsite waste. Leachate being generated as a result of the moisture associated within dumpsite, amount to contain various microbial pathogens and hazardous substance like cyanides, heavy metals and other chemicals acquired from the dumpsite. This can serve as a risk factor to the environment and public health when there is leachate migration. The migration of leachate into the environment potentially results in the contamination of soil, food products, animals, ground water, surface water and the air environment’ which in turn affect the health of human especially those who consumes from the contaminated products, those who inhabits around the dumpsite and other vulnerable like; young children, waste workers and immunocompromised persons. In Nigeria, though there are municipal waste dumpsites across the nation, these sites are below standard and are not properly managed. Being a great concern to the society, the need for proper design and reconstruction of a well-engineered landfill cannot be over emphasized, among others. This paper will therefore review the environmental and public health implication of dumpsite leachate so as to create more awareness on the need for proper waste management in Nigeria. It concludes by recommending some proper means of waste disposal and management which could be considered for a better health and environment in Nigeria.