Risk Perception and Uptake of Human Papilloma Virus Vaccine among University Students in Jos, Plateau State

Background: Human papilloma virus is the most common sexually transmitted viral infection globally. It is a well-established cause of cervical cancer and about 75% of sexually active women and men will acquire this infection at some time in life. This study assessed the risk perception of human papilloma virus infection and its vaccine uptake among university students in Jos, Plateau State Nigeria. Methods: This was a cross-sectional survey conducted among 300 university students who were selected using a multistage sampling technique. A semi-structured interviewer administered questionnaire was used to assess risk perception and vaccine uptake. Data was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 23. Associations between independent and dependent variables were determined using χ2 test while binary logistic regression was used to determine factors associated with risk perception, with significant value set at < 0.05. Results: Respondents’ awareness of human papilloma virus infection and the vaccine was 148 (49.3%) and 62(20.7%) respectively. Ninety four (31.3%) students had good risk perception of the infection while 206 (68.7%) had poor perception. Three (1.0%) students had taken the vaccine with no statistically significant difference between health and social science students (p = 0.05). Health science students had 3 times better risk perception than social science students (OR = 3.42, 95% CI = 2.03 - 5.77; P< 0.001). Conclusion: Human papilloma virus infection risk perception and vaccine uptake were poor among Jos University students. There is a need to improve the vaccine uptake through awareness creation and advocacy in Nigeria.

Effect of Socio-demographic Status, Knowledge, and Attitude on Utilisation of Safe Delivery Practices among Mothers of Children attending Child Welfare Clinics in Osogbo, Nigeria

Background: Previous studies on attendance at delivery by skilled personnel have neglected childbearing women’s knowledge and attitude towards safe delivery practices. This study assessed factors influencing utilisation of safe delivery services among mothers of under-five children attending child welfare clinics in Osogbo. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted at child welfare clinics in Osogbo, Nigeria. Respondents were selected using a multistage sampling technique. Data was collected using a semi-structured, interviewer-administered questionnaire and analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 23. Statistical association between safe delivery practices and socio-demographic factors, knowledge of and attitude towards safe delivery practices were determined using logistic regression and p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Four hundred out of the 420 eligible respondents completed the questionnaire giving a response rate of 95.2%. More than half of the respondents; 223 (55.8%) were < 30 years old. Many respondents; 193 (48.3%) and their spouses; 229 (57.2%) had attained tertiary education. Almost all respondents; 389 (97.3%) attended antenatal care during their last pregnancies. Utilisation of skilled birth attendants was associated with antenatal clinic attendance in last pregnancy (p<0.001). Conclusion: The factors associated with utilisation of safe delivery services were respondent’s ages, educational attainment of the respondents and their spouses, and respondents’ attendance at antenatal clinic in last pregnancy. Implementation research on measures to promote antenatal and delivery services by skilled birth attendants is needed in order to increase utilisation of safe delivery practices by mothers.

Knowledge of Stroke in a Sub-urban Slum Community in Plateau State, North Central Nigeria

Background: Despite stroke being a prominent cause of morbidity and mortality in north central Nigeria, there is no information on community perception and knowledge of stroke symptoms. This study was designed to assess the knowledge of stroke in a suburban community. Methods: This was community-based cross sectional observational study conducted at Kabong in Tudun Wada/Kabong ward of Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State in north central Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select Kabong Community and all adults 18 years and above in the community were invited to participate in the study. The knowledge of stroke symptoms was assessed using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. The main outcome measure was the ability to identify stroke symptoms. Results: There were 196 respondents with a mean age (± standard deviation) of 46.4 (± 16.7) years; their ages ranging from 18 – 84 years. Fifty-four percent could identify only one stroke symptom and this was “sudden weakness or numbness of face, arm or leg especially on one side of the body.” On multivariate logistic regression analysis, previous stroke education (Odds Ratio = 0.034, 95% CI = 0.008 – 0.147, p < 0.001) emerged as the independent predictor of ability to identify this stroke symptom. Conclusion: Knowledge of stroke was poor among participants. Efforts should be made to improve stroke knowledge through deliberate health education of stroke patients, their relatives and the community by health care providers.

Knowledge and Practice of Malaria Control Measures among Women Attending Antenatal Clinics in Abakaliki, Nigeria

Background: Pregnant women, children and immune-compromised persons are highly vulnerable to malaria morbidity and mortality. Malaria accounts for about 50% of all clinic attendance in Nigeria and contributes significantly to anaemia in pregnancy, low birth weight, preterm births, still births and perinatal mortality. It is therefore imperative that these highly susceptible groups of people are adequately informed and supported for prevention of malaria at all times. This study assessed the knowledge and practice of malaria control measures among Antenatal Care attendees in Abakaliki. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in the two biggest hospitals in Abakiliki, among 400 Antenatal Care attendees selected using systematic sampling technique. Data was collected using interviewer administered questionnaire and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 22. Chi-square was used to test for associations between independent and dependent variables. The significance level was set at p< 0.05. Results: The mean age of respondents was 29.2 ± 4.1 years. Majority correctly identified methods of diagnosis of malaria in pregnancy. Although 375(93.7%) of the women constantly owned a long-lasting insecticide treated net, only 187(49.9%) of them always slept under it. While 363(90.7%) of the respondents cleared their surrounding bushes, only 130 (32.5) regularly used in-door insecticide spray and 153(38.3%) always used anti-malaria prophylaxis in the index pregnancy. Conclusion: Knowledge about malarial control measures was high but use of Long-Lasting Insecticide Treated Net with drug prophylaxis was suboptimal. It is therefore recommended that health education on malaria prevention practice be intensified during Antenatal clinic visits.

Prevalence, Knowledge, Attitude and Preventive Practices Regarding Intestinal and Urinary Parasites among Primary School Children in a Rural Community in Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Background: In developing countries, school age children continue to bear the greatest burden of intestinal parasites and schistosomiasis. This study determined the prevalence, knowledge, attitude and practice of preventive measures of intestinal and urinary parasitic infections among primary school children in Ebonyi, Nigeria Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out among 120 pupils in two primary schools in Igbeagu community in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. The pupils were purposively selected based on willingness to participate. Data were collected using questionnaires and stool and urine analyses. IBM-SPSS software version 20 was used for data analysis. Chi square test was done at 5% level of significance and 95% confidence interval. Descriptive and inferential analyses were performed. Results: Mean age of respondents was 11.33±2.46, with majority between 6-13 years (102, 85.0%). There were 66 (55.0%) females and 104 (86.7%) respondents had good knowledge about intestinal parasites. Drinking contaminated water (104, 86.7%), using clean toilets (102, 85.9%) and diarrhea (105, 87.5%), were the most identified ways of transmission, prevention and symptomatology respectively. Overall, 117 (97.5%) had good attitude towards prevention and control of intestinal and urinary parasites. Respondents had good preventive practices against intestinal and urinary parasites with majority washing their hands with soap after defecation (100, 83.3%), and before eating (101, 84.2%). Conclusion: This study reported high levels of knowledge, good attitude and preventive practices against intestinal and urinary parasites. No parasites were found. We recommend that caregivers be targeted for behaviour change interventions as this will augment the positive results already being reported.

A Review of Blood and Blood Products Requisition and Utilization in Post-neonatal Ward of a Tertiary Hospital in South Western Nigeria

Background: Blood and its products ordering is a common practice in paediatrics. The ready availability of blood and blood components has resulted in liberal use. Inappropriate use of blood and blood products exposes patients to the risk of transfusion transmissible diseases and allergic and haemolytic reactions. Objective: To assess blood and blood products requisition and utilization in a post-neonatal ward in a semi-urban tertiary hospital in Nigeria Methods: Retrospective analysis of medical records of all transfused post-neonatal patients during the study period from 1st July 2015 to¬ 31st December 2016 to calculate the cross-match to transfusion ratio, transfusion probability and transfusion index. Results: The units of blood cross-matched were 98 and 90 blood units transfused. The cross-match to transfusion ratio was 1.09 indicative of significant blood usage. The transfusion probability was 100% indicative of significant blood usage. The transfusion index was 1.10 indicative of significant blood utilization. Conclusion: Transfusion of blood and blood products in the post-neonatal ward of our setting meet the standard criteria for quality indicators for blood utilization.

Assessment of Availability of Human Resource and Services for Newborn Care in Primary Health Care Facilities in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State, Nigeria

Background: The majority of neonatal deaths occur in low and middle-income countries. Availability of qualified human resources along with maternal and child health services are essential to curb these deaths. The study objective was to determine the availability of human resources and services for newborn care in Primary Health Care facilities in Jos North Local Government Area. Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted in Primary Health Care facilities offering immediate newborn care. A stratified sampling technique was used to select 67 and 60 healthcare workers in 30 public and 30 private facilities respectively. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data and SPSS version 23 was used for data analysis. Results: The majority, 85(66.9%) of the healthcare workers were Community Health Extension Workers. There were 16(12.6%) midwives and 1(0.8%) medical doctors. In-service training on newborn care had been received by 69(54.3%) respondents, while 22(17.3%) respondents had received training on essential newborn care. Only twenty (33.3%) facilities discharge mother and newborn 24 hours after normal delivery. Postnatal services provided included early initiation of breastfeeding by 116(91.3%) respondents. Preventive services included chlorhexidine cord care given by 86(67.7%) respondents while 27(21.3%) and 26(20.5%) gave erythromycin/ tetracycline eye prophylaxis and vitamin k1 respectively. Conclusion: Community Health Extension Workers were the major human resource for immediate newborn care; further research to determine their knowledge and skills are needed. The preventive neonatal services were few. More preventive care and 24-hour postnatal care are advocated as strategies to improve newborn outcomes.

Knowledge and Risk Perception of COVID-19 and the Willingness to Take COVID-19 Vaccine among Tertiary Institution Students in Jos, Plateau State: a Comparative Assessment of Medical and Nursing Students

Background: Coronavirus disease has assumed increasing public health importance globally, especially in terms of its impact on the health systems and economies. Despite the abundance of information on COVID-19 in the public domain, misinformation is rife and the uptake of COVID-19 vaccine is tainted by controversies and cynicisms. This study compared the knowledge and risk perception of COVID-19 between medical and nursing students in Jos and their willingness to take the vaccine. Methods: This was a comparative cross-sectional study among 186 medical and 129 nursing students in Jos selected through a stratified sampling technique. Data was collected through a semi-structured self-administered questionnaire and analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 23. A p-value of ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Medical students had significantly better knowledge (55.4% vs 5.4%) and risk perception (93.5% vs 47.3%) of COVID-19 compared to the nursing students (˂0.0001). One hundred and fifty seven respondents (71.1%) were vaccine-hesitant and this was worse in the nursing students (82.9%) than in the medical students (62.9%). Lack of trust for a COVID-19 vaccine bothering on its efficacy, safety profile, adverse effects, and rapidity of development and testing were the leading reasons for vaccine hesitancy. Conclusion: Medical students had better knowledge and perception of COVID-19 risk than their nursing counterparts. COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy is high among medical and nursing students. Therefore, further education by school authorities on COVID-19 and the role of vaccines in its control is necessary

Epidemiology and Clinical Characteristics of Covid-19 Mortality in Jos, Nigeria

Background: Coronavirus Disease 2019 mortality figures in Africa are comparatively lower than the figures in Europe, Asia and the Americas. Many reasons have been adduced for the differences which include the younger population in Africa. We therefore out set to describe the epidemiology and clinical features among in-hospital mortalities in our setting. Methods: This was a retrospective study of all mortalities due to confirmed COVID-19 at the Jos University Teaching Hospital from April 2020 to April 2021. Descriptive statistics were used to present results and Chi Square analysis used to determine the association between morbidities, sex and ventilator use. A p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 80 mortalities were recorded over the 12 month period. Sixty one (76.0%) were males. The mean age of the study population was 61 ± 15 years and twenty nine (36.3%) were aged ≤59 years. The median duration of hospitalization for in-hospital mortality was 4days (IQR 1-35). Fever; 61(76.3%), cough; 59(73.8 %) and dyspnea; 56 (70.0%) were the commonest presenting symptoms and 35(43.8%) had the three symptoms. Hypertension; 48(60.0%) and type 2 diabetes mellitus; 36(45.0%) were the commonest co-morbidities in the patients, and 31(38.8%) had at least two co-morbidities. Eighteen (22.5%) had both hypertension and diabetes mellitus. Hypertension and having two or more co-morbidities where associated with requirement for ventilator support (P <0.013 and P<0.001 respectively). Conclusion: Fever, cough, dyspnea and two or more co-morbidities are common among COVID-19 mortalities in Jos. Efforts to quickly identify such patients and manage comorbidities are needed to reduce mortality.

Perception of Risk for Lassa Fever among Residents of a Rural Community in Edo State, Nigeria

Background: The prevention and control of Lassa fever depends on the adoption of appropriate behavioural practices. The expected changes are best explained using the Health Belief Model. The study investigated respondents’ perception of their risk for Lassa fever infection and its associated factors in Akhalowa community of Edo State. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among eligible heads of households using a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics on IBM SPSS version 22.0. A p-value < 0.05 at 95% confidence interval was considered statistically significant. Results: The participants included 220 respondents with mean age (SD) of 37.9 (13.2) years. There were 127 (57.7%) females and 143 (65.0%) respondents had at least secondary education. One hundred and ninety one (86.8%) of them were aware of Lassa fever, out of which 146 (76.4%) had overall good perception of their risk for the disease and 144 (75.4%) agreed that Lassa fever was a problem in the community. One hundred and seventy seven (92.7%) agreed that complying with preventive measures would protect them against Lassa fever. Respondents’ good knowledge of Lassa fever was the only significant predictor of good perception of risk for Lassa fever [Odds Ratio=3.806; 95 CI = 1.498-9.672, p=0.005]. Conclusion: The study revealed overall good perception of risk for Lassa fever among the respondents. It is therefore recommended that this is sustained through continuous risk communication messages on the prevention and control of Lassa fever to the people by the Edo State and local governments.