ACADEMIC STATUS OF THE COACH AND TEAM PERFORMANCE IN THE KENYAN NATIONAL SOCCER AND VOLLEYBALL LEAGUES

Purpose: The study sought to establish whether academic status of the coach predicted team performance in the Kenyan national soccer and volleyball leagues. Methodology: The Cross-Sectional survey used a population of the 53 head coaches handling team in the Kenyan soccer and volleyball leagues in the 2020-2021 season. Census sampling was used to pick the 53 coaches for the study. Data collection instrument was a self-administered questionnaire. The Leadership Scale for Sport questionnaire (LSS) was used to capture player’s perception on coach competence. The coaches’ questionnaire was divided into sections which captured demographics and academic background. The study used Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS Version 22) for data analysis. Information was organized and presented using descriptive statistics and was analyzed at 0.05 significance level. Chi-Square and Fisher’s Exact test was used to predict coach academic status on the team’s performance. Data was projected in figures and tables and relevant discussions were made. Findings: Chi square and Fisher’s Exact Test results showed that coaches academic status had a significant effect on team performance (χ2 =18.419, 0.031 ≤ p 0.05 9df). The fisher’s exact test had a p value of 0.016 which was also less than 0.05 confirming that there was a significant relationship between coaches’ academic status and team performance. Conclusion and Recommendation: The study concluded that coaches’ academic status had a significant effect on team performance. Team managers, owners and other stake holders in sports need to take up educated coaches. This is because educated coaches learn a diverse way of communication including humor, which in turns benefits communication between coaches and players which enhances team performance in the long run. In addition, coaches that are not educated need to go back to school and further their education. This will enable them to gain more skills that will be help in their teams’ performance.

EFFECT OF SCHOOL-BASED EDUCATIONAL INTERVENTIONS ON DEPRESSION-RELATED HEALTH-SEEKING BEHAVIOUR AMONG IN-SCHOOL ADOLESCENTS IN OGUN STATE, NIGERIA.

Introduction: Depression is one of the most common mental health diseases among adolescents; the repercussions are penetrating and are visible later in life. Purpose: To determine the effectiveness of school-based educational interventions on depression-related health-seeking behaviour among in-school adolescents in Ogun state, Nigeria. Methodology: A quasi-experimental design comprising of one control group and three experimental groups was conducted. Health Belief Model (HBM) was used for the study. The population of the study was 120 in-school adolescents selected using the multi-stage sampling technique from four (4) selected secondary schools. A validated semi-structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Data collected was coded using IBM® SPSS version 23. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics at 0.05 level of significance. Findings: The mean±SD ages of the adolescents in the teacher-led, peer-led, teacher-led and peer-led and control groups were 14.43±2.315 years, 14.33±1.605 years, 14.97±1.426 years and 15.43±1.960 years in the teacher-led, peer-led, teacher and peer-led and control groups respectively. Equal number of female and male students were in the teacher-led group but different in other groups 19 (63.3%), 19 (63.3%) and 16 (53.3%). Results established that the students recruited for this study shared similar socio-demographic characteristics. The findings revealed that adolescent’s level of depression health-seeking behaviour significantly increased after the intervention. The teacher-led group had greater health-seeking behaviour scores (mean difference=24.27; effect size=16.04, t = 75.123; p = 0.000). Conclusion and Recommendation: The study established that teacher-led educational intervention had the greatest effect size and change in the level depression health-seeking behaviour among adolescents. This reinforces the opinion that teachers are often able to provide adolescents with key support in which they play the role of mentors in schools. Contribution to theory, practice and policy: The findings of this study which used the HBM theory support the premise that interventions based on theories are effective in influencing behaviour change in which health educators can utilize. A combination of intervention may also be important in influencing specific changes of adolescents’ mental health behaviours. Policy briefs with the study’s findings and concise summary should be communicated to the policy makers with follow up to aid updating mental health policies available.

THE USE OF PSYCHOACTIVE DRUGS AMONG STREET LADIES IN ABA METROPOLIS OF NIGERIA: AN ASSESSMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH IMPLICATIONS

Introduction: The use of psychoactive drugs among ladies is engaged in on an alarming increase in the postmodern Nigerian society, as it remains one of the public health and social vices that affects the contemporary human community. Purpose: The objectives of this study were to identify the drugs mostly abused and to determine the risk behaviours they engage in when under the influence of psychoactive drugs. Methodology: This study adopted a cross-sectional approach involving the use of oral interview and a semi- structured questionnaire as the instrument of data collection. This involved 20 interviewees in simple random selection. The data collected were analyzed using a descriptive statistics and statistical test of significance and results presented in charts. Findings: Major findings in this study attest to the fact that the mostly abused psychoactive drugs are Cigarette, Indian hemp, tramadol and codeine, cocaine. The use of psychoactive drugs is precursory to mental health challenges, depression, and behavioural abnormalities among younger women. The risk behaviours engaged when under the influence of these psychoactive drugs are aggressiveness/ ready to fight, unrestricted sexual activities, desire for more drug use. Consequently, the study findings maintain that the perpetration of heinous crimes that are carried out in the society cannot be independent of the influence of drugs, since the abused psychoactive drugs alter the normal function of the brain thus affecting the mental health of the user. Contribution to theory, practice and policy: Therefore, public health education and promotion with a focus on dissuading the unrestricted circulation and abuse of psychoactive drugs, especially among Aba young ladies is perceived profitable. Conclusion and Recommendation: Community awareness regarding drug and substance among women and constant checkmating of the activities of street girls should be carried out.

Cervical Cancer Knowledge and Screening among Young Female Adults in the Kintampo Municipal Hospital, Bono East Ghana.

Purpose: This study sought to determine the cervical cancer knowledge and screening among young female adults in Kintampo North Municipality. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was employed using a quantitative approach. Data was collected from 341 participants using a consecutive sampling with structured questionnaire and analysed using SPSS version 23. Descriptive statistics was used to analyse continuous variables like age and expressed as means and standard deviations, whilst categorical variables were summarized into frequencies and percentages. Pearson’s Chi-square test was used to determine the associations between the independent and dependent variables. Findings: More than half (58%) of the respondents had knowledge of cervical cancer. The two major sources of cervical cancer knowledge to respondents were the health workers (45.6%) and radio/television/internet (45.1%). Most (70.5%) had no idea about the causes of cervical cancer. Again, more than half (55.5%) of the respondents had no idea on the signs and symptoms of cervical cancer while less than half (48.4%) also had no idea about prevention of cervical cancer. Almost all (94.6%) the respondents had never been screened. Recommendations: Cervical cancer knowledge and screening is low among young female adults attending the Kintampo North Municipal Hospital. As such, there is the need to put strategies in place to increase cervical cancer knowledge and screening in the Kintampo North and its environs.

Determinants of Disparity in Desired Fertility among Married Women in Urban and Rural Areas of Southwest Nigeria.

Purpose: The study examined the determinants of disparity in desired fertility among married women in urban and rural centres in Southwest Nigeria. Methodology: The study adopted a mixed method research design. A total number of one thousand one hundred and eighty-seven (1,187) women (urban=713; rural=474) of reproductive ages (15-49) years were drawn from Southwest States in Nigeria using multi-stage sampling technique. Questionnaire method was used to gather data from the field. Three levels of data analysis were undertaken to achieve the study objectives. Frequency distribution of socio-demographic factors by place of residence was used at the univariate stage of analyses, chi-square test and binary logistic regression were used at the bivariate and multivariate levels of analysis. Findings: The results showed that more than three-quarter (79.4%) desired four children and below while more than one-fifth (20.6%) of the women desired 5 children and above. Higher percentage of women (84.8%) desired four children and below in rural area when compared with women in urban centres (75.7%). However, among those that desired 5 children and above higher proportion (24.3%) was found in the urban centres when compared with their counterpart in rural areas (15.2%). There is significant relationship (p<0.05) between desired number of children and education of women, husband’s education, religion, age of husband and birth interval urban areas while there is significant relationship between desired number of children and women and husbands’ education in rural areas. Further analysis showed that women’s education especially women with below secondary education had higher odds of desiring more children than those with post-secondary education (OR: 1.57; 95% C.I: 0.70-3.56). In addition, women whose husbands had no education, below secondary education and secondary education were less likely to desire more children in the urban areas than those with post-secondary education. In rural areas, there was significant relationship (p<0.05) between women whose husbands had no education, below secondary education and desired fertility. Women whose husbands had no education and those whose husbands had below secondary education were 16.94 and 2.93 more likely to desire more children than those in the reference category respectively. In addition, women who were Christian were more likely to desire more children in urban areas than their counterparts who were traditionalists. It was also discovered that women who spaced their births for twenty-four months and below were 0.51 times less likely to desire more children than their counterparts in the reference category (OR:0.51; 95%C.I 0.32-0.80). Recommendation: The study recommends that policy aimed at reducing the desired fertility in both urban and rural areas should be implemented with the hope that high fertility rate will be reduced to a manageable level.

Knowledge on Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and sexual practices among Nursing Trainees in Yendi Municipality, Northern Region of Ghana

Purpose: This study aimed to assess the knowledge on Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and sexual practices among nursing trainees in Yendi Municipality, Northern Ghana. Methodology: The study was conducted in Northern Ghana, using a cross-sectional study design. The study recruited 265 students using a multistage sampling technique. A self-reported questionnaire was used for the data collection. Data were analyzed using Stata version 16 and p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Findings: Majority (54.0%) of the respondents were males (69.1%), below 25 years with a mean age of 23.5 ±2.4 years. Most students (33.2%) had their first sexual relationship before 20 years of age. Only 20.4% of the students reported having had STIs in the past six months. Nine out of ten (90.9%) respondents have heard of STIs. Among the respondents who had ever heard of STIs, majority (71.7%) heard about STIs in school, followed by the media (41.1%), friends (33.2%), and relatives (29.4%). Majority (75.0%) of students had sufficient knowledge of STIs. The association between knowledge on STIs and program of study (X2=7.6, p=0.023), gender (X2=3.93, p=0.047), and age (X2=22.3, p=0.039) were statistically significant. The odds of sufficient knowledge of STIs for students pursuing Registered Mental Nursing (RMN) is 3 times that of those studying RNAC program (AOR=3.4, 95%CI=1.23 – 9.55, p-value=0.019). Respondents aged ≥25 years were 1.8 times more likely to have sufficient knowledge compared with those below 25 years (AOR=1.8, 95%CI=0.91 – 3.38, p=0.047). Recommendation: There is the need for sensitizations and intensifying education since not all students were armed with the required information on STIs. Stakeholders including, the Ministry of Health, Ghana Health Service, Islamic Medical Association of Ghana (IMAGH), Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG) and Tutors of health training institutions ought to re-evaluate the current interventions, and protocols on STIs prevention. There is also the need to regulate media content on health by the National Media Commission and the Ministry of Health of Ghana and its affiliates to ensure the right information on STIs is channelled to listeners by qualified persons.

Pharmaceutical Waste Management Practices in Pharmacies and Medicine Stores: Evidence from Bamenda Health District, Cameroon.

Introduction: The steep growth in the pharmaceutical industry over the last several decades has led not only to more medications in markets, but also to significant environmental and public health hazards when these drugs are not properly disposed. More than 3,000 active pharmaceutical substances are being administered worldwide in prescription medicines, over-the-counter therapeutic drugs, and veterinary drugs. Their active ingredients comprise a variety of synthetic chemicals produced by pharmaceutical companies in both the industrialized and the developing world at a rate of 100,000 tons per year. Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) accounts for an estimated 700,000 deaths per year worldwide. Over 23 million people have been tested with the aid of swab sticks for the novel Corona virus disease-19(Covid-19) in many parts of the world. This paints a gloomy picture on the quantum of pharmaceuticals that would have been used and eventually disposed. Purpose: This study explored and described pharmaceutical waste management practices by pharmacies and medicine stores operating in Bamenda Health District of the North West Region of Cameroon. Methodology: A mixed research design (Exploratory and Descriptive) was used. The study was cross-sectional. Exponential non-discriminative snowball sampling was used to identify 187 medicine stores while an official list from the Bamenda Health District of the NWR of Cameroon was sought to identify 13 pharmacies. Structured closed ended questionnaires and unstructured oral interviews were used to collect primary data. Descriptive statistics was used to describe the data while inferential statistics was used to test statistical significance. Results: In addition to sale of drugs, medicine stores offered services such as consultation, wound dressing, injection administration, laboratory tests, Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs). Pharmacies carried out solely the sale of drugs. There was a statistically significant difference in pharmaceutical waste management practices between pharmacies and medicine stores. Unique contribution to policy: Incentives in the form of financial reimbursements, tax cuts or tax holidays could be offered by the state to licensed drug dispensers who comply with national guidelines on sale of drug and pharmaceutical waste management.

INTRIGUING PREDICTORS ASSOCIATED WITH MALARIA INFECTION AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN IN MT. ELGON SUB COUNTY, KENYA

Introduction: Universally, malaria continues to ravage the lives of innocent expectant women. In Kenya malaria prevalence among adult females is 28% while in Mt. Elgon Sub County, which is categorised under highland epidemic prone malaria area, prevalence of malaria in pregnancy (MiP) is uncertain. Therefore, this study sought to determine intriguing predictors associated with malaria infection among pregnant women in Mt. Elgon Sub-County. Methods: Cross-sectional analytical design was employed and mixed methods used for data collection. For quantitative data collection, semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect primary data from pregnant women who attended ANC in selected health facilities in the study area. Further, qualitative approach adopted interview guides that targeted key informants in the health facilities. Systematic random sampling method was used to select 392 participants for the study. Data was analysed by SPSS version 25.0. Bivariate logistic regression analysis was used to test the association between independent variable and dependent variable. Findings: Study results revealed that, the prevalence of MiP was 16.2%. Prevalence was higher among women aged less than 25 (67.3%, n=262) compared to those aged > 25 years (33.7%, n=137). The following five factors were statistically significantly associated with malaria prevalence in pregnancy: place of residence (OR: 5.7; 95%CI: 2.6 – 12.4; p < 0.0001); those who tested positive in the last 2 years (OR: 1.7; 95%CI: 1.0 – 2.9; p = 0.05); preferred shape of ITN’s (OR: 3.8; 95%CI: 1.5 – 9.7; p = 0.008);earth floor (OR: 1.8; 95%CI: 1.0 – 3.1; p = 0.03); mud wall (OR: 1.8; 95%CI: 1.0 – 3.1; p = 0.03). In conclusion, age group, place of residence, testing positive in the last 2 years, preferred shape of ITN, earth floor and mud wall were significant factors associated with MiP. Recommendations: To curb MiP, the study recommends Bungoma County government to promote use of ITNs and preferable rectangular ITN’s by ensuring they are translated to appropriate use; support regular indoor residual spraying with insecticides and educate the residents on the role of improved housing on malaria protection and empowerment of the community to adopt improved housing.

Treatment Outcome in Hepatitis B-Positive Patients Attending a Selected Clinic in Baringo County of Kenya

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is often associated with chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The World Health Organization (WHO) rolled out guidelines for treatment of HBV globally in 2015 and the Kenyan Ministry of Health started implementing these guidelines in 2018. About one thousand patients have been receiving the WHO-recommended treatment across the country. However, their treatment outcome has not been evaluated. Baringo County is one of the counties with high number of patients on treatment. The aim of this study, therefore, was to evaluate the treatment outcome of these patients. Methods: Forty-one HBV positive patients attending comprehensive care clinic in Marigat, Baringo County were randomly selected. Five millilitres of blood were drawn from each patient and processed into serum. Presence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), surface antibodies (HBsAb), e-antigen (HBeAg), e-Antibodies (HBeAb) and core antibodies (HBcAb) were tested using lumiquick HBV-5 panel test kit (Diagnostic, lnc, USA). HBV DNA extraction was done using Qiagen extraction kit, amplified and visualized on 2% agarose gel. All positive extracts were sequenced. HBV viral load was done using TaqMan™. HBV sequences obtained were aligned and phylogenetic trees developed. Genotypes were determined using geno2pheno software and mutations on the surface antigen and polymerase coding regions were determined from the aligned sequences. Finding: Out of 41 serum samples collected, 2.4% patient was HBsAg negative and the remaining (97.6%) positive. HBsAb positivity was 2.4%, all samples were negative for hepatitis B core antibodies (HBcAb), 14.6% tested positive and 35(85.6%) tested negative for HBeAg. The mean age (±SD) of patients was 33.59 ± 2.307 (8-80). Ten (24.3%) samples were detectable in qPCR and their viral load ranged from 4.6×104 to 1.04×101 IU/ml with majority of them (85.6%) having HBeAg negative and 80.4% having HBeAb positive. Two genotypes, genotype D (50%) and genotype A (50%) were identified among the HBV isolates. Putative mutations: rtM129L, rtW153R, rtP237T, rtN238T, and rtN248H were detected in the RT domain and have been identified to be associated with drug resistance, but not yet been confirmed experimentally in vitro.

Challenges Affecting Health Referral Systems in Low-And Middle-Income Countries: A Systematic Literature Review

Aims: Low and middle-income countries are still facing challenges of dysfunctional referral systems which have impaired health service provision. This review aimed at investigating these challenges to understand their nature, cause, and the impacts they have on health service provision. Methods: Database search was made in Google scholar, ACM Library, PubMed health, and BMC public health, and a total of 123 papers were generated. Only 14 fitted the inclusion criteria. Inclusion criteria included studies that were both quantitative and qualitative addressing challenges facing referral systems or health referral systems, studies describing the barriers to effective referral systems, and studies describing factors that affect referral systems. The review only included studies conducted in LMICs and included literature between January 2010 and February 2021. Findings: Results revealed that human resource and financial constraints, non-compliance, and communication are the key challenges affecting referral systems in LMICs. Recommendation: Countries that are facing these challenges need to overhaul the system and improve end-to-end communication between hospitals, improve capacity specifically in referral and emergency units, and sensitizing patients on the adherence to emergency protocols.