Istifanus Anekoson Joshua

Knowledge of depression in the elderly among primary health care workers in Kubau, Nigeria

Background: Depression has been shown to be prevalent in the elderly; however, it is underdiagnosed and hence undertreated. Data on elderly depression in Caucasians are few and showed a high prevalence of major depression with few at primary health care level especially in Nigerians and rural Africans. This study assessed the knowledge of primary health care workers on depression in the elderly in Kubau, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out in June 2012, which elicited sociodemographic characteristics of the respondents and knowledge of depression using a semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaire. The collected data were cleaned and entered into statistical package software for social sciences version 16 and the results presented as tables and charts with statistical significance set at P value less than 0.05. Results: Most of the respondents were community health extension workers (67.8%), with 46% having work experience in the range of 5–10 years. About half (55.9%) of the Community health extension workers have heard of depression while only 55% of the total respondents knew the definition of depression in medical terms. Only 12.6% of the health workers knew that old age was a risk factor for depression. Conclusion: The study revealed a poor knowledge of depression in the elderly among healthcare workers at primary healthcare level with the majority of Community health extension workers mostly implicated. Hence, the need for proper training in mental health and awareness campaigns in communities.

Knowledge of contraception and contraceptive choices among human immunodeficiency virus-positive women attending antiretroviral clinics in Zaria, Nigeria

Introduction: Once human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive women become aware of their status, many demonstrate a reduced desire for pregnancy, particularly because most of them know that there are risks involved in delivering an HIV-positive child. Others, on the other hand, want to have children despite their HIV-positive status. These women have reproductive needs that should be respected and attended to. This study assessed the knowledge of contraception and contraceptive choices among HIV-positive women of reproductive age (15-49 years) attending antiretroviral clinics in Zaria. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out on 340 HIV-seropositive women of reproductive age group in January 2015 using a simple random sampling technique. Data were collected via structured interviewer administered questionnaire. Data collected were analyzed using SPSS version 21.0 and results were presented in tables and charts. Statistical significance was at P = 0.005. Results: The modal age group of the respondents was 20-29 years (44.7%) with mean age of 24.5 ± 8.4 years, 45% were Hausa, 59.4% Muslim, and 57.4% married. The majority (32%) had secondary education and of different occupation. About 87% had knowledge of HIV transmission from infected mother to child and 73.8% had heard of contraception. Prevalence of past contraceptive usage among these women was 56.1%, of which male condom was the most commonly used contraceptive (60.4%), either alone or dual contraception. This was followed by injectables (52%) and oral pills (35%). However, the current contraceptive use among the respondents was 36.3%. There was statistical relationship between age and educational level of the respondents and contraceptive use. Conclusion: The study has demonstrated that majority of these HIV-positive women had good knowledge about contraception but they do not apply this knowledge they have toward using an appropriate family planning method. Hence, there is a need for proper counseling and education of these women and their spouses by the health workers as they attend the antiretroviral clinic to erase fear and misconceptions of modern contraception. Male involvement will also go a long way in promoting contraceptive utilization.

Occupational exposure to blood and body fluids among primary health-care workers in Kaduna State, Nigeria

Background: Primary Health-Care Workers (PHCWs) are at a high risk of contracting blood-borne infections due to their occupational exposure to blood and body fluids (BBFs). The aim of this study is to determine the frequency of occupational exposures and associated factors contributing to the exposure to BBFs. We also evaluated the post-exposure practices among PHCWs in Kaduna State. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out from September 26 to October 7, 2011. One hundred and seventy-two PHCWs were included in the study using a multistage sampling technique. A structured questionnaire was used to obtain the data on sociodemographic characteristics, occupational exposures to BBFs and post-exposure practices of PHCWs. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20.0 statistical software, and descriptive, bivariate, and multiple logistic regression analyses were performed. The level of significance was set at P ≤ 0.05. Results: One hundred and seventeen (68%) PHCWs had been exposed to BBF during their professional practice, of which 53.5% and 38.4% were needlestick and blood splash exposures, respectively. Needlestick and blood splash exposures 3 months prior to the survey occurred in 27.2% and 53.0% of them, respectively. The most common causes of needlestick injuries were during disposal of needles (44.0%) and administration of injections (28.0%). The majority of the respondents (79.8%) failed to report the exposure incidents. Only 8% of the respondents preformed the desirable post-exposure action of washing the exposure site immediately with soap and water. Primary health care workers < 40 years of age had significantly lesser odds of exposure compared to those aged 40 years and above (adjusted odds ratio = 0.18, P = 0.02). Conclusion: The high rate of occupational exposure to BBFs among health-care workers reveals an urgent need to raise awareness and to provide periodic training in infection prevention.

Social characteristics and risk factors for diseases among internally displaced persons: A study of stefano's foundation camp in Jos, Nigeria

Background: Nigeria like the rest of the world is exposed to a wide range of natural and human-induced disasters such as flood, plane crash, communal clashes, and postelection violence and recently, insurgency from Boko Haram. Most of these disasters have led to population displacement and its consequences. This study assessed the social characteristics and risk factors for diseases among the internally displaced persons (IDPs) at Stefanos foundation camp in Jos, Nigeria. Methodology: The study was a cross-sectional descriptive in nature carried out on March 1–30, 2015. The data were collected using 312 interviewer-administered questionnaire, key informant interview, and participants observation and analysis was performed using SPSS version 20.0. Results: Majority (85%) of the respondents were within the age bracket of 18–49 years, 61% of females, 39% had no formal education, 53% of farmers by profession among others, 96% and 4% of them were displaced as a result of the insurgency in Borno and Adamawa States, respectively and had stayed in the camp for 3 months (43.8%). There was report of several morbidities and one case of mortality from malaria, diarrhea, and cholera due to inadequate water supply, poor refuse, and fecal disposal and the presence of disease vectors in the camp and a case of death of a 6-year-old child from malaria. Majority (83%) of the IDPs obtained medical treatment at the ill-equipped camp clinic. Conclusion: This study showed that the IDPs were faced with so many challenges and the nongovernmental organization has been rendering assistance. There is a need for all relevant stakeholders to key in to make life meaningful to this vulnerable group.

Profile of ocular disorders among patients attending clinic at federal neuro psychiatric hospital Kaduna, Nigeria

Introduction: The practice of ophthalmology and psychiatry meet over several aspects of patient management such as diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up. In addition, many of the drugs used in psychiatry may have some ocular side effects. This study assessed the profile of ocular disorder among patients attending the clinic at Federal Neuro Psychiatric Hospital Kaduna. Nigeria. Materials and Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study carried out between May and August 2013 using interviewer administered questionnaire and eye screening protocol. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 20.0. Results: The male: female ratio was 1:1.1, age range of 18-69 years with mean age of 34.7 ± 5.9 years. Normal vision was recorded in 197 (77.2%), moderate visual impairment in 52 (20.4%), and severe visual impairment in 5 (2.0%). One (0.4%) was blind. Ocular disorders were seen in 139 (54.6%) and are as follows: Refractive errors/presbyopia 76 (29.8%); cataract 22 (8.6%); glaucoma 15 (5.9%); allergic conjunctivitis 15 (5.9%); optic neuritis 3 (1.2%), squint, and eye movement disorders 2 (0.8%) each; neurofibromatosis, color deficiency, ptosis, and macular scar 1 (0.4%) each. Average duration of treatment with psychotropics was 3 years. Conclusion: Majority had good vision. The predominant ocular disorders were refractive errors/presbyopia, cataract, glaucoma, and allergic conjunctivitis. Psychotropic drugs could be responsible for some.

The perception of senior hospital staff on the role of eye care providers in Zaria, Nigeria

Background: Patients or their relations usually seek the opinion of hospital staff after self-treatment, patent medical vendors′ prescriptions or other first line treatment has failed. It is therefore, critical for them to have a fair idea of the role of different cadre of eye care providers to enable them offer appropriate help and referral. This study assessed the perception of senior hospital workers on the Role of Eye Care Providers in Zaria. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study using a stratified sampling technique. A structured questionnaire was administered to each of 428 hospital staff in Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital Shika-Zaria in July, 2013. The results were analyzed using SPSS version 20.0 statistical package. Results: The study population (428) comprised of 177 nurses, 108 doctors, 85 administrative staff, 37 laboratory scientists, 10 pharmacists, and 11 health information officers. The male:female ratio was 1.2:1 while the age range was 20-59 years with a mean age of 33 ± 5.7 years. Three hundred and thirty-seven (78.7%) of the respondents were familiar with the role of the ophthalmologist and 309 (72.2%) with that of the ophthalmic nurse. About half of the respondents were familiar with the role of the other cadre of eye care providers: 222 (51.9%) understood the role of a Community Health Officer, 215 (50.2%) understood that of the optometrist and 214 (50.0%) understood the role of the optician. Conclusion: Senior hospital workers were quite familiar with the role of an ophthalmologist and an ophthalmic nurse, but they need to be educated more about the role of the other cadre of eye care providers.