DSpace Community: Health Promotion & Education

Emergency contraceptive pill knowledge, attitudes and dispensing practices of pharmacists in Ibadan and Lagos metropolis, Nigeria

2018-10-17T09:29:27Z

Title: Emergency contraceptive pill knowledge, attitudes and dispensing practices of pharmacists in Ibadan and Lagos metropolis, Nigeria Authors: Omotoso, O; Ajuwon, A. J Abstract: Use of Emergency Contraceptive Pills (ECP) is desirable in Nigeria where there is high rate of unwanted pregnancy. Pharmacists are expected to play important role in promoting use of ECP but few studies have assessed their knowledge, attitude and dispensing practice of this product in Nigeria. A total of 211 randomly selected pharmacists practicing in Ibadan and Lagos metropolis completed a questionnaire that assessed knowledge about ECP, attitude towards this contraceptive and actual dispensing practices. The results showed that the mean age of the respondents was 38.8 (±10.9) years. There were more male (57.3%) than female respondents (42.7%). The overall mean knowledge scores for the sample was 8.9 (SD: 2.6) out of 18. No significant difference was found in mean knowledge score of male (9.0) (± 2.6) and female respondents (8.9) (±2.8) (p>0.05). Respondents who had practiced for up to 30 years had significantly higher score (9.1) than those with less years of experience (7.7) (p< 0.05). Forty-three percent claimed they had religious or moral (46.9%) objection to dispensing ECP. The majority (79.1%) had ever dispensed ECP whereas 21.9% had never done so. Of the 167 respondents who had ever dispensed, 94.6% had a stock of ECP on the day of their interview. More respondents from Ibadan than Lagos had ever dispensed ECP (p<0.05). More community (80%) than hospital based (60%) pharmacists had dispensed ECP (p<0.05). Only 17.5% of those who had ever dispensed ECP had ever received a formal training on the mode of action of this drug. Although majority had dispensed ECP, their knowledge of the drug is limited. There is need for pharmacists to receive continue education on ECP to enable them serve better the clients who need this service.

Knowledge of AIDS and HIV risk-related sexual behavior among Nigerian naval personnel

2018-10-17T09:22:10Z

Title: Knowledge of AIDS and HIV risk-related sexual behavior among Nigerian naval personnel Authors: Nwokoji, U. A.; Ajuwon, A. Abstract: Background: The epidemic of HIV continues to grow in Nigeria. Personnel in the military are at increased risk of HIV infection. Although HIV-risk related sexual behavior of Nigerian police officers has been studied, little is known about the sexual behavior of their counterparts in the Navy. This study describes knowledge of AIDS, and HIV-risk sexual behavior of naval personnel in Lagos Nigeria. Methods: Four hundred and eighty personnel of the Nigerian Navy completed a 70-item questionnaire in 2002. Group discussion and in-depth interviews of four key informants were also conducted to gain insights into the context of risky sexual behaviors and suggestions for feasible HIV primary prevention interventions. Results: The mean age of the respondents was 34 years. Although the overall mean AIDS knowledge score was 7.1 of 10 points, 52.1 % of respondents believed that a cure for AIDS was available in Nigeria and that one can get HIV by sharing personal items with an infected person (25.3%). The majority (88.1 %) had had lifetime multiple partners ranging from 1-40 with a mean of 5.1; 32.5% of male respondents had had sexual contact with a female sex worker, 19.9% did so during the six months preceding the survey. Forty-one percent of those with sexual contact with a female sex worker did not use a condom during the most recent sexual encounter with these women. Naval personnel who have been transferred abroad reported significantly more risky sexual behaviors than others. Group discussants and key informants believed that sex with multiple partners is a tradition that has persisted in the navy even in the era of AIDS because of the belief that AIDS affects only foreigners, that use of traditional medicine provides protection against HIV infection, and influence of alcohol. Conclusion: Many naval personnel report participating in high-risk sexual behavior which may increase their risk of acquiring and spreading HIV. Naval personnel live and interact freely with civilian population and are potential bridging group for disseminating HIV into the larger population. Interventions including sustained educational program, promotion of condoms, changes in transfer policies are recommended to address this problem.

The structure and function of research ethics committes in Africa: a case study

2018-10-17T09:20:08Z

Title: The structure and function of research ethics committes in Africa: a case study Authors: Kass, N. E.; Hyder, A. A.; Ajuwon, A.; Appiah-Poku, J.; Barsdorf, N.; Elsayed, D. E.; Mokhachane, M.; Mupenda, B.; Ndebele, P.; Ndossi, G.; Sikateyo, B.; Tangwa, G.; Tindana, P.

Perception of blindness and blinding eye conditions in rural communities

2018-10-17T09:07:44Z

Title: Perception of blindness and blinding eye conditions in rural communities Authors: Ashaye, A.; Ajuwon, A. J.; Adeoti, C. Abstract: Purpose: The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the causes and management of blindness and blinding eye conditions as perceived by rural dwellers of two Yoruba communities in Oyo State, Nigeria. Methods: Four focus group discussions were conducted among residents of Iddo and Isale Oyo, two rural Yoruba communities in Oyo State, Nigeria. Participants consisted of sighted, those who were partially or totally blind and community leaders. Ten patent medicine sellers and 12 traditional healers were also interviewed on their perception of the causes and management of blindness in their communities. Findings: Blindness was perceived as an increasing problem among the communities. Multiple factors were perceived to cause blindness, including germs, onchocerciasis and supernatural forces. Traditional healers believed that blindness could be cured, with many claiming that they had previously cured blindness in the past. However, all agreed that patience was an important requirement for the cure of blindness. The patent medicine sellers' reports were similar to those of the traditional healers. The barriers to use of orthodox medicine were mainly fear, misconception and perceived high costs of care. There was a consensus of opinion among group discussants and informants that there are severe social and economic consequences of blindness, including not been able to see and assess the quality of what the sufferer eats, perpetual sadness, loss of sleep and dependence on other persons for daily activities. Conclusion: Local beliefs associated with causation, symptoms and management of blindness and blinding eye conditions among rural Yoruba communities identified have provided a bridge for understanding local perspectives and basis for implementing appropriate primary eye care programs.