BackgroundMalaria prevention and treatment constitute an unbearable economic burden to most African countries, especially south of the Sahara, where about 500 million cases occur annually. The problem of malaria among adolescents has largely been overshadowed by the huge burden of the disease among young children. Attention to malaria among adolescents has also been diverted by the huge burden of HIV/AIDS among adolescents. Some surveys reveal a lack of knowledge and many misconceptions about the transmission and treatment of malaria, which could adversely affect malaria control measures and antimalarial therapy. Such a knowledge gap could have an adverse effect on school children, who could be used as change agents and as role models for their siblings and peers in the malaria control strategy.ObjectivesTo determine the malaria prevention practices of school adolescents in the coastal community of Calabar, Nigeria.MethodThis was a cross-sectional survey involving secondary schools in southern Calabar. Four hundred adolescents were randomly selected from the 4565 learners in 5 out of 17 secondary schools in southern Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria. A self-administered, semi-structured questionnaire was administered to the respondents.ResultsMost respondents (77.5%) were aware that the vector transmits the malaria parasite through biting. Fewer respondents would prevent malaria attacks by clearing the vegetation in the peri-domestic environment (13.5%), filling up potholes (16.9%), opening up drainage (11%), using insecticide-treated nets (25.7%) or using antimalarial drugs (11.2%). Less than one-tenth (8%) would use various other methods such as not accepting unscreened blood, while only 11% obtained the information from their teachers.ConclusionThe study identified knowledge gaps among school children. There is a need to empower teachers with information about the cause of malaria and prevention strategies.
Background: Domestic violence is a global concern. Domestic violence refers to violence inflicted on a partner (mostly females) within the context of the family or an intimate relationship. It is known to be responsible for numerous hospital visits undertaken by women, although they mostly fail to complain of abuse. There is paucity of data on domestic violence mainly due to underreporting and lack of investigation. Methods:We set out to investigate the pattern of violence among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at ECWA Evangel Hospital, Jos, Nigeria. In all 215 women who were screened using the modified Abuse Assessment Screen (AAS) survey instrument (developed by McFarlane) had experienced domestic violence.Results: Results showed verbal, physical, sexual and emotional violence at prevalence rates of 38.0%, 26.5%, 10.7% and 1.4%, respectively. A total of 14.0% had experienced a combination of physical and verbal abuse while 7.0% had experienced a combination of physical and sexual violence. Fulltime housewives and self-employed women were most abused, of which 82.7% had no definite timing pattern. Conclusion:The results suggest that the major forms of domestic violence are verbal, physical, sexual and emotional, and the violence has poor timing specificity. Introduction Domestic violence is a term that covers a range of violent or abusive behaviours perpetrated within the context of the family or intimate relationship. Spousal abuse is a form of domestic violence, and has synonyms like wife beating, and intimate partner abuse. [1][2][3][4] There is paucity of data on domestic violence, largely because it is generally underreported. [1][2][3][4][5][6] Domestic violence in pregnancy is on the increase and may involve overlapping variables at group and personal levels.1,2 Violence may begin or escalate in pregnancy, and is repetitive, giving rise to the concept of the 'Violence Cycle'. 2,3 This comprises the honeymoon, tension building, and violent phases. The cycle is vicious, and with each passing cycle the intensity of violence increases: the honeymoon and tension building phases become shorter, and eventually phase out. 1-3The World Bank estimates that rape and domestic violence account for 5% of healthy years of life lost by women in developing countries. In China alone it accounts for 16%.1 In 1993 the Pan American Health Organization identified domestic violence as a high priority concern in their resolution CD39R8(2), and in 1996 the World Health Organization (WHO) declared domestic violence a public health priority. 1,7 The Abuse Assessment Screen (AAS) developed by McFarlane 8 is a validated domestic violence survey instrument used in the study of the prevalence and pattern of domestic violence.We undertook our study to determine the pattern of abuse among pregnant women in our environment using this AAS survey instrument. Subjects and methodsThe study was carried out at the Antenatal Clinic of the Evangelical
Background:A wide range of childhood illnesses are accompanied by fever, leading to varied attempts at treatment by caregivers at home before coming to a hospital. Common modalities of treatment include use of antipyretics and physical methods such as cold water sponging, fanning and removal of clothing. These treatment modalities have been received with varied attitudes among physicians and the scientific community. This study was to assess the efficacy of both modalities in first-line management of fever in our area.Objectives:The main aim of the study is to compare the effectiveness of cold water sponging with that of oral paracetamol in the treatment of fever in children attending the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar.Subjects and Methods:This is a randomized clinical trial. Eighty-eight children aged 12-120 months who presented to the Children Outpatient Clinic (CHOP) and the Children Emergency Room (CHER) of University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar, with acute febrile illness and axillary temperatures spanning ≥ 38.0-40.0°C. All children within the age limit whose caregivers gave consent were recruited into the study and were randomized to receive either cold water sponging or oral paracetamol. Axillary temperature, pulse rate, respiratory rate and assessment of discomforts (crying, shivering, goose pimples and convulsions) were recorded every 30 min for 2 h. The results were analyzed using the SPSS statistical software and have been presented in the tables.Results:Cold water sponging was very effective in temperature reduction within the first 30 min, with 29 (70.73%) having their temperature reduced to within normal limits. This declined to 12 (29.26%) at 60 min and 4 (10.53%) at 120 min, with the mean temperature differences from the baseline value following the same trends (1.63°C by 30 min, 0.91°C by 60 min and 0.39°C by 120 min). When compared with paracetamol, cold water sponging was more effective in temperature reduction within the first 30 min (P = 0.000), with the difference in effect at 60 min less significant between these two groups (P = 0.229). Paracetamol demonstrated a gradual and sustained reduction in temperature with the proportions of afebrile children in this group increasing from 7 (16.27%) at 30 min to 33 (78.57%) at 120 min. The mean temperature differences from the baseline value also showed the same trend. Children who received cold water sponging had more discomforts compared with those who received only oral paracetamol.Conclusions:It is concluded that cold water sponging, although producing rapid reduction in temperature compared with paracetamol, has effects that last only for a short time. Paracetamol on the other hand produces a gradual but sustained effect. The discomforts experienced should not be a limiting factor to the use of cold water sponging in reducing the body temperature of febrile children. Cold water sponging is safe and its use by mothers and primary caregivers should be encouraged while preparing to take the child to the nearest health ...
Background: Health is defined as a state of complete physical, mental, social and spiritual well being and not just the absence of disease. Domestic violence (synonyms: spouse abuse, partner or intimate violence, family violence) is a public health problem which is defined as any intentional abuse of a family member (mostly females but not exclusive) by his/her partner that causes pain or injury. There is paucity of data on domestic violence mainly because of under-reporting by the victims. However, domestic violence is said to be a more frequent occurrence than other recognized pregnancy complications such as pre-eclampsia, twin pregnancy or gestational diabetes for which women are routinely screened during the antenatal period. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of domestic violence in pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic of a local Nigerian mission hospital in Jos, Plateau state. Methods: This was a cross-sectional, descriptive study of women attending antenatal clinic at ECWA Evangel Hospital, Jos over a six month period using the Abuse Assessment Screen developed by McFarlane to detect the prevalence of domestic violence. The data were analysed using Epi Info Version 2002. Results: Three hundred and forty pregnant women were studied. Majority of them were married and were mostly aged between 20 and 39 years. Domestic violence prevalence was 12.6% (43) in the current pregnancy and 63.2% ( 215) previously. Conclusion:The study establishes that women in our environment experience domestic violence during pregnancy and majority of them also have a previous history of abuse. There is the need to routinely screen for domestic violence in pregnant women so as to prevent potential adverse pregnancy outcomes and to interrupt existing abuse.
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