Aim of the studyThe study sought to assess the fear of COVID-19 among the general population and suggested ways to reduce anxiety levels.Subject or material and methodsA web-based cross-sectional survey was designed using Google forms to collect data. Participants were recruited using a convenience snowballing technique. The questionnaire contained 3 sections on Socio-demographic data, the Fear of COVID-9 scale, and an open-ended question on suggested ways to mitigate anxiety towards COVID-19. For the open-ended question, scores were grouped based on the similarity of thematic content. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21.0.ResultsA total of 1011 respondents completed the survey. The Mean Sum Fear of Corona was 18.28±5.909 out of a possible maximum score of 35. More than half (53.6%, n = 542) of the respondents had ‘Low fear’ of COVID-19. There was an increasing fear of COVID-19 with increasing educational qualification, however, this was not statistically significant. Respondents with health-related occupations had less anxiety towards COVID-19 compared to people in non-health related occupations (17.83±5.85 Vs. 18.54±5.91).DiscussionWhen respondents were asked to suggest ways anxiety towards COVID-19 could be reduced, one-third of them (34%, n =344) responded that public enlightenment programs with accurate information on the virus should be embarked on.ConclusionsOverall, there was a low fear of COVID-19 among the general Nigerian population surveyed in this study. Public enlightenment and limited consumption of news on COVID-19 were the most suggested ways to abate fear of the virus.

Background: A progressive increase in the number of students admitted to study pharmacy in Nigeria has not been met with sufficient documented evidence of their preferences and motivations. Studies on this would aid in designing a programme that matches student expectations, whilst maintaining regulatory requirements. Aim: This study evaluated students’ preferences in wanting to study pharmacy, perceptions of the profession and career choice. Method: A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted among students of all study years across three Nigerian Schools of Pharmacy after obtaining approval from their managements. Data analysis was conducted using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: The response rate of the study was 87.5%. Most students from the three universities reported a preference for pharmacy as their first choice of course: 733 (86.0%) for University of Nigeria (UNN), 66 (71.7%) for Nnamdi Azikiwe University (NAU) and 48 (45.3%) for Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT). The students’ mean perception of pharmacy was 77.6±13.5%. However, 69.1% (UNN), 64.1% (NAU) and 59.4% (ESUT) students preferred academic pharmacy to other practice areas in pharmacy. Conclusions: Pharmacy was the preferred course of choice for most students currently enrolled in the programme. The students had generally positive perceptions towards the profession.

No abstract

BackgroundSocial anxiety is one of the most prevalent and disabling anxiety disorders with lifetime prevalence rates ranging from 2 to 16% s in different populations. Considering the rising use of social media among university students, it is necessary to assess their social anxiety as a result of the use of social media platforms since social anxiety can affect social interaction in social mediaMethodsThe current study employed a cross-sectional descriptive approach and was carried out among undergraduate students of University of Nigeria, Nsukka. The Social Anxiety Scale for Social Media Users (SAS-SMU) which is a data collection tool to assess levels of social anxiety experienced by university students while using social media platforms was used in the current study. Data were analyzed with IBM Statistical Products and Service Solutions (SPSS) for Windows, Version 20.0.ResultsA total of 228 out of the 380 questionnaires distributed were filled and returned (60% response rate). Social media usage was highest for WhatsApp (4.4±0.902) and Facebook (3.3±1.055). Social media anxiety was higher in females (69.00±12.59) than males (68.42±12.06) although this difference did not reach statistical significance (t = −0.356, p = 0.864). Social media usage was higher in females (35.02±5.04) than males (34.58±6.01) but the difference did not reach statistical significance (t = −0.603, p = 0.314). There was a non-significant negative association between Social media usage and social media anxiety (r = –0.051, p = 0.4450). More than half of the students (55.7%, n = 127) had social media anxiety.ConclusionIn conclusion, there was a negative non-significant correlation between social media usage and social anxiety. Investigations regarding social anxiety in social media are scarce from low and middle income countries and this is the first from an African country.

Globally, malaria continues to have clinical importance and economic impact. There is insufficient data on direct medical costs of malaria treatment at healthcare facilities since the adoption of artemisinin combination therapies (ACTs) in Nigeria. The study aimed to assess the direct medical cost incurred by patients with uncomplicated malaria disease after the adoption of ACTs. The study was retrospective. Data were collected from malaria patients' folders between January 2014 and June 2018 in two secondary hospitals. Costing was carried out using the National Health Insurance Scheme price list (second edition). Descriptive statistics, measures of central tendency, and dispersion were used. A total of 2,420 patient folders were assessed. The prevalence of uncomplicated malaria increased every year, with 2017 having the highest number (n = 754). The average direct medical cost incurred per patient for the treatment of uncomplicated malaria treatment was 2,234.07 ± 1,307 NGN (US $5.8) which accounts for 12.4% of the national minimum wage earnings. About a third (64.6%) of the patients were treated with artemether-lumefantrine tablets. The mean cost of antimalarial drugs per treatment episode was 748.87 ± 336.75 NGN (US $1.96). The direct cost of malaria treatment was high contributing to the significant economic burden even after the adoption of ACTs in Nigeria.