Objective Community-based health promotion intervention for improving unhygienic disposal of children's faeces was conducted in a rural area of Nigeria. Setting The study was conducted in Ife South Local Government area of Osun State, Nigeria. Design The study was conducted in 10 randomly selected rural villages: five control and five active. Method The intervention, which lasted for nine months, consisted of hygienic use of chamber-pots for the disposal of children's faeces, discouraging children from defecation around households, construction and use of affordable Ventilated Improved Latrines (VIP) and hand-washing with soap and water by mothers after cleaning up the children's faeces. It was undertaken by primary health care workers, using group and individual discussions, plus demonstrations to mothers and community leaders. Results Significantly more mothers in the intervention communities (68 per cent compared with 6 per cent) were using chamber-pots ( pow) for defecation, a much smaller proportion of children in the active group (25 per cent compared with 72 per cent) defecated on the floor of the households. Significantly more households in the intervention group upgraded their unsanitary latrines to sanitary ones by ventilating them (7 per cent compared with 3 per cent). Also, significantly more mothers washed their hands with soap and water (20 per cent in the intervention group compared with 9 per cent in the control group). Conclusions This study has brought about positive changes in the knowledge, attitude and practice of mothers and their children towards the disposal of children's faeces in rural communities. The study therefore has significant implications for the development of programmes for the control of childhood diarrhoea in developing countries.

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This study evaluated the effectiveness of a structured group education program on non-glycemic endpoints of diabetes knowledge, compliance with treatment and medical advice, use of monitoring devices, and treatment satisfaction. A cross-sectional comparative design was employed. Study participants were members of the local Diabetes Association (DAN) who had participated in a structured group education program and comparison subjects were outpatients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who had not registered as members of DAN and do not attend DAN activities. Self- and interviewer-administered structured questionnaires were used to determine study endpoints. The responses of study participants were analyzed and then compared. Seventy-five patients were studied in each group comprising 78 males and 72 females. DAN members had good knowledge of their disease, complied satisfactorily with their medications and physician's advice, knew and used at least one monitoring device and had better knowledge of hypoglycemia than control subjects. Treatment Satisfaction scores were also higher among DAN members. Diabetes associations and clubs provide a practical and acceptable means of disseminating diabetes related information and should be strengthened.

Lassa fever had been reported as a cause of death especially in endemic parts of Nigeria. This study assessed the knowledge, attitude, and practices toward Lassa fever control and prevention among residents of Ile-Ife, southwest Nigeria. Descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among consenting randomly selected adults using an interviewer administered questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. A total of 400 questionnaires with completed data were analyzed (response rate 96%). Majority, 207 (51.8%), were males while 193 (48.2%) were females. Most, 234 (58.5%), had tertiary education while 148 (37%) had secondary education. Fifty-nine percent had heard of Lassa fever with radio as their major source of information. About 76% had inadequate knowledge, 54% had negative attitude while 51% had poor practice toward Lassa fever. Determinants of knowledge of Lassa fever include having higher education (Adjusted Odd Ratio (AOR) = 11.49, 95% CI [3.10, 42.69], p = .0001), being in civil service (AOR = 0.22, 95% CI [0.09, 0.51], p = .01), and earning higher income (AOR = 4.23, 95% CI [2.61, 6.84], p = .0001). In conclusion, the knowledge, attitude, as well as preventive practices to Lassa fever were poor. It is necessary to increase public education and improve hygienic practices.

Background Skilled attendant at delivery (SBA) is one of the key indicators used in assessing progress towards improved maternal health. This study aimed at identifying factors influencing SBA utilization in Ilorin, Nigeria. Methods This cross-sectional study was carried out using multi-stage sampling technique among 400 participants in Ilorin, Northcentral Nigeria. A pre-tested questionnaire was used for data collection, and data analysis was done using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results SBA supervised 73.8% births. Determinants of skilled birth attendance at delivery include higher education (AOR; 10.94, 95% CI; 3.60–33.26), having only one child (AOR; 4.33, 95% CI; 1.18–15.82), having at least 4 ANC attendance (AOR; 18.84, 95% CI; 8.95–55.82) and residing near delivery sites (AOR; 11.49, 95% CI; 2.43–55.56). Conclusion The proportion of births supervised by SBA needs improvement in Northcentral Nigeria. Full implementation of reproductive health policies will enhance skilled births in Nigeria.