Background: Breastfeeding-related Neck Pain (BFNP) is prevalent in nursing mothers and cuts across the utilization of different breastfeeding (BF) hold positions. Biomechanical considerations to highlight ergonomically safe BF positions for the prevention of BFNP have not been previously studied. Aim: This study was designed to compare the electrical activities of selected neck muscles across three breastfeeding hold positions [cradle (C1), cross-cradle (C2), and football (FB)]. Materials and Method: Surface electromyographic analyses of four neck muscles (right and left components of each trapezius and sternocleidomastoid) were performed respectively during three BF trials with different BF hold positions (C1, C2, and FB) in 22 nursing mothers. For all the trials, the mothers nursed from the left breast. Results: Across the three BF trials, the electrical activities of each of the neck muscles did not vary significantly (P > 0.05). Furthermore, the left muscular components showed predominantly higher activities, as compared to their right components. Conclusion: The breastfeeding hold position adopted during BF tasks may not be a determinant of BFNP in nursing mothers. Further studies to ascertain the biomechanical implications of the utilized BF holds are recommended.

Background Breastfeeding (BF) is a physically demanding task and is predominantly performed in a head-down position as the mother attempts to maintain eye contact with the infant. There are possibilities of BF-related neck pain (BFRNP) that have not been widely studied. This study investigated the prevalence and correlates of BFRNP in Nigerian lactating mothers. Methods A cross-sectional descriptive survey was conducted among 310 lactating mothers selected from post-natal clinics in Enugu, Nigeria. Information on their BF profile was sought as well as the prevalence and characteristics of BFRNP using a self-structured questionnaire. Results It was found that cradle hold was the commonly adopted BF position (94.0%) and the majority breastfed ≥10 times daily (55.2%) for <30 min per session (49.1%). BFRNP was seen in 51.7% of women, of which 55.0% reported moderate pain intensity and 60.0% experienced this pain during BF. None of the maternal characteristics and breastfeeding profiles were significantly associated with the prevalence of BFRNP (p>0.05). Conclusions There is a high prevalence of BFRNP among nursing mothers. Although maternal characteristics and BF positions were not associated with reported BFRNP, the results suggest that changing BF positions reduces neck pain during nursing sessions. Therefore this study recommends that nursing mothers should regularly change their BF positions to increase relaxation and comfort.

Occupational hazard preventive measures are important practices because of the high rates of associated morbidity and mortality of exposed workers and include actions that can be taken to reduce the potential of exposure to the hazard. This study assessed the knowledge and practice of preventive measures of occupational health hazards among nurses working in Enugu State University Teaching Hospital (ESUTH), Parklane Enugu. This study used a descriptive cross-sectional survey design to collect data through a researcher-developed questionnaire. Utilizing the purposeful sampling technique, 214 nurses working in ESUTH, Parklane, completed the survey. A total of 214 questionnaires were filled and returned (response rate = 93.9%). A good level of knowledge (91.6%) on occupational hazard preventive measures was most evident among the respondents. There was also an associated good level of implementation of occupational hazard preventive measures among the respondents with a grand mean of 3.08±1.28. The factors found to influence the implementation of occupational hazard preventive measures among the respondents include the inadequate provision of PPE (3.47±0.58), poor attitudes of government towards workers’ working conditions (3.44±0.63), and lack of adequate staff training (2.93±0.41). Overall, the findings show that Nurses working in ESUTH showed good knowledge and practice of preventive measures of occupational health hazards. In terms of reducing hazards among Nurses in the wards, and in the hospitals, we recommend that risk assessment should be carried out regularly to identify potential hazards at a safe stage.

Background: Testicular cancer (TC) is the most common cancer in males between the age of 15 and 34 years with an incidence rates for new cases rising on an average of 0.8% each year over the last 10 years. Testicular self-examination (TSE) is the recommended preventive approach to reduce testicular Cancer (TC) mortality and morbidity. Objectives: This study examines the knowledge, attitude and practice of TSE among male undergraduate students. Methods: A descriptive research design with a sample of 343 students was recruited for the study. The students were stratified based on their faculties and convenient sampling was used to select the respondents. A self-structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Result: The findings showed that more than average (57.7%) have heard about TSE, but the level of knowledge is poor, as only (35%) have good knowledge. Their attitude is poor as (83.8%) feels it is embarrassing to touch their scrotum. Due to the poor knowledge and attitude, the majority of the respondents 133 (69.43%) did not practice TSE. Of those 59 (30.7%) that practiced, only 20 (33.9%) respondents carried it out monthly as recommended. Chi-square analysis revealed a significant relationship between their knowledge of TSE and TSE practices (p = 0.006). Conclusion: This suggests that information should be provided to the public especially; young men through television, billboard, and other media on the need for regular TSE and TSE should be integrated into the secondary school curriculum. Keywords: Testicular Self-Examination, Testicular Cancer, Nurses, Undergraduate, Enugu

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