Cervical cancer is an important but preventable public health problem among women worldwide. Studies have shown low awareness about cervical cancer and its screening test. The aim of this research was to determine the effectiveness of an educational intervention programme on awareness of cervical cancer and uptake of Pap smear by women in selected markets in Niger State, Nigeria. This was a quasi-experimental study conducted in 2014. Sample size was determined based on a previous study on Pap smear test in Nigeria. Multi stage sampling technique was used for recruiting the study participants. SPSS statistical software was used for data entry, editing and analysis. The sociodemographic profile of the respondents was comparable between both groups. Respondents' awareness about cervical cancer and uptake of Pap smear were comparable between both groups at pre-intervention. Post-intervention, there was a statistically significant difference in awareness about cervical cancer (χ 2 = 59.127, p<0.001) with a marginal increase in uptake of Pap smear test (Fisher's exact, p=0.621) in the intervention group as compared to the control group. This finding underscores the need for awareness creation strategies and the need for more interventional programs.

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Textile dye workers are subject to occupational hazards on a daily basis due to exposure to precarious conditions in the workplace. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude and safety practices and its determinants among textile dye workers in Sokoto metropolis, Nigeria. This is a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted among 200 textile dye workers and the respondents were selected by multi stage sampling technique. Data was collected using an interviewer administered questionnaire. Data was processed using SPSS IBM version 20 and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Majority of the respondents (74.0%) had good knowledge of workplace hazards; (81.0%) had positive attitude and only 20% observed all the safety practices. Formal education (P=0.047); working less than 5 days a week (P=0.001) and permanent employment (P=0.013) were found to be determinants of respondents’ knowledge and attitude towards workplace hazards. Although the respondents had good knowledge and positive attitude, their lack of observance of safety practices brings to fore the need for direct safety instruction and training and retraining of textile dye workers on workplace hazards and safety practices.

Cervical cancer is the most common female genital tract carcinoma worldwide. It is increasingly becoming the leading carcinoma seen among women in the developing world. The aim of our study was to showcase the effect of educational intervention on the knowledge of cervical cancer and subsequently the uptake of Pap smear test amongst market women in Niger state, Nigeria. The state has a rich network of markets in all the local government areas because of the fishing activities, bountiful agricultural produce yearly and its situation to the North of the national capital, Abuja. This was a quasi-experimental study conducted in two groups with pre and post intervention data collection. Sample size was determined based on a previous similar study done in Nigeria. Multi stage sampling technique was used for recruiting the study participants. SPSS statistical software was used for data entry, editing and analysis. Respondents’ knowledge of cervical cancer were comparable at pre-intervention but were statistically significantly better (P<0.0001) at post-intervention in the intervention group compared to the control group for every variable measured. However, there was only a (Fisher’s exact, P=0.621) compared to the control group. This study showed an increase in knowledge about cervical cancer and Pap smear test however the uptake of Pap smear test remained low even after intervention. This underscores the need for sustained intervention programs to eventually translate knowledge acquired to habitual practice.

Background: Infertility is a global issue causing a lot of psychological and social problems among couples. In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) is one of the options available for couples who want children but cannot have them. This study aims to assess the level of awareness, perceptions and misconceptions of IVF among women of reproductive age group (WRAG) in Sokoto metropolis in north-western Nigeria. Methods: This was a cross sectional descriptive study involving 306 WRAG who were recruited using multistage sampling technique. Semi structured interviewer administered questionnaires was used and the data collected was analyzed using IBM SPSS version 20.level of statistical significance was set ay p=0.05. Results: The mean age of the respondents was a 26.7±6.85 year with less than half of the respondents having no living children. Majority, (74.2%) of the respondents were aware of and had a positive perception (69%) towards IVF. About 54% (157) of those who did not accept IVF gave religion and the high cost of the procedure as reasons for rejecting it. Fifty one percent of the respondents were willing to use In Vitro Fertilization if the need arose. Religion (χ 2 =4.726; df=1; p<0.04) and awareness of the availability of IVF services (χ 2 =5.393; df=1; p<0.023) were factors associated with the willingness to utilize IVF. Conclusion: The respondents had good level of awareness and positive perception about IVF, with few of them willing to utilize it. Awareness of the availability of IVF services and religious beliefs were factors that influenced respondents' willingness to utilize IVF services. Health care providers should try to explore ways to sensitize community, religious and traditional leaders in order to improve the attitude of the populace towards IVF service utilisation.