Background: The scare from the morbidity and mortality caused by the novel COVID-19 disease has continued with no specific cure in sight and many persons, including health care providers have resorted to self-medication. The study was intended to ascertain the prevalence of self-medication against COVID-19 among health workers in Rivers State. Methodology: A cross-sectional survey of health workers in Rivers State was carried out using self-administered questionnaires on self-medication against the COVID-19 disease from January 2021 to March 2021. Data were analyzed using the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 25.0. Results are presented in charts and tables and a p-value of <0.05 was significant. Results: A total of 220 responses were received from health workers, 50% of whom worked in private hospitals. Only 35 (15.9%) of them reported to have ever indulged in self-medication for COVID-19. The most common drugs used for self-medication were Vitamin C, Zinc. Azithromycin, antimalarials (other than Hydroxychloroquine) and Hydroxychloroquine. Most medications were self-prescribed and procured from the pharmacies. Most persons (80%) who self-medicated did so for fear of being infected following contact with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 cases or following sudden emergency illnesses. Conclusion: Self-medication against COVID-19 is present among health workers in Rivers State and commonest among those who have tertiary level of education, those who are doctors and those who work in a public health facility. Key words: Self-medication, Health workers, Covid-19, Pandemic, Nigeria.

Introduction: Neonatal mortality rate in Nigeria is high and sepsis is a significant contributor. The World Health Organization recommends the use of 7.1% chlorhexidine gel for cord care to prevent neonatal sepsis and mortality. Aim: The study aimed to assess the awareness, attitude and use of chlorhexidine gel for cord care among mothers in Port Harcourt. Methods: A cross sectional study was carried out in the well-baby clinic in Rivers State University Teaching Hospital for 3 months. A research proforma with questions to assess awareness, attitude and use of chlorhexidine gel for cord care practices among the participants was used to collect data and analyzed with SPSS version 23. A score of 70% or more was taken as benchmark for good awareness, attitude and use. Result: A total of 199 mothers participated in the study, 126(63.3%) had heard of chlorhexidine gel, mostly from antenatal clinics. Thirty (23.8%) knew that it prevents neonatal infections, 74(58.7%) perceived it was effective, but only 19(9.6%) used it. About a third of the mothers had good awareness and attitude towards the use of chlorhexidine gel but only 18(9%) used it correctly. Mothers with tertiary level of education significantly had good attitude towards its use and poor knowledge correlated significantly with poor use, P < 0.05. Conclusion: The level of awareness, attitude and use of CHX in cord care practices in Port Harcourt is poor. There is an urgent need to educate mothers on the proper use and benefits of chlorhexidine gel in cord care practices. Key words: Chlorhexidine gel, Cord Care, Awareness, Attitude, Use, Port Harcourt.

Background: COVID-19, a new respiratory infection was declared a global pandemic in 2020. Pregnant women are at risk because of their physiologic and immunologic changes. Preventive measures are essential as there is no definite cure. This study was therefore carried out to determine the knowledge, attitudes and practices of pregnant women attending antenatal clinic of Rivers State University Teaching hospital, Nigeria towards the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted at the antenatal clinic of the hospital over 6weeks. Scores assessing knowledge, attitudes and practices were allocated and graded based on specific stratified demarcations. Results: Two hundred and six respondents (81.4%) were assessed to have good knowledge. Fifty-one (20.2%) had overall good attitude while 67(26.5%) had good practice of preventive measures. The commonest symptoms of COVID-19 recalled were cough 169(27.8%), shortness of breath 153(25.1%) and fever 145(23.7%). Parity, mother’s and spouse’s level of education and occupation were significantly associated with knowledge levels while age of the mothers was associated with the attitude towards COVID-19 infection. Parity, mother’s and spouse’s level of education and occupation were significantly associated with the practice levels. There was an association of good knowledge and good attitude levels with good practice level (p>0.05). Conclusion: Although pregnant women in Port Harcourt generally had good knowledge, majority of them had poor attitude and practice towards the pandemic. We therefore recommend strengthening public health education campaigns (including via antenatal clinic health talks, television and social media), providing evidence-based policies and debunking of wrong beliefs. Key words: COVID-19; Knowledge; Attitude; Practice; Pregnant women.

Introduction: Common ear diseases in children are preventable. In developing countries like Nigeria, most health care programmes concentrate on secondary school pupils to the disadvantage of those in primary schools. This has delayed reduction of preventable ear diseases. Ear diseases among children can lead to disabilities especially permanent hearing loss. The question is to what extent are otologic disorders prevented among primary school children? The researchers carried out school health programmes to identify common ear diseases in primary school children so as to contribute a quota in prevention of otologic diseases among them. Materials and method: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study. Random sample of 1,200 pupils from primary 1-6 between 5 to 13 years were selected for study from 13 primary schools. Only 802 pupils whose parents gave consent eventually participated in this study. Administered semi-structured questionnaire was used to obtain information on participants from parents. Also, otoscopic examination of respondents was carried out by the researchers after being trained in use of otoscope by a specialist. Complete physical examination of the 802 children was done. Cerumen was recorded if no part of tympanic membrane was visible. Thereafter, cerumen, other debris and foreign bodies were removed in such children. External canals and tympanic membranes were inspected for likely abnormalities. Data analyses were done using SPSS version 17.0 statistical software. Results were presented on tables using frequency and percentages. Results: Findings showed that out of 802 children studied, only 279(34.8%) were found normal. The common Otologic diseases found among the respondents were impacted cerumen 319(39.7%), chronic suppurative otitis media 95 (11.8%), debris 55 (6.9%), Otitis media with effusion 28 (3.5%), and acute otitis media 10 (1.3%). Conclusion: Based on the proportion of children identified with otologic problems, there is need for periodic and well coordinated school health programmes.

Aim: This study was undertaken to determine the pattern and outcome of paediatric surgeries in a private hospital in Southern Nigeria. Study Design: A retrospective study Place and Duration of Study: Study was carried out at a private paediatric hospital over a 14-months period from 1st April 2020–31st May 2021. Methodology: Essential information needed were retrieved from the hospital Health Management System and data analysed using SPSS version 23. Results: Of 1289 children admitted during the study period, 105 had surgical interventions (prevalence of 8.1%). Age range was from 8 days to 16 years (median age of 36months) with male predominance. Only 34.3% of the patients were self-paying. The most common surgical conditions were congenital anomalies (28.1%), followed by surgical infections (22.8%) and then urogenital diseases (19.3%). The least common were central nervous system diseases (0.9%). Emergencies accounted for 39.8% of cases done. The commonest surgeries done were circumcision (16.8%), appendicectomy (15.9%) and herniotomy/herniorraphy (14.2%). One child died (mortality rate of 1%). Duration of stay was mostly < 3days (41.7%). Longest duration was seen in those who had Laparotomy and Skin graft. Conclusion: The prevalence of surgical interventions in a paediatric private hospital in Southern Nigeria was high with emergency surgeries constituting 38.9% of all cases. Thus, for reduction in paediatric morbidity and mortality, we advocate the improvement of surgical infrastructure and manpower not only in tertiary but also in the private health sector.