The cross-sectional survey research design was used to the study the factors influencing choice of medical care among ill patients suffering from chronic diseases in Ebonyi State. The sample of the study comprised 325 in-patients with selected chronic diseases such as diabetics’ mellitus, cardiac and renal diseases who were undergoing treatment at the Federal Teaching Hospital (FETHA 1) Abakaliki. The instrument used for data collection was a 26-item questionnaire developed by the researchers. Data collected were analyzed using percentages in order to describe the data and chi-square (χ2) statistic in order to establish whether there was any significant association between the independent variables of gender and level education attained and the dependent variables, that is, the factors influencing choice of medical care among chronic diseases patients. The results of the study showed that the association between gender and factors influencing choice of medical care is not significant except for culture, employer and strong hope of cure (p < 0.05). Secondly, the association between level of education attained by patients and factors influencing choice of medical care is significant except for finance, access to hospital, relationship with medical personnel and adequacy of hospital facilities (p > 0.05). The need for chronic diseases clinics and hospitals for prompt treatment of chronic diseases patients is advocated.

Background: Teachers are in advantage position to propagate correct information with regard to HIV/AIDS thereby influencing attitude towards PLWHA. With correct information stigmatization leading to spread of the scourge might be prevented. Aims & Objectives: The study was conducted to determine knowledge and attitude of primary school teachers towards PLWHA. Methods & Materials: The cross-sectional survey was used to study a sample of 400 primary school teachers in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. The instrument used for data collection was researchers’ designed questionnaire. Out of 400 copies of ques- tionnaire administered; 394 representing 98.5% return rate, were used for analysis of data. Results: Results showed respondents had moderate (57.4%) knowledge concerning HIV/AIDS and positive attitude (3.09 ± 0.98) to PLWHA. Female teachers’ dispositions to PLWHA were better than the males based on their attitude scores and the difference was not significant in general knowledge of HIV/AIDS and attitude to PLWHA. Conclusion: Our findings underscore the need for a universal health education programme, focusing on HIV/AIDS educa- tion, in education institutions that train teachers in Nigeria so as to possibly mitigate the discrepancy in knowledge regarding curability of AIDS and any undesirable attitude towards PLWHA that may arise among teachers. Keywords: HIV/AIDS; knowledge; attitude; PLWHA; primary school; teachers.

Introduction: Caesarean section is a surgical procedure used in delivering a baby by incising the abdomen and uterus of the mother. In a typical Nigerian culture, it is seen as a method to deliver a baby when the mother is not strong. Based on this premise, most men show a very negative attitude towards the procedure. This negative attitude may translate to a belief which might not be wholesome. Objectives: To assess the belief of male partners towards caesarean section. Methods: A sample of 400 male partners was investigated. The instrument used for data collection was a 22-item valid and reliable (α = 0.98) questionnaire developed by the researchers. The questionnaire was administered to the participants on face-to-face approach. Data were analysed using percentages, mean, standard deviation, analysis of variance, t-test and multiple regression analysis. Results: Results data showed that the male partners studied had negative beliefs towards caesarean section. Significant differences existed in the belief of the respondents towards caesarean section as it relates to their age, level of education, occupation, religion and location of residence ( p < 0.05). Using a stepwise multiple regression model, all the socio-demographic variables studied played out to be significant ( p < 0.05) predictors of belief towards the subject matter. Conclusion: The male partners have negative belief towards caesarean section and the personal characteristics of the subjects predicted their belief towards the subject matter. The existing phenomenon can be changed through health campaigns and education using healthcare workers and health educators.

We conducted a systematic review of studies on mHealth and health care services delivery that were carried out within Africa. Our search process was through MEDLINE, and then on PubMed, we searched key terms based on various keywords: &ldquo;Whatsapp, health, Africa, Text messages, health impact, Africa, mHealth tools, Africa&rdquo;. This was done in December of 2018. Only English written articles from journals indexed in Science Citation Index Expanded and Social Science Citation Index were incorporated in this review. In line with our inclusion criteria, only a total of 19 out of 155 studies were relevant. Inferences from these studies showed that mHealth tools are speedy and quality means for health care delivery in Africa. We also found out that there is less usage of internet devices in Africa as suspected. There is a serious need for improvement in the use of other online based mHealth tools as it was found that the use of Short Messaging Service (SMS) has been the nearly the sole mHealth intervention utilized in Africa. This, it is believed would foster better wider intervention and implementation of quality health outcomes in Africa, and other low and middle-income regions of the world.

Background: Menstruation is a common and normal experience during the reproductive age of adolescent females and if not well managed might expose the female to menstrual distress. Aim & Objectives: To determine the menstrual hygiene management practices and menstrual distress among adolescent secondary school girls. Methods & Materials: Six hundred participants randomly drawn participated in the study. A structured questionnaire which had two inventories was used to collect data. The first inventory was a self-developed Menstrual Hygiene Management Practices Questionnaire (MHMPQ) (r = 0.71) and the second one was a modified 11-item Menstrual Distress Scale (MDS) (r = 0.74). Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: Results showed that menstrual hygiene management practices of the girls were poor and they were very highly distressed. Statistically significant differences were observed in menstrual hygiene management practices among the girls with regard to age, location of residence and occupation of mother and on menstrual distress in relation to occupation of father (p < 0.05). Significant positive relationship between menstrual hygiene management practices and menstrual distress was observed. Conclusion: The findings accentuate the need for a caring atmosphere for menstrual sanitation both at home and in school. Keywords: Menstrual hygiene; management practices; menstrual distress; adolescent secondary school girls.