Nigeria, the giant of Africa, is a West African country with a total land area of 910,770 square kilometers and a population of 198,778,607 people. She is made up of diverse people based on ethnic group, language, religion, etc. The diversities present in the country, however, have been a major cause of conflicts. Conflict in Nigeria has resulted in the death, displacement, sexual violations, injuries, disabilities among others, of the population affected. Zones commonly affected in Nigeria are the north east (due to Boko Haram insurgency), north central(territorial dispute between nomadic farmers and the community dwellers compounded by ethnoreligious issues) and south south (high unemployment rate despite the presence of a mineral resource [petroleum] and ecological degradation due to oil spillage) geopolitical zones. Children, victims of sexual violence, families that lost their loved ones, refugees and internally displaced people are the main victims of mental illness in conflicting regions in Nigeria. Individuals affected by conflict could present with varying mental health conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD), anxiety disorder, depression, substance misuse, psychosis, anti-social behaviours, somatic symptoms such as headaches, non-specific pains or discomfort in torso and limbs, dizziness, weakness, and fatigue, etc. This study presented the mental health status of the individuals in these conflict zones. Authors appeal that their recommendations be applied to reduce the burden of mental illness in the conflict zones in Nigeria.

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a global problem but its increasing prevalence in the working age group in developing countries like Nigeria is concerning and needs urgent attention.Methods: The study was a mixed method design: quantitative phase with 402 participants and qualitative phase with 16 participants in two focus groups. The participants in the quantitative survey phase completed two questionnaires on the knowledge and perception of CVD and its risk factors. Data from the quantitative cross-sectional survey were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The qualitative data were analysed using content thematic analysis.Results: We report that 39.1% of the participants had high knowledge whilst 61.9% had low and average knowledge of CVD and its risk factors. Of the participants, 78.1% had a wrong perception of CVD and its risk factors. Participants from faculties of veterinary medicine and basic medical sciences had better knowledge than others who were not medically inclined (F = 16.11; p 0.001). Only participants from the faculty of veterinary medicine had the right perception of CVD and its risk factors. There was no significant difference in knowledge and perception scores between male and female participants. The qualitative study buttressed the results from the cross-sectional survey, where adolescents and young adults highlighted academic stress and poverty as major risk factors for CVD.Conclusion: Adolescents and young adults in this study did not have good knowledge of CVD and its risk factors. They also had a wrong perception about CVD and its risk factors.

BackgroundCardiovascular disease (CVD) is an important public health concern and one of the leading causes of mortality. 1 It includes numerous conditions such as atherosclerosis, stroke, heart failure, arrhythmia, heart valve problems, angina and cardiomyopathies. 2 In 2013, CVD-related death contributed to 38% of all non-communicable disease-related deaths in Africa, which is double the number since 1990. This increase could be linked to an increase in population, urbanisation, lifestyle changes and high prevalence of risk factors, 3 particularly modifiable risk factors such as physical inactivity, smoking, unhealthy diet, hyperlipidaemia, excessive alcohol intake and obesity. 4 There has been a rise in CVD and its risk factors in developing countries, with high mortality rate amongst younger people, than in developed countries. This can be attributed to the lack of knowledge and effective preventive strategies, which can also be linked to a high rate of poverty in these countries. 5,6,7 Adequate knowledge of CVD risk factors is the first step towards an effective preventive mechanism against the burden of CVD amongst any population. 8 Studies have identified children, adolescents and young adults as the target population for prevention program. 5,9 Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a global problem but its increasing prevalence in the working age group in developing countries like Nigeria is concerning and needs urgent attention. Methods:The study was a mixed method design: quantitative phase with 402 participants and qualitative phase with 16 participants in two focus groups. The participants in the quantitative survey phase completed two questionnaires on the knowledge and perception of CVD and its risk factors. Data from the quantitative cross-sectional survey were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The qualitative data were analysed using content thematic analysis. Results:We report that 39.1% of the participants had high knowledge whilst 61.9% had low and average knowledge of CVD and its risk factors. Of the participants, 78.1% had a wrong perception of CVD and its risk factors. Participants from faculties of veterinary medicine and basic medical sciences had better knowledge than others who were not medically inclined (F = 16.11; p < 0.001). Only participants from the faculty of veterinary medicine had the right perception of CVD and its risk factors. There was no significant difference in knowledge and perception scores between male and female participants. The qualitative study buttressed the results from the cross-sectional survey, where adolescents and young adults highlighted academic stress and poverty as major risk factors for CVD. Conclusion:Adolescents and young adults in this study did not have good knowledge of CVD and its risk factors. They also had a wrong perception about CVD and its risk factors.

Background The occupational prestige of any occupation is of interest to its members and prospective members. A profession’s occupational prestige influences its desirability, marketability, professional autonomy and social esteem, and career selection among prospective university undergraduates. This study aimed to assess the perception of the occupational prestige of physiotherapy in Nigeria among physiotherapy undergraduates and to explore its determining factors. Methods This study employed a mixed method design. The quantitative component involved 280 students from four universities in Nigeria, while the qualitative part involved 35 students. The participants in the survey completed a questionnaire on occupational prestige, and the data obtained were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. In addition, the qualitative data was analyzed using content thematic analysis. Results The perception of occupational prestige obtained from the cross-sectional survey showed that 12.1% of the participants perceived it as low, 49.3% as intermediate, and 38.6% as high. Overall, 49.3% of the participants ranked physiotherapy fourth, following medicine, engineering and law. The qualitative component corroborated these findings and further explained that the perceived status resulted from public perception of the profession in relation to other jobs, especially within the health care team. Conclusion Physiotherapy is ranked intermediate occupational prestige by most physiotherapy undergraduates. The significant determinants of this ranking are poor knowledge and awareness of physiotherapy among other health care professionals and the general public. To enhance the occupational prestige of physiotherapy, there is a need for public awareness of physiotherapy and its role and inter-professional education among health care professionals.