Background COVID-19 testing coverage is limited in Nigeria. Access to SARS-CoV-2 self-testing kits may help improve the detection of asymptomatic and mildly symptomatic cases and increase the currently low rate of COVID-19 testing in the country. Before implementing SARS-CoV-2 self-testing in Nigeria, it is imperative to assess the populations perceptions regarding this innovation. We therefore conducted a qualitative study to investigate peoples values and preferences for SARS-CoV-2 self-testing in Nigeria. Methods We used semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions among healthcare workers, community representatives, and public health implementors to explore values and perceptions around various aspects of COVID-19 testing, including conventional COVID-19 testing, SARS-CoV-2 self-testing, the safe and effective use of SARS-CoV-2 self-testing, actions upon receiving a positive SARS-CoV-2 self-test result, and future prospects for SARS-CoV-2 self-testing. Results Respondents reported that there is limited availability of conventional SARS-CoV-2 testing in Nigeria. While just a few respondents were familiar with SARS-CoV-2 testing, respondents generally supported the use of SARS-CoV-2 self-testing as they felt it could assist with early case detection and improve access to testing. Concerns relating to the use of SARS-CoV-2 self-testing were majorly about the ability among low literacy populations to use and interpret the test, the affordability of tests, equity of access, and the availability of healthcare system support for those who test positive. Conclusion Though the public perceive multiple benefits associated with access to SARS-CoV-2 self-testing, the efficiency of the national health service delivery system may limit access of the users of the kits to psychosocial and clinical support. In Nigeria, where COVID-19 vaccine coverage is low and the risk of further waves of COVID-19 is high, self-testing may assist in the prompt detection of cases and contribute to halting the spread of the virus.

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The use of social media platforms has over the years become a veritable tool for individuals, groups, institutions and corporate bodies for the promotion of health and wellness. In recent times, social media has become one of the most potent agents of the media through which health issues are addressed as well as generated and disseminated to different populations in society. The study was conducted to examine social media use and students' health lifestyle modification in the University of Calabar, Nigeria. It sought to determine the extent to which students' use of social media (Facebook, Twitter, and WhatsApp) influences the modification of their health-related lifestyles such as eating habits, sexual behaviour, cigarette and alcohol consumption, drug use and the engagement in fitness activities. The study adopted a randomized descriptive survey design and used a sample of 300 undergraduate students. The questionnaire was the main instrument used for collection of data while simple percentages and means were used to determine the difference between the expected mean of 2.50 and the observed means across various items in the questionnaire. The results showed that apart from Twitter, social media use by University of Calabar students has significantly influenced the modification of their health lifestyles. Since social media has become a veritable tool for the promotion of positive health lifestyle, effort should be made by government through the health sector to create more awareness among students and the entire population of social media users, on the health benefits accruing from use of social media.

One of the greatest challenges confronting the government in Nigeria today is the need to reduce infant and child morbidity and mortality in order to achieve the sustainable development goal 2030. Infant mortality is generally used to describe the death of infants or babies that were born alive but died before their first birthday. There is generally marked inequality in infant death between developed and developing nations but also within them. Culture has been found to influence the health of the people especially in developing countries where majority of the people are traditionally oriented and superstitious. Several cultural values, beliefs and practices have considerable influence on the health behaviour of Nigerians, which has been adopted by pregnant women, and carried over to their children resulting in infant mortality. These cultural beliefs and practices are some of the major reasons for the low patronage of antenatal health care and orthodox medicine. People have remained bound to cultural beliefs and values. People tend to view events of diseases and deaths from the cultural and supernatural perspective, thereby causing mothers to stick to traditional and cultural practices in health matters. The paper is purely theoretical and relied heavily on secondary data and relevant literature on the issue under consideration. The paper calls for adequate awareness and enlightenment especially in areas where cultural practices are very ingrained and where infant mortality is high due to these practices.

This study examined the relationship between factors in communal land conflict and food security in Obudu Local Government Area of Cross River State, Nigeria. Two null hypotheses were formulated based on the selected independent variables of boundary dispute and scramble for other scarce economic resources like oil palm and other economic trees. Using the survey research design, data were collected from 400 randomly selected respondents. The data were statistically analysed using the chi-square (X 2) with probability set at the 5% level of significance. The results showed a significant relationship between boundary dispute and food security in Obudu on one hand and between scramble for scarce economic resources and food security on the other. We recommend among other things, that government at all levels should periodically mount enlightenment campaigns, seminars and symposia to sensitize the rural people on the devastating effect of communal land conflict. Also, conflict control mechanisms such as regular meetings and dialogue among neighbouring communities should be encouraged by community leaders to avert communal land conflict.