Qualitative assessment of attitudes toward cervical cancer (CC) screening and HPV self-sampling among African American (AA) and Sub Saharan African Immigrant (SAI) women.

OBJECTIVES: Despite the availability of preventive methods for cervical cancer (CC), uptake has been low among African American and Sub-Saharan Immigrant (AA/SAI) women. The purpose of this study was to understand AA/SAI women's values and beliefs of CC screening and explore willingness, acceptability, and concerns related to the HPV self-sampling method for CC. DESIGN: Thirty AA/SAI women participated in one of six focus groups, each lasted 60-90 min, and were held over Zoom video conferencing. The sessions were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and checked for accuracy by research staff prior to data analysis. Transcripts were content analyzed by two qualitatively trained research staff. NVivo software was used for data management and analysis. RESULTS: The average age of participants was 33.67 ± 9.03, more than half were not married (53.3%), and less than half reported having health insurance coverage (46.7%). Participants included 16 AA and 14 SAI. Three main themes emerged from data analysis. (1) Beliefs and values related to CC Screening, (2) perceived barriers to attending CC screening, (3) recommendations to motivate regular CC screening. In addition, three factors emerged in the discussion on the HPV self-sampling method: confidence in ability to self-sample for CC, willingness to use HPV self-sampling kit, and result delivery. CONCLUSIONS: This study identified a variety of reasons for the disproportionately low utilization of CC prevention services among AA/SAI women. Multidimensional approaches including educational and community engagement programs for this population could improve CC screening uptake and adoption of HPV self-sampling among AA/SAI women.

Perceptions of participation in school and association with health and wellbeing: comparison among Nigerian and Irish pupils.

School participation among pupils is considered a key value of the health promoting school approach. However, few studies have documented the relationship between the school participation of pupils and health and wellbeing outcomes in different geographical contexts, especially looking at developing and developed country contexts. This study investigated the perceptions of Nigerian and Irish pupils on participation in school and reported health and wellbeing. Data was collected using self-completed questionnaires among 333 and 231 primary school pupils in 4th, 5th and 6th classes across 17 schools in Nigeria and Ireland. Logistic regression analysis was used to analyse the data from both countries. There was no statistically significant difference in the mean scores for participation in school activities (NIG mean = 22.8, SD 3.5; IRE mean = 22.3, SD 3.4) and school events (NIG mean = 18.8, SD 3.7; IRE mean = 17.1, SD 3.6). However, participation in school decisions and rules (NIG mean = 17.3, SD 4.7; IRE mean = 15.8, SD 3.6) and health and wellbeing (NIG mean = 16.9, SD 1.7; IRE mean = 15.3, SD 2.4) scores were significantly higher among Nigerian pupils, while positive perception of school participation (NIG mean = 24.2, SD 4.1; IRE mean = 26.2, SD 3.4) was significantly higher among Irish pupils. The findings suggest that Irish and Nigerian pupils have positive perceptions of their schools irrespective of their location and levels of development. However, further research using qualitative approaches might be needed to better clarify dimensions of pupils' perceptions of school life and school participation among Nigerian pupils in order to substantiate these claims.

Access to Information on Family Planning and Use of Modern Contraceptives Among Married Igbo Women in Southeast, Nigeria.

This study was conducted among married Igbo women in Nigeria who have the lowest median birth interval coupled with a culture of sex preference and low use of modern contraceptives. We examined the relationship between access to information on family planning and sex preference on the use of modern contraceptive (MC). The 2013 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey data were used. The data of 1,661 women of reproductive age were analyzed in this study. Access to information on family planning was low, and almost half (48.6%) of the women had a score of zero. Controlling for possible confounding variables, the data show that women who have good (odds ratio [ OR]= 3.92; CI [2.28, 6.75], p < .001) and poor ( OR = 2.56; CI [1.85, 3.56], p < .001) access to information on family planning were more likely to use MC than those with no access to information on family planning. Sex preference showed no relationship with the use of MC. Families where husbands want more children than their wives inhibit ( OR = 0.62, CI [0.42, 0.90], p < .05) the use of MC compared with those families where husbands and wives fertility desire is the same. Public health programs by government and donors should intensify interventions to increase access to family planning information to promote the use of MC among married Igbo women.

Relationship Between Parenting Styles and Adolescents' Self-Esteem.

Poor self-esteem among adolescents poses a great challenge, which parenting styles can influence. This study examined gender differences in perceived parenting styles and self-esteem of adolescents and examined the relationship between perceived parenting styles and adolescents' self-esteem among in-school adolescents in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. This study utilized a multistage sampling technique. Responses were elicited from 504 consenting pupils using the parental authority questionnaire and a self-esteem questionnaire adjusted to the Rosenberg scale. Self-esteem was scored on a (12-30) scale; scores ≥ 26 indicate high self-esteem, and scores ≤ 25 indicate low self-esteem. The mean age and self-esteem score were 14.9±1.5 years and 24.0±3.3. About one third of respondents reported parenting styles as authoritative or flexible (fathers: 36.3%, mothers: 38.9%). Pearson correlation coefficient test showed a positive significant relationship between flexible parenting style and adolescent self-esteem for fathers ( r = 0.141, p = .001) and mothers ( r = 0.137, p = .001). Research findings reveal significant association between perceived parenting styles and adolescents' self-esteem.

Maternal Education and Diarrhea among Children aged 0-24 Months in Nigeria.

Childhood diarrhea remains a problem in countries like Nigeria where access to potable water, good hygiene and sanitation are lacking. Maternal education is an important determinant of health status of under-five children. Very few studies have investigated the relationship between maternal education and diarrhea in children in Nigeria. Therefore, this study was implemented to fill the gap. The study design was cross-sectional and 2013 National Survey was used. Children aged 0-24 months were investigated and the dependent variable was diarrhea status of the index child in the last two weeks prior the survey. The main independent variable was maternal education. Data were analyzed using Chi-square and Logistic regression models (α=0.05). Diarrhea prevalence was 13.7% and higher (15.5%) among children of women who have no formal education, and mothers living in the North East region of Nigeria experienced the highest prevalence (26.4%). Children whose mothers had no formal education were 2.69(CI= 1.800-4.015, p <0.001) more likely to have diarrhea as compared to those who had higher education. Maternal education is an important predictor of diarrhea among children aged 0-24 months in Nigeria. Policies to reduce diarrhea among children in Nigeria should target children of the illiterate, less educated mothers and those living in the North-West.