Birth Preparedness Plans and Status Disclosure Among Pregnant Women Living with HIV Who are Receiving Antiretroviral Therapy in Ibadan, Southwest, Nigeria.

Background: Promoting the maternal health of pregnant women who are living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV; [PWLH]) is key to reducing maternal mortality and morbidity. Thus, inadequate birth preparedness plans, non-institutional delivery, and status concealment among PWLH contribute to the spread of HIV infection and threaten the prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT). Therefore, this study aimed to assess the birth preparedness plan and status disclosure among PWLH, as well as the prevalence of HIV infection among pregnant women. Methods: The study adopted a descriptive cross-sectional research design; a quantitative approach was used for data collection. Three healthcare facilities that represented the three levels of healthcare institutions and referral centers for the care of PWLH in the Ibadan metropolis were selected for the recruitment process. A validated questionnaire was used to collect data from 77 participants within the targeted population. Ethical approval was obtained prior to the commencement of data collection. Results: The prevalence rate of HIV infection among the participants was 3.7%. Only 37.1% of the participants had a birth preparedness plan. A total of 40% of the participants tested for HIV, because testing was compulsory for antenatal registration. Only 7.1% of the participants had their status disclosed to their partners. Although 90% of the participants proposed delivering their babies in a hospital, only 80% of these participants had their status known in their proposed place of birth. Conclusion and Global Health Implications: The prevalence of HIV infection among pregnant women is very low, which is an indication of improved maternal health. However, the level of birth preparedness plan and status disclosure to partners are equally low, and these factors can hinder PMTCT. Institutional delivery should be encouraged among all PWLH, and their HIV status must be disclosed at their place of birth.

Experiences of community tuberculosis volunteers in Ibadan north local government: A qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Although several efforts have gone into combating tuberculosis (TB) in Nigeria, the country remains one of the worst hit with TB globally. Community Tuberculosis Care (CTBC) which refers to community TB efforts taken beyond the confines of the hospital facilities, has been suggested as a means to reach TB cases not reported or diagnosed. However, CTBC is in the formative stage in Nigeria, and the experiences of Community Tuberculosis Volunteers (CTVs) remain unclear. Hence, the study was conducted to explore the experiences of CTVs in Ibadan North Local Government. METHODS: A qualitative descriptive design with focus group discussion was adopted. CTVs in the Ibadan-north Local Government were recruited, and data were collected using a semi-structured interview guide. The discussions were audio-recorded. Qualitative content analysis method was used for data analysis. RESULTS: All the CTVs (10) in the local government were interviewed. Four themes emerged which include: CTVs' activities, the need of the patient living with TB, success stories, and challenges faced by CTVs. CTBC activities by the CTVs include case finding, awareness rallies, community education. The needs of the patient living with TB include finances, love, attention and support. Challenges encountered by them include myths, poor family and governmental support. CONCLUSION: CTBC was progressing well in this community as the CTVs have many success stories to share. However, the CTVs needed more support from the government in terms of finances, free and adequate drug supply, and assistance with media advert.

Prevalence of pre-diabetes and risk factors among secondary school adolescents in Osogbo Local Government Area, Osun State, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Pre-diabetes is an emerging public health challenge in sub-Saharan Africa. OBJECTIVES: To estimate prevalence of pre-diabetes and assess its associated factors among adolescents. The risk factors were divided into individual, interpersonal and community factors, adapting socio-ecological model. METHODS: This study utilised a cross-sectional descriptive survey. The target population was secondary school adolescents of Osogbo Local Government. Questionnaire was used to interview 405 participants through multi-stage sampling. Prediabetes was measure through fasting blood glucose. RESULTS: Findings revealed prevalence rate of 9.4%. Individual factors identified to be significant include age, religion and family history. Further analysis showed adolescents with normal BMI and high BP are likely to develop pre-diabetes when compared to those with underweight and normal BP respectively. Among interpersonal factors, parents' dietary habit was significant. Also, adolescents with employed parents were likely to develop pre-diabetes compared to those with unemployed parents. Lastly, availability of healthy food in school was the only statistically significant community factor. Hence, the more availability of food, fruits and vegetables in schools, the less likelihood of developing prediabetes. CONCLUSION: These findings affirmed that prediabetes is becoming common problem among Nigerian adolescents. There is therefore need for stakeholders to face this challenge before it becomes endemic.

Knowledge, preparedness, and attitude towards COVID-19 among health profession students in Sub-Saharan Africa: A cross-sectional survey.

Objective: We assessed the knowledge, preparedness, and attitude of health profession students towards COVID-19 outbreak in Sub-Saharan Africa. Methods: This cross-sectional study used convenience sampling to recruit participants from institutions under African Forum for Research and Education in Health (AFREhealth). The survey was developed in QuestionPro software covering the participants' socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge, attitude, and preparedness towards the COVID-19 outbreak. Data were analysed and the association between variables was tested. Results: The mean age of the 336 students was 25•75 (±7•88) years. Most (99•7%) knew the cause of COVID-19 which could be transmitted via droplets (97•3%). Several participants vowed to adhere to preventive measures (92•3%) and claimed their curriculum equipped them with skills addressing infectious disease outbreaks (63•6%). Nursing students were better prepared than other students (p=0•001). Students from West African regions were more prepared (p=0•001) and aware they could contract COVID-19 if they cared for infected persons (p=0•001). Conclusion: Students are knowledgeable about COVID-19, adequately prepared to handle epidemics, have a positive attitude towards infection prevention, and their training institutions and government have taken adequate measures to address the COVID-19 outbreak. Funding: AFREhealth.

The need for veterinary nursing in Nigeria.

Traditionally, nursing care has been identified as an integral part of human medicine but is not well recognised in veterinary medicine as practised in Nigeria. In caring for human beings, a nurse is expected to have the fundamental understanding of disease aetiology, manifestations, diagnosis, management, rehabilitation, prevention and control. This is equally applicable to the care of animals. The role of veterinary nursing in veterinary medicine is significant considering the multitude of issues involved in the care of animals. The keeping of domestic animals is becoming popular and consequently the spread of infectious diseases from animals to human beings is on the increase. It is vital for human beings and animals to coexist in a healthy environment. The authors examine the importance of nursing care in veterinary medicine, the current situation in Nigeria, the role of veterinary nurses, the inter-professional approach to veterinary medicine, preparedness for the emergence of infectious diseases and career opportunities for veterinary nurses. This premise falls within the context of the 'One Health' concept.