Risky sexual behaviour among students of a Nigerian tertiary institution.

Background: While initiation of sexual activity is a part of a normal behaviour and development, it may also be associated with negative outcomes when sexual activity is initiated at too early an age, or without due attention to involved risks. These risky behaviours expose to different kinds of sexuality and reproductive health problems like STIs, HIV, unwanted and unplanned pregnancy, abortion and psychological distress. Objectives: to assess sexual risk behaviours among medical students of University of Nigeria. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study of sexual risk behavior of the tertiary institution students. Results: a statistical significance existed between certain socio-demographic characteristics and sexual intercourse; these characteristics are age, level of study and place of residence (p <0.05). Major reasons for sexual abstinence include 'against my faith', 66(37.9%), 'waiting till marriage', 56(32.2%), 'not emotionally ready', 54(31.0%) and fear of pregnancy, 10(5.7%). Conclusion: Risky sexual behaviour exist among the respondents though with varying patterns.

Compliance of patients to DOTS tuberculosis treatment strategy in a South-East Nigeria Teaching Hospital.

Introduction: Tuberculosis ranks the second highest cause of adult mortality after HIV in the world. The Directly Observed Treatment Short course (DOTS) strategy is aimed at following up on patients' adherence to treatment regimen. Objectives: To assess the level of compliance of patients to the DOTS strategy. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study of patients seen at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital from January, 2013 to April, 2015. Relevant information was collected from patients' folders. Data analysis was with the SPSS and results represented in tables. Results: 111 (50%) patients were compliant with their DOTS treatment plan while 107 (41.3%) were non-compliant. Ninety-two patients (41.4%) were successfully treated and discharged home, 7 patients (3.2%) referred to other centres. The proportion of patients regarding their marital status, occupation, educational level and address that was compliant to the DOTS TB reflected varied patterns. Conclusion/ Recommendations: The study reflected poor to average compliance to DOTS. There is a need for creation of more DOTS centres; regular surveys and updates on DOTS TB strategy should be the norm rather than the exception.

Trends in rape cases in a Nigerian state.

BACKGROUND: Rape remains a controversial issue with a few victims reporting experience because of the myriad of societal perception, prolonged steps in pursuing a case to logical conclusion of securing conviction, as well as psychological and physical residuals of the experience. Data in Nigeria is therefore hard to come by as it is diminished and often not available. OBJECTIVES: To assess the pattern and trend of rape cases in a State in Nigeria. METHODS: A descriptive and retrospective study where data records on socio-demographics and case specifics was collected on victims of sexual assault that reported to DFID/ PATHS 2 supported Tamar Sexual Assault Centre between 2014 and 2016 after which it was analysed and presented in bar charts. RESULT: The yearly prevalence varied for the different age groups studied with the highest prevalence noted for 13 years and above (175,200,255) over the 3 years of 2014, 2015 and 2016 studied. The reported cases also improved over the studied years with rates of 0.47, 0.96 and 0.5 respectively. CONCLUSION: The yearly comparison and baseline data show that the centre's establishment caused an improvement in rape case reporting and follow-up.