AWARENESS AND PRACTICES TOWARDS PREVENTION OF MOTHER-TO-CHILD TRANSMISSION OF HIV AMONG MARRIED MEN ATTENDING THE ANTIRETROVIRAL CLINIC IN AMINU KANO TEACHING HOSPITAL, KANO, NIGERIA.

Background: The prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV programme was introduced as a comprehensive package of interventions with the aim of reducing mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV. The programme offers an opportunity to capture pregnant women and their partners in order to prevent the transmission of HIV to the baby. This study is aimed at assessing the awareness and practices of married HIV-positive male partners towards PMTCT. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study that interviewed 220 HIV-positive male partners using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Results: The study revealed that more of the respondents 145 (65.9%) were between the age group of 31 to 40 years. More than half 130 (59%) of the respondents were aware of PMTCT while 135 (61.4%) of the respondents had good practice of PMTCT. Respondents with formal education were 1.5 times more likely to be aware of the PMTCT programme than those having informal education [p=0.03, AOR=1.53, 95%CI=(1.98-4.54)]. Similarly, respondents with formal education were 2.5 times more likely to practice PMTCT programme than those having informal education [p=0.03, AOR=2.53, 95%CI= (1.63-4.54)].In addition, Male partners who were above 30 years of age were 3 times more likely to participate in PMTCT activities compared to those who were less than 30 years [p=0.02, AOR=2.17, 95%CI=(0.01-4.12)]. Conclusion: Raising awareness about the need for male partners' involvement in the PMTCT programme as well as encouraging male partners to partake in PMTCT activities will further increase its uptake.

Rural posting experience, requests for transfer, and perspectives about critical factors for staff retention among primary health care workers in urban Kano, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Inadequate skilled manpower at rural posts is a serious impediment toward equitable and universal access to healthcare in Nigeria. OBJECTIVE: To examine the experiences of primary health care (PHC) workers on rural assignments, requests for transfer, and perspectives about critical factors for retention of healthcare workers at rural posts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using descriptive cross-sectional design, 262 PHC workers in Kano were studied. Data were collected using semi-structured questionnaires and analyzed on Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 22. Pearson's Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests were used to test for significant association between categorical variables. P ≤ 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: The mean age of the workers was 36.0 ± 9 years. Majority were females (55.4%) and married (64.2%) with mean working experience of 13.0 ± 8.0 years. Only 29 (11.2%) had rural posting experience. Mean duration of posting was 4.0 ± 2.0 years; 19 (65.5%) sought re-deployment for lack of social amenities and good schools for children 19 (100.0%) and poor work environment 17 (89.5%). Common positive rural experiences mentioned were less work pressure 26 (89.7%), cordial relationship with colleagues and community members 24 (82.8%), and willingness of the community to partake in health activities 24 (82.8%). Common negative experiences reported include lack of social amenities 27 (93.1), lack of equipment and supplies in facilities 26 (89.7%), and stagnation 22 (75.9%). The workers' perspectives about critical factors for retention at rural posts include good facility infrastructure and functional equipment 240 (92.3%), good housing 237 (91.2%), potable water and electricity supply 238 (91.5%), good schools for staff's children 38 (91.5%), and good access of road to town 239 (91.9%). CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION: While steering gear at upgrading basic infrastructures in rural areas, government should in the interim, ensure attractive working and living conditions at rural posts.

A survey of weight perception and social desirability of obesity among adults in Kano Metropolis, Northern Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Obesity and its complications are emergent health challenges in developing countries including Nigeria. We determined the concordance of perceived with measured weight and assessed the social desirability of obesity among adults in Kano metropolis in northern Nigeria. METHODS: A cross sectional descriptive study was conducted among 400 adults using structured interview questionnaires. RESULTS: Among 386 respondents, 58 (84.1%) of underweight adults, 106 (46.2%) of healthy weight adults, 46 (66.7%) of overweight adults and 16 (84.2%) of obese adults incorrectly perceived their weight category. Sixty (15.5%) participants considered obesity as socially desirable and a sign of good living and affluence. Older respondents (> or = 40 years) (P = 0.0001), Igbo or Yoruba ethnicity (P = 0.0035) and non-formal or primary education (P < 0.0001) were significantly associated with positive view of obesity. However, only ethnicity; Yoruba-Adjusted Odds Ratio (aOR) = 1.60, 95% Confidence Interval (95% CI) (1.20-2.86), P = 0.018, Igbo (aOR = 3.22, 95% CI (1.64-6.3), P =0.005 and educational status; non-formal (aOR = 4.61, 95% CI 1.62-16.9), P = 0.01; primary (aOR = 4.95, 95% CI (1.4-17.8), P = 0.015 remained significant predictors after adjusting for confounding. CONCLUSION: The discordance between perceived and measured weight is worrisome but the low social desirability of obesity should be encouraged. Weight control using periodic weight measurements, nutritional education and physical exercise are paramount.

Risk perceptions, prevention and treatment seeking for sexually transmitted infections and HIV/AIDS among female sex workers in Kano, Nigeria.

We examined the risk perceptions, prevention and treatment seeking for HIV/AIDS/STIs of 124 female commercial sex workers from 52 randomly selected brothels in Kano, Nigeria using a descriptive cross sectional design. We analysed the data using Epi Info 3.5.1. The mean age of the sex workers was 26.4 +/- 1.9 years, and most were indigenous Hausas (33.9%), single (50.8%) and had at least secondary school level of education (51.7%). Majority perceived that unprotected sexual intercourse (96.0%) is the commonest risk factor associated with STIs and HIV/AIDs acquisition. Surprisingly, 25.8% did not believe that any method protect against STIs and HIV/AIDS. The most common symptom reported was perineal itching (53.6%); and 60.7% with the symptoms continued to have unprotected sex. Alarmingly, 29.6% of the sex workers were HIV positive, and all continued with unprotected sexual intercourse with clients. Despite the sex workers' good perception and knowledge of HIV/AIDS/STIs prevention, they demonstrated unhealthy sex behaviour and treatment seeking. We recommend a peer education package that targets the workers and their clients, with focus on reducing risk behaviours associated with STIs and HIV transmission, safer sex; and treatment seeking.

Menstruation and menstrual hygiene amongst adolescent school girls in Kano, Northwestern Nigeria.

This study examined the knowledge and practices of adolescent school girls in Kano, Nigeria around menstruation and menstrual hygiene. Data was collected quantitatively and analyzed using Epi info version 3.2.05. The mean age of the students was 14.4 +/- 1.2 years; majority was in their mid adolescence. The students attained menarche at 12.9 +/- 0.8 years. Majority had fair knowledge of menstruation, although deficient in specific knowledge areas. Most of them used sanitary pads as absorbent during their last menses; changed menstrual dressings about 1-5 times per day; and three-quarter increased the frequency of bathing. Institutionalizing sexuality education in Nigerian schools; developing and disseminating sensitive adolescent reproductive health massages targeted at both parents and their adolescent children; and improving access of the adolescents to youth friendly services are veritable means of meeting the adolescent reproductive health needs in Nigeria.

Patients' satisfaction with services obtained from Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Northern Nigeria.

OBJECTIVE: Periodic patient satisfaction surveys provide feedback to hospital management and staff regarding the quality of services rendered. These surveys have become routine as part of total quality management in developed countries. We assessed patient satisfaction with services provided in a teaching hospital in northern Nigeria. METHOD: Structured questionnaires were administered on a cross-section of 201 patients and two focus group discussions were held with patient relatives at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital. RESULTS: Overall, 83% of the patients were satisfied with the services received from Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, while the remaining 17% were dissatisfied. Specifically, 88%, 88%, 87% and 84% of the patients were satisfied with patient provider relationship, in-patient services, hospital facilities and access to care. However, 30% and 27% of the patients were dissatisfied with waiting time and cost of treatment respectively. Patients and their relatives complained about delayed appointments, missing folders, missing laboratory results and long appointments for ultrasound and other radiological investigations. CONCLUSION: The high patient satisfaction notwithstanding, health workers need to consider patients as customers by being friendly and reducing waiting time for consultation and investigations. Widespread implementation of the National Health Insurance Scheme will also reduce the cost of services and drugs to patients.