Knowledge of stroke risk factors among Nigerians at high risk.

BACKGROUND: Although the first step toward effective primary prevention of stroke is awareness of its risk factors, there is limited information on knowledge of these risk factors among Nigerians at increased risk. We assessed the knowledge of risk factors for stroke among Nigerians at high risk. METHOD: Using an interviewer-administered questionnaire in a cross-sectional design, high-risk patients (defined as those with a diagnosis of hypertension and/or diabetes) attending the specialist medical outpatient clinics of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital were requested to mention all the stroke risk factors they knew. The outcome measure was ability to mention at least 1 well-documented modifiable or potentially modifiable risk factor. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to determine predictors of the outcome measure. RESULTS: The mean age of the respondents was 56.4 ± 12.6 years. Only 39.8% were able to mention at least 1 well-documented modifiable or potentially modifiable risk factor; hypertension was the most recognized (34.7%). Other risk factors mentioned by the respondents were: diabetes (7.3%), alcohol intake (4.5%), smoking (3.8%), overweight and obesity (1.9%), and heart disease (.6%). Factors found to be significantly associated with ability to correctly mention at least 1 stroke risk factor were younger age (<55 years), more than 12 years of formal education, family history of stroke, urban residence, and previous health education on stroke. CONCLUSIONS: Despite being at high risk, knowledge of stroke risk factors is poor among our respondents. Intensive health education is needed to improve on this poor knowledge.

Condom use among people living with HIV/AIDS attending Abejukolo General Hospital in Kogi State, North Central Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Condom programming is an integral component in a range of HIV/AIDS prevention strategies and with repeated sexual contact among HIV-discordant couples, 98-100% of those who used latex condoms correctly and consistently did not become infected. The objective of this study is to determine condom use among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). METHODS: This is a cross-sectional survey carried out among 231 PLWHA and receiving care and treatment at General Hospital Abejukolo in Kogi State, Nigeria. The research instrument was interviewer-administered questionnaire. The data obtained were analysed using EPI-INFO version 3.4.1 software and P-value of < 0.05 was significant for the study. RESULTS: About three-quarters (70.6%) of the respondents had ever used condom. Reasons given by respondents who did not use condom were: Desire for children (39.7%), and reduction of sexual pleasure (17.7%) and partner preference. More than half (56.0%) of the respondents with multiple partners did not use condom. About half 119 (51.5%) have used condom in the last sexual encounter. Gender, literacy level and disclosure of HIV status to partners significantly influence condom use during sexual intercourse. CONCLUSION: The poor uptake of condom among PLWHA underscores the need for government and other stakeholders in the management of HIV/AIDS to provide more enlightenment opportunities to address the gaps in condom use and disclosure of HIV status to partners.