Association of Sociodemographic Factors, Breast Cancer Fear, and Perceived Self-Efficacy With Breast Cancer Screening Behaviors Among Middle-Aged Nigerian Women.

INTRODUCTION: Breast cancer (BC) is a major public health problem among women. However, BC screening uptake is abysmally low among Nigerian women. This study evaluated the association of BC fear and perceived self-efficacy with BC screening (clinical breast exam [CBE] and mammography) among middle-aged Nigerian women. METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among middle-aged women in Enugu State, southeast Nigeria. The data were collected between September 2019 and February 2020. The BC screening uptake, fear, and self-efficacy were assessed using the validated Breast Cancer Screening Questionnaire (BCSQ), Champion Breast Cancer Fear Scale (CBCFS), and Champion's Mammography Self-Efficacy Scale (CMSES). Data were analyzed using frequencies and percentages, chi-square test, and univariate analysis of variance. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression models were used to examine independent associations between selected sociodemographic factors, cancer fear, perceived self-efficacy, and BC screening. RESULTS: The mean age of the participants was 55.3 years (SD: 5.75). More than half of the women (51%) reported having a BC screening in the past 12 months. However, only 12.5% and 16.9% reported having a CBE or mammogram in the past 12 months. The prevalence of a high, moderate, and low level of fear was 68%, 22.3%, and 9.8%, respectively. The prevalence of a high, moderate, and low self-efficacy level was 50.6%, 37.5%, and 12.0%, respectively. The multivariable logistics regression analysis showed that women aged 50-59 years and 60-64 years were 3.5 times (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 3.50, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.07-5.89, P < .0001), and 5.92 times (AOR = 5.92 95% CI: 2.63-13.35, P < .0001), respectively, more likely to perform mammogram than those aged 40-49 years. Women with a high level of self-efficacy were 2.68 times (AOR = 2.68, 95% CI: 1.15-6.26, P < .0001) more likely to use mammographic screening than those with low self-efficacy. Although not statistically significant, women with a moderate level of BC fear were 0.56 times less likely to use mammogram than women with a low level of BC fear. CONCLUSION: A low proportion of women underwent CBE or mammography. Women had a high level of BC fear and a moderate level of self-efficacy for BC screening. The findings emphasize the need for health educational and psychosocial interventions that improve self-efficacy and promote regular BC screening among middle-aged women.

Predictors of young people's use of sexual and reproductive health services in Nigeria: a mixed-method approach.

BACKGROUND: Sexual and Reproductive health Services (SRHS) are essential for the prevention and control of SRH problems among young people and the achievement of sustainable development goal 3. These services may be available but certain factors interfere with their access and utilization by the young people. This study sought to determine factors that predict the utilization of SRHS among young people in Enugu State, Nigeria. METHODS: The study adopted mixed-method research employing a cross-sectional research design. The population of the study comprised young people between the ages of 12 and 22 years. A multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select 1447 young people used for the study. A questionnaire, in-depth interview, and focus group discussion were used for data collection. Percentages, Chi-square, and logistic regression were used to analyse quantitative data, while qualitative data were thematically analysed using NVivo software. RESULTS: Socio-demographic factors of gender, age, education, income, and living status (p = < .05) were significant predictors of utilization of SRHS. Psycho-cultural and health system factors (p = < .05) were also significant predictors of utilization of SRHS. CONCLUSION: The study concluded that some socio-demographic factors (of gender, age, level of education, income, and living status), psycho-cultural, and health system factors can be used to predict young people's utilization of SRHS. These predictors could be addressed through home sex education, regular training of health care providers on youth-friendly services delivery, and policy reforms.

Healthcare professionals awareness of the consequences of medical error on patients.

OBJECTIVE: To ascertain the awareness level and demographic differences of the consequences of medical errors on patients' health, safety, resources and survival by healthcare professionals. METHODS: The descriptive study was conducted at five different public hospitals in Nigeria from August to October 2017, and comprised healthcare professionals who were permanent staff members. Awareness of medical errors questionnaire was used for data collection. Dimensions assessed were safety, health, resources and survival. A mean score of >2.50 was taken as a cut-off value for acceptable level of awareness. SPSS 20 was used for data analysis.. RESULTS: Of the 200 participants initially enrolled, 186(93%) completed the questionnaire completely. Of them, 98(53%) were females, 92(49%) were aged 30 49 years, 98(53%) were staff nurses, 24(13%) were doctors and 64(34%) were healthcare assistants. Overall mean questionnaire score was 2.60±0.05, indicating that the participants were aware of the consequences of medical error on patients. In terms of individual dimensions, the scores were acceptable for safety, health and resources (>2.50) but the mean score on patients' survival was 2.34±0.08. CONCLUSIONS: There appeared to be a need for the government to raise the awareness level for healthcare professionals regarding consequences of medical errors on patients in public hospitals.

The need for school administrative policies to manage meningitis amongst students in Nigeria: a viewpoint.

Students are at greater risk of meningitis than non-students of similar age. However, a lack of specific school administrative policies for the management of meningitis may contribute to the increasing incidence of meningitis in the student population. The study aims were to promote the need for a policy framework in school settings to manage meningitis, and to encourage research to assess the readiness of school administrators to adopt such a policy in Nigeria. The material reviewed here derives from expert opinion, gray literature, national data sources, websites, and peer-reviewed journals. It is important to offer comprehensible, reliable, and accurate information about meningitis to students and staff of every school in Nigeria, as one of the best ways of achieving the goal of preventing meningitis in students may be through the adoption and implementation of meningitis policy frameworks by school administrators. Furthermore, studies are required to examine the readiness of school administrators to adopt a meningitis policy framework.

Alcohol consumption and awareness of its effects on health among secondary school students in Nigeria.

Alcohol consumption among secondary school students is a major public health issue worldwide; however, the extent of consumption among secondary school students and their understanding of its effects on human health remain relatively unknown in many Nigerian States. This study aimed to determine the extent of alcohol consumption and of the awareness of its negative effects on human health among secondary school students.The study used a cross-sectional survey design. Self-report questionnaire developed by the researchers was administered to representative sample (N = 1302) of secondary school students in the study area. The data collected from the respondents were analyzed using means and t test.The results showed that male secondary school students moderately consumed beer (55.2%) and local cocktails (51.5%), whereas their female counterparts reported rare consumption of these 2 alcoholic drinks (44.8%; 48.5% respectively). The findings also indicated rare consumption of distilled spirits among both male and female students in the investigated area, whereas wine, liquor, local spirits, and palm wine were consumed moderately, regardless of gender. Finally, male and female secondary school students differed significantly in their awareness of the negative effects of alcohol consumption on health.There is a need to intensify efforts to further curtail the extent of alcohol consumption and increase awareness of the negative effects of alcohol use on human health among secondary school students.