Approximation of the Cox survival regression model by MCMC Bayesian Hierarchical Poisson modelling of factors associated with childhood mortality in Nigeria.

The need for more pragmatic approaches to achieve sustainable development goal on childhood mortality reduction necessitated this study. Simultaneous study of the influence of where the children live and the censoring nature of children survival data is scarce. We identified the compositional and contextual factors associated with under-five (U5M) and infant (INM) mortality in Nigeria from 5 MCMC Bayesian hierarchical Poisson regression models as approximations of the Cox survival regression model. The 2018 DHS data of 33,924 under-five children were used. Life table techniques and the Mlwin 3.05 module for the analysis of hierarchical data were implemented in Stata Version 16. The overall INM rate (INMR) was 70 per 1000 livebirths compared with U5M rate (U5MR) of 131 per 1000 livebirth. The INMR was lowest in Ogun (17 per 1000 live births) and highest in Kaduna (106), Gombe (112) and Kebbi (116) while the lowest U5MR was found in Ogun (29) and highest in Jigawa (212) and Kebbi (248). The risks of INM and U5M were highest among children with none/low maternal education, multiple births, low birthweight, short birth interval, poorer households, when spouses decide on healthcare access, having a big problem getting to a healthcare facility, high community illiteracy level, and from states with a high proportion of the rural population in the fully adjusted model. Compared with the null model, 81% vs 13% and 59% vs 35% of the total variation in INM and U5M were explained by the state- and neighbourhood-level factors respectively. Infant- and under-five mortality in Nigeria is influenced by compositional and contextual factors. The Bayesian hierarchical Poisson regression model used in estimating the factors associated with childhood deaths in Nigeria fitted the survival data.

PREDICTING COVID-19 SECOND WAVE SIGNAL IN SELECTED STATES OF SOUTHWEST NIGERIA: A COMPARISON OF CUMULATIVE SUM C2 AND CUMULATIVE SUM C1 EPIDEMIC THRESHOLDS.

INTRODUCTION: Epidemic thresholds generated using the conventional historical data is not optimal for COVID-19 because of its short historical trajectory. This study therefore, aimed to develop and compare Cumulative sum C2 and C1 epidemic thresholds for COVID-19 in selected states in southwestern Nigeria. METHODS: This was a retrospective longitudinal analysis of the COVID-19 surveillance data (week 10 - 48) retrieved from the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) database of situation reports as at the 6th of December, 2020. Data was managed with Microsoft excel. The weekly time scale was adopted for developing the CUSUM C2 and C1 epidemic thresholds for three selected southwest states and Nigeria. RESULTS: A total of 236 situation reports were reviewed for each state. For Lagos state, the maximum C2 and C1 estimated was 2326 which was during the peak of the epidemic. From the four most recent surveillance points, the thresholds and the observed confirmed cases appeared to diverge from each other. For Ogun state, the maximum C2 and C1 estimated was 318 during the peak of the epidemic. From the four most recent surveillance points, the thresholds and the observed confirmed cases appeared to converge. For Oyo state, the maximum C2 and C1 estimated was 708 during the peak of the epidemic. From the four most recent surveillance points, the thresholds and the observed confirmed cases appeared to converge and then diverge. CONCLUSION: A closer monitor of the surveillance data for the states is recommended for a possible public health intervention.

JOB SATISFACTION AND PSYCHOLOGICAL HEALTH AMONG HEALTH WORKERS IN LAGOS STATE TEACHING HOSPITAL, NIGERIA.

Background: Dissatisfactions found in various jobs have been identified as workplace stressors that can directly influence an employee's psychological and physical health. This study assessed job satisfaction and its relationship with the psychological health of health workers at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH). Methods: The study was a descriptive cross-sectional survey conducted among 440 health workers in LASUTH. Participants were selected using the stratified sampling technique with the probability proportionate to size method. Data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire consisting of three sections: sociodemographic characteristics and work history, the Spector Job Satisfaction Survey (JSS) and the General Health Questionnaire short version 12 (GHQ-12). Apart from the multidimensional JSS, the overall job satisfaction was also assessed using the single-item measure. Data was analysed with SPSS version 25.0. The level of statistical significance was d" 0.5. Results: The mean age of respondents was 43.1 ± 9.2 years. Only 95 (21.6%) respondents expressed satisfaction on the single-item measure. Based on the JSS, the mean job satisfaction score was 126 ± 11.1 and mean GHQ score was 2.88 ± 2.43. There was a consistent weak negative correlation between job satisfaction scores and GHQ scores (p < 0.001). Furthermore, respondents who were satisfied with their job were less likely to have psychological morbidity (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Job satisfaction among respondents was low. This was associated with a high level of psychological morbidity. There is need for further investigations on the contemporary causes of job dissatisfaction.

AN ASSESSMENT OF DENTAL CARE PRACTICES AMONG UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS OF ADELEKE UNIVERSITY, EDE, OSUN STATE, NIGERIA.

BACKGROUND: Dental care is an important aspect of oral health which deals with the maintenance of healthy teeth and it is an important aspect of general oral health. Dental care practices include regular tooth brushing and flossing, healthy nutritional habits and regular visits to the dentists. OBJECTIVE: This was to determine the practice of dental hygiene among undergraduate students of Adeleke University. METHODOS: This was a cross-sectional survey conducted among Adeleke University undergraduate students between February and March, 2017. A stratified sampling technique was used to select study participants. A semi structured questionnaire was used for data collection and data were analyzed using SPSS version 21. Bivariate analysis was done with chi squared test. Level of significance was set at 5%. RESULTS: Mean age of respondents was 20.18 + 2.61 years. Half of the respondents (53.6%) brushed their teeth twice daily. Most (79.2%) of the respondents used toothpick to remove food debris from their teeth and only 9.1% used dental floss. Only 54.7% had ever visited the dentist in their lifetime. Respondents who were single had good dental practice compared to respondents that were married (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: The practice of dental hygiene among the students is not adequate. There is a need to inform and educate the students on dental hygiene practices and the benefits.