Knowledge of tropical diseases and response capabilities of healthcare providers in Kaduna State, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: The public health impact of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) is quite substantial. The objective of this study was to assess the knowledge and response capability of health professionals regarding NTDs in Kaduna State, Nigeria. METHODS: A pre-tested questionnaire with a Cronbach's α coefficient of 0.716 was administered to 350 health professionals. The questionnaire assessed the knowledge, resource availability and capacity to handle NTD cases. RESULTS: Only 38 (12.6%) respondents were familiar with the World Health Organization's definition of NTDs. Although self-reported knowledge was highest for physicians (37 [82.2%]), there was no statistically significant knowledge disparity between cadres of health professionals. Only 12 (46.2%) practitioners in private health facilities reported adequate knowledge. The tier of practice was significantly associated with management of NTDs (χ2 = 10.545; df 2; p = 0.005). Only 24 (47.1%) medical laboratory scientists and 18 (40.0%) physicians had adequate clinical resources for management of NTDs. Nearly three-quarters (211 (70.1%)] of respondents had never been trained in the management of NTDs. More than half (177 [58.8%]) of facilities lacked pharmaceuticals or standard operating procedures for management of NTDs. CONCLUSIONS: Self-reported knowledge of NTDs was suboptimal. Physical and clinical resources for the diagnosis and treatment of NTDs were inadequate. Targeted training, increased funding and provision of adequate resources are needed in order to ameliorate the situation.

Outcome of cardiovascular risk assessment among rural community dwellers in ezionum, Nigeria-implications for public health.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular disease is a major cause of mortality worldwide. Risk assessment has been shown to reduce cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. In view of their proximity and accessibility, community pharmacies could be a suitable site for cardiovascular risk assessment and other preventive health activities especially in rural underserved populations. The objective of this study was to assess outcome of cardiovascular risk assessment among rural community dwellers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five hundred and five community dwellers aged 40 to 80 years were recruited for the study. Cardiovascular risk assessment was performed using the region specific WHO/ISH risk assessment charts. Blood pressure, diabetes status, total non- fasting cholesterol, and age were used to estimate risk category. Demographic variables and clinical characteristics were expressed as frequency and percentage. Regression analysis was done to identify predictors of high risk category. RESULTS: More than 30% of subjects were hypertensive. Nearly 30% were overweight and had abnormal cholesterol levels. The proportion of subjects in the high risk category was 8.9%. Systolic blood pressure, random blood sugar and advancing age were the highest predictors of high risk category. CONCLUSION: Accessibility, proximity and availability are unique characteristics of community pharmacies that could be exploited to support community based screening services.

The disposal pattern of domestic medical and pharmaceutical waste in Uyo Metropolis, Southern Nigeria

Abstract: The evaluation of waste treatment practices is an important step in the design interventions to improve the health status of municipalities. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate national practices in the treatment (disposal) of medical and pharmaceutical waste by households in the Uyo metropolis in Nigeria; and to provide a Informal education on appropriate practices for the community. Methods: The city was delimited into three zones A, B and C equivalent respectively to residential districts High income, middle income and low income. In total, 140 households were selected at random in the zones (40 households each of zones A and B and 60 of zone C). The sampling unit was the head or the representative of each household. A self-administered self-administered questionnaire was used to assess practices for the disposal of domestic medical and pharmaceutical wastes. The chi-square test was assessed differences in disposal practices between the three zones. A p value less than 0.05 was considered significant. Results: The majority of households disposed of medical and pharmaceutical waste with garbage. The rates of households involved in this practice ranged from 85% to 96.67% for medical waste and 73.34% to 82.5% for pharmaceutical waste. Only a small proportion eliminated medical waste by burning or burying them. Disposal by incineration was not practiced at all in the population studied. There was no significant difference in waste disposal practices between the three areas. Conclusion: The waste was not sorted before disposal. The recommended methods were not followed for the disposal of medical and pharmaceutical waste. Disposal of medical waste domestic products, especially sharps, does not meet the international standard