Slim north, fat south: explaining regional differences in abnormal weights in Nigeria.

Weight abnormalities (underweight, overweight, and obesity) can cause life-threatening ailments. This study investigates disparities in the prevalence of underweight, overweight, and obesity between northern and southern Nigeria and their associated factors. Using the 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), the study analysed a sample of 12,333 women with complete records of body mass index. The study found that southern women had lower odds of being underweight than women in the north, but the reverse was the case for overweight and obesity. The prevalence of underweight was 11.6%, and it varies from 6.9% in the southern state of Enugu to 31.6% in the northern state of Jigawa. The national prevalence of overweight was 17.9%, ranging from 6.7% in Jigawa State of the northern region to 39.9% in Lagos State of the south. Similarly, the prevalence of obesity in the north was 6.1% compared to 14.4% in the south, with Anambra State of the southern region recording the highest figure of 35.5% compared to 2.1% in the Yobe State of the northern region. In all, the rate of abnormal weight was significantly higher in the south than in the north. However, the type of weight abnormality varies between the two regions. Religion, education, use of contraceptives, and wealth were associated with the three forms of abnormal weights. However, while religion was significantly associated with obesity in the north, the association was not significant in the south. This study found that wealth and education have dissimilar influences on overnutrition. While the odds of being overweight and obese increase with wealth, being educated up to a secondary level significantly reduces the odds in Nigeria and across the two regions.

Determinants of social support among people living with HIV in Nigeria-a multicenter cross-sectional study.

Background: More than 38.4 million people were living with HIV worldwide in 2021. Sub-Saharan Africa bears two-thirds of the burden, with Nigeria having nearly two million people living with HIV (PLWH). Social support from social networks such as family and friends improve the quality of life, and reduces enacted and perceived stigma, but social support for PLWH remains suboptimal in Nigeria. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of social support and associated factors among PLWH in Nigeria and to test whether stigma reduces types of social support. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Lagos State, Nigeria, between the months of June and July 2021. A total of 400 PLWH were surveyed across six health facilities providing antiretroviral therapy. Social support (family, friends, and significant others) and stigma were measured with the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support and Berger's HIV Stigma Scale, respectively. Binary logistic regression was used to identify determinants of social support. Results: More than half (50.3%) of the respondents had adequate social support overall. The prevalence of family, friends, and significant others support was 54.3, 50.5, and 54.8%, respectively. Stigma (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR]: 0.945; 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 0.905-0.987) was negatively associated with adequate friend support. Female gender (AOR: 6.411; 95% CI: 1.089-37.742), higher income (AOR: 42.461; 95% CI: 1.452-1241.448), and seropositive disclosure (AOR: 0.028; 95% CI: 0.001-0.719) were associated with adequate significant others support. Stigma (AOR:0.932; 95% CI: 0.883-0.983) was negatively associated with adequate support overall. Our findings corroborate the social support theory, as stigma reduces the chance of receiving social support. Conclusion: PLWH that enjoy support from families or friends were less likely to be affected by HIV-related stigma. More support is needed by PLWH from family, friends, and significant others to improve the quality of life and reduce stigma among PLWH in Lagos State.

Mental health status of doctors and nurses in a Nigerian tertiary hospital: A COVID-19 experience.

Background: Healthcare professionals (HCPs) working to save lives during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic are under tremendous physical and psychological pressure, therefore facing the risk of developing challenges with mental health. Aim: This study aimed primarily to determine the prevalence and factors associated with depression, anxiety and stress among HCPs in a tertiary hospital in Lagos State during the COVID-19 pandemic. Setting: Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria. Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted between June and July 2021 among 1452 doctors and nurses in LASUTH, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria, selected by the multistage sampling method. Depression, anxiety and stress were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire, Generalised Anxiety Disorder and Perceived Stress Scale, respectively. Results: The majority of respondents were female (72.5%), with two-thirds being nurses. The prevalence of depression, anxiety and stress was 9.8%, 5.0% and 62.4%, respectively. Nurses showed a higher prevalence of these mental health conditions as compared with doctors. Younger HCPs, nurses, those that lost a colleague to COVID-19, and those whose family members were infected with COVID-19 were more likely to be depressed. Nurses and those afraid of being infected were more likely to experience anxiety. Younger HCPs, nurses, history of anxiety and/or depression and previous COVID-19 infection were identified as factors associated with stress. Conclusion: Stress was the most prevalent mental health condition with nurses being the most affected of the HCPs and at a greater risk of developing challenges with mental health. Psychosocial interventions and stress management techniques are recommended to minimise the risks. Contribution: This study adds to the few studies on the mental health of HCPs during COVID-19 and calls for in-depth surveys to understand psychosocial challenges among HCPs in Nigeria.