Perception, attitude and willingness of under-five children caregivers to growth monitoring in Ibadan South-West Local Government Area, Oyo State, Nigeria

OBJECTIVE

This study was carried out to explore perceptions ofunder five caregivers on growth monitoring in Ibadan south-west local government in Nigeria.

METHOD

Descriptive. cross-sectional-design was used for the study which involved four-stage sampling techniques. The study was conducted among the 410 caregivers who consented to participate. Both qualitative and quantitative methods were used to collect the data. The questionnaire elicited information on sociodemographic characteristics, Knowledge, Attitude and Growth -Monitoring perceptions were measured on a 16-point scale and categorizedinto "negative" (≤8) and positive (>8) Descriptive statistics -using mean and standard deviation were generated while qualitative data was analysed using Atlas Ti version 7. Result Mean age of the Caregivers of Under-5 was 31.6±6.5 years, 46.8% had secondary education and 56.8% were traders. Majority (88.3%) had received information on Growth Monitoring and (66:6%) heard from the health workers. Almost all the: respondents (90.0%) had positive perception towards Growth Monitoring (10.8±2.9). It was also suggested by the caregivers that their involvement is very crucial in monitoring the growth of their children. Concusion: The study showed that most of the caregivers. had positive perceptions towards growth monitoring and advocated their active involvement if training progriammes can be developed.

Population-based prevalence of abnormal cervical cytology findings and local risk factors in Ibadan, Nigeria: implications for cervical cancer control programs and human papilloma virus immunization

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the prevalence of abnormal cervical cytological findings and local risk factors in Ibadan, Nigeria.

STUDY DESIGN

All women aged ≥15 years in each household in Idikan, Ibadan, were invited to participate in a population-based study. Structured questionnaires were administered to all consenting women. Conventional cervical Papanicolaou smears obtained from sexually active women were classified using the 2001 Bethesda system. The diagnoses were correlated with sociodemographic data and risk factors.

RESULTS

Of 2,870 women aged ≥15 years estimated to live in Idikan, 1,204 sexually active women consented to pelvic examination and cervical smears. Results were available for 1,104 women (mean age: 39.8 years). Mean ages at menarche, first sexual intercourse and first pregnancy were 16.1, 20.3 and 20.7 years, respectively. Cytological results were categorized into atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance and atypical glandular cells 22 (1.99%); low-grade 43 (3.89%) and high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL) 17 (1.54%); invasive cancer 2 (0.18%) and normal 593 (53.8%) and reactive changes 427 (38.7%). The prevalence of epithelial abnormalities is 7.6%. Significant host-related factors in those with HSIL and invasive cancer included older age (mean 56.2 years), high parity and gravidity, lack of formal education and being divorced (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides prevalence data and local risk factors for abnormal cervical cytology in a Nigerian population, which will be useful for planning future cervical cancer control programs.

Awareness of anti-malarial policy and malaria treatment practices of patent medicine vendors in three Nigerian states

INTRODUCTION

This paper assesses Patent Medicine Vendors' (PMVs) practices, awareness of new Nigerian Artemisinin Combination Therapy (ACT) policy, the anti-malarial drugs in stock and how the PMVs identify fake drugs.

METHODOLOGY

PMVs and medicine shops were selected through a multi-stage random sampling process, beginning with the purposive selection of three states that reflect major geographic and ethnolinguistic areas of Nigeria: Oyo (Southwest-Yoruba), Kaduna (Northcentral-Hausa), and Enugu (Southeast-Igbo). Local Government Areas (LGAs) in selected states were stratified into urban and rural strata, with two LGAs randomly sampled from each stratum in each state, and one ward (urban LGAs) or community (rural LGAs) randomly sampled from a list in each LGA. A complete listing of PMVs and drug shops was constructed at each site, yielding 111 PMVs and 106 medicine shops. Out of this number, a total of 110 PMVs consented to be interviewed.

RESULTS

Some PMVs (43.1%) were aware of the 2005 government policy that changed the recommended first-line treatment for malaria from chloroquine (CQ) to ACT, but significant differences were found between states (p < 0.001). PMV shops stocked many brands of anti-malarial drugs (average 5.5 brands), with ACTs stocked in only 8.5% of the stores at a mean price of N504 ($4) per treatment, compared to sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (92% of shops, mean price of N90 ($0.7) and even monotherapy artesunates (32% of shops, mean price of N39 ($0.3). The PMVs identify a drug not bearing the National Agency for Food & Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) identification number as being fake or counterfeit.

CONCLUSION

PMVs need to be a part of the strategy to change treatment to ACTs if there are to be meaningful changes in the anti-malarial drugs that Nigerians receive.

Factors influencing gender based violence among men and women in selected states in Nigeria

This study determined the factors associated with gender based violence among 3000 men and women in selected states in Nigeria. Respondents who had experienced physical violence were 806 (26.9%), comprising 353 (11.8%) males and 453 (15.1%) females (p<0.001). Respondents who had experienced sexual violence were 364 (12.1%) of which 221 (7.4%) were males and 143 (4.8%) were females (p<0.0001). Married female respondents were more likely to experience physical violence than single respondents (OR= 1.71, 95%CI: 1.15-2.53 p=0.008). In addition, lower risk of experiencing sexual violence among males was observed among those who do not drink alcohol. The study has shown that gender based violence still constitutes a problem in Nigeria, affecting women more than men. However, efforts should be geared towards addressing the factors that promote violence among both sexes through increased awareness and education.

Effect of training programme on secondary schools teachers' knowledge and attitude towards reproductive health education in rural schools Ile-Ife, Nigeria

This study assessed the effect of training programme on teachers' knowledge of and attitude towards reproductive health education /sexuality education [RHE/SE] in five randomly selected rural schools in Ife-North local government area [IFLGA], Southwest, Nigeria. All the 84 teachers in the selected schools in the LGA were recruited for the study. They [84 teachers] were all given training in RHE/SE for one month. Their knowledge and attitude towards RHE/SE were assessed pre-and post-training programme. The results show a significant increase in percentage of those who had good knowledge in general areas of RHE/SE at post-training assessment compared with pre-training assessment[from 14.3% to 53.6%, p=0.0001].Also, pre-post attitudinal disposition assessments show that there was an increase in percentage of those who were favourably disposed to the teaching of RHE/SE in Nigeria Schools at post-training assessment [from 17.9% to 45.2%, p=0.0011]. The study suggests that RHE/SE should be included and made compulsory in all training programme for all teachers in Nigeria.

How well equipped are healthcare facilities to manage childhood malaria? The situation in selected local government areas in South Western Nigeria

Using a structured questionnaire, surveys were conducted in 55 of 123 primary and secondary healthcare facilities in 4 selected local government areas in Southwestern Nigeria. Heads of healthcare facilities (HCFs) surveyed include nurses (41.8%), medical officers (21.8%) and community extension workers (21.8%). Twenty five (45.5%) HCFs run special clinics for children. About one fifth (20.3%) of staff had received continuing education on management of malaria. Forty seven (85%) HCFs possessed and used national guidelines for management of malaria. Although 48.9% of HCFs had microscopes, fewer had microscope slides, lancets and Giemsa stain which are also required items for definitive diagnosis of malaria. Healthcare workers were not well informed on some aspects in the management of malaria. Selected healthcare workers from various categories attended a workshop where they were trained to correct inadequate knowledge, attitude and practice in the management of malaria. These workers were to train their colleagues on their return to their respective HCFs.

Factors associated with malaria treatment failures in Ibadan

This study aims to find out factors associated with anti-malarial drug resistance in some selected areas in Ibadan. One thousand one hundred and two subjects were interviewed using a semi structured questionnaire. Respondents were put into two groups (high and low resistant areas). The Results revealed a high level of drug use for treating malaria particularly choloroquine and sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine ("Fansidar"). The Results also showed that the two groups were not significantly different with respect to clearance of infection, but there was a significant difference between clearance of infection and whether or not the respondent completed the course of treatment in each group (P<0.05). When both groups were combined, the Mantel-Haenszel test showed that the response difference between the two groups was significant. (OR = 3.44 (CI = 1.8 to 6.51)) i.e those that completed the treatment were 3 times more likely to have their infection cleared than those that did not complete the treatment. A significant finding was that non-compliance with treatment was a major factor associated with treatment failure The prevalence of drug resistance was a little higher in the high resistant group compared to the low resistant group; but this difference was not statistically significant. These results underscore the need for adequate health education about the treatment of malaria and the importance of compliance in this community.

Enhancing Treatment Compliance in the Home Management of Childhood Malaria: The Use of a Participatory Approach in Ensuring Intervention Appropriateness

The study employs a participatory approach in ensuring intervention appropriateness and compliance with prescribed chloroquine regimen for children perceived to be suffering from malaria. The study showed that tailoring educational intervention to the special needs of mothers, health workers, and patent medicine sellers and involving them in the design of interventions are some of the best ways of achieving intervention effectiveness. It also revealed that treatments with tablets predispose to higher compliance rates than syrups. Public participation in the diagnosis of management problems and proffering of interventions has shifted the role of researchers from interventionists to a supportive role of these populations. This strategy can save cost and ensure the permanence of interventions beyond the lifespan of the research.

Efficacy of herbal remedies used by herbalists in Oyo State Nigeria for treatment of Plasmodium falciparum infections--a survey and an observation

In the course of evaluating the contribution of phytomedicine to possible drug discovery of antimalarial drugs, an ethnomedical survey of specialized children traditional clinics was done. In the observational multi center study, efficacy of eight different herbal remedies, each consisting of 3-8 ingredients and administered by herbalists were investigated in clients enrolled in the six traditional clinics in Oyo (urban center) and Otu (rural center) of Oyo State, Nigeria. The clients, aged between six months and fifteen years with clinical symptoms of malaria were enrolled in the clinics of the herbalists, as their usual practice. Oral informed consents were obtained from their parents or guardians. Microscopic diagnosis of malaria infection was used to evaluate parasitaemia and validate efficacy of herbal remedies. Results of the analysis showed that, of the 163 clients of the herbalists, only 62 (30 from Oyo, 32 from Otu) had microscopically confirmed P. falciparum infection. Only results from 54 clients (29/30 (Oyo) and 25/32 (Otu) with P. falciparum infection could be evaluated. Plasmodium falciparum infection in 88% (23/29) of clients from Oyo responded to treatment with the herbal remedies while cure rate in clients from Otu was 42% (13/25). Parasite densities ranged from 171 to 53,613 parasites/microl blood and 87 to 36,209 parasites/microl blood in patients from Oyo and Otu respectively. The herbalists administered the remedies and Gossypium arboreum, Anarcadium occidentalis, Citrus medica, Phyllanthus amarus and Lippia multiflora were the main ingredients in the efficacious remedies. The herbalists gave detailed descriptions of each of the 8 herbal remedies proffered. The results confirm the efficacy of two of the eight herbal remedies, thereby validating the role of ethnomedicine as a possible source for the discovery of new chemotherapeutic agents in the treatment of P. falciparum malaria.

Prevalence of papillomavirus infection in women in Ibadan, Nigeria: a population-based study

To investigate the prevalence of and the risk factors for cervical infection with human papillomavirus (HPV) in an inner-city area of Ibadan, Nigeria, we interviewed and obtained a sample of cervical cells from 932 sexually active women aged 15 years or older. A total of 32 different HPV types were identified with an HPV prevalence of 26.3% overall and 24.8% among women without cervical lesions; or age-standardised to the world standard population of 28.3 and 27.3%, respectively. High-risk HPV types predominated, most notably HPV 16, 31, 35 and 58. In all, 33.5% of infections involved more than one HPV type. Unlike most populations studied so far, HPV prevalence was high not only among young women, but also in middle and old age. Single women (odds ratio, OR=2.1; 95% confidence interval, CI=1.1–3.9) and illiterate women (OR=1.7; 95%CI=1.1–2.5) showed increased HPV positivity. Associations were also found with anti-Herpes simplex-2 antibodies (OR=1.6; 95% CI: 1.1–2.1) and with the husband's extramarital relationships (OR=1.6: 95% CI: 1.0–2.6). High prevalence of HPV in all age groups may be a distinctive feature of populations where HPV transmission continues into middle age and cervical cancer incidence is very high.

Malaria diagnosis: false negative parasight-F tests in falciparum malaria patients in Nigeria

This study was designed to assess the relative reliability of microscopy, the dipstick technique based on the detection of Plasmodium falciparum-specific histidine rich protein II (HRPII) (Parasight-F) and PCR assays in diagnosing falciparum malaria infections in Nigerian children. The prevalence of P. falciparum infections in enrolled patients was 100% by microscopy. Parasite density ranged from 329 to 81,194 parasites/microL of blood, with a geometric mean parasite density of 5168 parasites/microL of blood. The sensitivity of the HRPII based dipstick, PCR and microscopy were 80%, 92% and 100% respectively. A false negative rate of 20% was observed with Parasight-F as compared with microscopy. The parasitemia in patients with false negative Parasight-F tests ranged from 319 to 54,680 parasites/microL of blood. Detailed PCR analysis of Isolates obtained from five out of the eight patients who exhibited a negative Parasight-F test, showed that the average numbers of P. falciparum clones in these five isolates were: 1.7 +/- 1.02 with MSPI, 3.2 +/- 1.3 with MSP2 and 1.4 +/- 1.72 with GLURP. Comparison of microscopy and HRPII results showed a significant (p=0.009) difference as opposed to microscopy and PCR (p=0.239). This study showed that caution should be exercised when excluding P. falciparum infections on the basis of HRPII based dipstick results alone. Microscopy or PCR diagnosis where possible, should be carried out in order to confirm negative P. falciparum HRPII-based dipstick tests.

Cultural categorization of febrile illnesses in correlation with herbal remedies used for treatment in Southwestern Nigeria

The ethnographic study was conducted in two communities in Oyo State in Southwestern Nigeria. The study sites consisted of a rural and an urban local government area located in the tropical rain forest zone of Nigeria. The study was designed to obtain information on febrile illnesses and herbal remedies for treatment with the aim of identifying potential antimalarial drugs. The study revealed that fever is a general term for describing illnesses associated with elevated body temperature. The indigenous Yoruba ethnic population has categorized fever based on symptoms and causes. The present communication is the result of focus group discussion and semi-structured questionnaire administered to traditional healers, herb sellers, elders and mothers. This was on types of fevers, symptoms and causes of febrile illnesses. The investigation also included use of traditional herbs in the prevention and treatment of the illnesses in the two communities.A total of 514 respondents were interviewed. This was made up of 266 (51.8%) from Atiba local government area (LGA), an urban centre while 248 (48.2%) respondents were interviewed from Itesiwaju LGA, a rural community. The LGAs are located in Oyo State of Nigeria. The respondents proffered 12 types of febrile illnesses in a multiple response answering system in Yoruba language. The most common ones (direct translation into English) were: yellow fever (39.1%), typhoid (34.8%), ordinary (28.8%), rainy season (20.8%) and headache (10.5%) fevers, respectively. Perceived causes of each of the febrile illnesses included stress, mosquito bites, unclean water, rains and over exposure to the sun. Methods of fever prevention were mainly with the use of herbal decoctions, powdered herbs, orthodox medications and maintenance of proper hygiene. Of a total of 112 different herbal remedies used in the treatment of the febrile illnesses compiled from the study, 25 recipes are presented. Recipes consisted of 2-7 ingredients. Oral decoctions (84%), oral powders (63%), use as soaps and creams (40%) in a multiple response system, were the most prevalent routes of administration of prepared herbs used in the treatment of the fevers. Boiling in water or alcohol was the most common method used in the preparation of the remedies. The four most frequently mentioned (multiple response system) plants in the Southwest ethnobotany for fevers were Azadirachta indica (87.5%), Mangifera indica (75.0%), Morinda lucida (68.8%) and Citrus medica (68.8%).

Knowledge, perception and practice with regards to occupational risks of HIV/AIDS among nursing and midwifery students in Ibadan, Nigeria

Nursing and midwifery students constitute a subgroup of health care providers exposed to occupational risk of HIV infection became of direct contact with blood and body fluids during clinical practice. The occupational risk faced by these students is of serious concern, given their limited experience and proficiency in nursing care skills. This study was carried out to provide important baseline data about knowledge, perception and practice with regards to occupational risks of HIV/AIDS among 359 nursing and 120 midwifery students (N = 479) in Ibadan, Nigeria. The study utilized both qualitative and quantitative methods to gather information from nursing and midwifery students. The result showed a poor knowledge of WHO recommended universal precaution for preventing HIV transmission among students in all the schools. Students of the schools of midwifery performed more highrisk occupational practises compared to those in the nursing schools, but received less supervision.

West African Youth Initiative: outcome of a reproductive health education program

PURPOSE

To describe the implementation and evaluation of an adolescent reproductive health peer education program in West Africa. The program, known as the West African Youth Initiative (WAYI), was developed to improve knowledge of sexuality and reproductive health, and promote safer sex behaviors and contraceptive use among sexually active adolescents in Nigeria and Ghana.

METHODS

Between November 1994 and April 1997, two organizations, the Association for Reproductive and Family Health (ARFH), based in Nigeria, and Advocates for Youth, based in Washington D.C., supported community-based youth-serving organizations in the two countries to implement peer education projects. Consultants from the African Regional Health Education Centre (ARHEC) in Nigeria provided technical assistance in designing and conducting a quasi-experimental process and outcome evaluation of the projects.

RESULTS

There were significant differences over time and between intervention and control groups concerning reproductive health knowledge, use of contraceptives in the previous 3 months, willingness to buy contraceptives, and self-efficacy in contraceptive use.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, the project provides evidence that peer education is most effective at improving knowledge and promoting attitudinal and behavior change among young people in school settings.

Reproductive health needs of young persons in markets and motor parks in south west Nigeria

The aim of the study was to assess the reproductive health needs of out-of-school males and females aged 12-26 years working in markets and motor parks in Ibadan using Focus Group Discussions (FGD) and a survey questionnaire. Result revealed that sexual experience was higher among males (80%) compared to females (66%). Multiple concurrent sexual partnerships were found to be common among unmarried young men (71%) than women (51%) but means to prevent pregnancy or sexually transmitted disease (STD) were rarely employed. The knowledge of HIV was high (70%) though very few (12%) were aware that an infected individual would remain asymtomatic. Moreover, 36.5% thought that condoms make sex less enjoyable. Between 6 and 9% used a method for disease prevention within marriage or regular partnerships compared to 16% in casual contacts. Despite high exposure to risk, the prevalence of STDs was low as only 4% of the sexually experienced males and 9% of females were infected with Candida Albicans, Chlamydia trachomatis and Trichomonas vaginitis or Neisseria gonorrhea. The ready availability of antibiotics may account for this apparent discrepancy. These findings suggest that out of school adolescents working in motor parks needs sexuality education and counseling backed up with clinical services.

Treatment of childhood diarrhoea in Nigeria: need for adaptation of health policy and programmes to cultural norms

A community survey of treatment regimens for acute diarrhoea in children was carried out in 10 villages in the Ona Ara Local Government Area of Oyo State, Nigeria, using a combination of qualitative (focus-group discussions) and quantitative (weekly surveillance of diarrhoea) methods. Focus-group discussions were conducted with parents of children aged less than 5 years, while a surveillance of diarrhoea among 550 children of same age was carried out during a 6-month period. The findings of the study showed that not all types of diarrhoea were recognized as illnesses, and only those considered to be illnesses were treated. Treatment often involved an adhoc group which comprised adults who were present at the time the illness occurred (including parents, neighbours, relatives, and elders). Certain beliefs and practices, such as associating types of diarrhoea with occupation or ethnic groups, categorizing the severity on perceived causes, and withholding certain foods during episodes of diarrhoea, were common factors in decision-making for seeking treatment. Antimicrobial agents were used in the case of 46.8% of 205 diarrhoeal episodes, and 28.5% were not at all treated. The usual practice of focusing on a target group, such as mothers, during educational interventions may need to be modified in communities where nearly every adult has a role in decision-making in relation to health. The need to adapt health policy and programmes to cultural norms should be addressed to improve the impact of programmes.

Farm land size and onchocerciasis status of peasant farmers in south-western Nigeria

Concern is being raised about the economic impact of the non-blinding strain of onchocerciasis, since half of those affected with onchocerciasis in Africa live in the forest zones where the non-blinding form is prevalent. WHO's TDR programme has embarked on multi-country studies on the social and economic effects of onchocercal skin disease (OSD). Baseline data from one site, the Ibarapa Local Government Area of Oyo State, Nigeria, is presented here. Farmers were screened for signs and symptoms of onchocerciasis including palpable nodules, reactive skin lesions and self-reported severe itching. Those having two or more of these conditions were classified as having severe OSD. A matching group of farmers without any of the signs or symptoms formed a control group. Women in the area either did not farm or held only one small plot. Land size comparisons were undertaken with 51 pairs of male farmers matched for age and location within 23 small hamlets bordering the Ogun River. Farmers with OSD had significantly less farmland under cultivation (9117 m2) than those with no OSD (13850 m2). The farmers with OSD did not appear to have alternative income strategies to compensate and, consequently, they had a lower value of personal wealth indicators (e.g. iron sheet roofing, motorcycle) than those without OSD. One can conclude that although the effect of forest strain onchocerciasis is less dramatic than of the blinding from, the disease poses an important economic threat in the region.

Outcome of two patient education methods on recruitment and compliance with ivermectin in the treatment of onchocerciasis

Two patient education methods, Information Media (IM) and Social Network (SN), were compared to determine their relative effectiveness on recruitment and subsequent compliance behavior of people infected with onchocerciasis in respect of appointment keeping and ivermectin consumption in existing primary health care facilities in six communities in southwestern Nigeria. Two communities each were randomly assigned to the IM intervention group, two of the SN group, and two served as controls. A total of 1265 persons out of an estimated target population of 5033 infected individuals were enrolled in the study. Coverage rates were higher in the intervention communities (30.3% for SN and 29.9% for IM) than control (7.3%), but the differences between intervention groups was not significant. A drop-off was seen in attendance at the second round of ivermectin distribution. Nearly equal proportions of the intervention groups returned (43.3% for SN and 47.4% for IM), while few control patients came back for their second dose (12.3%). Factors responsible for the low turnout were thought to include the content of educational messages, mobility of community members and limited time available to collect the drugs. Cost considerations led to recommendations to maintain facility based distribution and the SN approach, with greater emphasis on mobilization to increase coverage and compliance.

Observations on handwashing practices of mothers and environmental conditions in Ona-Ara Local Government Area of Oyo State, Nigeria

During baseline survey before developing an educational intervention programme for modifying behaviours toward improved home management of diarrhoea, handwashing practices and environmental conditions of 549 mothers and health care-providers of 638 children aged less than 5 years in Ona-Ara Local Government Area (LGA) were observed. The aims of the study were to describe the patterns of maternal handwashing behaviour in relation to disposal of faeces and feeding of children, and to describe environmental conditions of the households. Handwashing behaviours after cleaning a child who has just defecated and after disposal of faeces were observed in 29.3% episodes, while handwashing before feeding the child occurred in 12.4% of observations. Handwashing in relation to these events occurred more frequently in periurban than in rural villages (p < 0.001). These differences may be due to higher education of the periurban women compared to their rural counterparts. Handwashing was apparently not associated with distance from the water source or with the age groups of the children. Environmental observation revealed the presence of uncovered food (13%), human faeces (17%), animal dung (71%), animals (82%), and unprotected pit latrines (11%) in and around the house. There were significant rural-periurban differences in environmental conditions of the rural and periurban areas. It is recommended that the characteristics of areas selected for intervention be considered and important sub-group differences be identified before planning and implementing of such interventions.

AIDS knowledge, attitude and behaviour patterns among university students in Ibadan, Nigeria

This study investigated the knowledge, attitudes and personal behaviours of University students on AIDS. Two hundred and fifty students from the University of Ibadan randomly selected from eight faculties were surveyed. Results indicated that 58.7% of the subjects knew that AIDS is caused by a virus but 72.6% thought the disease could be spread through kissing, hugging or shaking hands and 48.0% believe they cannot have AIDS. Most students showed a high degree of aversion to AIDS victims while about a quarter reported having multiple sexual partners in the last five years. The results suggest that well organised, specifically targeted educational programmes are needed for University students.

Secondary school teachers' viewpoint on sex education

The success of any sexuality education programme in the school is directly related to the expertise of teachers and their willingness to provide instructions. This study assesses the knowledge of human sexuality education among 351 secondary school teachers in Ibadan, Nigeria, and their attitude towards inclusion of sex education in the schools' curriculum. Results revealed that none of the respondents was able to define sex education adequately and 34.8% could not identify content areas of sex education for inclusion in the schools' curriculum. Surprisingly, married female teachers and those aged 40 years and above were less favourably disposed to the introduction of sex education in schools.

Evaluation of factors affecting the adoption and use of sugar-salt-solution by mothers in ibadan city, oyo state, Nigeria

A cross-sectional evaluative survey was carried out in six geographical wards in the city of Ibadan, to investigate the level of adoption and use of home-made sugar-salt-solution (SSS) among mothers with under-five years old children. The results showed most mothers interviewed were aware of the existence of SSS, but became cognizant of it at different times during the last five years. There were some significant differences in women's knowledge pattern of SSS which affecting the adoption and use-only one-fifth of the respondents reported adopting the recipe for treatment of dehydration resulting from diarrhoea in their children. The study also identified factors affecting the adoption and use of SSS in Ibadan City. These included lack of adequate knowledge about SSS preparation and use, belief about its effectiveness, non-availability of materials for preparation, refusal by children, and problems with storage among others. The study recommends the need for standardization of activities in ORT units in the city and reinforcement of the inter-personal approach to ORT education.