Clients' Perception of Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Services received before and during the COVID-19 Outbreak in Nigeria's Epicenter

BACKGROUND

Since the emergence of COVID-19, countries have implemented measures to limit spread, which include movement restrictions. These measures led to poor or inadequate delivery of many health services, including maternal, neonatal and child health (MNCH) services. This study assessed clients' perception of routine MNCH services received from government health care facilities before and during the COVID-19 outbreak in Lagos, Nigeria's epicenter.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional descriptive study conducted among 1241 women of reproductive age selected by multistage sampling who had just received MNCH services across 12 primary, secondary or tertiary health facilities. Data was collected using interviewer-administered questionnaires and analyzed using STATA version SE15.1.

RESULTS

Before the COVID-19 outbreak, about half of the women perceived waiting time (50.7%), attention given to patients (53.0%), and respect given to patients (55.7%) as somewhat satisfactory. Fiftyfour percent of respondents said access to water was somewhat satisfactory. During the outbreak, 51.0% of the respondents said waiting time at the health facilities was shorter while over a third said attention given to patients (35.8%) and respect given to patients (35.8%) was better. Half of the respondents (50.7%) said access to water remained the same while 47.7% said it was better. Forty-one percent of respondents said overall quality of services became better during the outbreak.

CONCLUSION

To strengthen health systems for MNCH, the government should provide adequate water supply, optimal sanitation and hygiene facilities. Training of staff in provision of patient friendly MNCH services will go a long way to ensure sustained improvement in quality and also perception of care.

Cervical Cancer Knowledge, Risk Factors and Screening Practices among Women Residing in Urban Slums of Lagos, Southwest, Nigeria

BACKGROUND

Cervical cancer is the second leading cause of female cancer deaths in Nigeria. Routine cervical cancer screening and early treatment can prevent up to 80% of cervical cancers. This study was carried out to assess the knowledge, risk factors and practice of cervical cancer screening among women residing in urban slums of Lagos, Nigeria.

METHODS

This descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among 315 women aged 21-65 years in two slums in Lagos, Nigeria. A two-stage sampling method was used to select respondents. Data was collected using interviewer administered questionnaires. Analysis was done with IBM SPSS version 20.

RESULTS

Only 3.2% had heard of cervical cancer. Most of the women did not know the symptoms (99.4%), or risk factors (99.7%) of cervical cancer, and 96.8% had not heard about cervical cancer screening. Forty-four percent of the respondents were between 21-30 years of age. Half of the respondents (51.4%) had only one lifetime sexual partner. Thirty-eight percent of the respondents had 3-4 children. About forty percent had their first childbirth at less than 20 years of age. Only 4.4% use tobacco. Only two respondents (0.6%) had undergone cervical cancer screening however, 93.3% of the respondents were willing to undergo cervical cancer screening. There was no significant association between socio-demographic factors, risk factors, and willingness to undergo cervical cancer screening.

CONCLUSION

Campaigns should be carried out by government and charitable organisations to increase the knowledge and practice of cervical cancer screening among women residing in slums.

Risk Perception and Correlates of Tobacco Use among Young People Outside of Formal School Settings in Lagos State, Nigeria

BACKGROUND

Tobacco use among youth is a major public health problem. Youth outside of formal school settings are often understudied but may be at increased risk.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A descriptive cross- sectional study was carried out among 326 young people aged 15-24 years in four randomly selected motor parks in Lagos state. Interviewer-administered questionnaires were used to collect data.

RESULTS

The mean age of the respondents was 21.0±2.3yrs. Many 252 (77.3%) dropped out before the end of the third year of secondary schooling. The majority were aware that active (78.2%), and passive smoking (77.3%) are harmful to health. Nearly two-thirds of the respondents disagreed with an outright ban of cigarettes (63.2%) and restriction of cigarette sales to persons below 18 years (67.9%) while 254 (66.8%) supported a ban on tobacco smoking in enclosed public places. One hundred and fifty (46.0%) respondents had experimented with smoking of which 106 (32.5%) had progressed to become current smokers. Half of the current smokers, 54 (50.9%), felt the need for a cigarette first thing in the morning. A multivariate analysis for smoking initiation, showed that for every increasing year of age, respondents were 1.08 times more likely to have initiated cigarette smoking; males and respondents who lived alone or with peers were 2.34 times and 1.77 times more likely to have initiated smoking respectively; those who consume alcohol and marijuana were 7.27 and 1.89 times respectively more likely to have initiated smoking while those who consumed alcohol were 6.17 times more likely to be current smokers.