NIGERIAN JOURNAL OF HEALTH PROMOTION

Perception and Utilization of University Healthcare Services by Undergraduate Students

2024-11-19T18:36:21+00:00

Healthcare facility on university campuses is not a new concept but there is little evidence surrounding the effectiveness and adaptability of services provided to students by clinics or healthcare facilities located on campus. Also, there is the issue of students not utilizing the services of such facilities. This research was borne out of the latter observation by the researchers. The study specifically investigated utilization of the Niger Delta University Sick Bay by students and the health conditions that make students use the Sick Bay, their satisfaction with services hindered, and their general perception of the Sick Bay. Hundred to four hundred level students of Health Education programme of the 2021/2022 academic session willingly consented to be involved in the study. The sample size was 142 students which comprises all the 100 Level through 400 Level students of Health Education programme. Questionnaire titled: Students’ Perception and Utilization of NDU Sick Bay (SPUNSB) with a reliability coefficient of 0.82 using Cronbach’s Alpha was used to elicit participants’ responses and were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 22. Data were collected in April 2023. The result showed that greater number of the respondents indicated that, they were not satisfied with the services they got from the Sick Bay, though for various reasons; this response is a cause for concern. The University Sick Bay which should serve as a primary health centre for the University community should be able to provide services that should satisfy the people and make them want to return to it again and again as the need arises; not to leave the people it is supposed to serve with bitter taste in their mouth that will make them seek for alternate services elsewhere. The authors recommended that the Sick Bay should improve on their services to the students by having enough medication and a cordial staff/students’ relationship.

Usage of Insecticide Treated Nets as a Preventive Strategy Against Malaria Spread among Community Dwellers in Owerri West Local Government Area, Imo State, Nigeria

2024-11-19T18:28:47+00:00

The study investigated usage of Insecticide Treated Nets (ITNs) as a preventive strategy against malaria spread among community dwellers in Owerri West Local Government Area (LGA), Imo State, Nigeria. Four research questions and two hypotheses guided the study. The cross-sectional research design was used for the study. The population for the study comprised all community dwellers in Owerri West LGA, Imo State. The sample size was 400, gotten through stratified and purposive sampling techniques. The instrument used for the study was a self-structured questionnaire called ‘Usage of Insecticide Treated Nets (ITNs) as a Preventive Strategy against Malaria Spread Questionnaire’ (UITNPMSQ). The reliability of UITNPMSQ was established using Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient, which yielded an index of 0.85. Data collected were analyzed using mean, frequency, and percentage for the research questions and inferential statistics of chi-square was used to test the hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. The results revealed that, community dwellers in Owerri West LGA, Imo State, Nigeria did not use ITNs as a mean score of 1.48 was recorded against the criterion mean of 2.25. The results also showed that, low proportion of the respondents (12%) used ITNs frequently, 24% sometimes used ITNs while 64% never used ITNs. There was no significant difference in the extent of usage of ITNs between male and female community dwellers in Owerri West LGA, Imo State, Nigeria (p= .986 > .05), while there was a significant difference in the usage of ITNs between educated and non-educated (p= .013, < .05.). This study proves that community dwellers in Owerri West LGA did not use ITNs. Based on the findings, the authors recommended that, campaign targeted at increasing awareness on the efficacy and usage of ITNs should be carried out by the government and non- governmental organizations as well as other health related organizations.

Knowledge of Female Students in Public Tertiary Institutions in Imo about Cervical Cancer Screening

2024-11-19T18:20:13+00:00

Cervical cancer is one of the leading causes of mortality among women worldwide, making it a major public health concern. This study assessed the knowledge of female students in public tertiary institution in Imo about cervical cancer screening. The study, guided by three research questions and two null hypotheses tested at the 0.05 significance level used a descriptive survey design. A sample size of 900 students was drawn from a population of 11,825 female undergraduates. The research instrument, “Knowledge of Cervical Cancer Screening Test (KCCST)” was validated and found reliable for data collection, with a coefficient alpha of 0.89. Data were collected through direct delivery and analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), employing descriptive statistics of frequencies and percentage to answer research questions and Chi square was also used to test the hypotheses. The findings of the study revealed that majority (83.7%) of female students in public tertiary institutions possessed high level of knowledge about cervical cancer screening, while a smaller portion (16.3%) had moderate knowledge. The findings further revealed that there was no significant difference in the percentages of female students with knowledge of cervical cancer screening based on their ages and level of education. The sauthors recommended among others that health education departments in tertiary institutions, public health organizations, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) should focus on cancer knowledge should develop and implement targeted educational programmes to address the knowledge gaps identified among students with moderate knowledge.

Participatory Hygiene and Sanitation Transformation for Hygiene Behaviour among Secondary School Students in Awka South Local Government, Anambra State

2024-11-19T18:44:50+00:00

This study investigated participatory hygiene and sanitation transformation for hygiene behaviour among secondary school students in Awka, Awka South local government area, Anambra State. The descriptive survey research design was used for the study. Two research questions guided the study. The population for the study comprised 11,266 public secondary school students in the 18 public secondary schools in Awka, Awka South Local Government Area, Anambra State. A sample size of 200 secondary school students was selected for the study using multi-stage sampling procedure. The instrument for data collection was a 19- item structured test on Participatory Hygiene and Sanitation Transformation for Hygiene Behaviour Questionnaire. The reliability of the instrument was established using split half method, which yielded a reliability coefficient of 0.801. Data analysis was done using frequency and percentage. Findings revealed that secondary school students in Awka, Awka South LGA displayed very low knowledge that drying of hands hygienically after washing them prevent germs. However, students displayed very high knowledge that washing hands can prevent the spread of germs and diseases. The study further found out that students have very high knowledge that washing of hands after using the toilet can decrease the risk of diarrheal. It was also found out in the study that students do not perceive that poor hygiene affect one’s mental health, Furthermore, the study found out that students have very low knowledge that poor fingernail hygiene can cause fungi infections. Based on these findings, the study recommended among others that efforts should be made by the school authorities to enlighten studies that poor hygiene can affect their mental health as this can lead to poor academic performance and absenteeism. Students should also be enlightened more on the impact of washing of hands and adhere to strict sanitation practices, Health education should be ensured, and hygiene clubs formed.

Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile, Associated Social Support and Strategies for Advancing Health of Retired Civil Servants in Imo State, Nigeria

2024-11-19T18:32:43+00:00

The study investigated health-promoting lifestyle profile, associated social support and strategies for advancing health of retired civil servants (RCSs) in Imo State, Nigeria. Three research questions and one null hypothesis guided the study. The study adopted concurrent triangulation mixed methods approach. The study participants consisted of 29,005 registered (RCSs) in Imo State, Nigeria. The sample size was 980, comprising 810 drawn through multi-stage sampling procedure for quantitative data collection, 140 drawn using convenience sampling for qualitative data collection, and 30 experts that indicated the proposed strategies appropriate. Questionnaire and In-depth Interview Guide were used for data collection. Frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, pearson correlation, and multiple linear regression were used for data analyses. Findings revealed that a moderate level of health-promoting lifestyle among retired civil servants, with spiritual growth identified as the highest, while physical activity was the lowest. Social support was significantly associated with RCSs’ health responsibility (β = .143; p<.001), physical activity (β = .233; p<.001), nutrition (β = .156; p<.001), and total healthy lifestyle (β = -.162; p<.001). Findings from the male and female RCSs’ qualitative exploration revealed that the participants moderately engage in health-promoting behaviours, with several structural and personal factors influencing their engagement, and the role of social support in enhancing their health-promoting lifestyle. The findings suggested interventions aimed at promoting healthy lifestyle. However, leveraging social support networks, particularly church community and family support, may enhance overall health-promoting lifestyle engagement, as well as developing accessible exercise programmes for RCSs’ physical and mental health.

Illicit Drug Use among Student-Athletes in a Nigerian University

2024-11-19T18:22:59+00:00

The use of illicit drugs is detrimental to the wellbeing of individuals, including student-athletes, and this is capable of negatively affecting their performance in academics and sports. Therefore, the study assessed the prevalence and socio-demographics of illicit drug use among student-athletes in University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Cross-sectional research design was adopted for the study. The population consisted of 386 student-athletes, which all completed a validated and reliability tested questionnaire. There was no sampling in the study. Data generated for the research questions were analyzed using frequency and percentages while Chi-square statistics was used to test the null hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. The results showed that the student-athletes highly engaged in the use of illicit drug. The most reported illicit drug used by the student-athletes are marijuana (15.8%), tramadol (9.8%) and morphine (4.4%). The most reported factor for illicit drug use is social activities. There was no significant differences in factors that predisposes student-athletes to indulge in the use of illicit drug based on gender (0.398 > .05), age (0.129 > .05) and year of study (0.075 > .05). The findings proved the need for tertiary institutions to align to the global need to curb the use of illicit drugs among youths, of which the student-athletes are part of. This would be achieved by creating forum such as seminars for periodic education on the ills of illicit drug use on the society in general, health, academic, and sports performance of individuals.

Community Action

2024-11-19T18:17:39+00:00

This paper focused on providing an overview of the place of strengthening community action for the effective delivery of community health promotion activities. The paper highlighted the evolution of community action and its integration into health promotion as a strategy that forms the pivot upon which all community health action depends. Also, it x-rayed the strategies for effective community action and barriers to its achievement. The paper concluded by showcasing the contemporary health promotion issues that can benefit maximally from community action to ensure that Nigeria maximizes the gains of health promotion to significantly improve public healthcare delivery and prepare a community of competent citizens with resilience in the face of public health challenges.