Search

Background: The unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic has become an endemic disease of global public health importance. Mass COVID-19 vaccination has been an essential global control strategy amidst challenges of limited acceptance. Because of globalization, COVID-19/similar diseases vaccination acceptance and the determinants in any particular setting are important global public health issues. Using a novel and pragmatic framework, this study explored determinants of COVID-19 vaccination acceptance among community members during the pandemic in Ebonyi state, Nigeria, and made policy-relevant recommendations on how to increase vaccination acceptance in subsequent outbreaks/pandemics. Methods: This qualitative study was based on the novel and pragmatic Individual Experiences and Perceptions and Complacency, Confidence, Convenience, and Compulsion (Four 'Cis') Determinants of Vaccination Acceptance Conceptual Framework – Omale INDEPT FORCIS Framework. On April 26 and 27, 2022, 20 semi-structured face-to-face focus group discussions were conducted in local language and pidgin English with 100 purposively selected consenting/assenting community members aged 15 years and above who had resided in the community for at least one year. Data was analysed using deductive (with some inductive) thematic analytic approach. Results: The many, diverse, and significant determinants of COVID-19 vaccination acceptance found were factors that were individual-related (individual experiences and perceptions and knowledge about COVID-19, COVID-19 vaccine/vaccination, and the vaccination process/system, sociodemographic, individual's condition (e.g. pregnancy)); COVID-19-related (factuality, transmissibility, frequency, severity, fatality); COVID-19 vaccine/vaccination-related (safety/side-effects, effectiveness, speedy production); COVID-19 vaccination process/system-related (real availability/accessibility); family, group, and other individual-related (experiences and perceptions and actions); and broader local, national, international, and global (LONING) context-related (socio-political, economic, historic, health system factors). The broader LONING contextual factors included the unprecedented disinformation/conspiracy theories, non-sustained COVID-19 risk/behaviour change communication, enforcement and non-enforcement or termination of peculiar control policies/measures (lockdowns, social/physical distancing, use of face mask etc.), mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policies, provision of incentives, past experiences regarding the Ebola viral disease outbreak, (un)trustworthiness of the Nigerian health system and her international/global partners, and the (un)trustworthiness of the governments in Nigeria and bad/good governance, inclusive of the failure of the Ebonyi state government to distribute the COVID-19 palliatives to the people during the lockdowns. Conclusion: The evidence illuminates complex and interrelated, specific underlying, and peculiar policy-relevant LONING determinants of COVID-19 vaccination acceptance and emphasizes the need for concerted and comprehensive LONING strategies (involving all the relevant LONING stakeholders/policy makers) in addressing these determinants to increase vaccination acceptance among community members in subsequent outbreaks/pandemics in Ebonyi state/Nigeria and similar settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: COVID-19 continues to be a disease of global public health importance and requires long-term management and control. Health workers' (previous) experiences and perceptions regarding the COVID-19 pandemic and COVID-19 vaccination/vaccination process will influence not only their subsequent use of control measures but also public experiences/perceptions. We explored the COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccination and the vaccination process experiences and perceptions, and their predictors, among the health workers in Ebonyi state, Nigeria. Methods: We conducted an online-offline analytical cross-sectional survey between March 12 and May 9, 2022 among all categories of health workers (clinical/non-clinical, public/private) working/living in Ebonyi state who consented to participate and were selected by convenience/snowballing techniques. A structured electronic questionnaire was used to collect data: self-administered via WhatsApp and interviewer-administered via KoBoCollect for participants who did not have WhatsApp. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics and bivariate/multivariate generalized linear models. Results: Of the 1276 health workers surveyed: 55.8% had strong COVID-19 experience and perception, 80.7% had good COVID-19 vaccination expectation and perception, and 87.7% had positive COVID-19 vaccination process experience and perception. The most important predictors of the extent and level of COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccination and the vaccination process experiences and perceptions were level of place of work (primary-secondary/tertiary), level of attitude towards COVID-19 (vaccination), and level of knowledge about COVID-19. Another important predictor was place of work (public/private). Conclusions: The evidence indicate the factors that should guide subsequent policy actions in the strategies to enhance the COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccination and the vaccination process experiences and perceptions of health workers (and their use of control measures) in Ebonyi state, Nigeria, and other similar contexts. It also indicate factors to be considered by future policy actions regarding similar diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is the range of sexually, psychologically and physically coercive acts used against adult and adolescent women by a current or former male partner. It is a major public health problem globally. This study determined the prevalence, patterns and predictors of IPV amongst female undergraduates in Abia State. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from January - February 2022 amongst 306 female undergraduates in Abia State. A mixed method of an online structured questionnaire created on Google forms & onsite self-administered questionnaire were deployed for data collection. Descriptive, bivariate and multivariate analyses were done using IBM SPSS Version 26.0. The level of significance was set at 5%. Results: A total of 306 respondents participated in the survey. The overall prevalence of IPV amongst female undergraduates was 51.2% (95% CI: 44.8-57.6%). Emotional abuse was the most common form of abuse 78.9%, followed by Physical abuse 42.0% and Sexual abuse 30.8%. Predictors of IPV reported include female earning/receiving more than their partner monthly (aOR = 2.30; 95% CI: 1.20–4.41); male (partner) alcohol consumption (aOR = 5.17; 95% CI: 2.46–10.88), being a smoker of cigarette/marijuana (aOR = 11.01; 95% CI: 1.26–96.25) and having witnessed domestic violence as a child (aOR = 3.55; 95% CI: I.56-8.07). Adverse effects such as unwanted pregnancies (12%), miscarriages (10%), eating/sleeping disorders (21%) and bruises (23%) amongst others were noted in some of the victims. Conclusion: Over half of all female undergraduates in Abia State have experienced IPV with emotional abuse being the commonest. Some Individual and relationship factors were identified as predictors of IPV. We recommend intensifying primary prevention campaigns against risk factors identified like smoking and alcohol consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: COVID-19 is still a disease of global public health importance which requires long term application of control measures as millions of new infections or re-infections and thousands of related deaths still occur worldwide and the risk of an upsurge from new strains of the virus continues to be a threat. The decrease in the use of and non-use of preventive public health measures are among the factors fuelling the disease. The (previous) experiences and perceptions of people regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, COVID-19 vaccination, and the vaccination process are factors that will influence subsequent use of preventive/control measures. We explored the COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccination and the vaccination process experiences and perceptions, and their predictors, among the community members in Ebonyi state, Nigeria. Methods: We conducted an analytical cross-sectional study between March 12 and May 9, 2022 among all consenting/assenting community members aged 15 years and above in 28 randomly selected geographical clusters. A structured interviewer-administered electronic questionnaire in KoBoCollect installed in android devices was used to collect data which was analysed using descriptive statistics and bivariate and multivariate generalized estimating equations. Results: Of the 10,825 community members surveyed: only 31.6% had strong COVID-19 experience and perception, 72.2% had good COVID-19 vaccination expectation and perception, and only 54.2% had positive COVID-19 vaccination process experience and perception. The most important predictors of the extent/level of COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccination and the vaccination process experiences and perceptions were level of attitude towards COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccination and level of knowledge about COVID-19. Other important predictors were marital status, educational level, and main occupation. Conclusions: This study’s evidence, including the identified predictors, will inform subsequent policy actions regarding COVID-19 in the strategies to improve the COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccination and the vaccination process experiences and perceptions of community members (and their use of preventive/control measures) in Ebonyi state and Nigeria, and other similar contexts. It will also inform future policy actions/strategies regarding similar diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The village weaver (Ploceus cucullatus) is a common colonial nesting bird widespread throughout Sub-Saharan Africa. It is known to weave its nests from leaf strips from a variety of tree species (mainly coconuts trees, oil palm trees) associated with human settlement areas, grasses, and other available plants. In this regard, this bird was considered a pest for its impact on different economic activities. Although extensive literature is already available on the parasitic role of village weavers, there is still a lack of analytical data that outlines which tree species are used for nesting and in what proportion, as well as the related implications in terms of economic impacts. Here, we carried out the first comprehensive arrangement of trees used by this species for nesting in Southern Nigeria (West Africa), checking for possible different impacts on stakeholders. In April 2021, we searched for village weaver nesting in 95 sites in 77 communities from 24 local government areas in Southern Nigeria, during 14 field surveys. Within each site, we collected GPS coordinates and counted the number of active nests, nesting birds and occupied trees. We recorded a total of 5,776 nests and 2,140 birds in 94 plants belonging to 23 tree species selected for nesting. Oil palm (Elaeis guineensis; n = 45) was the most used tree species, as 2,990 (51.77%) nests and 873 (40.79%) birds were recorded. Our results indicate the preference for nesting on trees used by stakeholders belonging to agricultural (palm farmers), touristic (operators) and energy (gas flare stations) sectors with economic implications about the conflict with this pest species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: the ravaging COVID-19 pandemic has worsened the levels of unmet need (UMN) for family planning (FP). A pulse survey showed that FP services were interrupted during the lockdown in 68% of countries. There is a need to investigate the demand gap for FP among women in the postpartum period. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and predictors of UMN of FP among women in the extended postpartum period attending immunization clinics. Methods: this was a facility-based cross-sectional study among 485 women recruited from 5 health facilities using a random sampling technique and proportional to size allocation. Data was collected using an interviewer-structured questionnaire. Analysis was done using IBM SPSS version 26. Adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were computed. The level of significance was 5%. Results: the total unmet need was 45.4% (95% CI: 40.2--50.7) with a higher need for child spacing (60.4%) compared to limiting pregnancies (39.6%). The mean age was 30.3 ± 6.1 years. The significant predictors included age [35-39 years (aOR=5.39, 95% CI: 1.61-18.06); ≥ 40 years (aOR= 32.48, 95% CI: 6.48-162.77)], lower education status (aOR= 5.21, 95% CI: 2.09-13.01), lower income (aOR =2.21, 95% CI: 1.10-4.46), rural residence (aOR= 4.27, 95% CI: 2.15-8.47), denomination [Pentecostal (aOR= 4.09, 95% CI: 1.77-9.43); Orthodox (aOR= 5.44, 95% CI: 2.03-14.58)] and poor knowledge of postpartum FP (PPFP) (aOR= 33.93, 95% CI: 13.21-87.12). The commonest reason for FP non-use was fear of side effects. Conclusion: close to half of the women in the extended postpartum period experienced UMN for PPFP. Policymakers should consider these factors when designing FP interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Buruli ulcer (BU) is a debilitating neglected tropical disease which causes disability and mostly affects inhabitants in impoverished settings where access to medical care is challenging. This study aims to determine the effect of training community members as volunteers for or in the detection and referral of people who have Buruli ulcer to the hospital. Methods: The following study is a before and after study in the BU-endemic Local Government Areas (LGA) of Ebonyi State. A cluster random sampling technique was used to select 90 volunteers from three LGAs (30 from each LGA). In each LGA, the volunteers underwent a one-day training and six months field work to identify all those who have any form of ulcer on any part of their bodies. A short questionnaire was used to capture socio-demographic characteristics of the patient, site of the ulcer, duration of the ulcer, initial appearance of the ulcer, referral to hospital, result of laboratory investigation, and treatment received. The data was analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) for Microsoft Windows version 20 software. The Z test statistic was used to compare the number of referred BU patients before and after the intervention by LGA. The Chi square test was used to examine the association between the dependent and independent variables. Results: The mean age of volunteers was 39 ± 9.5 while mean age of the patients was 42.3 ± 17.1. Most of the ulcers were on the legs (79.4%) and lasted 1–5 years (65.6%). There was a significant increase in the proportion of BU suspects identified by the community volunteers in all 3 LGAs (Afikpo north (p = < 0.001), Abakaliki (p = 0.02), Ikwo (p = 0.001). The duration of the ulcer was associated with the detection and referral of the patients with higher levels of detection and referral among those whose ulcer had lasted 1–5 years in two of the LGAs (P < 0.001). Conclusion: We recommend that program managers and stakeholders integrate and scale up the services of trained community health volunteers for the rapid detection of Buruli ulcer cases in rural endemic communities. Awareness and sensitization campaigns on BU preventive measures should be intensified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To identify and compare the health service-related factors associated with male involvement in family planning services among the rural and urban areas in Abia State, Nigeria. Design: A community-based cross-sectional study. Setting: Twelve communities (six urban and six rural) in Abia State, Nigeria Participants: Five hundred and eighty-eight (588) men aged 15-59 years and resident in the study area 6 months before the study were recruited. Main outcome measure: Male involvement in family planning services Results: The mean ages of the respondents were 41.8±8.0 years and 43.1±8.0 years in the urban and rural areas, respectively. Active male involvement in family planning services was significantly higher in urban areas (62.6%, 95%CI: 56.8%-68.1%) compared to the rural areas (47.6%, 95%CI: 41.5%-53.2%. p<0.001). The predictors of male involvement included gender preference of healthcare workers (aOR=1.75, 95%CI:1.01-3.03) and attitude of the healthcare workers (aOR=2.07, 95%CI:1.17-3.67) among the urban participants, compared to occupational status of the respondents (aOR=2.50, 95% CI: 1.16-5.56) and the availability of male-friendly clinics (aOR=2.27, 95%CI:1.25-4.15) among the rural participants. Conclusion: Health service-related factors associated with male involvement varied between the urban and rural settings. Stakeholders should target addressing health service-related factors by types of settlement while designing family planning programs targeting men. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: physical inactivity has been identified as the fourth leading risk factor for global mortality due to non-communicable diseases. Prevalence rates of 91.0% and 62.2%, have been documented among civil servants in the northern and southern parts of Nigeria, respectively. There is a paucity of data regarding the relationship between physical inactivity and environmental factors among civil servants in the State. This study assessed the prevalence and perceived environmental factors associated with physical inactivity among civil servants in Abia State Nigeria. Methods: we conducted a cross-sectional study in which we recruited 440 civil servants using a multistage sampling technique. We used an interviewer-administered structured questionnaire to collect data on sociodemographic, physical activity, and neighbourhood environmental attributes. Descriptive, bivariate and multivariate analysis were done. The level of significance was set at 5%. Results: the mean age of the respondents was 39.0±9.2 years, and 61% were females. The prevalence of physical inactivity was 48.4% (95%CI: 43.7%-53.2%). The putative environmental factors included perceptions of low residential density areas, perceived absence of neighbourhood sidewalks, perceived unavailability of bicycling facilities and the perception of an unsafe neighbourhood due to night crimes. The predictor of physical inactivity was the perceived absence of neighbourhood sidewalks (aOR=2.02, 95%CI: 1.10-3.73). Conclusion: in this study, physical inactivity is prevalent among civil servants in Abia State. The need for the stakeholders in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment to focus on the provision of sidewalk facilities, layout of residential areas and limit security risks in the State to enhance physical activity is highlighted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: COVID-19 has led to restrictions on movements and lockdown measures, which have resulted to higher utilization of over-the-counter drugs compared to prescription-only drugs. This study determined the prevalence, pattern and predictors of self-medication for COVID-19 prevention and treatment. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted between October and November 2021 among the residents of Umuahia, Abia State. The respondents were selected using a snowball sampling technique, and a self-administered semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data on the variables via Google forms. Descriptive, bivariate and multivariate analyses were done using IBM SPSS version 26. The level of significance was set at 5%. Results: A total of 469 respondents participated in the survey. The overall prevalence of self-medication for COVID-19 prevention and treatment was 30.3% (95%CI: 26.7–34.1). The most commonly used medication was herbal products (43.7%). This was mainly self-prepared (41.5%). The major source of information for self-medication was from family members (39.4%). The majority of the respondents reported fear of isolation (76.3%), followed by fear of stigmatization (75.7%) as the triggers of self-medication. Older age (aOR = 1.87, 95% CI: 1.11–3.13), lower educational status [No formal education (aOR = 3.78, 95% CI: 1.28–11.19)], [Primary education (aOR = 2.15, 95% CI: 1.17–3.097)] and perception to cost (aOR = 2.29; 95CI: I.24–4.24) were the predictors of self-medication. Conclusion: Every one in three residents of Umuahia, Abia State, practiced self-medication for COVID-19 prevention and treatment. Some economic and socio-demographic factors were significantly associated with self-medication. We recommend intensifying public awareness campaigns on the risk of self-medication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: healthcare workers are at higher risk of COVID-19 infection with ease of infection transmissibility to coworkers and patients. Vaccine hesitancy rates of 56% and up to 25% have been reported among healthcare workers in US and China respectively. Vaccination is known as the most effective strategy to combat infectious diseases. Acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine plays a major role in combating the pandemic. This study assessed the sociodemographic factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among healthcare workers in Abia State. Methods: a cross-sectional study among 422 healthcare workers was conducted in Abia State with an online-based questionnaire. The questionnaire extracted information on socio-demographics and willingness to take vaccine uptake. Descriptive statistics was used to calculate frequencies and proportions. Bivariate analysis was used to test the association between the socio-demographic factors and the outcome variable (vaccine hesitancy). Logistic regression was conducted to identify the predictors of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. The level of significance was 5%. Results: mean age of the respondents was 40.6 ± 9.5 years and 67.1% were females The COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy rate was 50.5% (95%CI: 45.6%-55.3%). Socio-demographic factors included age, marital status, location of practice, profession, and income. Vaccine Hesitancy was predicted significantly by younger age (aOR=9.34, 95%CI:2.01-43.39), marital status (single) (aOR=4.97, 95%CI:1.46-16.97), lower income (aOR=2.84, 95%CI:1.32-6.08), and profession - Doctor (aOR=0.28, 95%CI:0.11-0.70), Nurse (aOR=0.31, 95%CI:0.15-0.64) and other allied health professionals (aOR=0.22, 95%CI:0.10-0.44). Conclusion: COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy was high among healthcare workers. Significant sociodemographic predictors influence the uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine. We recommend that the Federal and State Ministries of Health conduct awareness campaigns targeting the younger age group, singles, lower income class, and non-clinical staff. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Habitat differences are known to have direct and indirect effects on the parasitic helminths of amphibians. Amietophrynus maculatus and A. camerunensis were respectively collected from two residential areas located at Mgbuoba and Choba, Rivers State, Nigeria, for the examination of their helminth endo-parasites. Visual and acoustic survey method was employed for sampling and standard parasitological procedures were used. A total of seven parasites were recovered from the amphibians and one hundred per cent infection was observed in both locations. Five of the parasites were common to hosts from both locations and they were pentastomids (Raillietiella sp.), trematodes (Mesocoelium monodi) and nematodes (Amplicaecum africanum, Rhabdias africanus and Cosmocerca ornata). However, two other nematode parasite species were recovered from the hosts from Choba, which were not found in hosts from Mgbuoba, and they were Oswaldocruzia hoepplii and Chabaudus leberrei. Whereas prevalence and mean intensity of A. africanum infection were higher in A. camerunensis from Choba, both prevalence and mean intensity of infection with Raillietiella sp. were higher in hosts from Mgbuoba. Co-infection of Raillietiella sp. with R. africanus was observed in A. maculatus from Mgbuoba, suggesting that both parasites do not exclude each other. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]