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Background: The world over, women are victims of violence in close and intimate relationships where they are expected to be safe and protected. Intimate partner violence (IPV) significantly impacts the physical and mental well-being of those affected. This study assessed the prevalence, pattern and effects of IPV amongst women in Abeokuta South Local Government Area (LGA) of Ogun State, South West Nigeria. Materials and Methods: This community-based cross-sectional study was carried out in Abeokuta – South LGA in Ogun State. Data were collected from 339 women in intimate relationships using a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire. Ethical approval (HPRS/381/471) was obtained from the Ogun State Ministry of Health Ethical Review Committee. Analysis was done using IBM® SPSS version 23, and results were presented in frequencies and proportions using tables and charts. Results: About three-quarters (73.2%) of the 339 respondents had experienced one form of IPV. Psychological/emotional violence, 224 (66.1%), and physical violence, 161 (47.5%), were the study’s most commonly reported forms of violence. Amongst those affected, 186 (54.9%) were ‘insulted’, 87 (25.7%) were ‘embarrassed in public’ and another 124 (36.6%) were slapped. The effects of IPV reported were bruises/lacerations, unwanted pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections and attempted suicide. Conclusion: The prevalence of IPV of all forms were high in the studied population. Therefore, the government needs to create more awareness of the problem and promote investments in women’s empowerment to reverse this trend.

Background: Vaccines, including COVID-19 vaccines, are known to be cost-effective interventions for disease prevention and control. However, adverse events following immunisation (AEFI) may challenge the acceptance of these vaccines. This study assessed the prevalence and severity of COVID-19-related AEFI amongst healthcare workers at tertiary health facilities in Nigeria. Materials and Methods: This descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted among healthcare workers who had received the COVID-19 vaccine. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select participants from six Tertiary Health Facilities in Nigeria. Ethical approval (NHREC/01/01/2007-19/07/2021) was obtained from NHREC. Data were analysed using IBM® SPSS version 25 and categorical variables were presented in tables/charts using frequencies and proportions. Results: A total of 2130 respondents participated in the study, with a mean age of 37.4 ± 9.1 years. Most of the respondents, 1674 (78.6%), had two doses of the vaccine, and the overall prevalence of AEFI was 813 (38.2%). Common among the AEFI reported following the administration of the first dose of the vaccine were fever 649 (30.5%) and pain at the injection site 644 (30.2%), while it was pain at the injection site 216 (10.1%) and fever 173 (8.1%) for second dose. The higher proportions of AEFI were mostly mild to moderate. Conclusion: The study observed a relatively low prevalence of AEFI, with the commonly reported ones being fever and injection site pain. It is crucial that countries continuously collect the data on AEFI and establish causality as a way to improve quality and guarantee vaccine safety.

Introduction: Northwest Nigeria has witnessed an increase in rice milling activities due to the ban on rice importation. The majority of workers in the industry, as it is in many informal sectors workers are disproportionately affected by hazards in the workplace due to poor usage of protective devices. Inhalation of dust over a long period results in lung function abnormalities. The study assessed the prevalence and factors associated with lung function abnormalities among rice mill workers in Sokoto state, Northwest Nigeria. Methods: The study was conducted using a cross-sectional design. Data were collected between June 2019 and July 2019 using an interviewer-administered questionnaire and a lung function examination was conducted using a calibrated Contec SP10 digital spirometer following standardized procedures. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 23 and presented in tables and charts. Results: About a third of 119 (30.2%) of the respondents had abnormalities on spirometry, and there was a statistically significant reduction in the mean FVC (3.63 ± 0.39) and FEV1 (3.01 ± 0.36). Being at least 30 years of age (aOR=3.3), working more than 8 hours a day (aOR=2.4), and having at least a symptom of respiratory morbidity (aOR=10.1) were the factors found to be significantly associated with lung function abnormalities. Conclusion: This study showed that the prevalence of lung function abnormality among rice mill workers in Sokoto state is relatively high and age, number of hours worked per day and having at least a symptom of respiratory morbidity were the factors associated with lung function abnormalities.

Introduction: Rice milling provides a means of livelihood to many in Northwest Nigeria, but like any other profession, it is not without risk. Workers in rice mills are exposed to hazards which has deleterious effects on many systems in the body, one of these is the respiratory system. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and factors that are associated with respiratory problems among rice millers in Sokoto State, Northwest Nigeria. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between June 2019 and July 2019. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to obtain responses from the participants. Results: A total of 398 workers participated in the study, and 230(57.8%) of them had at least one symptom of respiratory morbidity. Morning cough 184(46.2%) had the highest prevalence, followed by chest tightness 157(39.4%). Cigarette smoking, involvement in de-husking and paddy separation were factors that increase the likelihood of having respiratory symptoms among the workers. Conclusion: The prevalence of respiratory symptoms is high among rice mill workers, and the factors that were found to determine the presence of respiratory symptoms were cigarette smoking, and involvement in de-husking and paddy separation.