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Background: Men that have sex with men (MSM) have kept their sexual orientation hidden for fear of being discovered, discriminated, and punished. Therefore, the study assesses the societal, political, and psychological challenges facing MSM in Nigeria. Methodology: The study was a quantitative cross-sectional survey conducted across 3 local government areas (LGAs): Ukum, Makurdi, and Oturkpo LGAs in the 3 geopolitical zones of Benue State from August 26 to September 28, 2021. A multistage cluster sampling method was adopted, and structured questionnaires were used to gather respondents’ data. Data analysis was done using IBM-Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 25.0 for Windows IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA. Results: The study found that about four-fifths (83.4%) had experienced stigmatization/discrimination. The stigmatization and discrimination had an emotional effect on them as a significant proportion (47.2%) feared going out in the community, school, church, and hospital. The rate at which they experienced physical abuse is fearsome, as about 60.0% had been physically abused, and 88.8% had experienced gender-based violence. A significant proportion (61.6%) were denied housing, and 76.8% claimed that people changed their attitudes after discovering their sexual identity. Conclusion: MSM suffer several kinds of abuse; hence, a review of the Same-Sex Marriage Prohibition Act is needed to curb the incidence of stigmatization, discrimination, and violence against MSM.

Background: Men with sex with men (MSM) may face obstacles in accessing culturally competent and quality healthcare services since current medical practice does not often promote discussing sexual habits. The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has further affected this group. This study assessed the impacts of COVID-19 and the general challenges of MSM in Benue State, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: This study was a quantitative cross-sectional survey conducted across three geopolitical zones of Benue State using a multistage cluster sampling method to collect data from MSM. The data collected were analyzed using IBM-Statistical Package for Social Sciences (IBM-SPSS) version 25.0 for Windows IBM Corp., Armonk, New York. Result: More than half (59.2%) of respondents said they were not denied healthcare services, and 78.4% were not afraid to seek them. Most (88%) were comfortable seeking medical help, and 61.6% did not experience stigmatization from healthcare providers. Many (68.0%) were not exposed to violence after sharing their status with healthcare providers. About half (50.4%) said COVID-19 did not affect their general quality of life. Over half (51.2%) said there was a decline in access to resources like food and money during the pandemic, 49.6% experienced difficulties accessing HIV testing, and 52.0% could not access PrEP. More than half (53.6%) reported challenges getting viral load or other laboratory tests, but 57.5% had no trouble getting HIV medication prescriptions. Conclusion: The Federal Government, and the Ministry of Health, Nigeria, should support intervention programs, peer educators, and outreach workers providing services to MSM.

Background: Malaria is a severe public health issue in more than 91 nations around the world, with 80% of the illness burden falling on sub-Saharan Africa. The rationale behind this study is to know the level at which malaria prevention and vector control intervention are utilized in the four selected states. Thus, this study examines the trends in the utilization of malaria prevention and vector control intervention among pregnant women and children under 5 years in Nigeria from 2017 to 2019. Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional study conducted in four states in Nigeria (Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Ebonyi, and Oyo). The study used secondary data from the Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) and National Malaria Indicator Survey for 2017–2019. We compared the findings across the study years and the 2013 Nigeria DHS report. Data were exported and analyzed using IBM-SPSS version 25. Results: An overall rate of 59% of pregnant women received intermittent preventive treatment (IPTp1) across the four states. Akwa-Ibom had the highest rate (73%) with the lowest dropout. There was a general decline in the rate of pregnant women provided with long-lasting insecticide-treated nets (LLIN) across the four states, with an overall rate of 44% between 2017 and 2019. Furthermore, there was an increase in women who received 2+ doses and 3+ doses of IPTp across the four states between 2013 and 2018. However, only Cross River recorded a marginal improvement of 2+ IPTp coverage of 75% compared to 12% in the 2013 DHS report. There was a slightly higher prevalence of fever among under-5years children in 2018 compared to the 2013 DHS report. Conclusion: Malaria prevention and vector control among pregnant women and children under 5 years between 2017 and 2019 are relatively low. Efforts should be made to improve the uptake and stockout of IPTP and LLIN in facilities.

Knowledge of parental roles and responsibilities is key to responsible parenting. This study examined the parenting and confidence level of persons intending to marry in Oyo State, Nigeria. The study is a cross-sectional descriptive study carried out in two (Akinyele and Ibadan North) Local Government Areas in Oyo State, Nigeria. Structured questionnaires were used to collect data analyzed using IBM SPSS version 25.0 for Windows. The study comprised 300 respondents;190 (63.2%) were males, and 110 (36.8%) were females. Less than half (42.3%) were fully aware of parental roles and responsibilities. Age and exposure to training were significantly associated with the knowledge of parental roles and responsibilities (p0.05). Training on parenthood was significantly higher among Christians (45.0%) and traditional worshipers (33.3%) than Muslims (13.6%). Less than half of all respondents (31–45%) could confidently say they would fulfil all expected parental roles and responsibilities assessed in this study. We advocate that parental education be included and well established in the educational curriculum and religious institutions, down to the marriage registries, to prepare the intending couples for parenthood.

Objective: High-risk behaviors among MSM have continually made this group susceptible to HIV and other STIs. Therefore, the study seeks to assess the prevalence of high-risk behaviors among MSM in Nigeria. Methodology: This quantitative descriptive cross-sectional survey examined the high-risk behaviors among MSM. The study was conducted in the state's three local government areas using a multistage cluster sampling technique. Data collection was done using an interviewer-administered structured questionnaire, and analysis was performed with IBM-SPSS version 25.0. Result: A significant number, 91.2% (114) of MSM in Benue State, had anal sex but mostly without protection, 75.2% (94). However, 108 (94.7%) used lubricants during anal sex, particularly those with multiple sexual partners (79, 63.2%). Also, 66 (52.8%) used/inject drugs. Sexual health was also challenging as 110 (88.0%) had been diagnosed with STIs. Most participants with STIs (118, 94.3%) said their sexual partner infected them. A substantial proportion, 16 (76.2%) of MSM aged 18-20 years, were using or injecting drugs, likewise those aged 21-25 years (14, 63.6%) (p