The street food sector continues to grow in Nigeria in a largely unregulated environment. The lack of regulation poses a significant public health risk for consuming unsafe street foods such as suya. Quantitative research has revealed high levels of microbiological contamination of suya, despite qualitative findings that suggest that food handlers are knowledgeable about safe food handling practices. This discrepancy reveals a gap in understanding about what influences safe food handling practices besides knowledge. This qualitative study was therefore designed to gain a deeper understanding of the beliefs and attitudes that influence hygienic practices among suya producers. Guided by the social cognitive theory, a phenomenological design was used to investigate and describe the hygiene phenomenon. Ten suya operators were recruited in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria, to participate in the study. Data were collected from interviews and observation of participants. Semistructured, open-ended questionnaires were used in face-to-face interviews to elicit participants' views on hygiene. Hygiene practices among participants were also observed. Information gathered was recorded, stored, transcribed, and analyzed using the NVivo software and based on emerging themes. The findings revealed that participants' understanding of hygiene was related to popular culture rather than science. Furthermore, findings also revealed that family, religious, and cultural beliefs, as well as environmental factors such as consumer attitude influenced their hygiene practices. These findings may provide evidence-based guidance for public health interventions for safer suya production processes with positive social change implications for improved consumer health.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hawaii at Manoa, 1994. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 146-162). / Microfiche. / xiii, 162 leaves, bound ill. 29 cm

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hawaii at Manoa, 1991. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 192-206) / Microfiche. / xi, 206 leaves, bound ill.,maps 29 cm

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of California, San Diego, 2008. / Title from first page of PDF file (viewed April 28, 2008). Available via ProQuest Digital Dissertations. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (p. 198-209).

Thesis(M. Med. (Public Health Medicine)) -- University of Limpopo, 2019 / Background: Health care workers (HCWs) hands are the most common vehicle for the transmission of health care associated infections (HCAIs) between patients and the health care environment. Hand hygiene is regarded as the most important, simplest, and least expensive means of reducing the burden of HCAIs. However, hand hygiene compliance remains low among HCWs. Aim: To assess the level of knowledge, attitude and self-reported practices (KAP) of HCWs on hand hygiene and associated factors. Method: A quantitative, descriptive study using a pre-tested self-administered questionnaire was conducted among HCWs of Pietersburg Hospital. Data collection was carried out between January and February 2018. KAP scores were summarised into means, standard deviations and percentages. Chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests were used to determine association between KAP scores and selected independent variables (gender, age, profession, experience, discipline and training). Results: There were 324 respondents, mostly females (74.3%), <40 years (70.6%) and predominantly nurses (52.4%). Majority had moderate knowledge (79.3%), positive attitude (88.8%) and good practices (87.9%). Respondents had knowledge gaps on HCAIs, WHO “Five (5) moments for hand hygiene” and alcohol based hand rub. Association was found between respondent’s KAP scores and age (p<0.05). Nursing profession was associated with good practices (p=0.000). Knowledge and attitude were associated with years of clinical experience (p<0.05). Positive attitude (p=0.019) and good practices (p=0.000) were associated with training in the last 3 years. No significant relationship was found between KAP and undergraduate training. Conclusion: Most respondents had moderate knowledge, positive attitude and good practices. Respondent’s variety in KAP scores and associated factors indicate that a multimodal, multifaceted improvement approach should be undertaken to address KAP gaps.

No description available.

published_or_final_version / Social Work / Master / Master of Social Sciences

Background: The health determinant model indicates that certain sociocultural, sociodemographic, environmental, and lifestyle factors influence health status and wellbeing of any population group in any given nation (Dahlgren & Whitehead, 1991). Previous studies have suggested the need for regional and interregional comparison of health inequalities due to the interaction of these factors. However, few studies have undertaken such investigation, especially among university students in developing countries. The aim of this study was to investigate the health status and lifestyle behaviours by sex and ethnicity among university students in Nigeria. Method: The study was cross sectional. Full time university students were recruited from six universities within three ethnic groups in Nigeria for the study. Data collection was both subjective and objective. The subjective data was based on an anonymous questionnaire, while the objective data involved direct measurements of height in (m) weight in (kg), and blood pressure (mmHg). Ultimately, 1549 responses were valid, while 563 responses were rejected for various reasons including missing data especially sex and ethnicity. The variables examined were, socio-demographic, general health, mental health, cognitive resources and lifestyle behaviours. Descriptive tests, chi-square tests and analysis of variance (ANOVA) tests were conducted. Results: Regarding regional characteristics in socioeconomic status, the result indicated sex and ethnicity effects, and irrespective of ethnicity, female students had better monthly income than male students did. The result suggested that students from the Hausa ethnic group reported better monthly income than students from the other ethnic groups. There is evidence that income have a significant effect on health determinant factors. For example, income affects the choice of residential location, ability to pay for health care services, register for gym for physical activity, afford healthy lifestyles, (e.g. eating fruits and vegetables), participate in social activities and maintain positive self- esteem (WHO, 2006; Varela-Mato et al., 2012). With regard to social support, the result indicated sex*ethnicity effects, where female students from the Hausa and Igbo ethnic groups reported better social support than male students, in contrast to the Yoruba ethnic group, where male students reported better social support than females. Students from the Hausa ethnic group saw their GPs more often, had regular medications and had depression more than other ethnic groups. In addition, the result indicated higher prevalence of smoking and the use of psychotic drugs among students from the Hausa ethnic group than other groups. On the other hand, the Yoruba ethnic group had the lowest monthly income, saw their GPs few times and had less frequent medication than the other ethnic groups. In addition, students from the Yoruba ethnic group had low consumption of fruits and are more physically inactive compared to other ethnic groups. Regarding sex characteristics, the study suggested that irrespective of ethnicity female students are less healthy when compared to male students. In addition, significant sex *ethnic interaction effects (P < 0.001) were observed, in most variables examined in the study, indicating that the students health and lifestyles are both sex and ethnicity dependent. The study suggested that female students from the Hausa ethnic group reported better income and social support, compared to students from the other ethnic groups; however, they also reported regular medication, overweight or obesity, mental health problems, and poor cognitive health than female students from Igbo and Yoruba ethnic groups. In addition, the Hausa male students’ preferred smaller female body size compared to male students from the other ethnic groups. On the other hand, Igbo female students had a better cognitive health and preferred small female body size than female students from the other ethnic groups. The Yoruba female students are less overweight or obese, but had the highest preference for big female body size and are the least depressed group in the sample. With regard to male students, the result suggested that Igbo male students had regular medication and depression more than other male groups. They also preferred bigger female body size and had better cognitive health than other male groups. On the other hand, Yoruba males reported overweight or obese, than the other male groups. Conclusion: The findings indicated that the health of female students in the sample was poorer than the health of male students; with female students from the Hausa ethnic group, demonstrating the worst possible health outcome. The result also suggested that both high and low socioeconomic statuses are associated with health compromising behaviours among university students in Nigeria. The findings indicated that high cognitive health appraisal might be related to students reporting better mental health especially depression in both male and female students. This study is the first to report that there is an interaction between the different layers of health, in the health determinant model proposed by Dahlgren and Whitehead (1991). Secondly, this study has made a major contribution to the understanding that people who live among regions with conflict and violence may report poor health (both physical and mental) compared to those that live in a conflict free zones. Consequently, the results of the present study suggest that conflict and violence be included among the health determinant factors in the health determinant model proposed by Dahlgren and Whitehead (1991).

The purpose of this study was to find out the attitudes and beliefs of minority college students enrolled at Missouri College in Brentwood, Missouri in reference to the dental hygiene profession. In particular, does their oral health and dental knowledge relate to their knowledge of profession of dental hygiene? One hundred and six students gave their consent to participate in the study via Survey Monkey. The study was conducted in May 2015 for a period of four weeks. Four statements were designed to gauge minority students’ knowledge of dental hygiene as a career. No differences were found based on gender, age, education and ethnicity. A difference was found based upon the respondent’s program of study. Further research is needed spread the word about dental hygiene programs and to explain the role of the dental hygienist.

This thesis is concerned with young women's health and well-being, with a specific focus on young women's beliefs, behaviours and attitudes towards smoking, substance use, sexual health, diet and exercise and well-being. These issues are identified as priorities in 'The Health of the Nation: a Strategy for Health in England', (Department of Health, 1992). This document which was published by a previous (Conservative) government in July 1992,set objectives and targets relating to health status to be met by the year 2000. (There are similar separate documents for both Wales and Scotland.) It identified five key areas for action: coronary heart disease and stroke; cancers; mental illness; HIV/AIDS and sexual health and accidents. Some of its targets apply specifically to young women. Informed by a feminist theory and using ethnographic and qualitative research techniques, this study examines young women's health-related beliefs and behaviours within the context of their day-to-day lives.