The study sought to describe HIV/AIDS knowledge and attitude among teachers in Abuja, Nigeria. The study noted that teachers were knowledgeable about HIV/AIDS and poor HIV/AIDS attitude persist. Among the respondents, statistically significant relationship exist between education qualification and knowledge of MTCT of HIV during pregnancy; between geographic location and the knowledge to clarify misconception about HIV transmission; between gender and the knowledge of condom use; and between the receipt of HIV/AIDS information or training on FLHE curriculum and the procedural knowledge of discussing / teaching sexuality and HIV/AIDS issues with fellow teachers or students. However, there is no statistical significant relationship between the teachings of HIV/AIDS issues and the feeling that HIV/AIDS education promotes sexual promiscuity. / Health Studies / MA (Public Health)

The study sought to describe HIV/AIDS knowledge and attitude among teachers in Abuja, Nigeria. The study noted that teachers were knowledgeable about HIV/AIDS and poor HIV/AIDS attitude persist. Among the respondents, statistically significant relationship exist between education qualification and knowledge of MTCT of HIV during pregnancy; between geographic location and the knowledge to clarify misconception about HIV transmission; between gender and the knowledge of condom use; and between the receipt of HIV/AIDS information or training on FLHE curriculum and the procedural knowledge of discussing / teaching sexuality and HIV/AIDS issues with fellow teachers or students. However, there is no statistical significant relationship between the teachings of HIV/AIDS issues and the feeling that HIV/AIDS education promotes sexual promiscuity. / Health Studies / MA (Public Health)

The purpose of the study was to assess the level of knowledge about glaucoma among the patients who attend the CBN staff eye clinic in Abuja. An exploratory, descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted on adult CBN staff members and their eligible dependants. Data on demographics and knowledge of glaucoma were collected using a pre-tested structured questionnaire. One hundred and forty five respondents (100% return) participated in the study. Purposive sampling was done to recruit respondents. Of the total respondents’, 74.5% (n=108) claimed they had heard about glaucoma but only 14.5% (n = 21) had knowledge about glaucoma. Glaucoma knowledge was found to be independent of age, sex, ethnicity, educational level and respondents’ status within the CBN. Knowledge about glaucoma in this population is therefore according to the results, inadequate. Appropriate recommendations were made to improve glaucoma knowledge amongst patients who attend the clinic. / Health Studies

The purpose of the study was to assess the level of knowledge about glaucoma among the patients who attend the CBN staff eye clinic in Abuja. An exploratory, descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted on adult CBN staff members and their eligible dependants. Data on demographics and knowledge of glaucoma were collected using a pre-tested structured questionnaire. One hundred and forty five respondents (100% return) participated in the study. Purposive sampling was done to recruit respondents. Of the total respondents’, 74.5% (n=108) claimed they had heard about glaucoma but only 14.5% (n = 21) had knowledge about glaucoma. Glaucoma knowledge was found to be independent of age, sex, ethnicity, educational level and respondents’ status within the CBN. Knowledge about glaucoma in this population is therefore according to the results, inadequate. Appropriate recommendations were made to improve glaucoma knowledge amongst patients who attend the clinic. / Health Studies

Background Plasmodium falciparum malaria during pregnancy poses a substantial risk to mother and foetus. In recent years, convincing evidence has shown that preventive methods such as the use of insecticide treated bed nets (ITNs) and intermittent preventive treatment (IPT) in pregnancy with sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine (IPTp-sp) can greatly reduce the adverse effects of malaria during pregnancy. Purpose The main purpose of the study was to assess the knowledge and use of Intermittent Preventive Treatment of Malaria among pregnant women receiving Antenatal Care at the primary health centers of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja Nigeria. Methods A quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted Structured questionnaires were administered to 300 pregnant women aged between 18 and 49 years. Data was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) 22. Results The results revealed that most of the respondents had knowledge about IPT, majority of the respondents had received IPT drugs, in the clinic, but unfortunately none of them were supervised by a health worker during taking of the drug. Few of the respondents did not take the drugs at all for fear of complication, some of them did not know exactly how many tablets were given to them and there was poor adherence to the Directly Observed Therapy (DOT) scheme. Conclusion Knowledge of malaria and IPT was good and many pregnant women received the drugs and used it, but some of them had challenges and did not use the drugs. / Health Studies / M.P.H.

The study was conducted to describe how socio-economic characteristics (SEC) of women affect their utilization of maternal healthcare services in Abuja Municipal Areas Council (AMAC) in Abuja Nigeria. A non-experimental, facility-based cross-sectional survey was done. Data was collected using structured interviewer administered questionnaire in 5 district hospitals in AMAC. Sample size of 384 was calculated a priori based on the assumption that 50% of the target population utilized maternal healthcare services during their last pregnancy. Equal allocation of samples per facility was done. The ANC register was used as the sampling frame and proportionate allocation of samples per clinic days was undertaken in each facility. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, cross tabulations and measures of inequality. Logistic regression analysis was used to test the hypothesized relationship between socioeconomic characteristics (predictors) and maternal healthcare service utilization. Other than birth order that showed consistent effect, the results of this study indicated that the predictive effect (predisposing and enabling factors) of the SEC of women included in this study (age, education, birth order, location of residence, income group and coverage by health insurance) on maternal healthcare service utilization were not consistent when considered independently (bivariate analysis) as opposed to when considered together through logistic regression. In addition, the study revealed that there was inequality in the utilization of maternal healthcare services (ante-natal care - ANC, delivery care and post natal care - PNC, and contraceptive services) among women with different SEC, and the payment system for maternal healthcare services was regressive. Addressing these predictors in the natural co-existing state (as indicated by the logistic regression) is essential for equitable access and utilization of healthcare during pregnancy, delivery and the postnatal period, and for contraceptive services in AMAC, Abuja Nigeria. Targeted policy measures and programme actions guided by these findings are recommended to optimise returns on investment towards achieving national and global goals on maternal health in Nigeria / Health Studies / D. Litt. et Phil. (Health Studies)

This study investigated the factors influencing the utilisation of PMTCT of HIV services and proposed measures to promote service utilisation by HIV positive pregnant women in the FCT, Abuja, Nigeria. Effective interventions exist that can reduce the transmission of HIV infection to the baby. The study is a quantitative descriptive one, with 190 HIV positive pregnant women from 20 health Centres in three area councils in Abuja, who were interviewed using structured questionnaire to get their opinion. The findings revealed that the majority (90.4%) of the respondents were aware of PMTCT and how HIV can be transmitted from mother-to-child. The respondents (95.9%) were of the opinion that all pregnant women should be tested. Notably, PMTCT services will be hindered by the following: permission from spouse before being tested, couple counselling not done, group post test counselling, non-incorporation of family planning and low support group enrolment. Recommendations made include emphasis on couple counselling, confidentiality and friendly environment / Health Studies / M.A. (Public Health)

The study was conducted to describe how socio-economic characteristics (SEC) of women affect their utilization of maternal healthcare services in Abuja Municipal Areas Council (AMAC) in Abuja Nigeria. A non-experimental, facility-based cross-sectional survey was done. Data was collected using structured interviewer administered questionnaire in 5 district hospitals in AMAC. Sample size of 384 was calculated a priori based on the assumption that 50% of the target population utilized maternal healthcare services during their last pregnancy. Equal allocation of samples per facility was done. The ANC register was used as the sampling frame and proportionate allocation of samples per clinic days was undertaken in each facility. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, cross tabulations and measures of inequality. Logistic regression analysis was used to test the hypothesized relationship between socioeconomic characteristics (predictors) and maternal healthcare service utilization. Other than birth order that showed consistent effect, the results of this study indicated that the predictive effect (predisposing and enabling factors) of the SEC of women included in this study (age, education, birth order, location of residence, income group and coverage by health insurance) on maternal healthcare service utilization were not consistent when considered independently (bivariate analysis) as opposed to when considered together through logistic regression. In addition, the study revealed that there was inequality in the utilization of maternal healthcare services (ante-natal care - ANC, delivery care and post natal care - PNC, and contraceptive services) among women with different SEC, and the payment system for maternal healthcare services was regressive. Addressing these predictors in the natural co-existing state (as indicated by the logistic regression) is essential for equitable access and utilization of healthcare during pregnancy, delivery and the postnatal period, and for contraceptive services in AMAC, Abuja Nigeria. Targeted policy measures and programme actions guided by these findings are recommended to optimise returns on investment towards achieving national and global goals on maternal health in Nigeria / Health Studies / D. Litt. et Phil. (Health Studies)

This study investigated the factors influencing the utilisation of PMTCT of HIV services and proposed measures to promote service utilisation by HIV positive pregnant women in the FCT, Abuja, Nigeria. Effective interventions exist that can reduce the transmission of HIV infection to the baby. The study is a quantitative descriptive one, with 190 HIV positive pregnant women from 20 health Centres in three area councils in Abuja, who were interviewed using structured questionnaire to get their opinion. The findings revealed that the majority (90.4%) of the respondents were aware of PMTCT and how HIV can be transmitted from mother-to-child. The respondents (95.9%) were of the opinion that all pregnant women should be tested. Notably, PMTCT services will be hindered by the following: permission from spouse before being tested, couple counselling not done, group post test counselling, non-incorporation of family planning and low support group enrolment. Recommendations made include emphasis on couple counselling, confidentiality and friendly environment / Health Studies / M.A. (Public Health)

Standard precautions are a set of guidelines that aim to protect health care workers from infections from blood, body fluids, secretions, excretions except sweat, non-intact skin, and mucous membranes while providing care to patients. However, compliance to the standard precautions is often low in low-income countries in spite of the greater risk of infection. This study examined the knowledge and practice of standard precautions among health care workers in public secondary health facilities in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria. A quantitative descriptive survey was conducted with 83 doctors and 194 nurses using a structured questionnaire. Findings show suboptimal knowledge and practice of the standard precautions among the health care workers. Knowledge of post-exposure prophylaxis for HIV was low as well as hepatitis B immunization among the respondents. A lack or irregular supply of essential materials, such as personal protective equipment, was the main reason the respondents did not comply to the precautions. This report recommends the development and implementation of a comprehensive infection prevention and control program in health facilities in order to ensure compliance to the standard precautions by health care workers. / Public Health / M.A. (Public Health)