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Background: Cancer patients in Nigeria are known to present late and have poor awareness of their disease. Among the factors which limit early presentation are aversion for orthodox medicine due to perceived complexity of health... more
Background: Cancer patients in Nigeria are known to present late and have poor awareness of their disease. Among the factors which limit early presentation are aversion for orthodox medicine due to perceived complexity of health institutions, and belief in superiority of traditional medicine. Patient navigation has been shown to improve patient treatment adherence. There is limited evidence on the impact of PN in Nigeria, and other resource-limited settings. Aim: Study sought to introduce a hospital-based patient navigation program (PNP) and evaluate its impact. Methods: PNP was initiated at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital in June 2016 with focus on breast cancer patients. A young, male public health officer, who spoke the local language was recruited and trained to guide cancer breast patients through the hospital. Training focused on hospital services, sensitive communications, patient management process, confidentiality and resource identification. The service was announc...
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The focus of this paper is the approach to design, development and implementation of a world-class health care system (WCHS) in Akwa Ibom State, an oil producing state in South-South Region of Nigeria. We report the Ustawi Research... more
The focus of this paper is the approach to design, development and implementation of a world-class health care system (WCHS) in Akwa Ibom State, an oil producing state in South-South Region of Nigeria. We report the Ustawi Research Institute’s emerging paradigm for design, development and implementation of a WCHS in a frontier market. This report draws from rich experience gained in design, development and implementation of a world-class academic medical center developed on a master-planned medical city, and connected to a franchised system of ambulatory, tertiary care medical centers distributed in the state of Akwa Ibom, Nigeria. We used a qualitative method to gather inductive data from stakeholders of health and human development in Nigeria. The grounded theory design facilitated theoretical sampling of key concepts about state of health services in Nigeria. Comparative analysis yielded a grounded theory that a WCHS in a frontier market has three distinct structures: (a) a commu...
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The aim of this study was to assess the pattern and compare the rates of substance use in parents of children with substance use disorders in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. Between January 2009 and December 2011, a total of 528... more
The aim of this study was to assess the pattern and compare the rates of substance use in parents of children with substance use disorders in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. Between January 2009 and December 2011, a total of 528 participants, comprising 255 fathers of children with substance use-related problems (study group) and 273 fathers of children without problems (comparison group) attending the Psychiatric Unit of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, were assessed, using a modified form of a 117-item self-report instrument based on the World Health Organization’s guidelines for students’ substance use surveys. The demographic characteristics of the respondents were similar. Locally available substances including alcohol were used more frequently than illicit substances by both groups. Possible reasons for using these substances included ready availability, unidentified personal problems, performance enhancement and unemployment. Substance use ison the increase in our ...
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Objective: The phytochemical composition of Zea mays (Maize) cob, Dacryodes edulis (African Pear) seed, and Persia americana (Avocado) bark, leaves and seed were determined. The inorganic composition of the bark, leaves and seed of Persia... more
Objective: The phytochemical composition of Zea mays (Maize) cob, Dacryodes edulis (African Pear) seed, and Persia americana (Avocado) bark, leaves and seed were determined. The inorganic composition of the bark, leaves and seed of Persia americana (Avocado) was investigated and the proximate composition of the Avocado seed also determined. Methods: Dried and pulverized Maize cob, African Pear seeds and Avocado bark, leaves and seeds were subjected to phytochemical analysis using standard procedures. Inorganic composition was determined by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS) and Proximate composition by method of A.O.A.C. Results: The phytochemical analysis showed a trace concentration of alkaloids, flavonoids, and crude proteins in the maize cob. The African pear seed contained very high concentrations of flavonoid and crude protein and moderately high amounts of tannin, saponin and carbohydrate; alkaloids were low in concentration and terpenes, absent. Avocado leaves showed moderately high concentration of flavonoid and protein and trace amounts of alkaloid, terpenes and tannins. Also, moderately high concentrations of alkaloid, flavonoid and saponin were observed for Avocado bark and a trace amount of protein. While the Avocado seed contained moderately high concentration of flavonoid and protein, alkaloid and carbohydrate were present in trace amount. Sterols, glycosides and anthraquinone were absent in all samples. The inorganic composition result showed relatively high concentration of potassium (very high for seed), calcium (for bark and leaf), magnesium and sulphur in Avocado samples. The Avocado seed contained relatively high content of moisture, carbohydrate and protease inhibitor. Conclusion: While the maize cob may not possess nutritive and pharmacological properties, the African pear seed may possess both, in addition to anti-nutritional factors. The Avocado seed may possess some pharmacological properties. Keywords: Zea mays, Dacryodes edulis , Persia Americana , phytochemicals, proximate composition
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Fresh fruits and vegetables have been implicated as vehicles for the transmission of microbial food-borne diseases worldwide. This research aimed to assess the prevalence of E. coli O157 serogroup in fruits, vegetables and animal faecal... more
Fresh fruits and vegetables have been implicated as vehicles for the transmission of microbial food-borne diseases worldwide. This research aimed to assess the prevalence of E. coli O157 serogroup in fruits, vegetables and animal faecal manures used in some farms in Uyo and Ikot Ekpene communities of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. A total of 250 ready-to-eat fruits such as egg plant, carrot and cucumber and vegetables including fluted pumpkin, water leaf and okra were randomly collected from farms, markets, vendors and sale outlets in the study areas. Animal (cow, goat, poultry, swine) fecal waste samples used as manure (n=100) were collected from various farms in the area. The study employed standard microbiological analysis of these samples. Out of a total of 250 fruits and vegetable samples tested, 39 (15.6%) E. coli were isolated from fruits and vegetables, of which 30 (22.1%) were from washed and 9 (7.9%) from unwashed samples. None of the E. coli isolates belonged to the E. coli O1...
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To study mortality from nonmalignant diseases in subjects with high exposure to transmissible agents present in animals used for food, and in their raw or inadequately cooked products. Mortality was compared in a cohort of meat handlers... more
To study mortality from nonmalignant diseases in subjects with high exposure to transmissible agents present in animals used for food, and in their raw or inadequately cooked products. Mortality was compared in a cohort of meat handlers in slaughtering and processing plants with that of the U.S. general population. Excess mortality was observed for conditions known to be associated with infections-these include, septicemia, chronic nephritis, diseases of the kidney and ureter, diseases of the pancreas, cirrhosis of the liver, acute and subacute endocarditis, acute rheumatic fever, functional diseases of the heart, aortic aneurysm, intracranial and intraspinous abscess, and meningitis. Excess mortality was also observed for ischemic heart disease and diabetes, conditions without an established infectious etiology, but which have been linked with infections. If transmissible agents present in food animals and their raw products cause long-term diseases and mortality in humans, this st...
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The study determined awareness, use and the main source of information about preventive health examinations among 387 childbearing women attending three health facilities in Uyo, Nigeria. Respondents were consenting women aged 15-49 years... more
The study determined awareness, use and the main source of information about preventive health examinations among 387 childbearing women attending three health facilities in Uyo, Nigeria. Respondents were consenting women aged 15-49 years who had a live birth in the two months preceding the survey. Respondents were interviewed using structured questionnaires during child welfare clinic visits at each facility. Awareness about pap smears and breast self examination was 14.2% and 35.3% respectively. Testing rates were highest for blood pressure checks, HIV and blood sugar and lowest for Pap smears and mammograms. Health workers were the main informants on preventive tests. Awareness and secondary education enhanced women's uptake of screening services across levels of health care. Secondary education as a minimum and intensified awareness creation about preventive health examinations through media, school based programs, durbars and public health campaigns are vital to the health ...
Research Interests: Health Promotion, Nigeria, Adolescent, Humans, Hypertension, and 15 moreDiabetes mellitus, Female, Patient Preference, Mammography, Middle Aged, Questionnaires, Adult, Public health systems and services research, Reproductive behavior, Physical examination, Cross Sectional Studies, attitude to health, postpartum period, mass Screening, and HIV infections
The focus of this paper is the approach to design, development and implementation of a world-class health care system (WCHS) in Akwa Ibom State, an oil producing state in South-South Region of Nigeria. We report the Ustawi Research... more
The focus of this paper is the approach to design, development and implementation of a world-class health care system (WCHS) in Akwa Ibom State, an oil producing state in South-South Region of Nigeria. We report the Ustawi Research Institute’s emerging paradigm for design, development and implementation of a WCHS in a frontier market. This report draws from rich experience gained in design, development and implementation of a world-class academic medical center developed on a master-planned medical city, and connected to a franchised system of ambulatory, tertiary care medical centers distributed in the state of Akwa Ibom, Nigeria. We used a qualitative method to gather inductive data from stakeholders of health and human development in Nigeria. The grounded theory design facilitated theoretical sampling of key concepts about state of health services in Nigeria. Comparative analysis yielded a grounded theory that a WCHS in a frontier market has three distinct structures: (a) a commu...
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Background: Among the many limitations of cancer control in Nigeria are lower awareness/competence and poorer training of health-care professionals (HCP). These manifest as deficiencies in advocacy, screening/diagnostic practices, and... more
Background: Among the many limitations of cancer control in Nigeria are lower awareness/competence and poorer training of health-care professionals (HCP). These manifest as deficiencies in advocacy, screening/diagnostic practices, and patient management. Medical simulation (MS) using models is an effective approach for sustainably improving the competence of HCP, especially regarding clinical breast examination (CBE), pelvic examination (PE), and digital rectal examination (DRE). The study evaluates the effect of MS during a Nigerian training course focusing on CBE, PE, and DRE. It answers the question: What is the immediate outcome of MS-based training, as well as the perspectives of HCP on the use of MS for cancer education? Methods: Participants included a convenience sample of Nigerian physicians and nurses who attended the American Society of Clinical Oncology-sponsored Multidisciplinary Cancer Management Course. The intervention was MS using high-fidelity models. The models de...
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Background: The prevalence of diet-related chronic diseases like hypertension and obesity among others has become a public health concern. Risk factors for these diseases have been well studied in high income countries but less studied in... more
Background: The prevalence of diet-related chronic diseases like hypertension and obesity among others has become a public health concern. Risk factors for these diseases have been well studied in high income countries but less studied in developing countries. Objective: The study was to document the prevalence and risk factors of Obesity and high blood pressure among healthy adults in a military settlement in Ibagwa, Southern Nigeria. The study also sought to establish if the prevalence is low among soldiers, given the documented links between physically active lifestyle and a reduction in the risk of diet-related chronic diseases. Methods: It was a cross sectional study, 422 subjects (228 males and 214 females) was selected by simple random sampling. Factors assessed included; height, weight, abdominal obesity, blood pressure and food intake pattern. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 17.0. Results: The prevalence of obesity was (17.2%), overweight (35%), abdominal obesity (24.9...
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Assessing health related quality of life (HR-QOL) in people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) has the potential to give an insight into the patients' perception of the burden of the disease and assess the effect of management. The aim of... more
Assessing health related quality of life (HR-QOL) in people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) has the potential to give an insight into the patients' perception of the burden of the disease and assess the effect of management. The aim of this study was to assess the HR-QOL in HIV patients who present for treatment in Uyo. The study is a prospective longitudinal study of PLWHA attending HIV clinics. One hundred and sixty-one newly diagnosed HIV patients were recruited by systematic sampling technique proportionately to the two public hospitals in Uyo. The patients were classified into Pre-HAART and HAART groups based on their eligibility to commence HAART. WHOQOL-HIV Bref was the instrument used at recruitment and at four months. Data was analyzed using STATA 10 statistical package. At recruitment, the HR-QOL of the Pre-HAART respondents was better than the HAART respondents across the domains, except for spirituality. While at four months both groups became similar except at social a...
To assess breastfeeding practices and relate it to changes in the maternal weight in the first six months after delivery, 422 healthy breastfeeding women, who recently delivered single, term babies, vaginally, were recruited from November... more
To assess breastfeeding practices and relate it to changes in the maternal weight in the first six months after delivery, 422 healthy breastfeeding women, who recently delivered single, term babies, vaginally, were recruited from November 2003 to January 2005; they were followed up monthly for six months. Their height and monthly weight including the monthly weight of the babies were measured. Two hundred and ten of the mother-infant pairs were successfully followed up for six months. One hundred and three (49.05%) of them breastfed their infants exclusively on breast milk for six months. Although these mothers were generally heavier compared to those who commenced complementary feeding before four months and those who commenced complementary feeding between four and six months (mean (SD) 62.16(11.60) kg, 57.67(9.48) kg, 60.52(9.80) kg), they also lost more weight during the period (mean (SD) -1.45 (3.07) kg, - 0.42 (3.72) kg, 0.48 (3.29kg) respectively). It was concluded that mothe...
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Dysmenorrhoea, premenstrual syndrome and menstrual hygiene are leading contributors to the burden of disease borne by adolescent secondary school girls and this study sought to determine the prevalence of menstruationrelated problems... more
Dysmenorrhoea, premenstrual syndrome and menstrual hygiene are leading contributors to the burden of disease borne by adolescent secondary school girls and this study sought to determine the prevalence of menstruationrelated problems among adolescent school girls in southern Nigeria. A crosssectional study design was used with a minimum sample size of 601 derived over 4 different centres (2 rural and 2 urban) using a multi-stage sampling technique. Analysis was done using SPSS version 17, and Odds ratio, Chi square and t test were used to compare possible differences between urban and rural variables and significance was at the 95% confidence level. Tables were used to highlight the results obtained. Menstrual problems of public health importance such as dysmenorrhoea, heavy bleeding and weakness, and premenstrual symptoms were a burden to adolescent school girls in both rural and urban areas in this study. A renewed approach to adolescent health provision will help negate the negat...
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BACKGROUND: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the main cause of cervical cancer, and about 80% of women will be infected at least once in their life time. Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women and the second highest cause... more
BACKGROUND: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the main cause of cervical cancer, and about 80% of women will be infected at least once in their life time. Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women and the second highest cause of cancer deaths. Persistent HPV infection progresses to cancer over several years, and during this period, pre-cancerous lesions can be detected by screening. Visual inspection under acetic acid (VIA) is an easy safe, affordable and effective test in cervical cancer screening in resource-poor countries like Nigeria. AIM: The aim of the study is to determine the proportion of women with VIA-positive findings and the associated factors among those screened for cervical cancer in a screening programme between 2008 and 2017. METHODS: This is a retrospective study using the database of women who presented for breast and cervical cancer screening by the Akwa-Ibom State branch of the Medical Women's Association of Nigeria between 2008 and 2017. A stru...
Context: Hypertension is a global cause of significant morbidity, ranking top as a cause of increased disability-adjusted life years. Patients who do not take their prescribed medication show almost a fourfold increase in the risk of... more
Context: Hypertension is a global cause of significant morbidity, ranking top as a cause of increased disability-adjusted life years. Patients who do not take their prescribed medication show almost a fourfold increase in the risk of dying from stroke by the second year after being prescribed treatment and a nearly threefold increased risk in the 10th year when compared to patients who take their prescribed medication. Medication adherence is a key factor in the control of high blood pressure. Objective: The objective of the study was to assess the antihypertensive medication adherence rate of patients attending the outpatient clinics at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH) and to explore factors that affect their adherence to the medications. Materials and Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study of adult hypertensive patients attending the outpatient clinics at UUTH, from May to July 2018, who had been placed on antihypertensive medication(s) for at least 6 months. A standardized Morisky Medication Adherence 8 Questionnaire for assessing medication adherence was modified and used for the data collection. The questionnaires were administered by trained interviewers. Data were analyzed using SPSS 20.0. Results: A total of 379 hypertensive patients took part in the study; 85.2% were adherent to antihypertensive medication(s), but only 14.2% showed good adherence. Four of the five dimensions considered in the Morisky Assessment greatly affected antihypertensive medication adherence. The mean age of the study participants was 60.8 ± 1.8 years, and 75% were male. Conclusion: Good adherence to antihypertensive medication was quite low in this study population, and it was affected by all dimensions of the Morisky Assessment; health-care providers should pay more attention to their patient's drug adherence, educate them on medication adherence, and get them involved in their care.
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Background: Lower competence and poorer training of healthcare professionals (HCP) are among the many limitations of cancer control in Nigeria. These manifest as deficiencies in advocacy, screening/diagnostic practices, and patient... more
Background: Lower competence and poorer training of healthcare professionals (HCP) are among the many limitations of cancer control in Nigeria. These manifest as deficiencies in advocacy, screening/diagnostic practices, and patient management. Medical simulation (MS) using models is an effective approach for sustainably improving the competence of HCP. Access to modern, silicone-based simulation models is limited in Nigeria. Cassava starch and papaya fruits are widely available in Nigeria and the tropics, but not widely used for MS. Aim: Study describes the development and evaluation of the use of locally-available materials (cassava starch and immature papaya) as MS models for Papanicolaou test and breast biopsy. Methods: Immature papaya fruits were harvested and using a sharp knife, the stalk was removed to reveal the moist cavity. The space housing the stalk was simulated as the external cervical os ( Fig 1 ). Dried cassava starch was sourced as waste from the pulp. About 100 g o...
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Objectives: Cancer causes contribute to rising morbidity and mortality in Nigeria. Most cancer control efforts in Nigeria are private-sector driven. The study describes a government-led cancer education initiative by Abia State Primary... more
Objectives: Cancer causes contribute to rising morbidity and mortality in Nigeria. Most cancer control efforts in Nigeria are private-sector driven. The study describes a government-led cancer education initiative by Abia State Primary Health Care Development Agency and American Society of Clinical Oncology in Abia State. Methods: The 5-day cancer control in primary care course was delivered in March 2017 with a focus on breast, cervical, and prostate cancers. It featured didactic lectures, plenary sessions, hands-on and simulations, as well as free cancer screening for the community. Participants (n = 128) included physicians and nurses in Abia State. Data collected from course evaluation as well as pre-and post-tests were used for this study. Results: Nearly 59% of participants (75/128) completed the evaluation. 99% of respondents said that they intend to make practice changes based on what they learned in the course. These intended changes include creating awareness about cancer,...
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Sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV, remain on the increase in the UK. Settings other than traditional Genito-Urinary Medicine clinics are beginning to deal with some STIs more and more, either as a commissioned service... more
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV, remain on the increase in the UK. Settings other than traditional Genito-Urinary Medicine clinics are beginning to deal with some STIs more and more, either as a commissioned service or simply in terms of pragmatic management. New technologies are resulting in less invasive investigative techniques for some STIs, but the validity of a test
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Background: Breast cancer is the second most common malignancy affecting Nigerian women, and contributes the highest cancer-related mortality in this population. Despite the rising prevalence of breast cancer, Nigerian healthcare... more
Background: Breast cancer is the second most common malignancy affecting Nigerian women, and contributes the highest cancer-related mortality in this population. Despite the rising prevalence of breast cancer, Nigerian healthcare professionals do not have adequate resources in screening, diagnosing, treating and follow up of women with breast cancer. The objective of this study was to understand how the development and implementation of a state-wide clinical pathway alongside a patient navigation program will impact the care providers and care receiver (beast cancer patients). Methods: This mixed methods, cross-sectional study will develop and deploy a multidisciplinary clinical pathway focused on breast cancer management. Trained patient navigators will facilitate the implementation of the pathway and to support patients. An electronic medical record system will be deployed to document the use of the pathway. Mixed methods data will be collected periodically, including patient sati...
e14132 Background: Beyond the National Cancer Control Plan, most States in Nigeria do not have State cancer control policies. Using the multiple perspectives analysis framework, this research sought to explore the perspectives of patients... more
e14132 Background: Beyond the National Cancer Control Plan, most States in Nigeria do not have State cancer control policies. Using the multiple perspectives analysis framework, this research sought to explore the perspectives of patients diagnosed with cancer, healthcare providers and health policymakers regarding cancer policy in Abia State. Methods: A concurrent mixed methods action research design was used. Sample included individuals aged ≥18 years who were diagnosed with cancer (patients), provided cancer treatment (providers) or made health policy (policymakers) in the State. Data were collected using surveys and key informant interviews. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics, chi-square test and a deductive thematic analysis. Results: Participants were 29 patients, 50 providers and 33 policymakers (n = 122), with an average age of 45 (±11) years. Challenges identified by ≥60% of participants were: low public awareness (75.9%); limited availability of treatment option...
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Background: Menarche is the most dramatic manifestation of puberty in girls; unlike the biometric developmental changes that occur at puberty, menarche requires the personal adjustment and response of an affected girl in order to attain... more
Background: Menarche is the most dramatic manifestation of puberty in girls; unlike the biometric developmental changes that occur at puberty, menarche requires the personal adjustment and response of an affected girl in order to attain good menstrual hygiene. This study was designed to evaluate how boarding secondary school girls manage their menstruation in school, away from the guidance of their parents.Methods: A cross sectional survey was performed in four public boarding secondary schools in the study area with the aid of structured questionnaires to evaluate how such girls manage their menstruation while in school.Results: The study population was 975 girls whose survey revealed the mean age at menarche of 12.5±1.4 years. Seven hundred and two (72.0%) respondents had received sexuality education before onset of menarche. Respondents who attained good menstrual hygiene were 775(79.5%). Such respondents were those who had received sexuality education (p<0.001) and those who...
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As of October 2015, evidence needed to make a recommendation about the use of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) for smoking cessation was limited. We used the 2014 Arkansas Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System with... more
As of October 2015, evidence needed to make a recommendation about the use of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) for smoking cessation was limited. We used the 2014 Arkansas Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System with additional state-specific questions to determine the prevalence of ENDS use, the impact of ENDS use on smoking cessation, and beliefs about ENDS use in Arkansas. Our objectives were to determine if (1) ENDS use was associated with lower odds of quitting smoking, (2) ENDS users believed that ENDS use was not harmful to their health, and (3) ENDS users believed that switching to ENDS reduced their tobacco-related health risks. We conducted a cross-sectional study of 4465 respondents to the Arkansas Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System and used weighted analyses to account for the complex survey design. We used a subset of records formed by (1) formers smokers who quitted smoking in the last 5 years and (2) current smokers to assess the odds of quitting...
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ABSTRACT Background: Commercial motor vehicles are a very important means oftransport in Nigeria where most people do not own personal vehicles and the railway system is not functioning.Aims and Objectives: The aim of the study is to... more
ABSTRACT Background: Commercial motor vehicles are a very important means oftransport in Nigeria where most people do not own personal vehicles and the railway system is not functioning.Aims and Objectives: The aim of the study is to assess the ocular health status of commercial motor vehicle drivers in Uyo metropolis and to determine the causes of visual impairment amongst them.Materials and Methods: Uyo is the capital city of Akwa Ibom State in theSouth-South geo-political zone of Nigeria with a population of 305,961according to 2006 National population census. This is a cross sectional survey of commercial motor vehicle drivers in all the eleven functional motor parks in Uyo as at the time of the study. A total of two hundred and ninety-one (291) drivers who consented to the study were recruited, interviewed with a standardized questionnaire and examined. Examination included distant visual acuity with Snellen’s Chart and near visual acuity with near chart, tonometry using Schiotz’s tonometer; penlight and magnifying loupe were used to examine the anterior segment, color vision test was with Ishihara chart, funduscopy with direct ophthalmoscope and visual field assessment by confrontation amongst other tests. Data were analysed with SPSS10 soft ware package.Results: Mean age of drivers was found to be ±41.5 years. Prevalence of road traffic accident (RTA) in the study was 24.7%. Human factor contributed 27.7% to the cause of accidents. Causes of visual impairment included refractive error, glaucoma and cataract.Conclusion: There was no statistically significant association between RTA and visual impairment but there was statistically significant association between RTA and visual field defect (P=0.037).Recommendation: Visual field assessment at least by confrontation should be made a requirement before issuance of motor vehicle driving licence and proper visual field assessment of suspected drivers be done by an ophthalmologist before issuance of license. A State-wide survey of visual status of commercial motor vehicle drivers is recommended.
Research Interests: Microbiology, Education, Health Promotion, Health Behavior, Sexual and Reproductive Health, and 41 moreAustralia, Medical Microbiology, Informed Consent, Quality of Mental Health Care, Risk Taking, Public Health, Vietnam, Adolescent, Family Practice, Hepatitis C, Hospitals, Biological Sciences, Syphilis, Herpes Simplex, Prisons, Humans, Reproductive health, Child Sexual Abuse, Puberty, Female, Sexually transmitted infections, Male, Sexual Behavior, Patient Compliance, Risk factors, Confidentiality, Clinical Sciences, New York, Aged, Middle Aged, Adult, Public health systems and services research, Private Sector, Physical examination, Health surveys, Patient Simulation, Risk Factors, Cross Sectional Studies, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Community Health Centers, and Pharmaceutical preparations
There's ample evidence that other sexually transmitted infections, whether ulcerative or non-ulcerative, promote HIV transmission by increasing HIV infectivity and susceptibility through several mechanisms, mostly via direct biological... more
There's ample evidence that other sexually transmitted infections, whether ulcerative or non-ulcerative,
promote HIV transmission by increasing HIV infectivity and susceptibility through several mechanisms,
mostly via direct biological pathway. Observational studies have revealed risk estimates of not less than 2, but
more importantly, community level intervention studies have proven that timely provision of high quality STI
services can significantly reduce HIVincidence. Health seeking behaviour of STI patients among the populace
showed a preference for private health facilities, hence the conception of this study which aimed at assessing
the pattern of management of STIs by Clinicians in Private Clinics in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. It was a
cross-sectional descriptive survey of clinicians in private clinics located in Uyo metropolis, using a structured
self-administered questionnaire to collect the data. Twenty-three clinicians participated in the study, 20 males
and 3 females. Majority (82.6%) diagnosed STIs using history, clinical and laboratory findings, 73.9% were
aware of the existence of the algorithm for managing STIs, but only 47.8% used the algorithm consistently.
Although 81.8% of the respondents admitted to offering their patients HIV Counselling and Testing; and
78.3% gave patient education and counselling, only 21.7% gave the correct and complete counselling details. It
was concluded that most clinicians in Uyo do not manage STIs effectively, as complete patient education and
counselling, a very important component of STI management is not offered by most them. This calls for skills
reinforcement in STI management for clinicians in Uyo and Akwa Ibom State.
promote HIV transmission by increasing HIV infectivity and susceptibility through several mechanisms,
mostly via direct biological pathway. Observational studies have revealed risk estimates of not less than 2, but
more importantly, community level intervention studies have proven that timely provision of high quality STI
services can significantly reduce HIVincidence. Health seeking behaviour of STI patients among the populace
showed a preference for private health facilities, hence the conception of this study which aimed at assessing
the pattern of management of STIs by Clinicians in Private Clinics in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. It was a
cross-sectional descriptive survey of clinicians in private clinics located in Uyo metropolis, using a structured
self-administered questionnaire to collect the data. Twenty-three clinicians participated in the study, 20 males
and 3 females. Majority (82.6%) diagnosed STIs using history, clinical and laboratory findings, 73.9% were
aware of the existence of the algorithm for managing STIs, but only 47.8% used the algorithm consistently.
Although 81.8% of the respondents admitted to offering their patients HIV Counselling and Testing; and
78.3% gave patient education and counselling, only 21.7% gave the correct and complete counselling details. It
was concluded that most clinicians in Uyo do not manage STIs effectively, as complete patient education and
counselling, a very important component of STI management is not offered by most them. This calls for skills
reinforcement in STI management for clinicians in Uyo and Akwa Ibom State.