Department of Family Medicine

Perceived Stress and Correlates among Women in an Urban Northwestern Region of Nigeria: An Opportunity Cross- Sectional Study

Wed, 01 Mar 2023 00:00:00 GMT

Perceived Stress and Correlates among Women in an Urban Northwestern Region of Nigeria: An Opportunity Cross- Sectional Study Eseigbe, Patricia; Dapap, D.D; Onubi, J; Agyema, J.P.A; Idoko, P.E; Ezemenahi, S.I Background: Stress is the perceived or actual threat to a person’s body that can result in a state of imbalance. Perceived stress is a psychological state that influences a person’s cognitive ability and is associated with an increased risk of illnesses. This study, therefore, aimed to determine the perceived stress level and associated factors among women in Kaduna metropolis to create awareness, and ultimately curtail the menace of stress-related disorders. Methods: This was an opportunity cross-sectional study conducted among women during a regional conference in Kaduna metropolis, Northwestern Nigeria. A self-administered structured questionnaire was used to obtain information about the women’s sociodemographic characteristics, and their perceived sources of stress, and Cohen’s PSS-10 was employed to assess their level of perceived stress. A chi-square test using ANOVA was done to determine any significant relationship between the participants’ sociodemographic characteristics and their perceived stress levels. A p-value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 346 women aged between 18 and 65 years with a mean age and standard deviation of 41.98 + 10.92 years participated in the study. Most (83.9%) of the participants were married and 45.9% of them had attained a tertiary level of education. The reported sources of stress had the workplace with the highest response at 27.2%, with the home at 26.4%, and health at 11.9%. The overall prevalence of perceived stress among them was 91.0% of which 9.0% had no/low level, 75.4% reported a moderate level, and 15.6% had a high level of perceived stress. The sociodemographic factors that were significantly associated with perceived stress among the respondents included their ethnic group (p = 0.038), educational level (p = 0.011), occupation (p < 0.001), and husband’s occupation (p = 0.042). Conclusion: This study has highlighted the fact that women are under a lot of stress which may be detrimental to their well-being. It revealed an alarming mental health morbidity among women needing prompt attention as this may result in psychological, physical, and behavioral problems. Therefore, there is a need to modify work policies aimed at reducing stress in workplaces. Women should be taught healthy coping mechanisms to relieve all forms of stress.

Awareness and practice of breast cancer screening methods among women in an urban area of North-Western Nigeria

Sun, 01 Sep 2024 00:00:00 GMT

Awareness and practice of breast cancer screening methods among women in an urban area of North-Western Nigeria Eseigbe, Patricia; Idoko, P; Zubairu, HD; Ezemenahi, SI; Edugbe, A.E Background: Breast cancer is a public health burden among women globally. Screening for breast cancer is pivotal to the reduction in the morbidity and mortality associated with breast cancer among women. This study aimed to assess the level of awareness and practices of breast cancer screening methods among women who attended an educational conference in Kaduna metropolis, Northwest Nigeria. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted. A modified validated self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data on the awareness and practice of breast cancer screening methods among the women. Data was analyzed using descriptive analysis. Results: A total of 274 women with a mean age of 43.26 ± 9.58 years participated in this study. Most (90.5%) of the participants were aware of breast cancer. The rate of awareness of breast self-examination (BSE) was 70.1%, however, only 40.5% of the women practiced BSE with 10.6% performing it monthly. Over half, 51.8%, of the study participants were aware of clinical breast examination (CBE) while only 12.4% of the women had gone for a CBE. Mammography as a screening method for breast cancer had the least awareness rate of 27.7% while only 9.5% had done it. The common reason stated for not practicing these breast cancer screening methods was poor knowledge. Conclusion: This study has highlighted the low awareness and practice of breast cancer screening methods among women. There is a need to improve strategies of health literacy on these screening methods among women to reduce the mortality and morbidity posed by breast cancer.

CLINICAL CORRELATES OF OBESITY: A CROSS-SECTIONAL SURVEY AMONG ADOLESCENTS IN NORTH-WESTERN NIGERIA

Sat, 01 Aug 2020 00:00:00 GMT

CLINICAL CORRELATES OF OBESITY: A CROSS-SECTIONAL SURVEY AMONG ADOLESCENTS IN NORTH-WESTERN NIGERIA Eseigbe, Patricia; Onuoha, FM; Moses, LA; Ibrahim, BY Adolescents constitute a huge proportion of the world’s population. Adolescent obesity has globally increased to significant levels with serious public health consequences. The epidemic of obesity has major complications for health care now and in the future. Obesity is a major risk factor for a number of chronic medical conditions. As the obese adolescent grows into an obese adult, the morbidity and mortality associated with obesity occur with an increased risk. This was a cross-sectional school-based study conducted in Kaduna, Northwest Nigeria. The secondary schools were selected via simple random sampling and the participants were recruited using systematic sampling method. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect the participants’ demographics and their height, weight, and blood pressure were measured. Furthermore, their blood samples were taken for blood glucose and lipid profile estimation. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 21 and a p-value of <0.05 was regarded as statistically significant. A total of 150 adolescents participated in the study. The prevalence of obesity was 14.0% and overweight was 21.3%. Only 1.3% of the participants had diastolic hypertension, 12% had hyperglycemia and 8.7% had hyperlipidemia. There was a statistically significant association between obesity and hyperlipidemia (x2 = 9.23, p = 0.03). Adolescent obesity poses a greater risk for the development of some major chronic disorders. Prompt management of obesity in adolescence is key to curtailing the menace of obesity for the present and future health of the populace.

The psychosocial consequences of Almajiri system of education among almajiri pupils in two tsangaya schools in Kaduna North metropolis, North-Western Nigeria

Mon, 01 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMT

The psychosocial consequences of Almajiri system of education among almajiri pupils in two tsangaya schools in Kaduna North metropolis, North-Western Nigeria Yohanna, Stephen Almajiri education started from time immemorial in the Northern part of Nigeria. The word Almajiri means someone who mobes from place to place in search of Islamic and Qur'anic knowledge. There are estimated 10 million indigent children on the streets begging for alms. Over the past few decades,the system has been over whelmed, neglected and abused. Several factors can be associated with the poor organizational structures of the Almajiri system of education. This research is aimed at assessing the psychosocial consequences of Almajiri system of education with a view to finding useful information that will guide policymakers in decision making regarding Almajiri system of education. Convenient sampling method was used to select 150 almajiris for this study.Using simple random sampling technique,secenty-five (75) almajiris from each school toere chosen until 150 almajiris were selected. A structured questionnaire formulated by there searchers toere administered to each almajiri. Results: Out of the 150 Almajiris 2 (1.3%) were between the ages of 5-9,104(69.3%)tore in between the ages of 10-14 an1.44(29.3%) toere in between the ages of 15 and above. 2 (1.3%)among the almajiris were happy, 112 (74.7%) were and and 36 (24.0%)remained indifferent,about 28(18.0%)attested to taking one or move illicit drugs either cigare Conclusion:The Almajiris system of education has been adulterated with begging and other of child aburse. The main objective of the system such as intellectual and more training as well life long discipline have unfortunately lost