Background: This study was designed to examine the knowledge, attitude and beliefs about causes, manifestations and treatment of mental illness among adults in a rural community in northern Nigeria. Methods: A cross sectional study design was used. A pre-tested, semi-structured questionnaire was administered to 250 adults residing in Karfi village, northern Nigeria. Results: The most common symptoms proffered by respondents as manifestations of mental illness included aggression/destructiveness (22.0%), loquaciousness (21.2%), eccentric behavior (16.1%) and wandering (13.3%). Drug misuse including alcohol, cannabis, and other street drugs was identified in 34.3% of the responses as a major cause of mental illness, followed by divine wrath/ God's will (19%), and magic/spirit possession (18.0%). About 46% of respondents preferred orthodox medical care for the mentally sick while 34% were more inclined to spiritual healing. Almost half of the respondents harbored negative feelings towards the mentally ill. Literate respondents were seven times more likely to exhibit positive feelings towards the mentally ill as compared to non-literate subjects (OR = 7.6, 95% confidence interval = 3.8–15.1). Conclusions: Our study demonstrates the need for community educational programs in Nigeria aimed at demystifying mental illness. A better understanding of mental disorders among the public would allay fear and mistrust about mentally ill persons in the community as well as lessen stigmatization towards such persons.

Background : Welders are exposed to a variety of occupational hazards with untoward health effects. However, little is known of welders' awareness of health hazards and their adherence to safety precautions in developing countries. This study assessed the awareness of occupational hazards and adherence to safety measures among welders in Kaduna metropolis in northern Nigeria. Methods : A structured questionnaire was administered on a cross-section of 330 welders in Kaduna metropolis in northern Nigeria. Information was sought on their socio-demographic characteristics, their awareness of occupational hazards and adherence to safety measures. Results : All welders were males with a mean age of 35.7 ± 8.4 years. The illiteracy rate was 7.6%. Overall, 257 (77.9%) of the welders were aware of one or more workplace hazards. This was positively influenced by educational attainment, age, nature of training and work experience. Of the 330 respondents, 282 (85.3%) had experienced one or more work-related accidents in the preceding year. The most common injuries sustained were cut/injuries to the hands and fingers (38.0%), back/waist pain (19%), arc eye injuries/foreign bodies (17.0%), burns (14.0%), hearing impairment (7.0%), fractures (4.0%) and amputation (1.0%). Only 113 (34.2%) welders used one or more types of protective device with eye goggles (60.9%), hand gloves (50.3%) and boots (34.5%) being more frequently used. Regular use of safety device, shorter working hours and increasing experience were protective of occupational accidents. Conclusions : The level of awareness of occupational hazards was high with sub optimal utilization of protective measures against the hazards. There is therefore need for health and safety education of these workers for health and increased productivity. Résumé Fond : Des soudeuses sont exposées à une variété de risques professionnels avec des effets de santé impropices. Cependant, peu est connu conscience de soudeuses' des risques sanitaires et de leur adhérence aux mesures de sécurité dans les pays en voie de développement. Cette étude a évalué la conscience des risques professionnels et de l'adhérence aux mesures de sécurité parmi des soudeuses dans la métropole de Kaduna au Nigéria nordique. Méthodes : Un questionnaire structuré a été administré sur une section transversale de 330 soudeuses dans la métropole de Kaduna au Nigéria nordique. L'information a été cherchée sur leurs caractéristiques socio-démographiques, leur conscience des risques professionnels et adhérence aux mesures de sécurité. Résultats : Tous les soudeurs étaient des mâles avec un âge moyen de 35.7 ± 8.4 années. Le taux d'analphabétisme était 7.6%. De façon générale, 257 (77.9%) des soudeuses se rendaient compte d'un ou plusieurs risques de lieu de travail. Ceci a été franchement influencé par accomplissement éducatif, âge, nature de la formation et expérience professionnelle. Des 330 répondants, 282 (85.3%) avaient éprouvé un ou plusieurs accidents travailler-connexes par année précédente. Les dommages les plus communs soutenus ont été coupés/dommages aux mains et aux doigts (38.0%), douleur arrière/taille (19%), dommages d'oeil d'arc/corps étrangers (17.0%), brûlures (14.0%), affaiblissement d'audition (7.0%), ruptures (4.0%) et amputation (1.0%). Seulement 113 (34.2%) soudeuses ont employé un ou plusieurs types de dispositif protecteur avec des lunettes d'oeil (60.9%), des gants de main (50.3%) et des initialisations (34.5%) plus fréquemment étant employées. L'utilisation régulière du dispositif de sécurité, les heures de travail plus courtes et l'expérience croissante étaient protectrices des accidents professionnels. Conclusions : Le niveau de la conscience des risques professionnels était élevé avec l'utilisation optimale secondaire des mesures de sauvegarde contre les risques. Il y a donc besoin d'éducation de salubrité et de sûreté de ces ouvriers pour la santé et la productivité accrue.

The HIV/AIDS epidemic has been accompanied by a severe epidemic of tuberculosis (TB), although the prevalence of coinfection is largely unknown, especially in developing countries, including Nigeria. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and predictors of TB coinfection among HIV-seropositive Nigerians. The case files of HIV/AIDS patients attending Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Nigeria from January to December 2006 were reviewed. A total of 1320 HIV/AIDS patients had complete records and were reviewed, among which 138 (10.5%) were coinfected with TB (95% CI, 8.9% to 12.2%). Pulmonary TB was diagnosed in 103 (74.6%) patients, among whom only 18 (17.5%) were sputum-positive. Fifty (36.2%) coinfected patients had some type of extrapulmonary TB (EPTB); 15 had both pulmonary TB and EPTB. Among the 35 patients with EPTB only, 20 (57.1%) had abdominal TB, 5 (14.3%) had TB adenitis, 5 (14.3%) had spinal TB, 3 (8.6%) were being monitored for tuberculous meningitis, and 1 (2.9%) each had renal TB and tuberculous adrenalitis. The highest prevalence of TB, 13.7% (n = 28), was seen among patients aged 41–50 years. TB coinfection was significantly associated with marital status, WHO clinical stage, and CD4 count. Marital status (OR, 2.1; 95% CI, 1.28–3.59; P = 0.04), WHO clinical stage at presentation (4.81; 1.42–8.34; P = 0.001), and baseline CD4 count (2.71; 1.51–6.21; P = 0.02) remained significant predictors after adjustment for confounding. The moderately high prevalence of TB among HIV-seropositive patients underscores the urgent need for strategies that lead to rapid identification and treatment of coinfection with active or latent TB.

The risk of development of active TB in HIV-infected individuals is 20–37 times higher than those that are HIV negative. Poor knowledge of TB amongst people living with HIV has been associated with high transmission. To determine the effectiveness of a new health education intervention module in improving knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) regarding tuberculosis among HIV patients in General Hospital Minna, Nigeria. A randomized control trial was carried out from July 2015 to June 2017. A random number generating program was used to allocate 226 respondents into 2 groups. The intervention group received health education regarding tuberculosis using the developed module. The control group received the normal services provided for HIV patients. Data were collected from December 2015 to September 2016 at baseline, immediate post intervention, three, six and nine months. The outcome measures were knowledge, attitude, and practice. There was no significant difference with respect to socio-demographic characteristics, KAP of the respondents in the intervention and control group at baseline. However, there was significant improvement in knowledge in the intervention group compared to the control group, group main effect (F = (1,218) = 665.889, p = 0.001, partial ἠ² = 0.753, d = 5.4); time (F = (3.605, 218) = 52.046, p = 0.001, partial ἠ² = 0.193, d = 1.52) and interaction between group with time (F = (3.605, 218) = 34.028, p = 0.001, partial ἠ² = 0.135, d = 1.23). Likewise, there was significant improvement in attitude, group main effect (p = 0.001, d = 1.26) and time (p = 0.001, p, d = 0.65). Similarly, there was improvement in practice, group main effect, time, and interaction of group with time (p < 0.05). The health education intervention program was effective in improving KAP regarding tuberculosis among HIV patients.

Many women experience domestic violence during pregnancy. The magnitude and risk factors for domestic violence during pregnancy are not well documented in many countries, including Nigeria. Using interviewer- administered questionnaires the authors investigated predictors of domestic violence during current pregnancy among women presenting for antenatal care at a tertiary care facility in northern Nigeria (n = 400). A total of 29 of 392 respondents (7.4%) experienced domestic violence during the current pregnancy. Of those who experienced violence, the majority (58.6%) reported being physically assaulted. Sexual violence was reported by only 4 respondents (13.8%). Financial and domestic issues were the major triggers of domestic violence. After adjusting for potential confounders, it was found that victims’ educational attainment and occupation remained significant predictors of domestic violence. Higher educational attainment of women and their engagement in economic activity outside the home were associated with a decreased risk for domestic violence. There is a need for preventive, protective, and redress mechanisms to guard against domestic violence in Nigeria.