Disease perception, impacts and coping strategies for onchocerciasis in Southeast Nigeria: a qualitative study among patients and program managers.

Background: Onchocerciasis is a disease of public health concern due to the devastating consequences of the disease which impacts negatively on the lives of the people. The negative impact of the disease may affect its perception and lead to the adoption of some coping strategies. Therefore, understanding the disease perception, impacts and coping strategies used by onchocerciasis patients will help plan health interventions aimed at improving their general well-being.

Health-related quality of life and associated factors among Onchocerciasis patients in southeast Nigeria: A cross-sectional comparative study.

Introduction: Onchocerciasis, a neglected tropical disease of public health importance, causes chronic morbidity and severe disability that may impact on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of the infected people. This study assessed the HRQoL and associated factors among onchocerciasis patients in southeast Nigeria.

Methods: This was a community-based cross-sectional comparative study.

Refractive Error and Visual Impairment Among School Children: Result of a South-Eastern Nigerian Regional Survey.

Purpose: To determine the prevalence refractive errors and causes of visual impairment in school children in the south-eastern region of Nigeria.

Methods: School-based cross-sectional samples of children 5 to 15 of age in both urban and rural areas were profiled through cluster sampling. The main outcome measures were presenting, uncorrected, and best-corrected visual acuity using the Refractive Error in School-age Children (RESC) protocol.

Effectiveness of a Comprehensive 4-Week Course in HIV Medicine for Postgraduate Doctors at University of Nigeria: A Preservice Education Initiative.

There is a critical shortage of trained human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) providers in resource-limited settings. To strengthen preservice HIV training for postgraduate health care providers, University of Maryland's Institute of Human Virology and Center for Clinical Care and Research Nigeria collaborated with University of Nigeria to plan and implement a comprehensive 4-week course in HIV medicine. The first course was piloted with 30 postgraduate doctors.

Opinion and use of contraceptives among medical students of the University of Nigeria, Enugu campus.

Background: Non-use or poor usage of any form of contraception increases the chances of unwanted pregnancies, abortion and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV/AIDS occurring with attendant problems. The knowledge of, and the appropriate use of contraceptives will reduce the prevalence of unwanted pregnancies and unsafe induced abortion as well as limit incidence of STIs and associated complications.

Objectives: Determination of the opinion and use of contraceptives; to examine the socio-demographics, knowledge and attitude towards contraception and contraceptive use among medical undergraduates in the University of Nigeria, Enugu campus.

Tobacco use: prevalence, pattern, and predictors, among those aged 15-49 years in Nigeria, a secondary data analysis.

Introduction: Tobacco use is a major global public health challenge. It is a risk factor for most leading causes of death, and its health impacts span from conception to adulthood. This study aims to analyse tobacco use data from the 2013 Nigerian Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), assessing the prevalence, pattern, and socio-demographic correlates of tobacco use among Nigerians aged 15-49 years.

Disparities in tobacco use by adolescents in southeast, Nigeria using Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) approach.

Background: Tobacco use during adolescence is a substantial problem and adolescents are at higher risk of addiction and prolonged use. To reduce the burden of tobacco-related morbidity and mortality, monitoring of adolescent tobacco use is imperative. We aimed to determine the prevalence of tobacco use among adolescents in urban and rural secondary schools in Enugu State, southeast Nigeria.

Left-hand dominance in children: Prevalence and maternal stereotypes in a South-east Nigerian city.

The objectives of the study are to estimate the prevalence of left-hand dominance among children of selected mothers in an urban city and to determine the mothers' stereotypes about left-handedness. A cross-sectional study of mothers (N = 222) selected by systematic random sampling was done. The mothers were interviewed with structured questionnaires.

Malaria treatment perceptions, practices and influences on provider behaviour: comparing hospitals and non-hospitals in south-east Nigeria.

Background: People seek treatment for malaria from a wide range of providers ranging from itinerant drug sellers to hospitals. However, there are lots of problems with treatment provision. Hence, factors influencing treatment provision in hospitals and non-hospitals require further investigation in order to remedy the situation.

Households' perceptions and prioritization of tropical endemic diseases in Nigeria: implications for priority setting for resource allocation.

This study was undertaken to explore how rural households perceive and prioritize tropical endemic diseases in different Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Southeast Nigeria. Marked differences in perception and prioritization of endemic diseases exist across the LGAs. Malaria is ranked highest as the most serious disease, followed by typhoid fever and HIV/AIDS.