Differentials in lifestyle practices and determinants among hypertensive adults from three geopolitical zones in Nigeria.

Introduction: hypertension is a major public health problem globally. The occurrence has been associated with unhealthy lifestyles (such as high salt consumption, physical inactivity, excessive intake of alcohol and unhealthy diet), which are very critical for hypertension control. The study was conducted to assess the lifestyle practices and their determinants among adults with hypertension in Nigeria.

Leveraging community health workers for COVID-19 response in Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria, Senegal, and Uganda: roles, barriers, and facilitators.

Background: The Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic overwhelmed health systems and disrupted the delivery of health services globally. Community Health Workers (CHWs) play a critical role in linking communities to health systems, supporting the prevention and control of diseases in many low- and middle-income countries. However, their roles, barriers, and facilitators in the response and control of the COVID-19 pandemic have not been well documented.

Health systems challenges, mitigation strategies and adaptations to maintain essential health services during the COVID-19 pandemic: learnings from the six geopolitical regions in Nigeria.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic control strategies disrupted the smooth delivery of essential health services (EHS) globally. Limited evidence exists on the health systems lens approach to analyzing the challenges encountered in maintaining EHS during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to identify the health system challenges encountered and document the mitigation strategies and adaptations made across geopolitical zones (GPZs) in Nigeria.

Treatment seeking behaviour and associated factors among adults with high blood pressure from three selected states in Nigeria.

Management of hypertension is challenging in multi-cultural and multi-ethnic sub-Saharan African countries like Nigeria. This diversity calls for multi-dimensional interventional approaches for hypertension control. This study assessed the treatment seeking behaviour and associated factors among adults with high blood pressure from three ethnic groups in Nigeria.

Nigerian men and modern contraceptives: who are the non-users and what are their perceptions about family planning?

Introduction: the decision of men is pertinent to contraceptive uptake in a patriarchal society like Nigeria. Earlier studies on contraception in Nigeria have focused majorly on women. In this paper, we identified factors influencing contraceptive use, and non-users' perceptions about family planning among Nigerian men.

Regional differences in the utilisation of antenatal care and skilled birth attendant services during the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria: an interrupted time series analysis.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a substantial negative impact on the utilisation of essential health services (EHS) globally, especially in resource-limited settings such as Nigeria. High maternal deaths associated with low access to and utilisation of EHS such as antenatal care (ANC) and skilled birth attendants (SBAs) remain a concern during the COVID-19 era. The study assessed the COVID-19 pandemic effects on ANC and SBA utilisation across regions in Nigeria.

COVID-19 surveillance in Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria, Senegal and Uganda: strengths, weaknesses and key Lessons.

Introduction: As part of efforts to rapidly identify and care for individuals with COVID-19, trace and quarantine contacts, and monitor disease trends over time, most African countries implemented interventions to strengthen their existing disease surveillance systems. This research describes the strengths, weaknesses and lessons learnt from the COVID-19 surveillance strategies implemented in four African countries to inform the enhancement of surveillance systems for future epidemics on the continent.

Methods: The four countries namely the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Nigeria, Senegal, and Uganda, were selected based on their variability in COVID-19 response and representation of Francophone and Anglophone countries.

Spread and seasonality of COVID-19 pandemic confirmed cases in sub-Saharan Africa: experience from Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria, Senegal, and Uganda.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the world negatively with huge health and socioeconomic consequences. This study estimated the seasonality, trajectory, and projection of COVID-19 cases to understand the dynamics of the disease spread and inform response interventions.

Method: Descriptive analysis of daily confirmed COVID-19 cases from January 2020 to 12 March 2022 was conducted in four purposefully selected sub-Saharan African countries (Nigeria, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Senegal, and Uganda).

Perceptions of COVID-19 transmission risk and testing readiness in rural Southwest Nigeria.

Although community screening and testing have been recommended by the World Health Organization, the extent of readiness and the associated factors among rural populations remain unknown. We investigated the factors associated with perception of the COVID-19 transmission risk and readiness for testing in rural areas of Southwest Nigeria. Using a multistage cluster sampling technique, cross-sectional data was collected from 922 adults aged 18 years and above who were resident in rural communities selected across three States in the Southwest region between June and August 2020.

Predictors and time to recovery from COVID-19 among patients attended at the treatment centers in Ekiti State, South West, Nigeria.

Introduction: time to clinical recovery from COVID-19 infection and associated factors has not been explored in Nigeria. This study was conducted to assess the predictors and time to recovery from COVID-19 among patients attended to at the treatment centers in Ekiti State, South West.

Methods: a facility-based retrospective cohort study was conducted between March 2020 to October 2021.

Private sector engagement in the COVID-19 response: experiences and lessons from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria, Senegal and Uganda.

Background: Private entities play a major role in health globally. However, their contribution has not been fully optimized to strengthen delivery of public health services. The COVID-19 pandemic has overwhelmed health systems and precipitated coalitions between public and private sectors to address critical gaps in the response.

Development and evaluation of a package to improve hypertension control in Nigeria [DEPIHCON]: a cluster-randomized controlled trial.

Background: Nigeria's healthcare system capacity to stem the increasing trend in hypertension is limited in coverage, scope and manpower. Use of trained community-based care providers demonstrated to be an effective complement in improving access to, and supporting healthcare delivery has not been adequately examined for hypertension care in Nigeria. This study is proposed to evaluate the effectiveness of using trained community-oriented resource persons (CORPs) to improve hypertension control in Nigeria.

Trend and decomposition analysis of risk factors of childbirths with no one present in Nigeria, 1990-2018.

Objectives: To assess the trend and decompose the determinants of delivery with no one present (NOP) at birth with an in-depth subnational analysis in Nigeria.

Design: Cross-sectional.

Setting: Nigeria, with five waves of nationally representative data in 1990, 2003, 2008, 2013 and 2018.

Money, Power, and Relationships: Economic Vulnerability in Girls' Lives and Risk for Partner Violence Among Girls in Ibadan, Nigeria.

This study explored the experience of economic vulnerability and its effect on girls' future aspirations, relationships, and financial reliance on male partners, as well as risk for intimate partner violence (IPV) and related health consequences. Thirteen Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) were conducted among 122 female adolescents aged 15-19 years. Participants reported that lack of economic resources limits girls' ability to be economically independent by reducing opportunities to receive education or enter into a trade.

Recognition and reporting of neglected tropical diseases by primary health care workers in Ibadan, Nigeria.

Introduction: neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are serious public health problem worldwide. Primary healthcare (PHC) workers are important in the prevention and control of these diseases. Accurate diagnosis and timely reporting are essential for effective public health response.

Preventable multiple high-risk birth behaviour and infant survival in Nigeria.

Background: Globally, infant mortality has declined considerably but has remained unacceptably high in sub-Saharan Africa, especially Nigeria where infant mortality rate is 67/1000 live births. To facilitate infant mortality reduction in Nigeria, an understanding of the synergistic effect of bio-demographic characteristics of mothers known as High Risk Birth Behaviours (HrBBs) is important. We therefore investigated the influence of HrBBs on infant survival in Nigeria.

Cohort analysis of the state of female genital cutting in Nigeria: prevalence, daughter circumcision and attitude towards its discontinuation.

Background: Female genital cutting (FGC) inflicts life-long injuries on women and their female children. It constitutes a violation of women's fundamental human rights and threats to bodily integrity. Though decreasing, the practice is high and widespread in Nigeria despite efforts towards its eradication.

Ethnicity as a cultural factor influencing complete vaccination among children aged 12-23 months in Nigeria.

Achieving complete vaccination for children has been challenging in Nigeria. Yet, addressing Nigeria's completeness of vaccination requires ethno-cultural diversity consideration rather than nationally population based. This study explored patterns and determinants of complete vaccination among children of Hausa/Fulani, Igbo and Yoruba, the predominant ethnicities in Nigeria.

COVID-19 pandemic and civil unrests in Africa: implication of recent #EndSARS protests for increased community transmission in Nigeria.

The recent Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) caused by the novel strain of coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2 virus) has become a worldwide public health crisis with associated high mortality rates globally. Human to human transmission of the infection emphasizes the importance of adhering to public and social measure to halt its spread. However, the recent #ENDSARS protests led by angry youths in Nigeria resulted to complete flouting of all WHO guidelines meted to curb the spread of the virus.

Relationship dynamics with male partners among girls in low-income communities of Ibadan, Nigeria: Risk for violence and health related consequences.

Introduction: This study explored the motivations for and relationship dynamics that may promote girls' vulnerability for intimate partner violence and sources of support reported in unhealthy relationships among girls residing in low-income communities in Ibadan, Nigeria.

Methods: Focus group discussions (n = 14; 122 girls) were conducted among girls aged 15-19 years, who reported having been in a relationship lasting at least 3 months. Girls were recruited from schools and worksites where partner violence has been reported in high proportions.