Journal of Community and Health Sciences

2020-07-06T13:06:15+00:00

Assessment of risk to indoor air pollutants among computer and photocopier business Operators in tertiary institutions in Zaria, Nigeria

2020-07-06T13:27:39+00:00

Background: Exposure to indoor gaseous pollutants is an issue of serious public health importance in Nigeria.

Method: The study was a descriptive cross-sectional survey carried out between February and March, 2012 to assess the awareness of risk to indoor air pollutants among computer and photocopier business operators in tertiary institutions in Zaria, Nigeria. Data was collected using semi-structured questionnaires and analyzed using SPSS version 16.0.

Results: Majority (56%) of the respondents were within the age-range of 21 -30 years, about half (51%) were male, 75% single, and 75% had tertiary education. About 93% o the business operators had generators with capacity of 2 - 9 KVA (34%) and majority (33%)of the generators run for 6-10 hrs per day. The distance between the generators and the shops was ≤ meters in 47% of the cases, the ceiling height and area of the windows were below standard. A good percentage (99%)of the operators were aware of hazards associated with use of generators such as feeling of choking (37%) and dizziness (29%). Measures of controlling the hazards included changing the location of the generators (49%) and the direction of the exhaust (40%).

Conclusion: The recommendations included the need for improvement in the national electric power supply by the federal government, connecting the shops to central power supply (generator) by the schools authorities, uniform construction of standard shops and continuous public enlightenment of the public on hazards associated with generator use and preventive measures, among others.

Assessment of the role of sports in fighting HIV/Aids in Bugulumbya sub-county, Kamuli Uganda

2020-07-06T13:28:35+00:00

Introduction: Although sports has been widely used and believed to help in HIV/AIDS prevention to date its impact in fighting HIV/AIDS has not been thoroughly investigated. Because sports tend to conjoin many people of all walks of life either as participants or as spectators, the use of the power of sports in tackling the HIV/AIDS pandemic may be worthy studying hence this study. The study aimed at assessing the role of sports in fighting HIV/AIDS among the youth of Bugulumbya sub-county in Kamuli District.
Methods: The researcher employed a Descriptive cross-sectional study design that used both qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection. The methods included; questionnaires, interviews, observations as well as documentary analysis. The researcher used a purposive sampling technique to meet part of the population like the head-teachers and teachers whereas stratified random sampling was employed to select the students. Convenience sampling was used to select the parents of the students depending on their accessibility and availability. Part of the data collected was analyzed using content analysis while the quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. The analyzed results were presented in form of tables, pie-charts, graphs and narratives.
Results: The results of the study indicate that majority of the youth who participated in various sports activities in their various schools had something to learn from the sports events where HIV/AIDS messages are conveyed to masses. This helped them to make informed decisions after participating in the above sports events hence leading to an overall positive behavioral change. They all recommended the strategy of using the power of sport in tackling HIV/AIDSnamong the youth as being an effective tool in fighting HIV/AIDS and as well as being a learning experience with fun. Most teachers, parents and head-teachers contended the strategy of using the power of sport to tackle the HIV/AIDS pandemic as being effective in creating awareness among the youth and reinforcing what the youth had already known about the HIV/AIDS scourge.

Prevalence and aetiological profiles of facial nerve paralysis

2020-07-06T13:30:34+00:00

Aims: To determine the prevalence and aetiological profiles of facial paralysis in Kano, Nigeria.

Methods: This study involved three tertiary and health institutions in Kano, Nigeria between January 2006 and December 2010. Out of 11145 patients' records, 1003 cases had indication of facial nerve paralysis but 936 met the inclusion criteria. Data were extracted using research pro-forma. Data was analyzed using z-test for proportional significance, and Chi square test at 0.05 significant levels.

Results: Prevalence rate of facial paralysis was 9.1% and mostly common (48.1%) between age of 20-38 years with males (52.8%) and the married (71.2%) more affected. Left side of the face was involved more frequently (53.0%) than the right side (46.4%) and bilateral (0.6%). Lower motor neuron lesion type (74.1%) was more common. Most common co-morbidity associated with facial paralysis was infections, closely followed by diabetes mellitus and pre-eclampsia. Highest incidence was in the year 2010, and the least was in 2006. z-values showed that minor difference in the prevalence exist between male and female. There was an association between each of age, occupation, co- morbidities and place of residence and the aetiologic factors. However, the strength of relationships was weak and the degree of association is very weak as determined using Cramer V and Lambda.

Conclusion: Prevalence of facial paralysis is relatively high in this region. It is affected by urban dwelling, being a full- housewife and co-morbidity. Lower motor neuron type and sudden onset were predominant. This calls for greater awareness for preventive measures.

Sport safety policies and practices among soccer clubs in Rwanda

2020-07-06T13:31:40+00:00

Introduction: Soccer is extremely popular in Rwanda and its participation and interest continues to grow.
Purpose: The aim of this study was to identify a range of safety policies and practices available in top division soccer
clubs in Rwanda.
Materials and methods: A cross-sectional, descriptive, quantitative study design was used among 12 male first
division soccer teams in Rwanda. Nine (75%) team leaders and eleven (91.7%) medical practitioners completed
adapted self administered questionnaires whose validity and reliability were initially established. Instruments were
reviewed by an expert in the field and were further piloted. All ethical issues were considered.
Results: This study found that deficiencies in the availability of policies and their practices where clubs put more effort
in addressing safety issues at competition than training. Teams were also interested in receiving information and
assistance in safety issues.
Conclusion: Clubs should be assisted to develop, implement and monitor a comprehensive sport safety plan paying
particular attention to all issues at training and at competition.

"My mother has aids": Stories of adolescents living in Khayelitsha, South Africa

2020-07-06T13:29:19+00:00

Background: HIV/AIDS is associated with death and for children death becomes a potential reality when they live in a household where a parent has HIV/AIDS. The aim of this paper is to (a) explore the perceptions of and experiences of adolescents living in households where the mother had HIV/AIDS, and (b) to describe the coping mechanisms used by adolescents in these households.

Methods: A narrative approach was used to explore participants' story telling. Detailed interviews were conducted with 6 purposively selected isiXhosa-speaking adolescents between the ages of 12 and 15 in Khayelitsha. Narrative analysis was used to analyse the data.

Results: The stories reveal experiences of being told about the news of the mothers' illness, how they eventually coped, how they accepted the situation and the experiences of other people knowing that their mothers had HIV/AIDS. Overall, the stories reflect that the participants were coping with the mother being HIV/AIDS-positive and maintained hope for their future.

Conclusions: Stories reflected the emotionally challenging situations adolescents face. In order for adolescents to cope within these challenging situations the environment needs to be supportive. This environment includes parents, family and friends. Government should implement relevant programmes and support structures, which could also focus on combating stigma and discrimination.