American Journal of Public Health Research

Malaria remains the most important public health parasitic disease and a major global health problem with the greatest burden in sub-Saharan Africa. Over 90% of all malaria deaths still occur in Africa where it kills over half a million children less than 5 years of age each year. Nigeria accounts for 25 percent of the world’s malaria burden. Apart from the health burden, the socio-economic consequences of malaria are enormous such that it was part of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Following the end of MDG target to halt and reverse the incidence of malaria by 2015 which was considered a success, a new global target has been set. The new global strategy aims to reduce the global disease burden of malaria by 40% by 2020, and by at least 90% by 2030. It also aims to eliminate malaria in at least 35 new countries by 2030. Nigeria remains endemic for malaria and has the ambition to eliminate malaria. There are however challenges to confront in order to make the desired progress. Drug resistance, treatment failure, insecticide resistance, global warming and change in climate, conflicts, insurgency, and internally displaced persons, migration, lack of political will, inadequate malaria leadership, funding, and adequate local research constitute the challenges. Addressing these challenges is central to achieving malaria elimination.

American Journal of Public Health Research. 2016, 4(1), 38-41. DOI: 10.12691/ajphr-4-1-6
Pub. Date: January 28, 2016

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Utilization of Oral Rehydration Therapy in the Management of Diarrhea in Children among Nursing Mothers in Odukpani Local Government Area of Cross River State, Nigeria

by Osonwa Kalu O., Eko Jimmy E. and Ema S.

Original Research

The purpose of this study was to determine the utilization of Oral Rehydration Therapy (ORT) in the management of diarrhea in children among nursing mothers in Odukpani Local Government Area of Cross River State, Nigeria. A structured questionnaire was designed to generated data from 200 respondents using multi-staged sampling technique. Data collected from the respondents were analsyed using IBM SPSS version 20.0 and presented in tables and charts. The result obtained from this study showed that most respondents 65(32.5%) were aged 25-29 years followed by 45(22.5%) 30-34 years and 36(18.0%) 20-24 years. About 170(85.0%) respondents were married while 14(7.0%) were single. Respondents were predominantly Christians 181(90.5%) and had attained secondary education 51(25.5%). Major sources of livelihood as indicated by the respondents were farming 51(25.5%), trading 44(22.0%) and civil service 42(21.0%). Income level per month for 47(23.5%) were between N6,000-N15,000 and about 46(23.0%) earned N16,000-N30,000, 31(15.5%) N5,000 and less, 12(6.0%) N31,000-N50,000 and 11(5.5%) N50,000 and above. Most study participants had good knowledge of dirrahoea disease and 124(62.0%) were aware of ORS, but a knowledge gap was noticed in ORS composition and method of preparation. Out of 69(34.5%) respondents who reported that their children had suffered from diarrhea in the past two years, only 30(43.5%) had used ORS to manage diarrhea cases in children. Reasons for non-usage of ORS/SSS among nursing mothers were majorly lack of awareness of ORS/SSS (52.4%), lack of information on ORS/SSS composition and preparation (16.6%) and ORS not readily available (6.9%). Knowledge of diarrhea and ORS has a significant influence on utilization of ORS among nursing mothers (P < 0.05). Hence, health workers need to educate mothers on the benefits of using ORS in the management of diarrhea in children.

American Journal of Public Health Research. 2016, 4(1), 28-37. DOI: 10.12691/ajphr-4-1-5
Pub. Date: January 16, 2016

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Discrepancies in Orthodontic Awareness among Parents and Their Children from Plovdiv, Bulgaria

by Yulia Bogdanova Peeva, Hristo Yankovski and Iliya Peev

Original Research

The information originating by orthodontist and proposed to the patient may be filled in writing and in oral form. The contemporary world requires that it can occurs on-line, too. The evaluation of the awareness is necessary to prevent the differences in expectations for orthodontics outcome. One of the most common words in today's on-line world is "social media". Social media has a huge role in communication and the patient can not only be informed. The practicing orthodontists provide information on what is going on in vivo but there are continuous attacks by the media. Upon opening the page in Facebook, a large number of windows and advertising calls follow "Like us on Facebook", "follow us on Twitter", "visit our website", "Watch us on YouTube". Statistics shows and convinces orthodontists that practice has no future without own blog or ubiquitous media presence. The primary information is verified, coded and entered into the computer database for further interpretation and summary of results. The data were analyzed with SPSS 13.0 for Windows and the following statistical analysis - analysis of the frequency distribution; with Kolmogorov – Smirnov’s test the variation is checked for normality of distribution (Gauss - Laplace); nonparametric analysis was used to assess (or denied) the hypotheses; Regression analysis - α-factor Kronbah - for internal consistency; Graphical analysis - visualization of the results is used EXCEL 2007.

American Journal of Public Health Research. 2016, 4(1), 23-27. DOI: 10.12691/ajphr-4-1-4
Pub. Date: January 14, 2016

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Practice, Pattern and Challenges of Solid Waste Management in Onitsha Metropolis, Nigeria

by Obiageli F Emelumadu, Obed C Azubike, Chinomnso C Nnebue, Ngozi FAzubike and Queencallista N Sidney-Nnebue

Original Research

Background: Despite efforts at making municipal solid waste management (MSWM) effective, one key challenge faced by the state and local environmental protection agencies in Nigeria has been inconsistencies in the pattern of solid waste management by households. Objective: To determine the practice, pattern and challenges of solid waste management in Onitsha Metropolis. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study of 425 households in Onitsha Metropolis, selected using multistage sampling technique was done. Quantitative data was collected by interview using a pretested semi-structured questionnaire and analysed using computer Graph Pad Prism version 5.3. Tests of statistical significance were carried out using ANalysis Of Variance followed by multiple comparison done using post hoc Tukey’s HSD (honestly significant difference) test. A p value of < 0.05 was considered significant. Qualitative data was obtained using key informant interviews. Results: The mean age of the respondents is 36.84±12.21years. Whereas 244 (57.4%) use government facilities / services, 47 (11.1%) dump theirs on streets and drainages. Two hundred and ninety five (60.90%) practice some form of waste segregation. There were statistically significant differences between the areas of residence and household solid waste disposal personnel (p<0.05), patterns of solid waste disposal (p<0.05) and solid waste separation (p<0.05) respectively. Conclusions: The study revealed poor waste management practices as well as some relationship between area of residence and waste disposal personnel, pattern of waste disposal and waste separation respectively. Strategies for improving the MSWM in Onitshaare thus suggested.

American Journal of Public Health Research. 2016, 4(1), 16-22. DOI: 10.12691/ajphr-4-1-3
Pub. Date: January 12, 2016

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Preventing Repeat Abortion among Women in Kumasi, Ghana

by Helena Agyei

Original Research

Introduction: Induced Abortion which constitutes 10% of maternal mortality in Ghana presents a serious health problem particularly among women within 20-24 years presenting at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH). To accelerate progress towards achieving Millenium Development Goal 5 there must be substantial reduction in induced abortion alongside an increased contraceptive uptake. Aim: To assess the use of post-abortion contraceptive uptake among women with abortion. Methodology: It was a cross-sectional study. The study population comprised all women within the age range of 15-49 years presenting with abortion in KATH. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 16. Logistic regression analysis will then be used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and significant (p< 0.05) the bivariable analysis for associations between the participants' characteristics at the time of the interview and their reported history of contraceptive uptake. Result: Barriers to contraceptive use were as a result of; fear of side effect, inaccessibility, socio-economic factors, bad social prescripts and poor service delivery. The output, unintended pregnancies ended in induced abortions. The desire to delay, space and end childbirth are reasons giving for having an induced abortion suggesting high unmet need for family planning. Conclusion: In order to reduce the incidence of induced abortion contributing to maternal mortality in Ghana, there is the need to: (1) educate the public about the major social and public health burdens of unintended pregnancy; and (2) stimulate a comprehensive set of activities at the national and local levels to reduce such pregnancies.

American Journal of Public Health Research. 2016, 4(1), 8-15. DOI: 10.12691/ajphr-4-1-2
Pub. Date: January 08, 2016

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Determinants of Institutional Delivery in Yobe State, Nigeria

by Abubakar S Umar and Samuel B Bawa

Original Research

Context: In Nigeria, there exist wide disparities within and between the 36 states regarding the magnitude, pattern and factors that determines the choice of place of delivery. This study aimed to identify women’s biological, sociocultural, and economic characteristics that influence their choice of place of delivery in Yobe State. Methods: This is a descriptive cross sectional study using the 2008 National Demographic and Health Survey with records of 659 women between 15-49 years old, who had given birth between January 2003 and December 2008 in Yobe State. Bivariate Pearson’s Chi square test and two stages of Multivariate regression analysis were conducted. Results: Women leaving near a health facility (Adjusted OR (AOR) = 6.318; CI 1.294 – 30.847), and availability of skilled health workers in the facility (AOR = 3.311; CI 1.153 – 4.49) are more likely to deliver in a health facility compared to those that are living far away from a health facility and the health facility is lacking skilled health workers. Conclusion and Public health implication: Proximity and accessibility to a health facility and the availability of skilled health worker in the nearest health facility were the consistent influencers for the choice of place of delivery after controlling for confounders. This calls for redistributing of health resources and strengthening the institutional capacities of health facilities.

American Journal of Public Health Research. 2016, 4(1), 1-7. DOI: 10.12691/ajphr-4-1-1
Pub. Date: January 05, 2016

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