Discover Nigeria's Academic Research

Fauziyah Maimako Muhammad, Community Medicine - Ahmadu Bello University, 2025

Privacy and confidentiality are fundamental ethical principles in patient care, ensuring trust and compliance with medical ethics. It is imperative that all health care providers, including professionals and interns at all levels should be well-informed about the importance of confidentiality and privacy However, adherence among healthcare workers may vary due to gaps in knowledge or attitude. This study assessed the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of privacy and confidentiality among interns (nurses, physiotherapists, dentists, radiologists and doctors) at Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), Shika. A cross-sectional survey was conducted using structured questionnaires to evaluate interns' KAP levels. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Age(years): Mean ± SD = 26.7 ± 2.274, majority of respondents were house officers (65.8%). The study showed that majority of the respondents (54.2%) had good knowledge of privacy and confidentiality, 51.0% had a neutral attitude towards maintaining patient privacy and confidentiality, and 64.5% of respondents had good level of practice of privacy and confidentiality. Several factors were perceived to influence the practice of privacy and confidentiality in ABUTH, Shika which included the large number of patients, staff shortage, open recordkeeping system, technological impairment, inadequate health facilities, improper infrastructure. There was also a significant relationship between level of knowledge, attitude and the practice of privacy and confidentiality in patient care in ABUTH, Shika.

Abdullahi Umar Faruk, Community Medicine - Ahmadu Bello University, 2025

HIV/AIDS remains a significant global public health challenge, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, where stigma and discrimination exacerbate its impact. Misconceptions and fear fuel prejudice against people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA), hindering prevention, testing, and treatment efforts. Stigma manifests as social exclusion, workplace discrimination, and poor healthcare experiences, often leading to mental health issues and reduced healthcare access. Despite advancements in antiretroviral therapy (ART), societal attitudes persist, driven by associations with immorality, fear of transmission, and lack of education. This study assessed the knowledge, perception, and experiences of stigma and discrimination among PLWHA attending the Nasara Clinic at Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH) and the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Training Centre (NTBLTC) in Zaria, Nigeria. A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among 424 PLWHA selected through simple random sampling. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and analysed using SPSS version 25.0. The study revealed that 94.8% of respondents were aware of HIV-related stigma, primarily learning about it from friends/family (32.8%) and healthcare professionals (27.4%). Similarly, 96.9% knew about HIV-related discrimination. Societal perceptions of PLWHA were neutral (25.5%) or somewhat negative (22.6%), with lack of awareness (31.1%) cited as a key driver. Notably, 72.6% reported experiencing stigma or discrimination, predominantly in social gatherings (25%) and family settings (19.8%). Common forms included rejection by family/friends (32.3%) and job loss (28.5%). Stigma significantly affected mental health (77.1%) and healthcare-seeking behaviour (67.9%), with 67% reporting denial of medical treatment. Stigma and discrimination remain pervasive among PLWHA in Zaria, negatively impacting social, economic, and health outcomes. Recommendations include implementing anti-discrimination policies, enhancing public awareness campaigns, and providing counselling services to support PLWHA.

Ibrahim Adam, Community Medicine - Ahmadu Bello University, 2025

An estimated 3.6% of the world population is affected by chronic hepatitis B infection and is responsible for about 820,000 deaths in 2019. The prevalence of HBV varies throughout the world but the burden is highest in tropical regions. About 60 million people have chronic HBV infection in Africa with an estimated prevalence of 6.2% in the region. There are relatively fewer studies regarding knowledge, perception and preventive practice of HBV infection in Nigeria. The aim of this research is to assess the knowledge, perception and preventive practices toward HBV infection in Shika community, Giwa LG, Kaduna State. A community-based cross-sectional descriptive study using a multi-staged sampling technique was carried out amongst 149 people. A semi-structured questionnaire was used for data collection and the data was analyzed with a statistical package for social sciences software (SPSS), version 25. Descriptive analyses were performed by calculating simple frequencies and carrying out cross-tabulations. Associations between categorical variables were tested for significance using the Chi-square test. Statistical significance was said to be achieved where the P-value is less than 0.05. The ages of the respondents ranged from 15 years upward. The majority (18.1%) of them were aged 25-29 years. Most (75.8%) of the respondents were male and majority (97.3%) are Muslims and Hausas (79.9%). Most (67.8%) of the respondents are married. Majority (53.0%) of the respondents have secondary level of education and most of them (37.6%) are business men and women. Majority (81.2%) of the respondents had poor knowledge of HBV infection and majority (74.5%) of the respondents had poor preventive practices toward HBV infection. However, majority (96.0%) of the respondents had a good perception towards HBV infection. A statistically significant relationship was observed between knowledge and preventive practice toward HBV infection (p = 0.00). The study showed that a significant proportion of people in Shika community had poor knowledge and preventive practices toward HBV infection. In order to reduce the burden of HBV infection and its complications there is still need for increased community awareness of the importance of HBV screening and vaccination.

Jega Abdulmajeed Ibrahim, Community Medicine - Ahmadu Bello University, 2025

Peptic Ulcer Disease (PUD) is a common health issue among university students, influenced by risk factors like Helicobacter pylori infection, NSAID use, and lifestyle habits. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, perception, and prevalence of PUD risk factors among students at Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, to address gaps in awareness and inform health interventions. A cross-sectional study was conducted in March 2025 with 240 ABU undergraduate students, selected via multistage sampling across 16 faculties. Data was collected using a semi-structured electronic questionnaire on sociodemographics, knowledge, perception, and prevalence of PUD risk factors. Knowledge was scored as good (≥50%) or poor (<50%), perception was assessed via a Likert scale, and prevalence was based on self-reported behaviours. Data was analyzed using SPSS with descriptive statistics and chi-square tests. Of the 240 respondents (mean age 22.86 years, 57.5% male), 57.1% had good knowledge of PUD risk factors, though misconceptions (e.g., spicy foods as a cause) persisted. Perception was accurate in 60%, with 40% showing misconceptions. Prevalence of risk factors was low (95%), with occasional NSAID use (54.6%) and meal skipping (62.5%) most common; only 10% tested positive for H. pylori. No significant link was found between knowledge and prevalence (p = 0.163). While many ABU students have reasonable knowledge and perception of PUD risk factors, gaps and misconceptions remain, and prevalence of modifiable risk factors is low. Health education and screening programs are recommended to improve awareness and reduce PUD risk.

Yisa Abdulhammed Yinka, Community Medicine - Ahmadu Bello University, 2025

First aid is an essential skill for secondary school teachers, who are often the first to respond to emergencies involving students. However, studies in Nigeria and other parts of the world have shown gaps in teachers’ knowledge, perception, and practice of first aid. In Nigeria, limited school health services have made it even more important for teachers to be well-prepared. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, perception, and practice of first aid among secondary school teachers in Sabon Gari Local Government Area (LGA), Kaduna State. A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among 379 secondary school teachers from both public and private schools in Sabon Gari LGA. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select respondents. Data were collected in March 2025 using a semi-structured, interviewer-administered questionnaire. The data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 25, and results were presented in tables. Associations between selected variables and level of practice were tested using a significance level of p ≤ 0.05. Ethical approval was obtained from the Health Research Ethics Committee of Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH). The mean age of the respondents was 34.31 ± 7.929 years, with most (49.6%) aged between 26 and 35 years. Good knowledge of first aid was recorded in 68.3% of respondents, and 95.3% had a positive perception toward its importance. However, only 59.3% had good practice, and 22.2% had never administered first aid. Practice was significantly associated with age (p = 0.009), educational qualification (p = 0.001), and type of school (p = 0.002), but not with perception (p = 0.340). Although most teachers had good knowledge and a positive perception of first aid, the level of practice was sub-optimal. Some teachers had never administered first aid, showing that more needs to be done to prepare them for emergencies. It is recommended that the Kaduna State Ministry of Education provide regular training and supply first aid materials to schools to improve emergency response.