Population and vaccine hesitancy: a demographic and Socio-behavioural examination of a barrier to Covid-19 herd immunity in Nigeria

The theme of the 76th session of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly (2021) stresses on the need to tackle the global coronavirus pandemic and other challenging issues presently staring our world in the face. World leaders have tried to contribute their own quota towards changing the present narrative by vaccinating a large portion of their population. However, vaccine hesitancy has served as a barrier to achieving herd immunity in nations-Nigeria inclusive. The sociological theory of phenomenology and the concept of ''sick role'' were employed as the theoretical framework upon which the study was anchored. Descriptive cross-sectional survey and purposive sampling were used in the work. Data for the study was generated through primary (online survey of 150 respondents) and secondary sources. The content and thematic techniques were used to analyze the data so gathered. The causal factors of vaccine hesitancy in Nigeria were uncovered to include: 'negative human awareness', lack of or low public knowledge/agreement on public health need of the vaccine, disconnect (public mistrust of government) between the people and government and lack of awareness/proximity of vaccination points, among others. The paper recommends strategies for massive advocacy/social mobilization to counter negative social interaction and narratives making the rounds on the intake of the COVID-19 vaccine by the Nigerian populace to build general consensus on the need for the vaccine and adoption of the Nigeria Polio vaccination model of taking vaccine down to the people.

Self-Report on Men's Beliefs and Perceptions on Their Alcohol Use/Misuse in Southeast Nigeria

Alcohol consumption among humans has lasted for several centuries. In Africa, drinking is normal for men despite its consequences. The study is aimed at determining the rate of alcohol consumption in the study area, health consequences of alcoholism and factors that reinforce alcoholism among men. The study, which adopted descriptive survey design, was conducted at Ezeagu, Southeast Nigeria. Quota sampling was used to select participants (400). A questionnaire was used to collect data, and analysis was done using descriptive statistics. The data revealed that men in the area are heavy drinkers, but their level of awareness about its health consequences is low. The study shows that the factors preventing men from quitting alcohol consumption include peer group influence and traditional ceremonies/festivals. The study concludes that alcoholism has adverse health consequences. Men hardly quit alcohol consumption because of factors within their communities, therefore; raising the awareness level about the adverse health implications of alcoholism is a necessity.

Prevalence and determinants of use of traditional methods of infertility treatment among women attending infertility clinic in Southeast Nigeria

Infertility, an obstacle to healthy living, makes its victims patronize traditional methods of infertility treatment (TMIT) in spite of associated complications. They turn to hospitals when this method fails. This is actually a serious issue because the presence of contaminated herbal products and the relationship between the use of TMIT and noncompliance with biomedical treatment regimens constitutes a major concern in medical practice. And the use of traditional methods of infertility treatment has been correlated with severe and fatal consequences. Therefore, the study assessed prevalence/determinants of TMIT use among patients visiting the gynaecology clinic at Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital Abakaliki (AE-FUTHA). Descriptive cross-sectional design was adopted for the research. Only 263 women took part in the study. The research instrument was questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Findings revealed that 95.4% of these women have used traditional methods for infertility treatment and factors influencing infertile women's use of TMIT are demographic characteristics, infertility duration, husbands' relatives' pressure and cheap cost of traditional medical treatment. Again, inability of infertile women to disclose TMIT use to healthcare providers makes effective treatment difficult. Therefore, these impediments expose infertile women to use TMIT. The result is a guide to healthcare providers who are expected to know the extent of their parents' use of TMIT.

Problem based medical education in the community: a student nutritional survey in Nigeria

Students in their second year of medical studies perceived nutritional deficiency as a possible health problem in rural Nigeria and conducted a survey to investigate and compare the nutritional and health status of three distinct groups of children (Bokos in Babana, Bokos in Marami, Fulani). The nutritional status of the children in the three study populations differed and seasonal change affected the one to four year old children among the Fulani more than the other 2 groups. An attempt was made to explain the results on the basis of environmental and socioeconomic differences among the groups. This account, more than just elaborating on figures and more than making indisputable statements, aims at showing how medical students, from their earliest studies, can learn from an apparent health problem of the community, how they can be messengers of data relevant to picture the local epidemiology (practical aspect) and how their findings can be used as self instructive teaching--learning material (educational aspect).