Background: Several studies have established strong links between stigma and discrimination against PLWHA by health workers and poor utilization of HIV/AIDS prevention and care services by them. Aim: This study aimed to assess the attitudes and practices related to stigma and discrimination against persons living with HIV/ AIDS (PLWHA) among health workers in a tertiary care facility in Sokoto, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study among 258 health workers selected by systematic sampling technique. A structured self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data on the research variables. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 20 statistical computer software package. Results: The mean age of the respondents was 32.9 ± 9.3 years; majority of them were males (52.3%), married (67.1%), and were nurses (67.1%). Majority of respondents showed negative attitudes (indicating stigma) towards PLWHA, as 74.0% would prefer to refer them to other physicians for treatment, and 67.4% were not comfortable with giving injections or performing invasive procedures on PLWHA. Large proportions of respondents had been involved in discriminatory practices against PLWHA such as testing patients for HIV without consent (41.1%), and administering a differential treatment for patients with HIV/AIDS (48.1%). Conclusion: Attitudes and practices related to stigma and discrimination against PLWHA were very prevalent among the respondents in this study. Management of hospitals, government and other stakeholders involved in HIV/AIDS prevention and care should ensure full implementation of the strategic interventions for eliminating stigma and discrimination against PLWHA to prevent a resurgence of HIV/AIDS epidemic across the country.

Background: Depression is one of the most frequently observed psychiatric disorder among patients with HIV/AIDS and it has been associated with increased risky behaviors, noncompliance to anti-retroviral treatment, and higher risk for co-morbid survival. Aim: This study was conducted to determine the prevalence and pattern of depression among HIV positive patients on treatment at the ART clinic of UDUTH, Sokoto, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study among 419 patients (selected by systematic sampling technique) attending the ART clinic of Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto, Nigeria. A structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data on the research variables. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 20 statistical computer software package. Results: Two hundred and twenty-seven (54.2%) of the 419 participants were identified as having depression, with 179 (42.7%) having mild depression, 46 (11.0%) having moderate depression, and 1 (0.2%) each having moderately-severe and severe depression. Depression was more prevalent among females (62.9%), those that were unemployed (79.3%), and those who have lived with HIV for 5 years and below (64.5%) as compared to the other groups. Also, depression was less prevalent among those that were married (58.5%) and those who had family support (60.2%) as compared to the other groups. Conclusion: This study showed high prevalence of depression among HIV positive patients attending the ART clinic of UDUTH, Sokoto. These findings underscore the need for HIV/AIDS care providers to make screening for depression and implementation of interventions for its prevention the core components of their services.

Background: Although, the exclusive breastfeeding rates have been low across the globe despite its benefits, the situation has worsened in the last few decades due to the increasing participation of nursing mothers in full-time employment. Aim: The aim of this study is to assess the utilization of maternity services and breastfeeding practices of working mothers in Sokoto, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 246 mothers of children aged 2 years and below attending the immunization clinics of the tertiary healthcare facilities in Sokoto, Nigeria. Data were collected with a set of pretested, structured, interviewer- administered questionnaire. Results: Utilization of maternity services was high; all the respondents (100%) attended antenatal clinic in their last pregnancy, most of them delivered in the health facility (96.7%), and also attended postnatal care clinic (97.6%). Most of the respondents initiated breastfeeding within 1 hour of delivery (82.1%), and also breastfed their babies exclusively for 6 months (89.0%). Less than two-thirds of respondents (55.7%) reported breastfeeding their babies on demand, and close to half of respondents (41.9%) gave their babies pre-lacteal feeds. Only about a third of respondents (33.7%) have ever expressed their breast milk to feed their babies. Conclusion: This study showed high levels of utilization of maternity services and practice of exclusive breast feeding among working mothers in Sokoto, Nigeria; but only a few of them practiced expressed breast milk feeding. Government, health workers and other stakeholders should ensure that interventions for promoting breastfeeding are focused on both exclusive and expressed breast milk feeding practices.

Background: School health program addresses the healthcare needs of a substantial proportion of the population in many developing countries, and it is majorly concerned with ensuring that school children are healthy and benefit maximally from their education. Aim: This study was conducted to assess the knowledge and practice of school health program in primary and secondary schools in Sokoto metropolis, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 87 head teachers (selected by a two-stage sampling technique) in the primary and secondary schools in Sokoto metropolis, Nigeria. A structured self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data on the research variables. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 20 statistical computer software package. Results: Less than a tenth 7 (8.0%) of the 87 respondents had good knowledge of school health program. Less than half of respondents knew the components (26.4%), services and activities involved (46.0%) and the objectives (48.3%) of SHP. Practice of SHP services / activities was adequate in less than half 41 (47.1%) of the 87 schools. There was no significant difference (p > 0.05) in the knowledge and practice of SHP in the public and private schools. Conclusion: This study showed poor knowledge of SHP among the head teachers, and sub-optimal practice of SHP in the primary and secondary schools in Sokoto metropolis, Nigeria. Review of teachers’ training curriculum to make it comprehensive enough to incorporate all the vital aspects of SHP, and periodic training of teachers on SHP were suggested.

Background: Infertility is a global problem, particularly in developing countries, and it has been linked with emotional responses such as depression, anxiety, guilt, social isolation, and decreased self-esteem in both men and women. Aim: This study was conducted to assess the perception, prevalence and correlates of depression among females attending the Gynecological Clinic of Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 156 females with infertility (selected by systematic sampling technique) in Sokoto, Nigeria. A structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data on the research variables. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 20 statistical computer software package. Results: The mean age of the respondents was 28.3 ± 6.4 years. Majority, 113 (72.4%) of the 156 respondents perceived the need to share their feelings concerning the delay they had in having a child with others, but close to half of them (48.7%) had fears of adverse consequences after doing so. About a fifth of respondents (21.8%) had depression and it was associated with being married for = 3 years, having negative attitude to child adoption, and poor support from in-laws. Conclusion: This study showed high levels of perception of the benefits and consequences of sharing their feelings regarding their infertility with others, and high prevalence of depression among females with infertility in Sokoto, Nigeria. Care providers should promote child adoption among women undergoing fertility treatment, routinely screen them for depression and include their extended family members in the interventions for preventing depression among them.

Background: Depression is one of the most frequently observed psychiatric disorder among patients with HIV/AIDS and it has been associated with increased risky behaviors, noncompliance to anti-retroviral treatment, and higher risk for co-morbid survival. Aim: This study was conducted to determine the prevalence and pattern of depression among HIV positive patients on treatment at the ART clinic of UDUTH, Sokoto, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study among 419 patients (selected by systematic sampling technique) attending the ART clinic of Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto, Nigeria. A structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data on the research variables. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 20 statistical computer software package. Results: Two hundred and twenty-seven (54.2%) of the 419 participants were identified as having depression, with 179 (42.7%) having mild depression, 46 (11.0%) having moderate depression, and 1 (0.2%) each having moderately-severe and severe depression. Depression was more prevalent among females (62.9%), those that were unemployed (79.3%), and those who have lived with HIV for 5 years and below (64.5%) as compared to the other groups. Also, depression was less prevalent among those that were married (58.5%) and those who had family support (60.2%) as compared to the other groups. Conclusion: This study showed high prevalence of depression among HIV positive patients attending the ART clinic of UDUTH, Sokoto. These findings underscore the need for HIV/AIDS care providers to make screening for depression and implementation of interventions for its prevention the core components of their services.

Background: Several studies have established strong links between stigma and discrimination against PLWHA by health workers and poor utilization of HIV/AIDS prevention and care services by them. Aim: This study aimed to assess the attitudes and practices related to stigma and discrimination against persons living with HIV/ AIDS (PLWHA) among health workers in a tertiary care facility in Sokoto, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study among 258 health workers selected by systematic sampling technique. A structured self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data on the research variables. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 20 statistical computer software package. Results: The mean age of the respondents was 32.9 ± 9.3 years; majority of them were males (52.3%), married (67.1%), and were nurses (67.1%). Majority of respondents showed negative attitudes (indicating stigma) towards PLWHA, as 74.0% would prefer to refer them to other physicians for treatment, and 67.4% were not comfortable with giving injections or performing invasive procedures on PLWHA. Large proportions of respondents had been involved in discriminatory practices against PLWHA such as testing patients for HIV without consent (41.1%), and administering a differential treatment for patients with HIV/AIDS (48.1%). Conclusion: Attitudes and practices related to stigma and discrimination against PLWHA were very prevalent among the respondents in this study. Management of hospitals, government and other stakeholders involved in HIV/AIDS prevention and care should ensure full implementation of the strategic interventions for eliminating stigma and discrimination against PLWHA to prevent a resurgence of HIV/AIDS epidemic across the country.

Background: Although, the exclusive breastfeeding rates have been low across the globe despite its benefits, the situation has worsened in the last few decades due to the increasing participation of nursing mothers in full-time employment. Aim: The aim of this study is to assess the utilization of maternity services and breastfeeding practices of working mothers in Sokoto, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 246 mothers of children aged 2 years and below attending the immunization clinics of the tertiary healthcare facilities in Sokoto, Nigeria. Data were collected with a set of pretested, structured, interviewer- administered questionnaire. Results: Utilization of maternity services was high; all the respondents (100%) attended antenatal clinic in their last pregnancy, most of them delivered in the health facility (96.7%), and also attended postnatal care clinic (97.6%). Most of the respondents initiated breastfeeding within 1 hour of delivery (82.1%), and also breastfed their babies exclusively for 6 months (89.0%). Less than two-thirds of respondents (55.7%) reported breastfeeding their babies on demand, and close to half of respondents (41.9%) gave their babies pre-lacteal feeds. Only about a third of respondents (33.7%) have ever expressed their breast milk to feed their babies. Conclusion: This study showed high levels of utilization of maternity services and practice of exclusive breast feeding among working mothers in Sokoto, Nigeria; but only a few of them practiced expressed breast milk feeding. Government, health workers and other stakeholders should ensure that interventions for promoting breastfeeding are focused on both exclusive and expressed breast milk feeding practices.

Background: Several studies have established strong links between stigma and discrimination against PLWHA by health workers and poor utilization of HIV/AIDS prevention and care services by them. Aim: This study aimed to assess the attitudes and practices related to stigma and discrimination against persons living with HIV/ AIDS (PLWHA) among health workers in a tertiary care facility in Sokoto, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study among 258 health workers selected by systematic sampling technique. A structured self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data on the research variables. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 20 statistical computer software package. Results: The mean age of the respondents was 32.9 ± 9.3 years; majority of them were males (52.3%), married (67.1%), and were nurses (67.1%). Majority of respondents showed negative attitudes (indicating stigma) towards PLWHA, as 74.0% would prefer to refer them to other physicians for treatment, and 67.4% were not comfortable with giving injections or performing invasive procedures on PLWHA. Large proportions of respondents had been involved in discriminatory practices against PLWHA such as testing patients for HIV without consent (41.1%), and administering a differential treatment for patients with HIV/AIDS (48.1%). Conclusion: Attitudes and practices related to stigma and discrimination against PLWHA were very prevalent among the respondents in this study. Management of hospitals, government and other stakeholders involved in HIV/AIDS prevention and care should ensure full implementation of the strategic interventions for eliminating stigma and discrimination against PLWHA to prevent a resurgence of HIV/AIDS epidemic across the country.

Background: Depression is one of the most frequently observed psychiatric disorder among patients with HIV/AIDS and it has been associated with increased risky behaviors, noncompliance to anti-retroviral treatment, and higher risk for co-morbid survival. Aim: This study was conducted to determine the prevalence and pattern of depression among HIV positive patients on treatment at the ART clinic of UDUTH, Sokoto, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study among 419 patients (selected by systematic sampling technique) attending the ART clinic of Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto, Nigeria. A structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data on the research variables. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 20 statistical computer software package. Results: Two hundred and twenty-seven (54.2%) of the 419 participants were identified as having depression, with 179 (42.7%) having mild depression, 46 (11.0%) having moderate depression, and 1 (0.2%) each having moderately-severe and severe depression. Depression was more prevalent among females (62.9%), those that were unemployed (79.3%), and those who have lived with HIV for 5 years and below (64.5%) as compared to the other groups. Also, depression was less prevalent among those that were married (58.5%) and those who had family support (60.2%) as compared to the other groups. Conclusion: This study showed high prevalence of depression among HIV positive patients attending the ART clinic of UDUTH, Sokoto. These findings underscore the need for HIV/AIDS care providers to make screening for depression and implementation of interventions for its prevention the core components of their services.

Background: Although, the exclusive breastfeeding rates have been low across the globe despite its benefits, the situation has worsened in the last few decades due to the increasing participation of nursing mothers in full-time employment. Aim: The aim of this study is to assess the utilization of maternity services and breastfeeding practices of working mothers in Sokoto, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 246 mothers of children aged 2 years and below attending the immunization clinics of the tertiary healthcare facilities in Sokoto, Nigeria. Data were collected with a set of pretested, structured, interviewer- administered questionnaire. Results: Utilization of maternity services was high; all the respondents (100%) attended antenatal clinic in their last pregnancy, most of them delivered in the health facility (96.7%), and also attended postnatal care clinic (97.6%). Most of the respondents initiated breastfeeding within 1 hour of delivery (82.1%), and also breastfed their babies exclusively for 6 months (89.0%). Less than two-thirds of respondents (55.7%) reported breastfeeding their babies on demand, and close to half of respondents (41.9%) gave their babies pre-lacteal feeds. Only about a third of respondents (33.7%) have ever expressed their breast milk to feed their babies. Conclusion: This study showed high levels of utilization of maternity services and practice of exclusive breast feeding among working mothers in Sokoto, Nigeria; but only a few of them practiced expressed breast milk feeding. Government, health workers and other stakeholders should ensure that interventions for promoting breastfeeding are focused on both exclusive and expressed breast milk feeding practices.