Context: Nutrition is a significant factor in determining the health of older people because it affects almost all organs and systems, which could lead to varieties of diseases and premature death. Aim: To determine the nutritional status and its association with the morbidity patterns of elderly patients. Settings and Design: A cross-sectional hospital-based descriptive study involving 348 patients aged 60 years and above who presented at the Family Medicine Clinic. Subjects and Methods: Data of the socio-demographic profile, anthropometric measurements and clinical diagnosis were collected. The co-morbidities were classified based on the number, duration and affected organ or system. The nutritional status was assessed with the Mini-Nutritional Assessment tool. Statistical Analysis: Chi-square test and logistic regression analysis were used to determine associations between nutritional status and morbidity patterns of the elderly. The level of significance was set at a P ≤ 0.05. Results: A total of 348 respondents were recruited with 60.9% of females and mean age of 67.83 (standard deviation ± 7.53) years. The prevalence of malnutrition was 25.3% and of risk of malnutrition 56.6%. Furthermore, the prevalence of multi-morbidity was 74.4%. Advanced age (odd ratio = 8.911, confidence interval [CI] = 1.992–39.872, P = 0.004), underweight (OR = 1.167, CI = 0.291–37.846, P < 0.001), lack of formal education, (OR = 1.569, CI = 0.357–0.908, P = 0.018), low monthly income (OR = 1.975, CI = 1.376–2.836, P < 0.001), chronic respiratory diseases (OR = 4.250, CI = 4.025–4.492, P < 0.001) and physical inactivity (OR = 2.466, CI = 1.063–5.722, P = 0.036) were the predictors of malnutrition. Furthermore, the duration of chronic disease for more than 10 years (OR = 1.632, CI = 0.408–0.979, P = 0.040) was significantly associated with at-risk of malnutrition. Conclusion: The study revealed advanced age, underweight, low educational status, chronic respiratory diseases and physical inactivity as independent risk factors for malnutrition among the elderly.

Background: The National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) of Nigeria was designed to eliminate known cultural, physical, and resource-related barriers to quality health-care access. Although choice of primary health-care facility (PHF) remains in the domain of the scheme enrollees, little is known about factors influencing their choice. Hence, the study of the perception of factors influencing PHF choice among NHIS enrollees of a northwest Nigerian hospital becomes imperative. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of 284 principal enrollees randomly selected from patients attending the NHIS clinic of Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, Nigeria, using a designed, pretested, investigator-administered questionnaire. Their sociodemographics and factors influencing their choice of the clinic were assessed. Results: Respondents’ mean age was 40.9 ± 9.0 years and they were predominantly males (83.1%) with tertiary education. Median distance between their homes and PHF was 7.6 ± 12.5 km. Most respondents were aware of other accredited PHFs in the city and believed it was their right to choose a PHF. Among the various factors influencing their choice of index PHF were better functioning equipment (83.5% of respondents), more specialists/trained health workers (78.5%), ease in receiving specialist care (69.4%), and better overall quality of care (78.9%). Conclusion: There are multiple factors associated with enrollee choice of PHF in this study. The NHIS enrollees value the presence of functioning equipment/facilities, ease in receiving specialist care, and overall high quality of care in their choice of PHF. Improving enrollee enrollment at accredited PHF may require addressing these factors.

Background: The lofty objectives of the National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) are not only predicated on healthy graduates of tertiary institutions but also graduates who are confident in making informed health-related decisions. Therefore, Corp members' awareness, knowledge, and perception of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) and its programs become imperative. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study involving 203 participants selected by convenience sampling technique from NYSC members during Orientation Camp in June 2019. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data regarding their sociodemographics, awareness, knowledge, and perception about the NHIS. Results: The mean age of respondents was 25.8 ± 2.3 years; they were predominantly males (136 [67.0%]) with university degrees 131 (64.5%); 200 (98.5%) were aware of the NHIS and its programs. Although 161 (80.5%) respondents had at least average knowledge of the NHIS, only 97 (48.5%) had adequate knowledge. One hundred and fifty-eight (79.0%) respondents benefited from the Tertiary Institutions Social Health Insurance Programme (TISHIP) as students; 114 (57.0%) viewed TISHIP as a good program; however, 194 (97.0%) felt that the NHIS services should be extended to NYSC members, while 188 (94.0%) were willing to participate in the scheme if its services were extended them. Conclusion: Although awareness level was high, adequate knowledge of the NHIS was low and their perception about TISHIP is unimpressive; most were willing to participate in the NHIS. Current mass NHIS-programs education campaigns and services offered by NHIS-accredited health-care facilities need improvement; fast-tracking of processes necessary for the extension of NHIS services to NYSC members is required.

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Introduction facemask use is well recognized as an effective public health strategy for preventing COVID-19. However, facemask can only provide enough protection if people recognize its importance and learn how to use it properly. The objective of the study was to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of patients or caregivers regarding the use of facemasks as a COVID-19 preventive measure and identifies the factors associated with its practice. Methods a cross-sectional study where 480 patients or caregivers attending the Family Medicine Clinic were systematically selected over four weeks. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data on KAP regarding facemasks use. Student t-test and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to examine the relationship between the socio-demographic characteristics and KAP. Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to determine the relationship between knowledge, attitudes and practices. A p-value ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results about 82% of the respondents knew the correct steps of wearing a facemask, but with low positive attitudes. Further analyses showed that respondents were more likely to wear a facemask at clinics and public places than at home. There was a moderately strong correlation between knowledge and practices but weak correlations between attitude and knowledge, and attitude and practices of facemask use. Conclusion the study revealed good knowledge and practices but low attitudes towards facemask use. Therefore, public health programmes or interventions on facemask usage as a COVID-19 preventive measure, should address the attitudinal problems and also involve the family and community leaders to enhance compliance.