Background Nigeria has the largest number of malaria-related deaths, accounting for a third of global malaria deaths. It is important that the country attains universal coverage of key malaria interventions, one of which is the policy of universal testing before treatment, which the country has recently adopted. However, there is a dearth of data on its implementation in formal private health facilities, where close to a third of the population seek health care. This study identified the level of use of malaria rapid diagnostic testing (RDT), compliance with test results and associated challenges in the formal private health facilities in Nigeria.Methods A cross-sectional study that involved a multi-stage, random sampling of 240 formal private health facilities from the country’s six geo-political zones was conducted from July to August 2014. Data were collected using health facility records, healthcare workers’ interviews and an exit survey of febrile patients seen at the facilities, in order to determine fever prevalence, level of testing of febrile patience, compliance with test results, and health workers’ perceptions to RDT use.ResultsData from the 201 health facilities analysed indicated a fever prevalence of 38.5 % (112,521/292,430). Of the 2077 exit interviews for febrile patients, malaria testing was ordered in 73.8 % (95 % CI 71.7–75.7 %). Among the 1270 tested, 61.8 % (719/1270) were tested with microscopy and 38.2 % (445/1270) with RDT. Compliance to malaria test result [administering arteminisin-based combination therapy (ACT) to positive patients and withholding ACT from negative patients] was 80.9 % (95 % CI 78.7–83 %). Compliance was not influenced by the age of patients or type of malaria test. The health facilities have various cadres of the health workers knowledgeable on RDT with 70 % knowing the meaning, while 84.5 % knew what it assesses. However, there was clearly a preference for microscopy as only 20 % reported performing only RDT.ConclusionIn formal private health facilities in Nigeria there is a high rate of malaria testing for febrile patients, high level of compliance with test results but relatively low level of RDT utilization. This calls for improved engagement of the formal private health sector with a view to achieving universal coverage targets on malaria testing.

The WHO references would under-diagnose under-nutrition and over-diagnose overweight/obesity in the population studied.

BackgroundNigeria commenced a phased programmatic deployment of rapid diagnostic tests (RDT) at the primary health care (PHC) facility levels since 2011. Despite various efforts, the national testing rate for malaria is still very low. The uptake of RDT has been variable. This study was undertaken to determine the provider and patient perceptions to RDT use at the PHC level in Nigeria with their implications for improving uptake and compliance.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted in 120 randomly selected PHCs across six states, across the six-geopolitical zones of Nigeria in January 2013. Health facility staff interviews were conducted to assess health workers (HW) perception, prescription practices and determinants of RDT use. Patient exit interviews were conducted to assess patient perception of RDT from ten patients/caregivers who met the eligibility criterion and were consecutively selected in each PHC, and to determine HW’s compliance with RDT test results indirectly. Community members, each selected by their ward development committees in each Local Government Area were recruited for focus group discussion on their perceptions to RDT use.ResultsHealth workers would use RDT results because of confidence in RDT results (95.4%) and its reduction in irrational use of artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) (87.2%). However, in Enugu state, RDT was not used by health workers because of the pervasive notion RDT that results were inaccurate. Among the 1207 exit interviews conducted, 549 (45.5%) had received RDT test. Compliance rate (administering ACT to positive patients and withholding ACT from negative patients) from patient exit interviews was 90.2%. Among caregivers/patients who had RDT done, over 95% knew that RDT tested for malaria, felt it was necessary and liked the test. Age of patients less than 5 years (p = 0.04) and “high” educational status (p = 0.0006) were factors influencing HW’s prescription of ACT to RDT negative patients.ConclusionThe study demonstrated positive perception to RDT use by HW and among community members with good compliance rate among health workers at the PHC level. This positive perception should be explored in improving the current low level of malaria testing in Nigeria while addressing the influence of age on HW administration of ACT to RDT negative cases.

Purpose To determine the level of awareness, attitudes, and perceptions of strabismus among youth and women of child-bearing age in southwestern Nigeria. Methodology Fifteen Focus Group Discussions were carried out in Ogun State Nigeria on awareness, attitudes, and perceptions of people toward strabismus. A thematic phenomenological approach was used for the analysis. Results A total of 139 people participated in the Focus Group Discussions, with a male:female ratio of 1:∼4. Although there was a fairly high level of awareness of strabismus in the populace, their attitudes and perceptions of the disease were poor, based on unfounded fears and misconceptions of the disease. Conclusions We conclude that the negative perception and acceptance of people with strabismus by the people in southwestern Nigeria is based on poor knowledge of the disease. As a result, the stigma attached to the condition appears to interfere with accessing health-care services for treatment.

Substance abuse describes the unsafe use of psychoactive substances. It leads to dependence on the abused substance with subsequent development of health disorders and mortality. Globally, millions of adolescents and young adults from low and middle income countries are prone to substance abuse with consequent far reaching impact on national development. This study was done to assess the perception of substance abuse amongst the adolescents and young adults in Ikenne local government area, Ogun State, Nigeria. A cross sectional descriptive qualitative study was conducted. Information was gathered via nine focus group discussions. Systematic Analysis of data was done. Ninety-three youths (31 males and 62 females) aged 19.5 ± 3.9 years participated. Majority of the participants showed high level of awareness on substance abuse and its effects. They stated that it was commonplace in the community, with peer pressure being the major influencing factor. Alcohol was perceived to be the commonest abused substance. Others include cigarettes, marijuana and codeine. None were aware of existing laws against substance abuse. The major factor responsible for the negative perception in the abuse of substance was peer influence and low level of awareness of the National regulations on substance abuse. It is recommended that more education, increase in awareness of the national regulations and peer-modelling technique should be strengthened within the community to correct the negative perception by these group of people.