An inference from this study suggests that sexual function promotes psychological well-being as well as interpersonal relationships. Therefore, monitoring these indices of QOL in men with ED is important to boost their confidence and self-esteem needed for a better QOL.

Background: Since the first case of HIV/AIDS was reported in Nigeria in 1986, HIV/AIDS has continued to penetrate the fabrics of all sectors of the Nigerian population. The plight of HIV/AIDS patients in Nigeria is made worse by inadequate supply of anti-retroviral (ARV) drugs. Methods: A prospective study was done between April and October 2013. Using a systematic sampling technique, 290 adult consenting male and female HIV/AIDS patients aged between 18 and 69 years who were on ARV drugs were recruited. They were assessed for use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) along with ARV drugs. Two research assistants assisted in data collection in a rural hospital using a semi-structured questionnaire. Results: Of the 290 subjects recruited, 259 (89.3%) had their data analyzed, while data for 31 (10.7%) subjects were discarded due to incomplete information. Subjects consisted of 101(39.0%) males and 158(61.0%) females. Of the 101 males 50(19.3%) used CAM; compared to 100(38.6%) females who also used CAM (p= 0.028). The mean age of CAM users was 34.39 (sd=10-62) years. Subjects between 29 and 49 years constituted the largest number of HIVinfected respondents who also used CAM. Subjects in the low income cadre patronized CAM more than those in the middle or higher income cadre (p=0.004). Herbal products were the most preferred CAM used by subjects in this study (31.7%); and was followed by faith and prayer healing (14.7%). Five (1.9%) subjects drank urine as a form of therapy. Most subjects in this study preferred CAM because of the naturalness of their source and also because of concern that ARV drugs alone may not effectively manage their HIV/AIDS infection. Conclusions: CAM use is high among HIV/AIDS patients on ARV drugs in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. Because of the possible risks of interactions following the concurrent use of CAM and ARV drugs, care givers involved in the care of HIV/AIDS patients should be vigilant in this regard.

Background: Despite the fact that anaemia is a preventable morbidity in most cases, its prevalence among pregnant women is still unacceptably high especially in rural and sub-urban settings. This is worrisome considering the enormous contribution of anaemia to maternal and infant morbidity and mortality. Objective: This study aimed at determining the prevalence of anaemia at booking, identifying and describing its risk factors among pregnant women who attended the antenatal clinic of General Hospital, Etinan, a sub-urban area in Akwa Ibom State, South-South Nigeria. Methodology:  This was a cross-sectional descriptive study involving 375 pregnant women seen at the antenatal (booking) clinic of General Hospital, Etinan, between April and October 2018, recruited through non-probability consecutive sampling technique. A pretested semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to obtain data on socio-demographic, family and nutritional characteristics and obstetric and medical history of the respondents. Blood sample of each respondent was obtained from the median cubital vein, analysed with haemoglobinometer and their haemogloin (Hb) level determined and classified. Results:  The age of the respondents ranged from 15-49 years with mean and standard deviation of 26.62 + 6.29 years. Results obtained show that out of 375 pregnant women, 265 had Hb <11g/dl giving 70.67% of anaemia among them. While 18.49% had mild anaemia (Hb:10.0-10.9g/dl), 4.15% had severe anaemia(Hb:<7.0g/dl). Anaemia was statistically associated with rural residence (p=0.024), low educational status (p=0.02), low family income (p=0.003), being married (p=0.016), lower parity (p=0.000), late booking (p=0.001), non-use of family planning (p=0.000), non-use of insecticide-treated nets (p=0.000), febrile illness in index pregnancy (p=0.000) and poor nutrition (p=0.000). Conclusion: The prevalence of anaemia among pregnant women in the study is high. This has far-reaching negative implications on the health status of the women during pregnancy, delivery and puerperum and that of the fetus. The need for preconception  counseling and screening, health and nutrition education, early booking, contraception, treatment and prevention of causes of febrile illness, priority to girl child education and overall poverty eradication measures and recommended.

Background: Cannabis is one of the commonly abused psychoactive substances worldwide. The increasing abuse of this psychoactive substance is recognized as a significant public health problem in many developing countries. A proper assessment of the patterns and trends of cannabis use disorders will be useful because of the increasing number of cannabis abusers worldwide and demand for appropriate treatment. Aims: This study examined the socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of cannabis abusers admitted for treatment in a tertiary healthcare institution in the South-South region of Nigeria. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective study involving 105 subjects of cannabis abusers admitted for treatment over a one year period from August 2017 to July 2018. Sociodemographic and clinical variables were obtained from a careful chart review using a 35 item questionnaire. Diagnoses were made according to the International Classification of Disease Criteria (ICD-10). Effiong et al.; JAMPS, 22(1): 32-39, 2020; Article no.JAMPS.54278 33 Results: 105 subjects were included in this study. The mean age of patients was 29.71±8.2. The mean age of initiation of substance use was 19.05±3.0 years. Males were predominantly involved in cannabis abuse practices. The age of initiation of substance use was significantly different between the male and female subjects (t=-2.86, P=.009). The age of initiation and duration of substance use was significantly related to the risk of developing substance dependence and psychotic symptoms. Conclusion: Cannabis was commonly abused by people who were often unemployed, single, young males involved in multiple drug abuse. The low mean duration of use, multiple substance abuses together with increasing frequency of psychiatric morbidity forms a major challenge for our mental health care services. There is the need for preventive, curative, and rehabilitative strategies to reduce the public health impact of this scourge. Original Research Article

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