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Article HistoryThis study determined the influence of nursing-mothers" parity and index child factors on adoption of exclusive breastfeeding practice by rural nursing-mothers in Imo State Nigeria. Nigeria has only 13% compliance to exclusive breastfeeding practice, hence the need for this study that employed descriptive survey design to obtain information from 340 nursing mothers from three selected communities in the state. The target population of the study was all the 405 nursing-mothers with children aged twentyfour months and below in the selected communities but 340 nursing-mothers responded. Instruments for data collection were structured questionnaire and Focus Group Discussion (FGD). Reliability of the instrument was established and r = 0.8. Ten nursing mothers from each of the communities participated in FGD. Results of the study revealed that exclusive breastfeeding practice was 13.5% in the target communities. Only parity, place of ante-natal care and place where the child was delivered were statistically significant (P<0.05). The study concluded that parity and type of facility attended for ante and natal care played a role in the adoption of exclusive breastfeeding practice. There is need to strengthen maternity facilities to render effective exclusive breastfeeding promotion, and also to follow up mothers in the community.Contribution/Originality: This is an original research article. The study contributes to existing literature on exclusive breastfeeding, particularly as it relates to nursing-mother"s parity, facility where she received ante-natal care, where she delivered her child and index child"s factors. These variables received little attention previously and hence, this study fills this gap.

This study was designed to determine effects of peer-health-education on sexual health knowledge and attitudes of tertiary institution students in Imo State Nigeria by determining the mean gain scores of sexual health knowledge and attitudes after peer health education. Quasi-experimental (pre-test-post-test) research design was employed. Two hundred students drawn from the University, Polytechnic and College of Education, using a multi-stage sampling technique participated in the peer sessions which were facilitated by trained peer educators. Data were analyzed using ANCOVA and Z-test. Findings revealed improved knowledge and attitudes on sexual health, as depicted by positive mean gain scores. Age group 16 -20 years had the highest mean gain score ( X = 22.31) of sexual health knowledge than the rest, while age group 26 -30 years had the highest mean gain score ( X = 10.59) of sexual health attitudes. Males had higher mean gain score ( X = 26.05) of sexual health knowledge, while females had higher mean gain score ( X = 9.77) of sexual health attitudes. The first years (100 level students) had the highest mean gain score ( X = 25.71) of sexual health knowledge and also had the highest mean gain score ( X = 14.12) of sexual health attitudes. Level of study was significant both for knowledge and attitudes (P < 0.01). It is recommended that peer-health-education be explored further as a method of communicating sexual health issues to tertiary institution students and youths generally.

A study on the trend analysis of VVF among attendee’s in fistula centers, Kano State, Nigeria was carried out using ten (10) years hospital records. Results showed three peaks in prevalence in year 2010 (73.8%), 2015 (77.2%) and 2017 (59.3%). The highest peak was in the year 2015 while the lowest prevalence occurred in 2014 (46.0%). Overall, there is a decline in prevalence for the ten years studied. It was observed in this study that most of the patients reside in the rural area of the state, where lack of access to appropriate emergency obstetric care and strong hold to traditional practice is obtained. Therefore, there is need to expand the current strategies employed in the fight against VVF to include initiating a men-targeted programme to enlighten and educate men, especially those living in rural areas on the need to allow their women access to medical care during pregnancy to avoid complications that could result to Vesico-vaginal fistula.

Perception and intent of significant others to promote exclusive breastfeeding is important in understanding their perceived behaviour and their state of mind toward exclusive breastfeeding practice.  It also helps to identify what intentions this significant other had toward the promotion of exclusive breastfeeding practice (EBF). This study aimed to determine the perceptions and intentions of significant others to promote exclusive breastfeeding in Umuokanne Community, Imo State, Nigeria. The descriptive study design was employed to elicit information from 245 significant others (mothers of the nursing mother, mothers-in-law and husbands) within the six villages in Umuokanne Community. Instruments for data collection were structured on the questionnaire and focus group discussions (FGDs). And finally, the reliability test was established (r = 0.68) between them. 20 significant others participated in the FGDs. Results of the study revealed that significant others had positive perceptions and indicate readiness towards the promotion of exclusive breastfeeding. 120(80%) of grandmothers and 69(73%) of husbands had positive perceptions on the elements of EBF, 100(100%) of grandmothers and 74(78%) of husbands had positive perceptions of the essential roles to play in the promotion EBF, 75(50%) of grandmothers and 57(60%) of husbands had negatively perceived not giving of colostrum to an infant, early introduction of any feed in less than six months of an infant life,  early introduction of fluid to an infant, giving off water and water mixed with medicinal herbs/roots, were not believed to be a barriers to EBF promotion. The description could be based on three key concepts namely, perceived insufficiency of breast milk, low income and cultural practices. Age, education, income and parity were also statistically significant (P = 0.05). However, 136(91%) of grandmothers and 78(82%) of husbands showed a positive intention towards the promotion of EBF practice. Hence, this study concluded that a positive perception shows the willingness to take action and a positive intention indicate readiness toward the promotion of EBF. Therefore, there is need to expand the current strategies employed in the promotion of EBF to include significant others and their cultural perspectives.