Background: Coma occurring in the course of an illness, irrespective of cause, traditionally implies a poor prognosis and many factors may determine its outcome. These factors must be identifi ed and possibly stratifi ed in their order of importance. This research seeks to identify these factors and how they infl uenced the outcome of non-traumatic coma in our environment. Methods: Two hundred consecutive patients, aged 18-79 years who met the inclusion criteria, the Glasgow coma scale (GCS) score of <8, history and physical fi ndings suggestive of medical illness, no head trauma or sedation, were recruited into the study from August 2004 to March 2005 at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, after obtaining institutional ethical clearance and consent from patients' guardians. Detailed history of illness including the bio-data and time to present to the hospital and treatments given were noted. Thereafter, the clinical course of the patients was monitored daily for a maximum of 28 days during which the support of the family and/ or the hospital social welfare was evaluated. Results: During the 8-month period of the study, 76% (152) of the patients died while 24% (48) survived. The following factors were associated with high mortality rate: inability to confi rm diagnosis (100%), poor family support (97.1%), delay in making a diagnosis within 24 h (85.4%), poor family understanding of disease (84.1%), need for intensive care admission and management (83.3%), poor hospital social welfare support (82.4%), presentation to UCH after 6 h of coma (76.7%), and referral from private health facilities (75.7%). Others include substance abuse (100%) and seropositivity to HIV (96%) and hepatitis B surface antigen (92%) antibodies, among others. Conclusion:This study has demonstrated that socio-economic factors such as gender, occupation, risky lifestyle behaviors, late presentation or referral to hospital, late diagnosis and treatment, and poor family support contributed to poor outcome of nontraumatic coma. It is hoped that improvement, modifi cation, or correction of these factors may improve coma outcome.

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Child nurturing is usually a shared responsibility between both parents, until in recent times that lone parenting is becoming more widespread. Viewed in diverse ways by many authors, it is simply raising a child by one parent alone, whether the other parent is alive or not. This is seen as normal by some, and thus offer social support; or as absurd, unacceptable, shameful and thus stigmatized both the lone parents and their children. How does the Zaria community perceive single parenthood? A descriptive cross-sectional survey in two urban Local Government Areas in Zaria metropolis was conducted, using a researcher-constructed questionnaire. Data obtained from 270 respondents were analysed descriptively using SPSS 21.0. Results indicated that single parenting is a common reality in the study setting: the main causes of which include divorce, children born out of wedlock and some parents choosing to have children as single parents. It is believed that factors such as the quest for economic independence by some women as well as social approval/choices are contributory to its increasing prevalence. There are perceived positive and negative effects associated with single parenting. Many respondents advocated for some assistance such as provision of basic needs and free education for single-parent families and children, depending on the cause/route to single parenting. It is concluded that single parenting is an increasing social issue, with limited acceptance in the study area. Strengthening the family institution to reduce contention factors that break intact families should form part of social engineering to forestall negative effects of single parenting.

Background: In Nigeria HIV infection is transmitted mainly through heterosexual route, affecting mostly individuals within reproductive age groups. As a result, HIV/AIDS education is advocated as a strong component of family and reproductive health education in the school curriculum which should emphasize responsible sexual behavior, premarital chastity and protective sexual practice. Aims/ objectives: To evaluate student's knowledge of HIV/AIDS, premarital HCT, and reactions to possible discordant HCT results. Methods: Cross sectional questionnaire-based study of 600 students in 6 schools in Zaria/Sabon Gari LGAs. Exclusion criteria: students aged ≤13 years, married, in JSS 1-3, SS1. Results: 550 students completed questionnaire (92% response rate). 54.5% females (ᾱ age =17.5 ±2.7 years) versus 45.5% males (16.5 ±2.7 years), Muslims (53%) and Christians (47%) respectively. 76%, 57%, and 38% knew the meaning of AIDS, HIV and VCT respectively; while all knew both the routes of HIV transmission and preventive measures. More than two-third supported voluntary, free and self initiated premarital HCT, preferably in a private and confidential setting. None would marry a discordant HIV positive partner, while 61% would marry themselves if both have positive HIV results. Conclusion: Many students would shun marriage with discordant HIV+ partner.