Objective: The aim of the study is to assess the physical, financial, emotional and social impact of breast cancer on women in North east Nigeria.Methods: A qualitative transcendental phenomenological study design was adopted, using face-to face unstructured interview to collect data from 22 respondents who were recruited via purposive non-probability sampling technique. The interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim and further analyzed using thematic analysis method into themes and sub-themes.Results: The result revealed excruciating pains that does not abate completely as the main physical impact, expensive cost of treatment as the major financial impact and crying as the major emotional impact of breast cancer on women. However, been diagnosed with breast cancer had no any consequences on participants’ relationship with spouse or family members.Conclusion: Breast cancer causes pain, makes women to cry and the treatment is very expensive but it does not cause relationship problems. There is therefore the need for Government and Non-governmental policies to be geared towards supporting women with breast cancer to overcome these challenges.

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to ravage the world, with Nigeria and Borno in particular being highly affected. A vaccine provides the best hope for a permanent solution to controlling the pandemic. However, to be effective, a vaccine must be accepted and used by the healthcare workers as significant individual in the community. The objectives of this study were to assess the knowledge, attitude, anduptake of COVID-19 vaccines among healthcare workers in University of Maiduguri, teaching Hospital. Data was collected from 260 healthcare workers who were sampled using stratified sampling technique with a self-developed questionnaire. The collected data was analysed using SPSS Version 20.0 and presented in tables and charts. The result revealed a good knowledge of COVID-19 Vaccine among respondents (58.8%) with a positive attitude towards COVID-19 Vaccination (51.9%). However, uptake was low (47.69%) which was greatly affected by fear of side effects, fear of unknown and shortage of the vaccine. In conclusion, similar study can be conducted with a large sample to generalize the findings; and the same study can be conducted in different setting.

Abstract:Absenteeism from clinical areas and lectures among nursing students is a significant problem that if not addressed will adversely affect the quality of nursing care. This cross-sectional descriptive survey design was to assess factors influencing absenteeism among nursing students in University of Maiduguri. A total of 270 respondents were selected using convenient sampling technique after stratified sampling technique was used to ensure that all levels (class) of the nursing students were represented. Data were collected through the use of self-constructed questionnaire which was administered by the researchers and trained assistants. Collected data were presented in frequency and percentage. Mean scores were used to analyze the data. 2.50 was chosen as the bench mark (≥ 2.5 as criteria of acceptance). Inferential statistics (chi-square) [x2] was used to test the hypothesis at 0.05 level of significance. The study findings revealed that majority of students do absent themselves from lectures and clinical postings. Ill-health, nursing a baby, participation in other roles besides academic activities and transportation difficulties are important contributions to absenteeism. Poor grades and carry-over are effects of absenteeism. The researchers recommends among other things that; clinical supervision and attendance list should be taken serious during lectures and clinical posting. The school management board should provide free transportation to clinical areas and accommodations should also be provided for students within campus. Lecture halls and theaters should be made as conducive as possible.

This study aimed at assessing the umbilical cord care practices and separation time in healthy new-born in Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria. A descriptive survey design was adopted for the study. A total of 365 women attending child welfare clinic were selected through systematic random sampling technique from three health care facilities in Maiduguri Metropolis. A self-developed and validated questionnaire was used to collect information from the women on common cord care practices and knowledge of standard umbilical cord care practices. The questionnaire was pretested in State Specialist Hospital Maiduguri, Borno State and the correlation coefficient of 0.87 determined. The result of the study revealed that common cord care practices among women in Maiduguri include the use of methylated spirit, hot compress, charcoal, Vaseline and table salt. Others were mixture of methylated spirit with traditional concoctions, toothpaste and cow dung were also found to be commonly used by the mothers. The mean umbilical cord separation time of 3.5 days (± 0.397) was observed with the unorthodox treatment of the cord. Although there was a good knowledge among the respondents with regards to standard umbilical cord care practice, there was however no commensurate practice. Therefore, there is an urgent need for cultural re-orientation most especially of women with regard and unhygienic traditional cord care practices on the new born.

Aim: To determine the sero-prevalence of Human Papilloma Virus type 16(HPV-16) immunoglobulin G antibodies and its association with socio-demographic features of women attending some clinics in Lokoja, Kogi State, Nigeria. Study Design: Hospital based cross sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Kogi State specialist hospital and Federal medical Centre, Lokoja. Kogi State, Nigeria, between June and October, 2015. Methodology: We included 400 participants (380 pregnant and 20 non pregnant women; age range 15 to 45 years) attending the hospitals during the duration of the research. Serum samples were analysed for human papilloma virus type 16 IgG using the Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay and questionnaire was also administered to obtain demographic features of the participants. Results: The prevalence of human papilloma virus type 16 IgG antibodies was found to be 10%. The occurrence of IgG antibodies to human papilloma virus was found to be statistically associated with educational status and occupation (P = 0.020 and 0.036 respectively). Conclusion: The prevalence of human papilloma virus was high. Cervical screening centres should be established in all areas of the state and awareness campaigns should be organized to afford young women the knowledge and dangers of cervical cancer and preventive measures.