Objective Suicidal behaviour is seen in the context of a variety of mental disorders and while many believe that, suicide has become a serious matter in both developed and developing countries. This study aimed to evaluate the associated factors of suicidal ideation (SI) and attempt (SA) among Nigerian adults. Method The data were collected from Federal Medical Center Birnin Kebbi and the Ministry of Health and Welfare in Kebbi State, a nationally representative sample recruited using a multi-stage clustered probability design. Results Female, divorced/widowed, lower education and lower-income were associated with SI and SA (OR=1.56 CI=1.31–1.97, OR=1.91 CI=1.09–3.31). In particular, the effect of age on SI presented a reverse pattern based on gender; there was a positive association for men and a negative association for women. Conclusions: This study suggested that low education, low incomes, marital status and age were predominantly associated with the prevalence of SI and SA in women than men.

Objectives: The study investigated respondents’ attitudes toward people living with mental, illness the relationship between attitude toward those individuals and socio-demographic characteristics, and factors influencing attitude toward those individuals among urban residents of North-western Nigeria. Methods and Material: An analytic cross-sectional design adopted to interview 407 respondents recruited using multistage sampling technique. A structured interviewer-guided questionnaire was used to obtain data, organized and analyzed with SPSS version 20. The data were summarized using frequency distribution tables and percentages. Chi-square was used to test the relationship between attitude scores on people with mental health issues and socio-demographic characteristics at 5% level of significance, within a 95% confidence interval. Results: Half (50.8%) of respondents had a positive attitude toward people living with mental illness. Statistically, significant association was found between attitude toward those individuals and age (χ2=403.026, p=<0.0001), gender (χ2=158.303, p=<0.0001), religion (χ2=65.527, p=<0.0001), ethnicity (χ2=230.851, p=<0.0001), educational status (χ2=268.044, p=<0.0001) and occupation (χ2=293.922, p=<0.0001) of the respondents. Factors influencing attitude to people with mental health issues were gender (84.7%), literacy level (72.0%), age (76.4%) and severity of illness (76.4%), previous encounters with individuals living with mental illness (77.6%) as well as fear of individuals with mental illness (86.0%). Conclusions: Approximately half of the respondents indicated negative attitude towards people with mental health issues. Thus, advocacy for, and educating community members toward individuals with mental illness might improve positive attitudes toward mental health issues. Further exploring cultural perspectives will aid in improving positive attitudes towards people with mental health issues.

Background: Primary health care (PHC) is built on the principles of equity in the distribution of quality health care, active community participation in health care programmes and emphasis on prevention of illnesses rather than cure. The main objectives of maternal health services in the primary health care programme are to ensure that every expectant mother maintains good health throughout the maternity cycle. Aim: The main aim of this study is to evaluate the provision of emergency obstetrics care (EmOC) in Primary Health Care facilities. Materials and Methods: Utilizing the mixed research design, data were collected from 887 women, 69 male participants and 24 healthcare providers across 24 PHC facilities in Niger State selected through the multistage sampling technique using the questionnaire, focus group discussion, indepth interview and facility assessment. Ethical approval and all necessary permission were obtained from the Niger State Primary Health Care Agency, stakeholders and the participants. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and transcription. Results: Findings from the study revealed that prolonged/obstructed labour, hypertension in pregnancy, bleeding in pregnancy, anaemia, retained placenta and breech presentation of the baby during childbirth were among the maternal health problems occurring in the study locations. Also, there were no facilities for the provision of EmOC services in the PHC facilities. Conclusion: Although prolonged/obstructed labour, hypertension in pregnancy, bleeding in pregnancy, anaemia, postpartum haemorrhage and retained placenta were among the frequently occurring maternal health problems, EmOC services were not provided in almost all the PHC facilities visited. It is therefore recommended that efforts should be made to improve the state of the PHC facilities.

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