Background: Public health research is shifting focus to the role of socioeconomic indicators in the promotion of health. As such an understanding of the roles that socio-economic factors play in improving health and health-seeking behaviour is important for public health policy. This is because the share of resources devoted to different policy options should depend on their relative effectiveness.

The findings indicate home use of drugs that were not prescribed by health professionals. There is therefore a strong need to give appropriate education and counselling to mothers/care givers and medicine vendors on early detection and proper home management of febrile illnesses.

Mothers' knowledge and management of pain in infants were assessed in this study. A total of 130 mothers from two health centres in Ile Ife, Southwest, Nigeria were selected by systematic sampling method. Only 3.8% indicated that neonates experience pain. Malaria (46.2%) was the major cause of pain identified. Analgesic/antimalarials (56.9%) and breastfeeding (16.9%) are used in pain relief. To improve the quality of life of infants, mothers must be educated on the assessment, early detection and management of pain.

This study was carried out to assess the knowledge and the acceptance of tetanus toxiod (TT) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccine among pregnant women in Nigeria. One hundred and sixty pregnant women selected by a systematic sampling method were interviewed and dates of actual receipt of vaccines were confirmed from antenatal records. Ninety-six per cent of respondents were aware of the maternal immunization (MI) programme. Ninety-five per cent expressed that MI is good and beneficial to both mothers and babies. TT was received by 87.5%. Two doses of TT were received by 73.75% within the second trimester of pregnancy, while 6.25% completed the TT regimen. Only 18.75% had received the HBV vaccine before being pregnant. Acceptance and actual receipt of TT was high but there was no screening for Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) nor HBV vaccines given to the women. Midwives and the government need to intensify the education of the public on maternal immunization.