BackgroundDespite the creation of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) by the Nigerian government, most Nigerians are not covered by the scheme.AimThe aim of this study was to assess the knowledge and utilisation of NHIS among adult patients who attended a tertiary health facility in Lagos state, South-Western Nigeria.SettingOutpatient clinic, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, Lagos.MethodsA descriptive cross-sectional study of 487 respondents recruited using a multi- stage sampling method. Data were collected using pretested semi-structured self-administered questionnaires, and analysis was done using Microsoft Excel 2007 and EPI Info 7 statistical software. Level of significance was set at p < 0.05. Ethical approval was obtained from the Health Research Ethics Committee Lagos State university teaching Hospital.ResultsA total of 487 of the 500 self-administered questionnaires were retrieved and analysed, giving a response rate of 97.4%. The study showed that 80.7% of the respondents had poor knowledge of NHIS, only12.3% of the respondents had registered with the NHIS, and 43.8% of respondents who had not registered with NHIS claimed they do not know where to register. There was a statistically significant association between age and utilisation (p = 0.0007), marital status and utilisation of NHIS (p = 0.016), employment status and utilisation of NHIS (p = 0.001).Most (96%) of those who have utilised NHIS were satisfied with NHIS services.ConclusionMajority of the respondents had poor knowledge of NHIS and also majority of those who had registered were satisfied with the scheme. There should be increased awareness campaigns so that all Nigerians can benefit from the scheme.

Background Solid waste dump sites have proven to have potentially high risk to human health as it serves as a source of air, soil and underground water pollution. Aim This study aimed to assess and compare the knowledge, respiratory disorders and skin disorders between residents living close to and far from landfill sites in Lagos State, Nigeria. Setting Igando (a community within 5 km close to) and Badagry (a community beyond 5 km from) Solous Landfill sites in Lagos state, Nigeria. Methods A comparative cross-sectional study amongst 103 respondents recruited from each of the two study sites by multistage sampling method was carried out. Data were collected using pretested, structured, interviewer-administered questionnaire, and analysed using Microsoft Excel 2007, EPI Info 7 and WinPepi statistical software packages. Student t -test, Fisher’s exact and Chi-square tests were carried out. The p ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results The mean age of Igando and Badagry respondents was 34.18 ± 10.21 years and 32.62 ± 9.84 years, respectively. The two communities differed significantly ( p < 0.0001) with respect to distance of workplace from landfill site and duration of stay in the residential location. The mean knowledge score of respondents on respiratory and skin disorders associated with solid waste dump site close to landfill sites (82.53 ± 20.60) was statistically significantly higher than those of respondents far from landfill sites (71.84 ± 20.57) ( p = 0.0003). Respiratory and skin disorders experiences of respondents close to landfill sites were statistically significantly ( p < 0.0001) higher than those of residents far from landfill sites with respect to wheezing, frequent sneezing, unpleasant odour, fever and skin rashes. Conclusion Respiratory and skin disorders experienced by respondents close to landfill sites are higher than those of residents far from landfill sites. Landfill sites should not be located close to human settlements.

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