IntroductionStroke has become a problem of public health importance worldwide. Knowledge and practices related to stroke prevention among hypertensive and diabetic patients are important in the control of the disease. In Nigeria, recent reports indicate an emerging epidemic of stroke. This study aimed to determine the knowledge and practices related to stroke prevention among hypertensive and diabetic patients in Sokoto, Nigeria.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional study among 248 patients attending hypertension and diabetes clinic of Specialist Hospital, Sokoto, Nigeria, selected by systematic sampling technique. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data on the research variables. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 20 statistical package.ResultsThe mean age of respondents was 48.21 ± 15.07 years and they were predominantly females (65.7%). The respondents had good knowledge of stroke (70.3%), organs or parts of body affected by stroke (89.1%), signs or symptoms of stroke (87.0%), stroke risk factors (86.6%) and stroke prevention (90.8%). Formal education was the sole predictor of good knowledge of signs or symptoms of stroke (aOR = 3.99, 95% CI = 1.58-10.13, p = 0.004), stroke risk factors (aOR = 4.24, 95% CI = 1.68-10.67, p = 0.002) and stroke prevention (aOR = 3.45, 95% CI = 1.09-10.93, p = 0.035). Stroke prevention practices were sub-optimal and significantly associated with formal education and being employed.ConclusionThese findings suggest the need for all stakeholders to focus on both patients' education and empowerment in halting the rising burden of stroke across the globe.

Reports from studies conducted among drivers in countries with high burden of human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) show very high prevalence of HIV infection in multiples of the national average. HIV risk perception has been identified as an important antecedent for one's adoption of protective behavior against contracting the disease. This study was conducted to assess the knowledge of HIV/AIDS, risk perception, sexual lifestyle and condom use among drivers in Sokoto, Nigeria. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 264 randomly selected drivers in March, 2011 using pre-tested, interviewer administered, semi-structured questionnaire. Data analysis was done using computer software, SPSS version 17. Awareness of HIV/AIDS was high (93.9%), and majority had adequate knowledge of transmission (83.3%) and prevention (84.9%) of HIV infection. Only a few (12.9%) perceived the disease to be a threat to them. Twenty seven (10.9%) had engaged in casual sex in the past 12 months and the determinants included age below 40 years (OR = 2.119, 95% CI = 0.006 to 0.175) and being single, separated or divorced (OR = 2.848, 95% CI = 0.055 to 0.304). Although consistent use of condom was low (19.7%), it was twice as prevalent among respondents that had casual sex in the past 12 months (44.4%) compared to those that did not (18.1%),  2 = 10.077, p = 0.002. This study demonstrated poor HIV/AIDS risk perception, unsafe sexual practices and poor condom use among drivers in Sokoto despite adequate knowledge of the disease. The findings in this study suggest the need for intensification of mass media campaigns and other public health measures aimed at discouraging unsafe sexual practices, stimulating appropriate risk perception and promoting consistent use of condom.

Background: In addition to its adverse health effects on mother and fetus, self-medication is believed to be one of the main driving forces behind the increasing burden of antimicrobial resistance worldwide. This study aimed to assess the awareness, risk perception and practice of self-medication among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in Sokoto, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 315 pregnant women (selected by a two-stage sampling technique) attending the antenatal clinics of the Primary Healthcare Centres in Sokoto metropolis, Nigeria. Data were collected with a set of pretested, interviewer-administered, structured questionnaire. Data analysis was done using IBM SPSS version 20 statistical package. Results: Whereas, almost all the respondents (98.4%) were aware of self-medication, less than half of them (47.3%) perceived it as a serious threat to their health and the health of their unborn baby. Majority of respondents (67.9%) had self-medicated, with the most commonly self-medicated drugs being analgesics/antipyretics (35.1%), antimalarials (31.3%) and antibiotics (24.3%). The most commonly cited reasons for self-medicating were financial problems (28.5%), lack of the required drugs in the hospital (16.8%), lack of time (12.6%), and sickness being mild (9.8%). Self-medication practice was influenced by respondents' age, marital status, educational background and perception of risk. Conclusion: This study showed low risk perception and high prevalence of self-medication among pregnant women in Sokoto, Nigeria. Sensitization of members of the public on the hazards of self-medication, poverty alleviation, and provision of comprehensive healthcare services at subsidized prices for pregnant women are hereby suggested.

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