Background Generally, social development among young people is largely influenced by their peers. Peer education is a proven and effective approach for promoting reproductive health among young people, especially HIV/AIDS education. This study was conducted to assess the effectiveness of a peer-led education intervention in addressing sexual and reproductive health related knowledge and concerns among young people in Kaduna and Kano States, northwest Nigeria. Methods A pre and post-test study was conducted among 8930 young people aged 15–24 years who participated in the MTV Shuga Peer Education intervention selected from communities in Kaduna and Kano States. A baseline pre-test was conducted before the education program, and it was followed up with a post-test at the end of the five-day long peer education sessions. Results Majority of the respondents, 7846 (87.9%) were adolescents aged 15–19 years while the rest 1084 (12.1%) were young adults aged 20–24 years. A total of 6099 (68.3%) of the respondents correctly stated that condoms prevent pregnancy during the pre-test compared to 6429 (72.0%) peers during the post test. Lower abdominal pain was correctly indicated as a symptom of STI by 6282 (70.3%) and 6984 (78.2%) of the respondents at pre-test and post-test respectively. More males (58.5%) had good knowledge about condom use compared to the females, 51.9% (χ2 = 24.62, p < 0.001). while more females (79.6%) compared to 74.7% males opined that going for HIV test with their sexual partner is important to them during the pre-test (χ2 = 19.44, p≤ 0.001).However, no significant difference was observed on knowledge of condom use and opinion on going for HIV testing with sexual partner among either gender at post-test. Conclusion Significant positive changes in knowledge, views and opinions regarding STIs and HIV, HIV anti-stigma and the use of condoms were observed following exposure to the peer sessions of the MTV Shuga peer education intervention. Sustained exposure and access to informative and enlightening peer education sessions over time have the potential to comprehensively improve SRH knowledge, influence positive opinion change and in turn adoption of positive behaviours among young people.

ObjectivesThis study was designed to assess levels of awareness, knowledge, attitude and practices relating to hypertension and diabetes among adults aged 35 years resident in selected communities in Imo and Kaduna states, Nigeria.DesignA descriptive cross-sectional study.SettingSelected communities across 14 local government areas in Imo and Kaduna states were included.ParticipantsIn total, 824 adults, aged 35 years or older and resident in selected communities where the Access-N project was being implemented in Imo and Kaduna states participated in the study.Primary and secondary outcome measuresThe study assessed the level of hypertension and diabetes knowledge among the participants. Regular blood pressure (BP) and glucose screening practices were also examined as outcome measures.ResultsThe mean age of the respondents was 48.32 years. In total, 778 (94.4%) and 746 (90.5%) of the respondents were aware of hypertension and diabetes, respectively. The mean hypertension and diabetes knowledge scores (±SD) were 4.99 (±1.99) and 8.02 (±2.61), respectively. A total of 326 (41.9%) respondents aware of hypertension had a good knowledge of hypertension while 477 (63.9%) of those aware of diabetes had a good knowledge of diabetes. Levels of hypertension and diabetes knowledge were found to be associated with physical activity and the level of education of the respondents. About two-thirds (62.6%) and less than half (41.5%) of the respondents, respectively check their BP and blood glucose (BG) levels regularly (at least once yearly). Statistically significant associations were observed between age and regular BP and BG level checks.ConclusionsDespite the high awareness rate of hypertension and diabetes observed in this study and a relatively good knowledge about the two conditions, unhealthy lifestyle practices and non-regular routine screening abounds among the respondents. Thus, there is a need to improve access to quality information about hypertension and diabetes aimed at motivating adoption of healthy behaviours.

Background The trio of commonest illnesses and causes mortality among children under five (Malaria, Pneumonia and Diarrhea) are easily treatable through timely exposure to cost effective interventions at the community level. Patent and proprietary medicine vendors (PPMVs) are a leading source of care for illnesses among under-five children in Nigeria. This study was designed to explore child health services offering, particularly commodity stocking patterns and case management knowledge for common childhood illnesses among PPMVs in Ebonyi and Kaduna States. Methods A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among PPMVs in four local government areas across Ebonyi and Kaduna States. Data was collected using semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaires. Information was obtained on medicine and supplies, knowledge of common childhood illnesses management and referral practices. Results A total of 374 PPMVs were interviewed; the mean age was 33.7 ± 9.8 years. Among the 132 health trained respondents, 59.0% offer treatment services for sick children while 83.5% of the non-health trained respondents offer the same service. At least, 88.0% of the respondents keep stock ACTs, Amoxycilin DT, ORS and Zinc. About 38.5% reported stock-out of ACTs in the month preceding the study, 55.1% reported stock out lasting only 0 to 6 days. Only 83 (22.2%) of respondents knew the correct diagnosis of fast breathing among children aged 2 to less than 12 months old. Education and health training background were associated with a good knowledge of common childhood illnesses management (X2 = 44.88, p < 0.001; X2 = 27.14, p < 0.001). Conclusion The relative constant availability of medicines and commodities for managing childhood illnesses positions PPMVs as a preferred source of care for these illnesses. There is a need to complement steady stock availability with provision of quality services by exposing PPMVs to trainings on integrated community case management of childhood illnesses and implementation of robust supervision mechanism to monitor them.

Background Behaviour change communication is a proven health communication strategy among used in promoting changes in knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and behaviours’, especially for communicable diseases. Few studies have been conducted on its effectiveness for non-communicable diseases prevention and control. This study was conducted as an evaluation assessment for a non-communicable disease focused intervention implemented in Imo and Kaduna States, Nigeria. Methods A twelve-month long strategic behaviour change communication intervention on hypertension and diabetes was implemented in selected communities across Imo and Kaduna States, Nigeria. This study adopted a quasi-experimental design approach among adult residents aged at least 35 years to assess the effectiveness of the intervention. Data was collected at baseline (prior to implementation of the interventions) and at the endline; among study and control groups. A uniform study tool was used to collect information on awareness & lifestyle related factors for Hypertension & Diabetes. Results The awareness of hypertension was 98.9% among the respondents in the study group compared to 94.4% among the baseline respondents (χ2 = 20.276, p < 0.001). The history of blood pressure check was recorded among 86.8% of the study group compared to 79.0% of the baseline group (χ2 = 20.27, p < 0.001). In the last 6 months prior to the study, 71.9% of the study group compared to 30.6% of the baseline group (χ2 = 243.34, p = 0.002) had blood glucose check at least once. Daily alcohol consumers make up 36.8% of the baseline respondents, compared to 22.6% in the study group (χ2 = 33.84, p < 0.001) and 30.6% of those in the control group compared to the 22.6% of the study group (χ2 = 9.23, p = 0.002). The mean (± SD) knowledge score on hypertension and diabetes was 18.12 (± 8.36) among the study group compared to 11.84 (± 6.90) among the baseline group (t = 15.29, p < 0.001), and compared to 10.97 (± 8.79) among the control group (t = 13.08, p < 0.001). Conclusion Significant changes in lifestyle practices, knowledge of hypertension and diabetes and risk perception was observed following the implementation of community-based behaviour change communication interventions. There is a need to increased access to health education and promotion interventions for non-communicable diseases.

Gwako is a community in Gwagwalada Area Council in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. It has a population of about 50,000 persons with a third being under the age of five years old. Despite proximity to the Nigerian Capital City Abuja, Gwako has very poor water, sanitation, and hygiene conditions, including very poor access to clean water. The community lacks several basic amenities, such as clean potable water, and private and public toilets. The major source of water for domestic and animal use is a river that is infested with disease vectors. This river serves as a source of water for both