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Research paper thumbnail of Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of adolescent girls regarding cervical cancer: a cross-sectional study in Enugu State, Nigeria

Introduction: cervical cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death, among women, globally.... more Introduction: cervical cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death, among women, globally. The majority of the countries with the highest cervical cancer burden are in sub-Saharan Africa, including Nigeria. This study assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding cervical cancer among secondary school students in an all-girls school. Methods: this cross-sectional study was conducted in Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria (April 2021). A 30-item self-administered structured questionnaire was filled by conveniently sampled students in Senior Secondary School (SS 2 and SS 3). Pearson's Chi-square was used to test the association between variables (Statistical significance: P < 0.05). Results: the mean age of the 103 respondents was 16.10 (± 1.00) years. The most common source of information about cervical cancer was mass media (n = 20, 19.4%). Less than half of the respondents had good knowledge of cervical cancer (n = 44; 42.7%) and had favorable attitudes towards the disease (n = 50; 48.5%). More than half of them had good cervical cancer practices (n = 87; 84.5%). They were highly open to screening (n = 92; 89.3%) and vaccination (n = 93; 90.3%). More respondents who had first-hand experience of cervical cancer from family members were aware of the disease compared to those who did not (71.4% Vs. 33.3%; χ 2 = 4.113; P = 0.043). Conclusion: the study highlights the need for adolescent girls to be educated about cervical cancer, to improve their knowledge and attitudes towards the disease, so they can make informed decisions about their practices.

Research paper thumbnail of Knowledge and attitudes of Nigerian final-year pharmacy students towards genital warts and practice regarding human papillomavirus vaccine: A cross-sectional study

Pharmacy Education, Oct 2, 2023

Research paper thumbnail of Assessment of Community Pharmacists' Knowledge, Perception and Practice Regarding Antimicrobial Stewardship in Ebonyi State, Southeastern Nigeria

African Journal of Biomedical Research, 2024

Antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) is vital for promoting the appropriate use of antimicrobials. Thi... more Antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) is vital for promoting the appropriate use of antimicrobials. This study evaluated the knowledge, perception, and practice of community pharmacists regarding AMS in a Nigerian state. The cross-sectional study was conducted among community pharmacists using a 33-item structured questionnaire. Data collected were analyzed with the significance level set as P < 0.05. Out of 79 distributed questionnaires, 70 were completed (participation rate: 88.6%). Majority of the respondents were males (n = 48, 68.6%), aged 26-45 years (n = 51, 72.9%), and had ≤ 10 years of community pharmacy experience (n = 54, 77.1%). Overall, more than half of the respondents possessed good AMS knowledge (n = 51, 72.9%), while approximately half had a positive perception (n = 38, 54.3%) and practiced AMS effectively (n = 36, 51.4%). Male pharmacists showed higher awareness of AMS compared to females (89.6% vs. 63.6%; ꭓ2 = 6.716, p = 0.010). Respondents who were Fellows of the West African Postgraduate College of Pharmacists (FPCPharm) had better AMS knowledge (100.0% vs. 67.8%; ꭓ2 = 4.862, p = 0.027) and a more positive perception (81.8% vs. 49.2%; ꭓ2 = 3.986, p = 0.046). While community pharmacists displayed good AMS knowledge, their perception and practice were average. Participation in the West African Postgraduate College of Pharmacists programme was associated with improved knowledge and perception of AMS. Strengthening interprofessional collaborations can optimize health outcomes. Enhancing antibiotic stewardship among Nigerian community pharmacists is imperative.

Research paper thumbnail of POSC226 Perceptions of the Roles and Impact of Clinical Pharmacists By Nigerian Students in Health-Related Disciplines

Research paper thumbnail of Knowledge and attitudes of Nigerian final-year pharmacy students towards genital warts and practice regarding human papillomavirus vaccine: A cross-sectional study

Pharmacy Education, 2023

Background: Genital warts are clinical presentations of human papillomavirus (HPV) infect... more Background: Genital warts are clinical presentations of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. The study evaluated the knowledge and attitudes of Nigerian final year pharmacy students towards genital warts and practice regarding the HPV vaccine. Methods: Data for this cross-sectional study were collected from February 2022 to April 2022 with a 31-item structured self-administered questionnaire and analysed using IBM SPSS Version 25.0. Pearson’s Chi-Square was used to test the association between variables. Statistical significance was set as p < 0.05. Results: The study enrolled 620 respondents from 15 universities in Nigeria. Overall, slightly above half of the respondents had good knowledge of genital warts (n=344, 55.5%). More than half of them had favourable attitudes towards genital warts (n=422, 68.1%). Few respondents reported that they had been vaccinated against genital warts (n=12, 1.9%). Conclusion: The study revealed that final year pharmacy students in Nigeria showed good knowledge and favourable attitudes towards genital warts and human HPV prevention, which did not translate into good practice. It highlights the need for interventions that would promote good practices towards genital warts prevention.

Research paper thumbnail of Drug utilization pattern among paediatric asthma patients attending the respiratory clinic of a Nigerian tertiary hospital: a five-year retrospective survey

Tropical Journal of Health Sciences, Nov 27, 2022

Drug prescribing indicators can assess Respiratory clinic; Nigeria prescribing performance. This ... more Drug prescribing indicators can assess Respiratory clinic; Nigeria prescribing performance. This study assessed the drug utilization pattern among paediatric asthma patients in Introduction University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH). The There is an increasing prevalence of asthma study protocol for this five-year retrospective survey symptoms in children and adolescents, particularly in 1 (1st January, 2015 to 31st December, 2019) was low-and middle-income countries (LMICs). Despite approved by the Health Research and Ethics the higher prevalence of asthma in high-income 2 Committee of UNTH. Eligibility criteria included countries, most asthma-related deaths occur in LMICs. folders of the paediatric asthma patients within the The aim of pharmacological therapy in asthma period under review. Descriptive statistics summarized management is to optimize asthma symptom control, the data and World Health Organization minimize asthma exacerbations while ensuring 3 (WHO)/International Network of Rational Use of minimal adverse effects from the medications. Inhaled Drugs (INRUD) core prescribing indicators. corticosteroids (ICS), the mainstay in asthma 4 The result presented that 272 prescriptions management, reduce airway inflammation. were extracted from the 68folders.Majority of the Previously, the first-line reliever therapy was shortacting beta-agonists (SABAs) which reduce airway patients were 10yearsold (n = 167, 61.4%) and 5

Research paper thumbnail of Drug utilization pattern among paediatric asthma patients attending the respiratory clinic of a Nigerian tertiary hospital: a five-year retrospective survey

Tropical Journal of Health Sciences, 2022

Drug prescribing indicators can assess Respiratory clinic; Nigeria prescribing performance. This ... more Drug prescribing indicators can assess Respiratory clinic; Nigeria prescribing performance. This study assessed the drug utilization pattern among paediatric asthma patients in Introduction University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH). The There is an increasing prevalence of asthma study protocol for this five-year retrospective survey symptoms in children and adolescents, particularly in 1 (1st January, 2015 to 31st December, 2019) was low-and middle-income countries (LMICs). Despite approved by the Health Research and Ethics the higher prevalence of asthma in high-income 2 Committee of UNTH. Eligibility criteria included countries, most asthma-related deaths occur in LMICs. folders of the paediatric asthma patients within the The aim of pharmacological therapy in asthma period under review. Descriptive statistics summarized management is to optimize asthma symptom control, the data and World Health Organization minimize asthma exacerbations while ensuring 3 (WHO)/International Network of Rational Use of minimal adverse effects from the medications. Inhaled Drugs (INRUD) core prescribing indicators. corticosteroids (ICS), the mainstay in asthma 4 The result presented that 272 prescriptions management, reduce airway inflammation. were extracted from the 68folders.Majority of the Previously, the first-line reliever therapy was shortacting beta-agonists (SABAs) which reduce airway patients were 10yearsold (n = 167, 61.4%) and 5

Research paper thumbnail of Factors associated with the timely completion of doctoral research studies in clinical pharmacy: A mixed-methods study

PLOS ONE

Introduction There is growing scientific evidence of mental and well-being issues that doctoral r... more Introduction There is growing scientific evidence of mental and well-being issues that doctoral research students face as a result of not finishing their program on time. This study aims to explore the factors associated with the timely completion of doctoral research studies in the clinical pharmacy speciality. Methods This was a mixed-method study that combined surveys with in-depth interviews. Current doctoral research students and pharmacists who have recently completed their doctoral research program participated in the study. A validated questionnaire and an interview topic guide developed from the literature and pretesting were used to collect data. Data for this study were collected between February 2021 and September 2021. Quantitative data were analysed with the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) V.25 while interview data were subjected to reflexive thematic analysis. Results 47 students who are currently pursuing their doctoral research program in clinical pha...

Research paper thumbnail of Factors associated with the timely completion of doctoral research studies in clinical pharmacy: A mixed-methods study

PLoS ONE, 2022

Introduction There is growing scientific evidence of mental and well-being issues that doctoral r... more Introduction
There is growing scientific evidence of mental and well-being issues that doctoral research students face as a result of not finishing their program on time. This study aims to explore the factors associated with the timely completion of doctoral research studies in the clinical pharmacy speciality.

Methods
This was a mixed-method study that combined surveys with in-depth interviews. Current doctoral research students and pharmacists who have recently completed their doctoral research program participated in the study. A validated questionnaire and an interview topic guide developed from the literature and pretesting were used to collect data. Data for this study were collected between February 2021 and September 2021. Quantitative data were analysed with the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) V.25 while interview data were subjected to reflexive thematic analysis.

Results
47 students who are currently pursuing their doctoral research program in clinical pharmacy participated in the survey, while 8 pharmacists who had recently completed their doctoral research program in clinical pharmacy participated in the in-depth interviews. Five themes were identified: factors contributing to delay in the program, factors contributing to the timely completion of the program, ways to improve the program, advice to current students and advice to prospective students. Having more than one supervisor, supervisors’ commitment to the research work and support from the department were identified as facilitators of timely completion of doctoral research programs in clinical pharmacy.

Conclusion
Our study provides an understanding of the barriers and facilitators of timely completion of doctoral research programs in the clinical pharmacy specialist, and how these can be used to improve the postgraduate study programs in Nigeria.

Research paper thumbnail of PHARMACY STUDENTS' INVOLVEMENT IN PUBLIC HEALTH INTERVENTIONS: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY IN THREE NIGERIAN TERTIARY UNIVERSITIES

African Journal of Pharmaceutical Research & Development, 2022

Pharmacists should engage in preventive care services that promote public health and prevent dise... more Pharmacists should engage in preventive care services that promote public health and prevent disease. Pharmacy education is recognizing the potential for pharmacists in public health. This study assessed Nigerian pharmacy students' involvement with public health interventions. The cross-sectional survey was conducted in the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN), University of Jos (UNIJOS) and University of UYO (UNIUYO). Data were collected with a 47-item structured, self-administered questionnaire and analyzed using the IBM SPSS Version 25.0, with statistical significance set as P < 0.05. Most of the respondents were between 21 to 26 years old (n = 299, 82.4%) and claimed to have received sufficient training in pharmacy school to efficiently participate in public health activities (n = 269, 74.1%). After categorization, about a quarter of the respondents had good knowledge of public health (n = 97; 26.7%) while less than half of them were sufficiently involved with public health activities (n = 151, 41.6%) or willing to get involved (n = 97; 26.7%). More respondents from UNN were more willing to participate in public health activities compared to respondents from UNIJOS and UNIUYO (41.9% vs. 29.9% vs. 21.5%; χ 2 = 2.483; P = 0.002). Respondents who were members of any health-related association/club on campus were more willing to participate in public health activities compared to those who were not (42.0% vs. 28.4%; χ 2 = 7.367; P = 0.007). Level of pharmacy students' involvement with public health activities could be influenced by the university, membership of health-related associations/clubs on campus, participation in clinical outreaches, public health courses. The university can serve as a springboard for pharmacists' active involvement in public health.

Research paper thumbnail of Predictors of Adherence and Asthma Control in Two Federal Teaching Hospitals in Nigeria

Dhaka University Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Asthma is a common chronic disease in developing countries. The main objective of the study was t... more Asthma is a common chronic disease in developing countries. The main objective of the study was to provide insights into adherence and asthma control predictors in two federal teaching hospitals in Nigeria, using validated instruments. For the data analysis, the level of statistical significance was set as p < 0.05. Seventy-eight patients with asthma provided consent for study participation. Every time domestic fuel was utilized at home, asthma control decreased by 1.246 units, p = 0.029. Every time an asthma patient utilized one of the hospitals which did not have a separate Asthma Clinic, adherence decreased by 1.483 units, p < 0.001. The study reveals the need for patients with asthma to minimize the use of domestic fuel. Renewable energy sources could be considered. A separate Asthma Clinic can provide ample time for asthma reviews. Dhaka Univ. J. Pharm. Sci. 21(1): 45-51, 2022 (June)

Research paper thumbnail of The brain drain potential of skilled health workers from sub-Saharan Africa: A case study of pharmacy students in Nigeria

Pharmacy Education

Background: The increasing migration of health workers from low- and middle-income countries is a... more Background: The increasing migration of health workers from low- and middle-income countries is an ongoing public health concern. This study evaluated the brain drain potential of pharmacy students in Nigeria. Methods: This was a cross-sectional survey of final year pharmacy students from three Nigerian universities. Data collection was done via a 46-item self-administered questionnaire. Results: There were 377 respondents. Reasons for potential emigration included better standard of living (n=334, 88.6%), access to advanced technology (n=330, 87.5%) and opportunity for professional development (n=341, 90.5%) in the destination countries. Respondents younger than 25 years were more likely to have a high emigration potential compared to those older (98.6% vs 84.6%, ꭓ2=10.816, p=0.029). Conclusion: This study showed high emigration potential for the surveyed final year pharmacy students. This highlights the need for interventions that will promote retention and limit brain dr...

Research paper thumbnail of Predictors of Adherence and Asthma Control in Two Federal Teaching Hospitals in Nigeria

Predictors of adherence and asthma control in two federal teaching hospitals in Nigeria, 2022

Asthma is a common chronic disease in developing countries. The main objective of the study was t... more Asthma is a common chronic disease in developing countries. The main objective of the study was to provide insights into adherence and asthma control predictors in two federal teaching hospitals in Nigeria, using validated instruments. For the data analysis, the level of statistical significance was set as p < 0.05. Seventy-eight patients with asthma provided consent for study participation. Every time domestic fuel was utilized at home, asthma control decreased by 1.246 units, p = 0.029. Every time an asthma patient utilized one of the hospitals which did not have a separate Asthma Clinic, adherence decreased by 1.483 units, p < 0.001. The study reveals the need for patients with asthma to minimize the use of domestic fuel. Renewable energy sources could be considered. A separate Asthma Clinic can provide ample time for asthma reviews.

Research paper thumbnail of The brain drain potential of skilled health workers from sub-Saharan Africa: A case study of pharmacy students in Nigeria

Pharmacy Education, 2022

Background: The increasing migration of health workers from low- and middle-income countries is a... more Background: The increasing migration of health workers from low- and middle-income countries is an ongoing public health concern. This study evaluated the brain drain potential of pharmacy students in Nigeria. Methods: This was a cross-sectional survey of final year pharmacy students from three Nigerian universities. Data collection was done via a 46-item self-administered questionnaire. Results: There were 377 respondents. Reasons for potential emigration included better standard of living (n=334, 88.6%), access to advanced technology (n=330, 87.5%) and opportunity for professional development (n=341, 90.5%) in the destination countries. Respondents younger than 25 years were more likely to have a high emigration potential compared to those older (98.6% vs 84.6%, ꭓ2=10.816, p=0.029). Conclusion: This study showed high emigration potential for the surveyed final year pharmacy students. This highlights the need for interventions that will promote retention and limit brain drain.

Research paper thumbnail of Perceptions of the roles and impact of clinical pharmacists by students in health-related disciplines in a Nigerian university

Nigerian journal of pharmacy, Mar 30, 2022

Background: The expanded responsibilities of pharmacists have created friction with other health ... more Background: The expanded responsibilities of pharmacists have created friction with other health professionals. This study sought to assess the perceptions of the roles and impact of clinical pharmacists by students in health-related disciplines in a Nigerian university. Methods: This was a cross-sectional survey of final year students in eight health-related disciplines in the University of Nigeria Nsukka. Data were collected with a 37-item structured self-administered questionnaire and analyzed using the IBM SPSS Version 25. Pearson's Chi-Square tested the association between variables while multiple linear regression determined the predictors. Statistical significance was set as P < 0.05. Results: Of the 790 eligible students, 463 participated. Three-fifths of the respondents had previously done Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES)/Industrial Training (IT) in a hospital (n = 283, 61.1%). More than half of the respondents agreed that clinical pharmacists should participate in ward rounds (n = 326, 70.4%). Less than half of them (n = 184, 39.7%) agreed that clinical pharmacists should manage patients with chronic diseases. Majority of the students (n = 451, 97.4%) agreed that clinical pharmacists are necessary to the healthcare system. Overall, less than half of the respondents had a positive perception of the roles (n = 200, 43.2%) and impact (n = 195, 42.1%) of clinical pharmacists. Being in a department other than pharmacy significantly predicted a decrease in the positive perception of the roles (B =-4.187, P < 0.001) and impact (B =-0.826, P < 0.001) of clinical pharmacists. Having a pharmacist as an immediate family member increased the positive perception of the roles of clinical pharmacists (B = 0.889, P = 0.005). Undergoing SIWES/IT in a hospital (B = 0.598, P < 0.001) significantly predicted an increase in the positive perception of the impact of clinical pharmacists. Conclusion: Less than half of the respondents had a positive perception of the roles/impact of clinical pharmacists. Interprofessional education should be encouraged.

Research paper thumbnail of Knowledge and perception about asthma in a Nigerian university community

Nigerian journal of pharmacy, Mar 30, 2022

Background: Asthma, a global health issue, affects people of all ages and backgrounds. There are ... more Background: Asthma, a global health issue, affects people of all ages and backgrounds. There are some misconceptions about asthma. This study assessed the knowledge and perception about asthma in a Nigerian university community. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among students in University of Nigeria Nsukka on WAD 2021. A self-administered structured questionnaire was filled by conveniently sampled students in a strategic location on campus. Inferential statistics utilized the Pearson's Chi-Square test and multiple linear regression with P < 0.05 of statistical significance. Results: One hundred and fifty-eight (158) students participated in the study. Majority of the participants were between the ages of 18 to 23 years (n = 128; 81.0%), in their first or second year of university (n = 106; 77.1%), and in Social Sciences or Arts (n = 147; 93.0%). Less than a tenth of the participants had been previously diagnosed of asthma (n = 12; 7.6%). Close to a quarter of them had a family history of asthma (n = 37, 23.4%). The awareness about asthma was high (n = 155; 98.1%). Less than half of the participants had good knowledge of asthma (n = 52; 32.9%) and positive perception of asthma (n = 76; 48.1%). Conclusion: Majority of the students had high awareness about asthma but with poor knowledge of the disease. In addition, less than half of the participants had positive perceptions about asthma. These necessitate the need for health education on asthma. 8 provide tailored education. Education can also be

Research paper thumbnail of Drug Therapy Problems in Asthma Identified During Pharmacist-Led Educational INTERVENTIONS:(TJPS-2020-0166.R3)

Thai Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences (TJPS), Jun 29, 2021

Background: Drug therapy problems (DTPs) interfere with desired goals of therapy. This study eval... more Background: Drug therapy problems (DTPs) interfere with desired goals of therapy. This study evaluated DTPs in asthma identified during a pharmacist-led intervention in the asthma clinics of two Nigerian hospitals. Methods: This intervention study was conducted in the asthma clinics, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH) and Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH). Eligible participants were patients with asthma recruited into a pharmacist-led intervention study and followed up for 6 months. The Pharmaceutical Care Network Europe – Drug Related Problem Classification V6.2 in English (PCNE-DRP V6.2) was utilized to evaluate the DTPs. Results: Seventy-eight (78) patients with asthma participated. A total of 158 DTPs were identified. Majority of the DTPs were manifest (96.2%). Salmeterol/Fluticasone (Seretide® Diskus®) was most implicated (43.7%). The most common type of DTP was patients not benefitting from the optimal effect of their drug treatment (63.9%). More than half of the causes were from drug under-used/administered (55.1%) or the patients unable to use the drug form as directed (60.1%). About three-quarter (76.6%) of the DTPs were totally solved. Conclusions: Drug use/administration process was the major cause of the DTPs. Patient counseling accounted for a bulk of the interventions. Pharmacists should be proactive in preventing, identifying and resolving DTPs.

Research paper thumbnail of Ulcer Effect of Methanol Extract of the Root Bark EntandrophragmaAngolense (Meliacaea ) in Rodents

The anti ulcer activity of methanol extract (ME) of the root bark of Entandrophragmaangolense, as... more The anti ulcer activity of methanol extract (ME) of the root bark of Entandrophragmaangolense, as acclaimed by herbalists was studied. The ME obtained by soxhlet extraction was subjected to anti different dose levels (200, 400, 800 mg/kg b.w.) using indomethacin and ethanol induced ulcer models. Cimetidine 100 mg/kg b.w. and 5 ml/kg b.w. solvent (Distilled water) served as positive and negative controls respectively. Acute toxicity and phytochemical screening were also carried out. The re sults revealed that ME exhibited a non significant (p>0.05) dose dependent anti -ulcer effect against both ulcer-induction models, compared to the negative control. This effect was not comparable to that shown by the positive control (cimetidine). The quali tative phytochemical analysis showed the presence of saponin, protein, tannin, glycosides, reducing sugar, resins, steroids and terpenoids, while the acute toxicity test showed no obvious sign of toxicity up to >5,000 mg/kg b.w. These find...

Research paper thumbnail of Knowledge and perception about asthma among students in a Nigerian single-sex secondary school

The Clinical Respiratory Journal, 2021

Introduction Asthma is prevalent among children and adolescents. Few studies have assessed the kn... more Introduction
Asthma is prevalent among children and adolescents. Few studies have assessed the knowledge and perceptions of asthma among adolescents.

Objectives
This study assessed the knowledge and perception about asthma among secondary school students in an all-girls school in Nigeria.

Methods
This cross-sectional study was conducted in a Nigerian secondary school in Enugu State (February 2020). In Senior Secondary School (SS1, SS2 and SS3), students could be in one of three specialized classes: Sciences, Humanities and Business. A self-administered structured questionnaire was filled by conveniently sampled students in SS1 and SS2. Inferential statistics utilized the Pearson's chi-square test and multiple linear regression with statistical significance set as P < 0.05.

Results
Three hundred and eighty-eight (388) students participated in the study (mean age = 14.64 ± 0.93 years). Majority of the students were in Science class (n = 299; 77.1%). There was high awareness about asthma (n = 384; 99.0%). More than half of them had good asthma knowledge (n = 279; 71.9%); close to three-fifths had favourable perception of asthma (n = 222; 57.2%). More students in SS2 had good knowledge of asthma compared to those in SS1 (76.7% vs. 67.2%; ꭓ2 = 4.338; P = 0.037). More students in Science class had favourable perceptions about asthma compared with those in Humanities and Business class (60.5% vs. 48.1% vs. 25.0%; ꭓ2 = 7.458; P = 0.024).

Conclusion
Majority of the students were aware about asthma and had good knowledge of the disease while close to three-fifths had favourable perceptions about asthma.

Research paper thumbnail of Evaluation of Drug Therapy Problems among hypertensive patients in a Nigerian Secondary Healthcare Centre

Nigerian Journal of Pharmacy, 2020

Research paper thumbnail of Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of adolescent girls regarding cervical cancer: a cross-sectional study in Enugu State, Nigeria

Introduction: cervical cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death, among women, globally.... more Introduction: cervical cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death, among women, globally. The majority of the countries with the highest cervical cancer burden are in sub-Saharan Africa, including Nigeria. This study assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding cervical cancer among secondary school students in an all-girls school. Methods: this cross-sectional study was conducted in Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria (April 2021). A 30-item self-administered structured questionnaire was filled by conveniently sampled students in Senior Secondary School (SS 2 and SS 3). Pearson&#39;s Chi-square was used to test the association between variables (Statistical significance: P &lt; 0.05). Results: the mean age of the 103 respondents was 16.10 (± 1.00) years. The most common source of information about cervical cancer was mass media (n = 20, 19.4%). Less than half of the respondents had good knowledge of cervical cancer (n = 44; 42.7%) and had favorable attitudes towards the disease (n = 50; 48.5%). More than half of them had good cervical cancer practices (n = 87; 84.5%). They were highly open to screening (n = 92; 89.3%) and vaccination (n = 93; 90.3%). More respondents who had first-hand experience of cervical cancer from family members were aware of the disease compared to those who did not (71.4% Vs. 33.3%; χ 2 = 4.113; P = 0.043). Conclusion: the study highlights the need for adolescent girls to be educated about cervical cancer, to improve their knowledge and attitudes towards the disease, so they can make informed decisions about their practices.

Research paper thumbnail of Knowledge and attitudes of Nigerian final-year pharmacy students towards genital warts and practice regarding human papillomavirus vaccine: A cross-sectional study

Pharmacy Education, Oct 2, 2023

Research paper thumbnail of Assessment of Community Pharmacists' Knowledge, Perception and Practice Regarding Antimicrobial Stewardship in Ebonyi State, Southeastern Nigeria

African Journal of Biomedical Research, 2024

Antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) is vital for promoting the appropriate use of antimicrobials. Thi... more Antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) is vital for promoting the appropriate use of antimicrobials. This study evaluated the knowledge, perception, and practice of community pharmacists regarding AMS in a Nigerian state. The cross-sectional study was conducted among community pharmacists using a 33-item structured questionnaire. Data collected were analyzed with the significance level set as P < 0.05. Out of 79 distributed questionnaires, 70 were completed (participation rate: 88.6%). Majority of the respondents were males (n = 48, 68.6%), aged 26-45 years (n = 51, 72.9%), and had ≤ 10 years of community pharmacy experience (n = 54, 77.1%). Overall, more than half of the respondents possessed good AMS knowledge (n = 51, 72.9%), while approximately half had a positive perception (n = 38, 54.3%) and practiced AMS effectively (n = 36, 51.4%). Male pharmacists showed higher awareness of AMS compared to females (89.6% vs. 63.6%; ꭓ2 = 6.716, p = 0.010). Respondents who were Fellows of the West African Postgraduate College of Pharmacists (FPCPharm) had better AMS knowledge (100.0% vs. 67.8%; ꭓ2 = 4.862, p = 0.027) and a more positive perception (81.8% vs. 49.2%; ꭓ2 = 3.986, p = 0.046). While community pharmacists displayed good AMS knowledge, their perception and practice were average. Participation in the West African Postgraduate College of Pharmacists programme was associated with improved knowledge and perception of AMS. Strengthening interprofessional collaborations can optimize health outcomes. Enhancing antibiotic stewardship among Nigerian community pharmacists is imperative.

Research paper thumbnail of POSC226 Perceptions of the Roles and Impact of Clinical Pharmacists By Nigerian Students in Health-Related Disciplines

Research paper thumbnail of Knowledge and attitudes of Nigerian final-year pharmacy students towards genital warts and practice regarding human papillomavirus vaccine: A cross-sectional study

Pharmacy Education, 2023

Background: Genital warts are clinical presentations of human papillomavirus (HPV) infect... more Background: Genital warts are clinical presentations of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. The study evaluated the knowledge and attitudes of Nigerian final year pharmacy students towards genital warts and practice regarding the HPV vaccine. Methods: Data for this cross-sectional study were collected from February 2022 to April 2022 with a 31-item structured self-administered questionnaire and analysed using IBM SPSS Version 25.0. Pearson’s Chi-Square was used to test the association between variables. Statistical significance was set as p < 0.05. Results: The study enrolled 620 respondents from 15 universities in Nigeria. Overall, slightly above half of the respondents had good knowledge of genital warts (n=344, 55.5%). More than half of them had favourable attitudes towards genital warts (n=422, 68.1%). Few respondents reported that they had been vaccinated against genital warts (n=12, 1.9%). Conclusion: The study revealed that final year pharmacy students in Nigeria showed good knowledge and favourable attitudes towards genital warts and human HPV prevention, which did not translate into good practice. It highlights the need for interventions that would promote good practices towards genital warts prevention.

Research paper thumbnail of Drug utilization pattern among paediatric asthma patients attending the respiratory clinic of a Nigerian tertiary hospital: a five-year retrospective survey

Tropical Journal of Health Sciences, Nov 27, 2022

Drug prescribing indicators can assess Respiratory clinic; Nigeria prescribing performance. This ... more Drug prescribing indicators can assess Respiratory clinic; Nigeria prescribing performance. This study assessed the drug utilization pattern among paediatric asthma patients in Introduction University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH). The There is an increasing prevalence of asthma study protocol for this five-year retrospective survey symptoms in children and adolescents, particularly in 1 (1st January, 2015 to 31st December, 2019) was low-and middle-income countries (LMICs). Despite approved by the Health Research and Ethics the higher prevalence of asthma in high-income 2 Committee of UNTH. Eligibility criteria included countries, most asthma-related deaths occur in LMICs. folders of the paediatric asthma patients within the The aim of pharmacological therapy in asthma period under review. Descriptive statistics summarized management is to optimize asthma symptom control, the data and World Health Organization minimize asthma exacerbations while ensuring 3 (WHO)/International Network of Rational Use of minimal adverse effects from the medications. Inhaled Drugs (INRUD) core prescribing indicators. corticosteroids (ICS), the mainstay in asthma 4 The result presented that 272 prescriptions management, reduce airway inflammation. were extracted from the 68folders.Majority of the Previously, the first-line reliever therapy was shortacting beta-agonists (SABAs) which reduce airway patients were 10yearsold (n = 167, 61.4%) and 5

Research paper thumbnail of Drug utilization pattern among paediatric asthma patients attending the respiratory clinic of a Nigerian tertiary hospital: a five-year retrospective survey

Tropical Journal of Health Sciences, 2022

Drug prescribing indicators can assess Respiratory clinic; Nigeria prescribing performance. This ... more Drug prescribing indicators can assess Respiratory clinic; Nigeria prescribing performance. This study assessed the drug utilization pattern among paediatric asthma patients in Introduction University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH). The There is an increasing prevalence of asthma study protocol for this five-year retrospective survey symptoms in children and adolescents, particularly in 1 (1st January, 2015 to 31st December, 2019) was low-and middle-income countries (LMICs). Despite approved by the Health Research and Ethics the higher prevalence of asthma in high-income 2 Committee of UNTH. Eligibility criteria included countries, most asthma-related deaths occur in LMICs. folders of the paediatric asthma patients within the The aim of pharmacological therapy in asthma period under review. Descriptive statistics summarized management is to optimize asthma symptom control, the data and World Health Organization minimize asthma exacerbations while ensuring 3 (WHO)/International Network of Rational Use of minimal adverse effects from the medications. Inhaled Drugs (INRUD) core prescribing indicators. corticosteroids (ICS), the mainstay in asthma 4 The result presented that 272 prescriptions management, reduce airway inflammation. were extracted from the 68folders.Majority of the Previously, the first-line reliever therapy was shortacting beta-agonists (SABAs) which reduce airway patients were 10yearsold (n = 167, 61.4%) and 5

Research paper thumbnail of Factors associated with the timely completion of doctoral research studies in clinical pharmacy: A mixed-methods study

PLOS ONE

Introduction There is growing scientific evidence of mental and well-being issues that doctoral r... more Introduction There is growing scientific evidence of mental and well-being issues that doctoral research students face as a result of not finishing their program on time. This study aims to explore the factors associated with the timely completion of doctoral research studies in the clinical pharmacy speciality. Methods This was a mixed-method study that combined surveys with in-depth interviews. Current doctoral research students and pharmacists who have recently completed their doctoral research program participated in the study. A validated questionnaire and an interview topic guide developed from the literature and pretesting were used to collect data. Data for this study were collected between February 2021 and September 2021. Quantitative data were analysed with the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) V.25 while interview data were subjected to reflexive thematic analysis. Results 47 students who are currently pursuing their doctoral research program in clinical pha...

Research paper thumbnail of Factors associated with the timely completion of doctoral research studies in clinical pharmacy: A mixed-methods study

PLoS ONE, 2022

Introduction There is growing scientific evidence of mental and well-being issues that doctoral r... more Introduction
There is growing scientific evidence of mental and well-being issues that doctoral research students face as a result of not finishing their program on time. This study aims to explore the factors associated with the timely completion of doctoral research studies in the clinical pharmacy speciality.

Methods
This was a mixed-method study that combined surveys with in-depth interviews. Current doctoral research students and pharmacists who have recently completed their doctoral research program participated in the study. A validated questionnaire and an interview topic guide developed from the literature and pretesting were used to collect data. Data for this study were collected between February 2021 and September 2021. Quantitative data were analysed with the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) V.25 while interview data were subjected to reflexive thematic analysis.

Results
47 students who are currently pursuing their doctoral research program in clinical pharmacy participated in the survey, while 8 pharmacists who had recently completed their doctoral research program in clinical pharmacy participated in the in-depth interviews. Five themes were identified: factors contributing to delay in the program, factors contributing to the timely completion of the program, ways to improve the program, advice to current students and advice to prospective students. Having more than one supervisor, supervisors’ commitment to the research work and support from the department were identified as facilitators of timely completion of doctoral research programs in clinical pharmacy.

Conclusion
Our study provides an understanding of the barriers and facilitators of timely completion of doctoral research programs in the clinical pharmacy specialist, and how these can be used to improve the postgraduate study programs in Nigeria.

Research paper thumbnail of PHARMACY STUDENTS' INVOLVEMENT IN PUBLIC HEALTH INTERVENTIONS: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY IN THREE NIGERIAN TERTIARY UNIVERSITIES

African Journal of Pharmaceutical Research & Development, 2022

Pharmacists should engage in preventive care services that promote public health and prevent dise... more Pharmacists should engage in preventive care services that promote public health and prevent disease. Pharmacy education is recognizing the potential for pharmacists in public health. This study assessed Nigerian pharmacy students' involvement with public health interventions. The cross-sectional survey was conducted in the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN), University of Jos (UNIJOS) and University of UYO (UNIUYO). Data were collected with a 47-item structured, self-administered questionnaire and analyzed using the IBM SPSS Version 25.0, with statistical significance set as P < 0.05. Most of the respondents were between 21 to 26 years old (n = 299, 82.4%) and claimed to have received sufficient training in pharmacy school to efficiently participate in public health activities (n = 269, 74.1%). After categorization, about a quarter of the respondents had good knowledge of public health (n = 97; 26.7%) while less than half of them were sufficiently involved with public health activities (n = 151, 41.6%) or willing to get involved (n = 97; 26.7%). More respondents from UNN were more willing to participate in public health activities compared to respondents from UNIJOS and UNIUYO (41.9% vs. 29.9% vs. 21.5%; χ 2 = 2.483; P = 0.002). Respondents who were members of any health-related association/club on campus were more willing to participate in public health activities compared to those who were not (42.0% vs. 28.4%; χ 2 = 7.367; P = 0.007). Level of pharmacy students' involvement with public health activities could be influenced by the university, membership of health-related associations/clubs on campus, participation in clinical outreaches, public health courses. The university can serve as a springboard for pharmacists' active involvement in public health.

Research paper thumbnail of Predictors of Adherence and Asthma Control in Two Federal Teaching Hospitals in Nigeria

Dhaka University Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Asthma is a common chronic disease in developing countries. The main objective of the study was t... more Asthma is a common chronic disease in developing countries. The main objective of the study was to provide insights into adherence and asthma control predictors in two federal teaching hospitals in Nigeria, using validated instruments. For the data analysis, the level of statistical significance was set as p < 0.05. Seventy-eight patients with asthma provided consent for study participation. Every time domestic fuel was utilized at home, asthma control decreased by 1.246 units, p = 0.029. Every time an asthma patient utilized one of the hospitals which did not have a separate Asthma Clinic, adherence decreased by 1.483 units, p < 0.001. The study reveals the need for patients with asthma to minimize the use of domestic fuel. Renewable energy sources could be considered. A separate Asthma Clinic can provide ample time for asthma reviews. Dhaka Univ. J. Pharm. Sci. 21(1): 45-51, 2022 (June)

Research paper thumbnail of The brain drain potential of skilled health workers from sub-Saharan Africa: A case study of pharmacy students in Nigeria

Pharmacy Education

Background: The increasing migration of health workers from low- and middle-income countries is a... more Background: The increasing migration of health workers from low- and middle-income countries is an ongoing public health concern. This study evaluated the brain drain potential of pharmacy students in Nigeria. Methods: This was a cross-sectional survey of final year pharmacy students from three Nigerian universities. Data collection was done via a 46-item self-administered questionnaire. Results: There were 377 respondents. Reasons for potential emigration included better standard of living (n=334, 88.6%), access to advanced technology (n=330, 87.5%) and opportunity for professional development (n=341, 90.5%) in the destination countries. Respondents younger than 25 years were more likely to have a high emigration potential compared to those older (98.6% vs 84.6%, ꭓ2=10.816, p=0.029). Conclusion: This study showed high emigration potential for the surveyed final year pharmacy students. This highlights the need for interventions that will promote retention and limit brain dr...

Research paper thumbnail of Predictors of Adherence and Asthma Control in Two Federal Teaching Hospitals in Nigeria

Predictors of adherence and asthma control in two federal teaching hospitals in Nigeria, 2022

Asthma is a common chronic disease in developing countries. The main objective of the study was t... more Asthma is a common chronic disease in developing countries. The main objective of the study was to provide insights into adherence and asthma control predictors in two federal teaching hospitals in Nigeria, using validated instruments. For the data analysis, the level of statistical significance was set as p < 0.05. Seventy-eight patients with asthma provided consent for study participation. Every time domestic fuel was utilized at home, asthma control decreased by 1.246 units, p = 0.029. Every time an asthma patient utilized one of the hospitals which did not have a separate Asthma Clinic, adherence decreased by 1.483 units, p < 0.001. The study reveals the need for patients with asthma to minimize the use of domestic fuel. Renewable energy sources could be considered. A separate Asthma Clinic can provide ample time for asthma reviews.

Research paper thumbnail of The brain drain potential of skilled health workers from sub-Saharan Africa: A case study of pharmacy students in Nigeria

Pharmacy Education, 2022

Background: The increasing migration of health workers from low- and middle-income countries is a... more Background: The increasing migration of health workers from low- and middle-income countries is an ongoing public health concern. This study evaluated the brain drain potential of pharmacy students in Nigeria. Methods: This was a cross-sectional survey of final year pharmacy students from three Nigerian universities. Data collection was done via a 46-item self-administered questionnaire. Results: There were 377 respondents. Reasons for potential emigration included better standard of living (n=334, 88.6%), access to advanced technology (n=330, 87.5%) and opportunity for professional development (n=341, 90.5%) in the destination countries. Respondents younger than 25 years were more likely to have a high emigration potential compared to those older (98.6% vs 84.6%, ꭓ2=10.816, p=0.029). Conclusion: This study showed high emigration potential for the surveyed final year pharmacy students. This highlights the need for interventions that will promote retention and limit brain drain.

Research paper thumbnail of Perceptions of the roles and impact of clinical pharmacists by students in health-related disciplines in a Nigerian university

Nigerian journal of pharmacy, Mar 30, 2022

Background: The expanded responsibilities of pharmacists have created friction with other health ... more Background: The expanded responsibilities of pharmacists have created friction with other health professionals. This study sought to assess the perceptions of the roles and impact of clinical pharmacists by students in health-related disciplines in a Nigerian university. Methods: This was a cross-sectional survey of final year students in eight health-related disciplines in the University of Nigeria Nsukka. Data were collected with a 37-item structured self-administered questionnaire and analyzed using the IBM SPSS Version 25. Pearson's Chi-Square tested the association between variables while multiple linear regression determined the predictors. Statistical significance was set as P < 0.05. Results: Of the 790 eligible students, 463 participated. Three-fifths of the respondents had previously done Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES)/Industrial Training (IT) in a hospital (n = 283, 61.1%). More than half of the respondents agreed that clinical pharmacists should participate in ward rounds (n = 326, 70.4%). Less than half of them (n = 184, 39.7%) agreed that clinical pharmacists should manage patients with chronic diseases. Majority of the students (n = 451, 97.4%) agreed that clinical pharmacists are necessary to the healthcare system. Overall, less than half of the respondents had a positive perception of the roles (n = 200, 43.2%) and impact (n = 195, 42.1%) of clinical pharmacists. Being in a department other than pharmacy significantly predicted a decrease in the positive perception of the roles (B =-4.187, P < 0.001) and impact (B =-0.826, P < 0.001) of clinical pharmacists. Having a pharmacist as an immediate family member increased the positive perception of the roles of clinical pharmacists (B = 0.889, P = 0.005). Undergoing SIWES/IT in a hospital (B = 0.598, P < 0.001) significantly predicted an increase in the positive perception of the impact of clinical pharmacists. Conclusion: Less than half of the respondents had a positive perception of the roles/impact of clinical pharmacists. Interprofessional education should be encouraged.

Research paper thumbnail of Knowledge and perception about asthma in a Nigerian university community

Nigerian journal of pharmacy, Mar 30, 2022

Background: Asthma, a global health issue, affects people of all ages and backgrounds. There are ... more Background: Asthma, a global health issue, affects people of all ages and backgrounds. There are some misconceptions about asthma. This study assessed the knowledge and perception about asthma in a Nigerian university community. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among students in University of Nigeria Nsukka on WAD 2021. A self-administered structured questionnaire was filled by conveniently sampled students in a strategic location on campus. Inferential statistics utilized the Pearson's Chi-Square test and multiple linear regression with P < 0.05 of statistical significance. Results: One hundred and fifty-eight (158) students participated in the study. Majority of the participants were between the ages of 18 to 23 years (n = 128; 81.0%), in their first or second year of university (n = 106; 77.1%), and in Social Sciences or Arts (n = 147; 93.0%). Less than a tenth of the participants had been previously diagnosed of asthma (n = 12; 7.6%). Close to a quarter of them had a family history of asthma (n = 37, 23.4%). The awareness about asthma was high (n = 155; 98.1%). Less than half of the participants had good knowledge of asthma (n = 52; 32.9%) and positive perception of asthma (n = 76; 48.1%). Conclusion: Majority of the students had high awareness about asthma but with poor knowledge of the disease. In addition, less than half of the participants had positive perceptions about asthma. These necessitate the need for health education on asthma. 8 provide tailored education. Education can also be

Research paper thumbnail of Drug Therapy Problems in Asthma Identified During Pharmacist-Led Educational INTERVENTIONS:(TJPS-2020-0166.R3)

Thai Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences (TJPS), Jun 29, 2021

Background: Drug therapy problems (DTPs) interfere with desired goals of therapy. This study eval... more Background: Drug therapy problems (DTPs) interfere with desired goals of therapy. This study evaluated DTPs in asthma identified during a pharmacist-led intervention in the asthma clinics of two Nigerian hospitals. Methods: This intervention study was conducted in the asthma clinics, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH) and Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH). Eligible participants were patients with asthma recruited into a pharmacist-led intervention study and followed up for 6 months. The Pharmaceutical Care Network Europe – Drug Related Problem Classification V6.2 in English (PCNE-DRP V6.2) was utilized to evaluate the DTPs. Results: Seventy-eight (78) patients with asthma participated. A total of 158 DTPs were identified. Majority of the DTPs were manifest (96.2%). Salmeterol/Fluticasone (Seretide® Diskus®) was most implicated (43.7%). The most common type of DTP was patients not benefitting from the optimal effect of their drug treatment (63.9%). More than half of the causes were from drug under-used/administered (55.1%) or the patients unable to use the drug form as directed (60.1%). About three-quarter (76.6%) of the DTPs were totally solved. Conclusions: Drug use/administration process was the major cause of the DTPs. Patient counseling accounted for a bulk of the interventions. Pharmacists should be proactive in preventing, identifying and resolving DTPs.

Research paper thumbnail of Ulcer Effect of Methanol Extract of the Root Bark EntandrophragmaAngolense (Meliacaea ) in Rodents

The anti ulcer activity of methanol extract (ME) of the root bark of Entandrophragmaangolense, as... more The anti ulcer activity of methanol extract (ME) of the root bark of Entandrophragmaangolense, as acclaimed by herbalists was studied. The ME obtained by soxhlet extraction was subjected to anti different dose levels (200, 400, 800 mg/kg b.w.) using indomethacin and ethanol induced ulcer models. Cimetidine 100 mg/kg b.w. and 5 ml/kg b.w. solvent (Distilled water) served as positive and negative controls respectively. Acute toxicity and phytochemical screening were also carried out. The re sults revealed that ME exhibited a non significant (p>0.05) dose dependent anti -ulcer effect against both ulcer-induction models, compared to the negative control. This effect was not comparable to that shown by the positive control (cimetidine). The quali tative phytochemical analysis showed the presence of saponin, protein, tannin, glycosides, reducing sugar, resins, steroids and terpenoids, while the acute toxicity test showed no obvious sign of toxicity up to >5,000 mg/kg b.w. These find...

Research paper thumbnail of Knowledge and perception about asthma among students in a Nigerian single-sex secondary school

The Clinical Respiratory Journal, 2021

Introduction Asthma is prevalent among children and adolescents. Few studies have assessed the kn... more Introduction
Asthma is prevalent among children and adolescents. Few studies have assessed the knowledge and perceptions of asthma among adolescents.

Objectives
This study assessed the knowledge and perception about asthma among secondary school students in an all-girls school in Nigeria.

Methods
This cross-sectional study was conducted in a Nigerian secondary school in Enugu State (February 2020). In Senior Secondary School (SS1, SS2 and SS3), students could be in one of three specialized classes: Sciences, Humanities and Business. A self-administered structured questionnaire was filled by conveniently sampled students in SS1 and SS2. Inferential statistics utilized the Pearson's chi-square test and multiple linear regression with statistical significance set as P < 0.05.

Results
Three hundred and eighty-eight (388) students participated in the study (mean age = 14.64 ± 0.93 years). Majority of the students were in Science class (n = 299; 77.1%). There was high awareness about asthma (n = 384; 99.0%). More than half of them had good asthma knowledge (n = 279; 71.9%); close to three-fifths had favourable perception of asthma (n = 222; 57.2%). More students in SS2 had good knowledge of asthma compared to those in SS1 (76.7% vs. 67.2%; ꭓ2 = 4.338; P = 0.037). More students in Science class had favourable perceptions about asthma compared with those in Humanities and Business class (60.5% vs. 48.1% vs. 25.0%; ꭓ2 = 7.458; P = 0.024).

Conclusion
Majority of the students were aware about asthma and had good knowledge of the disease while close to three-fifths had favourable perceptions about asthma.

Research paper thumbnail of Evaluation of Drug Therapy Problems among hypertensive patients in a Nigerian Secondary Healthcare Centre

Nigerian Journal of Pharmacy, 2020

Research paper thumbnail of Are boarding secondary schools suitable for students with asthma? An asynchronous online focus group discussion among members of an asthma awareness group

PLoS ONE, 2024

Introduction: Children in boarding schools spend most of their time without their parents or care... more Introduction: Children in boarding schools spend most of their time without their parents or caregivers, causing concerns about the suitability of such schools for children with asthma. This study assessed individuals' opinions regarding the suitability of boarding secondary schools for children with asthma.
Methods: A qualitative design was adopted for this study using a focus group discussion held on a social media platform (WhatsApp®) of the Asthma Awareness and Care Group (AACG), The group comprised 150 registered members. The study was guided by a structured protocol and based on a vignette comprising three questions. Data were analysed via thematic analysis using framework principles.
Results: Out of the 150 eligible members, there were responses from only 19 participants. Majority of the respondents were aged ≤ 30 years (n = 17, 89.5%). The three main themes generated from the thematic analysis include the appropriateness of boarding schools for children with asthma; facilities necessary for boarding schools to cater to children with asthma; and outright rejection of children with asthma by boarding schools. Respondents conceptualised the appropriateness of boarding schools for students with asthma in six distinct sub-themes: asthma severity and extent of control, child’s self-efficacy and assertiveness, child equipped with tools (knowledge, inhalers, and asthma control diary), school awareness, facilities, and active support, availability of a guardian, and the knowledge and perception of teachers and schoolmates about asthma. The sub-themes associated with the themes were presented, alongside exemplar quotes from respondents. The majority of the respondents (61.5%) were in support of allowing children with asthma attend boarding schools but with some caveats such as without liability to the school, if facilities are unavailable.
Conclusion: Children’s age, autonomy, asthma management status, and the school’s readiness were identified as important considerations for the safe attendance of children with asthma at boarding schools.
Key Words: asthma; boarding school; children; facilities; focus group; social media

Research paper thumbnail of Anthropometric Measurements And Peak Expiratory Flow Rate Variability: A Cross-Sectional Study Among Adults In A Nigerian University Population

Tropical Journal of Health Sciences, 2024

Our conclusion was that peak expiratory flow Peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) is a rate is influe... more Our conclusion was that peak expiratory flow Peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) is a rate is influenced by anthropometric measurements quantifiable lung function test used to evaluate lung such as age, height, weight, waist circumference, and function, diagnose lung disease, and monitor waist-hip ratio. Healthy lifestyle measures related to prognoses. This study assessed the variations of PEFR diet and aerobic exercise should be encouraged among with anthropometric measurements in a population of adults to keep their weights, waist circumference, and adults in a Nigerian university. The protocol for this waist-hip ratio within normal ranges. cross-sectional study was approved by the Health Research Ethics Committee of the University of Keywords: Anthropometry; Asthma; Chronic Nigeria Teaching Hospital. Data were analyzed using Obstructive Pulmonary Disease; Peak expiratory flow the IBM SPSS Version 29.0. Descriptive statistics were rate; Peak flow meter used to summarize data. A correlation test was used to test the relationship between the continuous variables. Introduction Independent t-test was used for the mean difference Pulmonary function tests (PFTs) are vital tools analysis. Statistical significance was set as p < 0.05. for assessing lung function and play a crucial role in

Research paper thumbnail of Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of adolescent girls regarding cervical cancer: a cross-sectional study in Enugu State, Nigeria

Pan African Medical Journal, 2024

Introduction: cervical cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death, among women, globally.... more Introduction: cervical cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death, among women, globally. The majority of the countries with the highest cervical cancer burden are in sub-Saharan Africa, including Nigeria. This study assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding cervical cancer among secondary school students in an all-girls school. Methods: this cross-sectional study was conducted in Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria (April 2021). A 30-item self-administered structured questionnaire was filled by conveniently sampled students in Senior Secondary School (SS 2 and SS 3). Pearson's Chi-square was used to test the association between variables (Statistical significance: P < 0.05). Results: the mean age of the 103 respondents was 16.10 (± 1.00) years. The most common source of information about cervical cancer was mass media (n = 20, 19.4%). Less than half of the respondents had good knowledge of cervical cancer (n = 44; 42.7%) and had favorable attitudes towards the disease (n = 50; 48.5%). More than half of them had good cervical cancer practices (n = 87; 84.5%). They were highly open to screening (n = 92; 89.3%) and vaccination (n = 93; 90.3%). More respondents who had first-hand experience of cervical cancer from family members were aware of the disease compared to those who did not (71.4% Vs. 33.3%; χ 2 = 4.113; P = 0.043). Conclusion: the study highlights the need for adolescent girls to be educated about cervical cancer, to improve their knowledge and attitudes towards the disease, so they can make informed decisions about their practices.

Research paper thumbnail of Knowledge And Perceptions Of Online Pharmacy Regulations And Services Amongst Community Pharmacists In Two Nigerian States

IOSR Journal of Pharmacy and Biological Sciences, 2024

Background: There is limited data on the extent to which community pharmacists clearly understand... more Background: There is limited data on the extent to which community pharmacists clearly understand the recently introduced Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) online pharmacy regulations. The study evaluated the knowledge and perceptions of online pharmacy regulations and services amongst community pharmacists in two Nigerian States. Methods: The cross-sectional study (February 2022 to April 2022) employed a questionnaire-based research design. The study instrument was a 44-item structured, self-administered questionnaire in five sections. Data were analyzed using the IBM SPSS Version 25.0. Statistical significance was set as P < 0.05. Results: One hundred and sixty-eight (168) questionnaires were completed by community pharmacists in the two States that participated in the study. Majority of the respondents were between 26 to 45 years old (n = 122, 72.6%), male (n = 103, 61.3%), and owned community pharmacies (n = 108, 64.3%). More than two-thirds of the respondents had plans to register an online pharmacy (n = 121, 72.0%). More than four-fifths of the respondents knew that online pharmacies in Nigeria must be registered with PCN (n = 143, 85.1%). A little above half of the respondents had good knowledge of PCN online pharmacy regulations (n = 91, 54.2%) and favourable perceptions of online pharmacy (n = 91, 54.2%). Conclusion: Slightly over half of respondents had good knowledge and favourable perceptions of the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) online pharmacy regulations. This highlights the need for PCN to intensify sensitization efforts, ensuring broad awareness and understanding of the current regulatory framework for online pharmacies.

Research paper thumbnail of Cost-effectiveness of antiretroviral regimens used in post-exposure prophylaxis program at United States' PEPFAR-APIN clinics in a developing country: a retrospective pharmaco-economic analysis

HIV & AIDS Review, 2024

Introduction: An appropriate economic evaluation of post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) should consid... more Introduction: An appropriate economic evaluation of post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) should consider the effectiveness of different regimens prescribed for patients. Studies have not evaluated the comparative effectiveness of different PEP antiretrovirals (ARVs) based on their costs. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to determine the cost-effectiveness of ARVs regimens used for PEP in Nigerian tertiary hospitals. Material and methods: This cross-sectional study collated patients' demographic and clinical data from PEP databases of United States' President Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief-AIDS Prevention Initiative in Nigeria hospitals. Costs of ARVs were obtained from donors' price list. Effectiveness was measured as the percentage of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-negative patients one-month post-PEP. Average cost-effectiveness ratios (ACERs) were computed as the unit cost of the regimens/HIV infection averted (HIA). Probabilistic sensitivity analysis was conducted using 1,000 iterations using Monte-Carlo simulation. Results: Out of 575 patients identified, 198 (34.4%) had non-occupational exposure. Of the 14 regimens, tenofovir (TDF) + lamivudine (3TC) + ritonavir-boosted atazanavir (ATV/r) was prescribed for 230 (40.00%) patients. HIV-negative results were documented in 129 (22.4%) of the 185 patients with post-PEP test. Zidovudine (AZT) + 3TC + ATV-r was the most effective (95.5%, n = 63 of 66) regimen, while TDF + emtricitabine (FTC)

Research paper thumbnail of Impact of pharmacist-led educational interventions on asthma control and adherence: single-blind, randomised clinical trial

International Journal of Clinical Pharmacy, 2020

Research paper thumbnail of Knowledge and practice of the Global Initiative for Asthma guidelines among community pharmacists in a Nigerian State

Pan African Medical Journal, 2020

Introduction: few studies have been conducted to evaluate pharmacists´ knowledge and practice of ... more Introduction: few studies have been conducted to evaluate pharmacists´ knowledge and practice of the asthma guidelines. The Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) guidelines was developed to reduce practice variability and to improve the quality of asthma care. This study aimed to assess the knowledge and practice of the GINA guidelines among community pharmacists in a Nigerian State. Methods: this cross-sectional survey was conducted among community pharmacists in Enugu State, Nigeria (May to July, 2018). Data were collected with a 39-item structured self-administered questionnaire and analyzed using the IBM SPSS for Windows, Version 21.0. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize data. Inferential statistics utilized the Pearson Chi-Square test where applicable, with statistical significance set at P < 0.05. Results: more than half of the community pharmacists were less than 40 years old (60.7%), male (59.6%) and only had the Bachelor of Pharmacy (B.Pharm) degree (83.1%). About a tenth of the community pharmacists (10.1%) reported that they stock the peak flow meter. Few of them (2.2%) utilized the asthma control Test™ in their practice. After categorization, less than half of the community pharmacists had good knowledge of asthma (34.8%) and demonstrated good practice of the GINA guidelines (11.2%). Conclusion: the community pharmacists had poor knowledge of asthma and demonstrated poor practice of the GINA guidelines. With adequate knowledge of the guidelines, community pharmacists can assist patients with making informed decisions and proffer appropriate recommendations to physicians.

Research paper thumbnail of Knowledge, attitudes, and quality of life of caregivers toward asthma in their children: A Nigerian perspective

Journal of Health Sciences, 2020

Introduction: The burden of uncontrolled asthma is high and caregivers can offer support in the m... more Introduction: The burden of uncontrolled asthma is high and caregivers can offer support in the management of asthma. Asthma is one of the most common chronic diseases in children. The objective of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and quality of life (QoL) of caregivers toward asthma in their children.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Paediatric Respiratory Unit of the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu State (July 2017-September 2017). We utilized a 46-item questionnaire comprising knowledge and attitude domains and the 13-item Pediatric Asthma Caregiver’s QoL Questionnaire (PACQLQ). Data were analyzed using the IBM SPSS Version 25.0. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.

Results: Fifty-one caregivers participated in the study. More than half (n = 36, 70.6%) of the caregivers were 40 years old and above, female (n = 37, 72.5%), graduates from higher institutions (n = 33, 64.7%), and self-employed (n = 27, 52.9%). About a quarter (n = 13, 25.5%) had a family history of asthma and a similar proportion (n = 14, 27.5%) knew the three main symptoms of asthma.

Conclusion: Less than half (n = 24, 47.1%) of the caregivers had good asthma knowledge. Dust (n = 35, 68.6%) and smoke (n = 31, 60.8%) were identified as the most common asthma triggers in their children. The majority of the caregivers (n = 41, 80.3%) agreed that most people can have well-controlled asthma without seeing a doctor regularly. Overall, less than half of the caregivers (n = 24, 47.1%) showed positive attitudes toward their children’s asthma. The overall score for the PACQLQ was 3.91 (0.98) which implied a poor QoL. The caregivers had both impaired activity and emotional function from managing asthma in their children. More female caregivers had better knowledge about asthma than their male counterparts (t = −3.178; df = 49; p = 0.003). Less than half of the caregivers had good asthma knowledge and positive attitudes toward asthma in their children. They had an impaired QoL from managing asthma in their children.