Usman Shehu - Academia.edu (original) (raw)
Papers by Usman Shehu
COVID
The purpose of this study was to examine the subjective reasons for hesitancy to receive COVID-19... more The purpose of this study was to examine the subjective reasons for hesitancy to receive COVID-19 vaccination and the sociodemographic factors associated with vaccination uptake. An online social media survey was conducted among the general Nigerian population using a self-developed questionnaire. Data were analyzed using binary logistic regression with crude and adjusted odds ratios (AOR) at a 95% confidence interval (CI) and a p value of less than 0.05. A total of 576 participants with a mean age of 31.86 years participated in the study. 28% (n = 158) received one or more doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. Teachers were significantly less likely than health professionals to be vaccinated (AOR = 0.33, 95% CI 0.16–0.69). In addition, unemployed people (AOR = 0.37, 95% CI 0.15–0.89) were less likely to be vaccinated than government employees, and those of intermediate socioeconomic status (AOR = 0.47 95% CI 0.26–0.88) were less likely to be vaccinated than were those of high socioeconomi...
Journal of Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine, 2021
PURPOSE: This study aimed to identify the needs and priorities of parents of children with cerebr... more PURPOSE: This study aimed to identify the needs and priorities of parents of children with cerebral palsy (CP) in order to improve care by increasing family participation in rehabilitation programmes. METHODS: This cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted between January to March 2019. Convenience sampling was used to recruit 43 family members (18 years and above) of children with CP who came to the physiotherapy departments for rehabilitation services for their children. Fisher’s exact test was used to analyse the association between socio-demographic characteristics and each of the need items. RESULTS: Five different items were identified to be the family needs that were most frequently met: a) ‘need for active involvement in the child’s treatment and therapies’ (n= 40; 93.0%), b) ‘need for the provision of standard medical care (n= 39; 90.7%), c) ‘need for questions to be answered honestly’ (n= 38; 88.4%), d) ‘need for healthcare professionals to respect the child’...
Pan African Medical Journal, 2021
Introduction psychoactive substance use (PSU) is a patterned use of a drug in which the user cons... more Introduction psychoactive substance use (PSU) is a patterned use of a drug in which the user consumes the substance in amounts or methods which are harmful to themselves or others. Psychoactive substance use takes a considerable toll on financial status, academic achievement and health status of addicts. In Nigeria, PSU is on the increase, one of the most disturbing health-related problems and a leading cause of premature death among school aged population worldwide. We therefore, determined the knowledge of health effects and determinants of psychoactive substance use among secondary school students in Sokoto Metropolis, Nigeria. Methods we conducted a cross-sectional study among 430 secondary school students that were selected using multistage sampling in Sokoto, Northwestern, Nigeria from April to May 2019. We collected data using a semi-structured, interviewer-administered questionnaire. We calculated proportions and adjusted odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) in a binary logistic regression model. Results knowledge of health effects of PSU was good in 38.1% of the respondents with a mean score of 19.6 ± 10.0. The overall prevalence of PSU was high among current users (16.3%), male participants (78.6%) and those aged 17-years or more (68.6%). Independent predictors of current use of psychoactive substances were poor knowledge of health effects (aOR: 4.1, 95% CI: 1.7-10.0) and father´s use of psychoactive substances (aOR: 10.3, 95% CI= 1.9-57.1). Conclusion knowledge of health effects of psychoactive substances was generally poor among the participants with an associated high prevalence among current users. Poor knowledge of its health effects determines the use of psychoactive substances. We conducted awareness campaigns and health talk on health effects of PSU to secondary school students in the State. The Federal Ministry of Education should ensure that PSU-related topics are incorporated in the secondary school curriculum.
Nigerian Journal of Medicine, 2020
IntRoductIon Birth asphyxia defined as the incapacity to start or maintain continuous breathing b... more IntRoductIon Birth asphyxia defined as the incapacity to start or maintain continuous breathing by the neonate has been a global challenge. [1] Given that the condition has a very high morbidity rate, its management has been very challenging particularly in the poor health setting. [2] Birth asphyxia has been reported as the major cause of neonatal death worldwide. [3-5] The death rate due to birth asphyxia soars more commonly in middle-income and less-resourced nations where health-care facilities and personnel are inadequate, [6,7] and more than half of the deliveries occur at home. [8] However, according to the world health statistics, there has been tremendous improvement in minimizing newborn death due to birth asphyxia globally, with the worldwide death rate of children <5 years of age declining from 93/1000 live births to 41/1000 live births in 1990 and 2016, respectively. [9,10] This outcome indicates that effective measures to prevent birth asphyxia globally are coming into effect particularly in the advanced nations where people have adequate access to medical facilities. [9] Despite advances in health care globally, poorly-resourced nations are still at large regarding good quality medical care and this has resulted in so many life-threatening events including birth asphyxia. In addition, data concerning birth asphyxia and its relationship to neurological sequelae among Aim: This study aims to examine the influence of route and location of delivery on Neurodevelepmental Sequelae (NDS) among infants who suffered birth asphyxia. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted from January 2018 to May 2019. A total of 271 infants diagnosed with birth asphyxia with a gestational age between 38 and 42 weeks were included. NDS was assessed using a structured datasheet. A 3 × 2 contingency table was employed to compare the prevalence between route, location of delivery, and weight. Spearman's rho correlation and binary logistic regression were used to establish the relationship between the NDS and predictor variables. Results: The result indicated that route (14.4%) and location (14.4%) of delivery have accounted much for the point prevalence of NDS than weight (7.5%). In addition, route, location of delivery, and weight were also positively related to NDS (P < 0.05). The significant predictors explained about 67.4% of the variability in the NDS (Nagelkerke R Square = 0.674). Further, those who have had cesarean section have fewer odds of developing NDS (0.035, 95% confidence interval [CI], −0.239, 0.309) and those who had less weight have much odds of developing NDS (0.811, 95% CI, 0.791, 0.831). Conclusion: Route and location of delivery influenced asphyxiated infants to develop NDS. However, cesarean section and hospital delivery confer much more protection against NDS.
Pan African Medical Journal, 2019
Introduction: human cytomegalovirus (CMV) has remained a cause of morbidity and mortality in preg... more Introduction: human cytomegalovirus (CMV) has remained a cause of morbidity and mortality in pregnancy and immunocompromised patients. CMV is transmissible through blood transfusion. We conducted a descriptive, cross-sectional study to assess blood donor safety and to determine the prevalence and associated factors for CMV infection among blood donors in Minna, Nigeria. Methods: all consenting blood donors were screened for CMV antibodies (IgM and IgG) using ELISA kit and haematological indices using a haematological analyzer. We administered structured questionnaires to obtain socio-demographic and socioeconomic data. Data were subjected to univariate, bivariate and multivariate statistical analyses using Epi Info version 3.5.4. Significant associations were presumed if p < 0.05. Results: a total of 345 participantswere recruited, the majority were males 336 (97.4%). Monthly earnings of majority of the blood donors, 136 (40.6%) ranged from ₦18,000 to ₦35,000. The prevalence of CMV infection was 96.2%. The prevalence of anti-CMV IgG antibodies was This article is published as part of the supplement "Sharing experiences from the field: updates from the Nigeria Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program" sponsored by Nigeria Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program
SSRN Electronic Journal, 2009
This paper seeks to estimate the long run behavioral equilibrium exchange rate in Nigeria. The em... more This paper seeks to estimate the long run behavioral equilibrium exchange rate in Nigeria. The empirical analysis builds on quarterly data from 1986Q1 to 2006Q4 and derives a Behavioral Equilibrium Exchange Rate (BEER) and a Permanent Equilibrium Exchange Rate (PEER). The econometric analysis starts by analyzing the stochastic properties of the data and found all the variables stationary at first level of differencing. Accordingly, the paper proceeds by estimating vector-error correction models. Regression results show that most of the long-run behavior of the real exchange rate could be explained by real net foreign assets, terms of trade, index of crude oil volatility, index of monetary policy performance and government fiscal stance. On the basis of these fundamentals, four episodes each of overvaluation and undervaluation were identified and the antecedents characterizing the episodes were equally traced to the archive of exchange rate management in the country within the review period. Among others for instance, large inflow of oil revenues into the country and stable macroeconomic performance were discovered to account for undervaluation of the real exchange rate between 2001Q1 and 2006Q4 in Nigeria. The results further suggest that deviations from the equilibrium path are eliminated within one to two years. The paper recommends the pursuance of sound monetary policy as an instrument for achieving real exchange rate cum macroeconomic stability in Nigeria.
J. for International Business and Entrepreneurship Development, 2011
Nowadays, the impact of oil price shocks is pervasive as it virtually affects all facets of human... more Nowadays, the impact of oil price shocks is pervasive as it virtually affects all facets of human endeavor. As such, it is pertinent that we should know the relationship between oil price shocks and the macroeconomy. Therefore, this paper assesses empirically, the effects of oil price shocks on the real macroeconomic activity in Nigeria. Granger causality tests and multivariate VAR analysis were carried out using both linear and non-linear specifications. Inter alia, the latter category includes two approaches employed in the literature, namely, the asymmetric and net specifications oil price specifications. The paper finds evidence of both linear and non-linear impact of oil price shocks on real GDP. In particular, asymmetric oil price increases in the non-linear models are found to have positive impact on real GDP growth of a larger magnitude than asymmetric oil price decreases adversely affects real GDP. The non-linear estimation records significant improvement over the linear estimation and the one reported earlier by Aliyu (2009). Further, utilizing the Wald and the Granger multivariate and bivariate causality tests, results from the latter indicate that linear price change and all the other oil price transformations are significant for the system as a whole. The Wald test indicates that our oil price coefficients in linear and asymmetric specifications are statistically significant.
International Journal of TROPICAL DISEASE & Health, 2018
Pregnancy-related morbidities and mortalities remain a major challenge in developing countries li... more Pregnancy-related morbidities and mortalities remain a major challenge in developing countries like Nigeria where most of them were associated with poor/underutilization of antenatal care (ANC) services. This study, therefore, aims to examine the effect of socio-demographic and institutional factors on the utilization of antenatal care services among pregnant women in Damaturu, Yobe state, Nigeria. A descriptive study was carried out among 204 women (15-49 years) who have given birth within the last 12 months or are pregnant at the time of the study. Purposive sampling was used, and data were collected using structured questionnaire/interview guide. To establish the effect of socio-demographic and institutional factors on the utilization of ANC services, bivariate analysis using Pearson's chi-square test was conducted. The results showed that majority of the Original Research Article
COVID
The purpose of this study was to examine the subjective reasons for hesitancy to receive COVID-19... more The purpose of this study was to examine the subjective reasons for hesitancy to receive COVID-19 vaccination and the sociodemographic factors associated with vaccination uptake. An online social media survey was conducted among the general Nigerian population using a self-developed questionnaire. Data were analyzed using binary logistic regression with crude and adjusted odds ratios (AOR) at a 95% confidence interval (CI) and a p value of less than 0.05. A total of 576 participants with a mean age of 31.86 years participated in the study. 28% (n = 158) received one or more doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. Teachers were significantly less likely than health professionals to be vaccinated (AOR = 0.33, 95% CI 0.16–0.69). In addition, unemployed people (AOR = 0.37, 95% CI 0.15–0.89) were less likely to be vaccinated than government employees, and those of intermediate socioeconomic status (AOR = 0.47 95% CI 0.26–0.88) were less likely to be vaccinated than were those of high socioeconomi...
Journal of Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine, 2021
PURPOSE: This study aimed to identify the needs and priorities of parents of children with cerebr... more PURPOSE: This study aimed to identify the needs and priorities of parents of children with cerebral palsy (CP) in order to improve care by increasing family participation in rehabilitation programmes. METHODS: This cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted between January to March 2019. Convenience sampling was used to recruit 43 family members (18 years and above) of children with CP who came to the physiotherapy departments for rehabilitation services for their children. Fisher’s exact test was used to analyse the association between socio-demographic characteristics and each of the need items. RESULTS: Five different items were identified to be the family needs that were most frequently met: a) ‘need for active involvement in the child’s treatment and therapies’ (n= 40; 93.0%), b) ‘need for the provision of standard medical care (n= 39; 90.7%), c) ‘need for questions to be answered honestly’ (n= 38; 88.4%), d) ‘need for healthcare professionals to respect the child’...
Pan African Medical Journal, 2021
Introduction psychoactive substance use (PSU) is a patterned use of a drug in which the user cons... more Introduction psychoactive substance use (PSU) is a patterned use of a drug in which the user consumes the substance in amounts or methods which are harmful to themselves or others. Psychoactive substance use takes a considerable toll on financial status, academic achievement and health status of addicts. In Nigeria, PSU is on the increase, one of the most disturbing health-related problems and a leading cause of premature death among school aged population worldwide. We therefore, determined the knowledge of health effects and determinants of psychoactive substance use among secondary school students in Sokoto Metropolis, Nigeria. Methods we conducted a cross-sectional study among 430 secondary school students that were selected using multistage sampling in Sokoto, Northwestern, Nigeria from April to May 2019. We collected data using a semi-structured, interviewer-administered questionnaire. We calculated proportions and adjusted odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) in a binary logistic regression model. Results knowledge of health effects of PSU was good in 38.1% of the respondents with a mean score of 19.6 ± 10.0. The overall prevalence of PSU was high among current users (16.3%), male participants (78.6%) and those aged 17-years or more (68.6%). Independent predictors of current use of psychoactive substances were poor knowledge of health effects (aOR: 4.1, 95% CI: 1.7-10.0) and father´s use of psychoactive substances (aOR: 10.3, 95% CI= 1.9-57.1). Conclusion knowledge of health effects of psychoactive substances was generally poor among the participants with an associated high prevalence among current users. Poor knowledge of its health effects determines the use of psychoactive substances. We conducted awareness campaigns and health talk on health effects of PSU to secondary school students in the State. The Federal Ministry of Education should ensure that PSU-related topics are incorporated in the secondary school curriculum.
Nigerian Journal of Medicine, 2020
IntRoductIon Birth asphyxia defined as the incapacity to start or maintain continuous breathing b... more IntRoductIon Birth asphyxia defined as the incapacity to start or maintain continuous breathing by the neonate has been a global challenge. [1] Given that the condition has a very high morbidity rate, its management has been very challenging particularly in the poor health setting. [2] Birth asphyxia has been reported as the major cause of neonatal death worldwide. [3-5] The death rate due to birth asphyxia soars more commonly in middle-income and less-resourced nations where health-care facilities and personnel are inadequate, [6,7] and more than half of the deliveries occur at home. [8] However, according to the world health statistics, there has been tremendous improvement in minimizing newborn death due to birth asphyxia globally, with the worldwide death rate of children <5 years of age declining from 93/1000 live births to 41/1000 live births in 1990 and 2016, respectively. [9,10] This outcome indicates that effective measures to prevent birth asphyxia globally are coming into effect particularly in the advanced nations where people have adequate access to medical facilities. [9] Despite advances in health care globally, poorly-resourced nations are still at large regarding good quality medical care and this has resulted in so many life-threatening events including birth asphyxia. In addition, data concerning birth asphyxia and its relationship to neurological sequelae among Aim: This study aims to examine the influence of route and location of delivery on Neurodevelepmental Sequelae (NDS) among infants who suffered birth asphyxia. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted from January 2018 to May 2019. A total of 271 infants diagnosed with birth asphyxia with a gestational age between 38 and 42 weeks were included. NDS was assessed using a structured datasheet. A 3 × 2 contingency table was employed to compare the prevalence between route, location of delivery, and weight. Spearman's rho correlation and binary logistic regression were used to establish the relationship between the NDS and predictor variables. Results: The result indicated that route (14.4%) and location (14.4%) of delivery have accounted much for the point prevalence of NDS than weight (7.5%). In addition, route, location of delivery, and weight were also positively related to NDS (P < 0.05). The significant predictors explained about 67.4% of the variability in the NDS (Nagelkerke R Square = 0.674). Further, those who have had cesarean section have fewer odds of developing NDS (0.035, 95% confidence interval [CI], −0.239, 0.309) and those who had less weight have much odds of developing NDS (0.811, 95% CI, 0.791, 0.831). Conclusion: Route and location of delivery influenced asphyxiated infants to develop NDS. However, cesarean section and hospital delivery confer much more protection against NDS.
Pan African Medical Journal, 2019
Introduction: human cytomegalovirus (CMV) has remained a cause of morbidity and mortality in preg... more Introduction: human cytomegalovirus (CMV) has remained a cause of morbidity and mortality in pregnancy and immunocompromised patients. CMV is transmissible through blood transfusion. We conducted a descriptive, cross-sectional study to assess blood donor safety and to determine the prevalence and associated factors for CMV infection among blood donors in Minna, Nigeria. Methods: all consenting blood donors were screened for CMV antibodies (IgM and IgG) using ELISA kit and haematological indices using a haematological analyzer. We administered structured questionnaires to obtain socio-demographic and socioeconomic data. Data were subjected to univariate, bivariate and multivariate statistical analyses using Epi Info version 3.5.4. Significant associations were presumed if p < 0.05. Results: a total of 345 participantswere recruited, the majority were males 336 (97.4%). Monthly earnings of majority of the blood donors, 136 (40.6%) ranged from ₦18,000 to ₦35,000. The prevalence of CMV infection was 96.2%. The prevalence of anti-CMV IgG antibodies was This article is published as part of the supplement "Sharing experiences from the field: updates from the Nigeria Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program" sponsored by Nigeria Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program
SSRN Electronic Journal, 2009
This paper seeks to estimate the long run behavioral equilibrium exchange rate in Nigeria. The em... more This paper seeks to estimate the long run behavioral equilibrium exchange rate in Nigeria. The empirical analysis builds on quarterly data from 1986Q1 to 2006Q4 and derives a Behavioral Equilibrium Exchange Rate (BEER) and a Permanent Equilibrium Exchange Rate (PEER). The econometric analysis starts by analyzing the stochastic properties of the data and found all the variables stationary at first level of differencing. Accordingly, the paper proceeds by estimating vector-error correction models. Regression results show that most of the long-run behavior of the real exchange rate could be explained by real net foreign assets, terms of trade, index of crude oil volatility, index of monetary policy performance and government fiscal stance. On the basis of these fundamentals, four episodes each of overvaluation and undervaluation were identified and the antecedents characterizing the episodes were equally traced to the archive of exchange rate management in the country within the review period. Among others for instance, large inflow of oil revenues into the country and stable macroeconomic performance were discovered to account for undervaluation of the real exchange rate between 2001Q1 and 2006Q4 in Nigeria. The results further suggest that deviations from the equilibrium path are eliminated within one to two years. The paper recommends the pursuance of sound monetary policy as an instrument for achieving real exchange rate cum macroeconomic stability in Nigeria.
J. for International Business and Entrepreneurship Development, 2011
Nowadays, the impact of oil price shocks is pervasive as it virtually affects all facets of human... more Nowadays, the impact of oil price shocks is pervasive as it virtually affects all facets of human endeavor. As such, it is pertinent that we should know the relationship between oil price shocks and the macroeconomy. Therefore, this paper assesses empirically, the effects of oil price shocks on the real macroeconomic activity in Nigeria. Granger causality tests and multivariate VAR analysis were carried out using both linear and non-linear specifications. Inter alia, the latter category includes two approaches employed in the literature, namely, the asymmetric and net specifications oil price specifications. The paper finds evidence of both linear and non-linear impact of oil price shocks on real GDP. In particular, asymmetric oil price increases in the non-linear models are found to have positive impact on real GDP growth of a larger magnitude than asymmetric oil price decreases adversely affects real GDP. The non-linear estimation records significant improvement over the linear estimation and the one reported earlier by Aliyu (2009). Further, utilizing the Wald and the Granger multivariate and bivariate causality tests, results from the latter indicate that linear price change and all the other oil price transformations are significant for the system as a whole. The Wald test indicates that our oil price coefficients in linear and asymmetric specifications are statistically significant.
International Journal of TROPICAL DISEASE & Health, 2018
Pregnancy-related morbidities and mortalities remain a major challenge in developing countries li... more Pregnancy-related morbidities and mortalities remain a major challenge in developing countries like Nigeria where most of them were associated with poor/underutilization of antenatal care (ANC) services. This study, therefore, aims to examine the effect of socio-demographic and institutional factors on the utilization of antenatal care services among pregnant women in Damaturu, Yobe state, Nigeria. A descriptive study was carried out among 204 women (15-49 years) who have given birth within the last 12 months or are pregnant at the time of the study. Purposive sampling was used, and data were collected using structured questionnaire/interview guide. To establish the effect of socio-demographic and institutional factors on the utilization of ANC services, bivariate analysis using Pearson's chi-square test was conducted. The results showed that majority of the Original Research Article