Abstract:

Background: There is an increasing concern on the mental health of university students worldwide. The objectives of this study are to assess the prevalence and correlates of depression, anxiety and stress among science students of Oduduwa University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.

Methods: A descriptive cross sectional study design was employed on 367 sampled undergraduate science students of Oduduwa University aged 16-30using sample of convenience. The data was collected usingself-administered questionnaires and data analysis was done using SPSS version 22. The level of significance was set at p < 0.05.

Results: The prevalence of depression, anxiety and stress among these science students were 62.6%, 67.8% and 17.8% respectively. Academic performance was found to be significantly associated with depression. Family economic situation was found to be significantly associated with stress. Marginal significant association was found between ethnicity and depression and between parent marital status and stress. No other factors have been found to be significantly associated.

Conclusions: There is a high prevalence of depression, anxiety and stress symptoms among the university students. This stands as a great concern in public health. Therefore, there is need for concerted efforts, preventive measures and sufficient supportive services to be put in place for this group.

Keywords: DASS 21, depression, anxiety, stress, university students, Nigeria.

References:

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Abstract:

In Nigeria annually, 150,000 children are born with sickle cell anemia. One way of preventing sickle cell disease is through premarital genetic counseling and screening. This study therefore assessed the knowledge, attitude and acceptability of premarital genetic services for sickle cell disease among Babcock University Undergraduates.

The study was descriptive and cross sectional in design. Three hundred and seventy seven respondents were randomly selected using multistage sampling technique. Data was collected using a validated semi-structured questionnaire that was self-administered with a Cronbach-Alpha test of 0.747. It was analyzed using the statistical package for social science (SPSS) version 21 to generate descriptive and inferential statistics.

The results showed that more than half 229 (60.7%) of the respondents were females while 148 (39.3%) of the respondents were males. Three hundred and fifteen of the respondents were between the age range of 16-20 years with the mean age of 18.99 and SD±0.107. 363 (96.3%) of respondents had heard of sickle cell diseasewhile, 229 (60.7%) agreed that intending couples should attend premarital genetic services and thus showed positive attitude. Another 350 (92.8%) of the respondents would undergo premarital genetic services if it is available. There is a significant difference between knowledge and acceptability of respondents towards premarital genetic services (P= 0.047)

In conclusion, the respondents had a high level of knowledge and acceptability on premarital genetic services and sickle cell disease. All sectors should increase efforts in creating awareness about premarital genetic services and locations.

Keywords: Premarital, genetic services, Knowledge, Acceptability, Attitude, sickle cell anemia

References:

[1].      Alao, O.O., Araoye, M., & Ojabo, C. (2009). Knowledge of sickle cell disease and haemoglobin electrophoresis: a survey of students of a tertiary institution. Nigerian Journal of Medicine, 18(3), 326-9. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20120655

[2].      Al-Khaldi, Y. M., Al-Sharif, A. I., Sadiq, A. A., & Ziady, H. H. (2002). Attitudes to premarital counseling among students of Abha Health Sciences College. Saudi Medical Journal, (8), 986-990. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/11156130_Attitudes_to_premarital_counseling_among_students_of_Abha_Health_Sciences_College

[3].      Anie, K. A., Egunjobi, F. E., Akinyanju, O. O. (2010). Psychosocial impact of sickle cell disorder: Perspectives from a Nigerian setting. Globalization and Health, 6(2). DOI: 10.1186/1744-8603-6-2

[4].      Diallo, D., & Tchernia, G. (2002) Sickle cell disease in Africa. Current Opinion in Hematology, 9, 111-116. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11844993

[5].      Ibrahim, N.K.R., Al-Bar, H., Al-Fakeeh, A., Al-Ahmadi, J., Qadi, M., Al-Bar A., & Milaat, W. (2011). An educational programme about pre-marital screening for unmarried female students in King Abdul-Aziz University, Jeddah. Journal of Infection and Public Health, 4(1), 30-40. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jiph.2010.11.001

[6].      Isah, B. A., Musa, Y., Mohammed, U. K, Ibrahim, M. T. O., Awosan, K. J.,& Yunusa, E. U.(2016). Knowledge and Attitude Regarding Premarital Screening for Sickle Cell Disease among Students of State School of Nursing, Sokoto. Annals of Internal Medicine, 2(3), 29-34. DOI: 10.21276/aimdr.2016.2.3.9

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[10].   Olubiyi, S. K., Umar, J. N., Ajiboye, O., Olubiyi, V. M., Abioye, T. A. S. (2013). Knowledge and attitude of undergraduates of Ekiti State University towards sickle cell disease and genetic counselling before marriage Sky Journal of Medicine and Medical Sciences 1(7): 29 – 35. Retrieved from http://www.skyjournals.org/sjmms/pdf/2013pdf/Nov/Olubiyi%20et%20al%20pdf.pdf

[11].   Oludare, G.O., & Ogili, M. C. (2013). Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Premarital Counseling for Sickle Cell Disease among Youth in Yaba, Nigeria. African Journal of Reproductive Health, 17(4): 175 – 182. Retrieved from http://www.bioline.org.br/pdf?rh13067

[12].   Omuemu, V. O., Obarisiagbon, O. E.,& Ogboghodo, E. O.(2013) Awareness and acceptability of premarital screening of sickle cell disease among undergraduate students of the University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State. Journal of Medicine and Biomedical Research; 12 (1), 91 – 104. Retrieved from http://www.ajol.info/index.php/jmbr/article/view/91817

[13].   Oyedele, E. A, Emmanuel, A., Gaji, L. D., Ahure, D. E. (2015). Awareness and acceptance of premarital genotype Screening among youths in a Nigerian community. International Journal of Medical and Health Research, 1(1), 17-21. Retrieved from

http://irepos.unijos.edu.ng/jspui/bitstream/123456789/992/1/1-1-30.pdf

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http://journals.plos.org/plosmedicine/article?id=10.1371/journal.pmed.1001484

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Abstract:

Background: In 2013, Zimbabwe adopted Option B+, lifelong anti-retroviral therapy (ART) for all pregnant and breastfeeding HIV positive women and Nevirapine prophylaxis for their infants as a PMTCT method. Kadoma city started implementing the same in 2014. An evaluation was done to assess progress and determine reasons for loss of follow-up to advice and improve the program.

Methods: A process-outcome program evaluation using a logical framework was conducted. Pretested interviewer administered questionnaires, checklists and monthly reports were used for data collection. Epi Info 7 was used to calculate means and frequencies. Microsoft-Excel 2013 was used to consolidate monthly reports.

Results: Thirty health workers and 43 Option B+ clients were recruited. Although resources were limited, all the 324 women who tested positive in 2014 and 2015 received ART. CD4+ monitoring increased from 54% in 2014 to 65% in 2015. All the 240 exposed infants identified within 72 hours received Nevirapine prophylaxis in 2014 and 2015. HIV positivity at six weeks in infants decreased from 4% in 2014 to 2% in 2015. Reasons given by health workers for loss to follow-up were: clients’ limited understanding (37%), poor tracking mechanisms (23%), mobility of clients (20%), religious beliefs (17%) and side effects (3%). Clients’ involvement in community support groups was poor (3%).

Conclusions: Despite limited resources, there was an improvement in Option B+ services. Reasons for loss to follow-up include poor tracking mechanisms, clients’ mobility, religious beliefs and side effects. Clients have been referred to community support groups and retention has improved.

References:

[1].   WHO, HIV and AIDS, Treatment of children living with HIV, http://www.who.int/hiv/topics/paediatric/en/ Accessed 29 September 2015

[2].   Averting HIV and AIDS, Children, HIV and AIDS, http://www.avert.org/children-and-hiv-aids.htm, Accessed 29 September 2015

[3].   Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZIMSTAT) and ICF International. 2012. Zimbabwe Demographic and Health Survey 2010-11. Calverton, Maryland: ZIMSTAT and ICF International Inc.

[4].   Ministry of Health and Child Care, Report of Mid-Term Review of the National eMTCT Strategic Plan 2011 – 15, National AIDS and Tuberculosis Unit,August – September 2013

[5].   Ministry of Health and Child Care, Zimbabwe. An Operational Plan for the Nationwide Transition to Option B+ in Zimbabwe: September 2013-November 2014. Available at:

http://www.nac.org.zw/sites/default/files/MoHCC_OpPlan_081113.pdf. Accessed 29 September 2015

[6].   Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS. Global Plan towards the Elimination of New HIV Infections among Children by 2015 and Keeping Their Mothers Alive. Geneva, Switzerland: UNAIDS; 2011.

[7].   World Health Organization. Consolidated Guidelines on the Use of AntiretroviralDrugs for Treating and Preventing HIV Infection: Recommendations for a Public Health Approach. Geneva, Switzerland: WHO Department of HIV/AIDS; 2013.

[8].   Ministry of Health and Child Care, Guidelines for Antiretroviral Therapy for the Prevention and Treatment of HIV in Zimbabwe, 2013,

[9].   Recommendations for use of antiretroviral drugs in pregnant HIV-1 infected women for maternal health and interventions to reduce perinatal HIV-1 transmission in the United States. Washington: US Public Health Service Task Force; 2005.https://aidsinfo.nih.gov/contentfiles/perinatalgl.pdf Accessed 29 September 2015

[10].   Tenthani L, Haas AD, Tweya H, Jahn A, van Oosterhout JJ, Chimbwandira F, et al. Retention in care under universal antiretroviral therapy for HIV-infected pregnant and breastfeeding women ('Option B+') in Malawi, AIDS, 2014 Feb 20;28(4):589-98.

[11].   Tweya H, (2014). Loss to follow-up among women in Option B+ PMTCT programme in Lilongwe, Malawi: Understanding outcomes and reasons, presentation at International AIDS Society.

[12].   Kalembo FW, Zgambo M, Loss to Followup: A Major Challenge to Successful Implementation of Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV-1 Programs in Sub-Saharan Africa, ISRN AIDS, 2012, 589817, 10

[13].   Nuwagaba-Biribonwoha H, Mayon-White RT, Okong P, Carpenter LM, Challenges faced by health workers in implementing the prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission (PMTCT) programme in Uganda, Journal of Public Health, Vol. 29, No. 3, pp. 269–274

[14].   Gallant J, Adimora A, Carmichael J, Horberg M, Kitahata M, Quinlivan E, et.al.Essential Components of Effective HIV Care: A Policy Paper of the HIV Medicine Association of the Infectious Diseases Society of America and the Ryan White Medical Providers Coalition, 2011,Oxford University Press,

[15].   Balcha TT, Lecerof SS, Jeppsson AR, Strategic Challenges of PMTCT Program Implementation in Ethiopia, J IntAssoc Physicians AIDS Care (Chic), 2011, 10(3):187-92.