Papers by Benjamin Uzochukwu
Pan African Medical Journal
BMC Psychiatry
Background The COVID-19 pandemic has created multiple mental health challenges. Many residents in... more Background The COVID-19 pandemic has created multiple mental health challenges. Many residents in South Africa face pre-existing elevated levels of stress and the pandemic may have had varying impacts on sub-populations. The aims of this study were to determine: 1) the factors associated with post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) and 2) sex differences in the factors associated with PTSS in adults residing in South Africa during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods Study participants aged 18 years and above, were recruited for this cross-sectional study through an online survey implemented from June 29, 2020 to December 31, 2020. The outcome variable was PTSS; explanatory variables were sex at birth, COVID-19 status, social isolation and access to emotional support. Confounders considered were age, education level completed and current work status. Logistic regressions were used to determine the association between the outcome and explanatory variables after adjusting for confounders. Out...
BMC Public Health
Background Onchocerciasis is a disease of public health concern due to the devastating consequenc... more Background Onchocerciasis is a disease of public health concern due to the devastating consequences of the disease which impacts negatively on the lives of the people. The negative impact of the disease may affect its perception and lead to the adoption of some coping strategies. Therefore, understanding the disease perception, impacts and coping strategies used by onchocerciasis patients will help plan health interventions aimed at improving their general well-being. Methods This was a community-based study that employed a qualitative method through Key informant interviews (KII) with program managers and focus group discussions (FGD) among people who had Onchocerciasis. Four sessions of FGDs with a total of thirty-two (32) participants and eleven KIIs were conducted to ascertain their in-depth experience in five thematic areas. Results In these communities, onchocerciasis is perceived to have been caused mainly by the bite of blackflies. Other presumed causes by the patients inclu...
Nigerian Journal of Medicine
Studies have established that chronic diseases are largely diseases of lifestyle. It is pertinent... more Studies have established that chronic diseases are largely diseases of lifestyle. It is pertinent to ascertain lifestyle habits among young people in order to institute necessary disease prevention strategies to enable them to stay healthy as they grow older. This study aims to assess the dietary habits and physical exercise among undergraduates at the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus. This study was a descriptive cross-sectional study carried out among 345 undergraduates of the University of Nigeria Enugu Campus using multistage sampling, a self-administered questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS version 22. The study included 345 students with a mean age of 22.5±3.1years, and [209 (60.6%)] female. The majority (252; 73.0%) had good knowledge of healthy dietary habits. Majority of respondents believed that an unhealthy diet is a very important risk factor for various diseases 303 (87.8%). Dietary practice showed that while only a third of them (110; 31.9%) take breakfast daily, few of them (61; 17.7%) eat 5 or more servings of fruit and vegetables daily. Higher proportion (83.8%) of student nurses had good knowledge of 2 healthy dietary habits than Medical students (74.8%) and Law students (74.8%), (÷ =12.009, p=0.002); and among female students 2 compared to male students [80.9% vs 61%, ÷ = 16.457, p=0.000). More student nurses (26.3%) also had an adequate daily intake of 2 fruits and vegetables and least among medical students (3.6%) (÷ =22.710, p=0.000). While the majority believed that regular exercise improves health (295; 86%), only 13 (3.8%) exercise between 3-5 times in a week. Physical exercise was highest among 2 student nurses (13; 14.9%) and least among medical students (4; 3.6%) (÷ =8.456, p=0.015). CONCLUSION Although most of the respondents had good knowledge and attitude about healthy dietary habits and physical exercise, their dietary practices and level of physical activity were poor.
BMC Medicine
Background The COVID-19 vaccine supply shortage in 2021 constrained roll-out efforts in Africa wh... more Background The COVID-19 vaccine supply shortage in 2021 constrained roll-out efforts in Africa while populations experienced waves of epidemics. As supply improves, a key question is whether vaccination remains an impactful and cost-effective strategy given changes in the timing of implementation. Methods We assessed the impact of vaccination programme timing using an epidemiological and economic model. We fitted an age-specific dynamic transmission model to reported COVID-19 deaths in 27 African countries to approximate existing immunity resulting from infection before substantial vaccine roll-out. We then projected health outcomes (from symptomatic cases to overall disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) averted) for different programme start dates (01 January to 01 December 2021, n = 12) and roll-out rates (slow, medium, fast; 275, 826, and 2066 doses/million population-day, respectively) for viral vector and mRNA vaccines by the end of 2022. Roll-out rates used were derived from ...
PLOS ONE
Introduction Adequate intermittent preventive treatment (IPTp) uptake (≥3 doses) routinely delive... more Introduction Adequate intermittent preventive treatment (IPTp) uptake (≥3 doses) routinely delivered at antenatal clinics is effective in preventing malaria during pregnancy. Whereas, low IPTp uptake (24.0%) had been reported among pregnant women in Ebonyi State, there is paucity of studies comparing the uptake and its predictors in the urban and rural areas of Ebonyi State. We determined IPTp uptake and its predictors in the urban and rural areas of Ebonyi State. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional comparative study among 864 reproductive age women selected using multistage sampling. Using a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire, we collected data on respondent’s socio-demographic characteristics and IPTp uptake. Uptake was adjudged adequate if ≥3 doses were taken, otherwise inadequate. We estimated the proportion of women with adequate IPTp uptake and determined the factors associated with adequate uptake in rural and urban areas using chi square and multiple logist...
BMC Public Health
Background and aim COVID-19 affected mental health and wellbeing. Research is needed to assess it... more Background and aim COVID-19 affected mental health and wellbeing. Research is needed to assess its impact using validated tools. The study assessed the content validity, reliability and dimensionality of a multidimensional tool for assessing the mental health and wellbeing of adults. Methods An online questionnaire collected data in the second half of 2020 from adults in different countries. The questionnaire included nine sections assessing: COVID-19 experience and sociodemographic profile; health and memory; pandemic stress (pandemic stress index, PSI); financial and lifestyle impact; social support; post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD); coping strategies; self-care and HIV profile over 57 questions. Content validity was assessed (content validity index, CVI) and participants evaluated the test-retest reliability (Kappa statistic and intra-class correlation coefficient, ICC). Internal consistency of scales was assessed (Cronbach α). The dimensionality of the PSI sections and self...
Frontiers in Public Health
The Private Sector Coalition against COVID-19 (CACOVID) was established on the 27th of March 2020... more The Private Sector Coalition against COVID-19 (CACOVID) was established on the 27th of March 2020 to mobilize private sector resources toward supporting the government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. More specifically, CACOVID set out to provide leadership functions, raise public awareness, provide buy-in for COVID-19 prevention, and provide direct support to strengthen the health system's capacity to respond to the crisis. In this paper, we examine the contextual factors that shaped the private sector's engagement in the fight against the pandemic with a view to identifying progress and learning opportunities. A desk review of the existing literature and documents from relevant stakeholders (government, organized private sector, and civil society organizations) was carried out. Using both the Grindle and Thomas (1) and Husted and Salazar (2) frameworks, we identified individual characteristics (industry expertise and position, philanthropy, and personal/economic in...
BackgroundThe COVID-19 vaccine supply shortage in 2021 constrained rollout efforts in Africa whil... more BackgroundThe COVID-19 vaccine supply shortage in 2021 constrained rollout efforts in Africa while populations experienced waves of epidemics. As supply picks up, a key question becomes if vaccination remains an impactful and cost-effective strategy given changes in the timing of implementation.MethodsWe assessed the impact of timing using an epidemiological and economic model. We fitted our mathematical epidemiological model to reported COVID-19 deaths in 27 African countries to estimate the existing immunity (resulting from infection) before substantial vaccine rollout. We then projected health outcomes for different programme start dates (2021-01-01 to 2021-12-01, n = 12) and roll-out rates (slow, medium, fast; 275, 826, and 2066 doses/ million population-day, respectively) for viral vector and mRNA vaccines. Rollout rates used were derived from observed uptake trajectories. We collected data on vaccine delivery costs by country income group. Lastly, we calculated incremental cos...
DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals), 2009
Background : In Nigeria today measles is the greatest NPI target disease with the greatest impact... more Background : In Nigeria today measles is the greatest NPI target disease with the greatest impact on child health and ranks as one of the leading causes of childhood morbidity and mortality. Mothers have been known to make most decisions on home treatment of their children. This paper contributes to the knowledge on the perception of the incidence of measles among mothers in a Nigerian rural community Materials and Methods : A community based descriptive survey involving 400 women was conducted with questionnaire administered to the women aged 15-49 years in households. Households were selected by simple random sampling from a frame of Primary Health Care house numbering system. Results :More of the children suffered from measles before than after the launching of the National Programme on Immunization. In 1996 as perceived by the mothers, Conclusions : A reduction in the incidence in the incidence of measles after NPI launch as perceived by the mothers is highly commendable. However efforts need to be sustained to ensure a steady decline in measles incidence
Development (UNRISD) is an autonomous research institute within the UN system that undertakes int... more Development (UNRISD) is an autonomous research institute within the UN system that undertakes interdisciplinary research and policy analysis on the social dimensions of contemporary development issues. Through our work we aim to ensure that social equity, inclusion and justice are central to development thinking, policy and practice.
Journal of Health Services Research & Policy, 2022
Background Community health workers play an important role in linking communities with formal hea... more Background Community health workers play an important role in linking communities with formal health service providers, thereby improving access to and utilization of health care. A novel cadre of community health workers known as village health workers (VHWs) were recruited to create demand for maternal health services in the Nigerian Subsidy Reinvestment Programme (SURE-P/MCH). In this study, we investigated the role of contextual factors and underlying mechanisms motivating VHWs. Methods We used realist evaluation to understand the impact of a multi-intervention maternal and child health programme on VHW motivation using Anambra State as a case study. Initial working theories and logic maps were developed through literature review and stakeholder engagement; programme theories were developed and tested using focus group discussions and in-depth interviews with various stakeholder groups. Interview transcripts were analysed through an integrated approach of Context, Mechanism and ...
Health Policy and Planning, 2020
Primary health centres are an effective means of achieving access to primary healthcare (PHC) in ... more Primary health centres are an effective means of achieving access to primary healthcare (PHC) in low- and middle-income countries. We assessed service availability, service readiness and factors influencing service delivery at public PHC centres in Enugu State, Nigeria. We conducted a cross-sectional study of 60 randomly selected public health centres in Enugu using the World Health Organization’s Service Availability and Readiness Assessment (SARA) survey. The most senior health worker available was interviewed using the SARA questionnaire, and an observational checklist was used for the facility assessment. None of the PHC centres surveyed had all the recommended service domains, but 52 (87%) offered at least half of the recommended service domains. Newborn care and immunization (98.3%) were the most available services across facilities, while mental health was the least available service (36.7%). None of the surveyed facilities had a functional ambulance or access to a computer o...
African journal of reproductive health, 2020
The use of evidence in decision-making and practice can be improved through diverse interventions... more The use of evidence in decision-making and practice can be improved through diverse interventions, including policy dialogue. The Department of Family Health, Federal Ministry of Health of Nigeria initiated and organized the Nigeria Research Days (NRD), to serve as a platform for exchange between researchers and policymakers for improving maternal, new-born and child health. The study reports on the conceptualization, organization and lessons learned from the first edition. A cross-sectional study was designed to assess the effectiveness of a policy dialogue during the NRDs. Data were collected from the feasibility and workshop evaluation surveys. A descriptive analysis of data was performed. As a result, the Nigeria Research Days meets all the criteria for a successful policy dialogue. The participants positively rated the content and format of the meeting and made suggestions for improvement. They were willing to implement the recommendations of the final communiqué. The lessons l...
International Journal of Medicine and Health Development, 2009
Aim: To describe the pattern of surgical admissions in University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, E... more Aim: To describe the pattern of surgical admissions in University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu from 1997 to 1999. Materials and methods: The study was a retrospective study. Data were collected from the theatre registers, ward admissions and casualty admission records at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital Enugu, Nigeria. Results: Three thousand four and fifteen surgical patients were operated upon between January1997 and December 1999 in the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital. This constituted 15.8% of total admissions into the hospital within that time period. The commonest age group that had surgery was 0 – 9 years. The mean age of all surgical patients was 32.7years. Adult to paediatric ratio was 2.5: 1. Hernia (20.0%), intestinal obstruction (12.6%), appendicitis (10.8%), benign prostate hypertrophy (11.4%), cancer of the breast (10.0%) and goiter (8.4%) were the commonest surgical conditions. The digestive system and genitourinary systems were the most comm...
International Journal of Medicine and Health Development, 2010
Introduction : In most countries health care reform is aimed at improving the efficiency, equity ... more Introduction : In most countries health care reform is aimed at improving the efficiency, equity and effectiveness of the health sector. Documentation of health sector reform experiences has focused primarily on efficiency and design of reforms, largely neglecting equity and the frequent experience that reforms are not fully implemented. The reasons why implementation stalls remain rarely explored in the health sector. This review assesses the factors that have enabled or constrained health sector reforms in Enugu and Anambra states of Nigeria. Methods : A systematic search of literature published from 1990-2008 was conducted. Grey literature (conference papers, technical reports, dissertations, etc), journal articles, abstracts, relevant books and internet articles were reviewed. Results : The results show that the following reforms have been attempted in Enugu and Anambra states of Nigeria in the past two decades: The Bamako initiative program and drug revolving funds with user f...
Urban Forum, 2021
Box 1 A. Accessibility 1. The policy document is accessible (hard copy and online) B. Policy Back... more Box 1 A. Accessibility 1. The policy document is accessible (hard copy and online) B. Policy Background (Source of Policy) 1. The scientific grounds of the policy are established 2. The goals are drawn from a conclusive review of literature 3. The source of the health policy is explicit i. Authority (one or more persons, books, scientific articles or sources of information) ii. Quantitative or qualitative analysis iii. Deduction (premises that have been established from authority, observation, intuition, or all three) 4. The policy encompasses some set of feasible alternatives C. Goals 1. The goals are explicitly stated [The goals are officially spelled out] 2. The goals are concrete enough (quantitative where possible and qualitative where not) to be evaluated 3. The goals is clear in its intent and in the mechanism With Which to achieve the desired goals, yet does not attempt to prescribe in detail What the change must be 4. The action centres on improving the health of the populations 5. The policy is supported by evidence of external consistency in logically drawing a health outcome from the goals and policy outcome 6. The policy is supported by internal validity in logically drawing a health outcome from the goals and policy outcome D. Resources 1. Financial resources are addressed (there are sufficient financial resources) -The cost of condition to community has been mentioned -Estimated financial resources for implementation of the policy is given -Allocated financial resources for implementation of the policy are clear. -There are rewards/ sanction for spending the allocated resources on other programs 2. Human resources are addressed [there is enough personnel] 3. Organisational capacity is addressed [my organisation has the necessary capacities]
BMC Public Health, 2021
Background Conflicting schedules and geographic access limit prospects for mutually beneficial re... more Background Conflicting schedules and geographic access limit prospects for mutually beneficial relationships between experts and early career professionals. A formal long-distance mentorship program could address these barriers and potentially bridge the gap of traditional face-to-face mentorship. This study was done to determine the feasibility of implementing a formal long-distance mentorship program amongst public health physicians of Nigeria. Method A mixed-method study comprising of in-depth interviews and surveys was used to collect information from members of the Association of Public Health Physicians in Nigeria. A total of 134 survey participants were recruited consecutively during an annual scientific meeting of the association. In-depth interviewees were purposively selected to ensure diversity in expertise, experience, and social stratifiers such as age. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, while qualitative data were analyzed usi...
AIDS and Behavior, 2021
The aim of the study was to assess if there were significant differences in the adoption of COVID... more The aim of the study was to assess if there were significant differences in the adoption of COVID-19 risk preventive behaviors and experience of food insecurity by people living with and without HIV in Nigeria. This was a cross-sectional study that recruited a convenience sample of 4471 (20.5% HIV positive) adults in Nigeria. Binary logistic regression analysis was conducted to test the associations between the explanatory variable (HIV positive and non-positive status) and the outcome variables-COVID-19 related behavior changes (physical distancing, isolation/quarantine, working remotely) and food insecurity (hungry but did not eat, cut the size of meals/skip meals) controlling for age, sex at birth, COVID-19 status, and medical status of respondents. Significantly fewer people living with HIV (PLWH) reported a positive COVID-19 test result; and had lower odds of practicing COVID-19 risk preventive behaviors. In comparison with those living without HIV, PLWH had higher odds of cutting meal sizes as a food security measure (AOR: 3.18; 95% CI 2.60-3.88) and lower odds of being hungry and not eating (AOR: 0.24; 95% CI 0.20-0.30). In conclusion, associations between HIV status, COVID-19 preventive behaviors and food security are highly complex and warrant further in-depth to unravel the incongruities identified.
International Journal Of Community Medicine And Public Health, 2017
Background: Global statistics show that over 1.2 billion people do not have access to potable wat... more Background: Global statistics show that over 1.2 billion people do not have access to potable water and 70% of Nigerians lack access to potable water. Non-availability and/or lack of access to potable water predispose people to preventable life-threatening conditions. This study assessed the physical, chemical, and microbiological quality of sachet and bottled water to generate evidence for planning, policy, and intervention.Methods: The study was a cross-sectional analytic study of the quality of packaged (sachet and bottled) drinking water obtained from consumer households. The potability status of the water samples was assessed by means of qualitative assessments and quantitative laboratory tests. The results were compared to guideline values stipulated by the Nigerian Industrial Standard for Potable Water, NIS 306:2008. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. A p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. The study period was from April ...
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Papers by Benjamin Uzochukwu