International Journal of Medical Sociology and Anthropology

International Journal of Medical Sociology and Anthropology ISSN 2756-3820 Vol. 15 (3), pp. 001-007, March, 2026. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Hospital Waste Handling and Safety Perception among Private Sector Workers in Urban Nigeria

Afolabi Olusegun Tope*, Aluko Oludare Olufemi, Afolabi Bolade Kehinde and Fehintola Funmito Omolola

Department of Community Health, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria.

Accepted 21 August 2025

Medical waste, despite the relatively small amounts in which it is generated, is a major concern for healthcare professionals and the government mainly because it poses risks to humans and the environment. Previous studies have shown that there is poor management of medical waste in developing nations, and Nigeria is not an exception. Some have surveyed the associated risks but few have studied the risk perceptions among healthcare professionals, particularly in this environment. This study therefore aimed at assessing the waste management practices among healthcare professionals at privately owned health facilities in Ife Central LGA. The study was a cross sectional study that assessed 24 private health facilities in Ife Central Local Government Area of Osun state, Nigeria using self-administered questionnaires, observational checklist and weighing of wastes. Risk perception of respondents was graded on a scale of 1 – 10 as low risk (1-4), average risk (5-6) and high risk (7-10). The facilities assessed generated a median waste of 500 g/day. 62.5% of them separated the waste, while 25% colour coded; however, none correctly matched the colours with the appropriate category of waste. 79.2% stored their waste in dustbins, and 75% of them burned while 20.8% buried the waste as a means of disposal. 45.8% had sharps boxes, 29.2% disinfected sharps before disposal; disposal was mostly by burning (41.7%).Over 90% of respondents were aware of health risks associated with health care waste management, with HIV (71%) and HBV (67%) being the most reported. Over a third (38%) of the respondents considered themselves to be at average risk with regards to health care wastes. Generation of medical waste is low in Private health facilities. However, open burning remains the way of disposal for such wastes and the health care professionals do not consider themselves at high risk from these wastes.

Key words: Health care waste, management, private facilities, hospital, medical.
 

International Journal of Medical Sociology and Anthropology ISSN 2756-3820 Vol. 15 (2), pp. 001-005, February, 2026. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Antisecretory and Antimotility Effects of Azima tetracantha Leaf Extract in Experimental Diarrhoea

V. Hazeena Begum*, M. Dhanalakshmi and P. Muthukumaran

Department of Siddha Medicine, Faculty of Science, Tamil University, Vakaiyur, Thanjavur 613 010, Tamilnadu, India.

Accepted 3 October, 2025

The aqueous crude extract of the leaves of Azima tetracantha was studied for its phytochemical constituents and antidiarrhoeal activity using castor oil-induced diarrhoea and castor oil-induced enteropooling in rats. The phytochemical studies of the aqueous extract revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins and saponins. The extract showed significant (p < 0.001) protection against castor oil-induced diarrhoea and castor oil-induced enteropooling at (100 mg/kg). The presence of some of the phytochemicals in the root extract may be responsible for the observed effects, and also the basis for its use in traditional medicine as antidiarrhoeal drug.

Key words: Azima tetracantha, enteropooling, anti-diarrhoeal.
 

International Journal of Medical Sociology and Anthropology ISSN 2756-3820 Vol. 15 (2), pp. 001-013, February, 2026. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Effectiveness of a Cardiovascular Health Education Program Among Secondary School Teachers in Sokoto, Nigeria

Awosan K. J.¹*, Ibrahim M. T. O.¹, Makusidi M. A.², Essien E.³ and Adeniji A.⁴

¹Department of Community Medicine, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria.
²Department of Internal Medicine, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria.
³Nutrition Unit, Department of Community Medicine, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto, Nigeria.
⁴Department of Chemical Pathology, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto, Nigeria.

Accepted 7 October, 2025

Although coronary heart disease (CHD) is the most common cause of death in the developed countries, tremendous decline attributable to interventions causing reductions in population risk factors has been recorded in death rates from CHD in them in the past two decades. This study aimed to assess the impact of intervention on the knowledge and prevalence of risk factors of CHD among teachers in Sokoto. A quasi experimental study was conducted among 216 secondary school teachers selected by multistage sampling technique from April to July 2012. Anthropometric measurements, blood pressure measurement, and estimation of fasting blood sugar and cholesterol were done for the participants, together with questionnaire administration. The proportion of participants with good knowledge of CHD was low while the prevalence of the risk factors of CHD was high in both groups at baseline. At post- intervention, there was statistically significant increase in the proportion of participants with good knowledge of CHD and statistically significant reduction in the prevalence of its risk factors mainly in the intervention group. Behavioral change communication and health promotion activities to enhance smoking cessation, regular moderate exercise, healthy diet, and reduce alcohol use, should be put in place in homes and workplaces.

Key words: Coronary heart disease, risk factors, knowledge, prevalence, intervention.

International Journal of Medical Sociology and Anthropology ISSN 2756-3820 Vol. 15 (2), pp. 001-011, February, 2026. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Reimagining Nigeria's Healthcare System: Challenges, Opportunities, and Strategic Reforms

S. I. Efe

Department of Geography and Regional Planning, Delta State University, Abraka, Nigeria.

Accepted 02 November, 2025

The study examined rural health care problem and management in Nigeria with a focus on Delta State. The study adopts literature search and a survey design; questionnaires were administered to fifty two health establishments, 2 to each local government area. 26 general hospitals are located in urban areas and another 26 medical health centres located in the rural communities, but with the shortest distant from the general hospitals selected in each LGA of Delta State. The data were presented in tables and analysed with multiple regression analysis. The study revealed that the health care services in Nigeria are operating at a dismal level, which is predicated on inadequate skilled human resources/personnel, poor funding from local government, corruption, lack of commitment by the local authorities, far distance, climate, self interest, lack of information and health services. These factors correlated (0.89) significantly with health problems at p<0.05. Also most of the hospitals visited lack basic modern health facilities. The implication of this, is that it has led to the abysmal poor quality of health care services in the various hospitals and health centers in the state and consequently in Nigeria. As such the study recommends that the Federal, State and Local Government in Nigeria should live up to their responsibility of meeting the basic health care needs of Nigerian by equipping the health establishments with the requisite personnel/facilities as recommended by WHO and the 2004 Health Review Policy of the Federal Ministry of Health.

Key words: Rural, health, care, problem, Nigeria.
 

International Journal of Medical Sociology and Anthropology ISSN 2756-3820 Vol. 15 (1), pp. 001-006, January, 2026. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Evaluation of Attendee Profiles at a Government Medical College Counseling and Testing Centre, in India

T Sinha*, A. K. Bansal, R. S. Mohan, H. B. Rathi, P. K. Shrivastava, Q. H. Khan, V. K. S. Chauhan and S. Tiwari

Department of Community Medicine GMC Jagdalpur (CG), Pin 494001, India.

Accepted 7 November, 2025

This study aims to study the socio demographic profile and risk behaviour of sero-positive attendees of Integrated Counseling Testing Centre (ICTC). The study design used was retrospective study setting on ICTC in the out-patient complex of G.M.C., Jagdalpur. Record of all 1706 attendees of ICTC in the year 2008 and the data of attendees in the years 2007 and 2009 were included in the study to access the time trend of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Variables used were age, sex, marital status, educational status, occupation, place of residence and pattern of risk behaviour in relation to HIV/AIDS. Analysis was done by standard statistical method using proportion, chi-square test and other statistical test. Upon analysis of the collected data, it was found out that sero- positivity among males was significantly high in comparison to the females. The percentage of both males and females attendees and their respective sero-positivity was the highest in the 15 to 49 age group. Of the sero-positive subjects, 84.13% were married. Furthermore, 95.22% were either illiterate or had completed studies up to higher secondary school. Majority of the sero-positive lived in urban areas. More than 50% sero-positive held professions like driver, labour or entrepreneur, and 26.98% sero-positives were housewives. Heterosexuality was the most known cause of transmission. Sero-positivity among attendees at ICTC was in increasing order which needs greater attention including the Independent Ethics Committee (IEC) in this tribal heartland of the country.

Key words: Integrated Counseling Testing Centre (ICTC), seropositivity, homosexual.
 

International Journal of Medical Sociology and Anthropology ISSN 2756-3820 Vol. 15 (1), pp. 001-009, January, 2026. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Road Safety Awareness and Accident Reduction Among Nigerian Commercial Motorcyclists

Ogunmodede, T. A.1 and Akangbe, C. A.2

1Olusegun Oke Library, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria.

2Department of Library, Archival and Information Studies, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.

Accepted 15 November, 2025

The availability of information on road safety on Nigerian roads especially by commercial motorcycle riders has been the subject of discussion by road transport administrators, medical practitioners and the media as a result of unsatisfactory performance. There is a general expression of dissatisfaction by users of services rendered by the commercial motorcyclists on our roads. As a result, the pedestrians have complained of the riding pattern of the motorcyclists, alcoholic drinking pattern, overconfidence, over speeding, effects of bad roads, and lack of understanding of road signs as factors influencing road accidents by commercial motorcyclists. However, there is paucity of research on road safety among commercial motorcyclists in Nigeria. It is against this background that this research examines the effect of road safety information availability on commercial motorcycle accidents in Nigeria. Simple Random Technique was used to cover a study population of four hundred and fifty (450) commercial motorcycle riders in Oyo State, Nigeria. Demographic data and road safety information availability were looked into. Data collected were analyzed using percentages, mean and standard deviation. The result revealed that road safety information is available to the population studied. However, its effect could not be traced. 337 respondents claimed to have had accident at one time or the other. 81.8% respondents do not possess a copy of the Nigeria Highway Codes which ought to serve as guides in the prevention of accident among the commercial motorcyclists. Few recommendations are given.

Key words: Road safety, road safety information, information availability, information utilisation, commercial motorcyclist, motorcyclist accidents.