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Sexual Behaviour And Condom Use Among Nigerian Soldiers In Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria

NAA Hussain, TM Akande

 

Abstract

Background/Objective: Studies have shown that military personnel are aware and knowledgeable about HIV/AIDS and its impact on combat preparedness and efficiency. However, this knowledge did not appear to have translated to reduced risky sexual behaviours. This study, therefore aimed at determining the sexual behaviour and condom use among Nigerian Army personnel in Ilorin, Nigeria. Materials and methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study using a multistage sampling technique to select 400 participants. A pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire was administered. Results: Out of 386 respondents (response rate 96.5%) males constituted 91.2%. Two hundred and
seventy two (70.5 %) were married while 42 (15.4%) of the married did not live with their spouses. A significant proportion of the respondents (45.5%), especially those within the age of 18 to 34 years (p=0.000), those who had participated in foreign military operations (p=0.030) and those who did not live with their spouses (p=0.000) engaged in pre/extramarital sexual activities. Regular condom use among the respondents was low.
Conclusion/Recommendations: There was a high risky sexual behaviour with irregular condom use among the study population. A continuous information, education and communication on HIV/AIDS to effect safe sex behaviours and regular condom use among this population are recommended.

Keywords: Sexual, Behaviour, Condom, Nigerian, Soldiers, Ilorin

African Journal of Clinical and Experimental Microbiology Vol. 10 (2) 2009: pp. 128-135

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Observations on the tolerance of young dogs (puppies) to infection with Trypanosoma congolense

JN Abenga, K David, COG Ezebuiro, FAG Lawani

 

Abstract

Studies were undertaken to assess the susceptibility of young local dogs to infection with Trypanosoma congolensei. Six puppies (7 weeks old) were used for the study. Although the puppies became parasitaemic 6 to 7 days post infection, they were tolerant to infection as the parasitaemia remained low through out the first seven weeks of the eight week observation period. The packed cell volume (PCV) also only dropped slightly during the last four weeks attaining the value of 25.6 + 3.8 (p>0.05) by the eighth week while the mean body weight continued to increase. Similarly, the mean daily body temperature did not differ significantly from those of un-infected control. The significance of trypanotolerance in Nigerian local dogs is discussed.

Key Words: local puppies, low parasitaemia, packed cell volume, Trypanosoma congolense, trypanotolerance, Nigerian

Afr. J. Clin. Exper. Microbiol. Vol.6(1) 2005: 28-33