A new weekly poll has revealed that
approximately 7 in 10 Nigerians (66 percent) had malaria at least once in the
past one year, and about 13 percent treat the ailment with local herbs such as
Neem leaves,lemon grass, etc.
The report released by NOI Polls Limited
also showed that 90 percent of the respondents agree that HIV/AIDS is a
critical health challenge in Nigeria.
The poll, 3rd in the NOI Polls
Millennium Development Goals series, previously focused on r*pe (gender
equality) and water & sanitation.
It suggested that media and
sensitisation programmes would increase awareness of HIV/AIDS within the
populace.
The revelations are three key
findings from the HIV/AIDS and Malaria Snap poll conducted this month.
Respondents to the poll were asked
questions about the frequency of malaria infection over the past year.
From the results, the majority of
respondents have been infected with malaria at least once over the past year
while 34 percent have not had malaria in the last 12 months.
Analysis by geo-political zones shows
malaria is more prevalent in the South than in the North.
On malaria treatment, nationwide
results show 44 percent of respondents visit the hospital, while 38 percent
simply buy medicine from the pharmacy or chemist, 13 percent make use of native
herbs such as Neem leaves and Lemon grass; while percent said they do not use
any medicine at all.
The report also showed that females
are more likely to visit a hospital than males, as a greater proportion of male
respondents simply visit the pharmacy or opt for native herbs than females.
On HIV transmission, 85 percent said
it can be contacted through s*xual intercourse; while 64 percent are of the
opinion that it can be contacted through sharing of sharp objects. A further 41
percent mentioned blood transfusions; while others mentioned transmission
through mosquito bites and deep kissing.
Respondents called for reduction of
the incidence of HIV/AIDS through better sensitisation and media programmes to
increase awareness and better implementation of government health programmes to
provide free, cheaper and better drugs. [Vanguard]
Comments
Post a Comment