Nigerian Journal of Health Sciences

EDITORIAL
Year
: 2016  |  Volume : 16  |  Issue : 2  |  Page : 59-

From the table of editor-in-chief


JA Owa 
 Editor-in-Chief, Nigerian Journal of Health Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria

Correspondence Address:
Prof. J A Owa
Editor-in-Chief, Nigerian Journal of Health Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife
Nigeria




How to cite this article:
Owa J A. From the table of editor-in-chief.Niger J Health Sci 2016;16:59-59


How to cite this URL:
Owa J A. From the table of editor-in-chief. Niger J Health Sci [serial online] 2016 [cited 2024 Mar 19 ];16:59-59
Available from: http://www.https://chs-journal.com//text.asp?2016/16/2/59/243436


Full Text



Populations can be divided by several demographic features. Their health problems also differ by these demographic features. One poorly studied population in Nigeria is the elderly. In this issue of the journal, Abegunde and Owoade determined the daily living disability profile of the elderly in rural and urban settlements. Their report showed that disability increased with age, not working currently and having a health problem and was worse in the urban than the rural area. Gender differences were also observed with female residents in the urban area more likely to have disabilities than those in the rural area. Disabling health problems include visual impairment and hypertension.

Other articles in this issue also identified a number of prevalent health problems and health challenges in specific populations. These include the problem of overweight and obesity among market women; the poor practice of infection control by healthcare workers with the implications for easy spread of Ebola virus diseases (EVD) the hospital environment. Misconceptions and low awareness of symptoms of EVD among community members in Northwestern Nigeria have serious implications on the control of EVD within the community during epidemics. The high prevalence of poor oral hygiene even among undergraduate students is a cause for concern. The findings of these various studies all reinforce the need for continued and sustained public health education on disease prevention, prompt recognition and appropriate first aid management.

The renewed interest in primary healthcare and provision of comprehensive service in primary healthcare institutions and efforts at ensuring access of more Nigerians to the National Health Insurance Scheme are efforts in the right direction in addressing the challenges associated with inequality in accessing healthcare services by individuals in Nigeria. These efforts, however, have to be complimented with improving the level of education of the populace as low literacy level is significantly associated with low level of health knowledge, poor attitudes to health promotion and practices. Health and education are interwoven and both need to be addressed to improve the national Gross Domestic Product.