International Journal of Health Care and Biological Sciences

Assessment of waste disposal practices and associated health hazards among residents of gwagwalada area council, abuja, nigeria

Yalma RM — 2025-08-26

Poor waste disposal practices remain a major environmental and public health concern in Nigeria, especially in peri-urban and rapidly urbanizing regions like Gwagwalada Area Council, Abuja. Improper disposal contributes to water contamination, vector-borne diseases, and degradation of the living environment. This study assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) related to waste disposal and the associated health hazards among residents of Gwagwalada Area Council, with an emphasis on identifying gaps in behavior and awareness. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 255 consenting household heads selected through cluster sampling technique. Data were collected using a structured, pre-tested, interviewer-administered questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize socio-demographic variables and KAP scores, while associations between variables were analyzed using Chi-square tests at a 95% confidence level.The majority were male (73.7%) and aged 30–49 years. Most (84.3%) demonstrated good knowledge of waste types and disposal-related health risks. However, only 35.3% practiced proper waste segregation, and 61.2% used open dumps as their primary disposal method. Significant associations were found between educational level and both knowledge and practice of proper waste disposal (p<0.05). Commonly reported health hazards included malaria (67.5%), diarrhea (52.9%), and skin infections (38.0%).Despite good knowledge, the practice of proper waste disposal remains poor among residents of Gwagwalada, primarily due to infrastructural deficits and behavioral gaps. Targeted public health interventions, community education, and enforcement of sanitation regulations are necessary to mitigate environmental and health risks

Cost effectiveness of therapeutic care of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (copd) patients in tertiary hospitals.

Chandu Billu — 2025-08-28

Cost effectiveness of Therapeutic Care of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) patients in tertiary hospitals. To assess the prescription pattern in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) patients. To analyze the cost effectiveness of drugs prescribed to the Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) patients. During the study, 96 patient’s prescription both in-patient and out-patient were included for the data analysis as per the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The patients were divided in 7 groups as per the age groups. Most of the patients were found in the age group of 61 – 70 in Males and 41-50 in females. Out of 74 prescriptions analyzed that 62 were male and 12 were female. Majority of the prescription were of the age group 61-70 in males and 41-50 in females. A study conducted by Poonam Salman and coworkers in the year 2020 showed similar frequency of COPD patients in the age group of our study. The minimum number of drugs per prescription was 2 and maximum was found to be 12.Outof 74 prescriptions patients with COPD alone were 41 patients (55.4) and COPD with co morbidities were 33 patients (44.59%) and combination therapy was found to be more when compared to monotherapy. The present study which includes analysis of prescription pattern and cost of illness of a COPD patient provided a baseline data about the most commonly prescribed COPD drugs and cost effectiveness of those drugs. Out of 74 total number of prescription, the minimum cost of drug is 29.6 and maximum cost of drug is301. An Average of 5.92 drugs was prescribed for every prescription. The average cost of therapy is found to be373.28 rupees. From this study it has been concluded that majority of the COPD prescriptions in our hospital are prescribed following the gold guidelines.