HEALTH BELIEFS

Background: The coronavirus disease was declared a pandemic on March 11, 2020. Due to the rapid spread of the virus, various governments implemented major restrictions to control its transmission. These restrictions included an economic lockdown and restrictions on movement. The aftermath of this had effects such as a reduction in income, panic, and hunger. The COVID- 19 pandemic has disproportionately affected vulnerable populations, including children, women, and the elderly, who are more susceptible to the virus due to their pre-existing health conditions and other factors. More than 7.5 million children die globally each year, partly due to the poor health-seeking behaviour and health beliefs of mothers. Methodology: This study utilized a descriptive cross-sectional design. A total of 624 mothers of children under the age of 5 in the Oluku community were selected using a multistage sampling technique. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used for this study. The data was
analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25, with a significance level set at p<0.05. Results: A higher proportion of respondents (73.2%) were between the ages of 25 and 39, with a mean age of 30.7 ± 6.3 years. Out of the 624 respondents, 79.4% identified as Christians, 27.9% identified as being of Benin ethnicity, 50% had completed secondary education, 77.9% had a particular skill, 81.1% had an average income between ₦30,000 and ₦150,000, and 63.3% belonged to the middle socioeconomic status. Just over a quarter, 26.1% of individuals had xiii harmful health beliefs, while more than 55% exhibited good health-seeking behaviour. Age, religion, level of education, average monthly income, skill level, and socioeconomic status were found to have a statistically significant relationship with the impact of COVID-19 on health beliefs. Meanwhile, marital status, level of education, and socioeconomic status were found to have a statistically significant relationship with the impact of COVID-19 on health-seeking behaviour.

Background: stroke remains a major health concern worldwide, often resulting in long term disability that demands continuous care and support. In Nigeria, family members usually serve as the primary caregivers of individual that have suffered from stroke and their family functioning may strongly affect their beliefs, attitude and adherence to rehabilitation. Aim: The aim of this study was to explore the connection between family functioning and health beliefs of stroke survivors receiving treatment in the University of Benin Teaching hospital , Benin City.
Methods: A descriptive cross sectional design was carried used and 86 stroke survivors’ was selected using convenience sampling. Data was gathered using a demographic form, an adapted short form family assessment device (FAD-GFS), and the health belief model stroke based questionnaire. Descriptive statistics was used for data summarization. Inferential statistics of Pearson’s Chi Square was used to assess the connection between family functioning and health beliefs in patients with stroke.
Results: A large population of the respondent (87.2%) had a good family functioning and 68% demonstrated strong health beliefs to stroke recovery. Family functioning was shown to have a significant connection with health beliefs (x 2=11.187 a , p=0.004). marital status, religion, ethnicity and living arrangement significantly influenced family functioning while health beliefs was significantly influence by religion and stroke duration with p=<0.05.
Conclusion: Family functioning influence the health beliefs of stroke survivors in Benin City. Also families and stroke survivors who experienced supportive family system demonstrated a stronger and positive health belief about their stroke recovery. Therefore, incorporating family centered interventions and education into stroke rehabilitation programs is vital for improving the health outcomes of stroke survivors.