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On today’s Monday Health Burst, find out some HIV/AIDS common myths and facts. This topic is of great importance to the ending of AIDS because false myths arise due to lack of facts or having inaccurate information.

Myth 1: HIV can be cured.

Fact: There’s no cure yet for HIV, but antiretroviral treatment

Myth 2: I can get HIV by being around people who are HIV-positive.

Fact: HIV is not spread through touch, tears, sweat, saliva, or urine

Myth 3: Mosquitoes spread HIV.

Fact: Several studies show that mosquitoes do not spread HIV, even in areas with lots of mosquitoes and cases of HIV.

Myth 4: I don’t need to worry about getting HIV. Drugs will keep me well.

Fact: Antiretroviral drugs (ART) improve the lives of many people who have HIV and help them live longer. But many of these drugs are expensive and have serious side effects. Prevention is cheaper and easier than managing a lifelong condition and the problems it brings.

Myth 5: I am HIV-positive. My life is over.

Fact: ART allows people with HIV or AIDS live longer, normal, and productive lives when taken correctly and in time. One may live as long as s/he would have without the virus.

Myth 6: Now that I have HIV, I can’t have kids.

Fact: When pregnant, a doctor will prescribe HIV drugs to protect the mother and baby. The baby may also be given medication after birth. This will help protect the baby from being infected with the virus.

Myth 7: HIV is a spiritual curse.

Fact: HIV is not a spiritual curse, it is a disease contracted via unprotected sex, sharing of infected sharp objects, blood transfusion, exchange.

 

#FalseMythsAndFacts #WorldAIDSDay #HIVandAIDS #Equalize #MondayHealthBurst                         

                                                                                                                                                         

Over 1.7 billion people still do not have basic sanitation services, such as private toilets or latrines,(World Health Organization).

Basic sanitation is the availability of facilities for the safe disposal of human waste (feces and urine), as well as the capacity to maintain hygienic conditions through services including garbage collection, industrial/hazardous waste management, and wastewater treatment and disposal.

For one’s health, survival, and development, sanitation and hygiene are essential. Many nations struggle to provide proper sanitation for their entire populace, putting individuals at risk for illnesses connected to unclean water, poor sanitation, and unhygienic conditions, (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).

Poor sanitation is associated with the spread of typhoid, cholera, dysentery, intestinal worm infections, and polio, all of which are diarrheal illnesses.
Diarrhoea remains a major killer but is largely preventable. Better water, sanitation, and hygiene could prevent the deaths of 297 000 children aged under 5 years each year (WHO).

A WHO study in 2012 calculated that for every US$ 1.00 invested in sanitation, there was a return of US$ 5.50 in lower health costs, more productivity and fewer premature deaths.

The most harmful human excreta to a person’s health are their feces. Accordingly, the Center for Family Health Initiative observed World Toilet Day, during which more than 55 community members were educated about the negative effects of open defecation, poor hygiene, the necessity of promoting climate action, and the importance of adopting proper waste disposal techniques.

 

#MondayHealthBurst #Sanitation #Health #MakingtheInvisibleVisible #WorldToiletDay 

                                                                                                                                                                         

“I could barely walk after the cut. My mother and the old woman who helped to hold me down during the process tried to help me up but I collapsed. I almost bled to death”.
~ FGM Survivor

Today’s speak Wednesday addresses how FGM threatens the health of women and girls.

According to World Health Organization, female genital mutilation comprises all procedures that involve partial or total removal of the external female genitalia, or other injuries to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons. The practice is mostly carried out by traditional practitioners. In several settings, there is evidence suggesting a heightened involvement of healthcare providers in performing FGM due to the belief that the procedure is safer when medicalized.

The fact that there are no health benefits of FGM, but harm cannot be overemphasized.

WHO is of the view that victims of FGM face the immediate risk of haemorrhage, severe pain, fever, genital tissue swelling, infections e.g., tetanus, genital tissue swelling, urinary problems, wound healing problems, shock, and death.

Girls and women who undergo FGM face a heightened risk of accumulated life-long health challenges which may not be detected on time after the cut due to their ignorance of the consequences of the act.

Equally, the long-term complications include urinary problems, vaginal problems, menstrual problems, scar tissue and keloid, sexual problems increased risk of childbirth complications etc.
It is pertinent to note that all forms/types of FGM can result in either immediate or long-term health complications, and a victim can suffer more than one complication.
To this degree, research has undoubtedly proved that FGM is only associated with endangering the well-being of women and girls whose effects could be suffered in a lifetime.

There is therefore an urgent need to increase the advocacy to end FGM, enlighten the entire populace about the health complications of FGM and provide free medical care for women and girls living with FGM.

In commemoration of the International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM 2022, the Centre for Family Health Initiative visited St. Theresa Catholic Church, Amurie Omanze in Isu LGA of Imo State to educate over 60 women on the dangers of FGM and on how to achieve zero records of FGM in the community.

International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation

Speak Wednesday is an initiative of CFHI to address issues around gender-based violence and gender bias.
#SpeakWednesday #FGM #SayNoToFGM #Women’sRights #Humanrights #RightToGoodHealth

 

                                                                                                                                                         

In Nigeria, prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed malignancy among men and a hospital prevalence of 182.5 per 100,000 male admissions was recorded in 2010 in Osun State(Enemugwem, R.A., Eze, B.A., Ejike, U. et al.).

Prostate cancer is a type of cancer that develops in the prostate. Males have a little gland called the prostate that resembles a walnut that secretes seminal fluid, which feeds and carries sperm.
According to the American Cancer Society(ACS), there will be around 34,500 new instances of prostate cancer and about 268,490 deaths from the disease in the United States in 2022.

In it’s early stage, prostate cancer may not show any symptoms, but may result in indications and symptoms like: difficulty urinating, a weaker stream of pee, blood in the urine, blood in the semen, bone pain, weight loss without attempting, and erectile dysfunction when the cancer becomes advanced (Mayo Clinic).

Options for treating prostate cancer rely on a number of variables, including how quickly the disease is developing, if it has spread, your general health, and the potential advantages or disadvantages of the treatment. Some of the treatment options include; surgery to remove the prostate, radiation therapy, freezing or heating prostate tissue, and hormone therapy.

Around 1 in 8 males will receive a diagnosis of prostate cancer at some point in their life. However, only 1 in 41 of these will die as a result. This is because treatment is effective, especially in the early stages. Routine screening enables doctors to detect many cases of prostate cancer before they spread.(ACS).

Individuals and organizations are encouraged to create awareness on the need for routine check-ups to prevent advanced stage of prostate cancer.

 

#MondayHealthBurst #MensHealth #ProstateCancer #MensDay  #InternationaMensDay2022

 

                         

 

The three main types of diabetes according to International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and World Health Organization (WHO) are;

• Type 1 diabetes: Type 1 diabetes can develop at any age, but occurs most frequently in children and adolescents. It is believed to be an autoimmune condition. This means your immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the beta cells in your pancreas that produce insulin.

• Type 2 diabetes is more common in adults and accounts for around 90% of all diabetes cases (IDF). It starts as insulin resistance. This means your body cannot use insulin efficiently. That stimulates your pancreas to produce more insulin until it can no longer keep up with demand. Insulin production decreases, which leads to high blood sugar.

• Gestational diabetes (GDM) is due to insulin-blocking hormones produced during pregnancy. GDM usually disappears after pregnancy but women affected and their children are at increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life.

The treatment for diabetes is dependent on the type and how well your blood glucose levels are controlled, and any other underlying medical disorders you may have. ~ Cleveland Clinic.

For Type 1 diabetes, you must take insulin everyday, since insulin production by the pancreas has ceased while, medications for diabetes and diseases that are risk factors for diabetes, insulin, dietary and lifestyle modifications like decreasing weight, choosing nutritious foods and increasing your physical activity level are all possible treatment for type 2 diabetes.

For Gestational diabetes, if your glucose level is not too high, changing your diet and engaging in regular activity may be your primary treatment for Gestational diabetes. Doctors may begin medication or insulin administration if the target objective is still not achieved or if your blood glucose level is too high.

A basic diabetes screening via a simple blood sugar test can alert you to indicators of diabetes before the disease begins. CFHI in collaboration with HSDF, screened over 50,000 people for diabetes in Imo State, Nigeria.

Get screened today!

#MondayHealthBurst#AccessToDiabetesEducation#DiabetesDay
#WorldDiabetesDay
#WorldDiabetesDay2022

 

                                                                                                                                   

The trade of people for the purpose of forced labour, sexual slavery, or commercial sexual exploitation for the trafficker or others is referred to as human trafficking by the United Nations.

Although human trafficking is a violation of human rights that affects people of all genders, the U.S. Department of State reported that women and girls make up the majority of those who have been found to have been trafficked for both commercial sex and labour.

This can also be supported by the findings of the United Nation that stated that women and Girls represent 65 percent of all trafficking victims globally. While more than 90 percent of detected female victims are trafficked for the purpose of sexual exploitation.

The Nigerian government in 2022 identified 521 sex trafficking victims. Out of them, 158 were children, all girls, and the rest were women. As much as this is a global issue, it varies from country to country.

There are many factors that causes human trafficking. Among them are armed conflict, social and cultural practices, economic deprivation, gender discrimination, lack of education, lack of respect for human rights, poverty, etc. However, the root cause of human trafficking is traffickers.

Human trafficking is one of the most damaging hazards and injustices that women and girls face especially in crises ridden areas. Victims of human trafficking experience high rates of physical and sexual violence, including homicide, torture, psychological abuse, horrific work and living conditions, mental health problems e.g., depression, PSTD, etc. – American Psychological Association.

Government, private citizens, and other stakeholders are urged to take aggressive action to curb the occurrence of this gendered crime that preys on women and girls.

Speak Wednesday is an initiative of CFHI to address issues around gender-based violence and gender bias.
#SpeakWednesday #HumanTrafficking #WomenTrafficking #ChildTrafficking #HumanRight #GenderBias #GenderInequality

                 

 

Diabetes mellitus refers to a group of diseases that affect how the body uses blood sugar glucose.
About 422 million people worldwide have diabetes, the majority living in low-and middle-income countries(WHO).

According to Mayo Clinic, the actual cause of most kinds of diabetes is unknown. In all cases, sugar builds up in the bloodstream in every situation. This is as a result of inadequate insulin production by the pancreas. Diabetes of either type 1 or type 2 can result from a mix of hereditary and environmental factors. What those factors might be is unknown.

Diabetes symptoms vary depending on how much the blood sugar is elevated. Some people, especially those with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes, may sometimes not experience symptoms. In type 1 diabetes, symptoms tend to come quickly and be more severe.

According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), if one has any of the following diabetes symptoms, it is important to visit a medical doctor for a blood sugar test:

• Frequent urination especially at night
• Increased thirst
• Abnormal weight loss
• Increased hunger
• Blurry vision
• Numbness or tingling hands or feet
• Tiredness even when not stressed.
• Abnormal dry skin
• Having sores that heal slowly
• Frequent occurrence of infections.

#Diabetes #SymptomsandCauses #WorldDiabetesDay2022 #MondayHealthBurst @cdcgov

In Nigeria, there are various cultural customs that limit the advancement and protection of women’s rights. Women from all of Nigeria’s ethnic groupings generally experience some amount of marginalization in all facets of their lives due to the the patriarchal society that regards them as second-class citizens.

These cultural practices include;
1.Female genital mutilation
2.Child/forced marriage
3. Preference of a male child over a female child
4. Female infanticide
5.Widowhood rites, etc.

Gender inequalities in society as a whole are frequently reinforced and maintained by these harmful cultural norms.

Furthermore, these unfair societal attitudes and values promote and uphold the male patriarchy while restricting women’s access to political, economic, and educational opportunities as well as their sexual and reproductive health. This shows that female children are born with disadvantages from birth which prevents them from realizing their full potential as women in the future.

By eliminating harmful and discriminatory cultural practices, promoting female child education, and taking legal action against organizations or people who pose a danger to women’s rights, this narrative can be transformed.

Speak Wednesday is an initiative of CFHI to address issues around gender-based violence and gender bias.

#SpeakWednesday #CulturalRights #CulturalPractices #Women’sRights #GenderEquality #GenderBias #GenderInequality

A crucial factor in enhancing child survival and fostering healthy growth and development is infant and young child nutrition. The first two years of a child’s life are particularly crucial because good nutrition during this time promotes overall better development, lowers morbidity and mortality, and lowers the chance of chronic diseases.

According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 2.7 million child fatalities per year, or 45% of all child mortality, are attributed to malnutrition.

A child’s growth and capacity for learning are enhanced by adequate nutrition prior to delivery, through the mother’s health, and during the early years of life. Additionally, healthy eating helps avoid disease.
Children that are underfed do not develop properly, they are smaller than other kids their age and are typically quite selective and less interested in eating food. When they play, they are less engaged in exploring and learning and are less energetic.
In addition, malnourished children are frequently unwell. A body that is already weak from insufficient nutrition is more prone to sicknesses.

Everyone in the society should work together to ensure that child nutrition is prioritized from conception, child’s birth and all through their development stages in order to ensure the society’s future healthiest generations.

Monday Health Burst is an initiative of CFHI to address issues of basic health concern. Join us every Monday on all our social media platforms for more episodes.

#InfantNutrition
#YoungChildFeeding
#MondayHealthBurst

Breast self-examination have not been shown to be effective in detecting cancer or improving survival for women who have breast cancer. Regardless, health practitioners believe that there is value in women being familiar with their own breasts to help them understand what is normal and report changes promptly.

Centers for disease control and prevention (CDC) in September 2022 noted that “Regular mammograms are the best tests doctors have to find breast cancer early”.
A mammogram is an X-ray picture of the breast, otherwise known as a screening mammogram. This phenomenon when used in relation to breast cancer, means checking a woman’s breast for cancer before there are any visible signs. With a mammogram, doctors occasionally detect signs of cancer up to three years before it can be felt (CDC).

Treatment of cancer depends on the cancer stage. It could consist of chemotherapy, radiation and surgery.

Thus, it is vital that routine breast screening is done to greatly increase the chances of winning breast cancer and screening is done at any approved hospital or clinic.
Early detection is key.

Monday Health Burst is an initiative of CFHI to address issues of basic health concern. Join us every Monday on all our social media platforms for more episodes.

#breastcancer
#ScreeningandTreatment
#breastcancerawarenessmonth
#breastcancersurvivor
#RISEforBCAM
#MondayHealthBurst