Institute of Child Health

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ASSESSMENTS OF THE MATERNAL CARE KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICES OF TRADITIONAL BIRTH ATTENDANTS IN IBADAN, OYO STATE, NIGERIA
(2012-08) OLUKOTUN, E. A.
Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) are lay persons who attend to deliveries and concerted efforts have been made to train them. Anecdotal reports suggest that many expectant mothers patronize TBAs in Ibadan. However, there is dearth of information relating to the TBAs’ maternal care knowledge and practices. This study was therefore conducted to assess TBAs’ knowledge and practices relating to maternal care in Ibadan, Oyo State. A cross-sectional survey of 407 out of 608 TBAs who consented to be involved in the survey, in the 11 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Ibadan was conducted. The three categories of TBAs were; 93 local government trained-TBAs, 221 church-based TBAs and 93 TBAs who practice in herbal homes. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to obtain information on respondents’ demographic characteristics, knowledge and practices of maternal care. Knowledge and practice scores were computed with the maximum obtainable scores being 43 and 47 respectively. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Independent t- test, correlation and Chi-square statistics. Respondents’ mean age was 47.0±10.8 years, 86.0% had at least primary education and majority (84.8%) were females. Seventy-eight percent had formal TBA training; of these 63.0% reported that they were regularly supervised by skilled health workers. None of the untrained TBAs had regular supervision. Overall mean knowledge score was 79.7±20.3%. Majority (80.6%) of TBAs recognized blood pressure measurement as an essential aspect of Antenatal Care (ANC). Majority were aware of the necessity of wearing sterile gloves in taking delivery (83.0%) and prompt referral of high risk cases (76.7%). Trained TBAs had a significantly higher maternal care knowledge score compared with the untrained TBAs (p<0.05). Blood pressure measurement during ANC visits, wearing of sterile gloves, and referral of high risk cases were reported by 66.0%, 44.0% and 51.8% respectively. Trained TBAs had a significantly higher mean practice score compared to the untrained TBAs (p<0.05). A significantly higher proportion of the regularly supervised trained TBAs reported referring of high risk cases (83.8%) compared with unsupervised trained TBAs (53%) (p< 0.05). There was a poor correlation between the maternal care knowledge and practice of the trained TBAs (r=0.435, p<0.05). The practices of untrained and unsupervised traditional birth attendants fell short of professional expectation and knowledge-practice gaps were identified among all categories of traditional birth attendants. Training and regular retraining of traditional birth attendants as well as supportive supervision by health staff of the State Ministry of Health, Local Government Area Primary Health Care departments and relevant non-governmental organizations are needed to enhance maternal care practices of traditional birth attendants in Ibadan.
PREVALENCE AND TYPES OF FALL-RELATED INJURIES AMONG UNDER FIVE CHILDREN IN IBADAN NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, NIGERIA NIGERIA
(2012-11) LADAPO, O. J.
Globally, falls and ensuing injuries are significant causes of morbidity and mortality among under-five children. However, the associated burden and types of falls and fall-related injuries have not been adequately researched in Nigeria. This study was conducted to assess Primary Caregivers’ (PCs) level of knowledge, prevalence and types of fall-related injuries among under-five children in Ibadan North Local Government Area (IbNLGA). In this cross-sectional study, a three-stage random sampling technique was used to select 507 PCs of under-five children from five of the 12 wards within IbNLGA. A validated questionnaire which included a 30-point knowledge scale (causes of falls among under five children -9 points, prevention of falls -18 points and outcome of falls -3 points) was used for data collection from selected caregivers. Information was also obtained on the occurrence and outcome of falls sustained by each caregivers’ youngest under-five child (index child). Respondent’s scores were categorized as good (21-30 points), average (11-20 points) and poor (0-10 points). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi-square. The PCs consisted predominantly of biological mothers (91.0%). Their mean age was 32.3±8.1 years and a larger proportion of them (43.8%) were secondary school certificate holders. Respondents’ median number of children was one (range 1 – 3) and 54% of the children were males. Of the children, 47% sustained at least a fall in a rented apartment (65.9) with majority having chair fall (25.8). Of this, 56.4% sustained injuries that required first aid interventions and 51.7% were admitted in a hospital for a median period of three days (range 1 – 9). Injuries sustained included bruises and minor swellings (63.2%), abrasions (33.8%) and fractures/dislocation (1.5%). Most of the PCs (85.6%) had good knowledge of falls and their mean knowledge score was 23.9±3.1. All the respondents mentioned at least one strategy for preventing falls. Strategies adopted included close supervision (82.8%), cautioning (59.2%), good housekeeping practices (7.7%) and environmental modifications (3.2%). More children of PCs aged ≤20 years (61.0%) were found to have sustained a fall compared with those aged ≥41 years (15.4%), (p < 0.05). A higher proportion of children of PCs who were Yoruba (51.9%) sustained a fall than the PCs who were Hausa (40.6%) and Igbo (35.5%) (p < 0.05). A higher proportion of children aged 12-24 months (61.2%) experienced falls compared with those aged <12months (39.7%), 37-48 months (34.5%) and 49-59months (33.0%) (p<0.05). Prevalence of fall-related injuries among the under-five children poses a serious challenge of public health importance. This is because under-five is a period to determine their potential to learn and thrive for a life time, their physical and intellectual development might be impaired. Knowledge of prevention of falls was high but only a few were aware of appropriate preventive measures. Interventions to increase knowledge of primary caregivers are therefore recommended.
HEALTH RELATED QUALITY OF LIFE OF STUDENTS WITH PHYSICAL AND SENSORY IMPAIRMENTS IN SPECIAL AND INTEGRATED SCHOOLS IN IBADAN.
(2012-11) TOMORI, O.
The determination of Health-Related Quality of Life (HR-QoL) is useful for assessing the impact of health and illness on people’s physical, psychological and social functioning. In Nigeria, the HR-QoL of students (who are mostly adolescents) with physical and sensory impairments has not been adequately researched. There is need for scientific basis for comparative description of the experiences of Students with physical and sensory impairments (SwPSI) in special schools (SS) and integrated schools (IS). Further, the self-perceived needs of these students are yet to be assessed as well as factors influencing their HR-QoL An interviewer-administered questionnaire adapted from the World Health Organization International Classification of Functioning, Disease and Health and Short-Form Health Survey-36, was used to obtain information from all 330 eligible students in 7 IS and 8 SS in Ibadan. Students less than 10 years old and those who had mental disabilities in combination with physical disabilities were excluded. Cluster sampling method was used. Respondents’ HR-QoL was assessed using 84-point scale. Scores of < 41and > 42 points were taken as low and high HR-QoL respectively. Domains of HR-QoL assessed with points include interpersonal relationship-11, general participation-15, performance in physical activities-19, general health-12, vitality-12 and mental health-15. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and t test. Participants’ mean age was 15+3.9 years and 57.6% were males. Respondents from SS and IS constituted 59.7% and 40.3% respectively. The respondents included those with hearing and speech impairments (32.1%), hearing impairments only (24.2%), multiple physical deformities= (12.4%), speech impairments only (7.0%), visual impairments only (4.5%), limb impairments (13.6%), hearing impairments with other physical deformities (2.7%), speech impairments with other physical deformities (2.7%) and other types of physical deformities (0.6%). The mean HR- QoL scores of respondents in SS and IS were 48.3+10.6 and 50.1+10.0 respectively (p>0.05). The respective domain HR-QoL scores of students in IS and SS were: interpersonal relationship-(IS-7.5, SS-7.1) general participation-(IS-9.0, SS-7.7) performance in physical activities-(IS-12.1, SS-12.0) general health-(IS-7.4, SS-7.3) vitality-(IS-6.3, SS-6.1) and mental health-(IS-7.7, SS-8.2). Students in IS had higher scores in all domains except mental health. Students with visual impairment had the highest (52.1) HR-QoL score while those with multiple physical impairments had the least (39.5; p<0.05). Students in IS with visual impairment had highest scores in general health (9.9) and interpersonal relationship (8.8) while students in SS with hearing impairments had highest scores in general participation (8.3), vitality (7.1), general health (8.2) and mental health (9.2; p<0.05). The various needs identified by students in IS included more of Physiological needs and self-actualization needs while those in SS identified more of need for love and belonging and self-esteem needs. Factors identified in this study to be significantly associated with HR-QoL of SwPSI include family environment, school environment, type of impairment, use of individual education plan (IEP) and parental socio-economic status. Students kept in special schools had lower quality of life. It is therefore more beneficial to enroll students with limb, visual and speech impairments in integrated schools in order to improve their HR-QoL.
FACTORS INFLUENCING PARENTAL DECISIONS ON ADOLESCENT PREGNANCY AMONG RURAL AND URBAN-BASED PARENTS OR GUARDIANS IN IBADAN, NIGERIA
(2013-02) MATTHEW, O. O.
Adolescent pregnancy is an important public health problem on the increase in Nigeria. Few studies have investigated the circumstances and factors associated with parental decisions taken following an adolescent pregnancy, in spite of the implications of these on the adolescent. This study was designed to assess factors influencing parents’/guardians’ decisions on adolescent pregnancy. A mixed method study involving the use of Key Informant Interviews (KII) and semi-structured interview was conducted. A four-stage sampling technique was used to select 261 and 244 respondents from Omi-Adio (rural) and Apata (urban) communities respectively. KII were conducted with twelve parents; (six each from urban and rural settings) who has had personal experiences of a pregnant adolescent. Descriptive and Chi-square statistics, and logistic regression were used for data analysis and qualitative data was analyzed using thematic analysis. The UK Registrar general’s classification of occupation and socioeconomic status was used. Mean age of respondents from rural and urban communities were 50+9.4 years and 48+10.1 years respectively. Fifty-five percent of urban and 30.1% of rural respondents had tertiary education. More rural (70.3%) than urban respondents (35.4%) were in the low socioeconomic group. More rural (91.9%) than urban dwellers (88.9%) supported keeping an adolescent pregnancy. More urban (93.4%) than rural (76.3%) dwellers were of the view that an adolescent should continue school after delivery (p<0.05) while 25% of rural respondents and 18.0% of urban respondents mentioned that a pregnant adolescent be married to the person responsible for the pregnancy (p<0.05). Personal experience of adolescent pregnancy occurred in 17.2% and 16.4% of rural and urban respondents respectively. Adolescent pregnancy occurred in children and relations of respondents. Among rural respondents, the pregnant adolescents were either the respondents’ younger sibling (51.1%) or child (48.9%). In the urban area the pregnant adolescents were the respondents’ younger sibling (75.0%), child (20.0%) or the respondent/ his spouse (5%). More urban (85%) than rural respondents (60%) decided to keep the pregnancy (p<0.05). The decision to keep the pregnancy was mainly attributed to religious beliefs among the rural respondents (68%) and health reasons among their urban counterparts (76.5%). Urban dwellers were 5 times more likely to decide to keep the pregnancy than rural respondents (OR = 5.48, 95%CI = 1.71 - 17.59). Respondents in the high socio-economic group were less likely to decide to keep the pregnancy (OR = 0.20, 95% CI=0.06-0.65). The initial reactions of the key informant interviewees to discovery of pregnancy were disappointment. In the urban area, very few pregnant adolescents were said to have continued schooling till delivery and many of them resumed school thereafter while in the rural area, they all dropped out of school. Place of residence, socio-economic status and religion were key factors influencing decision to keep adolescent pregnancy with urban dwellers more favourably disposed than rural dwellers. Intervention programmes thus need to target those in rural areas to change their views regarding keeping of adolescent pregnancies and encouraging re-integration of adolescents that get pregnant.
FACTORS INFLUENCING PARENTAL DECISIONS ON ADOLESCENT PREGNANCY AMONG RURAL AND URBAN-BASED PARENTS OR GUARDIANS IN IBADAN, NIGERIA
(2013-02) OLAYEMI, O. M.
Adolescent pregnancy is an important public health problem on the increase in Nigeria. Few studies have investigated the circumstances and factors associated with parental decisions taken following an adolescent pregnancy, in spite of the implications of these on the adolescent. This study was designed to assess factors influencing parents’/guardians’ decisions on adolescent pregnancy. A mixed method study involving the use of Key Informant Interviews (KII) and semi-structured interview was conducted. A four-stage sampling technique was used to select 261 and 244 respondents from Omi-Adio (rural) and Apata (urban) communities respectively. KII were conducted with twelve parents; (six each from urban and rural settings) who has had personal experiences of a pregnant adolescent. Descriptive and Chi-square statistics, and logistic regression were used for data analysis and qualitative data was analyzed using thematic analysis. The UK Registrar general’s classification of occupation and socioeconomic status was used. Mean age of respondents from rural and urban communities were 50+9.4 years and 48+10.1 years respectively. Fifty-five percent of urban and 30.1% of rural respondents had tertiary education. More rural (70.3%) than urban respondents (35.4%) were in the low socioeconomic group. More rural (91.9%) than urban dwellers (88.9%) supported keeping an adolescent pregnancy. More urban (93.4%) than rural (76.3%) dwellers were of the view that an adolescent should continue school after delivery (p<0.05) while 25% of rural respondents and 18.0% of urban respondents mentioned that a pregnant adolescent be married to the person responsible for the pregnancy (p<0.05). Personal experience of adolescent pregnancy occurred in 17.2% and 16.4% of rural and urban respondents respectively. Adolescent pregnancy occurred in children and relations of respondents. Among rural respondents, the pregnant adolescents were either the respondents’ younger sibling (51.1%) or child (48.9%). In the urban area the pregnant adolescents were the respondents’ younger sibling (75.0%), child (20.0%) or the respondent/ his spouse (5%). More urban (85%) than rural respondents (60%) decided to keep the pregnancy (p<0.05). The decision to keep the pregnancy was mainly attributed to religious beliefs among the rural respondents (68%) and health reasons among their urban counterparts (76.5%). Urban dwellers were 5 times more likely to decide to keep the pregnancy than rural respondents (OR = 5.48, 95%CI = 1.71 - 17.59). Respondents in the high socio-economic group were less likely to decide to keep the pregnancy (OR = 0.20, 95% CI=0.06-0.65). The initial reactions of the key informant interviewees to discovery of pregnancy were disappointment. In the urban area, very few pregnant adolescents were said to have continued schooling till delivery and many of them resumed school thereafter while in the rural area, they all dropped out of school. Place of residence, socio-economic status and religion were key factors influencing decision to keep adolescent pregnancy with urban dwellers more favourably disposed than rural dwellers. Intervention programmes thus need to target those in rural areas to change their views regarding keeping of adolescent pregnancies and encouraging re-integration of adolescents that get pregnant.
KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PREVALENCE OF EARLY MARRIAGE AMONG ADOLESCENTS IN SASA, AKINYELE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA NIGERIA
(2013-07) ADAMS, P.
The practice of early marriage has persisted in some Nigerian tribes, despite its associated negative health effects. There is however inadequate information on adolescents’ knowledge and attitude towards this practice. This study was therefore conducted to determine knowledge, attitude and the prevalence of early marriage among adolescents in Sasa, a multi-ethnic community in Akinyele Local Government Area Nigeria. Using a three-stage sampling technique, 400 adolescents were recruited into this cross-sectional study. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to obtain information on socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge, attitude and prevalence of early marriage. Knowledge of early marriage and associated problems was assessed using a 15-item scale categorized as poor (<8) and good (≥8) knowledge. Attitude to early marriage was assessed with a 17-item 5-point likert scale with minimum and maximum scores of 17 and 85 respectively; scores <51 were categorized as unfavourable and ≥51 as favourable to early marriage. Data were analyzed using descriptive and Chi-square statistics. Sixty-three percent of respondents were male, majority (67.5%) were Yoruba, 26.4% were Hausa and 6.0% comprised other ethnic groups. Overall mean age was 16.1±2.3 years, the mean ages of Yoruba, Hausa and adolescents belonging to other ethnic groups were 16.4±2.0, 15.3±2.6 and 15.3±2.4 years respectively. Sixty-one percent of respondents had secondary education. Seventy-four percent of respondents had good knowledge of early marriage and associated problems. Common associated problems mentioned were deprivation of childhood (76.8%), poor child care (75.8%), obstructed labour (68.3%), high risk of vessico-vagina fistula (65.2%), poor access to contraceptives (65.2%) and high risk of HIV/AIDS (59.4%). Fifty-nine percent of respondents were not favourably disposed to early marriage. Seventy-percent of respondents reported that early marriage was a common practice in their community. Common reasons for the practice were prevention of premarital sex (88.8%), teenage pregnancy (82.7%), poverty (77.9%) and upholding tradition (72.8%). Of 23 (16%) female respondents who were currently married, 52.2% were Hausa, 39.1% were Yoruba and 8.7% were from other ethnic groups. About 74% of those currently married did so before 18 years and the majority (73.9%) of these were Muslims. The mean age at marriage was 15.7±1.9 years. The mean age at marriage for Yoruba was 16.9±1.3, Hausa (15.0±2.0) and other ethnic groups (15.5±0.7). A higher proportion of 15-19 years (78.0%) than 10-14years (59.3%) adolescents had good knowledge of early marriage and associated problems (p<0.05). Also, more 10-14 years (69.2%) than 15-19 years (32.8%) adolescents had favourable attitude to early marriage (p<0.05). Religious practice was significantly associated with early marriage with more Muslims (52.9%) than Christians (29.0%) favourably disposed to the practice (p<0.05). A higher proportion of Hausa (52.4%) than Yoruba (34.2%) had favourable attitude to early marriage (p<0.05). Adolescents in the study area have good knowledge about early marriage and its associated problems. However their attitude towards the practice was influenced by age, religion and ethnicity. Religious and cultural sensitisation of adolescents, their parents and community can help reduce this practice.
PERCENTAGE BODY FAT OF SECONDARY SCHOOL ADOLESCENTS IN IBADAN NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, NIGERIA
(2013-07) OYOM, C. R.
Adolescence is a transitional phase from childhood to adulthood during which significant changes in body composition occur with a tendency towards excessive fat accumulation. Determining body fat proportions at this stage of life could give an insight into the need for early intervention. The actual body fat estimates of school adolescents have not been adequately researched in Nigeria. This study was carried out to determine the Percentage Body Fat (PBF) of secondary school adolescents in Ibadan North Local Government Area, Nigeria. Using a three-stage random sampling method, 623 adolescents aged 10 to 19 years were selected from two private (141) and six public (482) secondary schools in a cross sectional study. A validated, structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data on socio-demographic characteristics. Parents’ socioeconomic status was grouped as high, middle and low using the combination of level of education and occupation. The PBF was assessed using a Bioelectric Impedance Analyser (BIA). The participants’ PBF for age and sex were classified as low <5th, normal 5th – 95th and high >95th percentiles of the study population respectively. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, Student’s t-test, ANOVA and Pearson Correlation. Overall mean age was 14.5±2.1 years and 60.0% were female. The participants were from families in low (19.6%), middle (51.7%) and high (28.7%) socioeconomic categories. Overall, mean PBF was 12.6±7.1%. Mean PBF for male 8.5±5.6% was lower than 14.9±6.7% for female (p<0.05). There was no significant correlation between PBF and age among female (r = 0.064, p>0.05) but a significant negative correlation was observed among male participants (r = -0.224, p<0.05). Among male participants, mean PBF of low (7.8±5.2%), middle (8.3±5.5%) and high (9.2±6.1%) socioeconomic status were not significantly different (p>0.05). Similarly, there were no differences in the mean PBF of low (15.2±6.9%), middle (14.8±6.9%) and high (14.9±6.7%) socioeconomic status among female participants (p>0.05). Proportion of adolescent PBF <5th and >95th percentiles were 3.9% and 19.9% respectively. Prevalence of PBF >95th percentile was higher among male (28.1%) than female (14.4%) adolescents (p<0.05). Slightly more female participants (4.3%) than male (3.2%) had PBF <5th percentile (p<0.05). More male participants in public (31.8%) compared with 15.8% among those in private schools had PBF >95th percentile (p<0.05). There was no significant difference in prevalence of PBF >95th percentile among female participants in private (10.7%) compared with those in public schools (15.5%). There was no significant difference in the proportion of respondents who had PBF >95th percentile in low (20.5%), middle (22.4%) and high (15.1%). Similarly, proportions of participants with PBF <5th percentile in low, middle and high socioeconomic groups were 3.3%, 4.3% and 3.4% respectively were not significantly different. Male adolescents were likely to rise above 95th percentile of percentage body fat estimates for age and sex irrespective of socioeconomic status especially in public school. There is the need to initiate programmes that may enhance early identification of adolescents with the tendency of accumulating excess fat.
TEACHERS’ KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND FIRST AID CARE OF FEBRILE CONVULSION IN NURSERY AND PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN IBADAN NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, NIGERIA
(2014-03) ONUMADU, C.N.
Febrile Convulsion (FC) is a major cause of medical emergency in children aged six months to six years and may occur anywhere including school environment. Studies focusing on teachers’ practice of First Aid Care (FAC) to children with FC are limited in Nigeria, yet children spend substantial time under teachers’ care. This study was conducted to assess teachers’ knowledge, attitude and FAC given to children with FC among teachers in nursery and primary schools in Ibadan North Local Government Area (LGA), Nigeria. Using a two-stage sampling method, 402 teachers from 47 private and 10 public schools were recruited into this cross sectional study. A pre-tested self-administered questionnaire was used to obtain information on socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge of FC, attitude towards children with FC and FAC practice. Knowledge was measured with a 10-point item scale and categorized as good (score >4) and poor (score ≤4). Attitude was measured with a 17-item instrument, each item was scored on a 5-point likert scale with a total of 85 and categorized as poor (≤51) and good (>51). First aid care was assessed as appropriate or inappropriate based on defined protocol. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and Chi-square test. Mean age of respondents was 35.4±10.6 years, 76.4% were female and 92.3% had post-secondary education. About 41.1% of teachers had ≤5 years teaching experience while 39.6% and 19.0% had more than 11 years and 6-10 years of experience respectively. Majority (85.3%) of respondents had heard about FC; with radio (62.7%) and television (55.2%) being common sources of information. Only 30.6% respondents had good knowledge of FC. Most (90.8%) respondents had good attitude towards children with FC, as 52.0% of respondents would not mind having their biological child play with a child with FC. However, 27% of respondents would not like to have a child with FC in their class. Reasons for the objection were: distraction in class (25.9%), inexperience of care for FC (18.5%), and avoidance of stigmatization from other pupils (14.8%). Forty-one percent of respondents had witnessed a child convulsed in school. Of these,114(69.1%) gave inappropriate care such as putting a spoon into the child’s mouth (28.1%) and pouring water on the child’s body (15.8%). Teachers with ≥11 years teaching experience (52.1%), compared to those with 6-10 years (45.0%) and those with ≤ 5 years (44.0%) had good attitude towards children who had FC (p<0.05). More male (73.5%) than female (66.7%) and more teachers with ≤5 years (76.5%) teaching experience compared to those with 6-10 years (65.6%) and those with ≤11 years (64.2%) experience gave inappropriate FAC. Sixty-eighty percent of respondents who had good knowledge of FC compared with 69.1% who had poor knowledge of FC gave inappropriate FAC. Teachers’ attitude to febrile convulsion was good while their knowledge and practices of appropriate care were poor. There is the need to design intervention programmes targeted at improving knowledge and appropriate first aid care for febrile convulsion.
PREVALENCE OF BODY PIERCING AND TATTOOING AND KNOWLEDGE OF ASSOCIATED HEALTH RISKS AMONG UNDERGRADUATES IN UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN, NIGERIA
(2015-06) UMOH, I. I.
Body Piercing and Tattooing (BPT) can increase the risk of contracting infectious diseases. Despite the potential harmful health consequences, the practice has remained attractive to young people. Body piercing (BP) includes piercing of various parts of the body excluding single piercing of both earlobes for females. Documented information on BPT and the awareness of its associated health risks among young people in Nigeria is few despite the practice. It is necessary to determine the prevalence, motivations for practicing BPT and awareness of the associated health risks among young people. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of BPT and assess knowledge of associated health risks among undergraduates in University of Ibadan, Nigeria. A cross-sectional survey involving a 3-stage sampling technique using simple random and systematic methods were used to select 424 students in 34 rooms each from two male and two female halls of residence out of five and four halls respectively. A self-administered semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect information on socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge of health risks associated with BPT and practice of BPT. Knowledge of health risks associated with BPT was assessed on a 39-point scale and scores ≥20 was considered good. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and Chi-square test at 5% level of significance. Respondents’ age was 21.4±2.3 years and 50.0% were females. Prevalence of BP was 13.2% and tattooing, 1.9%. Majority (96.8%) of pierced respondents were females. Of the pierced respondents, 74.3%, 11.4%, 8.6%, 5.7% reported ear piercing, nose piercing, navel and tongue piercings respectively. Among respondents who practised BP, 87.1% were aged 20- 25 years while 12.9% were aged 16-19 years. More than half (58.1%) of the respondents who practised BP were in higher levels (300-500) and 41.9% in lower levels (100-200) of study. Reported reasons for piercing were fun (45.8%), fashion (33.3%), personal (12.5%) and desire to put on more earrings (8.3%). Half (50.0%) of tattooed respondents were females, of which 50.0% had tattooed their legs, (25.0%) chests and (25.0%) arms. Twenty six percent of respondents had good knowledge of health risks associated with BPT and 60.0% were not aware of hygienic rules regarding BPT such as use of sterilised equipment (26.5%), single use of needle (18.9%), and use of gloves (16.1%). Many respondents were aware of some health complications associated with BPT such as HIV (90.1%), keloid (84.7%), infection of site of piercing and tattoo (73.4%) and haematoma (67.6%). There was a significant difference between sex and knowledge of health risk associated with BPT. Prevalence of body piercing and tattooing was low while knowledge of associated health risks was poor among undergraduate students of University of Ibadan. Information on body piercing and tattooing and its associated health risks should be included in life building skills education programmes for the undergraduates.