Five Common Illnesses Affecting Nigerian Youths, How To Prevent Them And Loads Of Facts, Resources And More

It is a famous saying among Nigerian youths that good health is underrated.

A healthy individual can function optimally in all aspects of life. As youths, we are burdened with the responsibility to make a significant difference in our society.

This burden requires our time, effort, and our health.

What could be a significant setback to our ability to make an impact is illness.

Illness is any condition that causes discomfort, dysfunction, or distress.

Illnesses range from mild to severe. Various causes of illnesses include genetic predisposition, lifestyle choices, environmental factors, and infectious agents.

This article discusses common illnesses that affect youths in Nigeria. We’ve also included a lot of resources and interesting facts to help you understand these illnesses better and lead a healthier life.

Malaria

“Mosquito-borne diseases cause millions of deaths worldwide every year with a disproportionate effect on children and the elderly in developing countries.”

Malaria is alarmingly prevalent in Nigeria, thanks to mosquitoes.

The word ‘Malaria’ originated from Roman soldiers who associated the disease with bad air from the waters.

Its symptoms include fever, loss of appetite, body aches, vomiting and pallor (paleness).

Living in an area where malaria is common (endemic) and being young means you are less likely to experience severe malaria thanks to your immune system.

To minimise the risk of contracting malaria, individuals should take proactive measures to prevent mosquito bites. This includes using insect repellent, wearing long-sleeved clothing, and using mosquito nets at night. By diligently following these steps, the likelihood of becoming infected with malaria can be significantly decreased.

Other ways to effectively prevent mosquito bites:

• Eliminate stagnant waters and bushes around where you stay.
• Use insect repellants.
• Use oscillating fans around where you stay or sleep.
• Stay in air-conditioned or well-screened housing.

Interesting Facts About Mosquitoes

• Only female mosquitoes bite humans and animals to obtain a blood meal because they need it to produce eggs.
• Adult mosquitoes typically live for 2 to 4 weeks, with females often outliving males. Their lifespan depends on factors like species, humidity, and temperature.
• Mosquitoes spread germs (viruses, parasites) through bites that can make you sick.
• Mosquitoes have existed since the Jurassic period, making them approximately 210 million years old.
• The raised bumps resulting from Mosquito bites are caused by the saliva. While one tube in the Mosquitoes proboscis draws blood, another pumps in saliva that contains a mild painkiller and an anti-coagulant. Most individuals experience minor allergic reactions to the saliva, which causes the area around the bite to swell and itch.
• A mosquito can consume up to three times its body weight in blood.
• They typically prefer horses, cattle, and birds over humans as their source of blood.
• They are attracted to humans by their breath. Receptors on their antennae detect the carbon dioxide released when we exhale. Individuals who exhale more, such as larger people and pregnant women, may be more appealing.
• Sweat helps mosquitoes select their victims. Our skin produces more than 340 chemical odors, and some are appealing to mosquitoes.

Mosquito-borne viruses

• Cache Valley
• Chikungunya
• Dengue
• Eastern equine encephalitis
• Jamestown Canyon
• Japanese encephalitis
• Rift Valley fever
• Ross River
• St. Louis encephalitis
• Usutu
• West Nile
• Western equine encephalitis
• Yellow fever
• Zika

Mosquito-borne parasites

• Dirofilariasis (dog heartworm)
• Lymphatic filariasis
• Malaria

Read More:

21 Tips For How To Prevent Mosquito Bites

HIV/AIDS

“When the first cases of AIDS emerged, it was initially believed to be contracted only by men who had sex with men. Early on, the condition was called “GRID,” or gay-related immunodeficiency, by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).”

The full meaning is Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.

It occurs due to the significant weakening of the immune system caused by the virus.

This illness renders the individual predisposed to other infections.

In Nigeria, over three million people live with this disease. Its transmission is classified into:

• Vertical Transmission: From mother to child during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding.

• Horizontal Transmission: This is from person to person, commonly during sexual intercourse. It could be through the sharing of contaminated sharp objects like needles.

• Nosocomial Transmission: This means it could be gotten from the hospital. Though rare, it occurs when proper infection control measures are not followed during procedures like blood transfusions and dialysis and poor laboratory practices.

How Can HIV Be Transmitted?

• Unprotected sexual contact.
• Sharing contaminated needles to inject drugs.
• During pregnancy, birth, or breast/chestfeeding.

HIV Is Not Transmitted By

• Air or water.
• Saliva, sweat, tears, or closed-mouth kissing.
• Insects or pets.
• Sharing toilets, food, or drinks.

Prevention

Prevention strategies include:

• Using condoms the right way every time you have sex.
• Never share needles, syringes, or other drug injection equipment.
• Using PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) and PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis).
• PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) is a medication used to prevent HIV after potential exposure. The CDC recommends contacting a healthcare provider or visiting an emergency room to initiate PEP within 72 hours. The sooner it is started, the more effective it will be.

Historical Facts About HIV/AIDS

• AIDS was first identified in the United States in 1981; however, HIV had been spreading in the country prior to that.

• It is widely believed that HIV-1, the most prevalent strain of the virus, was transmitted from chimpanzees to humans no later than 1930, most likely during the trading of bushmeat. Hunters would have likely been exposed to animal blood while hunting chimpanzees, possibly in and around Cameroon.

• When the first cases of AIDS emerged, it was initially believed to be contracted only by men who had sex with men. Early on, the condition was called “GRID,” or gay-related immunodeficiency, by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

• In 1983, Dr. Joseph Sonnabend in New York was threatened with eviction for treating people with HIV, leading to the first AIDS discrimination lawsuit.

• Zidovudine, commonly known as AZT, was introduced in 1987 as the first treatment for HIV.

• In 2007, Timothy Ray Brown became the first person to be cured of HIV after receiving a stem cell transplant to help treat his leukaemia. His viral load remained undetectable until his death from leukaemia in 2020.

People with HIV can live long, healthy lives if they are compliant with their medications.

One of the biggest challenges in the treatment and management of HIV is the stigma associated with it.

A lot of people are worried and concerned about how society will see them if they come out and admit that they have HIV.

However, over the years, a lot of global campaigns have been launched to fight the stigma associated with HIV, and a number of celebrities and important figures have also come out to tell the public about their HIV status and how they’re living healthy with the help of advancement in treatment giving more people the boldness to come out get tested and help.

“Undetectable” = “Untransmittable”

In 2017, the CDC declared that an HIV-positive person on regular antiretroviral therapy, which reduces the virus to undetectable levels in their blood, cannot transmit HIV to a partner during sex.

A Possible Cure?

There isn’t a cure for HIV yet. There are seven records of people who got cured after stem-cell transplants–Timothy Ray Brown and Adam Castillejo are the most common cases. Both men had stem cell transplants to help treat cancer and afterwards were declared HIV-free.

With the discovery of HAART, many people living with HIV lead very happy and healthy lives.

Recently, an attempt to create a vaccine using the same technology used to create the COVID-19 vaccine failed in phase 2 clinical trials.

All hope isn’t lost, as scientists and experts are still looking for a cure for HIV.

Read More:

HIV And AIDS – Basic Facts

Mental Health Illnesses

“WHO defines mental health as mental well-being in which an individual realises his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively, and can contribute to his or her community.”

While there is a growing concern across the globe about the need to combat the rise of mental illnesses among young people, countries like Nigeria do not have enough resources to attend to the mental health needs of its young people.

Nigeria currently faces a global human rights emergency in mental health, with reports suggesting that approximately 80% of individuals with serious mental health needs in Nigeria cannot access care due to several multi-faceted factors. Young people make up a significant portion.

To even make matters worse, Nigeria as a nation has never taken mental health legislation seriously for years. For many years, Nigeria used an archaic and outdated mental health bill that reflected a time in history when mental health illnesses were considered taboo and people with mental health challenges were treated poorly, contributing in many ways to the deplorable state of our mental health structure today.  

With the current economic situation the country is experiencing, young people have found themselves under immense social pressure, causing many of them to cave under pressure and find themselves struggling with different forms of undiagnosed mental illnesses.

The mental health burden Nigeria shoulders is further complicated by the following factors:

• Scarcity of mental health professionals.
• Lack of adequate mental health facilities.
• Insufficient health coverage, financing and research.
• Socio-cultural stigma associated with mental health.
• Weak mental health legislation.

Most Common Mental Illnesses Among Nigerian Youths

The following are the most common mental illnesses among young people in Nigeria, according to research:

• Depression.
• Anxiety disorders.
• Emotional and behavioural problems.
• PTSD.
• Suicidal thoughts.

Awareness of mental health is low In Nigeria. Most young people do not even know they are suffering from mental illnesses, and the primary reason is that many of them don’t have access to mental health services.

Preventing Mental Illnesses

There might not be specific ways to prevent mental illnesses, especially in individuals with genetic dispositions; however, it’s possible to prevent mental stress from blowing into full mental illness.

Below Are Some Of The Signs And Symptoms Of Mental Illness

• Confused thinking.
• Excessive fears or worries.
• Inability to concentrate.
• Extreme mood changes.
• Withdrawal from friends and activities.
• Significant tiredness, low energy, or problems sleeping.
• Extreme feelings of guilt.
• Excessive anger, hostility, or violence.
• Hallucinations.
• Suicidal thinking.
• Inability to cope with daily problems or stress.
• Problems with alcohol or drug use.
• Major changes in eating habits.
• Abnormal sex drive changes.

How Can One Prevent Mental Illnesses?

It’s important for us to know our limits when we’re extremely stressed. We should also consider certain biological factors, like genetics and other underlying disease conditions, that can predispose one to developing mental illness.

Here are some ways we can prevent mental illnesses:

• Avoidance of alcohol and other psychoactive agents or drugs: Abuse of drugs, especially psychoactive drugs like cocaine, heroin and meth, can predispose users to mental health problems if there are other factors present like genetic predisposition, stress and environmental factors.

• Exercise: There are strong scientific connections between exercise and overall well-being. Exercise releases certain neurotransmitters that help relieve stress. Endorphins, Endocannabinoids, and Dopamine are some of the primary hormones released during exercise. Exercise can also influence neuroplasticity, a complex process where the brain adjusts to external and internal stimuli. Research has also discovered that exercise may decrease depressive thoughts by increasing levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, an important protein in the brain that’s responsible for learning and cell growth.

• Improvement in your social life: It’s important to note that our social lives indicate how mentally healthy and resilient we are. Individuals with robust social networks find it easier to weather life’s challenges. They have the required support and warmth of family and friends. In the fight against mental illnesses, it’s vital to encourage young people to build strong social networks from which they can get healthy social nutrition.

• Self-worth and value: Knowing that you’re an important part of life puts a certain degree of responsibility on you to take good care of yourself and consciously avoid anything that could hurt you. Acknowledging yourself and who you are solidifies your mental fortitude and barricades you against any form of external stimuli or stress that may want to break you down.

• Learn to meditate: Meditation is helpful if done correctly. It brings calmness into your mind and helps you focus on helpful thoughts and experiences.

• Go for healthy meals: What you eat goes a long way to positively or negatively influence your general well-being, and your mental health is not excluded. Opt for less processed foods, more vegetables, and a lot of water.

• Take good rest: Do not sacrifice your rest for anything. Not prioritising daily rest can make you susceptible to stress and, if not handled properly, can lead to something worse.

• Cultivate the habit of helping others: Some studies have discovered that helping others and other social interactions were linked with reduced stress and even longer lifespans. Take time out to get involved with volunteering and helping people. Do not isolate yourself. People who are socially isolated are more vulnerable to developing mental illnesses.

• Seek help: If you feel mentally unwell, overwhelmed, or stressed, it’s paramount to quickly seek help from friends and professional assistance. Treatment outcomes for mental illnesses are optimal when detected early, and the only way early detection is possible is if people are quick to recognise symptoms in their lives and seek help.

Recommendations To Improve Mental Healthcare In Nigeria

• Improve legislation guiding mental health.
• Create better access to mental health services.
• Provide resources needed for research in mental healthcare.
• Put in place incentives to attract more healthcare professionals to specialise in mental health-related medical specialities.

As a young person living in a country like Nigeria, your mental health should be among your top healthcare priorities.

If you discover that you’re becoming stressed and that you’re experiencing certain mental symptoms that are affecting your daily life, it’s better to seek help immediately.

Read More

What Is Mental Health?

HEPATITIS B

“The World Health Organisation (WHO) recognises HBV as a leading cause of death worldwide.”

A recent systemic study done in 2021 that estimated the level of HBV infection in Nigeria discovered a 9.5% prevalence, which is nearly 20,083,000 Nigerians. This figure is high, which means Nigeria meets the WHO’s criteria for high endemicity.

Nigeria is ranked first among the top ten countries with the highest burden of viral Hepatitis in sub-Saharan Africa, accounting for 8.3% of the global burden of chronic HBV. With a national prevalence rate of 8.1% and an estimated 20 million people infected, HBV poses a significant health challenge for the country and is more prevalent among young people due to several factors.

What Is Hepatitis B?

Hepatitis B is a preventable liver infection caused by the HBV virus. It can be transmitted through contact with infected blood, semen, or other bodily fluids.

Signs And Symptoms Of Hepatitis B

Many people with hepatitis B don’t have symptoms, and if they do, they usually appear 90 days after exposure.

Symptoms of acute and chronic HBV infections may be similar. Still, those with chronic infections often don’t have symptoms until much later in life.

Symptoms of hepatitis B include:

• Dark urine or clay-coloured stools.
• Feeling tired.
• Fever.
• Joint pain.
• Loss of appetite.
• Nausea, stomach pain, throwing up.
• Yellow skin or eyes (jaundice).

Young Nigerians need to understand how dangerous Hepatitis B is and what damage it can do to the liver if left untreated.

Longstanding Hepatitis can cause liver failure and, in some cases, liver cancers and even death!

“Symptoms of chronic hepatitis B can take decades to develop and may be similar to those of an acute infection, underscoring the importance of testing or vaccination.”

Hepatitis B is mainly transmitted when blood, semen, or other body fluids containing HBV from an infected person come into contact with the body of an uninfected person, even in tiny amounts.

HBV can also be transmitted through:

The ways you can get infected with HBV include:

• Being born to a person infected with HBV
• Having sex with a person infected with HBV
• Sharing equipment contaminated with blood from an infected person (e.g., needles, syringes, and medical equipment like glucose monitors)
• Sharing personal items like toothbrushes or razors, although this is less common
• Having direct contact with the blood or open sores of a person with hepatitis B
• Poor infection control in healthcare facilities

Even though the virus can be present in saliva, it is not transmitted through kissing or sharing utensils. Hepatitis B is not spread through sneezing, coughing, hugging, breastfeeding, or consuming food or water.

Who Is At Risk?

Certain individuals are at a higher risk of contracting hepatitis B, including infants born to people with the virus, those from countries with high rates of hepatitis B, and individuals with specific medical conditions.

People at higher risk of hepatitis B include:

• Individuals who inject drugs or share needles, syringes, or other drug equipment.
• Sexual partners of people with hepatitis B.
• Men who have sex with men.
• Individuals who live with someone who has hepatitis B.
• Healthcare and public safety workers who are exposed to blood on the job.

Preventative measures include vaccination, testing for pregnant individuals, and ensuring family members are vaccinated if necessary.

It is important to protect newborns with the Hepatitis B vaccine and a shot called hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG) if the mother is infected.

This preventive measure is crucial as most people with hepatitis B were infected as infants or young children when their immune systems were not fully developed.

Other preventive measures include:

• Safe sex practices to prevent viral transmission.
• Safe injection practice among healthcare professionals and users of injectable drugs.
• Safe food and water practice.

How Can Nigeria Improve Hepatitis B Care?

• Routine immunisation, including HBV vaccination, should be made mandatory through legislation in Nigeria and, indeed, in Sub-Saharan Africa.

• Institutional capacity for HBV multicenter research, treatment, and care in the country will be highly beneficial.

• Testing and counselling should be offered to all children and adults and linked to treatment, care, and support.

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)

“Globally, there is an estimated 376.4 million new cases of curable sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, syphilis and Trichomonas vaginalis among people aged 15–49 years, every year.”

In Africa, Nigeria, according to research, has the biggest HIV epidemic.

Why? It’s obviously primarily due to the number of sexually active young people in the country and a host of other associated factors.

Sexually transmitted diseases are a menace to the society. Most people may not understand the damage it does to young people and the burden it places on a country’s economy and overall well-being.

Symptomatic and asymptomatic sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can lead to serious health issues in developing countries, including infertility, cervical cancer, pelvic inflammatory disease, and pregnancy complications.

Socio-behavioural Risk Factors

• Low levels of education.
• Not being married.
• Multiple sex partners.
• Alcohol and drug use.
• Early sexual debut.

Key Populations At High Risk Of STI Acquisition

• Men who have sex with men.
• Transgender women.
• Commercial sex workers.

These infections spread primarily through sexual contact, including vaginal, anal, and oral sex.

Here are the most common sexually transmitted diseases in Nigeria:

• Chlamydia.
• Gonorrhea.
• Syphilis.
• Trichomoniasis.
• Herpes.
• HIV.
• Genital herpes
• Genital warts
• Chancroid
• Scabies (“sweetee”)
•  Mycoplasma genitalium.

“The WHO estimates that sub-Saharan Africa bears approximately 40% of the global burden of STIs.”

Common Symptoms OF STDs

If an STD stems from a symptomatic STI, you might initially experience the following:

• Pain or discomfort during sexual activity or urination.
• Sores, bumps, or rashes on or around the vagina, penis, testicles, anus, buttocks, thighs, or mouth.
• Unusual discharge or bleeding from the penis or vagina.
• Painful or swollen testicles.
• Itchiness in or around the vagina.
• Unexpected periods or bleeding after sexual activity.

Please remember the following:

Not all STIs have symptoms. If an STI progresses to an STD, symptoms can vary.

Some symptoms may be similar to the ones mentioned above, such as pain during sexual activity, pain during urination, and irregular or painful periods.

However, other symptoms can be quite different and depend on the specific STD. These can include:

• Fever.
• Recurring pain.
• Fatigue.
• Memory loss.
• Changes to vision or hearing.
• Nausea.
• Weight loss.
• Lumps or swellings.

“An STD will always start out as an STI. But not all STIs turn into STDs.”

Ways to prevent STIs include:

• Safe Sex Practices.
• Vaccination: Vaccines are available for some STIs, like HPV and hepatitis B.
• Open communication with sexual partners about sexual history and STI testing is important.
• Regular Testing.

Taking about testing. Here are the common STI tests you can do in Nigeria to help you know your status:

• HIV screening: For every suspected case of sexually transmitted infection, an HIV test is mandatory as it is the most serious STD. HIV tests are free in government hospitals.

• High Vaginal swab or cervical swab: This is especially important in cases of vaginal discharge. The swab is then used for microscopy, culture, and sensitivity in order to identify the bacteria causing the disease.

• Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL): This is a blood test used to screen for syphilis.

• Urethral swab: This is for microscopy, culture, and sensitivity in the case of suspected gonorrhoea for males.

• Screening for Hepatitis B and C.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it is evident that good health is not only important but crucial for Nigerian youths to make a significant impact in our society.

The burden of responsibility placed on us to create change requires us to prioritise our well-being.

Illness can be a significant setback to our ability to contribute effectively, which is why understanding and preventing common illnesses is of utmost importance.

Specifically, diseases like malaria and HIV/AIDS pose significant threats to our health.

Malaria, prevalent in Nigeria, can be prevented through proactive measures such as using insect repellent and mosquito nets.

On the other hand, HIV/AIDS, with over three million cases in the country, requires awareness about its modes of transmission and prevention methods.

It is imperative for youths to educate themselves and others about these illnesses to mitigate their impact.

By being knowledgeable about common illnesses and taking preventive actions, Nigerian youths can safeguard their health and well-being.

This will enable us to channel our time, effort, and energy into making meaningful contributions to our communities and society as a whole.

With access to resources, information, and a proactive approach to health, we can strive towards a healthier and more impactful future for ourselves and those around us.

Selected References

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• Ajuwon, B. I., Roper, K., & Sheel, M. (n.d.). Hepatitis B in Nigeria: fresh data to inform prevention and care. The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/hepatitis-b-in-nigeria-fresh-data-to-inform-prevention-and-care-173018

• Brits, E. (2021). High mental health burden for Africa’s youth. Nature Africa. https://doi.org/10.1038/d44148-021-00097-y

• Contributor, P. (2023, February 14). 6 common s*xually transmitted diseases in Nigeria. Pulse Nigeria. https://www.pulse.ng/lifestyle/beauty-health/6-common-sxually-transmitted-diseases-in-nigeria/0l5p48w

• Crna, R. N. M. (2021, October 12). The history of HIV and AIDS in the United States. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/hiv-aids/history

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• Semwogerere, M., Dear, N., Tunnage, J., Reed, D., Kibuuka, H., Kiweewa, F., Iroezindu, M., Bahemana, E., Maswai, J., Owuoth, J., Crowell, T. A., Ake, J. A., Polyak, C. S., & Esber, A. (2021). Factors associated with sexually transmitted infections among care-seeking adults in the African Cohort Study. BMC Public Health, 21(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-021-10762-4

• Sharkey, L. (2023, April 11). Everything you need to know about sexually transmitted diseases. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/sexually-transmitted-diseases#symptoms

• Somtochukwu, P. (2023, September 15). 10 ways to prevent mental illness – idealmedhealth. idealmedhealth. https://idealmedhealth.com/10-ways-to-prevent-mental-illness/

• Ugochukwu, O., Mbaezue, N., Lawal, S. A., Azubogu, C., Sheikh, T. L., & Vallières, F. (2020). The time is now: reforming Nigeria’s outdated mental health laws. ˜the œLancet. Global Health/˜the œLancet. Global Health, 8(8), e989–e990. https://doi.org/10.1016/s2214-109x(20)30302-8

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