Dr Grace Onyowo Ugboha, Justina Nwokocha & Martha Barnabas
Abstract
A survey research design is adopted to assess the prevalence and management of hernias among residents of Jos metropolis. Two research questions and one hypothesis were formulated to guide the study. The population of the study was residents in Jos metropolis. A sample of 169 participants was selected, using accidental sampling technique. The instrument used for data collection was validated, and the reliability was obtained as 0.74 via Cronbach’s Alpha. Data obtained was analyzed using frequency counts and percentages to answer the research questions while t-test was used to test the hypothesis. The finding of the study revealed that the prevalence of hernias is high among residents of Jos metropolis with 31% and there is significant difference in the prevalence of hernias between male and female residents of Jos metropolis. Based on these findings, the study concluded that there is significant gender difference in the prevalence of hernias among residents of Jos metropolis. The study recommended that government, health practitioners and counsellors should organize programmes in communities to create awareness on the prevalence, and damaging health effects of hernias.