Editorial

The re-emergence of Epidemiological journal now known as Journal of Epidemiological Society of Nigeria (JESN) is borne out of the desire to continue the important task of filling the vacuum in the publication of scientific and research works done on epidemiology of diseases across the nation and beyond. The Journal has resurfaced with a hopeful leap into the horizon of unlimited opportunities for a wide frontier of like minds for sound and well researched work towards the promotion of the health of the populace in general. This maiden edition is rich both in content and design for the academically minded individuals and organizations in health and health related sectors. To whet your appetite here are the synopses of original articles in this edition. It begins with the article on the knowledge of Hepatitis B virus infection and mode of transmission among women of reproductive age in work and study programme of Ebonyi State University Abakaliki, Nigeria, done by Nwonwu EU et al. They found out that though most of their respondents had good knowledge of the transmission of the virus, their understanding of the methods of prevention was poor. Reading through the work provides information on respondents' misconception of the infection. An article on the assessment of sexual knowledge, perception and practices among secondary school adolescents in a rural community in Nigeria by Banwat ME et al showed that sexual activity was high among the adolescents who said they lacked necessary skills to refuse or postpone sexual advances. Utoo PM et al researched on motivation factors for job satisfaction among employees of Primary Health Care centers in Benue state, Nigeria. Their finding was interesting as over fifty percent of the workers studied were satisfied with their Jobs due to on the job experiences they had and prompt payment of salary by their employer. A study on risk assessment and practice of occupational safety among food handlers in Jos, Plateau state by Tagurum YO et al revealed that the respondents had poor knowledge of occupational safety and practices. This study is highly informative because the focus is on food handlers' occupational health and not on food hygiene which has been widely studied and reported.
The article to determine the knowledge, practice and techniques of umbilical cord care by mothers in Nwezenyi, Ebonyi state, Nigeria is a work done by Nwonwu EU et al. They found that though there was high awareness of umbilical cord care management among respondents it did not equally translate to the use of appropriate materials for its care. They therefore suggested focused health education for mothers on the use of the right material in umbilical cord care to reduce neonatal morbidity and mortality. Malaria diagnosis and treatment practices in Public Primary Health care clinics in Pankshin, Plateau state, Nigeria by Daboer JC et al found out that pretreatment testing for malaria and adherence to test results in Primary Health Care clinics in Pankshin LG was low. They therefore suggested training and supervision on the current guidelines on malaria diagnosis and treatment of the healthcare providers. The last original article was by Bako IA et al on bed-occupancy management in the emergency wards of the Benue state University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi using the queuing model. This I assure, you will find highly informative and educative that you will wish to try the model in your setting when faced with patient bed-occupancy challenges. For those who still remember statistical models and mathematical maneuverings this you will also find intriguing. It is hoped that this edition will soon be followed by the regular biannual publications of the Journal to keep alive the vision of pioneer members. Therefore, this calls for concerted effort by all members of the Association and her affiliates to make valuable inputs to the publication of the Journal by getting copies for themselves and others and also sending in articles for subsequent publication. As the taste of the pudding is said to be in the eating, enjoy this edition.

Editor-in-Chief