MY

BOOKLET
HEALTH

PROJECT LEAD
UMAR ALANI
[@umar_alani]
INTRODUCTION
“Ah! What is wrong with her?” The neighbor shouted.

“She just injured herself on her leg, what should we do?”

Mama asked, looking quite confused.

“Don't take her to the hospital oh, they would just cut it.

Bring your stove, palm oil and a knife, this is how we do it

in our village and it works. I would not even collect money

for it.” Offered the neighbor.

A few weeks later the leg was severely swollen, hot and

reddened. Mama rushed her daughter to the nearby

hospital, crying as she went. On reaching the hospital, the

physician explained to her that a little dressing would have

healed the wound, but because she delayed, the bone was

already infected, and the leg would have to be amputated,

if it is not amputated now, the infection would spread to all

her body (sepsis) and she may die.

Mama fell on the floor screaming, with her hands

on her head: “Ah, my village people have gotten me.”

INTRODUCTION
Are you like Mama and the neighbour in the above narrative?

You need to stop listening to people in buses and those

around you who would tell you not to go to the hospital to

see your physician, nurse, pharmacist or other health

workers. Those people don't want the best for you.

This booklet is a collation of some (though inexhaustible)

basic and right care to be rendered in the case of an

emergency. ‘My Health Booklet’ also features important

reasons why you need to go to the nearest health center or

hospital, who should be contacted when you are depressed

and feel you should cut it short, why concoctions such as

‘agbo’ are not best for you, and lots more.

We hope this health booklet helps you make informed

healthy choice.
CONTRIBUTORS
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) can be better
achieved when like minds decide to spring up actions
(little by little) to improve health; these micro actions can
then meet up at a center to birth a sustainable result.
In line with the 3rd Sustainable Development Goal
(Good health and well-being) we collated this
easy-to-understand and accessible health booklet
through the help of contributors from different parts
of Nigeria – with reps from Kaduna, Bayelsa, Imo, Abuja,
Oyo and Lagos.

The team:
Umar Alani A'Razaq
[Nurse, researcher and Data Analyst]

Dr. Eze Henry Chukuemeka

[Medical doctor]

Alexandria Nnamaka
[Registered Nurse and Midwife]

Bashir Mariam Adebola

[Medical doctor and research assistant]

Olatunji Temitayo
[Registered Nurse and Frontend developer]

Mbama Chisom Patience

[Registered Nurse and Frontend developer]

Taiwo Toyosi Vivian

[Registered Nurse and Midwife]

Doubara Vianana
[Registered Nurse and Midwife]
CONTRIBUTORS
Aisha Abu-Shebe [Registered Nurse and Midwife]

Aisha Abiola [Health Promotion and Education Specialist]

Yetunde Akinwande [Data Manager]

Kalejaiye Al-Ameen [Medical student]

Odufowora Hassan Boluwatife [Medical Student]

Nafisa Salihu Ibrahim [Mini importer]

REVIEWERS
Chioma Nwakanma
[Founder, Smile With Me Foundation]

Noimat Balogun
[Founder, Linka.ng]

Olajumoke Adebayo
[Founder, Passage Between Your Legs]

Yusuf Shittu
[Founder, The Nigerian Child Initiative]

BOOKLET DESIGN
Pictaler
07011098132
t @pictaler

E-factor media
08162898359
ti @ayopo101
MYTH
Excess sugar is what causes diabetes.

Pancreas is an organ in the body.

Excessive sugar consumption can make the management of

diabetes worse. Diabetes is of two types: Type 1 & Type 2.
A brief explanation is given here:

In Type 1 diabetes mellitus:

In Type 2 diabetes mellitus:

MYTH
Eating unripe plantain by a pregnant
mother would affect the baby.

They are a rich source of fibre,

vitamins A, C and B-6, magnesium,
potassium and calories. Plantains
are good for the mother whether
ripe or unripe. The unripe one can
be prepared like porridge or with
vegetables.

MYTH
Sitting on a mortar while pregnant can
lead to miscarriage.

Pregnant women can seat anywhere they want.

Miscarriage is caused by other factors but not
sitting on a mortar.

MYTH
Getting too close or touching a lizard
causes leprosy.

This is false.
MYTH
Dip whitlow in battery water to cure it.
Whitlow is self-limiting. If you cannot
bear the pain, speak to your physician
for a pain medication to use.

Do not poke/puncture it with anything.

You can introduce an infectious agent
into the whitlow and cause a bigger
problem for yourself.

MYTH
The bone setters are better than the
orthopaedic surgeons because they correct
and don’t amputate like the surgeons do.

Surgeons are better

trained to treat
fractures and any
complications that
may arise from it.
MYTH
If the blood on a new born isn’t cleaned
properly or delayed, the baby will have
body odour.

The baby is usually cleaned by the midwife with

olive oil or coconut oil to remove the substance
on the body called ‘vernix caseosa’.
The cleaning and rubbing also helps to stimulate
breathing in the baby. Some also do not clean the
substance away because new studies have shown
that it’s beneficial to the baby.
Whether your baby is cleaned or not, your baby
is fine. Poor hygiene is what causes body odour.
Ensure you give your baby regular baths.

MYTH
Do not give a child meat or a full egg
because they would steal when they
grow up.

Eggs are a major source of

protein, necessary for growth.
MYTH
Using Amoxyl, Tetracycline, Schweppes
or 7Up after sex will prevent conception.

Antibiotics would not stop development of pregnancy.

Carbonated drink can’t stop you from getting pregnant.
Some tips to prevent pregnancy:

a. Don't have sexual intercourse

b. Visit the nearest clinic and request for a contraceptive
c. Request for a contraceptive at the nearest pharmacy.
There are various types, the barrier- like condom,
hormonal pills or injectibles etc).
Ask, you would be guided on which is best.

MYTH
Purchasing drugs from buses are
better than pharmacies because they
are cheaper.

Many of the drugs are fake, expired & repackaged.

These drugs hurt the liver if used wrongly.
Buy drugs from approved pharmacies only.
MYTH
Do not eat snails or okra when
pregnant so your child does not
become dull, slow, epileptic or
salivate unnecessarily.

Snails contain iron that is beneficial

to pregnant women and their babies.
Though some women are allergic to
eating snails, these women can eat
otheralternatives.
There is nothing wrong with eating
okra in pregnancy.

MYTH
Kerosene, urine, battery water can be
used to cure Apollo (Conjuctivitis).

Kerosene, battery water &

urine will harm your eyes
and may cause blindness.
MYTH
Heat up a child’s foot in fire when he/she
has seizures to wake him/her up.

Do not place your baby’s

foot in the fire. This can
cause major burns.

Seizures in children is usually caused by high temperature

(fever) or epilepsy.

WHAT SHOULD BE DONE

- See your physician.
- If you’re alone, to manage a seizure that isn’t as a result of
fever: Just protect your child from any hazard around them.
Let the seizure resolve then take the child to the hospital.
- If you’re alone, do the following to manage seizures that come
with fever:

Place pillows or cushions around

baby to prevent rolling.
Remove sharps and dangerous
objects to prevent injuries.

Undress your baby and ensure

fresh, cool air flows by opening
the windows, if possible.
 When the seizures stops,
take the child to the hospital.
Do not put anything or drug in
the child’s mouth.

MYTH
You cannot get pregnant when you use
a contraceptive.

Using a contraceptive does not stop someone

from getting pregnant. No contraceptive has
100% success rate. After removal of contraceptive,
one can get pregnant. Abstinence is the best way
to not get pregnant.

MYTH
Breastfeeding women should not have
sex because the sperm can affect the
baby.

There is no direct connection between the cervix or

vagina and the breast.
MYTH
Stroke or athritis are repercussions of
arrows fired from the village.

Stroke & athritis are medical conditions associated

with aging.

MYTH
Removing a pot from fire with lid on can
lead to one giving birth to a deaf baby.

Removing a pot closed protects

one from burns (hot steam), it
does not cause deafness in a baby.

MYTH
Use a hot knife in palm oil to heal a
wound on the foot.
Using hot knife on wounds will not only cause
unnecessary pain but prolong the time of healing.
Visit the nearest primary health center to treat the
wound instead.
 MYTH
Sickle cell patients are ‘ogbanje’ spirits.
Sickle cell children are birthed by 2 parents who are
carriers of the S like blood group (AS or SS or SC).
This can easily be prevented when a person who is a
carrier of the S allele does not produce kids with
another person who also possesses the S allele.

Healthy Father Healthy Mother

Non Sickler Sickle Cell Sickle Cell Sickle Cell

Trait Trait Patient

MYTH
Express breast milk till it gets clear
before breastfeeding because the
colostrum is dirty.
Colostrum is the initial yellow
milky discharge that is highly
nutritious and beneficial for
the newborn. It is not meant
to be wasted.
It can be expressed in a feeding
bottle and fed to the baby.
Please give your child colostrum.
 MYTH
Polio and other vaccines are targeted
at reducing your number of children.
This is not true. Vaccines exist to protect
you from deadly micro-organisms. It is vital
that you and your kids get vaccinated.

MYTH
Don’t take children with measles to
hospital because they would give them
injections which would make it worse.

Injections cannot worsen measles. Take your child to the

hospital. There is a vaccine to prevent measles given to
every child at 9 months of age.

MYTH
Female genital mutilation would reduce
promiscuity.

Do NOT cut the private part of your

baby girl. Are you confused about this?
Speak to your doctor or midwife.
 MYTH
People with HIV cannot get married and
live a normal life.
Everyone who has HIV can get married to whoever
they love while letting them know that they have HIV
It is possible to live a normal life due to the medical
advancements that have been made in the managing
of the disease.
An HIV infected mother can give birth to a non-infected
baby if she goes for her Ante Natal Care regularly and
placed on the Prevention of Mother-To-Child Transmission
(PMTCT) programmes.

MYTH
Use silver object or pin when pregnant
to ward off evil spirits.

Once you find out you're pregnant, you should register

for Antenatal Clinic at the nearest health centre where
you are most likely to give birth. The health workers are
most qualified to take care of a pregnant woman and
ward off “evil spirits”. The midwives and physicians can
recognize early signs of problems in pregnancy and solve
them before they become a bigger problem.
MYTH
A blood stain per vagina depicts
miscarriage.

A blood stain from the vagina can be seen from different

causes. If noticed, please visit the hospital for assessment.

DANGER SIGNS OF PREGNANCY

There are danger signs in pregnancy and seeing these
signs does not mean you have lost your baby as
displayed in Nollywood but they mean you need to
see your midwife or gynaecologist as soon as possible,
they include:
a. Bleeding per vagina (especially if accompanied with
lower abdominal pain)
b. Severe nausea and vomiting
c. Noticing your baby does not move or kick as usual
(If you suspect this, you can drink a warm or cold
water to see if you are just being paranoid.
Change in water emperature would make the baby
react).
d. Contractions at early third trimester
e. When your water breaks (before 37 weeks this is
called ‘pre-term premature rupture of membrane’
while after 37 weeks, it’s called ‘premature rupture
of membrane’), whichever of this happens go to the
nearest health center.
f. Continuous severe headache with visual disturbance
and swelling (Oedema)
MYTH
Lack of traditional bathing after
childbirth can cause a woman to
go mad.

In this traditional bathing, the mothers are

bathed with very hot water, this hot water
dilates their vessels and makes them bleed
profusely. Some even faint during the bath
and it is believed, erroneously, that those who
faint are being “followed from their village”.

The bleeding that comes with it can make

mothers go into anaemic shock (insufficient
blood going to the brain because of low blood
volume). They should take bath with water
that is not too hot nor too cold.

MYTH
If a mentally unstable person bites
you, you can become "mad".

Madness is not contagious, just like epilepsy, it is

a brain dysfunction and not an infection.
Mentally ill people should be taken to the hospital.
MYTH
Give a child palm oil when they swallow
kerosene or something poisonous.

Palm oil is given to stimulate vomiting in those who have

consumed kerosene or other acids, it is widely used as an
antidote. However, this is very risky because stimulating
vomiting can burn the throat and intestine.

WHAT TO DO:
EMERGENCY RESPONSE TO FAINTS,
SLUMPS AND SHOCK.
Follow this acronym – ‘HHHCAB’

H - Hazard
Remove the person and yourself from any danger.
Strip shirt open and remove any chocking clothing.

H - Help
Call for help. If there is anyone around, let them call the
emergency line to request for an ambulance.

H -Hear
Put your hand in front of the person's nose to feel if the
person is breathing.

C - Compression
Start compressions after laying the person on the back.
Place the lower part of your palm (heel of the palm) at
the middle of the chest. Press down with straight elbows.
Ensure that the chest wall goes down but not too much.

A - Airway
Ensure airway is patent (open)
by slightly lifting chin up.
B - Breathing
Clean the mouth before giving rescue
breaths. Lay a handkerchief, if you
can’t place your mouth directly on
the patient’s.
We know that many do not know how to do this but be calm,
try to ensure the safety of you and the victim. Ensure you
continue the chest compressions and do not stop until help
arrives or someone takes your place. You can as well watch
cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) videos on Youtube.

IMPORTANCE OF HEALTH INSURANCE

“Can you afford this treatment?”

People get alarmed at the high cost of medical treatment.

Having a health insurance plan helps in cases of

emergencies. It eliminates the stress of sourcing money.
CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE:
SHOUT
Children should be taught to raise their hands and shout ‘No’
loudly, when they fear abuse.

RUN
Resist with kicking the private parts and running away once
the chance presents itself.

REPORT
The child can run to a police officer, anyone in the community,
or women around.

Rapists, sexual assaulters are all scared of anyone

other than you knowing what they do to you.
For every single person you inform from that point,
the more risky it is for them.
Speak out and do not be shy to inform the security
agents.
They should be scared of their actions, not you!
ABOUT SUICIDE
With increasing suicidal tendencies, please
take note of these signs a person with suicidal
thoughts would have:
- Talking about suicide often
- Seeking out lethal means
- Preoccupation with death and things around it
- No hope for the future
- Self-loathing and self-hatred like saying “everyone
would be better off without me”
- Making out a will and sending a goodbye sign or
saying goodbye at important moments
- Withdrawing from others
- Self-destructive behavior

What should you do when you notice any of

these signs with yourself or someone else?
- Listen to them
- Be sympathetic
- Take the person seriously and offer hope
- Contact Mentally Aware Nigeria Initiative on:
08091116264

What should you not do?

- Do not act surprised.
- Do not argue with the person
- Do not promise confidentiality.
- Do not offer ways to help solve the problem, you
cannot suddenly fix someone else's depression.
THANK YOU
Thank you for reading through this and we do hope it
passes the message we want it to. We know that we have
been able to pick just little out of the multitude of health
myths and we want to make sure we are able to correct as
much as possible.

Do you have more?

Send a mail to myhealthbooklet@gmail.com

The myths would be designed as infographics and shared

on social media. We’re working on printing hard copies
(in different native languages) to be made available free
to hospitals and health centres.This will benefit our major
target for the booklet, those at the grassroots and those
with little or no access to internet.

We know you would not want to miss out of this charitable

venture, kindly send a mail to myhealthbooklet@gmail.com
for partnerships and sponsorship.

Follow us on social media:

T : @myhealthbooklet
I : @my_healthbooklet