EVALUATION OF PEPTIC ULCER PERCEPTION AND PREVENTION STRATEGIES CIVIL SERVANTS ASSESSING HEALTHCARE SERVICES AT THE NIGER UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL, OKOLOBIRI IN YENAGOA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF BAYELSA STATE, NIGERIA.

This study Evaluation Peptic ulcer perception and prevention strategies among male and female civil servants assessing healthcare services in the Niger Delta University teaching hospital okolobiri, Yenagoa Bayelsa State, Nigeria. A total of 760; 48.82 % male and 51.18% female respondents were randomly selected for the study. A well-structured and validated questionnaire was used to collect information on the sociodemographic, economic, perception and prevention strategies of peptic ulcer. Data collected was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) and results were presented in frequency and percentage. The results revealed that the respondents age range to be within the range of 36 to 4 years old – male 56.15 % and female 61.08%. There monthly income was above 100k with 25 % of the male respondents 25% earning more than 350 k monthly. Majority of the respondents had a first degree with similar percentages of higher degree. Food and drug intake analysis shows that 54% of the female respondents skipped meals as compared to the male 39 .4% the meals often skipped by both respondents was Breakfast. Majority of the respondents ate breakfast at home 59.3 % female and 59.4 male. Alcohol intake was higher in the females 57.5 % respondents compared to male 47.7%. Result of the peptic ulcer perception and prevention strategies among the respondents’ shows that both male and female respondents had a good knowledge of the cause and prevention strategies in Peptic ulcer. They indicated drug abuse, meals skipping, and alcohol intake as a risk factor for peptic ulcer. Beans porridge and plantain pepper soup ranked highest among the Foods they avoid due to peptic ulcer. Food selection topped highest as a means of prevention peptic use male 87.3 % and female 79.69%. Majority of the respondents male 64.4% and female 51.9 % indicated Coke as a brand of drink they avoid due to peptic ulcer. Drug abuse ranked highest 28% by male respondents followed by meal skipping among the factor that aggravates symptoms, while the female respondents indicated alcohol 34.4% and drug abuse 21.1 6%. Therefore, interventions should be tailored towards good dietary practices, behavioral changes that improve good Life style choice to reduce the prevalence of Peptic ulcer disease among civil servants