Unveiling contextual influences of maternal satisfaction with labour care services in Nigeria: A qualitative inquiry

BACKGROUND

In light of the rising global effort to lower maternal mortality rates, it is crucial for low- and middle-income countries with poor maternal indices to investigate the problem of maternal satisfaction and the key elements that affect it. To this effect, this study explored the experiences of postnatal women in relation to labour services and investigated the factors that contribute to their overall satisfaction.

AIM

The study set out to explore factors influencing maternal satisfaction with labour care services in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria. This study ultimately seeks to advance our understanding of this phenomenon to impact labour care and policy.

SETTING

The study was conducted among multiparous women who had their antenatal care and delivery in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria.

METHODS

A qualitative study was performed using in-depth interviews among postnatal women.

RESULTS

The results revealed a number of variables that could affect the women's satisfaction with labour care, including the choice of health facility, healthcare providers, environment of the facility, assurance of privacy, treating patients with dignity, provision of needed amenities and having a well-planned postnatal care assessment.

CONCLUSION

The study revealed that the costs of care, the skill of the caregiver, the provision of confidential and dignified care, and the availability of supplies all have an impact on maternal satisfaction. Hospital administration should address these issues to enhance the experience of women and labour care services.Contribution: The study's findings provide insights that will inform strategies to improve the quality of care being provided to parturients in Nigeria.

Macro-anatomical and morphometric studies of the hindlimb of grasscutter (Thryonomys swinderianus, Temminck-1827)

The hindlimb of the grasscutter (Thryonomys swinderianus, Temminck-1827) was studied using 12 adult (≥6 months) rats of either sex with the mean weights of 1.42 ± 0.20 kg and 0.82 ± 0.13 kg for buck (n = 6) and doe (n = 6), respectively (p < .05). Characteristics of the bones were studied by gross observation after their preparation. Measurements of different segments of the hindlimb were also taken, giving a total average length of 31.80 cm. Correlation coefficients between length of bone and weight of rats were positive (p < .05) in bucks for all bone segments, except the pes (p > .05), whereas those in does were all non-significant (p > .05), with significant sexual dimorphism in the relationships. The average total number of bones in the hindlimb was 92, with no apparent sexual dimorphism. The bones of the hindlimb revealed important differences and similarities in morphology with those of other rodents. The Os coxae presented a relatively large obturator foramen, formed by the ramus of the ischium and shaft of the pubis. The femur had a body and two extremities with a prominent head, well-defined neck and trochanter. The fibula, a slender bone with triangular-shaped proximal extremity, ran down the length of tibia with proximal attachment (via cartilage) and distal fusion, leaving an extensive interosseus space. The pes revealed eight tarsals and four metatarsals; each of the metatarsals showed three phalanges.

Study of lip print types among Nigerians

Lip prints in a narrow sense are normal lines and fissures in the form of wrinkles and grooves present in the zone of transition of lips. The aims of this study were to determine the types and association of lip prints as well as the role of the lip print as genetic marker in ethnic differentiation in multi-ethnic population of Nigeria. A total of 820 individuals (414 males and 406 females) participated. The study sample was drawn from different ethnic groups of Nigeria. The three major ethnic groups were identified and the minor groups were lumped together. This was to provide clear evidence on the ethnic differentiation based on lip print types among Nigerians. The lip prints were collected on microscopic glass slides and developed using carbon black powder. Each print was then divided into 10 compartments and analyzed using a magnifying lens. Chi-squared test was used for association between ethnicity and lip print types; p<0.05 was set as a level of significance. The result of the study showed the following lip print pattern in Nigerian population where Type V (31.39%) was predominant, followed by Type III (24.18%), Type IV (18.70%), Type I (14.87%), Type II (10.29%) and least frequent was Type I' (0.57%). Statistically significant association (p<0.05) of lip print types with ethnicity was found in upper left lateral compartments (ULL). It was concluded that lip prints show ethnic differences. Hence, they may hold potential promise as a supplementary tool in ethnic differentiation and in personal identification.

Ovarian activity of Yankasa Sheep using abattoir specimens

Seventy-five pairs of ovaries from Yankasa Sheep aged 1 1 2 to 3 years were collected from a Zaria abattoir for 12 months, to study the ovarian activity. It was observed that ovarian activity in Yankasa sheep was year-round with maximum activity occurring during the rainy and pre-rain seasons. These periods of maximum ovarian activity might be caused by the availability of pasture during the rainy and pre-rain seasons, since Nigerian sheep obtain most of their food by grazing available pasture.

Biometric and morphologic studies of the female reproductive organs of the African giant rat (Cricetomys gambianus: Waterhouse)

Different segments of the reproductive tract of 100 adult, non-pregnant, female African giant rats (AGR) were carefully examined, weighed, and measured. The ovaries were observed to be small, pinkish, and kidney-shaped. The uterus of the AGR was found to be uterus duplex. The live weight of the AGR was 999.7 ± 16.86 g. The weight, length, and width of the ovary were 0.095 ± 0.003 g, 0.750 ± 0.01 cm, and 0.01± 0.02 cm, respectively. The length of the oviduct, uterus, and vagina/vestibule were 4.44 ± 0.06 cm, 4.877 ± 0.11 cm, and 4.345 ± 0.07 cm, respectively. The weight and length of the entire tubular organs were 3.171 ± 0.01 g and 13.559 ± 0.18 cm with corresponding range values of 1.61-7.10 g and 7.80-17.40 cm, respectively.

Ovarian activity of Sokoto red goats using abattoir specimens

Ovarian activity of Sokoto red goats was studied for 12 months using 141 pairs of ovaries obtained from a Zaria abattoir. Ovarian activity occurred throughout the year but higher activity was observed during the rainy (June to September) and dry (January to March) seasons. The higher ovarian activity during the rainy season is perhaps due to the availability of pasture during this time, while the higher activity during the dry season might be related to the goat's ability to convert leaves and dry forage that are mostly available during this season into useful nutrients. Temperature increase, particularly during the dry season, might be a factor for higher ovarian activity during the same period.