Perception and predictors of spousal involvement in antenatal care by women attending immunization clinic at babcock university teaching hospital, Ogun State, Nigeria

Background

The level of spousal involvement in antenatal care (ANC) is not what it should be. This is a concern because a number of preventable maternal and neonatal mortality or morbidity can be attributed to a lack of interest or participation in ANC by their spouses, which usually result in a delay in seeking healthcare and/or delay in reaching a healthcare facility.

Aim

To assess the degree of spousal involvement in ANC among women accessing care at the Immunization Clinic in Babcock University Teaching Hospital (BUTH), Ogun State, Nigeria.

Patients and Methods

This was a descriptive cross-sectional study. Two hundred and sixty-eight (268) women who attended the antenatal clinic in their last pregnancy participated in the study. Semi-structured questionnaires were administered in an interview-based manner to each participant. Data were entered and analyzed using IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 22.0).

Results

There was good spousal involvement (56%) in ANC. Statistically significant associations were found between the age, education level, occupation, and income of the spouses and their involvement (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Spousal involvement in ANC in this study was above average. Measures that can consolidate the identified predictors of good spousal involvement in ANC should be adopted.

Tuberculosis preventive practices among treatment supporters in Lagos, Nigeria

Context

Tuberculosis (TB) treatment support is one of the recommended strategies to enhance treatment adherence and outcomes. Treatment supporters are at risk of contracting TB and adequate knowledge of TB and good preventive practices are required for their protection.

Aims

This study aimed at assessing the knowledge and preventive practices of TB treatment supporters at Directly Observed Treatment Short-course (DOTS) centers in Lagos Mainland Local Government Area of Lagos state, Nigeria.

Settings and Design

This cross-sectional study was conducted among 196 TB treatment supporters selected from five DOTS centers in Lagos.

Methods

Data were obtained using an adapted pretested questionnaire.

Statistical Analysis Used

Bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine the factors associated with self-protection practices. A P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

The mean age of the participants was 37.3 ± 12.1 years. More than half of the respondents were females (59.2%) and immediate family members (61.3%). Overall, 22.5% had good knowledge of TB, while 53.0% had positive attitudes toward TB. Only 26.0% adequately protected themselves from infection. The caregiver's level of education (P = 0.001) and their relationship to the patient (P = 0.001) were significantly associated with good preventive practices in bivariate analysis. Not being related to the patient was a predictor of adequate TB prevention practices (adjusted odds ratio = 2.852; P = 0.006; 95% confidence interval = 1.360-5.984).

Conclusions

This study revealed low levels of TB knowledge and fair preventive practices, especially among caregivers who are relatives. There is, therefore, a need to improve population literacy about TB and its prevention and a more focused orientation of relatives who volunteer as treatment supporters, through health education, with periodic monitoring during clinic visits, of how they prevent TB.

Determinants of antiretroviral treatment adherence among patients attending secondary health care facilities in north-east and south-west Nigeria: a comparative study

BACKGROUND

Four decades after its discovery, HIV continues to be a major global public health issue, even with antiretroviral therapy (ART). Strict adherence to ART remains a challenge, with attendant implications for treatment success. This study aimed at comparing ART adherence between north-east and south-west Nigeria.

METHODS

A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted in two regions in Nigeria among 400 HIV/AIDS patients on ART. Data were collected using a pre-tested, semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaire. Multivariable analysis was performed to determine predictors of ART adherence in the regions. The level of significance was set at 0.05.

RESULTS

The majority of respondents from both the north-east (87.5%) and south-west (92.5%) of Nigeria had good knowledge about ART. The self-reported adherence level was 90.0% in the north-east and 87.5% in the south-west. Predictors of ART adherence in the north-east were knowledge about ART (AOR 9.949; 95% CI 2.009-49.284) and transport costs to the clinic (AOR 0.177; 95% CI 0.047-0.661). In the south-west, education (AOR 0.198; 95% CI 0.047-0.832) and knowledge of ART (AOR 8.945; 95% CI 1.749-45.751) were identified as predictors of ART adherence.

CONCLUSION

In both regions, knowledge about ART was appreciable, but adherence was sub-optimal. Strategies to support adherence should be tailored to specific predictors in each region.

Menstrual hygiene management among adolescent school girls in Taraba State, Nigeria

Background

The onset of menstruation denotes a landmark event in pubertal development of the adolescent girl. Lack of adequate knowledge and good menstrual hygiene management can have far reaching consequences on the girl's wellbeing, dignity and reproductive health.

Objectives

This study assessed the menstrual knowledge and hygiene practices of adolescent school girls in Taraba State, Nigeria.

Methods

A descriptive cross sectional study conducted among 297 adolescent school girls. Participants were selected using multistage sampling technique. A self-administered, structured questionnaire was used for data collection. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22.0 was used for the analysis of data.

Results

The mean age at menarche was 13.7 years (± 6.7). Over three-quarter (76.1%) of the girls knew about menstruation before experiencing it. Mothers (48.1%) were the leading source of information about menstruation to the students. The study found that 207 (69.7%) of respondents had good knowledge about menstruation while 171 (57.58%) had good menstrual hygiene management. Knowledge was significantly associated with good menstrual hygiene management (p<0.001).

Conclusion

Knowledge of menstruation and hygienic practices during menstruation among the participants in the study was encouraging. Every adolescent girl should be equipped with the right knowledge and support for good menstrual hygiene management.

Factors Associated with Choice of Non-Facility Delivery among Women Attending Antenatal Care in Bali Local Government Area of Taraba State, North-Eastern Nigeria

One intervention that is widely believed to reduce the high maternal mortality in resource-poor countries including Nigeria is delivery in health facilities under skilled birth attendance. However, the practice of non-facility delivery is still common in these countries. Curiously, women who attend ANC in health facilities are also among those who choose to deliver in a non-facility. This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted in Bali LGA of Taraba State, Nigeria. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 320 women of childbearing age who attended ANC and had had a recent delivery. The objective was to determine the factors associated with choice of non-facility delivery among women attending ANC in the area. Data analysis was done using EPI info computer software version 7.2.1.0 Most of the women (73.1%) delivered in a non-facility. Ethnicity and place of ANC were the predictors of non-facility delivery. The most common reason for non-facility delivery was that labour came without complications (58.8%). Prevalence of non-facility delivery in the area was disturbingly high. Strategies to discourage the practice should include providing adequate skilled personnel and equipment at all levels of healthcare. There should also be active engagement of the traditional and religious institutions in the area.