Antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of oral microbial isolates among pregnant women in Ibadan South-East Local Government Area, Nigeria

ABSTRACT: Oral pathogenic micro-organisms have been implicated in disease causation elsewhere in the human body especially in pregnancy where they negatively influence birth outcomes. Oral hygiene measures and treatment with appropriate antibiotics prevent this negative effect. Both periodontal diseases and negative pregnancy outcomes are common among pregnant women in Nigeria; however, oral health care is not presently an integral part of antenatal care in our environment. We investigated the types of bacteria present in the mouth of some pregnant women in Ibadan, as well as the sensitivity pattern of these organisms to commonly available antibiotics. Pre-tested questionnaires were used to obtain socio-demographic information as well as oral hygiene and pregnancy history from the participants. This was followed by an intra-oral examination during which an oral swab was taken using a sterile microscopic culturing swab stick and inoculated immediately into Thioglycollate broth. Antimicrobial susceptibility was performed on confirmed pathogens using Kirby-Bauer method. Data was entered into a computer spread sheet. Frequency tables were generated and measures of central tendency calculated. Mean age was 25.28± 4.9 years old. The most prominent oral isolates were Kliebsiella species and Escherichia coli and these were higher in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy respectively. Anti-microbial susceptibility of isolates was highest for Ceftazidime: 263(99.6%), Rocephin: 247(98.9%), Resistance was highest to Co-trimoxazole 108(44.8%) and Tetracycline: 108(43.7%). The high prevalence of pathogenic, non-commensal isolates in the oral cavity of these women is cause for great concern. General personal as well as oral hygiene measures are proposed for the reduction and elimination of these pathogens

Back School: the Development of a Nigerian Urban Model

Background: Back Schools are health education and behaviour modifying programmes for care of the back and prevention of back documentary. They are often developed with consideration for the environment and the practices of the people they serve. Although back schools are available in many parts of the world; none has been developed for the Nigerian environment. Objective: To develop a back school model for the Nigerian urban setting. Methods: The Nigerian Back School (NBS) was developed from two existing video documentaries and series of focus group discussions. The focus group discussions suggested how to adapt these documentaries to the Nigerian environment and cultural practices. A hand book containing illustrations on wrong and correct postures was also developed. Results: The NBS comprises 30-minute video documentary and a 24-page handbook. The first part of the video documentary provides information on the epidemiology and causes of back pain; structures and functions of the back while the second and third parts consist of demonstrations of wrong and correct resting and working postures assumed during everyday life activities and simple exercises for the prevention or alleviation of back pain or its recurrence respectively. The NBS handbook consists of illustrations on wrong and correct postures assumed at rest and during activity of daily living Conclusion: A back school (video documentary and handbook) with considerations for the Nigerian urban environment and the peoples' practices was made available