Profil épidémiologique et facteurs de risque de faible poids de naissance à l'hôpital général de référence de Katwa au Nord-Est de la RD Congo / NA

Introduction : Le faible poids de naissance est responsable de 9.1 millions décès d'enfants chaque année dans le monde. Il est la principale cause de mortalité périnatale et infantile. L'objectif de ce travail était de déterminer le profil épidémiologique ainsi que les facteurs de risque de faible poids de naissance à l'Hôpital Général de Référence de Katwa, Nord-Est de la RD Congo. Méthodes : Notre étude était transversale du type cas-témoins non apparié ayant couvert une période allant du 1er janvier 2019 au 31 décembre 2020. Les données ont été tirées des dossiers d'hospitalisation. Le traitement des données a été réalisé par le logiciel EPI info 7. Résultats : La fréquence de faible poids de naissance était de 11,8%. La primiparité multipliait par 4,2 le risque de faible poids de naissance, la grossesse multiple par 2,1, sexe masculin du fœtus par 2,8, la prématurité par 5,5, la malnutrition maternelle par 1,4, le paludisme au cours de la grossesse par 1,5 et les troubles hypertensifs par 1,7. Conclusion. Le faible poids de naissance est fréquent dans nos milieux avec des facteurs de risque modifiables. Les praticiens doivent jouer sur eux pour minimiser son importance.

Introduction: Low birth weight is responsible for 9.1 million infant deaths each year worldwide. It is the leading cause of perinatal and infant mortality. The objective of this study was to determine the epidemiological profile and risk factors of low birth weight in the General Reference Hospital of Katwa, North-East of the DR Congo.. Methods: Our study was a cross-sectional, unpaired case-control study covering a period from January 1, 2019, to December 31, 2020. Data were obtained from hospitalization records. Data processing was performed by EPI info 7 software.. Results: he frequency of low birth weight was 11.8%. Primiparity multiplied the risk of low birth weight by 4.2, multiple pregnancy by 2.1, male sex of the fetus by 2.8, prematurity by 5.5, maternal malnutrition by 1.4, malaria during pregnancy by 1.5 and hypertensive disorders by 1.7. Conclusion: Low birth weight is common in our settings with modifiable risk factors. Practitioners must play on them to minimize its importance.

Sex-ratio at birth in Nigeria: A demographic perspective

The study attempts at estimating the sex-ratio at birth in Nigeria. The study focuses on demographic surveys with complete maternity histories, including some 0.50 million births. It compares results with published estimates from births in health facilities and a few data from vital registration, including some 1.13 million births. Results from demographic surveys give an estimate of about 106 boys for 100 girls. There were no significant variations by large region in the country, and no significant trend over the years (1990-2018). Published estimates provided a similar value (106.2), with somewhat lower value in health facilities (105.3), and somewhat higher values in local vital registration (106.8), and major variations among available studies. Despite uncertainty, Nigeria appears to have higher sex-ratios than most African countries, with the exception of Ethiopia, and higher values than its five neighboring countries. Reasons for these high values of the secondary sex-ratio are discussed. (Afr J Reprod Health 2022; 26[4]: 92-97).

The magnitude of episiotomy among women who gave birth in Ethiopia: Systematic review and meta-analysis

Episiotomy is one of the most common obstetric procedures done by health providers putting the client at high risk of developing complications and lacerations. These days, episiotomy has been done at an alarming rate in Ethiopia as compared to the slant set by World Health Organization. Be that as it may, there is a need for nationally representative data. This study aimed to determine the pooled prevalence of episiotomy practice among women who gave birth at public health institutions in Ethiopia. We accessed PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, EMBASE, and manual search was used to retrieve articles. The extractions of the data were done by using Microsoft Excel and analyzed by STATA version 11 statistical software. The publication bias was checked by funnel plot visually and Egger's test and Begg's test, with P < 0.05 considered indicating potential publication bias. I2 was used to check the presence of heterogeneity of the studies. Overall estimated analysis was done. Subgroup analysis was done by region. We carried out a leave-one-out sensitivity analysis. The Joanna Briggs Institute risk of bias assessment tool was used. Out of 254 articles retrieved, 9 studies met the eligibility criteria and are thus included in this study. The overall episiotomy practice in Ethiopia was 45.01% (95% CI: 36.288, 53.741). Based on the sub-group analysis, prevalence of episiotomy practice was 49.32% (95%CI: 12.67, 85.97), 46.92% (95%CI: 29.47, 64.37), 44.23 (95%CI: 37.77, 50.99) and 38.29 (95%CI: 32.38, 44.20) among South region, Addis Ababa, Amhara region and Tigray region respectively. The findings revealed that the prevalence of episiotomy practice in Ethiopia was high (45.01%). Therefore, it is better to have periodic training for birth attendants on the indication of episiotomy and the appropriate use of guidelines to reduce the rate of episiotomy. (Afr J Reprod Health 2022; 26[4]: 98-109).

Plantes et prise en charge de la santé maternelle dans la région Maritime du Togo / Plants and mother's healthcare in the Maritime Region of Togo

Contexte et objectifs. La santé maternelle demeure un problème de santé majeur dans les pays en voie de développement. La présente étude a : (i) inventorié les divers maux bénins de la santé maternelle ; (ii) recensé les plantes utilisées dans la prise en charge de ces troubles ; (iii) décrit les diverses formes d'usages des plantes utilisées et (iv) évalué la variation des connaissances d'usages suivant le sexe, l'âge et l'ethnie. Méthodes. Des enquêtes ethnobotaniques couplées aux observations de terrain ont été réalisées dans la région Maritime du Togo en milieu rural auprès des populations rurales. L'analyse des données s'est basée sur les fréquences (Fr), les valeurs d'usages (VU), les indices de diversité d'usage (IDU), les indices de valeurs d'importance d'usage (IVIU) et l'indice de Sorenson (IS). Résultats. Une florule de 127 espèces végétales dont 126 plantes réparties en 112 genres et 57 familles et un champignon a été rapportée. Les Euphorbiaceae, les Leguminosae-Caesalpinioideae, les Asteraceae et les Leguminosae-Papilionoideae sont les familles les plus signalées dans la prise en charge de 37 affections. Conclusion. A l'issue de cette étude, plus d'une centaine de plantes utilisées dans les pathologies maternales et foetales a été identifiée. Cependant, l'évaluation de l'efficacité ainsi que des tests toxicologiques sont nécessaires pour une meilleure valorisation des plantes rapportées

Context and objectives. Maternal healthcare remain a major health problem in developing countries. The present study (i) inventoried various benign conditions of maternal health, (ii) identified plant species used in the management of these conditions, (iii) described the various types of use of these plants, and (iv) evaluated the levels of knowledge on the use of plant species in the care of the pregnant and nursing women according to the gender, age and ethnic group. Methods. Semi-structured interviews coupled to field observations were carried out in the Maritime region of Togo among local populations. Data analysis was based on the computation of relative frequencies (Fr), the use values (UV), the diversity use index (DUI), the index of important use values (IIUV) and the Sorenson index (SI). Résultats. A flower of 127 plan species including 126 plants divided into 112 genera and 57 families and one fungus has been reported Euphorbiaceae, Leguminosae- Caesalpinioideae, Asteraceae and Leguminosae- Papilionoideae were mostly used in the management of 37 conditions. Conclusion. This study identified more than one hundred plants species used in women's health-related disorders. Additional studies, including efficacy and toxicological tests are needed for better to promote these folk medicine practices

Accouchement chez les gestantes de 35 ans et plus à l'hôpital Fousseyni Daou de Kayes / Childbirth In Pregnant Women Aged 35 And Over At Fousseyni Daou De Kayes Hospital

Introduction. L'âge maternel ne cesse de reculer ces derniers années.Le but était d'étudier le pronostic de l'accouchement chez les gestantes de 35 ans et plus à l' l'hôpital Fousseyni Daou de Kayes. Méthodologie. Il s'agissait d'une étude descriptive à collecte prospective Castémoins qui a concerné la période du 1er janvier 2018 au 31 décembre 2018. Lescas étaient constitués par toutes les gestantes de 35 ans et plus ayant accouché à la maternité et lestémoins par toutes les gestantes de 20-30 ans ayant accouché à la maternité. Résultat. Durant nôtre étude nous avons enregistré 260 accouchements chez les gestantes ayant un âge supérieur ou égal 35 ans sur un total de de 4127 accouchements réalisés soit une fréquence de 6,3%.L'âge moyen chez les cas était de 38ans contre 24 ans chez les témoins. 65,4% de cas ont accouché par voie basse contre 68,8% chez les témoins. La césarienne a été réalisée chez 32,3% des contre 30% chez les témoins. Les principales complications retrouvées ont été l'hémorragie du post-partum, la déchirure périnéale, la déchirure cervicale et la mortalité maternelle. Chez les cas 79% des nouveau-nés avaient un score d'APGAR supérieur à 7 contre 88,8% chez les témoins. Conclusion. L'accouchement chez les gestantes de 53 ans et plus est fréquent dans nôtre service. Les complications obstétricales augmentent avec l'âge maternel et sont très fréquentes au cours de cette période

Male knowledge of birth preparedness in Ogun State, Nigeria: A rural/urban comparative cross-sectional study

Objective: This study aimed to compare the knowledge of men concerning birth preparedness between rural and urban dwellers of Ogun State, Nigeria. Methodology: This comparative cross-sectional study was conducted among 440 men each in rural and urban areas of Ogun State using a multistage sampling method to select participants. A structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to elicit data about respondents' socio-demographic characteristics and knowledge of birth preparedness. Knowledge was graded as good and poor knowledge. Data analysis was done with SPSS version 20 and presented as tables.Results: The mean ages of the urban and rural respondents were 36.58±6.760 and 37.61±9.788 respectively. The difference in the mean age of urban and rural residents was not statistically significant (t= -1.819, P=0.069). A higher proportion of urban respondents (53.4%) had a statistically significant good knowledge of birth preparedness compared to 30.2% of rural men (P<0.001). The association between age and knowledge of birth preparedness was statistically significant among rural respondents (P<0.001) unlike urban respondents (P=0.874). A statistically significant association was noted between education and knowledge (P<0.001) in the urban area as against the rural area (P=0.084).Conclusion: Knowledge of birth preparedness is better among male urban dwellers than their rural counterparts. Knowledge is statistically significantly associated with age in the rural area and with the level of education in the urban area. There is a need for an improved appropriate strategy that can raise knowledge of maternity care among rural men

Experiences of women enrolled in a prevention of mother to child transmission of human immunodeficiency virus infection programme in Zimbabwe

Background: Prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) programmes have been reported to reduce the rate of transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection by 30% ­ 40% during pregnancy and childbirth. The PMTCT transmission is achieved by offering HIV prophylaxis or initiating antiretrovirals to pregnant women who test HIV positive. Being aware of the experiences of these women will assist in planning and implementing the relevant care and support. The study was conducted in three phases.Aim: This article will address phase 1 which is to explore and describe the experiences of pregnant women living with HIV.Setting: The study setting was a PMTCT site in a Provincial Hospital, in Zimbabwe.Methods: The study design was qualitative, exploratory, descriptive and contextual. In-depth face-to-face interviews were conducted from a purposive sample of 20 pregnant women. Thematic data analysis was performed.Results: Six themes emerged: realities of disclosure, a need for quality of life, perceived stigmatisation, inadequate knowledge on infant feeding, continuity of care, empowerment and support.Conclusions: The study concluded that pregnant women living with HIV require empowerment and support to live positively with HIV

Challenges and successes of distributing birth kits with misoprostol to reduce maternal mortality in rural Tanzania

The Saving Mothers Project was conducted from September 2015 to March 2017 in Bunda and Tarime Districts, Mara Region, Tanzania. The purpose of this project was to train community health workers (CHWs) to use mobile phones applications to register and educate pregnant women about safe deliveries and encourage them to access skilled health care providers for antenatal care and delivery, and to provide nurses and CHWs with clean birth kits with misoprostol to distribute to women. The birth kits were for use in case women could not access the health facility, or if the health facility was lacking supplies at the time of delivery. The overall goal of the study was to reduce the maternal mortality rate by increasing women's access to health services where possible, and to clean supplies when a non-facility birth was unavoidable. This paper reports on a mixed methods evaluation of the project including a survey of over two thousand four hundred women, and focus groups with women, community health workers, and nurses participating in the project. The results of the survey and focus groups demonstrate a high degree of satisfaction with the birth kits and misoprostol and an increase in facility birth rates where the project was implemented. Differences between the two districts illustrate that policy maker support is key to successful implementation

Child's risk attributes at birth and infant mortality disparities in Nigeria

Births in avoidable high-risk contexts defined by the interplay of sub-optimal childbearing age, short spacing, and first and high birth order incur elevated risks of childhood death. However, the extent of disparities in risks of dying in infancy vis-à-vis the continuum of non-high-risk and (un)avoidable high-risk attributes at birth as determined by mother's age at childbirth, child spacing, and birth order characteristics is yet to be adequately explored in Nigeria as elsewhere. To fill this gap, chi-square association test and Cox's proportional hazards regression were used to analyze data of 31,260 nationally representative children aged 0-59 months drawn from 2013 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey. Disparities in infant mortality risks were mainly examined across the spectrum of birth-related risk attributes at birth broadly categorized as no extra high-risk, unavoidable firstorder risk and combined avoidable high-risk. The risks of dying in infancy differed significantly by risk attributes to the extentdictated by other confounders. Also, infant mortality risks varied significantly by all moderating factors excluding religion, water source, toilet type and place of delivery. Interventions targeted at reducing avoidable high-risk fertility rate and strengthening health system to provide life-saving care to most-at-risk children would engender rapid improvement in infant survival

HIV testing at birth: Are we getting it right?

Background: Birth polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing improves early detection of HIV and allows for early treatment initiation. National guidelines exist, but it is unknown whether these are being implemented correctly.Objectives: To determine whether HIV-exposed infants at the Mangaung University Community Partnership Programme Community Health Centre (MUCPP CHC) received PCR tests at birth, if HIV-positive infants were initiated on treatment, if follow-up dates were scheduled and the percentage of mothers or caregivers who returned to collect the results.Methods: The study was a retrospective descriptive file audit (1304 files) of births from 01 January to 31 December 2016 at MUCPP CHC. The study sample was 428 infants born to HIV-positive mothers. The birth register was used to collect the infants' HIV PCR test barcodes. The birth and 10-week PCR results were retrieved from an electronic database at the Virology Department, University of the Free State.Results: In total, 375 infants received a birth PCR test (87.6%) of which 4 (1.1%) tested HIV positive and 327 (87.2%) negative. Follow-up tests were not scheduled. However, 145 (44.3%) HIV-negative infants returned for a 10-week test. Irrespective of the PCR birth result, 157 (36.7%) infants were brought for a 10-week follow-up test at which time 3 (1.9%) tested positive and 151 (96.2%) negative.Conclusion: The majority of HIV-exposed infants received a PCR test at birth; however, the clinic is below the national target (90%) for HIV testing. A record-keeping system of infants' visits does not exist at MUCPP CHC, making it impossible to determine whether HIV-positive infants were started on antiretroviral treatment

Institutional delivery service utilization and its associated factors among women who gave birth during the past one year in Mizan Aman City Administration, Bench Maji Zone, South West Ethiopia, 2017

Background: Maternal mortality due to unsafe abortion, prolonged labour, eclampsia and other reasons has been the major problem across the globe especially in developing countries. This is because; most of those deliveries occur outside health care facilities and assisted with nonprofessionals. Aim: To assess magnitude and factors associated with institutional delivery practice and its determinants among mothers who gave birth during the past one year in Mizan Aman Town, Bench Maji zone, South West Ethiopia. Methods and Materials: Community based cross sectional study was conducted among mothers who gave birth during the past one year from April 10 to May 10, 2017. Structured and pretested questionnaire was used for data collection. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 20 software. Crude and adjusted Odds ratios were computed for selected variables and P-value less than 0.05 was considered to be statistical significant. Results: Only 54.2% of mothers gave birth at health facilities. Husbands educational level, decision about the cost related to health care/for referral or reaching health facility and place of antenatal care follow up were associated with institutional delivery service utilization. Conclusion: In contrast to studies conducted in other parts of the country and the Ethiopia Demographic health survey result of 2016, the number of women who had given birth at health care facilities in Mizan Aman city administration was higher. However, it was below the health sector transformation plan of the country that has a plan to raise institutional delivery supported by health personnel to 95%. Thus increasing awareness of mothers and their partners about the benefits of institutional delivery services are recommended

Profile of delivering mothers in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo

The aim of our study was to establish an inventory of deliveries in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo. We carried out a descriptive study in 10 General Reference Hospitals in the city from 1 December 2013 to 31 May 2014. The study reports that pregnant mothers in Lubumbashi deliver at a mean age of 28.2 years. The women have a mean parity of 3.8, they are married (97.7%), overweight (mean BMI 25.68 kg/m2) and had 2.6 antenatal care on mean. The primary mode of delivery was spontaneous vaginal delivery (91.7%). About 10% of mothers had a complication dominated by perineal or vaginal tears and haemorrhagic complications. Newborns weighed on average 3121.2 grams and 0.56% had a congenital malformation dominated by polydactyly and cleft-palate. Maternal and perinatal mortality rates were 310 per 100,000 live births and 42.4 per 1,000 live births, respectively

Satisfaction determinants of women during childbirth in health facilities in Senegal: literature review

This article presents the results of the literature review performed on the main conceptual models used in the measurement of the satisfaction of women during childbirth in health facilities and the main determinants of their satisfaction. The review focused on PubMed, Google scholar and Public Health data. Several conceptual models for measuring satisfaction were found through the literature. It is clear from this review that a multitude of determinants are associated with women/'s satisfaction such as health care provider's attitude, the environment as well as the socio-demographic, economic and even psychological characteristics of the patient herself. These results were used to develop a conceptual framework for measuring the satisfaction of women who gave birth in Senegal health facilities

Effect of volunteer household counseling in improving knowledge of birth preparedness and complication readiness of pregnant women in northwest Nigeria

Maternal and Child Health Integrated Program (MCHIP), a program by Jhpiego global, implemented maternal and newborn health project between 2006 and 2010 in Kano and Zamfara States, Nigeria. This was evaluated with an objective to characterize the effects of volunteer household counselors (VHCs) upon improving knowledge of birth preparedness and complication readiness (BPCR) among pregnant women. VHCs were trained to educate women and their families at home about BPCR. Knowledge of BPCR was compared among 152 and 594 women who did and did not receive household counseling. Mothers' knowledge of BPCR among those who did and did not receive counseling was 32.2% and 11.2% respectively. Mothers who received counseling had better knowledge of BPCR compared to women who did not (Relative Risk [R.R.] 2.30, 95% [C.I.] 1.50, 3.51, P = 0.0001) in a multivariable logistic regression model adjusting for potential confounders. Mothers who received counseling had better odds of knowledge of danger signs during delivery (R.R. 1.48, 95% C.I. 1.05, 2.09, P = 0.02), and post-partum period (R.R. 1.69, 95% C.I. 1.22, 2.32, P = 0.001), but not during pregnancy (R.R. 1.26, 95% C.I. 0.97, 1.64, P = 0.08), compared with women who received no counseling. VHCs can substantially increase knowledge of BPCR and danger signs among women in Nigeria

Etude du pronostic maternel et périnatal au cours de l'accouchement chez l'adolescente à Lubumbashi, République Démocratique du Congo

Introduction: l'objectif de cette étude était de déterminer la fréquence et d'évaluer le pronostic maternel et périnatal lors de l'accouchement chez les adolescentes dans la ville de Lubumbashi.Méthodes: c'était une étude cas-témoin des accouchées d'une grossesse monofoetale de Décembre 2013 à Mai 2014 dans 10 maternités de référence à Lubumbashi (RD Congo). Les adolescentes (< 20 ans) ont été comparées aux femmes âgées de 20-34 ans. Les paramètres sociodémographiques maternels, la morbi-mortalité maternelle et périnatale ont été analysées. Les statistiques usuelles et la régression logistique ont été utilisées pour analyser les résultats. Le seuil de signification a été fixé à une valeur de p<0,05.Résultats: la fréquence d'accouchement chez les adolescentes était de 7,7%. Nous avons observé que la césarienne (ORa=1,9 (1,1-3,1)), l'épisiotomie (ORa=4,2 (2,9-5,9)), la délivrance pathologique (ORa= 2,7 (1,1-6,5)), l'éclampsie (ORa= 4,4 (1,3-14,5)) et le faible poids de naissance (ORa=2,0 (1,3-3,0)) ont été significativement plus élevés chez les adolescentes que chez les adultes.Conclusion: l'accouchement chez les adolescentes, comparativement à celui de femmes âgées de 20-34 ans, reste associé à un mauvais pronostic. D'où l'organisation des séances de sensibilisation pour une meilleure fréquentation des services consultations prénatales, une optimisation du dépistage, de la surveillance et de la prévention des pathologies de la grossesse chez les adolescentes s'avère importante et urgente

Evaluation de la satisfaction des accouchées du service de gynécologie obstétrique du Centre Hospitalier Départemental du Borgou de Parakou (Bénin)

Introduction : La satisfaction des patients est une composante essentielle de la qualité des soins. Cependant, l'évaluation de la satisfaction est une pratique presque inexistante dans les établissements de santé au Bénin. L'objectif de cette étude était de mesurer la satisfaction des bénéficiaires de l'offre de soins lié à l'accouchement au Centre Hospitalier Départemental du Borgou (CHD-B).Patientes et méthodes : nous avons réalisé une étude transversale à visée descriptive et analytique du 2 juin au 15 septembre 2014. Elle a concerné 180 accouchées, recrutées de façon systématique avec un pas de sondage égale à 2. Les données ont été collectées grâce à des entrevues individuelles associées à l'exploitation des dossiers des patientes. Résultats : Le taux de satisfaction pour l'accouchement en général a été de 73,89%. Ce taux était plus élevé en cas d'accouchement par césarienne (78,05%) que par voie basse (68,37%). Les patientes ont été satisfaites de l'accueil (78%), du délai d'attente aux urgences (87,83%) et de la régularité des soins (74%). Par contre elles ont été insatisfaites des conditions de séjour (47,32%), de la restauration (53,09%) et de la prise en charge de la douleur (35,9%). Les accouchées disent n'avoir pas été informées sur leur état de santé (66,67%) ni sur celui de leur enfant (68,33%). Les facteurs associés à la satisfaction des accouchées ont été la parité, le niveau intellectuel et socio-économique et les interventions par voie basse. Conclusion : Les patientes étaient satisfaites des soins liés à l'accouchement au CHD-B. Il a été possible d'identifier certains facteurs qui influencent la satisfaction des accouchées

"Mifana" : pratique traditionnelle après accouchement et état nutritionnel des mères à Madagascar

Introduction : Résoudre le problème de malnutrition par approche contextuelle nécessite l'identification des déterminants spécifiques qui implique des stratégies adaptées à chaque situation. La présente étude a pour but de comprendre les rôles de pratique traditionnelle malgache appelés "mifana" après l'accouchement sur l'état nutritionnel des femmes.Matériels et méthode : Une étude transversale rétrospective a été réalisée dans le district sanitaire d'Antsiranana-I. Cent soixante-quatorze femmes allaitantes ayant un enfant âgé de 2 à 4 mois ont été recrutées. La collecte des données a été effectuée par une enquête et une mesure anthropométrique auprès des mères. L'état nutritionnel a été estimé à partir de l'Indice de Masse Corporelle (IMC).Résultats : Les résultats ont montré que 63,8% des mères étaient en bon état nutritionnel (18,5 < IMC < 25), 31,6% en surpoids (25 ≤ IMC < 30) et 4,6% obèses (IMC ≥ 30). Quarante-neuf femmes (28,2%) n'ont pas pratiqué la tradition "mifana", 59 (33,9%) l'ont pratiqué avec une durée de 1 à 3 semaines et 37,9% pour une durée de 4 semaines et plus. Une association significative entre l'état nutritionnel des mères et la pratique traditionnelle "mifana" est observée. En analyse multivariée, les mères ayant pratiqué la tradition "mifana" pendant 4 semaines ou plus est significativement plus fréquente parmi les obèses ou en surpoids OR [IC95%] = 5,8 [2, 9-11, 7].Conclusion : La présente étude a un intérêt dans un pays comme Madagascar où les communautés respectent encore les pratiques traditionnelles et où la prévalence de la dénutrition chez les femmes reste élevée. La promotion de ces pratiques traditionnelles ne serait-il pas envisageable comme une stratégie d'amélioration de l'état nutritionnel des femmes ?

Socio-Demographic Determinants of Birth Registration among Mothers in an Urban Community in Southern Nigeria

Background: Birth registration is both a fundamental human right and an essential means of protecting a child's right to identity. Objective: The aim was to assess the awareness; knowledge and practice of birth registration by mothers and the socio-demographic determinants of birth registration in an urban community in southern Nigeria. Methodology: A community-based descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among mothers in an urban community in Ovia North East local government area of Edo State; Nigeria. A structured interviewer administered questionnaire was used for data collection. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20. Results: Awareness of birth registration was high (69.6) with mass media as the major source of information (60.5); but the composite knowledge of it was poor. Awareness of the agency responsible for birth registration was poor. Only 44.2 of the respondents registered the births of their children; two-thirds of those who registered births possess a birth certificate. Marital status and level of education were significantly associated with the knowledge of birth registration. Age; level of education; marital status; occupation; and place of delivery were the determinants of the practice of birth registration. Conclusion: There is a need for a change of strategy in the campaign for birth registration so that awareness can translate into better knowledge and practice. We advocate the establishment of community-based birth registration centers to improve accessibility and practice of birth registration