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Background: Out-patient clinics are very important in medical students’ education. Aim: This study was undertaken to determine the attitudes of patients to the participation of medical students in their consultation in the gynaecology clinic at the University of Nigeria teaching hospital, Ituku-Ozalla Enugu (UNTH), Southeast Nigeria. Methods: This was a descriptive cross sectional survey. Self-administered questionnaires were given to participants recruited using a non-probability convenience sampling technique. One hundred and ninety five patients participated in the study. Results: Most of the patients, 147(75.4%) were willing to allow medical students to participate in their consultation. Seven (3.6%) patients refused the participation of medical students in any form. Of the 141(72.3%) patients who had previous consultation with medical students present, only 59(41.8%) gave informed consent. Consent was not sought from 63(44.7%) of these patents (P=0.046). In the absence of a doctor, 58.2% and 46.4% of the patients did not accept giving history to male and female students respectively (P=0.021). Sixty nine (35.6%) and 146(75.3%) agreed to examination by male and female students respectively (P=0.031). Age (P=0.029) and marital status (P=0.017) were identified as independently significantly associated with the acceptance of medical students’ participation during clinic visits. Conclusion: In UNTH Nigeria, many patients are willing to allow medical students’ participation in their assessment in the gynaecology clinic although there is a preference for female students. There is need to respect patients autonomy by seeking consent in order to maximize their contribution to medical students’ education. There is also the need to create patient awareness on the role of a teaching health facility.
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Background: Asymptomatic Bacteriuria (ASB) in pregnancy is associated with potential urinary and obstetric complications. The diagnosis and management of ASB in expectant mothers is in keeping with safe motherhood initiative. Aim: To determine the prevalence and pattern of ASB among HIV-positive and HIV-negative pregnant women in Enugu State, South Eastern Nigeria. Methods: This was a comparative analytical study among HIV-positive and HIV-negative pregnant women at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu State. ‘Clean catch’ urine samples of these women collected and analysed. Statistical analysis was performed using the Chi-square and student’s t tests as appropriate. A P-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Among the two hundred and forty HIV-positive women, (23.3%) had significant ASB while (10.4%) of an equal number of HIV-negative women had significant ASB. The difference was statistically significant (p=0.013). A higher proportion of HIV-positive women, (22.5%) with CD4 cell count of ≤ 500/mm3 had significant ASB (p=0.015). Escherichia coli was the commonest isolate in both groups of women. The isolates were generally sensitive to amoxicillin-clavullanic acid, nitrofurantoin and cefuroxime in the two groups. The sensitivity to sulfametoxazle-trimethoprim was low; HIV positive (21.5%), HIV negative (16.0%). Among those treated, none had overt UTI in pregnancy. Conclusion: Screening, treatment and follow up for ASB in pregnancy are necessary especially in HIV positive women with CD4 cell count less than 500/mm3. This should be included during counselling in all antenatal protocols.
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Background: The female condom remains the only female-initiated means of preventing both pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections, including HIV. Unfortunately uptake in the West and in some developing countries has been low thus precluding the realization of the dual benefits of this device. Aim: The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of the use of the female condom and factors associated with its use among female students in a tertiary institution of learning in Enugu, Nigeria. Methods: This was a questionnaire based non comparative study. Sampling was by multi-stage technique. Data was collected using a semi-structured self administered questionnaire. Data was analyzed using SSPS statistical software version 17.0 for windows [Chicago IL, USA]. Bivariate analysis was done to determine the association of socio-demographic variables with awareness and use of female condoms using Pearson Chi-square test. P-value <0.05 was considered significant. Results: A total of 313 female undergraduates were studied. Their mean age was 23.9 years ± 4.1 SD. About 76.7% had knowledge of female condoms. Fifty (15.9%) used the female condom since admission to tertiary institution principally to prevent unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. Among those that used the female condom the potential dropout rate was 58%, mainly because it was costly and not readily available. The feature of female initiation and control of the device was the principal reason or intention to continue to use the female condom. The sociodemographic characteristics that were significantly associated with the use of the female condom included marital status (χ2=7.79, p=0.01), religion (χ2-5.67, p-0.02), course of study (χ2=14.26, p=0.00) and previous sexual exposure prior to university admission (χ2=3.48, p=0.00). Conclusion: There was a low use rate for the female condom despite a high level of awareness and this could be due to non-availability and cost. It is recommended that donor agencies, governmental and non-governmental organizations pool their efforts together to make female condoms more available and affordable.
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Background: Preventing transmission of HIV from mother to child after birth is one of the greatest challenges in HIV prevention. Aim: To evaluate the infant feeding practices among HIV-positive mothers and the factors that influenced their decisions at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, Nigeria. Methods: This was a questionnaire based cross-sectional study carried out at the paediatric HIV follow-up clinic between 1st January and 31st March 2014. Analysis was carried out using SSPS version 10.0 (Chicago IL, USA). P values less than 0.05 were considered significant. Results: Fifty four HIV-Positive mothers were evaluated. The mean (standard deviation) for age of the respondents was 29.7 (4.2) years. Thirty two respondents (59.3%) practiced replacement feeding, 14(29.9%) practiced mixed feeding while 8(14.8%) practiced exclusive breast feeding. Of the mothers that practiced mixed feeding, 10(71.4%) did not receive counseling on infant feeding practices. Replacement feeding was adopted by 27 (84.4%) of respondents for fear of transmission of HIV to their children. Disclosure of status and counseling were independently significantly associated with the adoption of recommended infant feeding methods (EBF and RF) P<0.05. Conclusion: Exposure to counseling on infant feeding methods was low. Current guidelines on infant feeding methods should be disseminated through structured counseling sessions at Maternity care centres for HIV-positive mothers.
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Background: Infertility is a phenomenon which influences all lifestyle aspects of a couple and has cultural, social, legal and especially psychological consequences. Depression is a common consequence of infertility and its impact can be devastating to the infertile persons and to their partners. Aim: To determine the prevalence of depression and its indicators among infertile women in Awka, Southeast Nigeria. Methods: This was a cross-sectional survey on consecutive attendees at the Fertility Clinic of Anambra State University Teaching Hospital, Awka, southeast, Nigeria, over a three month period. Data on socio-demographic variables were extracted using a pretested semi-structured questionnaire. Depression was assessed using the Beck’s Depression Inventory (BDI). Statistical Package for Social Sciences SPSS 10 (SPSS Inc, Chicago IL) was used for analysis. A value of P<0.05 was considered significant. Results: Of the 96(100%) respondents, 37(38.5%) had depressive disorder while 59(61.5%) were normal (P=0.001). Thirty (21.3%) respondents had primary infertility while 66(68.7%) had secondary infertility. Of those with primary infertility 22(77.3%) had depression compared to 15(22.7%) with secondary infertility (P=0.001). Depression was also significantly associated with duration of infertility (P=0.001), verbal abuse (P=0.001), willingness to adopt (p=0.009) and increasing maternal age (p=0.001). The associations between husband being supportive (P=0.140), social status (P=0.652), family setting (P=0.106), place of residence (P=0.134), employment (0.652), educational level (P=0.444) and depression were not statistically significant. Conclusion: The prevalence of depression among infertile women in Awka is significant. This should be taken into account in the treatment of infertile women in view of the adverse effects of depression in the aetiology and outcome of management of the infertile women.
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Background: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) constitute major public health concern and enigma. A comprehensive knowledge of the modes of transmission is necessary to evolve an effective preventive strategy. Aim: The aim of the study is to assess the vulnerability; knowledge and prevention of STIs among female traders of reproductive age in Enugu; Southeast Nigeria. Subjects and Methods: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study carried out on female traders aged 15-49 years at Ogbete Main Market; Enugu; Southeast Nigeria. Data was analyzed using Epi-Info 2000 version 3.3.1 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Atlanta USA) was used to analyze the data and results were presented in tabular form. Results: A total of 200 female traders of reproductive age participated in the study. The mean (standard deviation) age was 26 (7.4) years. 16 (32/200) were adolescents. Knowledge of specific STIs was highest for human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome 90 (130/200). Parents were poor sources of information as only 28.5 (57/200) respondents heard about STIs from their parents compared with 46 (151/200); non-use of condoms 62 (124/200) and early debut 58 (116/200). Majority 67.5 135/200) were aware that STIs could be treated by a visit to the doctor while 21.5 (43/200) preferred traditional/herbal healers. Conclusion: The inclusion of health education in schools' curricula to ensure that adolescents are adequately aware of STIs; their modes of transmission; prevention and treatment before embarking on any vocation out-of-school is advocated
Subject(s)
Health Education , Knowledge , Nigeria , Sexually Transmitted Diseases , Vulnerable Populations , WomenABSTRACT
Background: Antenatal care is one of the pillars of SAFE Motherhood Initiative aimed at preventing adverse pregnancy outcome. Early antenatal booking is recommended for this benefit. Aim: The objective of this study was to determine the antenatal booking pattern of pregnant women and its determinants. Subjects and Methods: A cross-sectional survey of pregnant women attending the antenatal booking clinic at Federal Medical Centre Abakaliki Ebonyi State between April 6; 2011 to August 5; 2011 was undertaken. Epi info 2008 version was used for analysis. Results: The mean age of the respondents was 27.46 (5.81) years and the mean gestational age at booking was 24.33 (5.52) weeks. A total of 83.1 (286/344) of the pregnant women booked after the first trimester while the remaining 16.9 (56/344) booked early. Socio-biological variables and past obstetrics history did not contribute significantly to the gestational age at booking while sickness in index pregnancy; personal wishes; and financial constraint were statistically significant reasons given for seeking antenatal care. Majority of the pregnant women 37.2 (128/344) suggested that the second trimester was the ideal gestational age for booking while 18.3 (63/344) did not know the ideal gestational age for booking. Most pregnant women 81.1 ( 279/344) knew the benefits of early antenatal care even though they booked late 83.1 (286/344). Conclusion: Most pregnant women access antenatal care late at Abakaliki because of misconception and poverty. Health education and subsidization of cost of medical services will help in reversing the trend of late antenatal booking
Subject(s)
Child , Parturition , Pregnancy Complications , Pregnant Women , Prenatal CareABSTRACT
Antenatal care is one of the pillars of SAFE Motherhood Initiative aimed at preventing adverse pregnancy outcome. Early antenatal booking is recommended for this benefit. Aim: The objective of this study was to determine the antenatal booking pattern of pregnant women and its determinants. Subjects and Methods: A cross-sectional survey of pregnant women attending the antenatal booking clinic at Federal Medical Centre Abakaliki Ebonyi State between April 6; 2011 to August 5; 2011 was undertaken. Epi info 2008 version was used for analysis. Results: The mean age of the respondents was 27.46 (5.81) years and the mean gestational age at booking was 24.33 (5.52) weeks. A total of 83.1 (286/344) of the pregnant women booked after the first trimester while the remaining 16.9 (56/344) booked early. Socio-biological variables and past obstetrics history did not contribute significantly to the gestational age at booking while sickness in index pregnancy; personal wishes; and financial constraint were statistically significant reasons given for seeking antenatal care. Majority of the pregnant women 37.2 (128/344) suggested that the second trimester was the ideal gestational age for booking while 18.3 (63/344) did not know the ideal gestational age for booking. Most pregnant women 81.1 ( 279/344) knew the benefits of early antenatal care even though they booked late 83.1 (286/344). Conclusion: Most pregnant women access antenatal care late at Abakaliki because of misconception and poverty. Health education and subsidization of cost of medical services will help in reversing the trend of late antenatal booking