ABSTRACT
Lack of advance planning for use of skilled attendants at birth contributes significantly to delays in receiving obstetric care. This study assessed attitude and level of birth preparedness and complication readiness (BPACR) plan among pregnant women in Benin City, with a view to improving utilization of skilled attendants at birth and health facility deliveries. Materials and Methods: A community based analytical cross sectional study was conducted, involving interviewer administration of pretested structured questionnaires to 252 consenting pregnant women in Benin City, Edo State. Results: The mean age of pregnant women studied was 28.9±4.9 years. Two hundred and thirty eight (94.4%) respondents had positive attitude towards BPACR. Furthermore, 197 (78.2%) and 218(94.4%) of respondents were well prepared with regard to intended and actual birth plans respectively. Awareness of BPACR (OR=0.337; 95%CI=0.128-0.891; p=0.028) and Antenatal Care (ANC) registration (OR=0.016; 95%CI=0.002-0.127; p˂0.001) were significant predictors identified that influenced BPACR plans. Conclusion: Majority of pregnant women studied had positive attitude towards BPACR and were well prepared with regards to intended and actual birth plans respectively. There is need to strengthen Antenatal Care (ANC) registration practices to sustain the improved utilization of skilled attendants at birth and health facility deliveries identified among pregnant women in Benin City, Edo State.
ABSTRACT
Background: Contraceptive usage remains a challenge in developing countries. Despite high contraceptive awareness and knowledge, studies have shown disappointingly very low contraceptive usage. The 2013 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) report places modern contraceptive usage in Nigeria at 10%, amounting commutatively as a 6% increase over a 24 year period. This study was conducted to assess knowledge, attitude, contraceptive usage and associated factors among women of reproductive age attending a health facility in Benin City, with the goal of developing programs and interventions to improve contraceptive usage. Methods: A health facility based descriptive cross sectional study design was utilized for this study, involving researcher administration of semi-structured questionnaires to 161 consenting women (15-49 years) attending immunization clinics in a health facility in Benin City. The data collected were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 21.0 statistical software with statistical significance set at p< 0.05 and 95% Confidence Interval. Results: One hundred and thirty eight (85.7%) women studied were aware of contraception with 128 (92.8%) having correct knowledge of contraception. One hundred and fourteen (82.6%) women had positive attitudes towards contraception use while (17.4%) had negative attitudes. Furthermore, the per cent of contraceptive users was calculated to be 64.5% (n=89) among women studied. Multivariate analysis following bivariate analysis identified being single (OR=0.136; 95% CI = 0.026 - 0.719; p=0.019) and having negative attitude (OR=0.367; 95% CI = 0.147 - 0.917; p=0.032) towards contraception to be negatively associated with contraception usage when compared to being married and having positive attitude towards contraception. Conclusion: The level of awareness and knowledge on contraception among women studied was high, with gaps identified to exist between knowledge, attitude and contraceptive usage. There is need to develop interventions to sustain and improve contraception usage among women in Benin City, Edo State.
ABSTRACT
Breast cancer is becoming very prevalent in developing countries including Nigeria which is now being bedeviled by the twin public health challenge of both communicable and non-communicable diseases. Aims: This study was conducted to assess breast cancer knowledge and screening practices among women of reproductive age in Benin City, with a view to improving breast cancer screening practices and minimize late presentation and attendant consequences. Study Design: A descriptive cross sectional study design was utilized for this study. Place and Duration of Study: This study was carried out in Central Hospital in Benin City, Edo State between September and December, 2013. Methodology: This study was health facility based involving researcher administration of semistructured questionnaires to 235 consenting women of reproductive age (15-49years) attending immunization clinics in Benin City. The data collected were analyzed using IBM Statistical Package for Sciences (SPSS) version 22.0 with statistical significance set at p< 0.05 and 95% Confidence Interval. Results: The mean age and parity of respondents studied were 28.8±7.4 years and 2.19±1.85 children respectively. Two hundred and seventeen (92.3%) of the women studied, were aware of breast cancer with majority 201(92.6%) having poor knowledge of breast cancer. Furthermore, the practice of breast examination was 143 (65.9%) among respondents studied with self-breast examination accounting for 106(74.1%). In relation to breast cancer screening practice, primary level of education (OR=0.323; 95% CI=0.141 – 0.742) was the only significant predictor identified that less likely influenced the practice. Conclusion: This study identified a high awareness with poor level of knowledge on breast cancer among women of reproductive age. The practice of breast examination was high with level of education identified as a significant predictor for breast cancer screening practice. There is need to create and strengthen breast cancer awareness campaign through all available media platforms and in schools not only for improved breast cancer screening practices but very importantly to improve knowledge on its presentation, risk factors and benefits of early detection and treatment for better health outcome.