Nurse-midwives knowledge and utilization of partograph in monitoring of labour in tertiary hospitals in Enugu, South-Nigeria

It is not clear whether knowledge of partograph has influence the management of women in labour by nurse-midwives working in tertiary hospitals, Enugu, Nigeria. Many women in labour do not benefit from the use of partograph in monitoring of normal proceedings of labour despite its importance in reducing maternal and infant mortality. This study examined nurse-midwife's knowledge and utilization of partograph in monitoring of labour in tertiary hospitals in Enugu, Nigeria. A cross sectional descriptive study with a sample of 96 nurse-midwives working in the reproductive health units of two tertiary hospitals in Enugu metropolis were used for the study. Data were collected using semi-structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics was used for data analysis. All analyses were performed using IBM SPSS version 20.0 at a 5% level of significance. Result showed that all the respondents at tertiary hospitals had heard about partograph. Few 40(80%) of the nurse-midwives in UNTH and 32(69.6%) in ESUTH utilized partograph during labour management. Factors that hindered use of partograph were lack of intermittent training of nurse-midwives and non-availability of partograph charts with mean score of 1.19 respectively. The association between the years of working experience and the use of partograph failed to be statistically significant (P = 0.90). There is need for improvement in knowledge and use of partograph during labour management through continuing education for nurse-midwives, periodic workshops and mandatory hospital policy on use of partograph during management of labour

Abortion procurement and post-abortion care services: experiences of nigerian adolescents

Introduction: The prevention of abortion related complications and mortality is dependent on the availability, accessibility and usability of emergency post-abortion care (PAC) throughout the health care system. Unfortunately, Nigerian adolescents are often unable to obtain adequate post-abortion care services due to numerous challenges and barriers. This study attempted to explore experiences with abortion and post abortion care services from the adolescents' perspective which is the first step in enhancing optimal utilization of adolescents' PAC services. Methods: A qualitative exploratory research design was used. Twenty semi-structured interviews were conducted with adolescent patients during hospitalization. The adolescent patients were duly counseled and informed consent obtained prior to the in-depth interview. Semi-structured interview guide was used for data collection and the data were analyzed using content analysis. Results: Findings from the interviews revealed that adolescents found it difficult to discuss issues of pregnancy and abortion with their parents or guardians due to fear, stigmatization or rejection. The adolescents experienced negligence of care, shame and stigma due to failure of health care providers to ensure privacy, as well as delay in treatment due to hospital protocol and non availability of prescribed drugs which significantly affected the PAC care services they received. Conclusion: The adolescents experienced fear, shame, and stigmatization, negligence of care and lack of access to adequate PAC services. These findings highlight the need to review health actions directed towards adolescents with abortion complications and plan interventions aim at improving provision of adolescents' friendly PAC services, in order to meet the reproductive health needs of these adolescents

Methods Employed in the Prevention and Treatment of Malaria among Pregnant Women in a Riverine Community in Bayelsa State; Nigeria

Background: Malaria remains a major public health problem in Nigeria and is the most common cause of hospital attendance in all age groups of which children and pregnant women are the major risk groups; therefore this study was designed to explore various methods of prevention and treatment of malaria among pregnant women in riverine community in Bayelsa State.Method: A descriptive survey with a sample size of 120 respondents. Data were collected using questionnaire and SPSS version 20 was used for data analysis.Results: The finding of the study revealed that majority of the respondents were within 16-25; with a minimum age of 16; maximum age of 45 and a mean of 30. More than half of the respondents agreed that malaria can be transmitted to the fetus and can lead to intrauterine fetal death. Majority uses insecticide treated nets (ITNs); snapper; insecticide spray; window and door net in preventing malaria; while a good number of the respondent claimed to use drug when they have malaria; most of which were prescribed.Conclusion: Majority of the respondents employed good practices in the prevention and treatment of malaria. However; some of the respondents still use crude methods that are detrimental to health. Therefore; it was recommended that community awareness and enlightenment programmes should be put in place in order to eradicate the crude methods that are harmful; as well as promote the good methods used in the prevention and treatment of malaria

Knowledge and Perception on Consequences of Abortion among Adolescents in Amassoma Community; Bayelsa State

Unsafe abortion has been described as a schoolgirl's problem in Nigeria; where 80 of patients admitted to hospitals with abortion-related complications are adolescent girls. Hence; this research study was conducted to assess knowledge and perception on consequences of abortion among adolescents in Amassoma Community; Bayelsa State; Nigeria. A simple size of 120 respondents was drawn from the target population using purposive sampling technique. Data were collected using questionnaire and the information obtained was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics and level of significant was set at 5. The study revealed that majority of the respondents 61 were between the ages of 17-21 years with a minimum age of 12years and maximum age of 25 years; with a mean age of 18 and standard deviation of 2.28. The study revealed that majority of the respondents 89 had adequate knowledge of the consequences of abortion and believed that abortion is a sin and is done by immoral girls; yet more than half 60 of the respondents will encourage a person to do abortion and will even consider abortion in case of unwanted pregnancy. Majority of the respondent opined that abortion can be done in case of rape; mental illness and when the mother's life is in danger but 40 of the respondents said they will never go for an abortion under any circumstances. The study also revealed that there was a significant association between the age of respondents and the level of knowledge; as well as significant association between the level of knowledge and perception on the consequences of abortion with p 0.05. It is recommended that Public enlightenment programmes on unsafe abortion and its consequences should be given to adolescents for value clarification and proper attitude transformations

Perception of Women of Childbearing Age (15-45 years) on Causes and Consequences of Infertility in Osogbo Local Government Area of Osun State; Nigeria

Infertility brings about low self-esteem; sense of powerlessness; discrimination and stigmatization as well as threatens the woman's identity; status; marital and emotional security. This study examined the perception of women of childbearing age on causes and consequences of infertility. A descriptive non experimental research design was used. A sample frame of 40 respondents was selected inferential statistics. Three null hypotheses were tested using student t-test at 5level of significance. The study revealed that irregular sexual intercourse; irregular menstruation; untreated sexually transmitted diseases; late marriage especially above 30years of age; fibroid; low sperm count; unsafe abortion; and promiscuity were factors contribute immensely to increase infertility rate. Majority of the respondents opined that infertility could result in divorce or separation of couple which can lead to extinction of that family name; husband's family inherit his property after his death; polygamy or polyandry; loss of hope; lack of joy and happiness in the family. The findings of this study revealed that there is no significant difference in the age religion of women under study and their perception on causes and consequences of infertility with t-calculatedt-tabulated (2.54 4.3); as well as; there is no significant difference was found between the age at marriage of women under study and their perception on causes and consequences of infertility with t-calculatedt-tabulated (2.56 4.3). The results also revealed that there is significant difference in the religion of women under study and their perception on causes and consequences of infertility with t-calculatedt-tabulated (7.64 4.3). It was concluded that sound family life education should be given to the public especially women and adolescents teenagers with emphasizes on causes; prevention and management of infertility