ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Cultural practices and beliefs influence and underpin the behavior of women during pregnancy and childbirth; this behavioral change could influence the health-seeking behavior as well as the outcome of pregnancy. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to determine the behavior modifying myths among pregnant Yoruba women and their sources. METHODS: This descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among 250 pregnant Yoruba women attending the antenatal clinics of Bowen University Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso and Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso. A structured, interviewer-administered questionnaire was undertaken. Consent was sought verbally. RESULTS: The age of the respondents ranged from 15-45 years with a mean age of 27 years (±3.5). Most of the women were married n=239 (95.6%) and primarily Christian n=184 (73.6%). 127 (50.8%) of the women had a tertiary education while only 13 (5.2%) had no formal education. 41 (16.3%) of the respondents being primigravida. Six myths were identified with food taboos being the most common. These were being practiced by 61.2% of the respondents. The reasons given for modifying their behavior varied from warding off ghosts to the delivery of a well-formed child. The most frequent source of information were their relatives (42.4%). CONCLUSION: The practice of the myths was neither influenced by educational status nor religion. The majority of these practices do not have a deleterious effect and did not influence health-seeking behavior or outcome of pregnancy based on the reasons adduced for the practice
Subject(s)
Behavior , Cross-Sectional Studies , Culture , Information Seeking Behavior , Nigeria , Pregnant Women , WomenABSTRACT
Introduction: Family plays an important role in health seeking behaviour and education of its members. Educating an individual especially a girl child usually results in improvements in the quality of life because women who attended school often have healthier families and if pregnant they often tend to book for antenatal care early. Objectives: This study is aimed to determine the influence of family type, educational level and occupation of women on the gestational age at booking among pregnant women in Ogbomoso, Nigeria. Methodology: The study was a cross-sectional prospective study. It was conducted among antenatal care seekers who presented for booking in the Baptist Medical Centre, Ogbomoso. The study involved consecutive recruitment of pregnant women at the antenatal booking clinic who came for antenatal care at Baptist Medical Centre, Ogbomoso. The pretested questionnaire was used to obtain the following information: Sociodemographic characteristics, family history and history of index pregnancy. Results: A total of 345 pregnant women at the antenatal booking clinic were recruited for the study. The age of the respondents ranged from 16 to 48 years with a mean age of 29.47±5.41 years. Not less than one-half of the subjects who were from monogamous and polygamous home booked at second trimester. A majority of the subjects who had no formal education (11, 73.3%) booked at the third trimester while the majority of the subjects who had post secondary education (56, 60.9%) booked at second trimester (P=0.01). More than one-half of the subjects who were artisans (25, 56.8%) booked at third trimester while most subjects who were civil servants (65, 61.3%) booked at second trimester (P=0.03). Conclusion: Many women in Ogbomoso still book late for antenatal care. Occupation and educational level have a significant influence on the gestational age at booking amongst pregnant women in Ogbomoso, Nigeria. There is need to increase public awareness on the importance of educating a girl child.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Pain is the most common reason for physician consultation in most advanced countries such as the United States. It is a major symptom in many medical conditions, and can significantly interfere with a person's quality of life and general functioning. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of pain among adult patients and to describe the localization, duration and severity of pain in this population. Methodology: A cross-sectional descriptive survey was used. Consenting participants aged 18 years or older were recruited for the study. Descriptive and pain-specific data were collected using a predesigned interviewer administered questionnaire and the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI). The initial questionnaire elicited information on demographic variables, pain prevalence, and pain characteristics, and the BPI was used to characterize pain further. Results: A total of 100 subjects participated in the study and the mean age was 44.94±14.92 years. The prevalence of pain (defined as any subject who reported pain as a top or secondary reason for the visit) was 84.0% (95% CI 76.7% – 91.3%). More than one-half (52.4%) of the subjects complained of pains in the lower limbs and back and the duration of pain was less than 6 months in 58.3% of the subjects. More than one-half (54.8%) of the subjects who presented with pain claimed that pain interfere with their walking ability. No significant association was found between socio-demographic characteristic and prevalence of pain. Conclusion: The prevalence of pain in Family Medicine Clinic of the Bowen University Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso is very high. It affects mainly the lower limbs and the back and interferes with their walking ability. Majority of them presented with severe pain that is usually less than 6 months.