ABSTRACT
Background: Obstructed labour and ruptured uterus contribute a significant proportion to the alarming maternal mortality ratio in sub-Saharan Africa. Proper management of labour by using the partograph, a simple tool that is designed to detect early signs of abnormal progress, can significantly reduce incidence and complications of prolonged labour. Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the knowledge and utilization of the partograph among non-physician obstetric health care providers in University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH). Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional survey which employed the use of a semi-structured self-administered questionnaire with purposive sampling conducted among 132 consenting non-physician obstetric health care providers in UCTH. Results: The mean age of the respondents was 37.84±9.38 years. About 66% of them used partograph but only 13.6% of those who had used partograph were very confident with the tool in monitoring labour. Fifty-six percent of them had received formal training on partograph. Only 34 percent of those surveyed could correctly interpret various sections of the partograph, like the cervicogram. The main reasons for non-utilization of the partograph were inadequate knowledge (73.5%), non-availability (46.2%) and shortage of manpower (34.8%). Knowledge of the partograph (X2=38.1, P=.00) and partograph availability (X2=52.5, P=.00) significantly affected its utilization. Years of experience did not significantly influence partograph use. Conclusion: The knowledge and utilization of the partograph in our hospital can be enhanced by periodic training and retraining of obstetric care givers, developing protocols, ensuring its availability, as well as increasing the staff strength in the delivery units.
ABSTRACT
"Background: With the worldwide spread of HIV/AIDS; the absence of a known cure and the challenges associated with existing prevention methodologies; there is need for new prevention technologies. The successful uptake of healthcare products and services depend; to a large extent; on healthcare providers' knowledge; perception and attitude regarding them. Objectives: To determine the knowledge and perception of healthcare providers regarding microbicides. Methods: A semi-structured questionnaire was administered on 400 randomly selected health care providers in Calabar; Cross River State of Nigeria. Data obtained from the 350 returned questionnaire were analyzed using EPI -Info software version 3.5.1 Results: One hundred and sixty-four (46.9) respondents were medical doctors while 157 (44.9) were nurses; 7 (2) were Pharmacists and 22 (6.2) belonged to ""other"" categories. Thirty- two percent knew the advantages of microbicides over condoms. Sixty-eight percent indicated that microbicides would benefit only women while to 27; it would benefit both men and women. Seventy-five percent of respondents would be willing to act as community advocates for microbicides while 21 would not be willing and 4 were not decided. There was a statistically significant association between professional group and willingness to act as community advocates for microbicides. Medical doctors were more likely to act as advocates than other professional groups (p0.05). Female respondents were more likely to have correct knowledge regarding microbicides than males (p0.05) Conclusion: There are gaps in knowledge regarding microbicides among the health care providers. Capacity building would be successful since the majority are willing to act as community advocates."
Subject(s)
Anti-Infective Agents/therapeutic useABSTRACT
Background: Approximately half of the earth's population in the rural areas of developing countries uses energy obtained from biomass burning, which is harmful to people. Objectives: This study is aimed at determining which respiratory symptoms can be associated with biomass burning amongst fish smokers in the Oyorokoto fishing settlement. Method: A community-based, cross-sectional questionnaire, which employed a modified cluster sampling technique, was used. Results: A total of 300 subjects were recruited for the study, of which 210 (70%) were fish smokers. The mean age was 31.46 ± 13.03 years, with the majority (42.0%) having only primary school education. The prevalence of respiratory symptoms amongst the subjects was 86.7%, the most frequent of which were catarrh (30.48%) and a cough (28.57%). The respiratory symptom occurring least frequently was breathlessness (2.38%). The symptoms most often experienced during fish smoking were those of catarrh (75.5%) and sneezing (73.0%), whereas breathlessness occurred the least, in only 7 (3.3%) of the participants. Sneezing stopped in 64.2% of the subjects after fish smoking had ceased. Most of the fish smoking took place indoors. Conclusion: Health promotion featuring preventive interventions, such as the wearing of face-masks and the use of modern fish smoking methods, which is associated with fewer health risks, is essential to improving the quality of life of fish smokers. The government's provision of certain social services, including better education opportunities for the young, is advocated, and should be especially targeted at improving the lot of the girl child