ABSTRACT
Background:Despite the ban on smoking in public places in Nigeria, second-hand smoke exposure is common across the country. It is increasingly being viewed as a severe women’s issue because of the high prevalence among women, and its harmful effects on pregnant women. However, second-hand smoke exposure among pregnant women in Nigeria is hugely under-researched.Aim:This study aims to determine the prevalence of second-hand smoke exposure among pregnant women in Nigeria, and determine their knowledge and avoidance behavior towards second-hand smoke. Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 314 pregnant women in ten health facilities in Sokoto state, Nigeria. The health facilities were selected through simple random sampling.Results: The prevalence of second-hand smoke exposure was 72.9%. The majority of the respondents (61.1%) were exposed to second-hand smoke in homes of others, 20.4% in school 18.5% in restaurants, 43.3% in their own homes, 49.7% in public transport, 20.4% at work, and 15% in health facilities. Factors significantly associated with second-hand smoke exposure included knowing it causes miscarriage (OR=0.39, 95% CI=0.23 –0.64, P= <.001), and being able to keep a distance from smokers (OR=0.5, 95% CI= 0.28 –0.76, P=.002).Conclusion:This study revealed a high prevalence of exposure to second-hand smoke. Knowledge about the harmful effects of second-hand smoke was one of the significant factors associated with exposure. These findings indicate the need for appropriate education ofall pregnant women about the harmful effects of second-hand smoke and adequate enforcement of the ban on smoking in public places
ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate whether there is correlation exists in the effection of chronic unpredictable stress on active avoidance behavior and electroencephalogram ( EEG) of rat. Methods Twenty male SD rats (weight～200 g) were randomly divided into control group( n= 10) and model group( n- 10). Rats in model group were subjected to chronic unpredictable stress . Active avoidance response were observed with GeminiTM avoid system and EEG power spectrum was evaluated with Powerlab system. Results The failure rate in active avoidance test was correlation with delta wave power in EEG. Compared with control group, rats in model group had reduced failure rate in active avoidance task(42 ±36)% vs (82 ±30)% , P＜0.05). The EEG power spectrum of model group rats increased in delta band((47.09 ±22.86)μV2 vs (22. 55 ± 11. 57) μV2, P＜0. 05), which had the significant difference between the two group rats. The failure rate of active avoidance task in model group rats was positive correlation with EEG power spectrum of delta wave (r = 0. 717, P ＜ 0. 05) . Conclusion Chronic unpredictable stress facilitated active avoid behavior and changed spontaneous EEG, which suggested chronic unpredictable stress actived the neurotransmitter network system involved with active avoidance task in central nervous system. Brain cognitive function correlated positively with brain electrophysiology activity measured in chronic unpredictable stress induced rat model.