Influence of intimate partner violence and male involvement on maternal healthcare services utilisation in Nigeria.

Introduction: Low maternal health care services utilisation, especially antenatal care attendance and skilled birth attendance, has been documented to be responsible for maternal mortality and morbidity in Nigeria. While available evidence suggests mixed findings on uptake of maternal health care services in the context of abusive spousal relationships, male involvement in household and health decision-making has been established to promote uptake of maternal health care services. Yet, studies which consider mediating influence of intimate partner violence on male involvement and maternal health care services uptake are sorely missing in Nigeria. We hypothesised that maternal health care services uptake in abusive marital unions has implications for male involvement in pregnancy care and this has been largely overlooked in Nigeria. Materials and methods: This study extracted data from the 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS). The 2018 NDHS is a nationally representative secondary data which collected population, demographic and health information on women, men and households in Nigeria. The secondary data used a two-stage stratified and multistage sampling technique to collect information from the respondents. In this study, data were extracted for women who were sexually active, within the reproductive age (15-49 years) and not pregnant in five years prior the survey (n = 7,847). Results: The results indicated (77%) antenatal care attendance and (47%) skilled delivery. The mediating influence of IPV on male involvement resulted in women who experienced sexual violence more likely to use heath facility for antenatal care (OR = 3.20; C.I: 1.20-8.50). Women whose partners were involved in health decision making had lower odds of antenatal care attendance (OR = 0.64; C.I: 0.44-0.94). Also, women whose partners were involved in spending their earnings had lower probability of antenatal care attendance (OR = 0.72; C.I: 0.55-0.96). Yet, the mediating influence of intimate partner violence on male involvement resulted in a lower likelihood of use of skilled delivery for emotionally abused women (OR = 0.58; C.I: 0.39-0.85). Women whose partners were involved in spending their earnings had higher odds of using skilled delivery (OR = 2.15; C.I: 1.79-2.56). Yet, women whose partners were involved in their health decision-making had lower odds of using skilled delivery (OR = 0.46; C.I: 0.34-0.62). Conclusion: This study held the philosophical stance that intimate partner violence mediated the influence of male involvement on maternal health care uptake while intimate partner violence had an inconsistent influence on maternal health care uptake. Policies and interventions should aim at addressing deep-rooted gender norms which promote IPV and limit male involvement in pregnancy care in Nigeria. Programme and policy interventions should focus on enhancing socioeconomic status of women.

Dataset on rbcL-based intra-specific diversity and population structure of Parkia biglobosa (Jacq.) in Nigeria.

African locust bean (Parkia biglobosa) is a multipurpose leguminous tree species of nutritional and pharmacological value. The plant is widely distributed in Africa and across Nigeria's major agroecological areas (AEAs). Amidst declining cultivation and production, P. biglobosa is genetically threatened in its natural habitats due to overexploitation, deforestation, wildfires and lack of improved tree management practices. Consequently, concerted research efforts directed towards germplasm collection and assessment of genetic relationships are imperative for conserving its genetic resources, sustainable management and selecting promising landraces for breeding programmes. The dataset presents rbcL intraspecific genetic diversity and population structure of 62 P. biglobosa landraces in Nigeria. A relatively high level of diversity and a low degree of nucleotide variability was observed among the landraces. Relatively high values of 642 total allele sites, 601 polymorphic sites, 504 parsimony information sites, 883 total number mutations, 9 haplotypes and 0.55 gene diversity were recorded for the sequence dataset. Low values of 0.35 nucleotide diversity and 5 InDels events were also recorded for the dataset. The gene flow in this dataset demonstrated an extensive exchange of genes between the three populations of P. biglobosa, which influenced the level of genetic differentiation (Gst) between the populations. Significantly low Gst (-0.01) was recorded between the Guinea and Sudan savannah populations, a moderate value (0.03) was recorded between the Sudan savannah and Rainforest populations and a higher Gst value (0.05) was recorded between the Guinea and Rainforest populations. The dataset highlights potential evolutionary dynamics that might influence variations relevant to the breeding and conservation of P. biglobosa in Nigeria and across its range in West and Central Africa.

Prevalence and associated factors of modern contraceptive discontinuation among sexually active married women in Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Contraceptive discontinuation for reasons other than the desire for pregnancy is associated with a high rate of unintended pregnancies leading to unsafe abortions, maternal morbidity and mortality. In Nigeria, little is known about modern contraceptive discontinuation using the calendar data. METHODS: A cross-sectional research design from the 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Surveys (NDHS) women's dataset was used to examine the prevalence and associated factors of modern contraceptive discontinuation among sexually active married women in Nigeria. A weighted sample size of 3,353 currently sexually active married or in union women who have ever used a modern contraceptive 5 years before the survey and with complete reproductive histories and are not sterilised or declared infecund was analysed. Data were analysed and displayed using frequency tables and charts, chi-square test, and binary logistic regression model at 5% level of significance. RESULTS: The prevalence of modern contraceptive discontinuation was 35.8% (1199) with 45.8% (549) of the women discontinuing using modern contraceptives while at risk of pregnancy. The most modern method discontinued was Injectables (25.2%) while the commonest reason for modern method discontinuation was because they wanted to become pregnant (36.1%). Associated factors of modern contraceptive discontinuation among sexually active married women in Nigeria were: marital duration (aOR = 3.0; 95%CI: 1.5-6.2), visitation to a health facility in the last 12 months before the survey (aOR = 0.6; 95%CI: 0.4-0.8), education (aOR = 2.0; 95%CI: 1.2-3.4) and region of residence (aOR = 2.7; 95%CI: 1.6-4.7). CONCLUSION: Modern contraceptive discontinuation among the study respondents was high. Region of residence, health facility visitation and marital duration were significantly associated with modern contraceptive discontinuation. The study suggests that health care providers should address the discontinuation of contraception through counselling, particularly among women who reside in the region of high prevalence of contraceptive discontinuation, short-term users as well as strengthen the use of contraception among those who are still at risk of becoming pregnant. Governments and stakeholders should also partner with private sectors to make health care accessible to women by bring health facilities closer to them to improve facility visitation.

Asymptomatic malaria infections and Pfmdr1 mutations in an endemic area of Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Malaria eradication globally is yet to be achieved and transmission is sustained in many endemic countries. Plasmodium falciparum continues to develop resistance to currently available anti-malarial drugs, posing great problems for malaria elimination. This study evaluates the frequencies of asymptomatic infection and multidrug resistance-1 (mdr-1) gene mutations in parasite isolates, which form the basis for understanding persistently high incidence in South West, Nigeria. METHODS: A total of 535 individuals aged from 6 months were screened during the epidemiological survey evaluating asymptomatic transmission. Parasite prevalence was determined by histidine-rich protein II rapid detection kit (RDT) in healthy individuals. Plasmodium falciparum mdr-1 gene mutations were detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by restriction enzyme digest and electrophoresis to determine polymorphism in parasite isolates. Sequencing was done to confirm polymorphism. Proportions were compared using Chi-square test at p value < 0.05. RESULTS: Malaria parasites were detected by RDT in 204 (38.1%) individuals. Asymptomatic infection was detected in 117 (57.3%) and symptomatic malaria confirmed in 87 individuals (42.6%). Overall, individuals with detectable malaria by RDT was significantly higher in individuals with symptoms, 87 of 197 (44.2%), than asymptomatic persons; 117 of 338 (34.6%), p = 0.02. In a sub-set of 75 isolates, 18(24%) and 14 (18.6%) individuals had Pfmdr1 86Y and 1246Y mutations. CONCLUSIONS: There is still high malaria transmission rate in Nigeria with higher incidence of asymptomatic infections. These parasites harbour mutations on Pfmdr1 which contribute to artemisinin partner drug resistance; surveillance strategies to reduce the spread of drug resistance in endemic areas are needed to eliminate the reservoir of malaria parasites that can mitigate the eradication of malaria in Nigeria.

Ameliorative Activity of Ethanol Extract of Artocarpus heterophyllus Stem Bark on Pancreatic ß-Cell Dysfunction in Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Rats.

This study sought to investigate the ameliorative effects of ethanol extract Artocarpus heterophyllus (EAH) in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. The rats were divided into 6 groups, with groups 1 and 2 serving as nondiabetic and diabetic control, respectively; group 3 serving as diabetic rats treated with 5 mg/kg glibenclamide; and groups 4 to 6 were diabetic rats treated with 50, 100, and 150 mg/kg of EAH, respectively. Assays determined were serum insulin, lipid peroxidation, and antioxidant enzyme activities. EAH stem bark reduced fasting blood glucose and lipid peroxidation levels and increased serum insulin levels and activities of antioxidant enzymes. Data obtained demonstrated the ability of EAH stem bark to ameliorate pancreatic ß-cell dysfunction in alloxan-induced diabetic rats.

IMPALEMENT HEAD INJURY WITH A SPEAR.

Impalement injuries to the craniofacial region are uncommon due to the fact that the face is a smaller target in relation to the rest of the body. We report a case of a 26-year old man who was attacked on the face with a spear. He was promptly evaluated and resuscitated; the blade of the spear was successfully extracted under general anaesthesia. He was discharged home after 2 weeks hospitalization; he has been followed up for three months with good outcome.

Rectal and genital prolapse in Nigerian newborns: case reports and review of the literature.

Genital prolapse in the newborn is a rare clinical condition often times seen in association with congenital myelo-meningocele, or this could occur following shigellosis infection. We therefore report two neonates with rectal prolapse following diarrhea and utero-vaginal prolapse associated with congenital spinal bifida.