Intimate Partner Violence and Risk Factors among Women during the COVID-19 Movement Restriction in Nigeria: An Online Survey.

BACKGROUND: The rapid spread of the SARS-CoV-2 infection in the absence of treatment or the presence of vaccines is forcing nations to respond with strong preventive measures ranging from mitigation, containment, and in extreme cases, quarantines. While these measures are a useful measure of infection control, they can lead to significant social, economic, and psychological consequences. This study sought to establish the prevalence and risk factors of intimate partner violence during the COVID-19 movement restriction in Nigeria among girls and women. METHODS: An online-based questionnaire survey using Google Forms was conducted over four weeks among girls and women aged 15 years and above. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 20, and logistic regression was used to determine risk factors for IPV experience during the lockdown. RESULTS: Overall, 32.8% of respondents reported ever experiencing IPV, and 42.5% experienced IPV during the lockdown. Verbal (35.1%) and psychological (24.1%) violence were the commonest forms of violence in the study. There was considerable overlap between the various forms of IPV in the study. Age less than 35 years (aOR = 1.3; CI = 1.2 - 1.4), resident in the northeast region (aOR=1.6; CI=1.41.9), alcohol (aOR=1.3;CI=1.2-1.5) and substance (aOR = 1.5; CI = 1.3 - 1.8) use, average family monthly income < $100 (aOR = 1.4;CI=1.2 - 1.5), daily or weekly income (aOR = 2.7; CI = 2.5-3.1) had an increased association with IPV during the lockdown, residency in the southeast region had lower odds of experiencing IPV (aOR=.0.5; CI = 0.3-0.8). CONCLUSION: The reported lockdown prevalence of IPV was 42.8%, with verbal and psychological violence being the most prevalent form of IPV. Age less than 35 years, resident in northeast and southeast, use of alcohol or substances, average family monthly income < $100, and partner being a daily-weekly earner was associated with IPV experience. Policymakers in the future should consider the consequences, including IPV, before issuing such an order.

CONTEXTE: La propagation rapide de l'infection par le CoV-2 du SRAS en l'absence de traitement ou présence de vaccins oblige les nations à réagir par des mesures préventives fortes allant de l'atténuation à l'endiguement et, dans les cas extrêmes, à la mise en quarantaine. Bien que ces mesures soient utiles pour contrôler l'infection, elles peuvent avoir des conséquences sociales, économiques et psychologiques importantes. Cette étude visait à établir la prévalence et les facteurs de risque de la violence exercée par le partenaire intime au cours de la restriction de mouvement du COVID-19 au Nigeria, chez les filles et les femmes. MÉTHODES: Une enquête par questionnaire en ligne utilisant google form a été menée pendant quatre semaines auprès de filles et de femmes âgées de 15 ans et plus. L'analyse des données a été réalisée à l'aide de la version 20 de SPSS et une régression logistique a été utilisée pour déterminer les facteurs de risque de violence conjugale pendant la période de restriction. RÉSULTATS: Dans l'ensemble, 32,8 % des personnes interrogées ont déclaré avoir déjà subi des VPI, et 42,5 % ont subi des VPI pendant l'enfermement. La violence verbale (35,1 %) et la violence psychologique (24,1 %) étaient les formes de violence les plus courantes dans l'étude. Il y avait un chevauchement considérable entre les différentes formes de VPI dans l'étude. L'âge inférieur à 35 ans (aOR=1,3 ; CI= 1,2 - 1,4), la résidence dans la région nord-est (aOR=1,6; CI=1,4-1,9), la consommation d'alcool (aOR=1,3; CI=1,2 - 1,5) et de substances (aOR=1,5 ; CI = 1,3 - 1,8), le revenu mensuel moyen de la famille < 100 $ (aOR=1. 4 ; IC = 1,2 - 1,5), le revenu quotidien ou hebdomadaire (aOR = 2,7 ; IC = 2,5-3,1) était davantage associé à la VPI pendant le lockdown, la résidence dans la région du sud-est avait moins de chances d'être victime de VPI (aOR = 0,0,5 ; IC = 0,3-0,8). CONCLUSION: La prévalence de la VPI pendant le lockdown était de 42,8 %, la violence verbale et psychologique étant la forme de VPI la plus répandue. L'âge inférieur à 35 and, le fait de résider dans le nord-est et le sud-est, la consommation d'alcool ou de substances, le revenu mensuel moyen de la famille inférieur à 100 dollars et le fait que le partenaire gagne sa vie toutes les semaines étaient associés à l'expérience de la VPI. À l'avenir, les décideurs politiques devraient prendre en compte les conséquences, y compris la VPI, avant d'émettre un tel ordre. Mots-clés: Violence entre partenaires intimes, COVID-19, Lockdowns, Nigeria, Violence fondée sur le genre.

Uterine Leiomyomata in South Western Nigeria: a clinical study of presentations and management outcome.

BACKGROUND: Uterine leiomyoma is remarkably common, however only a subset of women have their fibroids clinically detected, symptomatic, or warrant surgical treatment. Its removal is commonly associated with complications. To prevent or control the occurrence of this complication requires the understanding of the factors associated with the complications. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the sociodemographic, clinical characteristics, management outcome and its determinants in southwestern Nigeria. METHODS: Study was carried out at two large tertiary hospitals in the south west region of Nigeria. Retrospective review of case records of all surgically managed cases of uterine leiomyoma over a period of 25 years. One hundred and fifty nine women with uterine leiomyoma seen and managed surgically in South-Western Nigeria were the participants. RESULTS: The common presenting complaints were menstrual irregularities (47.7%), abdominal swelling (39.1%) and infertility (31.9%). The average uterine size at presentation was 15±9.7 weeks. The majority (79.9%) of the women presented with multiple leiomyomata. The commonest anatomical position of the nodules were multiple positions and intramural in 707(60.9%) and 172(14.8%) respectively. Myomectomy was performed in 54.7% of cases. Postoperative complications occurred in 20.9 % of cases with postoperative pyrexia (13.5%), blood loss warranting transfusion (12.8%) and postoperative anaemia (10.4%) been the most common complications. CONCLUSION: Uterine fibroid is common in our environment and its removal is commonly associated with post-operative pyrexia, blood loss, and anaemia and wound infection. Midline incision, closure of rectus sheet with chromic catgut and myomectomy were associated with postoperative complications in this review.

Pregnancy, obstetric and neonatal outcome after assisted reproduction in Nigerians.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the pregnancy, obstetric and neonatal outcome after assisted reproduction in Nigerians. METHODS: Case control study of all confirmed pregnancies following assisted reproduction managed at the Havana Specialist Hospital (HSH), Lagos over a 7 year period. RESULTS: Adverse obstetric and neonatal outcome occurred in 30.8% of pregnancy following assisted reproduction compared to 12.6% in spontaneously conceived pregnancy (p = 0.0003). Multiple pregnancy (<0.001), preterm delivery (p < 0.000), placenta praevia (0.00002), antenatal admission (0.02), early pregnancy bleeding (0.04), miscarriage (0.001) and caesarean delivery (<0.001) were significantly commoner in the assisted reproduction group. After adjustment for confounding variables, preterm delivery (OR: 5.95), miscarriage (OR: 5.84), multiple pregnancy (OR: 4.58), placenta praevia (OR: 4.13), caesarean delivery (OR: 3.57), early pregnancy bleeding (OR: 2.18) and antenatal admission (OR: 2.01) retained their significance. CONCLUSION: This study has provided the first evidence from our part of the world showing that assisted pregnancy is associated with poorer obstetric outcome when compared with spontaneously conceived pregnancy.

Limitations to Access and Use of Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) Among HIV Positive Persons in Lagos, Nigeria.

The study was designed to examine the knowledge and perception of HIV positive persons about the antiretroviral therapy (ART) program and to determine their ability to pay for ART and the treatment of other opportunistic infections in Nigeria. This is aimed at identifying factors that may impede effective delivery and utilization of ART in the country. One hundred and twenty-five HIV positive persons seeking ART at the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) clinic, Lagos, were studied using questionnaires. Respondents' average monthly income was N11,253.00 (US$90.00). Almost 26% (25.6%) were unwilling to seek ART at the nearest hospital because of fear of stigmatization. While 9% wanted the therapy for free, the majority was willing to pay N500.00 (US$4.00) per month. The average affordable price based on the subjects' assessment was N905.00 (US$7.24), while the median was N500.00 (US$4.00) per month. Eighty-eight percent believed ART would prolong their lives. The ART drugs need to be affordable and building on the positive perceptions of ART is imperative.