The effect of improving maternity services in a secondary facility, Zaria, Nigeria. The Zaria PMM Team.

PRELIMINARY STUDIES: Facility review at the secondary hospital in Makarfi revealed a lack of drugs and skilled personnel and delays in treating and referring women with obstetric complications. INTERVENTIONS: In 1994, maternity facilities were renovated, a revolving drug fund was introduced, midwives were trained and an ambulance was restored to service. Attempts to secure a physician with skills in treating obstetric emergencies were unsuccessful. Prior to these activities, obstetric services at the referral hospital were improved. Community interventions focused on improving utilization by women with complications. RESULTS: Between 1990 and 1995, substantial increases occurred in antenatal attendance (2517 to 5565 per year) and deliveries (325 to 1952 per year). The number of women with complications seeking care at this facility, however, dropped from 85 in 1990 to 28 in 1995. Referrals to higher level facilities increased from four in 1990 to 17 in 1995. COSTS: The cost of the interventions was approximately US $32,000. Ninety-eight percent was paid by the government and 2% by PMM. CONCLUSIONS: Improving the quality of maternity services can increase utilization by women with uncomplicated pregnancies. However, utilization of emergency services appears to be influenced by other factors, such as the ability to treat obstetric complications and prevailing economic conditions.

Canine filariasis in Zaria, Nigeria.

Microscopic examination of blood samples from dogs in Zaria, Nigeria indicated the prevalence of canine filariasis to be 12.7%. The survey demonstrated three species of canine filariae, namely D. repens (8.9%). D. immitis-like parasite (2.5%), and an unidentified species of filaria with a prevalence of 4.4%.

Catering personnel and environmental health activities in Malumfashi and Samaru-Zaria Northern Nigeria.

A three month part-time training course in the basic principles of environmental health programmes with specific emphasis on practical food sanitation and control measures for food borne diseases, was organised for 79 members of the catering staff, of the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) in Samaru-Zaria and Malumfashi, Northern Nigeria. The aims of the course were to instil in the participants, a new approach to food hygiene with a view to promoting proper catering qualities and also preventing or minimising the problems of the diarrhoeal diseases. The results, of the evaluation of the course contents and laboratory exercises are analysed and discussed. With the shortage and uneven distribution of medical and health manpower in Nigeria, all available staff in health and allied fields must be properly trained and utilised maximally in our fight against diseases and ignorance, whether such staff are hospital or community based.