Effect of Volunteer Household Counseling in Improving Knowledge of Birth Preparedness and Complication Readiness of Pregnant Women in Northwest Nigeria.

Maternal and Child Health Integrated Program (MCHIP), a program by Jhpiego global, implemented maternal and newborn health project between 2006 and 2010 in Kano and Zamfara States, Nigeria. This was evaluated with an objective to characterize the effects of volunteer household counselors (VHCs) upon improving knowledge of birth preparedness and complication readiness (BPCR) among pregnant women. VHCs were trained to educate women and their families at home about BPCR. Knowledge of BPCR was compared among 152 and 594 women who did and did not receive household counseling. Mothers' knowledge of BPCR among those who did and did not receive counseling was 32.2% and 11.2% respectively. Mothers who received counseling had better knowledge of BPCR compared to women who did not (Relative Risk [R.R.] 2.30, 95% [C.I.] 1.50, 3.51, P = 0.0001) in a multivariable logistic regression model adjusting for potential confounders. Mothers who received counseling had better odds of knowledge of danger signs during delivery (R.R. 1.48, 95% C.I. 1.05, 2.09, P = 0.02), and post-partum period (R.R. 1.69, 95% C.I. 1.22, 2.32, P = 0.001), but not during pregnancy (R.R. 1.26, 95% C.I. 0.97, 1.64, P = 0.08), compared with women who received no counseling. VHCs can substantially increase knowledge of BPCR and danger signs among women in Nigeria.

Effect of volunteer household counseling in improving knowledge of birth preparedness and complication readiness of pregnant women in northwest Nigeria

Maternal and Child Health Integrated Program (MCHIP), a program by Jhpiego global, implemented maternal and newborn health project between 2006 and 2010 in Kano and Zamfara States, Nigeria. This was evaluated with an objective to characterize the effects of volunteer household counselors (VHCs) upon improving knowledge of birth preparedness and complication readiness (BPCR) among pregnant women. VHCs were trained to educate women and their families at home about BPCR. Knowledge of BPCR was compared among 152 and 594 women who did and did not receive household counseling. Mothers' knowledge of BPCR among those who did and did not receive counseling was 32.2% and 11.2% respectively. Mothers who received counseling had better knowledge of BPCR compared to women who did not (Relative Risk [R.R.] 2.30, 95% [C.I.] 1.50, 3.51, P = 0.0001) in a multivariable logistic regression model adjusting for potential confounders. Mothers who received counseling had better odds of knowledge of danger signs during delivery (R.R. 1.48, 95% C.I. 1.05, 2.09, P = 0.02), and post-partum period (R.R. 1.69, 95% C.I. 1.22, 2.32, P = 0.001), but not during pregnancy (R.R. 1.26, 95% C.I. 0.97, 1.64, P = 0.08), compared with women who received no counseling. VHCs can substantially increase knowledge of BPCR and danger signs among women in Nigeria

Evaluation of the Implementation of Family Life and HIV Education Programme in Nigeria.

Family Life and HIV Education (FLHE) programme was introduced nationwide in Nigeria in 2003. Since then little is known about the patterns of its implementation across the states in the six geo-political zones in Nigeria. This study represents an attempt to fill this lacuna in the FLHE literature in Nigeria. Quantitative data was collected from the Federal Ministry of Education and the State Ministries of Education on all salient aspects of FLHE implementation. The findings from data collected in 35 states and the Abuja Federal Capital Territory show large variations in the year of adoption of the programme, level of implementation of the programme, the proportion of implementing schools that are reporting to the coordinating government ministries/agencies, the level to which schools have been supplied with relevant curriculum, and promptness of distribution of materials across the zones. All these indices did not show significant level of interdependence. In general, there were higher levels of FLHE activities in the South than the North. Several problems affect implementation of FLHE in Nigeria, most of which will require increased financial and technical support from government and other organizations. The FLHE programme has had positive effects in the states and among schools where the implementation has been effective, underscoring the need for a more effective implementation of the programmes throughout the country.

Adolescent Sexuality and Life Skills Education in Nigeria: To What Extent have Out-of-School Adolescents Been Reached?

The introduction of school-based adolescent sexuality and life skills education in Nigeria's formal education sector raises the misgiving that out-of-school youths who constitute more than half of the youth population might be neglected. This study investigated the extent to which out-of-school adolescents have been reached with sexuality education in Nigeria. The study took place in the six geopolitical zones and the Federal Capital Territory Abuja, and involved out-of-school adolescents, Non-Governmental Organizations, and community leaders. The qualitative research approaches were employed. Most of the youths had been exposed to sexuality education through seminars, trainings and workshops organized by different organizations. However, states in the south were better served than those in the north. Sexually Transmitted Infections including HIV/AIDS prevention accounted for more than 40% of the content of sexuality and life skills education received by out-of-school adolescents. The programmes have impacted positively on adolescents' disposition and relationship with the opposite sex, knowledge and skill building.