Tape Rule Measurement of Foot Length as Proxy for Vernier Digital Calliper in Estimating Gestational Age among Nigerian Neonates.

BACKGROUND: Estimating gestational age at birth could be challenging, particularly in settings where the expertise to use conventional methods is lacking. The use of the postnatal foot length has been proposed for this purpose. The ideal tool for measuring foot length, the Vernier Digital Calliper, is not readily available in resource-poor settings. OBJECTIVE: To determine the degree of correlation between postnatal foot length measurement using a Vernier Digital Calliper and a tape measure in the estimation of gestational age among Nigerian neonates. METHODS: Neonates aged 0 to 48 hours without lower limb deformities were studied. The Gestational age was determined using the New Ballard Scoring method. The Foot length was measured as the distance between the tip of the second toe and the heel using both the Vernier Digital Calliper (FLC) and a non-elastic, flexible tape measure (FLT). The measurements were subjected to statistical comparisons. RESULTS: A total of 260 newborn infants comprising 140 preterm and 120 term babies were studied. The foot length measurements using both the calliper and tape measure progressively increased with gestational age. FLT was consistently relatively higher than FLC across gestational ages. The relationship between the two tools was FLC = 3.05 + (0.9 x FLT) for preterm babies and FLC = 23.39 + (0.6 x FLT) for term babies. The Cronbach's Alpha correlation ranged from 0.775 to 0.958 across the gestational ages. The degree of agreement between the tools ranged from -2.03 to -1.34 with a mean difference of -1.68 (t = -9.67, p <0.001). CONCLUSION: There is a high level of intra-gestational age reliability between caliper measurements and tape measurements, the latter can be suitably used as a suitable proxy for the former in the measurement of postnatal foot length in the estimation of gestational age at birth.

CONTEXTE: L'estimation de l'âge gestationnel à la naissance peut s'avérer difficile, en particulier dans les contextes où l'expertise nécessaire à l'utilisation des méthodes conventionnelles fait défaut. La longueur du pied postnatal a été proposée à cette fin. L'outil idéal pour mesurer la longueur du pied, le pied à coulisse numérique de Vernier, n'est pas facilement disponible dans les régions à faibles ressources. OBJECTIF: Déterminer la corrélation entre deux méthodes de mesure de la longueur du pied postnatal dans l'estimation de l'âge gestationnel chez les nouveau-nés nigérians. MÉTHODES: Des nouveau-nés âgés de 0 à 48 heures sans déformation des membres inférieurs ont été étudiés. L'âge gestationnel a été déterminé à l'aide de la méthode New Ballard Scoring. La longueur du pied a été mesurée comme la distance entre l'extrémité du deuxième orteil et le talon à l'aide d'un pied à coulisse numérique de Vernier (FLC) et d'un mètre ruban souple non élastique (FLT). RÉSULTATS: Au total, 260 nouveau-nés, dont 140 prématurés et 120 nés à terme, ont été étudiés. Les mesures de la longueur du pied à l'aide du pied à coulisse et du mètre ruban augmentent progressivement avec l'âge gestationnel. La FLT était toujours relativement plus élevée que la FLC, quel que soit l'âge gestationnel. La relation entre les deux outils était la suivante : FLC = 3,05 + (0,9 x FLT) pour les prématurés et FLC = 23,39 + (0,6 x FLT) pour les enfants nés à terme. La corrélation alpha de Cronbach allait de 0,775 à 0,958 selon l'âge gestationnel. CONCLUSION: Le mètre ruban est un substitut adéquat au pied à coulisse pour la mesure de la longueur du pied postnatal. Mots clés: Âge gestationnel estimé; Pied à coulisse numérique; Longueur du pied; Prématurité.

Characteristics of clients accessing HIV counseling and testing services in a tertiary hospital in Sagamu, Southwestern Nigeria.

INTRODUCTION: Client-initiated HIV testing and counseling has helped millions of people learn their HIV status. Nevertheless, global coverage of HIV testing and counseling programs remains low. This study describes the characteristics of clients who accessed HIV counseling and testing (HCT) services in Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, (OOUTH) Sagamu. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study of the clients accessing HCT services in OOUTH. Data was collected from clients using a client intake form. Pre-test counseling, HIV screening and post-test counseling were carried out. Informed consent and confidentiality were ensured. Data obtained were analyzed using SPSS 10.0. RESULTS: A total of 2607 clients accessed our HCT services between May 1 st 2008 and April 30 th 2010. The clients were between the ages of 1 year and 90 years. The mean age was 33.3 ± 15.26. The median age was found to be 32.0 years, with the modal age being 30.0 years. 73.7% (1828) were non-reactive (negative result), 25.9% (643) were reactive (positive result), while 0.3% (8) were indeterminate. Among the reactive results, 9.3% (242) were males while 15.1% (394) were females. CONCLUSION: A fair uptake of HCT services was noted. More females accessed services than males. More positive results were seen among females than males (P<0.05). RECOMMENDATIONS: Upscale of HCT services to involve Sexually transmitted infections clinics and free-standing, client-initiated testing centers is necessary. Continuous AIDS education and risk reduction should be promoted.

Safeguarding the health of the Nigerian worker: the role of a workplace HIV/AIDS policy.

BACKGROUND: In recent times, HIV/AIDS has been a cause for concern and a major threat to human well being and development. An important dimension brought to light, is the socio-economic impact of HIV infection on low and middle-income countries. The population mostly affected are the young, vibrant, economically-productive workforce. METHOD: A review of literature on the relevance, scope and benefits of workplace HIV/AIDS policies and programmes was done. FINDINGS: An effective work place policy when properly implemented will encompass all aspects of HIV/AIDS prevention, screening and care among workers. When workers' health and rights are protected, their families, communities and the nation will benefit tremendously. The burden of care will reduce and the nation's economy will improve. The ILO Code of Practice on HIV and the World of Work states clear guidelines for policy formulation, implementation and evaluation. Domestication of international policies, with adequate monitoring and evaluation will ensure effectiveness. It is a collective responsibility of all stakeholders in the workplace.