Use and pattern of previous care received by infertile Nigerian women.

BACKGROUND: Prevalence of infertility in sub-Saharan Africa is high yet fertility care, its development and access is limited in resource-poor countries like Nigeria so infertile women resort to different forms of treatment. This study aimed to determine the use and pattern of previous treatments. METHODOLOGY: This was a descriptive Cross Sectional study conducted at a tertiary hospital in North-Western Nigeria. Interviewer administered pretested questionnaires were administered to 236 consenting clients seen at their first visit to the gynaecology clinic with complaints of inability to conceive, between January 2016 to March 2018. We collected information on demographic and reproductive characteristics, previous fertility treatment and other data relevant to infertility. Descriptive analysis was done using SPSS software version 22. RESULTS: Two hundred and thirty six clients participated in the study and majority were 20-29 years (44.5%), with a mean age of 31.5 ± 7.4, while the mean age of their husbands was 41 ± 8.0. More clients were educated up to secondary level or above (80.9%), with more Muslims (65%) than Christians. All clients were married except one, most clients had been married for 5 years or more, 18.2% were in their second order of marriage and 28% were in polygamous marriages. Many of the clients were homemakers (46.6%) and earned an average monthly income of less than fifty thousand naira. About 59.3% of clients presented with primary infertility, with 15.7% being infertile for duration of more than 10 years. One hundred and forty six respondents (61.9%) had received previous hospital treatments before presentation to our facility, 37% had visited more than three hospitals, 70% did not have adequate investigations done, treatment was successful in 15% while 40.7% received traditional treatments. Husbands of women receiving previous treatment were slightly older (p value < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Majority of woman have multiple and unnecessary visits to several hospitals for infertility care with little positive results despite time and resources spent. Quality of infertility care needs to be improved.

Incidence and risk factors for pre-eclampsia in Jos Nigeria.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to estimate the incidence and risk factors associated with development of pre-eclampsia (PET) in Jos, Nigeria. METHODS: An open cohort study of singleton pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic of Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH), Nigeria between November 2010 and August 2011. Eligible healthy women at ≤ 20 weeks gestation were enrolled and followed up until delivery or development of pre-eclampsia. Baseline demographic characteristics including weight, height and body mass index (BMI) were collected at enrollment. Incidence, risk factors and hazard ratios for developing PET were estimated with corresponding 95% confidence intervals and p-values. All statistical analyses were done with STATA version 11, college station, Texas, USA. RESULTS: A total of 2416 pregnant women were screened for eligibility out of which 323 were eligible for inclusion. The incidence of PET was 87.9 per 1,000 pregnancies (8.8%). The significant risk factors for PET were previous history of PET (RR=5.1, 95% CI: 2.2-12.1) and BMI at booking ≥ 25 kg/m2 (RR=3.9, 95% CI: 1.5-10.0). CONCLUSION: The incidence of PET was relatively high in our cohort in Jos, Nigeria and a previous history of the disease and overweight or obese pregnant women have a significant hazard of developing the disease in the course of gestational follow up. Targeting women with these characteristics for early preventive intervention and close surveillance at the antenatal booking clinic may help in prevention of the disease and its complications.

Knowledge of HIV prevention and willingness to collaborate in vaginal microbicides trials-survey of Nigerian gynecologists.

BACKGROUND: Gynecologists being the primary care physicians and advocates for women sexual and reproductive health are critical in delivering messages on effective intervention to prevent heterosexual HIV transmission. Their knowledge and opinions on the effectiveness of HIV prevention technologies may influence the acceptance and use of these technologies among women at risk. METHODS: A cross sectional survey was self-administered to Nigerian gynecologist attending an Annual Scientific conference; "Kanon Dabo" between November 17 and 21, 2009, in Kano, Nigeria. Their opinions on various HIV prevention strategies as well as their willingness to collaborate on vaginal microbicides trials were assessed on a Likert scale. The mean scores of the responses were tested using student's T-test. Statistical analyses were done with STATA version 11, College Station, Texas, USA. RESULTS: Of the 100 questionnaires distributed to the participants at the conference, we had a survey response rate of 74.0%. The mean age of the participants was 42.38 +/- 6.67 years with range 30-58 years. Male participants constituted 84.9%, and Female participants 15.1%. Twenty five percent (25%) of the surveyed participants were aware of vaginal microbicides, and only 3% correctly mentioned an example of a vaginal microbicide for HIV prevention. The willingness of the participants to collaborate on vaginal microbicides trials was not significantly related to their knowledge on vaginal microbicides (p = 0.475). CONCLUSION: We concluded that the current knowledge of Nigerian gynecologist on vaginal microbicides is poor. Efforts to create awareness among these women advocates on recent HIV prevention technology, particularly, vaginal microbicides are required.