Student nurses' practices and willingness to teach relatives breast self-examination in Nigeria.

Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer and the leading cause of cancer-related death for women worldwide. Breast self-examination (BSE) is an essential, low-cost, and simple tool for detecting breast cancer early. Employing the idea of 'charity begins at home' by involving student nurses in teaching BSE to relatives will improve early detection. Aim: To assess nursing students' practice and willingness to teach BSE to their relatives. Setting: A college of nursing and midwifery in one state under North-Central Nigeria. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive design was employed. Through incidental sampling technique 197 respondents were selected from the first to the third year. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential analyses, with a p-value of 0.05 were conducted. Results: Respondents indicated where they learned about BSE. There were 98.5% respondents who had heard about BSE, and 89.8% of them had good practice of BSE. However, a quarter did not teach BSE to relatives. There were no statistically significant associations noted. Conclusion: Most of the nursing students were aware of BSE and knew how to perform it, although a quarter did not teach BSE to their relatives. Therefore, it may be necessary to sensitise nurses to cultivate the habit of teaching BSE to relatives and women in the community. Contribution: It is crucial to provide nurses with the skills and knowledge required to carry out BSE effectively, as well as teach women how to perform it on themselves, to improve breast cancer detection rates in Nigeria.

Determinants of Contraceptive Options among Postpartum Women Attending Selected Health Care Facilities in Nigeria: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Introduction: Differences in availability and choices of contraceptive methods among postpartum women have been found to influence their quality of life as the fertility rate is very high, and the contraceptive usage rate persistently remains low in Nigeria. Objectives: This study assessed the determinants of contraceptive options among postpartum women in Nigeria. Methods: Two Local Governments were randomly selected from the four Local Governments. Within these two local governments, five health facilities were selected. A multistage sampling technique was used to select the 240 respondents, while a structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Results: Findings from the study indicated that 81.7% of the respondents have planned to have their current baby, and about 65.4% of the women have resumed sexual activities since delivery. Of those who have resumed sexual activities, the majority, 91.1% did so 6 weeks after delivery. Some form of contraceptive usage was prominent among 59.2% of the respondents, as the most common contraceptive method used was withdrawal (24.8%). Contraceptive prevalence was slightly lower for urban respondents than rural respondents, although the relationship was not significant. Also, there was a statistically significant relationship between the current use of contraceptives and resumption of sexual activities since delivery (p = .001), resumption of menstruation (p = .001), and information received about postpartum family planning (p = 0.013). Conclusion: Findings from this study emphasize the urgent need for enhanced accessibility and availability of contraceptive methods, with a parallel emphasis on targeted interventions and effective communication strategies to promote contraceptive uptake and family planning. Addressing these determinants is vital in improving postpartum women's overall quality of life in the study area.

Assessment of breast cancer risk perception, knowledge, and breast self-examination practices among market women in Owo, Ondo State, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer (BC) is the leading cause of cancer death among women worldwide, and its incidence is increasing, particularly in low-medium-income countries (LMICs). Evidence shows that breast self-examination (BSE) is culturally acceptable, religiously friendly and inexpensive. This study assessed BC risk perception, knowledge and breast self-examination practices among market women in Ondo State, Nigeria. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among market women in 3 selected markets in Owo. A semi-structured interview-based questionnaire was used to collect data. The instrument consisted of five sections based on the objective of the study. Selection of the study participants was done using a multistage sampling technique. The test-retest method was used to determine the reliability of the instrument. Participants knowledge and practices were categorised into good (≥ 50% total score) and poor (< 50% total score) while risk perception was grouped into high (≥ 50% total score) and low (< 50% total score).Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics at a p value < 0.05 for determining statistical significance. RESULTS: A total of 335 respondents completed the study and the mean age ± S.D. was 37.19 ± 9.19 years (range: 18-65 years). 47.5% of respondents were Christian while 60.0% of the respondents were married. 15.5% had tertiary education, and more than two-thirds were from the Yoruba tribe. More than two-thirds (78.5%) of the participants stated that they practiced breast self-examination, while 58.5% reported to have been taught how to perform BSE. 75.8% agreed that the use of injectable contraception or oral pills can result in BC, while 75.8% also agreed that women of reproductive age are at risk of BC. Less than 50% mentioned that they were uncomfortable taking off clothes in front of health professionals during the examination. The perceived risk of BC showed that 221 (65.97%), and 114 (34.03%) of respondents had high, and low levels of perceived risk of BC, respectively. However, 184 (54.93%) and 151 (45.07%) of the respondents had good and poor knowledge. The majority (139, 41.49%) of the respondents had poor BSE practice. Age (p = 0.023), educational qualifications (p < 0.001), average income per month (p < 0.001) and ethnicity (p = < 0.001) were statistically associated with knowledge of breast self-examination while religion (p = 0.02), marital status (p = 0.01), educational qualification (p = 0.001) and distance from facility (p = 0.009) were statistically associated with perceived risk of BC. Participants' educational qualification (p = 0.006) and ethnicity (p = 0.013) were statistically associated with practice of BSE. Good knowledge was also identified as a significant predictor of good practice of participants among the women (95%CI: 4.574 (2.841-7.365), p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: This study identified high level of perception, good knowledge and good practice of BSE among majority of the market women in Owo Town. Interventions and extensive health education on BSE with the aim of creating positive awareness and understanding of BSE among the population should be encouraged.

Knowledge of the effects of regular pelvic floor exercises on maternal health among women in a comprehensive health centre in Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria.

Regular pelvic floor exercise is essential for maternal health among women because it is a proven conservative treatment and prevention for pelvic organ prolapse. This study aimed at investigating the knowledge of women on the effects of regular pelvic floor exercise on the maternal health among women attending a primary health centre in Ado - Ekiti. It also assessed the women's attitude towards and the practice of pelvic floor exercises. The study was predicated on reasoned action theory, while a descriptive cross-sectional design was adopted using total enumerative sampling technique. Data was collected from 248 respondents using researcher-administered questionnaires. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Findings from the study showed that the majority (72.20%) of the respondents had a low level of awareness of pelvic floor exercises, 74.2% perceived pelvic floor exercises as very necessary to maternal health, 75.4% showed a negative attitude to pelvic floor exercises, less than half (48.7) claimed to be practicing pelvic floor exercises. No significant association was found between women's attitude and the practice of pelvic floor exercises (P > 0.05). More education should be given to women seeking primary health care on the benefits of pelvic floor exercises.

Nurse-midwives knowledge and utilization of partograph in monitoring of labour in tertiary hospitals in Enugu, South-Nigeria

It is not clear whether knowledge of partograph has influence the management of women in labour by nurse-midwives working in tertiary hospitals, Enugu, Nigeria. Many women in labour do not benefit from the use of partograph in monitoring of normal proceedings of labour despite its importance in reducing maternal and infant mortality. This study examined nurse-midwife's knowledge and utilization of partograph in monitoring of labour in tertiary hospitals in Enugu, Nigeria. A cross sectional descriptive study with a sample of 96 nurse-midwives working in the reproductive health units of two tertiary hospitals in Enugu metropolis were used for the study. Data were collected using semi-structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics was used for data analysis. All analyses were performed using IBM SPSS version 20.0 at a 5% level of significance. Result showed that all the respondents at tertiary hospitals had heard about partograph. Few 40(80%) of the nurse-midwives in UNTH and 32(69.6%) in ESUTH utilized partograph during labour management. Factors that hindered use of partograph were lack of intermittent training of nurse-midwives and non-availability of partograph charts with mean score of 1.19 respectively. The association between the years of working experience and the use of partograph failed to be statistically significant (P = 0.90). There is need for improvement in knowledge and use of partograph during labour management through continuing education for nurse-midwives, periodic workshops and mandatory hospital policy on use of partograph during management of labour

Abortion procurement and post-abortion care services: experiences of nigerian adolescents

Introduction: The prevention of abortion related complications and mortality is dependent on the availability, accessibility and usability of emergency post-abortion care (PAC) throughout the health care system. Unfortunately, Nigerian adolescents are often unable to obtain adequate post-abortion care services due to numerous challenges and barriers. This study attempted to explore experiences with abortion and post abortion care services from the adolescents' perspective which is the first step in enhancing optimal utilization of adolescents' PAC services. Methods: A qualitative exploratory research design was used. Twenty semi-structured interviews were conducted with adolescent patients during hospitalization. The adolescent patients were duly counseled and informed consent obtained prior to the in-depth interview. Semi-structured interview guide was used for data collection and the data were analyzed using content analysis. Results: Findings from the interviews revealed that adolescents found it difficult to discuss issues of pregnancy and abortion with their parents or guardians due to fear, stigmatization or rejection. The adolescents experienced negligence of care, shame and stigma due to failure of health care providers to ensure privacy, as well as delay in treatment due to hospital protocol and non availability of prescribed drugs which significantly affected the PAC care services they received. Conclusion: The adolescents experienced fear, shame, and stigmatization, negligence of care and lack of access to adequate PAC services. These findings highlight the need to review health actions directed towards adolescents with abortion complications and plan interventions aim at improving provision of adolescents' friendly PAC services, in order to meet the reproductive health needs of these adolescents

Adolescents' Knowledge, Attitude and Utilization of Emergency Contraceptive Pills in Nigeria's Niger Delta Region.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Risky sexual activity among adolescents is on the increase and contraceptive prevalence rate is low which is evidenced by high rate of teenage pregnancy in Bayelsa state, Nigeria. This study assesses the adolescents' knowledge, attitude and utilization of emergency contraceptive pills (ECP) in Amassoma Community, Bayelsa State, in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. METHODS: The study was a descriptive cross-sectional research design. A purposive sampling technique was used to select a sample of 220 respondents from the target population. Data were collected using a self-structured questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data generated. RESULTS: Majority of the respondents had high level of knowledge and positive attitude towards emergency contraceptive pills but had low level of utilization. Concerns about what others may say, parental attitude, contraceptive availability, contraceptive accessibility, and peer influences were the major factors that influenced the utilization of contraceptive pills. There was no significant relationship between knowledge and utilization of emergency contraceptive pills, as well as level of knowledge and their utilization of emergency contraceptive pills. CONCLUSIONS AND GLOBAL HEALTH IMPLICATIONS: Adolescents in the study were more likely to use emergency contraceptive pills, if parents and others reaction to adolescents' contraceptive use were positive about those. Health care professionals, especially nurses, should organize enlightenment programs to educate adolescents, parents and the public on the benefits of adolescents' contraceptives use, especially ECP.

Methods Employed in the Prevention and Treatment of Malaria among Pregnant Women in a Riverine Community in Bayelsa State; Nigeria

Background: Malaria remains a major public health problem in Nigeria and is the most common cause of hospital attendance in all age groups of which children and pregnant women are the major risk groups; therefore this study was designed to explore various methods of prevention and treatment of malaria among pregnant women in riverine community in Bayelsa State.Method: A descriptive survey with a sample size of 120 respondents. Data were collected using questionnaire and SPSS version 20 was used for data analysis.Results: The finding of the study revealed that majority of the respondents were within 16-25; with a minimum age of 16; maximum age of 45 and a mean of 30. More than half of the respondents agreed that malaria can be transmitted to the fetus and can lead to intrauterine fetal death. Majority uses insecticide treated nets (ITNs); snapper; insecticide spray; window and door net in preventing malaria; while a good number of the respondent claimed to use drug when they have malaria; most of which were prescribed.Conclusion: Majority of the respondents employed good practices in the prevention and treatment of malaria. However; some of the respondents still use crude methods that are detrimental to health. Therefore; it was recommended that community awareness and enlightenment programmes should be put in place in order to eradicate the crude methods that are harmful; as well as promote the good methods used in the prevention and treatment of malaria

Knowledge and Perception on Consequences of Abortion among Adolescents in Amassoma Community; Bayelsa State

Unsafe abortion has been described as a schoolgirl's problem in Nigeria; where 80 of patients admitted to hospitals with abortion-related complications are adolescent girls. Hence; this research study was conducted to assess knowledge and perception on consequences of abortion among adolescents in Amassoma Community; Bayelsa State; Nigeria. A simple size of 120 respondents was drawn from the target population using purposive sampling technique. Data were collected using questionnaire and the information obtained was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics and level of significant was set at 5. The study revealed that majority of the respondents 61 were between the ages of 17-21 years with a minimum age of 12years and maximum age of 25 years; with a mean age of 18 and standard deviation of 2.28. The study revealed that majority of the respondents 89 had adequate knowledge of the consequences of abortion and believed that abortion is a sin and is done by immoral girls; yet more than half 60 of the respondents will encourage a person to do abortion and will even consider abortion in case of unwanted pregnancy. Majority of the respondent opined that abortion can be done in case of rape; mental illness and when the mother's life is in danger but 40 of the respondents said they will never go for an abortion under any circumstances. The study also revealed that there was a significant association between the age of respondents and the level of knowledge; as well as significant association between the level of knowledge and perception on the consequences of abortion with p 0.05. It is recommended that Public enlightenment programmes on unsafe abortion and its consequences should be given to adolescents for value clarification and proper attitude transformations

Perception of Women of Childbearing Age (15-45 years) on Causes and Consequences of Infertility in Osogbo Local Government Area of Osun State; Nigeria

Infertility brings about low self-esteem; sense of powerlessness; discrimination and stigmatization as well as threatens the woman's identity; status; marital and emotional security. This study examined the perception of women of childbearing age on causes and consequences of infertility. A descriptive non experimental research design was used. A sample frame of 40 respondents was selected inferential statistics. Three null hypotheses were tested using student t-test at 5level of significance. The study revealed that irregular sexual intercourse; irregular menstruation; untreated sexually transmitted diseases; late marriage especially above 30years of age; fibroid; low sperm count; unsafe abortion; and promiscuity were factors contribute immensely to increase infertility rate. Majority of the respondents opined that infertility could result in divorce or separation of couple which can lead to extinction of that family name; husband's family inherit his property after his death; polygamy or polyandry; loss of hope; lack of joy and happiness in the family. The findings of this study revealed that there is no significant difference in the age religion of women under study and their perception on causes and consequences of infertility with t-calculatedt-tabulated (2.54 4.3); as well as; there is no significant difference was found between the age at marriage of women under study and their perception on causes and consequences of infertility with t-calculatedt-tabulated (2.56 4.3). The results also revealed that there is significant difference in the religion of women under study and their perception on causes and consequences of infertility with t-calculatedt-tabulated (7.64 4.3). It was concluded that sound family life education should be given to the public especially women and adolescents teenagers with emphasizes on causes; prevention and management of infertility