Comparison of genital microbial isolates between intrauterine contraceptive device users and nonusers in Sokoto, Nigeria

Background: In the past, the use of intrauterine contraceptive device (IUCD), in particular, Dalkon Shield was found to be associated with increased risk of pelvic infection. Recent literature illustrates that the risk of pelvic infection after insertion of an IUCD is low and that the risk peaks in the 1st month after insertion. We set out to determine the incidence of genital infection among IUCD users after the 1st and 3rd months of insertion compared to users of other contraceptive methods; to determine the risk of genital infections among IUCD users compared to users of other contraceptive methods and to determine the organisms associated with genital infection among the contraceptive users.Materials and Methods: This was a cohort study involving new clients who chose various forms of contraceptives.Results: The incidence of genital infection was 3 (8.5%) at 1 month and 4 (12.1%) at 3 months. The incidence in non‑IUCD contraceptive users was 2 (5.9%) at 1 month and 3 (8.8%) at 3 months. The relative risk was 1.44 and 1.5 at 1 and 3 months, respectively. The observed difference in the rate of infection between IUCD users and other contraceptive users was not statistically significant. Bacteria vaginosis and Trichomonas vaginalis were commonly observed in the two groups.Conclusion: The incidence of genital infection among IUCD users was relatively low compared to non‑IUCD users. IUCD s do not significantly increase the of rate genital infection.Keywords: Contraceptives; genital; infection; intrauterine contraceptive device; Nigeri

THE IMPORTANCE OF TRANSPERANCY IN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT FOR NATION BUILDING: An Expository Analysis from Islamic Thought

Sustainable development for nation building is not a new concept to Islam, sustainable development principles have existed for centuries in the Glorious Qur'an and the Hadith. However, sustainable development concept may have been recently adopted for government and civic society in Islamic world. The Islamic thought embraces that everything on earth is created for humanity and Allah's award to people. Islam allows the consumption of the natural environment without involving unnecessary destruction. Islamic thought views that human activities should support environment, and protection of people’s rights, and needs ensuring that human activities do not compromise the essentials of social, economic and natural systems either now or in the future. The aim of this study is to discover the application of Islam in sustainable development debate. Sustainable development in the context of Islamic concept is taken as an opportunity to refresh the relationship between human being and the nation building. This paper will also discuss the role of transparency and accountability in building good governance. With Iḥsan and Taqwa based on Iman, people can control, manage and report their actions, although there are no punishments or responsibility questions from others. The principles of transparency and accountability in the Qur’an guarantee social control and report, wide public participation, kind public service, self-honest, self-control and self-responsibility so that various forms of distortion such as corruption or discrimination can be avoided and controlled

Research trends in the field of Islamic Social Finance

This paper is a bibliometric study of the literature in Islamic social finance. The study analyses 595 articles, conference papers, and book chapters in Islamic social finance from 1991 to 2020 published in 262 Scopus indexed journals. The authors sourced the bibliographic data using the keywords “Islam and social finance,” “waqf,” “zakat,” “microfinance,” and variations thereof. This study is essential, especially in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic and the pandemic-induced economic disruption leading to increased global income and social inequalities, putting even more pressure on the SDGs funding gap. Novel solutions to plug the funding Gap are being sought, and recent literature has shown Islamic social finance’s potential as a solution to the SDG’s funding gap. The study finds that researchers in the field closely link Islamic social finance with sustainability and sustainable development concepts, as evidenced in keywords used by authors. We also find that Malaysia and Indonesia are leading the research in ISF. The study aims to map the field of Islamic social finance and provide a reference point for future researchers to identify the gaps in the literature and their role in enriching academic discourse in ISF to position Islamic finance appropriately in the sphere of development economics

Choice of specialization among female clinical medical students of Bayero University Kano, Nigeria

Background: The field of medicine is very wide; female medical students also have their choice of specialization which many develop in medical schools due to different factors.Methodology: It was a cross sectional study that was conducted among female clinical medical students of Bayero University Kano. Ethical approval was obtained from the hospital Ethical Committee. Questionnaire was administered to all consenting female students. Data were analysed by SPSS Electronic Software Version 18 (SPSS Inc, IL, Chicago, USA). A P value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results: Eighty five female medical students participated in the study. Mean (SD) age was 23.09 ± 1.8 years. Seventy two (84.70%) chose clinical medicine to be their future career while 13 (15.30%) were undecided. Only 15 (22.70%) decided to specialize in their career of choice. Obstetrics and Gynaecology was the most interested speciality of choice (30.80%). Most students were interested in the reward in working in the speciality 54 (68.40%) followed by interest in the clinical work 52 (65.80%). Many of the respondents 41 (49.4%) considered their career development as a priority in future career plans in practice location, and educational environment for children 40 (51.90%). Only 15 (18.00%) were keenly motivated to work in rural areas regardless of the duration of time.Conclusion: Female medical students preferred to be clinicians in their future career with obstetrics and gynaecology as the most interested speciality of choice. Their career development and educational environment for children were the priority in future career plans in practice location.Keywords: Choice of specialization; Female medical students; Kano; Nigeri

Effect of hormonal and copper IUDs on genital microbial colonisation and clinical outcomes in North-Western Nigeria

Background: Intrauterine devices are one of the popular long term reversible contraceptive methods. Earlier forms were associated with genital infections, however more recent types such copper IUDs and hormonal types have been shown to have better safety profile. However, there is no conclusive evidence to demonstrate that hormonal IUD is less associated with genital infection when compared with copper IUDs. The objectives include determination of prevalence of genital tract infections among IUD users, to determine the type of IUD that is less associated with genital infection, and also determine clinical features seen among IUD users.Methods: We conducted a descriptive, cross sectional study of clients who were at 6 months following IUD insertion. Endocervical and high vaginal samples were taken to isolate microbes.Results: The prevalence of genital tract infection was 20% in Copper IUD users and 8.6% among LNG-IUS users. Genital infection was significantly higher among copper IUD users compared to hormonal IUD users (p=0.038, OR= 2.88). Abnormal vaginal discharge was the commonest symptoms among IUD users and formal education was associated with less risk of genital infections (p=0.048).Conclusions: Hormonal IUDs are less associated with genital tract infection compared to copper IUDs and women with formal education are less likely to have genital infection among IUD users

Knowledge and acceptability of prenatal diagnosis among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in a tertiary health institution in Sokoto, Nigeria

Background: Technology and advances in research have made it possible for the fetus to become a patient whose illness can be investigated, diagnosed and treated in utero. The study was aimed at assessing the knowledge and acceptability of prenatal diagnosis among pregnant women.Methods: This was a cross-sectional study carried out between December 2016 and March, 2017. Pregnant women attending antennal care clinic at the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto (UDUTH) were recruited via convenient sampling method using semi-structured interviewer questionnaire.Results: A total of 417 pregnant women were interviewed. The mean maternal age was 28.35±5 years with a range between 17 to 45 years. Up to 188 (69.10%) had at least secondary school level of education. There was an overall poor knowledge of prenatal diagnosis, as 406 (97.36%) had little to no idea. There was statistically significant association between knowledge and educational status at p value- 0.0001. Majority, 353 (87.8%) will accept prenatal diagnosis if offered. There was also statistically significant association between educational status and acceptability as well as knowledge of prenatal diagnosis at p value- 0.001 and 0.001 respectively. The noninvasive method, ultrasound was the most preferred by the majority, 332 (84.3%). Termination of pregnancy as an option of management in fetal abnormality was acceptable by up to 2/3 (63.1%) of the respondents.Conclusions: The knowledge of prenatal diagnosis among the respondents was generally poor. The identifiable factor that determined knowledge and acceptability of prenatal diagnosis was level of education

Is Islamic Finance A Panacea for Global Economic Disruptions After COVID-19

The coronavirus pandemic has led to unprecedented financial and economic disruptions worldwide. Academic interest in the topic of COVID-19 outbreak has led to a rapid influx of publications on the subject matter from both Islamic and conventional finance and economy perspectives. This paper analyses the contributions of Islamic finance and economy (IFE) literature to the global discussion through a bibliometric analysis and literature review of publications on IFE and COVID-19 using the dimensions database. The paper investigates the role IFE research has played in providing solutions capable of addressing global challenges in the wake of the pandemic. The paper reveals that IFE has made efforts during the pandemic to mitigate the effect of the crisis and strengthen economies. But unlike after the 2008 global financial crisis, IFE is not focusing on global solutions and is more confined to localized country-specific solutions for recovery and resilience. The paper recommends repositioning IFE's academic focus towards tackling issues and providing solutions at a global scale

Perception and acceptability of bilateral tubal ligation among women attending antenatal clinic at Usmanu Danfodiyo university teaching hospital Sokoto

Background: Contraception can be defined as all temporary or permanent measures designed to prevent pregnancy. Bilateral tubal ligation is a surgical and permanent form of contraception offered to women who completed their family size or for limitation of family size due to medical condition. The practices of bilateral tubal ligation is limited in Sub-Saharan African countries, Nigeria inclusive because of great desire for a large family size, cultural and religious factors, misunderstanding and fear of the procedure. The aim of the study was to determine the perception and acceptability of bilateral tubal ligation as a form of contraception among women attending Antenatal clinic at Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital Sokoto.Methods: This was a cross sectional study conducted among women attending antenatal clinic between 1st of May to 31st of July, 2018. The information was obtained using a structured questionnaire to obtain the respondent’s socio-demographic characteristics, questions on perception and acceptability of bilateral tubal ligation. Data analysis was done with statistical package for social sciences version 22 (SPSS Inc, Chicago, IL, USA).Results: The study revealed that 73% of the respondents were aware of bilateral tubal ligation, but only 44% of them have good perception towards it. Majority of the respondents (63.8%) reject BTL for contraception. Most of their reasons were cultural believe (33.3%), regret (31.6%), religious believe (26.6%) and fear of surgery (8.5%).Conclusions: There was poor perception and low acceptability toward bilateral tubal ligation among the study population, mostly due to cultural and religious believes, as well as fear of regret, despite awareness of BTL among majority of the respondents

Obstructed labour at Usmanu Danfodiyo university teaching hospital Sokoto: a five-year review

Background: Obstructed labour is an obstetric emergency and one of the major causes of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality in the developing countries, Nigeria inclusive. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence, causes and feto-maternal outcome of cases of obstructed labour managed at Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital Sokoto from 1st January, 2014 to 31st December, 2018.Methods: This was a retrospective review of all cases of obstructed labour managed at Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital Sokoto over 5 years. List of cases managed during the study period was obtained and case notes were retrieved. Relevant information such as age, booking status, parity, educational status, address, causes, mode of delivery and both maternal and foetal outcomes were obtained from the case notes. Data analysis was done using statistical package for social sciences version 22 (SPSS Inc, Chicago, IL, USA).Results: A total two hundred and seventy-six cases of obstructed labour were managed out of the 15,452 total deliveries during the study period. This gives an obstructed labour prevalence of 1.79%. The major cause of obstructed labour identified in this study was Cephalopelvic disproportion (74.6%) and majority of the patients were delivered by emergency lower segment caesarean section (70.6%). Up to 32.3% of the patients had no maternal complications and also 42.3% of them had live birth with no fetal complication. However, 20.2% of these patients had ruptured uterus and 37.9% of them had still birth, while 19.8% had live birth complicated by birth asphyxia.Conclusions: This study has found that obstructed labour resulted in adverse maternal and perinatal outcome. Hence, there is need to prevent obstructed labour in order to avert this consequence

Assessing Performance of Resident Doctors in Training in Northwestern Nigeria

Background: Residency training is a postgraduate medical education where graduate doctors are mentored toward becoming   independent specialists. In Nigeria currently, the Medical Residency Training Act (MRTA) 2017 guides residency training under the regulation of three postgraduate medical colleges: the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria (NPMCN), West African College of Surgeons (WACS), and West African College of Physicians (WACP). For the respective colleges, resident doctors are expected to attempt Part One and Part Two fellowship examinations after completing their junior and senior residency training, respectively, within stipulated durations. Objectives: The aim of this study is to assess resident doctors’ performance in training and predictive factors. Methodology: Electronic  questionnaires was distributed to respondents through their contacts or emails. Data was collected within a period of one month, from July 10 to August 6, 2020. Data was analyzed using mean, standard deviation, simple tables as well as t‑test and Chi‑square test. The level of significance was set at 0.05 for decision purposes. Results: A total of 120 participants were involved in the study. The mean age of respondents was 38.0 ± 3.8 years, with a majority of 88 (83.3%) males and 107 (89.2%) married. On the first attempt, 48 (65.8%), 37 (60.6%), and 15 (57.7%) respondents were successful in NPMCN, WACS, and WACP Part One fellowship  examinations, respectively. There was no significant difference in the success in Part One between the three postgraduate medical  colleges. There was significant difference in the duration between the first attempt and success in Part One examinations for the three colleges, respectively (NPMCN – P = 0.001, WACS – P < 0.001, WACP – P = 0.036). Conclusion: There was a comparable success in Part One fellowship examination between the three postgraduate medical colleges, with over half of respondents recording success in their first attempt. However, there were significant delays between the first attempt and  success in Part One examination for the three postgraduate medical colleges. Keywords: Part One examination, performance, residency trainin