Women\u27s experiences of unwanted pregnancy and induced abortion in Nigeria

A population-based study was conducted to determine the prevalence and pattern of abortion use among women in two communities of Nigeria. The results show a high frequency of reports of unwanted pregnancy and induced abortion among the women. Furthermore they suggest that detailed information can be obtained on abortion in areas with restrictive laws if a sensitive approach to interviewing is adopted. The results presented in this report have implications as the Nigerian government begins designing a set of realistic policies and programs to address the high rate of morbidity and mortality associated with induced abortion in that country. The report includes policy recommendations based on the findings presented

Men's Role in Emergency Obstetric Care in Osun State of Nigeria

This study was conducted among the Yoruba of South-West Nigeria to examine the role of men in emergency obstetric care, as men determine whether and when their spouses visit health clinics in most cultures. Simple random sampling was used to select 900 households from three communities in Osun State, south-west Nigeria. Separate interviewers interviewed the man and his wife in each of the households. In polygamous families, two wives of reproductive age were also interviewed. The quantitative survey was complemented with a number of focus group discussions, in-depth interviews and key informant interviews. There was high level of awareness of emergency obstetric conditions by men, particularly in relation to pregnancy signs and labour pains (53.2%). Respondents reported that men play useful roles during their partner?s obstetric conditions (89.2%). Women take decisions on health-seeking behaviour during emergency obstetric conditions in the absence of the male partner. Education is found to be the major determinant of this change in male knowledge and behaviour. There is a need to further promote universal basic education in the country especially in areas where the observable change in this study has not been noted. There is also a need to extend the study to other zones in Nigeria in order to have a national picture. (Afr J Reprod Health 2005 2005; 9[3]:59-71

Adejuwon, “Antibiotics sensitivity patterns of escherichia coli and aerobacter aerogenes isolated from well water

Ten wells were arbitrarily chosen for study in Sabo area in Ile-Ife, Nigeria. The water samples were collected to estimate the extent of faecal pollution and the probable health hazard the use of these well waters can impound on the community. Coliform count was determined using the Most Probable Number (MPN) Technique. The indicator organisms in this study were Escherichia coli and Aerobacter aerogenes. Samples of water obtained from the wells were considered unsafe for human consumption, especially when used untreated, because they contain a high density of coliforms. Various morphological, cultural characteristics and biochemical tests were also carried out on the indicator organisms. E. coli was sensitive to cotrimoxazole, streptomycin, tetracycline, colistin, gentamicine and nalidixic acid but resistant to nitrofurantoin, ampicillin, cephalocidine, sulphafurazole, carbenicillin and sulfamethazole while Aerobacter aerogenes was sensitive to colistin, gentamicine and nitrofurontoin but resistant to the remaining antibiotics of the Gram negative disc. For the U4-disc, Escherichia coli was susceptible to colistin sulphate but resistant to all the other antibiotics. Aerobacter aerogenes was resistant to all the U4 antibiotics discs. It is recommended that a major programme which will intimate rural and urban dwellers of the sources, risk and consequences of water pollution and water-borne diseases should be carried out in the near future