A facility-based survey of maternal anti-tetanus vaccination schedule completion in a Nigerian university community

Background: Maternal anti-tetanus vaccination is required to prevent maternal and neonatal tetanus. In the absence of lifetime protective dosing, repeat vaccination in every new pregnancy is needed to achieve protection of the newborn against tetanus. Objectives: To determine maternal anti-tetanus vaccination schedule completion rates and the reasons for non-completion of the schedule. Methods: This cross-sectional survey was conducted among Nigerian antenatal clinic attendees using an interviewee-administered questionnaire. Results: Most (291/347; 83.9%) respondents had received a TT vaccine in the index pregnancy, and 280/347 (80.7%) received their first TT injection at the booking visit. In comparison, 202/238 (84.9%) of those eligible had received tetanus toxoid protective immunisation (TTPDI) in the index pregnancy. Although a majority (301/347; 86.7%) of the respondents had received at least a dose of TT in a previous pregnancy, only 23/246 (9.3%) eligible pregnant women had received complete vaccination (TT5). Parity (p<0.001) and ethnicity (0.013) were the main determinants of the maternal tetanus vaccination schedule (TT5) completion. However, the socio-demographic characteristics were similar for TTPDI. The commonest reason for non-completion was forgetfulness 172/218 (78.9%), and most (287/347; 89.1%) of the respondents wished to receive telephone reminders. Conclusions: Although neonatal tetanus protective dosing of TT in the current pregnancy was high, a low proportion of mothers completed the five doses recommended by the WHO for lifetime immunity

A core outcome set for pre‐eclampsia research: an international consensus development study

Objective To develop a core outcome set for pre‐eclampsia. Design Consensus development study. Setting International. Population Two hundred and eight‐one healthcare professionals, 41 researchers and 110 patients, representing 56 countries, participated. Methods Modified Delphi method and Modified Nominal Group Technique. Results A long‐list of 116 potential core outcomes was developed by combining the outcomes reported in 79 pre‐eclampsia trials with those derived from thematic analysis of 30 in‐depth interviews of women with lived experience of pre‐eclampsia. Forty‐seven consensus outcomes were identified from the Delphi process following which 14 maternal and eight offspring core outcomes were agreed at the consensus development meeting. Maternal core outcomes: death, eclampsia, stroke, cortical blindness, retinal detachment, pulmonary oedema, acute kidney injury, liver haematoma or rupture, abruption, postpartum haemorrhage, raised liver enzymes, low platelets, admission to intensive care required, and intubation and ventilation. Offspring core outcomes: stillbirth, gestational age at delivery, birthweight, small‐for‐gestational‐age, neonatal mortality, seizures, admission to neonatal unit required and respiratory support. Conclusions The core outcome set for pre‐eclampsia should underpin future randomised trials and systematic reviews. Such implementation should ensure that future research holds the necessary reach and relevance to inform clinical practice, enhance women's care and improve the outcomes of pregnant women and their babies

Lifestyle modification adherence among patients attending diabetes clinics in selected hospitals in Remo zone Ogun State, Nigeria: Lifestyle modification adherence

Objective: Lifestyle modification is an essential component of self-management of diabetes mellitus. This study assessed adherence to diet and exercise recommendations and elucidated the factors that influence adherence in patients living with diabetes. Method: A cross-sectional study involving 300 patients attending diabetes clinics in some selected hospitals in Ogun State, Nigeria. Structured questionnaires were used to obtain information on the socio-demographic characteristics, and PRECEDE factors of lifestyle-modification adherence in the study participants. Pearson’s correlation and Chi-square test were used to assess the association between the variables, while binary logistic regression was used to determine the predictors of adherence to dietary recommendations. Results: The mean age of the study respondents was 62.7 years. The proportion of respondents who adhered to dietary and exercise recommendations were 87.8% and 45.6% respectively. There were no statistically significant linear relationships between scores for each PRECEDE factor and scores for adherence to diet and exercise. Respondents’ age, body mass index, and duration of illness had a statistically significant association with adherence to diet (P< 0.001, P=0.021, and P=0.041 respectively). On logistic regression analysis, participants 60 years and older had a higher likelihood of adhering to dietary modification than younger participants [AOR=2.6, P < 0.001]. Conclusion: The adherence of patients living with diabetes to dietary recommendations was satisfactory while adherence to exercise recommendations was very poor. There is a need for health care workers, especially at the primary and secondary levels to implement strategies that will enhance reinforcing and enabling factors for exercise adherence

Asymptomatic genital infection among pregnant women in Sagamu, Nigeria.

Background: Untreated genital tract infections in pregnancy may be associated with adverse effects on foetal and maternal health leading to poor pregnancy outcome.Aim: The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence and microbial isolates associated with asymptomatic genital infectionsin pregnancy.Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study on 252 pregnant women attending their first antenatal clinic. Data on socio-demographic characteristics of study participants was recorded. Microbial culture was carried out on High Vaginal and Endocervical swab samples. Statistical analysis was done using IBM-SPSS Windows version 20.Results: The prevalence of asymptomatic genital infection was 44.8%. Multiparity had statistically significant association with increased prevalence of the condition. Candida albicans and Staphylococcus aureus were the most predominant microbial isolates. Erythromycin and Levofloxacin were the most sensitive antibiotics against the bacterial isolates.Conclusion: This prevalence of asymptomatic genital infectionsis high in pregnant women in Sagamu. It is recommended that routine screening and treatment of these infections should be included in the antenatal clinic services offered to pregnant women so as to prevent the adverse foetal and maternal effects associated with asymptomatic genital infections in pregnancy.Keywords: Genital infection, Pregnancy, Asymptomatic, Sagamu

Assessment of the role of SUBEB libraries in developing the reading skills of primary school pupils in Oyo state

This study investigated the role of SUBEB libraries in the development and promotion of reading skills among primary school pupils in Oyo State, Nigeria. The sample population drawn from SUBEB libraries located in the five local government areas in Ibadan Township, Oyo State. A total number of 135 copies of questionnaire were administered on the respondents out of which only 133 were found useful for the study. The major findings of the study revealed the inadequacy of reading promotion programmes in the SUBEB libraries selected for the study (113 or 91.1%). Though the study revealed regular use of the library (74 or 60.2%), the attitude of the pupils towards reading were found to be negative (82 or 66.7%) which may be due to the fact that there were no interesting and relevant books that can attract the pupils to reading in SUBEB libraries included in the survey. The lack of other reading promotion programmes such as story hours and readers’ club may also be responsible for the negative attitude of the pupils towards reading. The findings further revealed textbooks as the only library material that the pupils use most. The study suggested the mounting of programmes such as story hours and readers’ club in SUBEB libraries.Keywords: Reading skills, SUBEB libraries, Reading promotio

Malaria in pregnancy in Nigeria: Analysis of characteristics of women attending antenatal care in a tertiary facility

Malaria in pregnancy poses a very serious risk to both the woman and her unborn child. Many factors may moderate the  occurrence of malaria. This study seeks to assess the intrinsic factors associated with malaria in pregnancy.This was a  retrospective study of 880 women who attended antenatal clinic at Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH), Sagamu, Ogun State, Nigeria. Bivariate analysis was used to determine association between demographic and hematologic characteristics, and the occurrence of malaria parasitaemia. The prevalence of Malaria parasitaemia was 49.8%. Pregnant women less than 20 years of age, nulliparous women, those with blood group A and Rhesus negative status had increased risk of malaria in pregnancy. Malaria control measures that target these groups of women would have the desired maximum impact.Keywords: Malaria, Parasitaemia, Pregnancy, Risk factor

Asymptomatic Urinary Tract Infection among Pregnant Women in Sagamu, Nigeria

A cross-sectional study involving 201 pregnant women with no symptoms and/or clinical signs of urinary tract infection who attended antenatal booking clinic of Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu Nigeria. The two hundred and one pregnant women were examined for asymptomatic bacteriuria, 34 (16.9%) had positive urine culture for significant bacteriuria and 12 (5.9%) had candiduria. There were statistically significant associations between bacteriuria and age (p=0.018), educational level (p=0.019) and occupation (p=0.008). The most prevalent bacterial isolate was Staphylococcus aureus (47.1%) and least cultured isolate was Escherichia coli (5.9%). Cotrimoxazole and ofloxacin were the most sensitive antimicrobial agents while Nitrofurantoin was the least sensitive. The prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria among women attending antenatal care in Sagamu is still high (16.9%) and this underscores the need for routine antenatal screen for all pregnant women at least on the first antenatal visit.Keywords: Urinary tract infection, Asymptomatic bacteriuria, Pregnant women, Age, Educational level, Occupation, Sagamu