Awareness and Utilization of Family Planning Methods among Mothers of Under-Fives in Gindiri, North-Central Nigeria.

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Awareness and Utilization of Family Planning Methods among Mothers of Under-Fives in Gindiri, North-Central Nigeria

Introduction: Interactions between Tuberculosis (TB) and Human Immuno-deficiency Virus (HIV) infection influence the design and background Family planning is an important preventive measure against maternal and child morbidity and mortality. This study was aimed at determining the awareness and utilization of family planning methods among mothers of under-fives.Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study involving 165 mothers that brought their children to the clinic for immunization. A semi- structured interviewer administered questionnaires were used to obtain data. These were analyzed using Epi info version 3.2.3Result: One hundred and fifty two respondents (92%) were aware of family planning methods and knew at least one method or the other. The common family planning methods that respondents were aware of included injectables (77.6 %), daily oral pills (70.3 %) and male condoms (62.4 %). The hospital (73.9%) was their major source of information. Sixty seven respondents (40.6 %) were using one form of family planning or the other  before their last child birth. The common methods used were injectables (47.8 %) and daily oral pills (22.4 %) among others. The places patronized for the services were mainly Government hospitals (86%) followed by chemists and private clinics. Proximity to home and perceived staff competence were major reasons for patronage of such places. Among nonusers of the services, desire for more children, fear of side effects and partner's opposition to it were their major constraints to utilization.Conclusion: High awareness regarding family planning methods did not commensurately translate to utilization of services. The constraints to utilization should be addressed. These should include programmes that would sensitize and promote men's involvement and participation in family planning services as well as enlightenment campaign that would allay the people's fears regarding side effects.Keywords: Awareness, Utilization, Family planning methods, mothers of underfives, North Central Nigeria

Socio-Demographic Characteristics Of Adults Screened For Hiv/Aids In A Rural Community In Benue State, Nigeria

Background: Benue state has been considered among the ‘hot zones’ for HIV/AIDS in Nigeria with a prevalence rate of 9.3 among adults aged 15 to 45 years. Yet, there is paucity of information on the socio-demographic factors associated with this level of prevalence. We hereby report the prevalence and socio-demographic factors associated with HIV among adults in Abwa-Mbagene, Benue state, Nigeria.Methods: Adults in Abwa-Mbagene community who accepted to participate between 9th and 24th of August 2007 were recruited. After counselling, screening was done using ‘Determine HIV’ kit.Results: 153 subjects (74 males and 79 females) were recruited. Their age ranges from 15 to 60 years (Mean: 26.2years). Fourty-two (27.5%) consisting of 12 (16.2%) males and 30 (38%) females were positive for HIV (male to female ratio, 2:5). The prevalence of HIV was higher among the divorcees (50%); those whose level of education was primary school (41.3%) and below and; farmers (60%). Majority (96%) knows AIDS exists, 85% are informed on mode and prevention of HIV transmission. Cases of AIDS deaths, unprotected casual sex, blood transfusion with unscreened blood and polygamy are common in the community. The single most important cultural factors in HIV transmission identified is indulgence in night parties, which increased the rate of unprotected casual sex.Conclusion: This community represents a high HIV/AIDS prevalence spot in Benue State, Nigeria. There is therefore the need for the establishment of HIV Counselling and Testing (HCT), Prevention of Mother-To-Child Transmission (PMTCT), save blood and antiretroviral treatment services in the community. Vocational centers to engage single women and improve their financial state will boost preventive strategies. Finally, partnership with community leaders towards discouraging night parties will reduce the prevalence of HIV in the community

Prognostic Significance Of QT Interval Prolongation In Adult Nigerians With Chronic Heart Failure.

Prognostic survival studies for heart-rate corrected QT interval in patients with chronic heart failure are few; although these patients are known to have a high risk of sudden cardiac death. This study was aimed at determining the mortality risk associated with prolonged QTc in Nigerians with heart failure. Ninety-six consecutive patientswith heart failurewere recruitedwith 90 age and sexmatched controls.All the subjects had a 12-lead electrocardiogramat a paper speed of 25mm/sec and a rhythm strip (lead II) at 50mm/sec.The latterwas used to calculate theQTc using the Bazett\'s formula. Left ventricular systolic and diastolic functions were assessed using 2D guided M-mode and Doppler echocardiogram respectively.Theywere followed-up for sixmonths. Ninety-one patients and 90 controls completed the study. Five patients were lost to follow-up. The mean age (51.9±16 years) of the patientswas similar to that of the controls (50.3±15) (P= 0.475).Twenty-eight (30.8%) patients died after 6months of follow-up against none of the controls.The mean QTc was significantly longer in the non-survivors (0.494±0.027) than in the survivors (0.462±0.035) (P = 0.0001). The percentage mortality in patients with prolonged QTc against those with normal QTc was 41% and 14% respectively (P = 0.001). In the stepwise regression analysis, QTc was an independent predictor of mortality (R = 0.412, R = 0.17, P= 0.001). QTc prolongation is a predictor of mortality in CHF and may be an important adjunct in risk stratification of patientswith heart failure. Keywords: Chronic Heart Failure, QTc Prolongation, Mortality Nigerian Journal of Clinical Practice Vol. 11 (4) 2008: pp. 336-34

Assessing effects of a media campaign on HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention in Nigeria: results from the VISION Project

BACKGROUND: In response to the growing HIV epidemic in Nigeria, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) initiated the VISION Project, which aimed to increase use of family planning, child survival, and HIV/AIDS services. The VISION Project used a mass-media campaign that focused on reproductive health and HIV/AIDS prevention. This paper assesses to what extent program exposure translates into increased awareness and prevention of HIV/AIDS. METHODS: This analysis is based on data from the 2002 and 2004 Nigeria (Bauchi, Enugu, and Oyo) Family Planning and Reproductive Health Surveys, which were conducted among adults living in the VISION Project areas. To correct for endogeneity, two-stage logistic regression is used to investigate the effect of program exposure on 1) discussion of HIV/AIDS with a partner, 2) awareness that consistent condom use reduces HIV risk, and 3) condom use at last intercourse. RESULTS: Exposure to the VISION mass media campaign was high: 59%, 47%, and 24% were exposed to at least 1 VISION radio, printed advertisement, or TV program about reproductive health, respectively. The differences in outcome variables between 2002 baseline data and the 2004 follow-up data were small. However, those with high program exposure were almost one and a half (Odds Ratio [O.R.] = 1.47, 95% Confidence Interval [C.I.] 1.01–2.16) times more likely than those with no exposure to have discussed HIV/AIDS with a partner. Those with high program exposure were over twice (O.R. = 2.20, C.I. 1.49–3.25) as likely as those with low exposure to know that condom use can reduce risk of HIV infection. Program exposure had no effect on condom use at last sex. CONCLUSION: The VISION Project reached a large portion of the population and exposure to mass media programs about reproductive health and HIV prevention topics can help increase HIV/AIDS awareness. Programs that target rural populations, females, and unmarried individuals, and disseminate information on where to obtain condoms, are needed to reduce barriers to condom use. Improvements in HIV/AIDS prevention behaviour are likely to require that these programmatic efforts be continued, scaled up, done in conjunction with other interventions, and targeted towards individuals with specific socio-demographic characteristics

Sexual behavior and experience of sexual coercion among secondary school students in three states in North Eastern Nigeria

BACKGROUND: Interest in the reproductive health of adolescents continues to grow throughout the world. Few studies had explored the reproductive health knowledge, sexual behavior and experience of sexual coercion among secondary school students in North Eastern states of Nigeria. The objectives of this descriptive survey were to collect data to plan appropriate interventions that meet the reproductive health knowledge, service and skills needs of students in Bauchi, Borno and Gombe states. METHODS: Face-to-face interviews were conducted for 624 consenting students who were randomly selected from eighteen secondary schools using an 83-item structured questionnaire. Data were collected on demographic profile, reproductive health knowledge, sexual behavior and experience of sexual coercion. RESULTS: The mean age of the respondents was 16.5 years. There were slightly more males (52%) than females (48%). Students' knowledge about reproductive health was generally low even though girls had better knowledge than boys. Thirteen percent of the entire students had had sexual experience; significantly more males (19%) than females (6%) had done so (p < 0.001). Among boys the age at sexual debut ranged from 10–26 with a mean of 15.7 and median of 16. By contrast, the age at first sex among girls ranged from 10 to 18 years with a mean and median of 16.1 and 17 years respectively. Only 24% of those who were sexually active used a condom during their last sexual encounter. Overall 11% of the students reported that they had been tricked into having sex, 9% had experienced unwanted touch of breast and backside, and 5% reported rape. CONCLUSION: Students low reproductive health knowledge and involvement in risky sexual activities predispose them to undesirable reproductive health outcomes