Domestic Violence: The Pre‑ and Post‑diagnosis Experience of Women Living with HIV in a Rural Community in Northwest Nigeria

Background: Domestic violence (DV) is a fundamental human right problem. Stigma and discrimination increase the incidence and affects care. Objectives: This study aimed at determining the prevalence, types of DV pre‑ and post‑diagnosis of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV),perpetrators, and the response to it in a rural community in Northwest Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A descriptive and cross‑sectional study of 261 women was done. The sample was selected by proportionate allocation and systematic sampling. Data of respondents were obtained employing an interviewer‑administered questionnaire. The analysis was done using Chi‑square, Fishers exact, and McNemar’s tests. Results: Less than one‑quarter of respondents, 60 (23.0%) and 62 (23.8%), had experienced at least one form of DV pre ‑ and post‑diagnosis, respectively. The types observed were mainly verbal (44/60 [73.4] and 55/62 [88.7]) and psychological (43/60 [71.6%] and 40/62 [64.5%]) pre‑ and post‑diagnosis, respectively. The difference in the experience of DV pre‑ and post‑diagnosiss was not statistically significant. Majority of the perpetrators were the current husband (n = 37; 59.7%) and siblings (n = 9; 14.5%); educational level and occupation were significantly associated with the occurrence of DV (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Although the prevalence of DV among women living with HIV was high, the pre‑ and post‑diagnoses of violence experienced were the same. DV should be included as part of the care and management of this group of women. Keywords: Domestic violence, human immunodeficiency virus, Nigeria, wome

Antenatal blood donation: Perception of pregnant women in a rural community northwest Nigeria

Background: Reduction of maternal mortality from Obstetric haemorrhage requires a multipronged approach; however, availability of safe blood and transfusion is essential to it. Objectives: To evaluate pregnant women perception towards blood donation by their relatives/spouses for them during antenatal period and attitude towards compulsory blood donation. Method: A cross-sectional study using an interviewer-administered semi-structured pretested questionnaire was used to assess the perception of pregnant women to blood donation by their relatives/partner during antenatal care. The data was analysed using SPSS. Result: Four hundred respondents, ages ranged from15 - 45 years with a mean of 30.9 ± 5.80 years and parity ranged from 0 -12 with a median of 24(Interquartile range of 25,20;50, 24; 75, 29.8 ). Three hundred and eighty-six (96.5%) were married; 258 (64.5%) knew that they may need blood during childbirth of which 228 (88.4%) would rely on their relatives/partners to donate the blood. Three hundred and thirty-two (83.0%) were willing to ask their partners /relatives to donate blood for them during antenatal care, while 68(17.0%) opposed it for various reasons. Occupation, marital status, parity and age were found to be statistically significant(X2= 24.8 P = 0.0001; X2 = 8.18, P =0.0004 ; X2=15.39 P= 0.000 and X2= 22.14 P= 0.0001 respectively) Conclusion: Majority of the respondents were aware that they may require blood during pregnancy or childbirth for which they believed that their partners/relatives would donate blood for them if requested to do so; although one –fifth would rather wait until the need arises. Knowledge of voluntary blood donation is poor among the respondents. Public enlightenment would help to address these gaps

Teething myths among nursing mothers in North-Western Nigeria

Background: Teething has over the years been associated with complains of systemic symptoms from parents, and at times are over treated by health-care professionals. This study seeks to determine common teething complaints reported by nursing mothers. Materials and Methods: This study was multicenter involving 224 nursing mothers. It was cross-sectional and questionnaire-based relevant information collected were: The socio demographic characteristics, knowledge of teething and myths associated with teething, and the attitude of nursing mothers toward the use of teething remedies. Results: Two hundred and three (90.62%) of them believed teething caused symptoms; common complaints that were attributed to teething by mothers were diarrhea, vomiting, increased salivation; however, fever was the predominant complaint, and their parents were the most common source of information on teething in 50% of them, while only a mother (0.4%) was informed on the process of teething at the hospital. Furthermore, the number of children did not affect the desire to seek for medical care for teething symptoms. Common remedies used were as follows: 59 (26.3%) nursing mothers used teething syrup, 43 (19.2%) nursing mothers used teething powder, 16 (7.2%) of them used traditional herbs while 8(3.6%) of them used multiple preparations; however 91 (40.6%) of them did not use any remedy. One hundred and seven (47.8%) of the mothers believed that these remedies worked, 67 (29.9%) of them disagreed while 50 (22.3%) were not sure of their efficacy. Conclusion: Parents should be educated on normal expectations of the teething process; and not to undermine the seriousness of illnesses erroneously attributed to teething

Scaling up Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission of HIV Infection to Primary Health Facilities in Nigeria: Findings from Two Primary Health Centres in Northwest Nigeria

Nigeria is scaling up prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV interventions to primary health care centres (PHCs). This retrospective study of PMTCT was at two PHCs in Northwest Nigeria with the main outcome measure being HIV infection rate of exposed infants at 6 weeks of life. Of 10,289 women who had antenatal HIV test, 74 had positive results. This gave a prevalence of 0.7%. The uptake of antenatal (99.8%) and intrapartum (97.3%) tests was high at both centres. 30% of HIV infected mothers and 25% of exposed infants were lost to follow-up (LFU). Most women (85.7%) had highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and vaginal delivery (98%). Perinatal mortality rate was 66/1000 births and 95.3% of exposed infants had negative HIV-DNA polymerase reaction test at 6 weeks of life. Despite a high LFU, a new vista has been opened to attaining a zero infection rate.Le Nigeria intensifie la prévention de la transmission de la mère à l’enfant (PTME) des interventions du VIH dans des centres de soins de santé primaire (CSSP). Cette étude rétrospective de la PTME était à deux CSSP dans le nord-ouest du Nigeria, ayant comme le principal critère de jugement le taux d'infection chez des nourrissons exposés à 6 semaines de vie. Sur 10 289 femmes qui avaient subi l’analyse prénatale pour détecter le VIH, 74 ont eu des résultats positifs. Cela a donné une prévalence de 0,7%. L'absorption des soins prénatals (99,8%) et (97,3%) des analyses des intra-partum étaient élevées dans les deux centres. 30% des mères infectées par le VIH et 25% des nourrissons exposés ont été perdus au suivi (LFU). La plupart des femmes (85,7 %) ont eu un traitement antirétroviral hautement actif (TARTHA) et l'accouchement vaginal (98%). Le taux de mortalité périnatale était de 66/1000 naissances et 95,3 % des nourrissons exposés avaient subi l’analyse de réaction de polymérase ADN-VIH négatif à 6 semaines de vie. Malgré une forte LFU, une nouvelle perspective a été ouverte pour atteindre un taux d'infection zéro