Factors influencing the usage of different types of malaria prevention methods during pregnancy in Kenya

Background: In sub-Saharan Africa, malaria is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, which, during pregnancy, is associated with adverse health outcomes for both mother and foetus. Utilization of Insecticide Treated Nets (ITNs) and Intermittent Preventive Therapy (IPTp) is advocated to prevent malaria during pregnancy.Objective: To examine factors which influence the use of different types of malaria prevention methods among pregnant women in Kenya.Methods: This study used 2008-09 Kenya Demographic and Health survey. Pregnant women aged 15-49 years were included (622 women). Distribution of the study population was assessed in frequency tables. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was employed.Results: Fifty-two percent of women used ITNs and 38.5% reported uptake of IPTp. In multivariate analysis age, malaria risk areas, religion, education and income influenced ITN usage, whereas only age, malaria risk areas and marital status were found to influence IPTP uptake.Conclusions: ITN use and IPTp uptake were well below the 80% Kenya Malaria Strategy 2006 target. In an effort to increase uptake it is vital for future research to understand reasons for low usage and uptake of malaria prevention programmes so as to enable policy-makers to make informed decisions.Keywords: Malaria prevention methods, Pregnancy, Keny

Correlates of unintended pregnancy among currently pregnant married women in Nepal

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Women living in every country, irrespective of its development status, have been facing the problem of unintended pregnancy. Unintended pregnancy is an important public health issue in both developing and developed countries because of its negative association with the social and health outcomes for both mothers and children. This study aims to determine the prevalence and the factors influencing unintended pregnancy among currently pregnant married women in Nepal.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>This paper reports on data drawn from Nepal Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) which is a nationally representative survey. The analysis is restricted to currently pregnant married women at the time of survey. Association between unintended pregnancy and the explanatory variables was assessed in bivariate analysis using Chi-square tests. Logistic regression was used to assess the net effect of several independent variables on unintended pregnancy.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>More than two-fifth of the currently pregnant women (41%) reported that their current pregnancy was unintended. The results indicate that age of women, age at first marriage, ideal number of children, religion, exposure to radio and knowledge of family planning methods were key predictors of unintended pregnancy. Experience of unintended pregnancy augments with women's age (odds ratio, 1.11). Similarly, increase in the women's age at first marriage reduces the likelihood of unintended pregnancy (odds ratio, 0.93). Those who were exposed to the radio were less likely (odds ratio, 0.63) to have unintended pregnancy compared to those who were not. Furthermore, those women who had higher level of knowledge about family planning methods were less likely to experience unintended pregnancy (odds ratio, 0.60) compared to those having lower level of knowledge.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>One of the important factors contributing to high level of maternal and infant mortality is unintended pregnancy. Programs should aim to reduce unintended pregnancy by focusing on all these identified factors so that infant and maternal mortality and morbidity as well as the need for abortion are decreased and the overall well-being of the family is maintained and enhanced.</p

Gender-related power differences, beliefs and reactions towards people living with HIV/AIDS: an urban study in Nigeria

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Although there are an increasing number of studies on HIV-related stigma in Nigeria, very little research has focused on how power differences based on gender perpetuate the stigmatization of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) and how these gender differences affect the care that PLWHA receive in health care institutions. We explore gender-related beliefs and reactions of society, including health care professionals (HCPs), with regard to PLWHA, using Connell's theoretical framework of gender and power (1987). With Connell's structural theory of gender and power (financial inequality, authority and structure of social norms), we can describe gender differences in stigmatization of PLWHA.</p> <p>Method</p> <p>We conducted in-depth semi-structured interviews, lasting 60 to 90 minutes, with 100 persons (40 members of the general public, 40 HCPs and 20 PLWHA) in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. The interviews were tape-recorded and transcribed verbatim. The Nvivo 7 computer package was used to analyze the data.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>There are similarities and differences between the general public and HCPs towards PLWHA in gender-related beliefs and reactions. For instance, although association with promiscuity and power differences were commonly acknowledged in the different groups, there are differences in how these reactions are shown; such as HCPs asking the female PLWHA to inform their partners to ensure payment of hospital bills. Women with HIV/AIDS in particular are therefore in a disadvantaged position with regard to the care they receive.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Despite the fact that men and women with HIV/AIDS suffer the same illness, clear disparities are apparent in the negative reaction women and men living with HIV/AIDS experience in society. We show that women's generally low status in society contributes to the extreme negative reactions to which female PLWHA are subject. The government should create policies aimed at reducing the power differences in family, society and health care systems, which would be important to decrease the gender-related differences in stigma experienced by PLWHA. Interventions should be directed at the prevailing societal norms through appropriate legislation and advocacy at grassroots level with the support of men to counter laws that put women in a disadvantaged position. Furthermore, development of a policy that encourages equality in access to health care for all patients with HIV/AIDS by applying the same conditions to both men and women in health care institutions is recommended. There is a need to protect women's rights through implementing support policies, including paying attention to gender in the training of HCPs.</p

The effect of Telfaira occidentalis(fluted pumpkin) extract on the photostress recovery time (psrt) of young Nigerian adults

Telfaira Occidentalis (fluted pumpkin) is a vital source of plant vitamin, Zinc and a food antioxidant. The study was designed to determine the effect of Telfaira Occidentalis (T. Occidentalis) extract on the photo-stress recovery time (PSRT) of young Nigerian adults. The PSRT of forty subjects was determined before and after the ingestion of 180ml of the extract in three divide doses of 60ml daily for three days, using photic radiation from an ophthalmoscope on subjects who has a minimum PSRT of 30 seconds (secs). The post-test was measured at 24hrs interval for a period of 72hrs (3days). The results showed reduction in the mean baseline PRST value (48.56secs). The induced values were 45.30secs, 40.67secs, and 35.38secs at 24hrs, 48hrs and 72hrs respectively. This showed a percentage reduction of 6.49%, 16.25% and 26.73% per 24hrs interval.The effect was found to be insignificant (

Susceptibility Pattern of a Clinical Isolate of Staphylococcus aureus to the Combined Activity of a Herbal Preparation of Azadirachta indica and Some Antibiotics

Purpose: To investigated the in vitro antimicrobial interaction between the crude water extract of Azadirachta indica and some standard antibiotics; doxycycline, gentamicin, streptomycin, erythromycin, ciprofloxacin, and norfloxacin. Methods: The in vitro interactions were evaluated using a combination of agar diffusion and Checkerboard techniques against Staphylococcus aureus as test microorganism. Results: There were synergistic interactions between the crude extract (0.1 mg/ml or 0.25mg/ml extract) and all the antibiotics used except tetracycline in the agar diffusion technique (p< 0.05). In the Checkerboard technique, fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) index reveal that the crude extract were synergistic with either tetracycline (1:9), streptomycin (1:9, 9:1), ciprofloxacin (2:8, 5:5) or norfloxacin (2:8, 6:4). Conclusion: There is a possible beneficial clinical application of the co-administration of doxycycline, gentamicin, streptomycin, erythromycin, ciprofloxacin or norfloxacin and the crude extract of A. indica in the treatment of infections caused by S. aureus. However, unguided concomitant usage may result in therapeutic failure. Keywords: Staphylococcus aureus, interaction, antibiotics, FIC inde

In Vitro Antimicrobial Evaluation of Lozenges Containing Extract of Garlic and Ginger

Purpose: The present work is an antimicrobial evaluation of lozenge dosage forms containing garlic and ginger extract. Methods: Lozenges containing pulverized garlic and ginger were produced by the moulding method and was evaluated against oropharyngeal microbial isolates after time-release in a normal saline-saliva sink solution. The solution was withdrawn at different intervals and screened for antimicrobial activities using the agar diffusion method against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans. Nystatin tablets were used as standard. Results: There was inhibition of growth by Nystatin tablet but garlic-ginger combination only inhibited growth of laboratory strains of C. albicans. Conclusion: The result of this study showed that the garlic and ginger can be formulated into lozenges and used in nonresistant oral thrush.Keywords: Antimicrobial evaluation, Lozenges, Garlic extract, Ginger extract, Oral thrush

Impact of male partner’s awareness and support for contraceptives on female intent to use contraceptives in southeast Nigeria

Despite the growing body of evidence on use of modern contraceptives among women in sub-Saharan African countries, little is known about the broader context in which female decision-making concerning contraceptive use occurs, particularly the role of their male partners’ awareness and support of modern contraceptives

Fostering accurate HIV/AIDS knowledge among unmarried youths in Cameroon: Do family environment and peers matter?

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The last three decades have seen a series of HIV interventions in sub-Saharan Africa. However, youths still have a mixture of correct and incorrect HIV/AIDS knowledge of transmission routes and prevention strategies. Previous studies have identified parents and peers as the most important socializing agents for youths. This paper assesses the relationships between family structure, family/peer communication about sexuality and accurate knowledge of transmission routes and prevention strategies.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Data were drawn from the Cameroon Family Life and Health Survey (CFHS) conducted in 2002. The CFHS collected information on a representative sample of 4 950 people aged 10 years and over nested within 1 765 selected households from the 75 localities forming the administrative prefecture of Bandjoun, using detailed questionnaires about family, HIV/AIDS/STDs knowledge, sexual behaviors, contraception, health, media exposure, household assets and neighborhood characteristics. The survey cooperation rates were high (97%). For the purpose of this study, a sub-sample of 2 028 unmarried youths aged 12 - 29 years was utilized.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Overall, 42% of respondents reported accurate knowledge of documented HIV transmission routes whereas 21% of them had inaccurate knowledge such as AIDS can be transmitted through mosquito bites or casual contact with an infected person. Only 9% of respondents were knowledgeable about all HIV prevention strategies. Multivariate analyses showed that family structure, communication with parents/guardians and peers about sexual topics were significantly associated with accurate HIV knowledge. Additionally, age, education, sexual experience and migration had significant effects on accurate knowledge. Finally, living in poor households and disadvantaged neighborhoods significantly increased inaccurate knowledge of HIV transmission modes and prevention strategies.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This paper evidenced the limited effects of HIV interventions/programmes in sub-Saharan Africa. Indeed, few respondents reported accurate knowledge about HIV transmission routes and prevention strategies. Findings showed that the role of family environment as source of accurate HIV knowledge transmission routes and prevention strategies is of paramount significance; however, families have been poorly integrated in the design and implementation of the first generation of HIV interventions. There is an urgent need that policymakers work together with families to improve the efficiency of these interventions. Peer influences is likely controversial because of the double positive effect of peer-to-peer communication on both accurate and inaccurate knowledge of HIV transmission routes.</p