Contraceptive prevalence and preference in a cohort of south–east Nigerian women

John Okafor Egede,1 Robinson Chukwudi Onoh,1 Odidika Ugochukwu Joannes Umeora,1 Chukwuemeka Anthony Iyoke,2 Ikechukwu Benedict Okechukwu Dimejesi,1 Lucky Osaheni Lawani1 1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria; 2Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu, Nigeria Background: Rates of fertility, population growth, and maternal deaths in Nigeria are among the highest in the world, with an estimated 4% of all births being unwanted and 7% mistimed. These are caused mainly by nonuse, inappropriate choice, and difficulty in accessing contraceptive commodities. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and factors influencing the choice and sources of contraceptive options among market women in Ebonyi State, Nigeria.Methods: This was a questionnaire-based, cross-sectional, descriptive study involving 330 market women of reproductive age in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria. A survey was carried out to identify their knowledge, use, and sources of contraception and the factors that influence their contraceptive practices.Results: Knowledge of contraception was high (275 [83.3%]), and 229 (69.4%) of the study population approved of contraceptive use. However, only 93 (28.3%) of the respondents were currently using any form of contraception. Fifty-four women (16.3%) were using modern methods. The commonly used forms of modern contraception were the barrier method (male condoms, 27 [8.2%]), the oral contraceptive pill (10 [3.0%]), injectables (8 [2.5%]), and the intrauterine contraceptive device (7 [2.0%]). The most common source of contraceptive products was patent medicine dealers (58 [51%]). The main barriers to use of contraception were desire for more children (86 [26.1%]), religious prohibition (62 [18.8%]), spousal disapproval (32 [9.7%]), and the perceived side effects of modern contraceptives (25 [7.6%]). There was a significant association for approval of contraception when the model was adjusted for religion (odds ratio [OR] 0.39, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.18–0.84; P=0.02); educational status (OR 2.84, 95% CI 0.96–8.40; P=0.04); parity (OR 1.78, 95% CI 1.09–2.85; P=0.03); and social class (OR 2.54, 95% CI 1.26–5.11; P=0.01).Conclusion: There is good knowledge about contraception among Nigerian women, but use of these products is low. The main barriers to use of contraception are the desire for more children, religious prohibition, and spousal disapproval. Keywords: barrier method, contraceptive methods, market women, Nigeria, prevalenc

The Prevalence of Osteoporosis among Antenatal Clinic Attendees in a Rural Mission Hospital in South‑East Nigeria

Introduction: Osteoporosis is a global public health problem characterizedby reduction of bone mineral density (BMD). This study aimed to assess theprevalence of osteoporosis among antenatal clinic attendees in a rural Southeasternhospital. Material and Methods: This was a cross‑sectional study of bookingAntenatal Clinic Attendees at Mile 4 Catholic Hospital, Abakaliki, between October2014 and February 2015. The study participants were selected through systematicrandom sampling. The BMD of the right calcaneal bone of the participants wasmeasured using the OsteoPro, a Quantitative ultrasound scan. Results: A total of327 eligible women participated in the study. The average age of the participantswas 29 ± 4.5 years. The average parity was 2 ± 1.6 childbirths. The mean T‑scorewas −1.19 ± 4.9. Osteoporosis and osteopenia were recorded in 119 women (36.4%)and 56 women (17.1%), respectively, whereas 152 (46.5%) were within normalrange. History of regular exercise by the respondents is statistically significant onthe reduction of osteopenia and osteoporosis (P ≤ 0.05). The history of ever use ofcalcium supplementation by the study participants in the index pregnancy did nothave any significant effect on the reduction of osteoporosis. Conclusion: There isa high prevalence of osteoporosis among pregnant women in Southeast Nigeria.This may be due to the predominant poor adherence and low dose of calciumsupplementation among pregnant women in this environment. Therefore, there is anurgent need for sensitization on this public health problem.Keywords: Antenatal women, calcaneal bone, osteopenia, osteoporosis, osteoPro,Southeast Nigeri