Focused antenatal care acceptance in northeastern region of Nigeria: clients' perspective.

Antenatal care is the medical care of the woman during pregnancy to ensure healthy outcomes for both mother and the baby. World Health Organization (WHO) recommended adoption of a new model of ANC known as Focused Ante-Natal Care (FANC), with four clinic visits during pregnancy for all the women in low risk category. Pregnant women who are at low risk of complication form about 75% of all pregnant women Objectives: The objective of the study was to determine acceptance of Focused Antenatal Care among antenatal clinic attendees in health institutions in northeastern Nigeria. Materials And Method: Focused group discussion was used as a qualitative method of data collection in 6 different health facilities. Results: Majority of the clients preferred the FANC to the old method of ANC. Some clients had already started cutting the number of ANC visits in their own way by late presentation during pregnancy. Such practices may contribute negatively to early detection and prevention of diseases during pregnancies. Conclusion: It is therefore highly recommended to fast track governments efforts towards commencement of FANC as recommended by the WHO in all the health facilities in the region in particular and the whole Nigerian nation in general

HIV treatment is associated with a twofold higher probability of raised triglycerides: pooled analyses in 21 023 individuals in sub-Saharan Africa

Background Anti-retroviral therapy (ART) regimes for HIV are associated with raised levels of circulating triglycerides (TGs) in western populations. However, there are limited data on the impact of ART on cardiometabolic risk in sub-Saharan African (SSA) populations. Methods Pooled analyses of 14 studies comprising 21 023 individuals, on whom relevant cardiometabolic risk factors (including TG), HIV and ART status were assessed between 2003 and 2014, in SSA. The association between ART and raised TG (>2.3 mmol/L) was analysed using regression models. Findings Among 10 615 individuals, ART was associated with a two-fold higher probability of raised TG (RR 2.05, 95% CI 1.51–2.77, I2 = 45.2%). The associations between ART and raised blood pressure, glucose, HbA1c, and other lipids were inconsistent across studies. Interpretation Evidence from this study confirms the association of ART with raised TG in SSA populations. Given the possible causal effect of raised TG on cardiovascular disease (CVD), the evidence highlights the need for prospective studies to clarify the impact of long term ART on CVD outcomes in SS

Methods of Induction of Labour at the University Of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Maiduguri: A 4-Year Review

Background: Induction of labour is an important intervention in obstetrics. Misoprostol is increasingly being used for induction of labour in many obstetric units and it may replace the traditional Foleys catheter/oxytocin protocol. Method: This was a retrospective study of the 3 methods of induction of labour used at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH). A total of 468 women had induction of labour during the study period. Two hundred and twenty eight of them had induction with 50μg of misoprostol, 57 women had 100μg of misoprostol while 183 women had extra-amniotic Foleys catheter with oxytocin infusion. Result: Induction of labour constituted 6.6% (468/7086) of all deliveries during the study period. The commonest indication for induction of labour was prolonged pregnancy in 46.8%, followed by pregnancy induced hypertension in 33.5%. There was no difference in the achievement of vaginal delivery between the 3 methods of induction of labour (x2=1.13, p=0.57). The mean induction delivery time was shortest for those induced with 100μg of misoprostol (6.38+2.25 hours), followed by 8.16+3.58 hours in those induced with 50ug of misoprostol and 9.73+4.32.43 hours in those induced with Foleys catheter/oxytocin (