Women’s perception on rights during pregnancy and childbirth

Background: The Nigerian health system as a whole has been plagued by problems associated with the quality of service, including but not limited to unfriendly staff attitudes to patients, inadequate skills, decaying infrastructures, and chronic shortages of essential drugs. Approximately two-thirds of all Nigerian women deliver outside of health facilities and without the presence of medically skilled attendants.  The study was carried out to assess the awareness and knowledge of women regarding their rights during pregnancy and childbirth, and to explore the extent to which women’s rights were respected during pregnancy and childbirth.Methods: This descriptive study was conducted among randomly selected 140 women at Mother and Child Hospital, Akure, Ondo state, Nigeria. Data was collected with a pretested questionnaire and was analysed using Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21.Results: Findings revealed that majority (76.9%) of the women had a fair knowledge of their rights in pregnancy and childbirth, with the source of knowledge majorly from their friends. Right to information, informed consent and refusal, even distribution of healthcare services, maintenance of attainable level of health regarding proper monitoring were fairly observed by the health care providers. Right of women against verbal and physical abuse, privacy, treatment with dignity and respect were least accorded to women.Conclusions: Respective Maternity Care remains a challenge that demands policy interventions in most public health facilities to enhance positive endorsement and utilisation of maternal and health care services

Trends in delirium coding rates in older hospital inpatients in England and Scotland:full population data comprising 7.7M patients per year show substantial increases between 2012 and 2020

BackgroundLittle information is available on change in delirium coding rates over time in major healthcare systems. We examined trends in delirium discharge coding rates in older patients in hospital admissions to the National Health Service (NHS) in England and Scotland between 2012 and 2020.MethodsHospital administrative coding data were sourced from NHS Digital England and Public Health Scotland. We examined rates of delirium (F05 from ICD-10) in patients aged ≥70 years in 5 year and ≥90 age bands.ResultsThere were approximately 7,000,000 discharges/year in England and 700,000/year in Scotland. Substantially increased delirium coding was observed for all age bands between 2012/2013 and 2019/2020 (p<0.001, Mann Kendall’s tau). In the ≥90 age band, there was a 4-fold increase between 2012 and 2020.ConclusionDelirium coding rates have shown large increases in the NHS in England and Scotland, likely reflecting several factors including policy initiatives, detection tool implementation and education

Assessment of Geologic Controls of Flooding in Parts of OBIO/AKPOR L.G.A., Rivers State, Nigeria

Flooding of Municipal areas is a frequent environmental occurrence in Rivers State that occurs when rainfall runoff meets land surfaces with low water absorbing capacity or when it overwhelms drainage channels. In order to assess the flood situation in the study area, an integrated method which involves field-measurement, geographic information system (GIS),laboratory analysis of soil samples and topographic studies were employed.Digital elevation model of the study area reveals that the flooded areas are situated in areas with elevations lower than its surrounding, thereby acting as a natural basin to retain flood waters after rainfall.Four holes were drilled to depth of 3 m to obtain soil samples at 1 m sampling interval, from which laboratory analysis was carried out to determine some geotechnical parameters such as soil’s particle size, specific gravity, bulk density,porosity,moisture content, permeability and hydraulic conductivity. Results of the analysis show that permeability,hydraulic conductivity and porosity diminishes with respect to depth. The soil in the flooded areas have high fines content (silt and clay), high bulk density which increase with depth and a specific gravity that is typical of organic rich soils that contain sand mixed with a considerable amount of fines. At Nkpolu, mean permeability rates of 0.003 cm/sec, 0.009 cm/sec and 0.033 cm/sec were obtained at 1, 2 and 3 m respectively. At Eneka, mean permeability rates of 0.011 cm/sec,0.018 cm/sec and 0.014 cm/sec were obtained at 1, 2 and 3m respectively,while at Rukpokwu, mean Permeability rates of 0.021 cm/sec was obtained at 1 m, while 0.006 cm/sec was obtained at 2 and 3 m respectively. The mean hydraulic conductivity for the locations under study is of the order of 10-4 ft/day. This study has shown that the flooded areas are located in low lying urban areas which act as basins, therefore, the top soil is crusted with highly compacted soil horizons beneath. With high and frequent rainfall in the region which generates a lot of runoff, in addition to poor drainage system, flooding in the study area occurs frequently.Therefore,construction and maintenance of efficient drainage channels for an effective solution to urban pluvial flooding in the study area are thereby recommended

Seismic Interpretation and Petrophysical Analysis for Evaluation of Ataga Field, Onshore Niger Delta, Nigeria

The majority of geophysical survey in hydrocarbon exploration and production sector is driven by the ability to describe reservoirs. This research is aimed at describing the interpretation and petrophysical analysis of the reservoirs in Ataga field Niger Delta using a combination of seismic and well-log data. The Ataga Field in the Niger Delta was subjected to 3-D seismic interpretation and petrophysical study to perform comprehensive structural interpretation, prospect evaluation, and volumetric calculation. Two reservoir windows “1” and “2” were identified and correlated from four wells ATA 10, ATA 11, ATA 5 and ATA 7. Detailed evaluation was done on well ATA 11 since it is the only well that has sufficient data for both qualitative and quantitative interpretation. Structural interpretation for inline 5731 revealed fifteen faults on the seismic vertical section through ATA 11, most of which are antithetic faults while the rest are synthetic faults. Top and base of each reservoir window was delineated from the well. Result of the petrophysical assessment of reservoir A, B and C for ATA 11 revealed that the porosity values range from (24 -29) % which are indicative of very good to excellent porosity value according to Rider (1996). While the permeability values range from (1887-2582) mD were obtained from the three reservioir A, B and C of ATA 11 which depict very good to excellent reservoir units. Since, .all of the wells were discovered to have hydrocarbon-bearing reservoir formations (sandstones), the integration of structural interpretation and well logs have successfully revealed that the reservoirs are mostly oil-bearing zones

Vestibular loss disrupts visual reactivity in the alpha EEG rhythm

The alpha rhythm is a dominant electroencephalographic oscillation relevant to sensory-motor and cognitive function. Alpha oscillations are reactive, being for example enhanced by eye closure, and suppressed following eye opening. The determinants of inter-individual variability in reactivity in the alpha rhythm (e.g. changes with amplitude following eye closure) are not fully understood despite the physiological and clinical applicability of this phenomenon, as indicated by the fact that ageing and neurodegeneration reduce reactivity. Strong interactions between visual and vestibular systems raise the theoretical possibility that the vestibular system plays a role in alpha reactivity. To test this hypothesis, we applied electroencephalography in sitting and standing postures in 15 participants with reduced vestibular function (bilateral vestibulopathy, median age = 70 years, interquartile range = 51-77 years) and 15 age-matched controls. We found participants with reduced vestibular function showed less enhancement of alpha electroencephalography power on eye closure in frontoparietal areas, compared to controls. In participants with reduced vestibular function, video head impulse test gain - as a measure of residual vestibulo-ocular reflex function - correlated with reactivity in alpha power across most of the head. Greater reliance on visual input for spatial orientation ('visual dependence', measured with the rod-and-disc test) correlated with less alpha enhancement on eye closure only in participants with reduced vestibular function, and this was partially moderated by video head impulse test gain. Our results demonstrate for the first time that vestibular function influences alpha reactivity. The results are partly explained by the lack of ascending peripheral vestibular input but also by central reorganisation of processing relevant to visuo-vestibular judgements

Mechanomyographic Parameter Extraction Methods: An Appraisal for Clinical Applications

The research conducted in the last three decades has collectively demonstrated that the skeletal muscle performance can be alternatively assessed by mechanomyographic signal (MMG) parameters. Indices of muscle performance, not limited to force, power, work, endurance and the related physiological processes underlying muscle activities during contraction have been evaluated in the light of the signal features. As a non-stationary signal that reflects several distinctive patterns of muscle actions, the illustrations obtained from the literature support the reliability of MMG in the analysis of muscles under voluntary and stimulus evoked contractions. An appraisal of the standard practice including the measurement theories of the methods used to extract parameters of the signal is vital to the application of the signal during experimental and clinical practices, especially in areas where electromyograms are contraindicated or have limited application. As we highlight the underpinning technical guidelines and domains where each method is well-suited, the limitations of the methods are also presented to position the state of the art in MMG parameters extraction, thus providing the theoretical framework for improvement on the current practices to widen the opportunity for new insights and discoveries. Since the signal modality has not been widely deployed due partly to the limited information extractable from the signals when compared with other classical techniques used to assess muscle performance, this survey is particularly relevant to the projected future of MMG applications in the realm of musculoskeletal assessments and in the real time detection of muscle activity

The relationship between hysterosalpingography findings and female infertility in a Nigerian population

Purpose: This study aims to explore the relationships between abnormal hysterosalpingography (HSG) findings and all types of infertility. Material and methods: This retrospective study was carried out at a private radiodiagnostic centre in Lagos, Nigeria. The radiologist reports of all consecutive patients who had HSG evaluation from 2016 to 2018 were analysed. Biodemographic information and indications for HSG evaluation were also documented. Logistic regression was used to test correlations between the explanatory and outcome variables. P ≤ 0.05 represented a statistically significant result. Results: A total of 450 patients were involved in this study, with ages ranging from 21 to 51 years and a mean age of 34.6 ± 5.56 years. The age group 31-35 years had the highest frequency of infertility. There were 299 patients referred for infertility. Secondary infertility was seen in 211 patients (46.9%), primary infertility was seen in 79 patients (17.6%), and subfertility was seen in nine patients (2%). There were 49 patients (10.9%) with cornual tubal blockage, while 57 patients (12.7%) had perifimbrial adhesion and/or blockage. There were 56 patients (12.4%) with hydrosalpinx and nine patients (2.0%) with tubal occlusion. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed women with hydrosalpinx were 2.11 times more likely to be infertile than those without hydrosalpinx (95% CI: 1.02-4.36, p = 0.042). Conclusions: The presence of hydrosalpinx was a significant risk factor in developing all types of infertility. Understanding the HSG patterns and their correlations with infertility will help physicians across the world when evaluating infertility in patients of similar background to our patient population

Positive Scores on the 4AT Delirium Assessment Tool at Hospital Admission are Linked to Mortality, Length of Stay, and Home Time:Two-Centre Study of 82,770 Emergency Admissions

BACKGROUND: Studies investigating outcomes of delirium using large-scale routine data are rare. We performed a two-centre study using the 4 ‘A’s Test (4AT) delirium detection tool to analyse relationships between delirium and 30-day mortality, length of stay and home time (days at home in the year following admission). METHODS: The 4AT was performed as part of usual care. Data from emergency admissions in patients ≥65 years in Lothian, UK (n = 43,946) and Salford, UK (n = 38,824) over a period of [Formula: see text] 3 years were analysed using logistic regression models adjusted for age and sex. RESULTS: 4AT completion rates were 77% in Lothian and 49% in Salford. 4AT scores indicating delirium (≥4/12) were present in 18% of patients in Lothian, and 25% of patients in Salford. Thirty-day mortality with 4AT ≥4 was 5.5-fold greater than the 4AT 0/12 group in Lothian (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 5.53, 95% confidence interval [CI] 4.99–6.13) and 3.4-fold greater in Salford (aOR 3.39, 95% CI 2.98–3.87). Length of stay was more than double in patients with 4AT scores of 1–3/12 (indicating cognitive impairment) or ≥ 4/12 compared with 4AT 0/12. Median home time at 1 year was reduced by 112 days (Lothian) and 61 days (Salford) in the 4AT ≥4 group (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Scores on the 4AT used at scale in practice are strongly linked with 30-day mortality, length of hospital stay and home time. The findings highlight the need for better understanding of why delirium is linked with poor outcomes and also the need to improve delirium detection and treatment

Hydrocarbon Play Assessment of “Oswil” Field,Onshore Niger Delta Region

Hydrocarbon play assessment of any field involves the evaluation of the production capacity of hydrocarbon reservoir unit in the field. This involves detail study of the reservoir petrophysical properties and geological interpretation of structures suitable for hydrocarbon accumulation in the field as observed from seismic reflection images. This study details the assessment of hydrocarbon play in OSWIL field onshore in Niger Delta, with the intent of appraising its productivity using a combination of seismic, well logs,petrophysical parameters and volumetric estimation using proven techniques which involves an integrated methodology. Two reservoir windows “R1” and “R2” were defined from five wells OSWIL-02, 04, 06, 07 and 12.The top and base of each reservoir window was delineated from the wells.Structural interpretation for inline 6975 revealed two horizons (X and Y) and eight faults labelled (F1, F2, F6, F8, F10, F16, F17 and F18). Five faults (F1, F6, F10, F17 and F18) were identified as synthetic faults and dip basin wards while three faults (F2, F8 and F16) were identified as antithetic faults and dips landwards. Time-depth structural map at top of reservoirs R1 and R2 revealed structural highs and closures. These observations are characteristics of growth structures (faults) which depicts the tectonic style of the Niger Delta. Results of petrophysical evaluation for reservoirs “R1” and “R2” across the five wells were analysed. For reservoir “R1” effective porosity values of 27%, 26%, 23%, 20% and 22% were obtained for wells OSWIL-04, 12, 07, 06 and 02 respectively with an average of 23.6%, while for reservoir “R2” effective porosity values of 26%, 22%, 21%, 24% and 23% for wells OSWIL-04, 12, 07, 06 and 02 were obtained respectively with an average of 23.2%. This porosity values correspond with the already established porosity range of 28-32% within the Agbada formation of the Niger Delta. Permeability index of the order (K > 100mD) were obtained for both reservoirs across the five wells and is rated very good. Hydrocarbon saturation (Shc) across the five wells averages at 61.6% for reservoir “R1” and 67.4% for reservoir “R2”. Result of petrophysical model for porosity, permeability and water saturation reveal that the reservoir system in R1 and R2 is fault assisted and fluid flow within both reservoirs is aided by presence of effective porosity and faulting. Volumetric estimation for both reservoirs showed that reservoir R1 contains an estimate of 455 × 106 STB of hydrocarbon in place, while reservoir R2 contains an estimate of 683 ×106 STB of hydrocarbon in place. These findings impact positively on hydrocarbon production in the field and affirm that the two reservoirs R1 and R2 are highly prospective