Sexual behaviour of in-school adolescents in Ibadan, South-West Nigeria

This study was a crossectional survey conducted among 716 senior secondary school adolescents in Ibadan from March to August 2005. The result of 695 that was analyzed revealed that the mean age of 15±2.6years. 28.3% of the respondents had previous sexual exposure with higher proportions being male (p=0.00043). Majorities\' first sexual exposure was unplanned. Family settings and educational level do not have significant influence on the previous sexual exposure. The methods of sexual activity were mainly through vagina route while some had also practiced oral and anal sex. Most of those that are sexually exposed had more than one partner. About half of the respondents learn about sex from their friends while others through their parents and media. We conclude that in-school adolescents practiced unsafe sexual activity and they are therefore predisposed to STI/HIV and other reproductive health risks. Keywords: Adolescents, In- School, Sexual activity, Sexual exposure, NigeriaAfrican Journal of Reproductive Helath Vol. 12 (2) 2008: pp. 89-9

Determination of post-caesarean wound infection at the University college hospital Ibadan Nigeria

No Abstract

Family Planning Decisions, Perceptions and Gender Dynamics among Couples in Mwanza, Tanzania: A Qualitative Study.

Contraceptive use is low in developing countries which are still largely driven by male dominated culture and patriarchal values. This study explored family planning (FP) decisions, perceptions and gender dynamics among couples in Mwanza region of Tanzania. Twelve focus group discussions and six in-depth interviews were used to collect information from married or cohabiting males and females aged 18-49. The participants were purposively selected. Qualitative methods were used to explore family planning decisions, perceptions and gender dynamics among couples. A guide with questions related to family planning perceptions, decisions and gender dynamics was used. The discussions and interviews were tape-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analyzed manually and subjected to content analysis. Four themes emerged during the study. First, "risks and costs" which refer to the side effects of FP methods and the treatment of side -effects as well as the costs inherit in being labeled as an unfaithful spouse. Second, "male involvement" as men showed little interest in participating in family planning issues. However, the same men were mentioned as key decision-makers even on the number of children a couple should have and the child spacing of these children. Third, "gender relations and communication" as participants indicated that few women participated in decision-making on family planning and the number of children to have. Fourth, "urban-rural differences", life in rural favoring having more children than urban areas therefore, the value of children depended on the place of residence. Family Planning programs should adapt the promotion of communication as well as joint decision-making on FP among couples as a strategy aimed at enhancing FP use

Parameters of nutrition in school girls in southwestern Nigeria

Objectives: To document trends in parameters of nutrition in south-western Nigerian school girls in comparison with earlier reports and provide baseline data for future comparison. Design: A cross-sectional study. Setting: Fifteen secondary schools from the five local governments in Ibadan, Oyo State in south-western Nigeria. Subjects: One thousand six hundred and seventy five apparently healthy female students aged between nine and twenty three years. Results: One thousand six hundred and seventy three questionnaires were analysed. The mean age, mean height and mean body weight were 15.45 years ±2.06 (SD), 154.98cm ±8.4(SD) and 46.09kg ±8.8 (SD) respectively. The mean body fat was 11.12kg ±4.6 (SD); mean lean body mass (LBM) was 34.96kg ±4.6 (SD); mean total body water (TBW) was 25.17L ±3.3 (SD) and the mean body index (BMI) was 19.07kg/m2 ±2.7 (SD). Girls from upper socio-economic background had significantly higher values of anthropometric measurements and body composition for each age than lower socioeconomic class girls. Compared with their peers from another Nigerian city investigated two decades ago, girls in this study were significantly lighter and shorter. Conclusion: The study revealed a decline in nutritional parameters among adolescents. The implications of these findings for the reproductive health of Nigerian women are discussed. Serial studies to monitor trends in adolescents are recommended. East African Medical Journal Vol.82(4) 2005: 198-20