Contraceptive use and quality of life among women of reproductive age, attending a general outpatient clinic in a Nigerian tertiary hospital

Background: In Sub-Saharan Africa, unplanned pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and low use of modern contraceptives are major reproductive health problems affecting women of reproductive age. However, there is evidence of an increase in contraceptive use over the past decade. This study was carried out to assess the pattern of contraceptive use, and its association with quality of life among women of reproductive age, attending a general outpatient clinic, at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Nigeria.Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study conducted with 323 women aged 15-49 years for three months. Data were retrieved using a semi-structured questionnaire and analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23.Results: The mean age of the participants was 34.9±8 years. The prevalence of contraceptive use was 43.7%, and out which, 34.4% accounted for modern methods. At least 72.4% ever heard about a method of contraceptive. Male condom was the most heard (96.6%) and most used (39.0%) contraceptive method. Majority of the quality of life parameters had higher mean scores, with significant mean values in vitality and social functioning categories among contraceptive users (72.41±14.82 and 72.07±18.39 respectively, p=0.029) compared with non-contraceptive users.Conclusions: Despite a higher mean quality of life scores among contraceptive users, less than half of the respondents made use of contraceptives. Therefore, the need for more orientation on the use of contraceptives to promote safe sexual practice and birth control is required

Pattern of breast cancer risk factors among pre and post-menopausal women at a Primary Care Clinic in Nigeria

Context: The incidence of breast cancer is increasing worldwide. In black women, breast cancer is associated with aggressive features and poor survival. Objective: Identification of risk factors such as early age of menarche, obesity and family history of breast cancer may permit preventive strategies. Study Design: A cross-sectional comparative study design was used and questionnaires were administered to 400 adult women at a tertiary health centre in Nigeria. The data was analyzed with the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 17; the level of significance set at alpha = 0.05. Results: There was significant association between pre-menopausal and post-menopausal women with positive family history of breast cancer with P = 0.010. Majority of the respondents with a positive family history of breast cancer were menopausal (P = 0.010). There was a statistically significant association between menopausal status and ever consuming alcohol-based herbal concoctions (P = 0.010) and in those whose partners smoked cigarettes (P = 0.001). Majority of respondents were not currently on any form of contraceptives. Parity, breastfeeding and use of hormonal contraceptives were all statistically significant (P < 0.001, P < 0.001 and P = 0.004, respectively). Almost all the women in our study, 97%, had never had a mammogram. There was a significant association between pre-menopausal and post-menopausal women with positive family history of breast cancer (P = 0.010). Conclusion: With increasing incidence of breast cancer worldwide and late presentation in developing countries with high morbidity and mortality, effective screening for risk factors will go a long way in reducing the incidence of breast cancer