Sexual Dysfunction among Female Patients of Reproductive Age in a Hospital Setting in Nigeria

Although sexual dysfunction is an important public-health problem in Nigeria, little research has been conducted on this topic in Nigeria. This cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence of sexual dysfunction and their correlates among female patients of reproductive age using a questionnaire. Respondents were recruited from the out-patients clinics of a teaching hospital setting in Ile-Ife/Ijesa administrative health zone, Osun State, Nigeria. Of 384 female patients interviewed, 242 (63%) were sexually dysfunctional. Types of sexual dysfunction included disorder of desire (n=20; 8.3%), disorder of arousal (n=13; 5.4%), disorder of orgasm (n=154; 63.6%), and painful coitus (dyspareunia) (n=55; 22.7%). The peak age of sexual dysfunction was observed among the age-group of 26–30 years. Women with higher educational status were mostly affected. The reasons for unsatisfactory sexual life mainly included psychosexual factors and medical illnesses, among which included uncaring partners, present illness, excessive domestic duties, lack of adequate foreplay, present medication, competition among wives in a polygamous family setting, previous sexual abuse, and guilt-feeling of previous pregnancy termination among infertile women. The culture of male dominance in the local environment which makes women afraid of rejection and threats of divorce if they ever complain about sexually-related matters might perpetrate sexual dysfunction among the affected individuals. Sexual dysfunction is a real social and psychological problem in the local environment demanding urgent attention. It is imperative to carry out further research in society at large so that the health and lifestyles of affected women and their partners could be improved

Adsorption Efficiency of Activated Carbon Produced From Corn Cob for the Removal of Cadmium Ions From Aqueous Solution

Studies were carried out to evaluate the adsorption efficiency of activated carbon produced from corn cob for the removal of Cd II ions from aqueous solution. The studies were carried out with due consideration of standard analytical procedures and instrumentation. Increase in the Cd II ions concentration from 90 to 180mg/l decreased the adsorption capacity of the adsorbent from 89.273 to 65.770%. Increase in the adsorbent’s dosage from 0.5 to 2.0g increased the adsorption of Cd II ions from 81.522 to 91.980%. At pH of 5.0, the adsorption process attained equilibrium with a peak adsorption of Cd II ion at 93.628% . At a contact of time of 30mins between the adsorbate (Cd II ions) and the adsorbent; the adsorption of Cd II ions reached a peak value of 92.410%. The adsorption of Cd II ions on the surface of the activated carbon increased from 90.436 to 93.210% with increase in temperature from 40o to 160oC. The decrease in Gibb’s free energy of adsorption of Cd II ions on the surface of the activated carbon revealed that the adsorption was favourable at high temperatures. The positive values of ∆H and ∆S shows that the adsorption process was endothermic. Keywords: Corn cobs, Adsorption efficiency, Aqueous solution, Cadmium ion, and Activated carbon. DOI: 10.7176/JEES/9-8-06 Publication date: August 31st 2019

Removal of Hg II and Cu II Ions from Aqueous Solution Using Activated Carbon Produced from Palm Fruit Fibre

Studies were carried out to evaluate the removal of Hg II and Cu II ions from aqueous solution using activated carbon produced from palm fruit fibre. Appropriate analytical procedure and instrumentation was applied in carrying out the batch adsorption experiment. Increase in adsorbents dosage and solution temperature was found to significantly increase the removal of the two metal ions from aqueous solution. Increase in the initial concentration of the adsorbate significantly reduced the adsorption efficiency of the adsorbent due to increase in the adsorbate concentration in the solution to the unchanging number of adsorption sides on the adsorbent. The solution pH and contact time of the adsorbate and adsorbent reached maximum removal efficiency at 6.0 and 45min respectively revealing the dependency of effective adsorption by activated carbon on these factors. The ∆S and ∆H of the adsorption were positive showing an endothermic adsorption process. The decrease in Gibbs free energy of adsorption with increase in adsorption efficiency of the activated carbon shows that effective adsorption of adsorbates favours high temperatures. Keywords: Activated carbon, Heavy metals, Cu II ions, Hg II ions Adsorption efficiency and Aqueous solution. DOI: 10.7176/CMR/11-6-05 Publication date: August 31st 201

Sexual Dysfunction Among Female Patients of Reproductive Age in a Hospital Setting in Nigeria

Although sexual dysfunction is an important public-health problem in Nigeria, little research has been conducted on this topic in Nigeria. This cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence of sexual dysfunction and their correlates among female patients of reproductive age using a question-naire. Respondents were recruited from the out-patients clinics of a teaching hospital setting in Ile-Ife/ Ijesa administrative health zone, Osun State, Nigeria. Of 384 female patients interviewed, 242 (63%) were sexually dysfunctional. Types of sexual dysfunction included disorder of desire (n=20; 8.3%), disor-derofarousal(n=13;5.4%),disorderoforgasm(n=154;63.6%),andpainfulcoitus(dyspareunia)(n=55; 22.7%). The peak age of sexual dysfunction was observed among the age-group of 26-30 years. Women with higher educational status were mostly affected. The reasons for unsatisfactory sexual life mainly in-cluded psychosexual factors and medical illnesses, among which included uncaring partners, present illness, excessive domestic duties, lack of adequate foreplay, present medication, competition among wives in a polygamous family setting, previous sexual abuse, and guilt-feeling of previous pregnancy termination among infertile women. The culture of male dominance in the local environment which makes women afraid of rejection and threats of divorce if they ever complain about sexually-related matters might perpetrate sexual dysfunction among the affected individuals. Sexual dysfunction is a real social and psychological problem in the local environment demanding urgent attention. It is imperative to carry out further research in society at large so that the health and lifestyles of affected women and their partners could be improved

Clinical versus Sonographic Estimation of Foetal Weight in Southwest Nigeria

A prospective study was conducted at Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex, Ile-Ife, Nigeria, between 3 January and 31May 2004, to compare the accuracy of clinical and ultrasonographic estimation of foetal weight at term. One hundred pregnant women who fulfilled the inclusion criteria had their foetal weight estimated independently using clinical and ultrasonographic methods. Accuracy was determined by percentage error, absolute percentage error, and proportion of estimates within 10% of actual birthweight (birthweight of +10%). Statistical analysis was done using the paired t-test, the Wilcoxon signed-rank test, and the chi-square test. The study sample had an actual average birthweight of 3,255+622 (range 2,150–4,950) g. Overall, the clinical method overestimated birthweight, while ultrasound underestimated it. The mean absolute percentage error of the clinical method was smaller than that of the sonographic method, and the number of estimates within 10% of actual birthweight for the clinical method (70%) was greater than for the sonographic method (68%); the difference was not statistically significant. In the low birthweight (<2,500 g) group, the mean errors of sonographic estimates were significantly smaller, and significantly more sonographic estimates (66.7%) were within 10% of actual birthweight than those of the clinical method (41.7%). No statistically significant difference was observed in all the measures of accuracy for the normal birthweight range of 2,500-<4,000 g and in the macrosonic group (≥4,000 g), except that, while the ultrasonographic method underestimated birthweight, the clinical method overestimated it. Clinical estimation of birthweight is as accurate as routine ultrasonographic estimation, except in low-birthweight babies. Therefore, when the clinical method suggests weight smaller than 2,500 g, subsequent sonographic estimation is recommended to yield a better prediction and to further evaluate foetal well-being

Obstructed labour in a Nigerian tertiary health facility: a mixed-method study

Background: Obstructed labour remains a leading cause of maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity in sub-Saharan Africa. This study aimed to determine the incidence, causes, complications and outcomes of obstructed labour at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex (OAUTHC), Ile-Ife, Osun state, Nigeria.Methods: A mixed methods approach was employed for this study. A 10-year retrospective review of all cases of obstructed labour managed at the OAUTHC, between January 1, 2008, and December 31, 2017, was done. Ten in-depth interviews were conducted for some selected patients. The quantitative data was analysed using SPSS version 24, while the qualitative data was analyzed with NVivo version 12.Results: The incidence of obstructed labour was 1.99%. Most of the patients were unbooked (217, 90.4%), primigravid (138, 57.5%), and either had no formal or only primary/secondary education (120, 50%). Cephalopelvic disproportion (CPD) was the commonest cause of obstructed labour (227, 94.6%). The most common maternal complication was wound infection (48, 20%). There were three maternal deaths, giving a case fatality rate of 1.25%. The most common foetal complication was birth asphyxia (85, 34.7%). The perinatal mortality rate was 18.8 %. From the qualitative arm of the study, reasons given by parturients who suffered obstructed labour, for avoiding hospitals for delivery, included religion, finance, fear of hospitals, faith/belief in mission homes/maternity houses, and proximity.Conclusions: Obstructed labour remains an important obstetric problem in our environment, contributing significantly to the burden of maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity.

Clinical Versus Sonographic Estimation of Foetal Weight in Southwest Nigeria

A prospective study was conducted at Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex, Ile-Ife, Nigeria, between 3 January and 31May 2004, to compare the accuracy of clinical and ultrasonographic estimation of foetal weight at term. One hundred pregnant women who fulfilled the inclusion criteria had their foetal weight estimated in dependently using clinical and ultrasonographic methods.Accuracy was determined by percentage error, absolute percentage error,and proportion of estimates within 10% of actual birth-weight (birth-weight of +10%). Statistical analysis was done using the paired t-test, the Wilcoxon signed-rank test, and the chi-square test. The study sample had an actual average birthweight of 3,255+622 (range 2,150-4,950) g. Overall, the clinical method overestimated birth-weight, while ultrasound underestimated it. The mean absolute percentage error of the clinical method was smaller than that of the sonographic method, and the number of estimates within 10% of actual birthweight for the clinical method (70%) was greater than for the sonographic method (68%); the difference was not statistically significant. In thelow birth-weight(&lt;&lt;2,500g)group, the mean errors of sonographic estimates were significantly smaller, and significantly more sonographic estimates (66.7%) were within 10% of actual birth-weight than those of the clinical method (41.7%). No statistically significant difference was observed in all the measures of accuracy for the normal birth-weight range of 2,500-&lt;4,000 g and in the macrosonic group ( 654,000 g), except that, while the ultrasonographic method underestimated birth-weight, the clinical method overestimated it. Clinical estimation of birth-weight is as accurate as routineultrasonographic estimation, except in low-birth-weight babies. Therefore, when the clinical method suggests weight smaller than 2,500 g, subsequent sonographic estimation is recommended to yield a better prediction and to further evaluate foetal well-being

Patterns, facilitators and barriers to physical activity among Nigerian pregnant women

Introduction: pregnancy is associated with sedentary behaviors and/or low levels of physical activity (PA). This study aimed to assess patterns, barriers, and facilitators of PA among pregnant women. Methods: a convergent parallel mixed method design study involving a concurrent collection of quantitative (n=198) and qualitative (n=36) data was carried out. Respondents were drawn from five selected health care facilities in Ile-Ife, Osun state, South-West, Nigeria. Physical activity was assessed using the pregnancy physical activity questionnaire. Focus group discussions were used to qualitatively explore barriers and facilitators of PA. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, while qualitative data were analyzed using thematic content analysis. Results: the mean total PA score for the population was 118.663±81.522 mets-min/wk. While it was 118.743±92.062 mets-min/wk, 113.861±72.854 mets-min/wk, and 25.429±87.766 mets-min/wk for the first, second, and third trimester respectively. The respondents engaged more in moderate (44.27±37.07) than vigorous (13.89±18.87) intensity PA. Respondents in the third trimester had the highest and the least scores for household-related PA (45.7±33.0) and vigorous-intensity PA (10.0±14.0) respectively. Major themes that emerged on enablers and barriers of PA engagement during pregnancy were related to intrapersonal, interpersonal, availability of specialized health personnel and policy for PA, good built environment/neighborhood factors, and pervading cultural beliefs and myths about pregnancy. Conclusion: moderate intensity and household-related PA were most common among Nigerian pregnant women. Contextual facilitators and barriers to PA during pregnancy were largely related to intrapersonal, interpersonal, environmental or organizational, policy, and cultural factors

Unavailability of Essential Obstetric Care Services in a Local Government Area of South-West Nigeria

This paper reports the findings at baseline in a multi-phase project that aimed at reducing maternal morta-lity in a local government area (LGA) of South-West Nigeria. The objectives were to determine the avail-ability of essential obstetric care (EOC) services in the LGA and to assess the quality of existing services. The first phase of this interventional study, which is the focus of this paper, consisted of a baseline health facility and needs assessment survey using instruments adapted from the United Nations guidelines. Twenty-one of 26 health facilities surveyed were public facilities, and five were privately owned. None of the facilities met the criteria for a basic EOC facility, while only one private facility met the criteria for a comprehensive EOC facility. Three facilities employed a nurse and/or a midwife, while unskilled health attendants manned 46% of the facilities. No health worker in the LGA had ever been trained in lifesaving skills. There was a widespread lack of basic EOC equipment and supplies. The study concluded that there were major deficiencies in the supply side of obstetric care services in the LGA, and EOC was almost non-existent. This result has implications for interventions for the reduction of maternal mortality in the LGA and in Nigeria

nulliparous women using modified

Comparative study of labour progress and deliver