Male responsibility and maternal morbidity: a cross-sectional study in two Nigerian states

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Nigeria continues to have high rates of maternal morbidity and mortality. This is partly associated with lack of adequate obstetric care, partly with high risks in pregnancy, including heavy work. We examined actionable risk factors and underlying determinants at community level in Bauchi and Cross River States of Nigeria, including several related to male responsibility in pregnancy.</p> <p>Method</p> <p>In 2009, field teams visited a stratified (urban/rural) last stage random sample of 180 enumeration areas drawn from the most recent censuses in each of Bauchi and Cross River states. A structured questionnaire administered in face-to-face interviews with women aged 15-49 years documented education, income, recent birth history, knowledge and attitudes related to safe birth, and deliveries in the last three years. Closed questions covered female genital mutilation, intimate partner violence (IPV) in the last year, IPV during the last pregnancy, work during the last pregnancy, and support during pregnancy. The outcome was complications in pregnancy and delivery (eclampsia, sepsis, bleeding) among survivors of childbirth in the last three years. We adjusted bivariate and multivariate analysis for clustering.</p> <p>Findings</p> <p>The most consistent and prominent of 28 candidate risk factors and underlying determinants for non-fatal maternal morbidity was intimate partner violence (IPV) during pregnancy (ORa 2.15, 95%CIca 1.43-3.24 in Bauchi and ORa 1.5, 95%CI 1.20-2.03 in Cross River). Other spouse-related factors in the multivariate model included not discussing pregnancy with the spouse and, independently, IPV in the last year. Shortage of food in the last week was a factor in both Bauchi (ORa 1.66, 95%CIca 1.22-2.26) and Cross River (ORa 1.32, 95%CIca 1.15-1.53). Female genital mutilation was a factor among less well to do Bauchi women (ORa 2.1, 95%CIca 1.39-3.17) and all Cross River women (ORa 1.23, 95%CIca 1.1-1.5).</p> <p>Interpretation</p> <p>Enhancing clinical protocols and skills can only benefit women in Nigeria and elsewhere. But the violence women experience throughout their lives – genital mutilation, domestic violence, and steep power gradients – is accentuated through pregnancy and childbirth, when women are most vulnerable. IPV especially in pregnancy, women's fear of husbands or partners and not discussing pregnancy are all within men's capacity to change.</p

Investigation Of Thermal Properties Of Naturally Seasoned Dry Macaranga Barteri Timber Board

Steady-state thermal conductivity measurements of naturally seasoned African thorn tree (Macaranga barteri) timer boards were carried out. Other thermal and physical properties such as specific heat capacity, thermal resistivity, density, thermal absorptivity and diffusivity as well as percentage of dead air space (v/v) were also determined for the wood samples. The results showed that Macaranga barteri timber board, naturally seasoned to dryness has thermal conductivity of 0.0692±0.0061 Wm-1K-1 mean specific heat capacity value of 1898.389±19.831JKg- 1K-1, thermal absorptivity and diffusivity values of 18.4226±1.3332m-1 and (1.0731±0.1560) x 10-7m2s-1 respectively. It has a bulk density of 339.82±15.49Kgm-3 and particle density of 413.53±28.18 with 17.82±1.81% as mean percentage volume of dead air space. These results are comparable with those of the conventional insulators, hence the wood material is a potential thermal insulator for building design

Investigation of Musanga cecropioides heartwood as a thermal insulator for refrigerators, coolers and food flask

No Abstract Available Ghana J. Sci, Vol.42 2002: 71-7

Investigation of Raphia hookeri trunk as a potential ceiling material for passively cooled building design

No Abstract Available Ghana J. Sci, Vol.43 2003: 3-

Collisional Effect On Magnetosonic Solitons In A Dusty Plasma Slab

An analytical investigation of collisional effect on magnetosonic solitons in a dusty plasma slab is presented. We have derived and presented solutions of nonlinear magetohydrodynamic equations for a warm dusty magnetoplasma. It is observed that, our work could be considered a general case for magnetosonic solutions in a dusty plasma slab. While the neglection of the collisional effect reduces our results to exactly what is obtained by Marklund et al, 2007.Keywords: Magnetosonic Solitons, dusty plasma

Comparison Of Diffuse Solar Radiation Models Using Data For Onne, Nigeria

Measurements of global solar radiation and sunshine duration data during the period from 1984 to 1999 were supplied by IITA (International Institute of Tropical Agriculture) at Onne. The data were used to establish empirical relationships that would connect the daily monthly average diffuse irradiation with both relative sunshine duration and clearness index separately and in combination. The estimated results were then compared with measured values of a nearby location since measured data on diffuse radiation for this location is not available. The correlation connecting diffuse radiation with percentage possible sunshine is found to be applicable over Onne. Keywords: Diffuse, solar radiation, Onne.Global Journal or Pure and Applied Sciences Vol. 14 (4) 2008: pp. 473-47

Comparison Between The Characteristics Of Wind Power Calculation And Solar Radiation At Onne

Data on wind speed and global solar radiation over the period 1985 – 1999 for Onne obtained from the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) stationed at Onne, Nigeria have been compiled and evaluated, to determine the wind power which is compared with the global solar radiation energies. Monthly and annual data for global solar radiation energies measured at the station were determined. The monthly average solar radiation energies range from 2777.80 Wm-2 to 4163.92 Wm-2 with an overall average as 3455.58 Wm-2. The derived monthly and annual average wind speeds range from 0.84 ms-1 to 1.09ms-1 and from 0.64ms-1 to 1.28ms-1 respectively. The monthly available wind power density and maximum extractable wind power range from 0.33 Wm-2 to 1.40 Wm-2 and 0.20 Wm-2 to 1.10 Wm-2, respectively. Keywords: Characteristics, wind power, solar radiation.Global Journal or Pure and Applied Sciences Vol. 14 (4) 2008: pp. 463-46