Pregnant Nigerian women’s view of cesarean section

Objective: Cesarean section (C/S) is still being perceived as an abnormal means of delivery by many antenatal women in Nigeria. This study aims to determine the perceptions of antenatal clients in the southeastern Nigeria on C/S.Materials and Methods: The study was conducted using a structured questionnaire administered to 300 consenting pregnant clients attending the antenatal clinic. The data were analyzed and presented in a simple frequency table.Results: The average C/S rate in the hospital was 16.6%. Only 4 (1.4%) viewed C/S as very good and elected to undergo C/S. Thirty-four (12.3%) considered C/S as bad and would reluctantly undergo the procedure. Two hundred and twenty-five (81.2%) would accept C/S if their life or that of their fetus is in great danger.Conclusion: This study affirms previous suspicion that a significant proportion of antenatal clients are averse to C/S and the negative cultural perception of the people to C/S reinforced this aversion

A 20-year Review Of Twin Births At Mater Misericordiae Hospital, Afikpo, South Eastern Nigeria

Objectives: To provide information on twin deliveries among Igbos in a rural/semi-urban community of South-Eastern Nigeria, and compare the twinning rate with data from the other two major tribes. Methods: An analysis of the records of deliveries conducted over a 20-year period in a rural/semi-urban community of South-Eastern Nigeria. Results: The twinning rate of the community was 1:24, and increased with increasing maternal age, and generally with birth rank. Twin births were associated with a MMR of 895/100,000, and PMR of 213/1000 maternities, figures 3.4 and 1.7 times those of the total maternal and perinatal mortalities respectively. Ninty percent of the twin mothers delivered vaginally, 2% with the aid of symphysiotomy. Caesarean section rate was 10.6%. Conclusion: The twinning rate within Nigeria may probably be dictated by location rather than ethnicity. The maternal and perinatal mortalities associated with twin pregnancies in this study appear higher than for singleton births. Keywords: Twin Births, Rural Community, Eastern Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Clinical Practice Vol. 11 (3) 2008: pp. 231-23

Poverty Implications of COVID-19 and Government Social Protection Programmes in Nigeria

The sole objective of this paper was to investigate the poverty implications of COVID-19 on Nigerians, relative to the effectiveness of the government’s social protection programs in mitigating the socioeconomic strain caused by the pandemic. The paper used documentary analysis to assess the impact of COVID-19 on Nigerians’ socioeconomic lives and the government’s policy response to the situation. The review found that COVID-19 exacerbated the existing poverty in Nigeria, and most of the government policy programs were not effective in mitigating the effects. We concluded that government policy responses to the socioeconomic strain caused by the pandemic were ineffective due to the pre-existing poor performance of social protection programs in Nigeria before the onset of COVID-19. As the world prepares for future pandemics, we recommend that the Nigerian government overhaul the existing social protection programs on poverty alleviation in Nigeria by addressing all gaps and looking for effective and strategic ways such programs can achieve desirable results

Implementing The NewWHO Antenatal Care Model: Voices From End Users In A Rural Nigerian Community.

Context: The recommended WHO antenatal focused visits with reduced number of visits and tests is yet to be implemented in many communities in rural Nigeria. Aim: This paper evaluated the attitude of antenatal clients in a rural mission hospital to the new antenatal model. Study Design: Focus group discussions were carried out bi-weekly for 12weeeks with consenting booked antenatal clients. The topic guide was developed following interactions with prenatal clients at a referral tertiary center. Results: One hundred and forty-four clients were interviewed. Prior to discussion, none had heard of the new antenatal care model. More than half of them will prefer the traditional policy with multiple visits to the new model. The traditional visit was said to be more reassuring and provides the clients time away from their routine chores/occupations and afford them the opportunity to interact with other expectant mothers and get acquainted with the health care providers. Conclusion: To realize the goals of the new WHO recommended antenatal model in rural Nigeria, mass enlightenment and education must precede its gradual and cautious introduction. Keywords: Antenatal Care, Clients, Rural, WHO. Nigerian Journal of Clinical Practice Vol. 11 (3) 2008: pp. 260-26

An Audit of Vaginal Hysterectomy and Pelvic Floor Repair for Uterovaginal Prolapse in South‑East Nigeria

Aim: The study aimed to audit vaginal hysterectomies and pelvic floor repair performed for women with uterovaginal prolapse as a qualityassessment of the procedure. Materials and Methods: In this study conducted at the National Obstetric Fistula Center, Abakaliki, case folders of women who had vaginal  hysterectomy and pelvic floor repair for uterovaginal prolapse between June 2012 and December 2016 were reviewed. Relevant data were extracted using a pro forma and analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, software version 21. Results: The case records of 358 women who had a vaginal hysterectomy and pelvic floor repair were reviewed. Their mean age and parity were 53.44 ± 10.54 years and 6.92 ± 2.47, respectively. Complications were recorded in 49 (14%) of the patients, and these were intraoperative bleeding requiring blood transfusion in 15 (4.2%), postoperative intraabdominal bleeding requiring exploratory laparotomy in 7 (2%), urinary tract infection in 5 (1.4%), hospital re‑admission following vaginal bleeding in 2 (0.6%), and vaginal discharge in 13 (3.6%). The long‑term complication that was  observed following the procedure was vault prolapse in 7 (2%). There was 1 (0.3%) mortality. Conclusion: Vaginal hysterectomy with pelvic floor repair is a relatively safe procedure in women with uterovaginal prolapse. There are morbidities associated with this procedure. Keywords: Audit, pelvic floor repair, uterovaginal prolapse, vaginal hysterectomy, vault prolaps

Studies on Nutrient Release Pattern of Neem Fortified Cocoa Pod Husk Fertilizer in an Alfisol

A laboratory experiment was carried out at Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria, Ibadan to evaluate the nutrientrelease pattern of neem fortified cocoa pod husk developed for use as organic fertilizer materials. Cocoa Pod Husk(CPH), Neem Leaf (NL), Neem Seed (NS), CPH + NL (90:10), CPH + NL (80:20), CPH + NS (90:10) and CPH +NS (80:20) were separately applied at the rate of 100 kg N ha-1 into 50 g soil placed in plastic cups. There were sixsampling periods (2, 4, 8, 12, 16, and 20 weeks) after treatment application. Soil N (Kjeldahl), P (Bray 1), K (1 NNH4OAc pH 7) and pH (soil:water ratio 1:2) were determined at each sampling period. The result showed that theorganic materials had significant effect in raising the pH of the soils compared to unamended soil. Neem fortifiedCPH significantly (P < 0.05) increased nitrogen release higher than control at 8, 12 and 16 weeks after application.Phosphorus release was significantly higher in soil treated with CPH, NL, NS and neem fortified CPH than thecontrol at 20 weeks after application. CPH and neem fortified CPH enhanced K release better than NL and NSapplied separately across the incubation periods. Neem leaf and seed powder with higher N content than CPH is aprecursor of N- release into the soil shortly after incorporation.[How to Cite: Ogunwole OM, GO Adeoye, O Fagbola and JS Ogeh. 2012. Studies on Nutrient Release Pattern of Neem Fortified Cocoa Pod Husk Fertilizer in an Alfisol. J Trop Soils 17 (2) : 129-134. Doi: 10.5400/jts.2012.17.2.129]  [Permalink/DOI: www.dx.doi.org/10.5400/jts.2012.17.2.129

Multiple myeloma with unexplained isolated anaemia in a 24year old man- a case report

Background: Multiple myeloma (MM) is a disease of the elderly with a median age at presentation of 70 years. It is rare to diagnose MM in individuals less than 40 years and even extremely rare in those less than 30 years of age. MM is usually suspected in those aged 50 years and above having a combination of hypercalcemia, renal insufficiency, anaemia and bone lesions. Although anaemia is a common clinical feature of MM, it is very rare that anaemia would be the only clinical presentation, hence the need to report this index case. Case Presentation: We present a rare case of MM in a 24-year- old male who presented with only symptomatic anaemia.Investigations for the cause of anaemia, including Bone marrow aspiration cytology revealed a diagnosis of MM ISS stage II.Here, we highlighted the need to seek early haematologist consultation in investigating patients’ whose cause of anaemia is notimmediately obvious from the clinical presentation and routine laboratory investigations. Conclusion: MM can present at a younger age with unexplained anaemia without bone pains or renal insufficiency. High level of suspicion for MM is required in young patients with unexplained anaemia Keywords: Multiple myeloma; isolated anaemia; young patient

Parent-Teacher Association Intervention Strategies and Goal Achievement in Public Secondary Schools

Parent-Teacher Association has ensured and improved the quality and standard of education in Nigeria. This study examined parent-teacher association intervention strategies and goal achievement in public secondary schools in Ilorin-West Local Government Area, Kwara State, Nigeria. The study adopted a descriptive survey of correlational type. Two research questions and one hypothesis were raised to guide the study. A purposive random sampling technique was used to select two hundred and thirty-seven respondents from 39 public senior secondary schools in Ilorin-West Local Government Area, Kwara State. The research instrument was titled Parent-Teacher Association Intervention Strategies Questionnaire (PTAISQ) and Goal Achievement Questionnaire (GAQ) was used to collect data for the study. Descriptive statistic of frequency counts, percentages, mean and standard deviation was used to analyze demographics and answer the research questions raised. Inferential statistics of Pearson Product Moment Correlation statistics were used to test the formulated research hypotheses. The findings of the study revealed that; the level of parents-teachers’ intervention strategies were high based on the dimensions in Ilorin-West Local Government Area, Kwara State. The level of goal achievement in public secondary schools in Ilorin-West Local Government Area, Kwara State was high. There was a significant relationship between parents-teacher intervention strategies and goal achievement in public secondary schools in Ilorin-West Local Government Area, Kwara State. It was recommended among others that the Kwara State government through Kwara Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM) ensure that qualified and competent teachers are recruited so that effective and efficient teaching and learning processes will be improved

Prevention of prosthetic joint infection in total hip and knee arthroplasties: evidence based recommendations

Prosthetic joint infection is a dreaded complication of Total Joint Arthroplasty. Prevention, which is far more cost effective, should be of paramount importance to the arthroplasty surgeon. Proper patient selection and preparation as well as strict asepsis and antisepsis are the basic principles of prevention