Determinants of utilisation of traditional birth attendant services by pregnant women in Ogbomoso, Nigeria

Background: This study was designed to assess the determinants of utilization of Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) services by pregnant women in different communities in Ogbomoso, Nigeria.Methods: This was a community- based cross-sectional study. Fisher's formula was used to calculate the sample size and a total of 270 eligible pregnant women were enrolled for the study using multistage sampling technique. Data was collected using pretested structured interviewer-administered questionnaire. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 20 and results were presented in frequencies and percentages.Results: Factors found to have a significant influence on the utilization of TBA services in this study include: low educational status (p <0.001), lower socioeconomic status (p <0.001), and compassionate care given by the TBAs (p=0.004). Other factors include service proximity and lower cost of TBA services.Conclusions: The impact of TBAs and their services cannot be overemphasized in the present state of maternal and child health in Nigeria.  Lower educational status among others has been found to be a strong predictor of utilization of TBA services. There is, therefore, the need to improve the educational and socioeconomic status of women in order to allow them to access quality health care services that will safeguard their well-being. Inculcating compassionate care into orthodox healthcare delivery will go a long way to improve patronage and discourage TBA utilization

PHYSICO-CHEMICAL AND GEOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF SOILS UNDER SAWAH SYSTEM OF INLAND VALLEYS IN NIGERIA

This study investigated the physico-chemical and geochemical properties of soils under sawah in Nigeria. It was found that soils under sawah were majorly sandy loam to sandy clay loam having acidic reactions, low exchangeable Ca, Mg, K and Na. These soils were deficient in available P, SiO2, S, Total Nitrogen and Total Carbon while SiO2, Al2O3 and Fe2O3 dominated total elemental composition, accounting for a cumulative average of 96.16%. Except total elemental TiO2 and K2O which showed average values &gt;1%, MnO, MgO, CaO, Na2O and P2O5 showed average values &lt;1%. Soils under sawah exhibited intermediated to extreme weathering degree with majority of the soil sampled falling into the category of extreme weathering. With extreme degree of weathering, rapid loss of mobile species such as basic cations from soil is imminent which may account for the results observed in this study. Thus, combination of conservative agricultural practices is recommended. &nbsp; &nbsp

Social Meaning and Consequences of Infertility in Ogbomoso, Nigeria

Background: This study examined the meaning of infertility from layman's perspective, and experiences of women suffering from infertility among reproductive age women seeking care at the gynaecology unit of the Bowen University Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, Nigeria.Materials and Methods: It was a cross-sectional study. Quantitative and qualitative data collection methods were employed. Quantitative data collection was by the aid of a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire among 200 women seeking care for infertility at the hospital. Qualitative data collection was by Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and Key Informant Interviews (KIIs).Result: Approximately 40% and 60% of the respondents seeking care for infertility were suffering from primary and secondary infertility respectively. Perceived meaning and   etiologies of childlessness were multidimensional, but 33% of the respondents not sure of the causal factor. Seventy-nine percent   were under pressure to become pregnant. The high premium placed on fertility within marriage has placed   a larger proportion of them under pressure from their husbands (25%), their mother-in-laws (40%), and the community (14%).Conclusion: This study concluded that women regard infertility to be caused by multiplicity of factors. Most of these etiologies were unscientific and unverifiable. Fruitful expectations also put enormous burden on those women suffering from infertility including adverse psychosexual effects. The unceasing pressure due to infertility   in this group of patients calls for urgent intervention as most of these women become susceptible to high risk sexual behavior, depression and other severe consequences

Fabrication of Probe Trap for Monitoring Cowpea Weevil Infesting Stored Cowpea

Insect probe traps are effective in detecting grain insects but neglected because it is time consuming and precise method of interpreting the catch have not been adequately specified. Interestingly, this is not readily available in Nigeria and where available, it is expensive due to foreign exchange rates. Therefore, there is need for a locally available and more acceptable insect probe trap for integrated pest management practice during postharvest handling of cowpea. Locally sourced materials were used to fabricate a probe trap for monitoring Callosobruchus maculatus (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) infesting stored cowpea. The fabricated probe trap was evaluated together with a standard probe trap. Treatments were repeated three times, and also tried in three different insect densities (3, 7 and 15 insects per kg respectively) artificially infested into 10 kg cowpea grains contained in plastic storage buckets, and traps were inspected after every 24 hours for five days. The probe trap was also evaluated in 100 kg cowpea sample contained in sack bag to determine the effect of grain volume on the performance of the trap. Data collected were subjected to ANOVA and means were separated using Student Newman Keuls test (SNK) at 5 % confidence level. The result of total trap catches revealed that the fabricated traps’ mean catch (36.6) was significantly (P ≤ 0.05) higher than the standard probe trap which had lower trap catch mean (12.7) value. Thresholds for management decisions were also determined and the fabricated trap was found to be economically profitable (N 936.75 cheaper); hence, objectives of the study were achieved. &nbsp;It is recommended for cowpea handlers in Nigeria to use the fabricated insect probe trap because it is effective in monitoring beetles, it is less expensive and also locally available. &nbsp

ECTOPIC CHORIOCARCINOMA IN A PRETEEN IN OGBOMOSO, SOUTH-WEST NIGERIA. A CASE REPORT

Ectopic Choriocarcinoma is an extremely rare occurrence. The case of ectopic choriocarcinoma discussed here involved a 12 year old girl who presented with lower abdominal pain and dizziness following a short period of amenorrhea after attaining menarche. Aprovisional diagnosis of ruptured ectopic gestation was made based on the clinical evaluation and patient had emergency laparotomy. Histopathology report revealed a choriocarcinoma of the ovary. Patient defaulted on subsequent follow up care. This case is presented as an eye opener on the need to also focus on the reproductive health challenges, early sex education in preteen and rare occurrence of the disease amongst the Pre-teenage groups. It is also important to deal with the possibility of a non gestational choriocarcinoma of the ovary which has a worse prognosis