Socio-Demographic Factors, Condom Use and Sexually Transmitted Infections among Married Men in Ibadan, Nigeria

Data from 415 married men from the three socio-economic zones in the commercial city of Ibadan, Nigeria, were analysed to identify the presence and pattern of sexual networking, as well as obtain information on sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the community. Of the men interviewed, 43.6% had steady girl friends, 25.8% had new girl friends, 19.8% were polygamous and 10.6% patronised commercial sex workers (CSWs). Over 65 per cent of all these men had ever used condom before. Ninety-two (22.1%) of the men reported a lifetime history of sexually transmitted infections. Of this number, 37(40.2%) got the most recent infection from new girlfriends, 35(38%) from steady girlfriends, 18(19.6%) from CSWs, 1(1.1%) from casual contact and 1(1.1%) from wife. Commonest place for treatment of STI was private clinic (40.9%), followed by traditional healers (28%) and government hospitals (17.2%). Self-medication was reported in 10.8% of men and only 2.2% went to designated STI clinics. Sexually transmitted infections are likely to be grossly under reported particularly in the younger men below 30 years in this city. (Afr J Reprod Health 2000; 4[2]: 85–92) RésuméFacteurs socio-démographiques, l'emploi des préservatifs et les infections sexuellement transmissibles chez les hommes mariés à Ibadan, Nigéria. Les données recueillies auprès de 415 hommes de trois zones socio-économiques dans la ville commerciale d'Ibadan au Nigéria, ont été analysées pour identifier la présence et le modèle du réseau sexuel et pour obtenir aussi des renseignements, sur les infections sexuellement transmissibles (IST) dans la communauté. Parmi les hommes interviewés, 43,6% avaient de petites amies régulières, 25,8% avaient de nouvelles amies, 19,8% étaient des polygames et 10,6% fréquentaient des prostituées. Plus de 65% de ces hommes avaient jamais utilisé les préservatifs avant. Quatre-vingt-douze (22,1%) des hommes ont signalé qu'ils ont eu toute une vie marquée par les infections sexuellement transmissibles. 37(40,2%) de ce nombre ont signalé qu'ils ont attrapé l'infection la plus récente de la part de nouvelles petites amies, 35(38%) de la part de petites amies régulières, 18(19,6%) de la part des prostituées, 1(1,1%) des contacts fortuits et de la part de leurs femmes. Les cliniques privées étaient les lieux les plus communs pour le traitement des IST(40,9%), ensuite viennent les guérisseurs traditionnels (28%) et les hôpitaux gouvernementaux (17,2%). 10,8% des hommes ont indiqué qu'ils pratiquaient l'auto – médication et 2,2% ont fréquenté des cliniques désignées pour le traitement des IST. Il est probable que les infections sexuellement transmissibles soient grossièrement sous–signalées en particulier chez les jeunes hommes ayant moins de 30 ans dans cette velle. (Rev Afr Santé Reprod 2000; 4[2]: 85–92) Key Words: Sexually transmitted infections, male sexual networking, condom, HIV/AIDS, STI treatment, developing countr

HIV/AIDS-related knowledge and misconceptions among women attending government-owned antenatal clinics in Gwagwalada Area Council of Abuja, Nigeria

This study assessed the level of knowledge and misconceptions about HIV/AIDS transmission and prevention among women. Using a semi-structured pretested questionnaire we obtained relevant data from 420 respondents in five randomly selected antenatal clinics (ANCs) in Gwagwalada Area Council (GAC) of Abuja, Nigeria. Knowledge about the existence of HIV/AIDS was high (92.8%). Only 52.1% knew the cause of AIDS and 58.6% were aware that AIDS had no cure. About twenty percent of respondents believed that breast-milk could not transmit HIV and 27.9% were unaware that condom protects against HIV. Only 33.3% were aware that HIV infected persons may look and feel healthy. Mothers with at least secondary level education had significantly higher knowledge scores on HIV/AIDS transmission (X2 = 14.8, p = 0.01) than less educated mothers and less educated mothers were more likely to relate HIV infection to past misdeeds (X2 = 13.6, p = 0.01). Significant misconception concerning HIV transmission existed in the study population. More community outreach programmes to intensify HIV education and counseling in GAC is required.Cette étude a fait une évaluation du niveau de connaissances et d'idées fausses sur la transmission du VIH / sida et sa prévention chez les femmes. A l’aide d'un questionnaire semi-structuré et pré-contrôlé, nous avons obtenu des données pertinentes parmi les 420 interviewées choisies au hasard dans cinq consultations prénatales (CPN) auprès du Conseil Local de Gwagwalada (CLG), Abuja, au Nigéria. La connaissance de l'existence du VIH / sida était élevée (92,8%). Seulement 52,1% connaissaient la cause du sida et 58,6% étaient au courant que le sida n’avait pas de remède. Environ vingt pour cent des interviewées croyaient que le lait maternel ne pouvait pas transmettre le VIH et 27,9% ne savaient pas que le préservatif protège contre le VIH. Seulement 33,3% étaient au courant que les personnes infectées par le VIH peuvent avoir l’air d’être en bonne santé. Les mères qui ont au moins une éducation secondaire ont obtenu des notes significativement plus élevées de connaissances de la transmission du VIH / sida (X2 = 14,8, p = 0,01) que les mères moins instruites et les mères moins instruites étaient plus susceptibles d’attribuer l’infection du VIH aux méfaits du passé (X2 = 13,6, p = 0,01). Un malentendu significatif concernant la transmission du VIH existe dans la population étudiée. Il faut davantage de programmes communautaires pour intensifier le renseignement sur le VIH et de conseil dans le CA

A community-based investigation of the avoidable factors of maternal mortality in Nigeria: the pilot experience

Background: Reduction of maternal mortality is one of the major goals of several recent international conferences and has been included within the Millennium Development Goals. However, because measuring maternal mortality is difficult and complex, reliable estimates of the dimensions of the problem are not generally available and assessing progress towards the goal is difficult in some countries. Reliable baseline data are crucial to effectively track progress and measure that targets or goals of reducing maternal mortality have been met. Objectives:The objectives of this pilot study were: to test adequacy of research instruments; to improve research techniques; to determine an appropriate workload; to determine the time required for interviews; and to assess the feasibility of a (full-scale) study/ survey. Methods:This pilot study was conducted between 11th April and 22nd April 2005. 420 houses were visited and interviews of 420 respondents between the ages of 15-49 were conducted in a randomly pre-selected Local Government Area of Oyo state using a structured instrument developed using the principles of the Sisterhood Method. Results:There was willingness of the public to participate in the study.The response rate was 100%.There was no issue raised as regards the structure,wording and translation of the questionnaire.This pilot study uncovered local political problems and other issues that may be encountered during the main study. Conclusions:The pilot raised a number of fundamental issues related to the process of designing the research instrument, identifying and recruiting Data Collectors, training and supervision of Data Collectors and the research project, gaining access to respondents and obtaining support and approval from \"gatekeepers\".This paper highlights the lessons learned and reports practical issues that occurred during pilot study. African Health Sciences Vol. 7 (3) 2007: pp. 176-18

Place of birth or place of death: An evaluation of 1139 maternal deaths in Nigeria

Objective To describe the incidence of maternal death by age, marital status, timing and place of death in Ibadan North and Ido Local Government Areas of Oyo State, Nigeria. Design A retrospective study using multistage sampling with stratification and clustering to select local government areas, political wards and households. We included one eligible subject by household in the sample. Data on maternal mortality were collected using the principles of the indirect sisterhood method. Setting Ibadan city of Oyo state, Nigeria. We included eight randomly selected political wards from Ibadan North LGA (urban) and Ido LGA (rural). Participants 3028 participants were interviewed using the four questions of the indirect sisterhood method: How many sisters have you ever had who are ever married (or who survived until age 15)? How many are dead? How many are alive? How many died while they were pregnant, during childbirth, or within six weeks after childbirth (that is, died of maternal causes)? We also included other questions such as place and timing of death, age of women at death and number of pregnancies. Findings 1139 deaths were reported to be related to pregnancy, childbirth or the puerperium. Almost half were aged between aged 25–34 years. More deaths occurred to women who were pregnant for the first time (33.4%, n=380) than for any other number of pregnancies, with 49.9% (n=521) dying within 24 hours after childbirth or abortion and 30.9% (n=322) dying after 24 hours but within 72 hours after childbirth or abortion. Only 71.5% (n=809) were reported to have been admitted to health-care facilities before their death, the percentage being higher in the urban LGA (72.4%, n=720) than the rural LGA (65.4%, n=89). The percentage being admitted varied from one political ward to another (from 42.9% to 80.4%), the difference being statistically significant (χ2=17.55, df=7, p=0.014). The majority of the deaths occurred after childbirth (63.5%, n=723). Most deaths were said to have occurred in the hospital (38.6%) or private clinic (28.2%), with 16.0% dying at home and 6.5% on the way to hospital

Community Study of Maternal Mortality in South West Nigeria: How Applicable is the Sisterhood Method

A significant reduction in maternal mortality was witnessed globally in the year 2010, yet, no significant reduction in the maternal mortality ratio (MMR) in Nigeria was recorded. The absence of accurate data on the numbers, causes and local factors influencing adverse maternal outcomes has been identified as a major obstacle hindering appropriate distribution of resources targeted towards improving maternal healthcare. This paper reports the first community based study that measures the incidence of maternal mortality in Ibadan, Nigeria using the indirect sisterhood method and explores the applicability of this method in a community where maternal mortality is not a rare event. A community-based study was conducted in Ibadan using the principles of the sisterhood method developed by Graham et al. for developing countries. Using a multi-stage sampling design with stratification and clustering, 3,028 households were selected. All persons approached agreed to take part in the study (a participation rate of 100%), with 2,877 respondents eligible for analysis. There was a high incidence of maternal mortality in the study setting: 1,324/6,519 (20.3%) sisters of the respondents had died, with 1,139 deaths reportedly related to pregnancy, childbirth or the puerperium. The MMR was 7,778 per 100,000 live births (95% CI 7,326–8,229). Adjusted for a published Total Fertility Rate of 6.0, the MMR was 6,525 per 100,000 live births (95% CI 6,144–6,909). Women in Ibadan were dying more from pregnancy related complications than from other causes. Findings of this study have implications for midwifery education, training and practice and for the first time provide policy makers and planners with information on maternal mortality in the community of Ibadan city and shed light on the causes of maternal mortality in the area