International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology

International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology ISSN 2326-7234 Vol. 8 (4), pp. 001-006, April, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Factors influencing the choice of family planning among couples in Southwest Nigeria

OLAITAN, Olukunmi Lanre

Department of Human Kinetics and Health Education, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria. E-mail: lanreolives@yahoo.com, olaitan.ol@unilorin.edu.ng. Tel: +234 80 347 15 348.

Accepted 17 June, 2019

Abstract

The study investigated factors influencing the choice of family planning among couples in Southwest Nigeria. Six hundred couples were selected from five Southwestern states in Nigeria through a multistage sampling technique. Questionnaire was used to collect information from the subjects. Five research questions were raised, five hypotheses were formulated and chi-square statistics was employed for the purpose of data analysis at 0.05 alpha level of significance. The findings revealed that socio-economic status, religious factors and cultural norms do not influence couples’ choice, whereas educational background of the couples and involvement of partners toward the choice of family planning significantly influenced the choice of family planning among couples. On the basis of the findings, it was recommended among others that every couple should be well informed about the importance of family planning’s choice so as to improve their reproductive health and economic standard of living, to reduce maternal mortality, morbidity and reduce unwanted pregnancy.

Key words: Family planning, couples, socio-economic

International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology ISSN 2326-7234 Vol. 8 (4), pp. 001-007, April, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Association of socioeconomic status with health and birth outcomes: Maternal variables (Part 1)

Cyrus Azimi¹* and Mahshid Lotfi²

¹Genetics Group, Cancer Research Center, Cancer Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), Tehran, Iran.

²International Development Research Center (IDRC), Ottawa, Canada.

Accepted 24 October, 2019

Abstract

Social class is one of the strongest known predictors of health or illness, but paradoxically very little is known about this variable. Adequate data on socioeconomic status (SES) and birth outcomes must be available to monitor socioeconomic inequality in birth outcomes. Our research was designed to respond to this gap. This is the first large-scale survey of this kind in Ontario. Results from large scale surveys are instrumental for policy making and planning programs to improve population health and wellbeing. In this survey, the association of SES with maternal variables such as maternal age, height, previous stillbirths, previous neonatal deaths, duration of gestation, and forms of delivery was studied. In this study, the records from about 47,000 babies which have been collected over a period of 5 years by the hospitals in rural and urban areas of Ontario were accessed and analyzed. The results demonstrate that mothers from lower social classes were significantly younger, shorter, more previous stillbirths, more previous neonatal deaths with longer duration of gestation, and more spontaneous deliveries but less chance of having forceps or a Cesarean section. Lower income respondents may be exposed to more stressful life events beyond their control and there may be fewer social and psychological resources to cope with stressful life events. To improve health outcomes of infants born to teenage mothers, policies should aim at providing additional social support as well as additional financial resources to adolescent mothers.

Key words: Socioeconomic status, maternal health variables, age, height, stillbirths, neonatal deaths, duration of gestation, forms of delivery.

International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology ISSN 2326-7234 Vol. 8 (3), pp. 001-005, March, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research paper

Study on the knowledge, attitude and practice about HIV/AIDS and its influencing factors among pregnant mothers in the social institute of health and hygiene of Dakar

Sow P. G. ^1,2,3*, Wade F.¹, Toure K.^2,3,4,5_, Ndiaye I. P.⁴, and Traore I.^1,2,3,4

¹Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Sociale Institute of health and Hygiene of Dakar, Dakar, Senegal.

²Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Dakar University, Dakar, Senegal.

³UFR Community Health, Bambey University, Diourbel, Senegal.

⁴Laboratory of Bacteriology and Virology of Dakar, Aristide le Dantec Hospital, Dakar, Senegal.

⁵Hospital Center of Fann, Dakar, Senegal.

Accepted 15 September, 2019

Abstract

Pregnant women are at higher risk of transmitting the infections to their foetus. This prompted the “prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT) program” in Senegal since 1998. The objective of this cross sectional study was to determine the knowledge, attitude and practice of pregnant mothers in the social Institute of health and hygiene of Dakar towards human immunodeficiency virus/ acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) and its influencing factors. Data were obtained through self administered questionnaires. Only 32.2% of the respondents have good knowledge, compared to 67.8% who had poor knowledge (p < 0.001). Majority of them (56.4%) have good attitude and practice towards HIV/AIDS compared to the remaining poor attitude and practice respondent (44.4%) (p < 0.001). Radio/TV (90.2%) and reading materials (83.9%) were the main sources of obtaining information. Main predictors for having good knowledge towards HIV/AIDS were women aged over 30 years old, have high education, who perceived on having good knowledge towards HIV/AIDS and received health education from health staffs. Meanwhile, predictors for having good attitude and practice towards HIV/AIDS were women having high education and received health education from health staffs. Therefore, implementation of PMCTC must be reviewed regularly to ensure the program reach its targets.

Key words: human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), mother to child transmission, knowledge, attitude and practice.

International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology ISSN 2326-7234 Vol. 8 (3), pp. 001-008, March, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research paper

Prevalence and determinants of non-adherence to antiretroviral therapy among HIV- positive pregnant women in Nnewi, Nigeria

A. O. Igwegbe*, J. O. Ugboaja and L. A. Nwajiaku

Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, P. M. B. 5025, Nnewi, Nigeria.

Accepted 27 August, 2019

Abstract

Adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) is central to a successful prevention of mother- to- child transmission of HIV (PMTCT) programme by ensuring optimal viral suppression. However, barriers to adherence exist and differ among populations. This cross-sectional study was carried out among 368 HIV-positive pregnant mothers attending the PMTCT clinic at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital Nnewi, Nigeria to determine the prevalence and demographic variables related to non-adherence to ART. The mean age and parity of the women were 30.4 ± 4.4 years and 2.5 ± 2.0 respectively. Majority (97.0%) were married and had achieved secondary education and above (86.9%). One hundred and sixty five (44.8%) had been on ART for more than 2 years while 37.0 % commenced ART in the index pregnancy. The non adherence rate was 21.7%. The common reasons for missing ARV drugs were forgetfulness (63.8%); feeling healthy and hence no need to take ARV drugs (16.3%) and living very far from the hospital (15.0%) . Increasing maternal age (X² = 13.6; P = 0.001), low educational level (X² = 39.36 P = 0.002), extremes of parity (X² = 11.3 P = 0.03), husband’s low educational level (X² = 13.8; P = 0.01), being in a sero-concordant relationship (X² = 6.2; P = 0.05) and non-disclosure of HIV serostatus (X² = 12.96; P = 0.003) were significantly associated with non adherence to ART. Those women who had been on ART for up to 2 years and beyond (X² = 9.52; P = 0.001), and those in whom the diagnosis of HIV was made before pregnancy (X² = 5.21; P = 0.02) were more likely to be non -adherent to therapy. These factors are recommended to guide counseling and design of programmes aimed at reducing non-adherence to ART.

Key words: Non-adherence, anti retroviral therapy, PMTCT, Nnewi, Nigeria.

International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology ISSN 2326-7234 Vol. 8 (2), pp. 001-005, February, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Prevalence and determinants of unmet need for family planning in Nnewi, south-east Nigeria

Anthony, O. Igwegbe*, Joseph, O. Ugboaja and Emmanuel, N. Monago

Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, P. M. B. 5025 Nnewi, Nigeria.

Accepted 03 August, 2019

Abstract

The unmeet need for family planning is a very useful tool in measuring and predicting the contraceptive needs of a population. A descriptive cross sectional study of 356 women attending the antenatal clinic of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Nigeria, was carried out to determine the level of unmeet need and its determinants. Three hundred and forty (95.5%) of the respondents had knowledge about family planning, while 260 (73.3%) had ever used a modern method. There is a significant lag between the knowledge and use of the common methods of family planning. Ninety eight out of 356 pregnancies (27.5%) were unintended. Seventy six of the unintended pregnancies were due to non use of contraceptives hence an unmeet need of 21.4% with 15.2% for spacing and 6.2% for limiting. Husband’s disapproval (36.8%), fear of side effects (28.9%) and religious beliefs (14.8%) were the main constraints to the use of contraceptives. There is a significant association between parity and unmeet need. Age, level of education, religion and husband’s occupation had no significant effects. There is great need to intensify reproductive health education and include men in programs and policies designed to improve family planning practices in Nigeria.

Key words: Family planning, unmet need, antenatal women.