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Introduction: Nutrition refers to intake of food necessary for optimal growth, function, and health. A well‑nourished mother is likely to have healthy infants with appropriate birth weight.Objective: To review nutrition including the dietary habit of the pregnant and postpartum women in Nigeria.Materials and Methods: Review involving Internet and literature search.Results: Undernutrition in women aged 15–49 years decreased from 15% (2003) to 11% (2013), while overnutrition increased from 21% (2003) to 25% (2013). Inadequate intake of calories and micronutrient is a major feature of studies on the dietary pattern of Nigerian pregnant women. Multinutrient malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies are a consequence of low content of macronutrients and micronutrients in diet and staple foods in Nigeria. Food restriction/taboos occur in association with primigravidity; teenage pregnancy; lack of formal education; low household income, signifying low socio-economic status and a low body mass index. Food restrictions/taboos are common with proteins and vegetable. Commonly consumed vegetable contain adequate mineral and vitamins. Poor food preparation habit e.g blanching of vegetable and parboiling of rice occur. Postpartum mother has poor dietary intake—malnutrition, overweight, and obese body mass index. Caloric intake is high with low intake of protein and fat. There is intake of spices and peppery food believed to flush out lochia, and consumption of palm wine believed to assist breast flow. Consequences of anemia include—folic acid and iron deficiency, malaria, hookworm infestation, and urinary tract infections.Conclusion: Dietary habit on nutrition in pregnancy and postpartum women in Nigeria is poor. Recommendation: Recommended measures to improve maternal nutrition in Nigeria include development of dietary guideline for pregnancy and postpartum; health education on nutrition in pregnancy, using information, education and communication materials; provision of adequate rest and reduction of workload; counselling of pregnant women on intake of diversified food, and provision of treatment supplement; encouraging exclusive breastfeeding; and micronutrient supplementation/food fortification for postpartum mothers.Key words: Maternal; nutrition; Nigeria.

The expectation of obstetrics is a perfect outcome. Obstetrics malpractice can cause morbidity and mortality that may engender litigation. Globally, increasing trend to litigation in obstetrics practice has resulted in high indemnity cost to the obstetrician with consequent frustration and overall danger to the future of obstetrics practice. The objective was to review litigations and the Obstetrician in Clinical Practice, highlighting medical ethics, federation of gynecology and obstetrics (FIGO’s) ethical responsibility guideline on women’s sexual and reproductive health and right; examine the relationship between medical ethics and medical laws; X‑ray medical negligence and litigable obstetrics malpractices; and make recommendation towards the improvement of obstetrics practices to avert misconduct that would lead to litigation. Review involves a literature search on the internet in relevant journals, textbooks, and monographs. Knowledge and application of medical ethics are important to the obstetricians to avert medical negligence that will lead to litigation. A medical negligence can occur in any of the three triads of medicare viz: Diagnosis, advice/counseling, and treatment. Lawsuits in obstetrics generally center on errors of omission or commission especially in relation to the failure to perform caesarean section or to perform the operation early enough. Fear of litigation, high indemnity cost, and long working hours are among the main reasons given by obstetricians for ceasing obstetrics practice. Increasing global trend in litigation with high indemnity cost to the obstetrician is likely to jeopardize the future of obstetrics care especially in countries without medical insurance coverage for health practitioners. Litigation in obstetrics can be prevented through the Obstetrician’s mindfulness of its possibility; acquainting themselves of the medical laws and guidelines related to their practice; ensuring adequate communication with, and consent of patients during treatment together with proper and correct documentation of cases. The supervision of resident‑in‑training, development and implementation of obstetrics protocol, and continuing medical education of obstetricians are also important factors to the prevention of litigation in obstetrics.Keywords: Clinical practice, Litigation, Obstetrician

Objective: To examines the prevalence and pattern of condom-use among Nigerian university undergraduates. Methods: This is a cross-sectional questionnaire-based study of 276 undergraduate students from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria, selected using simple random sampling method. Data analysis employed SPSS version 17.0. Results: There were 168 (60.9%) males and 108 (39.1%) females’ respondents. Their age ranged from 16 to 35 years. Majority, 242 (87.7%) were single and most, 266 (96.4%) were Christians. Up to 266 (96.4%) and 172 (62.3%) were aware of male and female condoms respectively, while 198 (68.8%) respondents and 14 (5.1%) have ever used male and female condoms respectively. Eighty (42.1%) respondents were consistent with condom-use, while 150 (54.3%) and 78 (28.3%) of the respondents respectively, knew condoms could help prevent STIs, and pregnancy. Religion-belief 26 (33.3%) constituted the commonest inhibitor to condom-use. The most commonly known pitfall on condom-use by the respondents is ‘’condom-burst’’ 102 (37.0%). The most common source of information on condom-use by the respondents is media 88(31.9%). Conclusion: Awareness of condom among the respondents was high, but usage was low. Religion constitute a major inhibitor to condom-use. Re-invigorating sexual and reproductive health enlightenment including condom-use, employing various media platforms is recommended.

Background: Postabortion care (PAC) is aimed at reducing maternal morbidity and mortality resulting from the incomplete abortion and abortion complications. The use of analgesia is an integral part of high quality PAC. Knowledge of the pattern of use of analgesia in PAC by healthcare professionals would help in planning group specific training programs for more effective PAC. Aim: This study is aimed at assessing the use of analgesia in PAC among healthcare professionals in South Eastern Nigeria.Subjects and Methods: This is a cross‑sectional questionnaire‑based survey carried out among healthcare professionals in Anambra State, Nigeria between June 1 and September 30, 2006. Participants were chosen using a multistage sampling technique. Pretested questionnaires assessing the practice of postabortion counseling were then administered. The data were analyzed using SPSSversion 20.0 software. Frequencies were within 95% confidence limits.Results: A total of 437 health professionals were included in the study. The mean age was 38.2 (10.4) years. Formal PAC training influenced the use of analgesia positively (P < 0.001). The use of analgesia in PAC was also significantly higher among professionals working in tertiary healthcare center and private specialist hospitals when compared with other facilities (P = 0.02). In general complications were more when analgesia was not employed. Older professionals were more likely to employ pain relief in PAC (P = 0.01). Furthermore, doctors were significantly more likely to employ pain relief in PAC when compared to nurses (P = 0.001).Conclusion: This study revealed a low level of use of analgesia in PAC among the healthcare professionals. It also demonstrated a significant association between formal PAC training and use ofanalgesia in PAC. It is, therefore, recommended that increased PAC training and re‑training activities with emphasis on the need for analgesia should be conducted for healthcare professionals to improve the quality of PAC received by clients.KEY WORDS: Pain relief, post abortion care, Nigeria

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This Cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted amongst 550 secondary school girls in southeastern Nigeria to determine their perceptions, problems, and practices on menstruation. Majority of the students, (75.6%), were aged 15-17 years. Only 39.3% perceived menstruation to be physiological. Abdominal pain/discomfort, (66.2%), was the commonest medical problem encountered by the respondents, although 45.8% had multiple problems. Medical problems were most commonly discussed with the mother, (47.1%), and least commonly discussed with the teachers, 0.4%. Analgesics, (75.6%), were most commonly used to relieve menstrual pain. Only 10% of respondents used non-pharmacologic remedies. Unsanitary menstrual absorbents were used by 55.7% of the respondents. Menstruation perceptions are poor, and practices often incorrect. A multi-dimensional approach focusing on capacity building of mothers, and teachers on sexuality education skills; using religious organizations as avenues for sexuality education; and effectively using the Mass Media as reproductive health education channels are recommended towards improving adolescents\' perceptions and practices on menstruation.Keywords: Perception and practice, menstruation, Nigerian school-girlsAfrican Journal of Reproductive Health Vol. 12 (1) 2008: pp. 74-83

The prevalence of Gardnerella vaginalis in the genital tract of 253 pregnant Nigerian women was 17.0% (43). The highest prevalence occurred among women aged 16-20 years (26%) while the lowest occurred among those aged 31-35 years (13%). Women aged 30 years and below had an overall prevalence of 18.2%, while those above 30 years had a prevalence rate of 12.7%. This difference was not significant (c2 = 0.66; p = 0.42). There was a decline in the prevalence rate of G. vaginalis with increasing gestational age being 18.2% for pre-term gestational age (i.e., below 37 weeks) and 12.0% for term gestational age (37-42 weeks), although the difference was also not significant (c22 = 1.13; p > 0.5). Similarly, a non-significant decline in the prevalence of Gardnerella vaginalis occurred with increasing parity from 19% in the primigravida to 6.5% in the grandmultipara (c22 = 2.81; p = 0.246). No definite trend occurred in the prevalence of G. vaginalis for social class (c24 = 3.2; p = 0.525). The pattern of prevalence of Gardnerella vaginalis in the genital tract in pregnancy suggests an indirect relationship with pregnancy sexuality, which needs to be corroborated with further larger studies. (Afr J Reprod Health 2001; 5[1]: 50-55) RÉSUMÉ Prévalence de Gardnerella vaginalis chez les femmes nigérianes enceintes. La prévalence de Gardnerella vaginalis dans le fasceau génital de 253 femmes nigérianes enceintes était de 17% (43). La prévalence la plus élevée s'est présentée chez les femmes âgées de 16-20 ans (26%) alors que la plus basse s'est présentée chez les femmes âgées de 31-35 ans (13%). Les femmes âgées de 30 ans ou moins avaient une prévalence totale de 18, 2%, alors que celles qui avaient plus de 30 ans avaient un taux de prévalence de 12,7%. Cette différence n'était pas significative (x2 = 1,66; p = 0,42). Il y avait une baisse dans le taux de prévalence de G. vaginalis, l'âge gestationnel croissant étant de 18, 2% pour l'âge gestationnel avant-terme (37-42 semaines) bien que la différence ne soit pas significative (x22 = 1.13, p > 0,5). De même, une baisse peu significative dans la prévalence de Gardnerella vaginalis s'est présentée avec une parité de 19% chez les primigestes jusqu' à 6,5% chez les grandmultimares (x22 = 2.18, p = 0,246). Il n'y avait pas de tendance particulière dans la prévalence de G.vaginalis chez la classe sociale (x24 = 3,2; p > 0,525). Le type de prévalence de G. vaginalis dans le fasceau génital au moment de la grossesse nous autorise à penser qu'il y a un rapport indirect avec la sexualité en grossesse, ce qui doit être corroboré avec encore d'études plus élargies. (Rev Afr Santé Reprod 2001; 5[1]: 50-55)