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Summary: A cross-sectional study conducted in a semi-urban tertiary healthcare hospital in South western Nigeria to assess health promotion practices and associated sociodemographic factors among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics. A total of 220 pregnant women were studied. Results showed that 95.0% of the participants had good health promotion practices with physical activities having the lowest while spiritual values had the highest score. Moreover, age, religion, education, and occupation were significantly associated with health promotion practices among the pregnant women., (Copyright © 2024 Copyright: © 2024 Indian Journal of Public Health.)

Background: Nutritional imbalance is an underlying cause of 2.6million death annually and a third of child's death globally. This study assessed and compared the nutritional status of primary school children and their caregiver's knowledge on malnutrition in rural and urban communities of Ekiti State., Methods: This is a cross-sectional comparative study carried out among 983 urban and rural primary school children in Ekiti State (495 in urban and 488 in rural) using interviewer-administered semi-structured questionnaire. A multi-stage sampling technique was used and data collected was analyzed using SPSS 23 with level of statistical significance set at p < 0.05., Results: Underweight and stunting were relatively higher in rural (6.5% and 22.7% respectively) than in urban (6.3% and 19.4% respectively) and these differences are not statistically significant (p = 0.898, p = 0.197). However, wasting, overweight and obesity were higher in urban (12.7%, 6.1% and 7.7% respectively) than rural (11.5%, 3.7% and 7.5% respectively) but the difference is not statistically significant. (p = 0.242). Majority of the caregivers in both settings had good knowledge of malnutrition though higher in urban mothers (89.5%) with statistical significance than their rural counterparts (71.5%). However, there is no significant association between caregiver's knowledge and malnutrition in this study. Being in lower primary school class, relationship with caregiver, educational status of caregiver and occupation of caregiver were the common predictors of malnutrition among the school children in both community settings., Conclusion: Generally, the prevalence of malnutrition was high in both urban and rural primary school children in this study. However, while underweight and stunting were more prevalent among the children in the rural communities, wasting, overweight and obesity were more prevalent in the urban. The caregivers in both communities had good knowledge of malnutrition (better in the urban) but this is not good enough to bring a significant relationship with the occurrence of malnutrition in the children. Common predictors of malnutrition in both community settings are being in lower primary school class, relationship with caregiver, educational status of caregiver and occupation of caregiver. It is therefore recommended that regular continuous public enlightenment, nutritional education programmes and other programmes targeted at improving the economic power of the caregivers are measures that will improve the nutritional status of the primary school children., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright: © 2024 Sanni et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.)

Introduction: Nigeria grapples with a substantial burden of tuberculosis (TB), particularly in Oyo State, designated as a high-burden State for TB. Effectively addressing this persistent health challenge necessitates more than just medical interventions; it requires a profound understanding of the diverse insights, beliefs, and myths held by TB patients., Methods: This qualitative study explores the perspectives of pulmonary TB patients with delayed healthcare access in Oyo State, Nigeria, focusing on their beliefs, and conceptions. In-depth interviews were conducted with 25 TB patients and 20 healthcare providers., Results: Thematic analysis of patients' responses revealed a complex interplay between cultural, spiritual, and biomedical insights. These challenges questioned the germ theory, associating TB with witchcraft and spiritual attacks. Beliefs in hereditary transmission, links between tobacco use and health outcomes, and uncertainties about infection nature underscored disparities influenced by socio-economic factors. Insights into transmission ideas, preventive measures, and treatment beliefs highlighted a blend of culturally influenced and scientifically supported strategies. Healthcare providers' insights emphasized the necessity for targeted health education., Discussion: These findings contribute to a nuanced understanding of TB perceptions, emphasizing the importance of culturally sensitive interventions to enhance awareness and promote timely and accurate health-seeking behaviors., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Adeoye, Michael and Agbana.)

In accordance with the United Nations Recommended Principles and Guidelines on Human Rights and Human Trafficking, intentional adolescent pregnancies for the purpose of child trafficking are a grave violation of human rights, demonstrating egregious exploitation. This study examines the determinants of deliberate adolescent pregnancies aimed at selling newborns to child traffickers in Nigeria. Employing a qualitative design, purposive sampling was utilized to select 46 participants, including eight pregnant adolescent girls (aged 11 to 16), seven family members of the pregnant adolescents, six community leaders, and twenty-five community members. Semi-structured in-depth interviews and focus group discussions were used. Audio-recorded interviews were meticulously transcribed and translated from Ibibio to English by certified language experts to preserve meaning. Thematic analysis employed identified themes and sub-themes. Data underwent coding, categorization, and analysis using ATLAS.ti qualitative software. Determinant factors influencing deliberate pregnancies among adolescent girls for child trafficking include socioeconomic vulnerability, marital infertility, societal pressure, money rituals, criminal exploitation, limited education access, and inadequate legal protection. A holistic approach addressing socioeconomic disparities, cultural norms, criminal networks, legal protections, and education empowerment offers promise to eradicate buying and selling of babies. By confronting these factors, Nigeria can forge a safer, more equitable future for its adolescent girls., Competing Interests: The Authors declared no conflict of interest, (African Journal of Reproductive Health © 2024.)

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder among women and it is associated with overt metabolic derangement. Circulating lipids are regulated by proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) which blocks low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptors especially in the liver. The liver is highly vulnerable in dyslipidemia as lipid accumulation leads to progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). An array of scientific endeavours hold that low-dose spironolactone (LDS) is beneficial as intervention for PCOS traits, but this claim is yet to be fully elucidated. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of LDS on dyslipidemia and hepatic inflammation in rats with letrozole (LET)-induced PCOS and to assess the possible involvement of PCSK9 in these effects. Eighteen female Wistar rats were randomly assigned into 3 groups. The control group received vehicle (distilled water; p.o.), LET-treated group received letrozole (1 mg/kg; p.o.), LET+LDS-treated group received LET plus LDS (0.25 mg/kg, p.o.) for 21 days. Exposure to LET increased body and hepatic weights, plasma and hepatic total cholesterol (TC), TC/HDL, LDL, interleukin-6, MDA, PCSK9, ovarian degenerated follicles and hepatic NLRP3 intensity, reduced GSH and normal ovarian follicles. Interestingly, LDS averted dyslipidemia, NLRP3-dependent hepatic inflammation and ovarian PCOS traits. It is evident herein that LDS ameliorates PCOS traits and combats dyslipidemia and hepatic inflammation in PCOS by a PCSK9-dependent mechanism., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors have no conflict of interest to declare., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The study determined the socio-demographic predictors of reports of intimate partner violence (IPV) among pregnant women attending ante-natal clinic in State Specialist Hospital Ikere-Ekiti. A descriptive cross-sectional design was used and a pretested questionnaire was administered to 390 pregnant women who were selected using simple random sampling technique. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The prevalence rate IPV was 38.8 %, sexual violence (35.6%), followed by physical (35.1%), verbal (33.8%) and psychological (33.6%) was reported. The study found a significant relationship (p <0.05) between socio-demographic characteristics and IPV. The prevalence of IPV among the study participants was high, age of partner, years in relationship, age at marriage, educational status, occupational status, income and parity were predictors of IPV. Therefore, it is highly imperative for nurse-midwives to have a high index of suspicion and screen for intimate partner violence, especially physical and sexual violence during pre-natal care.

Prostate cancer (PCa) is currently the second most prevalent cancer in the world and the most common type of cancer among Nigerian men. This study explored the lived experiences of patients with PCa at the General Hospital in Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria. A mixed-method design was adopted. Purposive and consecutive sampling techniques were employed to recruit 50 and 10 participants for the quantitative and qualitative aspects respectively. Qualitative data was analyzed using thematic content analysis while quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. All participants were above the age of 50 years, 72% earned about $100 monthly while 68% were diagnosed in less than five years. Majority of the participants utilized adaptive coping styles and also found the strategies moderately helpful while living with the effects of radical prostatectomy. Participants also found the high cost of treatment severely challenging. Government and other stakeholders may need to subsidize the cost of PCa management thereby encouraging early accessibility to care, improved adherence to treatment and also reduce the economic burden of the disease on patients and their families.

Objectives: The cessation of family planning among sexually active women who do not intend to have children increases the number of unplanned pregnancies and the risks to maternal health. This study examined the predictors of family planning method discontinuation among sexually active Nigerian women., Methods: Data from the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) were used. A total of 4553 women 15-49 years of age who had stopped using family planning methods in the previous 5 years were included in the study. Descriptive and binary logistic regression were used in the analysis., Results: More than 60% of the women sampled had stopped family planning and had no intention of having children. Respondents discontinued family planning because of adverse effects (15.2%) and method failure (12.9%). Predictors of modern family planning discontinuation were secondary education (OR = 1.302, 95% CI: 1.006-1.685), Islamic religion (OR = 1.281, 95% CI: 1.059-1.550), residence in the South-East geopolitical zone (OR = 0.248, 95% CI: 0.195-0.316), having three or more children (OR = 0.848, 95% CI: 0.735-0.978) and having paid employment (OR = 0.838, 95% CI: 0.715-0.982)., Conclusion: Socio-economic and cultural factors influence discontinuation of family planning among Nigerian women. Policy options are needed to increase family planning uptake, identify common adverse effects of family planning and focus on raising public awareness regarding the negative consequences of discontinuing family planning on individuals, families and the nation., (© 2022 [The Author/The Authors].)

Introduction: the unmet need for family planning is a global health burden. The lockdown occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic has reduced access to contraceptives, especially in the developing countries. This study examined the predictors of the unmet need for family planning during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in Nigeria., Methods: the study adopted a cross-sectional analytical survey design. A self-designed questionnaire was administered to 1,404 adult respondents aged 18 years and above. The data was generated through the use of online Google survey and analyzed with SPSS version 25. The results were presented using descriptive and logistic regression at p≤0.05., Results: fourty-seven percent of the respondents were females and 58.8% were married. The four major reasons for non-access to contraceptive methods during the lockdown were: fear of visiting health facility (77.9%), locked drug/chemist stores (51.2%), the restriction of movement (47.6%) and a lack of access to health care providers (42.9%). Predictors of unmet need for family planning were: aged 26-33 (OR = 1.912, 95% CI: 1.02-3.55), married/cohabiters (OR = 3.693, 95% CI: 2.44-5.58), tertiary education (OR = 0.272, 95% CI: 0.13-0.54), Yoruba ethnicity (OR=1.642, 95% CI: 1.02-2.62), rural residence (OR = 0.554, 95% CI: 0.36-0.85) and 2-4 children born (OR = 3.873, 95% CI: 2.32-6.45)., Conclusion: a significant proportion of Nigerians experienced an unmet need for family planning during the COVID-19 lockdown. Prioritizing the access to contraceptives during the pandemic would not only allow women and men to correctly plan childbirth, it also reduces maternal risks, poverty and undesirable fertility rates., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing interests., (Copyright: Turnwait Otu Michael et al.)

Objective: In recent times, Diabetes Mellitus (DM) has had a rapid increase in developing countries as a result of changing lifestyles among the people. This study was therefore aimed to investigate the level of awareness of DM and its associated risk factors in Afao: a rural community located in Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government Ekiti State, Nigeria., Design: The study was descriptive cross-sectional in design. A multi-stage sampling technique was applied to recruit respondents who are residents in the community. Two hundred and one individuals were involved in this community-based study. Information was obtained using a modified WHO STEPwise approach to chronic disease risk surveillance. The questionnaire included questions that assessed socio-demographic characteristics, diabetic risk factors and anthropometric measures of respondents., Result: Of the 134 (66.7%) respondents aware of DM, only an average of 43.9% had knowledge of its risk factors. Respondent's body mass index was significantly associated (P < 0.01) with knowledge of overweight/obesity as overweight (52.9%), grade 1 obese (62.5%) and morbid obese (100%) respondents had no knowledge of their status as risk factors for DM. Also, respondent's blood pressure status showed a significant association (P = 0.099) with respondent's knowledge of high blood pressure, 62.5% of those unaware of their blood pressure status had no knowledge of high blood pressure as a diabetes risk factor. Respondent's age (P = 0.024) and diet; daily vegetable servings (P = 0.015) and cooking oil (P = 0.05) showed significant association with the occurrence of the disease in 14.4% respondents previously diagnosed., Conclusion: This study shows a need to improve on the level of awareness of diabetes risk factors in Afao. Routine measurement of blood glucose levels for adults, community health education and enlightenment strategies through the ministry of health on the awareness of diabetes are highly recommended for the Afao community., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest statement The authors declare no conflict of interest., (©2020 Pacini Editore SRL, Pisa, Italy.)

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is an increasingly prevalent pathogen. We studied the prevalence of MRSA and its association with vaginitis during pregnancy. Bacteriological investigations of high vaginal swabs of 350 healthy pregnant women attending antenatal clinics were carried out. Staphylococci were isolated from high vaginal swabs of 135 of the women. The staphylococcal isolates were resistant to multiple antibiotics. The PCR amplification of DNA of 20 selected isolates yielded six possessing the mecA gene and 13 the blaZ gene. MRSA possessing both the mecA and blaZ genes were isolated from subjects who reported vaginal discharge and itching., (© 2020 The Authors.)

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a complex endocrine disease among women of reproductive age and is one of the main causes of infertility. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), the most prominent chronic liver disease in adults, is characterized by excess hepatic triglyceride (TG) accumulation. PCOS women have increased risk of NAFLD and uric acid has been documented to have a positive correlation with subclinical tissue damage and might be the link in the cystic. Spironolactone (SPL) is a mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) blocker that has been in wide clinical use for some decades. In this research, we investigated the effects of SPL on ovarian and hepatic tissue damage in experimental PCOS rats induced by letrozole (LET). A total of eighteen adult female Wistar rats were used for this study and the animals divided into 3 groups are treated with vehicle, LET (1 mg/kg), and LET+SPL (SPL; 0.25 mg/kg), p.o. once daily respectively for 21 uninterrupted days. Results showed that LET treatment induced features of PCOS characterized by increased plasma testosterone (T) and luteinizing hormone (LH) together with increased body weight. Abnormal ovarian and hepatic histomorphological changes were also observed with elevated uric acid (UA) and TG accumulation in both tissues respectively. Treatment with SPL however attenuated the elevated testosterone in the LET-induced PCOS model accompanied with a reversal in the observed ovarian and hepatic UA, TG accumulation, and altered histomorphological changes. Taken together, spironolactone reversed the PCOS-induced ovarian and hepatic tissue damage by suppressing tissue UA and TG accumulation.

Commercial motorcycle (CM) accidents constitute a major public concern in Nigeria. There is 8:10 chance that injuries resulting from these accidents are severe and debilitating including head and spinal injuries. This study is aimed at producing useful data on the prevalence, frequency, and determinants of helmet use among commercial motorcyclist in Ido-Osi Local Government Area, Ekiti State, Nigeria. The study was a descriptive/cross-sectional study. A total of 360 respondents were selected by multi-stage sampling technique and interviewed using assisted self-administered, semi-structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 21. Determinants of helmet use examined included age, educational level, marital status and religion. There was a 100% response rate. More than half of the respondents were within the age range of 20-29 years 164(53.6%) with the mean age of the study participants 29.9. The prevalence of helmet usage among commercial motorcyclist was 23.5%. The commonest reason for not using a crash helmet in this study was non-availability. The commonest reason for the non-availability of the welding helmet was the cost of the helmet. Less than half of the respondents were able to show or present helmet although some of the helmet presented were sub-standard (39.7%). The study also revealed irregular use of helmets among the respondents that used a helmet while riding a motorcycle as only 2.7% of them used it for all the five riding sessions assessed in this study. There was a statistically significant relationship between age, educational level, marital status and the use of helmets among respondents with p values of 0.005, 0.027, and 0.009, respectively. The prevalence of the use of helmets among the motorcyclist in this study is low despite the high level of awareness of legislation among the respondents on the use of helmets during riding. There is a need for the government to make provision for a safety helmet for this group of people at a subsidized rate if it cannot be given free of charge because of the economic situation of the country. There is a need to carry out behavioral change communication for this group of people.