Women In Maiduguri Research Articles

Assessment of Women Local Cucumber (Ngulli) Marketers in Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria

The study assessed local Cucumber (Ngulli) marketing among women in Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria. The specific objectives of the study were to describe the socio-economic characteristics of the women cucumber marketers, estimate the marketing margins, examine their marketing channels and constraints faced in marketing in the study area. Two stage sampling was used to select 50 respondents from the study area. Descriptive statistical tools and marketing margin analysis were the analytical tools used for the study. The results of the study revealed that all the respondents were retailers handling less than a bag of cucumber, majority (74%) within the age range of 21-40, married (80%) with Qur’anic education (76%) and had income between ₦20,000-₦50,000 (60%). The respondents bought cucumber directly from the farm gate (50%) and sell directly to consumers (90%). The results for the marketing margin revealed a margin of 25.03%. The major constraints faced were lack of financial support, seasonal scarcity of cucumber and high purchase price. The study recommends that the marketers should form cooperatives or associations in order to enjoy economies of scale such as in transportation, access to credit and bulk purchase. Also, Financial support specifically for the women marketers by the government, NGO’s and financial institutions would go a long way in increasing their scale, returns and would ease some of the problems encountered in marketing.

Vitamin D and bone mineral status of newborn-maternal pair delivering at a tertiary hospital in Nigeria.

Vitamin D plays a vital role in the maintenance of bone health. The fetuses and exclusively breastfed neonates depend on maternal vitamin D store to meet their need. Widespread vitamin D deficiency among pregnant women have been reported with adverse fetal outcome. Nigeria lacks guideline on Vitamin D supplementation in pregnancy and infancy due to the paucity of data. We thus determined serum vitamin D of delivering mothers and their offsprings and other indicators of bone mineral health. This study aimed to determine serum Vitamin D and other indicators of bone mineral health of delivering mothers and their offspring. A cross-sectional study of delivering mothers and their newborns recruited consecutively until the minimal sample size was reached. Relevant information was obtained on a questionnaire. Maternal and cord serum vitamin D, calcium, albumin, phosphate, and alkaline phosphatase were determined. Data management was done using SPSS version 16.0. Of the 84 newborn-mother pairs studied, 17 (20.2%) of the mothers were Vitamin D deficient and 23 (27.4%) insufficient. Seven (8.3%) of the mothers were hypocalcaemic and 3 (3.6%) hypophosphataemic, while 19 (22.6%) had elevated alkaline phosphatase. Only 15 (17.9%) of the neonates were vitamin D insufficient and none of them was vitamin D deficient, hypocalcaemic, hypophosphataemic nor had elevated alkaline phosphatase. There was strong positive correlation between cord and maternal blood vitamin D level (r = 0.740, P = < 0.001). Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency is high among pregnant women in Maiduguri while insufficiency is common among the neonates. We recommend vitamin D supplementation to pregnant women and newborns in Maiduguri.

Prevalence and risk factors of hypocalcemia among pregnant and non-pregnant women in Maiduguri, Nigeria: A cross-sectional study.

Pregnancy is a period of heightened calcium demand necessary for the optimum growth and development of the fetus and placenta. Women with low calcium intake may manifest with hypocalcemia in pregnancy. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors of hypocalcemia among pregnant and non-pregnant women in Maiduguri, Nigeria. A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Maiduguri from 1st January 2017 to 31st December 2018. For each patient, sociodemographic and clinical characteristics were noted. Serum calcium, phosphate, total protein, and albumin were determined using spectrophometric methods with their specific reagents. The data obtained was analyzed using the SPSS statistical software for windows version 20. Chi-square test, Student t-test and ANOVA were used as appropriate. Odd ratio with multiple logistic regression was used to determine risk factors for hypocalcemia. P value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. A total of 1,500 (1,000 pregnant and 500 non-pregnant) women were analyzed. The mean age, total protein, and albumin were similar in the pregnant and non-pregnant women. However, the non-pregnant women were of higher parity than the pregnant women (3.75 ± 2.79 versus 2.45 ± 2.24, P < 0.001). The staple food of both group were mainly high carbohydrate diets. The prevalence of hypocalcemia was 29.20% among the pregnant women and 14.20% among the non-pregnant women (X2 = 64.34, P < 0.001). The mean serum calcium was lower among the pregnant compared to the non-pregnant women (2.08 ± 0.22 mmol/L versus 2.2 ± 0.19 mmol/L, F = 5.73, P = 0.02). There were no statistically significant differences in the mean serum calcium across the trimesters of pregnancy (F = 1.58, P = 0.21). Hypocalcemia in pregnancy is common in our environment and it is associated with anemia in pregnancy, anorexia, and primigravidity while attainment of at least basic education is protective. We recommend routine calcium supplementation in pregnancy and preconception period.

Causes and Implications of Prostitution among Young Girls in Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria

This paper focus on causes and implications of prostitution among women in Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria. The objectives of this paper was to understand the principal causes influencing the women to enter into prostitution as a business profession for earning money,

Effectiveness Of Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy On Traumatized Women In Maiduguri Internally Displaced Camp Nigeria Sociological Perspectives

This study examined the effectiveness of Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy on traumatized women in Maiduguri internally displaced person’s camp. Two research question, objectives and research hypotheses guided the study. The study used quasi-experimental research design. A sample of 75 women (participants) was drawn from the population. One set of instruments were used by the researcher to determine those who are traumatized in the internally displaced person’s camp, this instruments was used as a treatment package. The validity of the instrument was obtained by Pur (2017) and the reliability index of 0.72 was obtained for REBT. The research hypothesis was subjected to t-test and ANOVA analysis. The study concluded that trauma among internally displaced women can be effectively managed using of Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy as a treatment package and the result also shows that Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy is effective in reducing trauma among the Internally Displaced Women. Based on the effectiveness, Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy on traumatized women, it was recommended that Counselling Association of Nigeria needs to encourage counsellors to make use of both REBT package in managing traumatized clients at all level i.e., either male or female nor young and old. Also, sociologist help people learn the sick role through socialization and enact it with the cooperation of others - when they fall ill.&#x0D; &#x0D;

An information-motivation-behavioural skills analysis of long-lasting insecticidal net use among pregnant women in a hospital in North-Eastern Nigeria

BackgroundSleeping under a long-lasting insecticidal net (LLIN) is recommended for all pregnant women in sub-Saharan Africa, due to the high prevalence of malaria infection and its associated complications in the region. Despite this, LLIN use has still remained sub-optimal among pregnant women in Maiduguri, Nigeria. Understanding the interplay of factors influencing this important health behaviour would guide the development of interventions to promote its adoption.MethodsData was collected from 380 randomly selected antenatal care attendees of a hospital in Maiduguri, using structured questionnaires. This data was then used to test the Information-Motivation-Behavioural Skills (IMB) model, for model fit, and interrelations among the constructs, using the structural equation modelling analysis with Smart-PLS.ResultsInformation and motivation were significantly related to behavioural skills (r = 0.29, p < 0.001 and r = 0.37, p < 0.001, respectively); and also to behaviour (r = 0.22, p < 0.001 and r = 0.11, p = 0.033 respectively). Behavioural skills however, did not significantly relate to behaviour (r = 0.03, p = 0.278).ConclusionThese findings highlight the potential usefulness of the IMB model in guiding interventions for promoting LLIN use among this group. More emphasis should also be laid on boosting levels of information and motivation among the target group.

Relationship between Physical Activity and Health Related Quality of Life among Pregnant Women.

The study aimed to investigate the association between health-related quality of life (HQoL) and physical activity (PA) among pregnant women. Sample of pregnant women (N= 398; mean age=27.86±5.15 years) were surveyed using the Pregnancy Physical Activity and Health Related Quality of Life (SF 12) Questionnaires. Spearman correlation coefficient and logistic regression analyses were used to determine the bivariate relationship and association between HQoL and PA intensities and domain respectively. Overall, sedentary behaviour was positively albeit tenuously related to HQoL (r=0.111, P <0.01) whereas sport/exercise was the only domain of PA tenuously associated with the Physical health of HQoL (r=0.142, p <0.01). Also, pregnant women with sufficient PA were 4 times likely to report good quality of life in physical component not in the mental component of HQoL (OR: 4.33, 95% CI: 1.36-13.80). In conclusion, sports/exercise may be an important domain of PA to target when delivering interventions to improve the physical wellbeing among pregnant women in Maiduguri, Nigeria.

Survey of umbilical cord care practices and separation time in healthy new-born in Maiduguri, Nigeria

This study aimed at assessing the umbilical cord care practices and separation time in healthy new-born in Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria. A descriptive survey design was adopted for the study. A total of 365 women attending child welfare clinic were selected through systematic random sampling technique from three health care facilities in Maiduguri Metropolis. A self-developed and validated questionnaire was used to collect information from the women on common cord care practices and knowledge of standard umbilical cord care practices. The questionnaire was pretested in State Specialist Hospital Maiduguri, Borno State and the correlation coefficient of 0.87 determined. The result of the study revealed that common cord care practices among women in Maiduguri include the use of methylated spirit, hot compress, charcoal, Vaseline and table salt. Others were mixture of methylated spirit with traditional concoctions, toothpaste and cow dung were also found to be commonly used by the mothers. The mean umbilical cord separation time of 3.5 days (± 0.397) was observed with the unorthodox treatment of the cord. Although there was a good knowledge among the respondents with regards to standard umbilical cord care practice, there was however no commensurate practice. Therefore, there is an urgent need for cultural re-orientation most especially of women with regard and unhygienic traditional cord care practices on the new born.

Prevalence of bothersome Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms among Pregnant Women in Maiduguri, Northeastern Nigeria

Prevalence of bothersome Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms among Pregnant Women in Maiduguri, Northeastern Nigeria

Seroprevalence Survey of Rubella Antibodies among Pregnant Women in Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria

Rubella is a vaccine- preventable viral infection. Its etiologic agent, rubella virus was identified as a human teratogen capable of causing spectrum of birth defects described as congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) if the pregnant mother is infected within the first trimester of pregnancy. A total of 90 pregnant women attending a secondary health care facility in Maiduguri were screened for IgM and IgG antibodies using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit (Cortez Diagnostics Inc. USA). Of these, 37.8% (34/90) and 83.3% (75/90) were seropositive for anti-rubella IgM (x 2 Cal 5.1; p=0.05) and IgG respectively. Chi-square analysis (x 2 Cal 38.38, p=0.05// x 2 tab 31.41, p=0.05) revealed an association between miscarriage and IgG antibody level in twenty-one subjects. Pregnant women within 20-24years had the highest prevalence of 40% (36/90)( x 2 Cal 4.22, p=0.05) : 44.4% (16/36) of them were seropositive for IgM (x 2 Cal 4.31, p=0.05). A marked surge in IgG antibody level, which tantamount acute infection, was observed in 15.6% (14/90)( x 2 Cal 19.85, p=0.05) of the pregnant women. Pregnant women in the first trimester seropositive for anti-rubella IgM were 36.4% (4/11), inferring that the fetuses of these women are susceptible to sequelae of rubella. This result highlights the consequence of rubella infection and confirms continuous circulation of rubella virus in the study area. There is need for vaccination of vulnerable population in order to ensure the control /elimination of rubella virus in Nigeria. Key words: Rubella virus, teratogen, antibodies, Maiduguri La rubeole est une infection virale evitable par la vaccination. Son agent etiologique, virus de la rubeole a ete identifie comme un teratogene humain capable de provoquer le spectre de malformation congenitale decrite comme le syndrome de rubeole congenitale (SRC) si la femme enceinte est infectee au cours du premier trimestre de la grossesse. Au total, 90 femmes enceintes frequentant un etablissement de soins de sante secondaires a Maiduguri ont ete depistees pour le dosage des anticorps IgM et IgG a l'aide de kit immunoenzymatique (ELISA) (Cortez Diagnostics Inc. USA). Parmi elles, 37,8% (34/90) et 83,3% (75/90) etaient seropositives respectivement pour les anticorps anti-IgM (X 2 Cal. 5,1, p=0,05) et IgG de la rubeole. L’analyse Chi-carre (X 2 Cal. 38,38, p=0,05 /X 2 Tab. 31,41, p=0,05) a revele une relation entre la fausse couche et le niveau d'anticorps IgG dans vingt-et-un sujets. Les femmes enceintes de 20 a 24 ans ont eu la plus forte prevalence de 40% (36/90) (X 2 Cal. 4,22, p=0,05): 44,4% (16/36) d'entre elles etaient seropositives pour les IgM (X 2 Cal. 4,31, p=0,05). Une augmentation remarquable de taux d'anticorps IgG, equivalent a l’infection aigue, a ete observee chez 15,6% (14/90) (X 2 Cal. 19,85, p=0,05) de femmes enceintes.Les femmes enceintes au premier trimestre, seropositives aux IgM anti-rubeole, ont ete de 36,4% (4/11), deduisant que les foetus de ces femmes sont sensibles aux sequelles de la rubeole. Ce resultat souligne la consequence de la rubeole et confirme la circulation continue du virus de la rubeole dans la zone d'etude. Il est necessaire de vacciner la population vulnerable afin d'assurer le controle et/ou l’elimination du virus de la rubeole au Nigeria. Mots cles: virus de la rubeole, teratogenes, anticorps, Maiduguri Article in English.

Prevalence of bacterial vaginosis in pregnant women in Maiduguri, North-Eastern Nigeria

This study determined the prevalence and socio-demographic characteristics of bacterial vaginosis (BV) among pregnant women with abnormal vaginal discharge. Descriptive cross-sectional study. University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital. Vaginal swab samples and data on epidemiological risk factors were collected from 400 consecutive pregnant women with complaints of abnormal vaginal discharge. The data was analyzed using the SPSS 16.0 statistical software. Association between variables was compared by using the Chi-square (χ2 ) and Fisher's exact tests while P < 0.05 was considered significant at 95.0% confidence level. The prevalence of BV among pregnant women with abnormal vaginal discharge was 17.3%. Age 20-24 years, multigravidity, lack of western education and unemployment were associated with increased prevalence of BV. Yellowish, watery vaginal discharge (P = 0.001) was associated with BV. Dysuria, dyspareunia and lower abdominal tenderness were associated with BV (P = 0.001). Fifty three (77%) of patients had BV during the second trimester compared to 6 (9%) who had it in the 1 st trimester of pregnancy (P = 0.012). The high prevalence of BV in this study may necessitate adequate screening of pregnant women with abnormal vaginal discharge in order to give appropriate treatment and avoid complications associated with it.

Prolactin Levels Among Infertile Women in Maiduguri, Nigeria

Objective: The objectives of this study were to determine the manner of clinical presentation of women with unexplained infertility in Maiduguri, North-Eastern Nigeria and their plasma levels of prolactin. Materials and Methods:The records of 104 females undergoing infertility investigation at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital and for whom no organic cause had been found were scrutinised to extract the details of their modes of clinical presentation. All had plasma prolactin level assays. Results: The patients were aged between 20 and 40 years (mean: 28.3 years). Thirty-three (31.7%) of them had primary infertility while 71 (68.3%) had secondary infertility. Of the 104 patients, 33 (31.7%) had abnormal plasma prolactin levels. The women with secondary infertility were more likely to have abnormal prolactin levels: 22 (21.1%) compared to only 11(10.6%) among patients with primary infertility. About one-third of the patients presented with amenorrhoea (2% with primary and 34.6% with secondary amenorrhoea). Among patients presenting with amenorrhoea only 13 (12.5%) had elevated prolactin levels. Twenty four (23.1%) of the patients had galactorrhoea, of whom only 10 (9.6%) had hyperprolactinaemia. Patients with secondary infertility were more likely to have galactorrhea (17.3%) compared to patients with primary infertility (5.8%). The association of hirsutism, amenorrhoea and hyperprolactinaemia was not a common finding in our patients. Conclusion: The use of dopaminergic-agonist therapy in women with unexplained infertility requires careful consideration, ensuring that the plasma prolactin levels and the clinical mode of presentation are factored into the decision to prescribe the drugs. Key Words: Infertility, Anovulation, Prolactin, Amenorrhoea [Trop J Obstet Gynaecol, 2003, 20: 97-100]

Diagnostic features of cervical incompetence among women in Maiduguri

The study was a review of the clinical features used to diagnose cervical incompetence. One hundred and forty-one clinical records of patients who had cervical cerclage inserted for cervical incompetence at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital over a 5-year period, were studied retrospectively. Previous mid-trimester abortion occurred in 80.1% of the patients and was consecutive in 98 patients (69.5%). Sixty-eight (50.7%) patients had previous preterm deliveries, while 65 (46.1%) had a cervical cerclage inserted in a previous pregnancy. They had associated characteristic rapid painless expulsions of the fetus in previous pregnancies. One hundred and thirty-six patients had the McDonald's method of insertion (96.5%). There was a significant association between histories of previous midtrimester abortions, consecutive mid-trimester abortions and preterm delivery, with a significantly greater proportion of women with a previous history of preterm delivery having a recurrence in spite of the insertion of the cervical cerclage.

Knowledge and attitude to cervical cancer screening among women in Maiduguri, Nigeria

Five hundred women were studied to determine their knowledge of cervical cancer. Less than 10% of the women were aware of the disease or its symptoms. Even fewer were aware of cytological screening, the good results obtained in the premalignant stage and early invasive stages of the disease. Simple explanation showed a good recall at 4-6 weeks. At that time women would accept screening and understood its importance. This study shows clearly that education must precede a screening programme if it is to succeed.