Birth Preparedness and Complication Readiness: Pregnant Women Perspective in Ondo State, Nigeria (Published)
Globally, maternal mortality and morbidity continue to be major public health issues, particularly in low and middle-income countries including Nigeria where access to skilled birth attendants (SBA) remain major challenge. Increasing the number of pregnancies attended by SBA could aid in lowering maternal morbidity and mortality. This study explores the perception of pregnant women towards Birth Preparedness and Complication Readiness (BPCR) in selected Primary Health care facilities of Ondo State, Nigeria. The study employed a qualitative approach where focus group discussion among twenty-two pregnant women were selected from primary health care. Data was analysed using inductive thematic method. Two thematic categories which include knowledge and Practice of pregnant women on BPCR, and seven subthemes emerged from the data; they included knowledge of danger signs, routine scan, and diet, purchase of baby and hospital items, antenatal registration, and exclusive breastfeeding. Poor perception of BPCR and practice were identified among the participants. Hence, the need for midwives to include all the elements BPCR into the prenatal education in order to reduce maternal health complications and death is recommended as this would lead to positive pregnancy outcome.
Keywords: Birth Preparedness, Complication Readiness, Pregnant Women, Prenatal education
Anaemia Prevention Among Pregnant Women (Published)
This paper offers a thorough analysis of the worldwide occurrence and consequences of anaemia, with particular emphasis on its effects during pregnancy. Anaemia, a condition marked by inadequate red blood cells, is widely prevalent worldwide, with the African area having the greatest occurrence. The study highlights the complex and varied character of anaemia, which may be caused by factors such as insufficient nutrition, infections, and genetic predispositions. Pregnant women are at a higher risk, thus specific measures are needed to manage iron deficiency and reduce the possibility of negative effects for both the mothers and neonates. The article discusses diagnostic techniques, highlighting the need of thorough examinations that take into account several elements. The repercussions of anaemia go beyond its immediate health effects, affecting cognitive and motor development, productivity, and increasing the chances of maternal and neonatal death. The research elucidates the interdependence of maternal and foetal health outcomes, underscoring the comprehensive care necessary throughout pregnancy. Suggestions include giving priority to evidence-based treatments and programmes for the prevention and management of anaemia, especially in groups at high risk. Effective implementation of preventative interventions relies on the essential collaboration of healthcare practitioners, dietitians, legislators, and communities. Ongoing research, education, and sharing of knowledge are crucial elements of a comprehensive worldwide strategy to tackle anaemia and improve the health outcomes of both mothers and their unborn babies.
Keywords: Anaemia, Pregnant Women, Prevention
Impacts of Maternal Care Services on Reproductive Health of Pregnant Women Attending Primary Health Care Centres in North-Eastern Nigeria (Published)
Maternal care services involves provision of health care to women during pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum period at reproductive health care settings. The quality of maternal care services that women receive determine their reproductive health status in pregnancy, delivery and postpartum and impact on their overall wellbeing and that of the feotus. Maternal complications in pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum that usually result to death of women and their feotus due to poor maternal care services are still persistent in North-Eastern Nigeria, Nigeria. Therefore, the study examined the impacts of maternal care services on reproductive health of pregnant women attending primary health care centres in North-Eastern Nigeria. An ex-post facto research design was adopted for the study. The population of the study consisted of 2,487 registered pregnant women attending primary health care centres in North-Eastern Nigeria. A sample of 482 was selected through multistage sampling procedures. A researcher-developed questionnaire was used as instrument for data collection, the instrument was validated by three experts was used as instrument for the study. The reliability of the instrument was established with the use of split-half method and analyzed using Cronbach alpha statistics; a coefficient of 0.87 was obtained which shows the instrument is reliable. Inferential Statistics of Chi-square was used to analyze the data at 0.05 level of significance. The findings of the study show that maternal care services of medical check-up, physical test, health talk and immunization have significant impacts on reproductive health of pregnant women attending primary health care centres in North-Eastern Nigeria. Based on the findings of the study, it was recommended that regular seminars and training should be organized by reproductive health care professionals for pregnant women in order to enlighten them on the benefits of maternal care services in order to improve their reproductive health status. Also, government should provide high quality immunization equipment and medications available and accessible in maternal care services centres as one strategy of prevention maternal complication during postpartum period and to improve the reproductive health and wellbeing of the mother and newborn baby.
Keywords: North Eastern Nigeria, Pregnant Women, Reproductive Health, maternal care services, primary health care centres
Influence of Radio Messages on Malaria Prevention Behaviour among Pregnant Women and Nursing Mothers in Ebonyi State, Nigeria (Published)
This study investigated influence of radio messages on malaria prevention behaviour among pregnant women and nursing mothers in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Descriptive survey research design was adopted. Agenda Setting was the theoretical framework. Questionnaire served as instrument for data collection. Data generated were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The issues of exposure, acceptance and adoption/behavioral change which formed the basis of the hypothesis were tested using chi-square. Result shows radio as an effective medium of disseminating maternal health messages. The study calls on the ministry of health to partner with both local and international health agencies in anti-malaria policy formulation and implementations towards ameliorating malaria fatalities among pregnant women and nursing mothers, particularly, among rural pregnant mothers. Again, distribution of free mosquito-treated nets to pregnant women and nursing mothers should be regular, particularly among the poor rural dwellers as this would go a long way in curtailing the menace of malaria among this vulnerable age-group. The study further calls for a reinvigorated effort at promoting maternal health messages, particularly on malaria prevention using a multi-media approach for wider reach and access.
Nweze Samuel, Kenneth Adibe Nwafor, Nwafor, Ezinne Comfort , Nnamani Nkechi Abigail, Nworie Happiness, Inah Libra Chinedu (2020), Influence of Radio Messages on Malaria Prevention Behaviour among Pregnant Women and Nursing Mothers in Ebonyi State, Nigeria, International Journal of Nursing, Midwife and Health Related Cases, Vol.6, No.2, pp.73-83,
Keywords: Influence, Pregnant Women, malaria prevention behavior, nursing mothers, radio messages
Maternal Anthropometric Status as A Correlate of Neonatal Outcomes Among Pregnant Women in Selected Secondary Health Facilities in Ibadan Metropolis, Oyo State (Published)
Maternal anthropometric measurements provide a simple, cheap and available means of predicting neonatal outcomes. Pregnant women anthropometric indices reveal their nutritional statuses and determine to great extent the health of the neonate after they have been born. Hence, this study investigated maternal anthropometric status as a correlates of neonatal outcomes among pregnant women in selected secondary health facilities in Ibadan Metropolis, Oyo State, Nigeria. This retrospective study adopted descriptive research design. Purposive sampling technique was used to select those who met the inclusion criteria. Total enumeration was used for the study. A self-structured checklist was used to extract data about pregnant women who booked from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019 within 18 weeks of their gestation with singleton pregnancy. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The results revealed a significant association between maternal BMI and Baby’s birth weight with Chi-square X2 (91.66, df =1, p<0.05).The finding revealed that underweight mothers had higher chance of having small for gestational age babies (SGA) and LBW as compared to average weight mothers. The study concluded that there is a significant association between maternal BMI and birth weight. Based on the finding, the study recommended among others that the healthcare practitioners are to identify pregnant women who at risk of adverse birth outcomes and educate them appropriately. Pregnant mothers whose babies would need special care at birth should be referred to the health facility that can handle such cases before delivery to enhance the neonatal survival rate.
Citation: Alonge, Adenike Rachael and Aluko, Joel O. (2022) Maternal Anthropometric Status as A Correlate of Neonatal Outcomes Among Pregnant Women in Selected Secondary Health Facilities in Ibadan Metropolis, Oyo State, International Journal of Nursing, Midwife and Health Related Cases, Vol.8, No.1, pp.11-23
Keywords: Pregnant Women, maternal anthropometric status, neonatal outcomes, secondary health facilities
Effects of Nutrition Education among Pregnant Women using Fruits and Vegetables for the achievement of MDG5 in Odogbolu LGA, Ogun State (Published)
Background: Nutrition education being a component of health education is propitious to create awareness on how to source, prepare, combine and use food resources for promoting good health among all groups of human beings; especially pregnant women who need adequate nutrition for their physiological needs and improve the health of both the mother and fetus. Studies have suggested that women have low dietary intake of fruits and vegetables. The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) are a framework globally agreed for measuring development, progress, and poverty reduction through focusing efforts on achieving significant measureable improvement in people’s lives. One of the components of MDG5 is nutrition in pregnancy; this component is the main focus of this study. Method: a quasi-experimental study for quantitative method adopting pre-and post test control experimental analysis was used while 194 pregnant women were purposively selected from 11 randomly selected antenatal clinics in Odogbolu local government area to participate. The nutrition intervention was for 3 months. FGD together with structured-validated questionnaire administered before and after the intervention were used to collect data. ANCOVA was used to test the two hypotheses at 0.05 alpha level.Result: There were significant effects of the intervention on the knowledge (F (2.174) = 1554.466, P <.05) and attitude (F (2.134) = 19.866, P <.05) of the women on fruits and vegetables consumption. The findings revealed a positive effect of the intervention; the participants were relatively aware of the importance of fruit and vegetables consumption in pregnancy after the intervention. Conclusion: The nutrition education intervention appears to have changed the attitude of pregnant women after the post test evaluation. Pregnant women apparently consumed more fruits and vegetables than they were doing before the intervention. Therefore, intensive health education should continuously be given to pregnant women on the value of fruit and vegetable.
Keywords: Education, Intervention, Nutrition, Pregnant Women, Vegetables
KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDE OF PREGNANT WOMEN TOWARDS FOCUSED ANTE NATAL CARE SERVICES IN UNIVERSITY OF CALABAR TEACHING HOSPITAL, CALABAR, CROSS RIVER STATE, NIGERIA (Published)
The study investigated pregnant women’s knowledge and attitude towards focused antenatal care in University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar. Three research questions and two hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. The literature was conceptually, empirically and theoretically reviewed based on the main variables under study. The study adopted a descriptive design and the sample size was 174 pregnant women attending antenatal care clinic in UCTH from January – May, 2014. The instrument for data collection was a three section questionnaire. The instrument had a correlation coefficient of 0.79. Questionnaire was administered through face to face interaction and on the spot collection of completed questionnaire. The data collected from questionnaires were analyzed using frequencies and percentages, while chi-square test analysis was used to test the hypotheses. Findings of the study revealed that majority of the respondents had good knowledge and favourable attitude towards focused antenatal care. In testing the hypothesis using chi-square analysis, hypothesis one showed a statistical association between knowledge and attitude towards focused antenatal care, when the chi-square calculated of 20.6 was greater than the critical chi-square of 5.991 at 0.05 level of significance with 2 degrees of freedom. Although knowledge towards focused antenatal care high and attitude was favourable, some weakness still exist which posed as hindrance to utilization. Based on the above, intensive awareness creation on focused antenatal care for pregnant women recommended. Retraining of health workers and monitoring and supervision of health workers to improve on the hindrance identified as barriers to utilization was also recommended.
Keywords: Ante Natal Care Services, Calabar, Cross River State, Knowledge And Attitude, Nigeria, Pregnant Women, Teaching Hospital, University Of Calabar