Sociodemographic Factors Associated with Depression Among Persons with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in The Family Medicine Clinic of a Tertiary Hospital in Southern Nigeria.

Background: Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a chronic Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) with rising prevalence worldwide. DM increases the risk for depression as the prevalence of depression has been reported to be three times more in diabetics than in non-diabetics. Though depressive symptoms are more common in diabetes, they are not usually recognized and treated.

Assessment of Healthcare-Seeking Behaviour and Self-Medication among Adult Patients with Gastrointestinal Symptoms at a Rural Clinic in the Niger Delta of Nigeria.

Background: Patients' behaviour in making decisions regarding their health is currently changing from a passive role to an active one in which they participate fully in the control of their health as well as take initiatives in self-care.

Objectives: This study evaluated health-seeking behaviour and practice of self-medication among patients with abdominal pain in a rural Primary Health Centre in the Niger Delta.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study among 400 patients that attended the Primary Health Centre in Oyorokoto, Rivers State, Nigeria.

Using Small Tests of Change to Improve PMTCT Services in Northern Nigeria: Experiences From Implementation of a Continuous Quality Improvement and Breakthrough Series Program.

Background: Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) is a process where health teams systematically collect and regularly reflect on local data to inform decisions and modify local practices and so improve delivery of services. We implemented a cluster randomized trial to examine the effects of CQI interventions on Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) services. Here, we report our experiences and challenges establishing CQI in 2 high HIV prevalence states in northern Nigeria.

The Effect of a Continuous Quality Improvement Intervention on Retention-In-Care at 6 Months Postpartum in a PMTCT Program in Northern Nigeria: Results of a Cluster Randomized Controlled Study.

Background: Retention in care is critical for improving HIV-infected maternal outcomes and reducing vertical transmission. Health systems' interventions such as continuous quality improvement (CQI) may support health services to address factors that affect the delivery of HIV-related care and thereby influence rates of retention-in-care.

Methodology: We evaluated the effect of a CQI intervention on retention-in-care at 6 months postpartum of pregnant women and mothers living with HIV who had been started on lifelong antiretroviral treatment.

Increasing retention in care of HIV-positive women in PMTCT services through continuous quality improvement-breakthrough (CQI-BTS) series in primary and secondary health care facilities in Nigeria: a cluster randomized controlled trial. The Lafiyan Jikin Mata Study.

Background: Rates of retention in care of HIV-positive pregnant women in care programs in Nigeria remain generally poor with rates around 40% reported for specific programs. Poor quality of services in health facilities and long waiting times are among the critical factors militating against retention of these women in care. The aim of the interventions in this study is to assess whether a continuous quality improvement intervention using a Breakthrough Series approach in local district hospitals and primary health care clinics will lead to improved retention of HIV-positive women and mothers.