Effect of malaria preventive education on the use of long-lasting insecticidal nets among pregnant females in a Teaching Hospital in Osun state, south-west Nigeria.

Background: Malaria in pregnancy is a major public health problem in Nigeria. Long-Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINs) have been advocated as an effective tool against malaria transmission. However, success of this intervention largely depends on the knowledge and practices regarding malaria and its prevention.

Perinatal transmission of hepatitis B virus infection in Ile-Ife, South Western, Nigeria.

Aim: To determine the perinatal transmission risk of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and the maternal characteristics influencing it.

Method: During routine antenatal screening, women who tested positive for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) were identified and followed through pregnancy. Maternal and cord blood samples were obtained at delivery.

Depressive symptoms in a sample of women following perinatal loss.

Objective: The aim of the study is to identify variables associated with depressive symptoms among women shortly after perinatal loss.

Method: Respondents who agreed to participate in the study were interviewed, and sociodemographic data were obtained from them. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EDPS) were thereafter administered on each respondent.

Infant feeding intentions and practices of HIV-positive mothers in southwestern Nigeria.

It has been shown that infant feeding pattern affects mother-to-child transmission of HIV. This study reports the infant feeding practices of HIV-positive mothers in southwestern Nigeria.

Clinical versus sonographic estimation of foetal weight in southwest Nigeria.

A prospective study was conducted at Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex, Ile-Ife, Nigeria, between 3 January and 31May 2004, to compare the accuracy of clinical and ultrasonographic estimation of foetal weight at term. One hundred pregnant women who fulfilled the inclusion criteria had their foetal weight estimated independently using clinical and ultrasonographic methods. Accuracy was determined by percentage error, absolute percentage error, and proportion of estimates within 10% of actual birth-weight (birth-weight of +10%).

Serum zinc and copper concentrations in Nigerian women with normal pregnancy.

The impact of normal pregnancy on serum zinc and copper concentrations and on copper/zinc ratio has been determined in a cross-sectional study of eighty-four healthy pregnant Nigerian women. Fifty-seven healthy non-pregnant women served as controls. Serum zinc and copper levels were determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy.