Determinants of intermittent preventive treatment of malaria during pregnancy (IPTp) utilization in a rural town in Western Nigeria.

Background: Malaria infection in pregnancy is a major risk factor for maternal and child death, and substantially increases the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth and low birthweight. The aim of this study therefore is to assess the prevalence and determinants of Intermittent preventive treatment of Malaria [IPTp] utilization by pregnant women in a rural town in Western Nigeria.

Methods: This study is an analytical cross-sectional study.

Possible risk factors for congenital malaria at a tertiary care hospital in Sagamu, Ogun State, South-West Nigeria.

Congenital malaria, defined as the presence of malaria parasites in the erythrocytes of newborns aged <7 days, was considered rare in endemic areas until recent studies started reporting high prevalence rates. Various theories have been postulated to explain this phenomenon, but they are not proven conclusively from research. Against this background, a prospective study was designed with the following objectives.

Performance of a rapid antigen test for the diagnosis of congenital malaria.

Objective: To assess the performance of OptiMAL, a rapid malaria antigen capture dipstick, in diagnosing congenital malaria.

Methods: Live newborns aged 0-3 days, delivered at Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu, Nigeria between August 2004 and January 2005, were screened for malaria parasitaemia with an immunochromatographic test (OptiMAL) and blood film microscopy. OptiMAL detects plasmodium lactate dehydrogenase (pLDH).

Changing patterns of emergency obstetric care at a Nigerian University hospital.

Objective: To analyze the changing patterns of critical obstetric care over two consecutive 3-year periods and identify the factors responsible for the trend through combined audits of near miss and maternal mortality at a Nigerian University hospital.

Methods: Retrospective audit and comparison of "near misses" and maternal deaths recorded in 1999-2001 and 2002-2004 at a tertiary care center in southwest Nigeria. The definition of near miss morbidity was based on validated disease-specific criteria.

Maternal morbidity and mortality associated with elective Caesarean delivery at a university hospital in Nigeria.

Background: Data about maternal outcomes of elective Caesarean section in low-income countries are limited.

Aims: To estimate the maternal morbidity and mortality associated with elective Caesarean delivery at a Nigerian University hospital.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of all elective Caesarean deliveries at the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu, Nigeria (1990-2005).

Knowledge and use of the partograph among healthcare personnel at the peripheral maternity centres in Nigeria.

In an attempt to evaluate the contributory factors to the high frequency of referred cases in obstructed labour at the State's referral hospital, a questionnaire-based survey of 396 maternity care-providers from 66 randomly selected peripheral delivery units in Ogun State, Nigeria was conducted over a 2-month period, to evaluate their knowledge and use of the partograph. The majority of the personnel were nurses/midwives (45.5%) and community health extension workers (CHEW) (42.

Acceptability of prenatal HIV screening at the primary care level in Nigeria.

A survey of 333 pregnant women receiving antenatal care at the primary healthcare centres in Sagamu Local Government Area of Ogun State, southwest Nigeria was conducted between January and March 2005 to assess the acceptability of prenatal HIV screening among them. A total of 325 (97.8%) of the respondents were aware of HIV/AIDS but only 181 (54.

Maternal deaths in Sagamu in the new millennium: a facility-based retrospective analysis.

Background: Health institutions need to contribute their quota towards the achievement of the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) with respect to maternal health. In order to do so, current data on maternal mortality is essential for careproviders and policy makers to appreciate the burden of the problem and understand how best to distribute resources. This study presents the magnitude and distribution of causes of maternal deaths at the beginning of the 21st century in a Nigerian referral hospital and derives recommendations to reduce its frequency.

"Near-miss" obstetric events and maternal deaths in Sagamu, Nigeria: a retrospective study.

Aim: To determine the frequency of near-miss (severe acute maternal morbidity) and the nature of near-miss events, and comparatively analysed near-miss morbidities and maternal deaths among pregnant women managed over a 3-year period in a Nigerian tertiary centre.

Methods: Retrospective facility-based review of cases of near-miss and maternal death which occurred between 1 January 2002 and 31 December 2004. Near-miss case definition was based on validated disease-specific criteria, comprising of five diagnostic categories: haemorrhage, hypertensive disorders in pregnancy, dystocia, infection and anaemia.