Co Ifeadike

Prevalence and pattern of bacteria and intestinal parasites among food handlers in the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria

Background: In developing countries, biological contaminants largely bacteria and other parasites constitute the major causes of food-borne diseases often transmitted through food, water, nails, and fingers contaminated with faeces. Accordingly, food-handlers with poor personal hygiene could be potential sources of infections by these micro-organisms. Objective: This study was aimed at determining the prevalence and pattern of bacteria and intestinal parasites among food handlers in the Federal Capital Territory. Materials and Methods: The study was a descriptive one in which a multistage sampling technique was employed to select 168 food handlers of various types. Subjects’ stool, urine, and fingernail analyses were carried out and the result scientifically scrutinized. Results: Fingernail bacteria isolates include: E. Coli (1.8%), coagulase-negative staphylococcus (17.9%), Staphylococcus aureus(7.1%), Klebsiella species (2.4%), Serratia species (1.2%), Citrobacter species (1.2%), and Enterococcus species (1.8%). The subjects’ stool samples tested positive: For A. lumbricoides (14.9%), T. trichuria (1.8%), S. starcolaris (3.0%), E. histolytica (10.7%), G. lambilia (1.8%), S. mansoni (1.2%), and Taenia species (4.8%). Furthermore, 42.3% and 15.5% of the stool specimen tested positive for Salmonella and Shigella species, respectively. Conclusion: Food establishments should screen and treat staff with active illness, and regularly train them on good personal and workplace hygiene practices.

Socio-demographic determinants of maternal health-care service utilization among rural women in Anambra state, south east Nigeria

Background: Although, antenatal care (ANC) attendance in sub Saharan Africa is high, however this does not always translate into quality ANC care service utilization. Aim: This study therefore is aimed at exploring pattern of maternal health (MH) services utilization and the socio-demographic factors influencing it in Anambra State, South East Nigeria. Subjects and Methods: A total of 310 women of reproductive age with a previous history of gestation attending ANC services between September, 2007 and August, 2008 in selected Primary Health Centers in Anambra State were studied. Responses were elicited from the study participants using a pre-tested, semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaire. Data collected were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 17 (SPSS Inc, Chicago Illinois, USA). Association between socio-demographic characteristics and pattern of utilization of ANC and delivery services was measured using χ2 -test, Regression analysis was done to identify factors associated with utilization of MH services. P < 0.05 was assumed to be significant. Results: Use of health facility was 293 (97.0%) and 277 (92,7%) out 302 women for ANC and delivery services respectively . Most women attended their first ANC consultation during the preceding pregnancy was after the first trimester and about 31% (94/298) of them had <4 ANC visits prior to delivery. Socio-demographic factors were found to be significantly associated with places where MH care services are accessed. Parity was found to be associated with timing of ANC booking and number of ANC attendance (χ2 = 9.49, P = 0.05). Odds of utilizing formal health facility for MH services were found to be significantly associated with increasing age (P < 0.01) and educational status of mothers (P < 0.001). Conclusions: The study revealed high maternal service utilization and 10% fetal loss, hence the need to address the gaps of late ANC booking and low ANC visits.

Adequacy of resources for provision of maternal health services at the primary health care level in Nnewi, Nigeria

Background: To determine the adequacy of resources (human and material) for provision of maternal health services at the primary health care (PHC) level in Nnewi, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study of women utilising maternal health services in four public PHC facilities in Nnewi selected using multistage sampling technique was done. Data was collected using a mix of quantitative and qualitative methods. Quantitative data was analysed using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 16, while qualitative data was reported verbatim, analysed thematically and necessary quotes presented. Results: Two hundred and eighty women were studied. The mean age of respondents was 29.2 ± 5.9 years, while 231 (82.5%) were married. Most of them (82.5%) and 184 (66.1%), had their blood pressure and body weight respectively measured, while 196 (70.0%) had tetanus toxoid vaccination. Less than half of the respondents (41.4%) had urine test for sugar, and protein, while 94 (33.8%) had blood test for anaemia. The four facilities studied had most of the equipment and drugs available but in insufficient quantities. In three out of the four facilities, the physical structures were mostly good. None of them is equipped to provide an essential obstetric care (EOC) services, while one medical doctor covered all the facilities studied. Conclusions: This study showed that none of the health facilities is equipped with the minimum equipment package, essential drugs nor staff complement required to enable them offer quality maternal health services. With advocacy, technical support and funding, strategies could be implemented to provide quality maternal health services.

Perception of quality of maternal healthcare services among women utilising antenatal services in selected primary health facilities in Anambra State, Southeast Nigeria

Background: This is a cross-sectional descriptive study aimed at assessing antenatal care service attendees’ perception of quality of maternal healthcare (MHC) services in Anambra State, southeast Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A total of 310 pregnant women utilising antenatal care (ANC) services in three purposively selected primary health centres (PHCs) in rural communities in Anambra State were studied. Reponses were elicited from the participants selected consecutively over a 4-month period, using a pre-tested, semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaire on socio-demographic characteristics, utilisation and perception of MHC services. Data collected were analysed using SPSS version 17. Results: Findings showed that utilisation of facility for both antenatal (97.0%; 95% CI, 94.4–98.4%) and natal services (92.7%; 95% CI 89.2–95.2%) were quite high. Generally, most of the women were satisfied with MHC services (89.7%). Most of them were satisfied with the staff attitude (85.1%), waiting time (84.1%) and cost of services (79.5%). Being ≥30 years (X2 = 4.61, P = 0.032), married (X2 = 9.70, P = 0.008) and multiparous (X2 = 9.14, P = 0.028), as well as utilisation of formal health facility for antenatal (X2 = 26.94, P = 0.000) and natal (X2 = 33.42, P = 0.000) services were associated with satisfaction with maternal health services. Conclusions: The study showed high level of satisfaction with quality of maternal health services among antenatal attendees and highlights the need to strengthen interventions that increase uptake of formal MHC services.

Assessment of the food hygiene practices of food handlers in the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria

Background: The principle of food hygiene implies that there should be minimal handling of food items. Food handlers are thus expected to observe proper hygiene and sanitation methods as the chances of food contamination largely depend on their health status and hygiene practices. Objective: This study assessed the food hygiene practices of food handlers and made recommendations for improved food safety measures within food establishments in the Federal Capital Territory. Materials and Methods: The study design was cross-sectional descriptive. A multistage sampling technique was employed to select 168 food handlers of various types. Data was collected using a mix of quantitative methods (structured interviewer-administered questionnaires and observation checklist). Data were analyzed using the statistical package for social sciences version 14. Results: Four categories of food handlers were identified in 45 food establishments. Seventy-one (42.3%) of the subjects are males, whereas 97 (57.7%) are females. Most of them, 122 (72.7%), had secondary education and above, whereas 46 (27.3%) had primary education and below. One hundred and fifty (89.3%) of them wash their hands after the use of toilets, whereas only 44 (26.7%) change their hand gloves at work. One hundred and twenty (71.4%) of them undergo regular medical checkup, whereas 53 (31.5%) are isolated from workplace when ill. A few of them, 51 (30.4%) use sanitizers/disinfectants at workplace, whereas 38 (22.6%) check food temperature with thermometer. Also, 103 (61.3%) use ideal waste disposal methods at workplace (P < 0.01). Conclusion: Establishments should train staff regularly on basic personal hygienic techniques, self care and good house-keeping practices.

Parents' Perceptions of Timing of Initiation of Sexuality Discussion with Adolescents in Anambra State, South Eastern Nigeria

STUDY OBJECTIVE This study was aimed at determining the perception of the timing and practice of sexuality discussion among parents in South Eastern Nigeria. DESIGN A cross-sectional, descriptive, community-based study. SETTING The study was carried out in 3 randomly selected Local Government Areas in Anambra State, South Eastern Nigeria. PARTICIPANTS The study participants were parents with adolescent children resident in the study areas for at least 2 years. RESULTS Most parents opined that sexuality discussion should be initiated after puberty. Only 20% of them discussed reproductive health issues often with their adolescents, while another 20% never discussed such issues with their adolescent children. Topics most commonly discussed bordered on the adverse consequences of sex rather than measures for preventing them. About half of parents were willing to discuss contraception with their adolescent child. Predictors of parent-child communication were age, gender, and educational status. CONCLUSION Common reasons for low parental involvement in sexuality discussions were due to their lack of capacity and the perception that discussing such issues before puberty is ill timed. Therefore, measures should be taken to improve the capacity of parents to engage in such conversations to provide sexuality information to their teens.

An assessment of reproductive health services in selected health facilities, Anambra State, Nigeria

Abstract The national figure for skilled attendance at delivery in Nigeria is 38.1 percent, with some observed regional difference. In Anambra State for instance, 87.6 percent of deliveries are taken by skilled providers. However, the

Socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of children who received emergency blood transfusion in a secondary health facility at Awka.

Background : Severe anaemia is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality in children in developing countries and could be managed by urgent blood transfusion to save life, though with its attendance risks like exposure to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and other blood borne infections. Objective : To determine the socio demographic and clinical characteristic of children found to have received emergency blood transfusion in Awka, Anambra state. Patients and methods : The hospital records of children aged above one month to 18 years who received emergency blood transfusion at children’s ward of Amaku General Hospital Awka (AGHA) between march 1, 2007 to August 31st, 2009 were studies. Results : Of the 391 patients and admitted during the period, 35 (8.9%) had emergency blood transfusion. The youngest child was 7 months and oldest 14 years. More than 65% of those transfused were less than 5 years. There was no statistically significant sex difference among those transfused ( p > 0.05). The middle socio-economic class patients presented with severe anaemia more than other social class. Malaria was the commonest cause of anaemia requiring emergency blood transfusion accounting for 51.4% as a single entity or 28.6% in combination with other conditions. Conclusion : Severe anaemia requiring urgent blood transfusion was caused mostly by malaria. Measures aimed at addressing poverty and malaria attacks were suggested as a way forward. These will help reduce the incidence of severe anaemia and thus the need for emergency blood transfusion.