Association between Socioeconomic Status and the Utilization of Maternal Health Services in Nigeria.

Background: Maternal health is the mother's state of well-being before, during, and after conception. Studies have suggested that the increasing maternal mortality rate is preventable provided maternal health services are accessible during pregnancy. This study explored the association between socioeconomic status and the utilization of maternal health services in the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Abeokuta, Ogun State. Materials and Methods: This study is a cross-sectional survey. One hundred and eighty-eight pregnant women from the antenatal unit of a tertiary hospital in Southwestern Nigeria were selected using a convenience sampling technique. Data were collected via a pretested, self-designed questionnaire. The descriptive statistics were used to analyze the resulting data, and the hypotheses were tested using the Pearson product-moment correlation at 0.05 level of significance. Result: From the study, 72 (38.30%) and 58 (30.90%) agreed that their income and occupation influence their maternal health services utilization. Significant relationship (p < 0.05) existed between maternal health service utilization and age and between socioeconomic factors (occupation and income level) and utilization of maternal health services of pregnant women. Conclusions: Overall, this study revealed that the level of utilization of maternal health services among expectant women attending FMC is moderate. As this study has shown that socioeconomic factors influence the utilization of maternal health services, we recommend that interventions by health workers targeted at improving the utilization of maternal health services should consider these factors when designing such interventions. It is hoped that this will contribute to reducing maternal mortality and morbidity in this state.

Satisfaction and perceived impact of virtual learning during COVID-19 lockdown: A case study of an online nursing research conference.

AIM: This study aimed to assess nurses' satisfaction and perceptions of the impact of virtual learning. DESIGN: A descriptive cross-sectional survey. METHOD: 236 nurses attending an online conference from several parts of Nigeria participated in the study. Analysed data were summarized and presented in tables and graphs, while linear regression was used to measure the associations. RESULTS: Most of the respondents perceived the programme as highly impactful. All three domains: learner-content interaction (p = 0.020), learner-instructor interaction (p = 0.000) and learner-learner interaction (p = 0.000), were found to be statistically significantly associated with the perceived impact of the programme, and thus statistically significant predictors of the effects of online learning (p = 0.02), (F = 5.471). Conclusively, the Interaction of learners with learning content, lecturers and other learners was seen as determinants of an effective and impactful online education. It is recommended that nursing training institutions embrace online learning either as the leading platform or as an adjunct to a face-to-face method.

Experiences of community tuberculosis volunteers in Ibadan north local government: A qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Although several efforts have gone into combating tuberculosis (TB) in Nigeria, the country remains one of the worst hit with TB globally. Community Tuberculosis Care (CTBC) which refers to community TB efforts taken beyond the confines of the hospital facilities, has been suggested as a means to reach TB cases not reported or diagnosed. However, CTBC is in the formative stage in Nigeria, and the experiences of Community Tuberculosis Volunteers (CTVs) remain unclear. Hence, the study was conducted to explore the experiences of CTVs in Ibadan North Local Government. METHODS: A qualitative descriptive design with focus group discussion was adopted. CTVs in the Ibadan-north Local Government were recruited, and data were collected using a semi-structured interview guide. The discussions were audio-recorded. Qualitative content analysis method was used for data analysis. RESULTS: All the CTVs (10) in the local government were interviewed. Four themes emerged which include: CTVs' activities, the need of the patient living with TB, success stories, and challenges faced by CTVs. CTBC activities by the CTVs include case finding, awareness rallies, community education. The needs of the patient living with TB include finances, love, attention and support. Challenges encountered by them include myths, poor family and governmental support. CONCLUSION: CTBC was progressing well in this community as the CTVs have many success stories to share. However, the CTVs needed more support from the government in terms of finances, free and adequate drug supply, and assistance with media advert.