Evaluation of maternal preferences for neonatal male circumcision in Enugu Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Although circumcision in male neonates is one of the most common procedures performed in neonatal surgery, mothers' preferences concerning the aspects of circumcision are not well-known. Since mother is the likely parent to present child for circumcision, her preferences should be given adequate consideration. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study is to evaluate maternal preferences for neonatal male circumcision in Enugu. METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional study where questionnaire was distributed by the researchers to consenting pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in two teaching hospitals in Enugu. Data analysis was performed using the SPSS. The results presented as means, percentages and tables. Test for significance was done using the Chi-square test. RESULTS: Four hundred and sixty-one pregnant women participated in the study. Ninety-five percent (438/461) wanted circumcision and 83.5% (385/461) wanted it on or before the 8th day of life. The reasons were cultural/religious in 69% (302/447). Fifty-four percent (250/461) had no preferences as to methods, but for those who had, Plastibell was most preferred method in 28% (129/461) while 76% (235/309) preferred circumcision to be done in hospital. In 49.2% (227/461) preferred personnel were nurses but 79.6% (367/461) wanted doctors to attend to post-circumcision complications. In 79.2% (365/461), mothers will not insist on the use of anaesthesia for circumcision. Mothers with circumcised husbands were significantly more willing to circumcise a male child (P = 0.0018). Higher educational status of mother was significantly related to willingness to insist on the use of anaesthesia (P = 0.046) and use of analgesics after circumcision (P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Most mothers prefer neonatal male circumcision by nurses, while preferring doctors for post-circumcision complications. These choices are not affected by parents' educational status. Mothers with circumcised husbands accepted circumcision more than those with uncircumcised husbands. Higher maternal education encourages anaesthesia during circumcision and post-circumcision analgesia.

Tobacco use: prevalence, pattern, and predictors, among those aged 15-49 years in Nigeria, a secondary data analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Tobacco use is a major global public health challenge. It is a risk factor for most leading causes of death, and its health impacts span from conception to adulthood. This study aims to analyse tobacco use data from the 2013 Nigerian Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), assessing the prevalence, pattern, and socio-demographic correlates of tobacco use among Nigerians aged 15-49 years. METHODS: A secondary data analysis involving 2013 NDHS was done. Data on 17 322 respondents were extracted from 36 800 participants. This number represents respondents with complete data on outcome variables of interest. Primary Sampling Unit defined on the basis of Enumeration Areas from the 2006 census was used. Head of selected household, all men and women aged 15-49 were studied. Data was collected using questionnaires. A chi-squared test and a binary logistic regression model were used in the analysis. RESULTS: Generally, 6.6% of the respondents smoked cigarettes, 1.7% used snuff, 0.4% smoked pipe, and 0.2% chewed tobacco. Based on gender, 6.6% males and 6.3% females smoked cigarettes, 0.3% males and 0.4% females smoked cigarettes as well as used snuff. Predictors of cigarette use included being in age group 25-34 years (AOR 5.8; 95% CI 4.6-7.2), being ≥35 years (AOR 4.1; 95% CI 4.1-6.8), having attained primary education (AOR 1.4; 95% CI 1.2-1.8), living in north region (AOR 1.3; 95% CI 1.1-1.5), as well as being a Moslem (AOR 0.6; 95% CI 0.5-0.7). CONCLUSIONS: A minor proportion of both genders uses tobacco with the commonest form being cigarettes. The commonest combination was cigarettes and snuff, even on stratification by gender. The identified predictors were age in categories, educational level and religion.