Antenatal Care Utilisation among Adolescent Mothers in Ngozi Province, Burundi.

Background: Globally pregnancy and childbirth complications are the leading cause of death among adolescents, with evidence showing that antenatal care (ANC) is a very effective preventive intervention. In Burundi, there is limited information on the extent to which pregnant adolescents utilise such services. Objective: To assess the ANC utilisation and factors associated with its use among adolescent mothers in Ngozi Province, Burundi. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional, health facility-based study among 216 adolescent mothers who had given birth within two years preceding this study, using structured questionnaires and records from previous ANC booklets. A multistage random sampling technique was used to select respondents while the utilisation of ANC was determined by the frequency of ANC visits and the time when the women enrolled for the first ANC visit. Results: The majority (98.1%) of adolescent mothers in Ngozi Province used ANC services. Most respondents (64.8%) initiated ANC services within the first trimester while 57.8% attained the minimum of four recommended ANC visits. Marital status (P = 0.001), geographical location (P = 0.009), occupation of the partner (P = 0.002) and type of the last pregnancy (P = 0.012) were associated with ANC initiation within the first trimester while marital status (P < 0.001), respondent's employment (P = 0.003) and type of last pregnancy (P < 0.001) were associated with appropriate ANC frequency. Conclusion: This study revealed a high use of ANC services among adolescent mothers, although more than one-third attended ANC late. There is therefore the need to put more effort into improving early booking for ANC.

Serum copper, zinc and selenium levels in women with unexplained infertility in Ibadan Nigeria: A cross-sectional analytical study.

Background: Infertility is a global public health issue affecting couples. Trace metals have been implicated in effective reproductive functions in males but less studied in females. Objective: To compare the serum levels of copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), selenium (Se) and copper/zinc ratio in women with unexplained infertility and fertile women. Subjects and Methods: This was a cross-sectional analytical study that compared 75 consenting women who had unexplained infertility with 74 fertile women that were controls. Both groups were seen within 1 year of delivery and were recruited from the family planning unit, at the University College Hospital, Ibadan. Data were obtained through a semi-structured questionnaire, after which 10 mL of venous blood was collected. Analysis of selected trace elements were done by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. IBM SPSS version 23 was utilized for data analysis and the levels of statistical significance was set at <0.05. Results: The mean (± SD) serum concentrations of Cu (93.11 ± 16.55 µg/dL), Zn (72.04 ± 15.03 µg/dL) and Se (28.28 ± 8.33 µg/dL) amongst the women with unexplained infertility were lower when compared to the control group (all with P < 0.001). The serum Cu/Zn ratio was higher among the fertile women, though not statistically significant (P < 0.62). Age of <35 years was associated with normal serum levels of Cu (P < 0.01), while women with normal body mass index had low serum concentrations of Cu (P = 0.04), amongst the fertile group. Conclusion: Serum copper, zinc and selenium concentrations are significantly lower in women with unexplained infertility, therefore diets or supplements containing these trace elements may be helpful in their management.

Consequences of Type-2 diabetes mellitus and Malaria co-morbidity on sperm parameters in men; a case-control study in a district hospital in the Ashanti Region of Ghana.

Type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and malaria infection are highly prevalent in Africa particularly, in the Sub-Saharan Region. A greater number of people in the Ghanaian population who have T2DM are also reported to harbor malaria parasites. This study aimed to investigate the influence of T2DM & Malaria co-morbidity on sperm parameters among patients in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. This hospital-based cross-sectional analytic case-control study comprised 254 adult male study participants comprising 80 T2DM & Malaria co-morbidity, 80 T2DM only, and 94 normal controls. A blood sample (10mL) was drawn from each participant to measure FBG, HbA1c levels, Testosterone levels, Total cholesterol, and determination of Malaria parasite density. Seminal fluid was also collected from each participant for semen analysis. Sperm kinetics of the T2DM & Malaria co-morbidity group particularly; total motility, rapid progressive motility, and slow progressive motility were negatively affected compared to both T2DM only (p<0.0001) and the Normal control (p<0.0001). Normal sperm morphology was significantly affected in the co-morbidity group compared to T2DM only (p<0.0001). Sperm vitality was also statistically significantly reduced in the T2DM & Malaria co-morbidity than in T2DM only (t (64) = -8.62; p<0.001). There was a significant decline in testosterone levels in the T2DM & Malaria co-morbidity group than in the T2DM only (p<0.0001) and the control (p <0.0001). In conclusion, T2DM and malaria infection have a stronger propensity to alter sperm morphology and lower sperm motility and vitality.

Antenatal care visits' absenteeism at a secondary care medical facility in Southwest Nigeria.

Antenatal care (ANC) is a specialised pattern of care organised for pregnant women with the goal of maintaining good health and promoting safe delivery of healthy infants. It is an indispensable part of effective maternity care services. This study identified the factors responsible for absenteeism from ANC follow-up visits. It was a hospital-based prospective cross-sectional descriptive study conducted at a faith based secondary healthcare facility in Ibadan, Nigeria. Relevant data were retrieved using interviewer-administered structured questionnaires and antenatal health record cards. The major reasons identified for absenteeism were delay in receiving hospital services due to long queues at service points and understaffing. The pregnant women aged 35 years and above were the most likely to miss the visits. Therefore, there is the need for hospital administrators and health care givers to make the services patient-friendly.