The effect of parity on maternal body mass index, plasma mineral element status and new-born anthropometrics.

BACKGROUND: Adverse pregnancy outcome is an important public health problem that has been partly associated with increasing maternal parity. AIM: To determine the effect of parity on maternal body mass index (BMI), mineral element status and newborn anthropometrics. METHODS: Data for 349 pregnant women previously studied for the impacts of maternal plasma mineral element status on pregnancy and its outcomes was analysed. Obstetric and demographic data and 5mls of blood samples were obtained from each subject. Blood lead, plasma copper, iron and zinc were determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. RESULTS: Maternal BMI increases with parity. Women with parity two had significantly higher plasma zinc but lower plasma copper with comparable levels of the elements in nulliparous and higher parity groups. Although plasma iron was comparable among the groups, blood lead was significantly higher in parity > three. Newborn birth length increases with parity with a positive correlation between parity and maternal BMI (r = 0.221; p = 0.001) and newborn birth length (r = 0.170; p = 0.002) while plasma copper was negatively correlated with newborn's head circumference (r = -0.115; p = 0.040). CONCLUSION: It is plausible that parity affects maternal BMI and newborn anthropometrics through alterations in maternal plasma mineral element levels. While further studies are desired to confirm the present findings, there is need for pregnant and would-be pregnant women to diversify their diet to optimize their mineral element status.

Stethoscope disinfection campaign in a Nigerian teaching hospital:results of a before-and-after study.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to assess the impact of a stethoscope disinfection sensitization campaign among doctors and nurses in a Nigerian teaching hospital. METHODOLOGY: The design was a before-and-after study. Pre-program measurements were used to provide a baseline against which the post-program results were compared. Interventions that promoted compliance with stethoscope disinfection practice that were implemented included training and education on stethoscope disinfection and introduction of 70% isopropyl alcohol disinfectant at points-of-care places. Microbiological assessment of stethoscopes used by health workers was conducted after the intervention and the outcome was compared with the pilot study results. RESULTS: After the intervention, of the 89 stethoscopes screened, 18 (20.2%) were contaminated with bacterial agents. A higher prevalence of stethoscope contamination was observed among stethoscopes from the intensive care unit (66.7%), the VIP unit (50%), and the antenatal unit (37.5%). The main isolates were Staphylococcus aureus (44.4%) and Escherichia coli (50%). The antibiotic sensitivity assessment indicated that the bacterial isolates were resistant to nearly all the antibiotics tested. All the 89 health workers whose stethoscopes were screened after the intervention admitted to cleaning their stethoscopes after seeing each patient, representing a compliance rate of 100%, unlike the 15% compliance at the pilot phase. The baseline stethoscope contamination rate was 78.5% versus 20.2% post-intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Training and education and introduction of alcohol-based disinfectants inexpensive but very effective methods to improve stethoscope disinfection compliance among health workers in low-income settings.

Stethoscope Disinfection Campaign in a Nigerian Teaching Hospital:Results of a Before-and-After Study

Introduction: This study aimed to assess the impact of a stethoscope disinfection sensitization campaign among doctors and nurses in a Nigerian teaching hospital. Methodology: The design was a before-and-after study. Pre-program measurements were used to provide a baseline against which the post-program results were compared. Interventions that promoted compliance with stethoscope disinfection practice that were implemented included training and education on stethoscope disinfection and introduction of 70 isopropyl alcohol disinfectant at points-of-care places. Microbiological assessment of stethoscopes used by health workers was conducted after the intervention and the outcome was compared with the pilot study results. Results: After the intervention; of the 89 stethoscopes screened; 18 (20.2) were contaminated with bacterial agents. A higher prevalence of stethoscope contamination was observed among stethoscopes from the intensive care unit (66.7); the VIP unit (50); and the antenatal unit (37.5). The main isolates were Staphylococcus aureus (44.4) and Escherichia coli (50). The antibiotic sensitivity assessment indicated that the bacterial isolates were resistant to nearly all the antibiotics tested. All the 89 health workers whose stethoscopes were screened after the intervention admitted to cleaning their stethoscopes after seeing each patient; representing a compliance rate of 100; unlike the 15 compliance at the pilot phase. The baseline stethoscope contamination rate was 78.5 versus 20.2 post-intervention.Conclusions: Training and education and introduction of alcohol-based disinfectants inexpensive but very effective methods to improve stethoscope disinfection compliance among health workers in low-income settings