Helping babies survive: Thermal and umbilical cord care practices for neonates in Ado-Ekiti, Southern Nigeria.

Newborn care practices immediately after delivery can decrease newborns' risk of diseases and death in early neonatal life. This study assessed thermal and umbilical cord care practices among mothers in randomly selected health care facilities in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State. Descriptive quantitative research design was used and 211 mothers were selected through convenience sampling techniques. Semi-structured questionnaire, adapted from a previous study was utilized to collect data which was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The majority of the respondents were Yoruba aged 20-29 years; 70% of the respondents were aware of the standard cord care practice; 90% agreed that heat should be applied to the newborn's umbilical cord. 70.5% of mothers used methylated spirit to clean the umbilical cord; 39.5% claimed that they used menthol ointment; while 20.5% used the standard prescribed chlorhexidine. On thermal care practices, 10% dried their babies, 39.5% bathed their babies immediately, while 50% of mothers wrapped their newborns in heavy clothing. Factors influencing common thermal and umbilical cord care include religion and cultural preferences. Efforts should be devoted towards providing tailored health education approaches on proper thermal and umbilical cord care practices to mothers and the community at large.

Knowledge of the effects of regular pelvic floor exercises on maternal health among women in a comprehensive health centre in Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria.

Regular pelvic floor exercise is essential for maternal health among women because it is a proven conservative treatment and prevention for pelvic organ prolapse. This study aimed at investigating the knowledge of women on the effects of regular pelvic floor exercise on the maternal health among women attending a primary health centre in Ado - Ekiti. It also assessed the women's attitude towards and the practice of pelvic floor exercises. The study was predicated on reasoned action theory, while a descriptive cross-sectional design was adopted using total enumerative sampling technique. Data was collected from 248 respondents using researcher-administered questionnaires. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Findings from the study showed that the majority (72.20%) of the respondents had a low level of awareness of pelvic floor exercises, 74.2% perceived pelvic floor exercises as very necessary to maternal health, 75.4% showed a negative attitude to pelvic floor exercises, less than half (48.7) claimed to be practicing pelvic floor exercises. No significant association was found between women's attitude and the practice of pelvic floor exercises (P > 0.05). More education should be given to women seeking primary health care on the benefits of pelvic floor exercises.

Perceptions, attitude, and practice of undergraduates towards pre-conceptional care in Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria.

Periconceptional care (PCC) addresses the care before pregnancy occurs. The objectives of this study were to assess the knowledge, attitude of undergraduates towards and the practice of pre-conception care among the undergraduates. Quantitative approach with a descriptive, cross-sectional survey design was adopted using semi structured researcher- administered questionnaire with close - ended and restricted- choice questions. 273 female students were selected using a multistage and proportional sampling techniques from various departments in the University. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistical methods with the aid of SPSS (version 23). Results showed that 75.2% had high knowledge of pre-conception care, 76.8% had positive attitude towards pre-conception., 66.1% had never sought pre-conception care as the majority were not married, but desired to complete schooling before considering such practices. The knowledge of preconception care among the women was high, their attitude towards preconception care was good but their practice of preconception care was poor. Age, marital status and course of study were significant predictors of the respondents' adoption of PC. There is a need for health workers to lay more emphasis on the importance of PCC thus encouraging youths to adopt and utilize preconception care.