Effects of selenium supplementation on pregnancy outcomes and disease progression in HIV-infected pregnant women in Lagos: A randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effects of selenium supplementation on pregnancy outcomes and disease progression among HIV-infected pregnant women in Lagos. METHODS: A randomized, placebo-controlled trial conducted among HIV-positive pregnant women between September 2018 and August 2019. At enrollment, 90 women were randomly assigned into each treatment arm to receive either a daily tablet of 200 µg elemental selenium or a placebo. Relevant participants' sociodemographic and clinical data were collected at enrollment and delivery. RESULTS: Women in the selenium arm had a significantly lower risk of preterm delivery (relative risk [RR] 0.32, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.11-0.96) and a non-significant reduction in the risk of delivering term neonates with a low delivery weight (RR 0.24, 95% CI 0.05-1.19). Supplemental selenium does not increase the risk of perinatal death and adverse drug events. CONCLUSION: The study reported a beneficial effect of prenatal selenium supplements on the risk of preterm delivery with no further reduction in risk among HIV-infected women who used the supplements for more than 14 weeks. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Pan African Clinical Trial Registry (PACTR201809756724274).

Impact of mobile technologies on cervical cancer screening practices in Lagos, Nigeria (mHealth-Cervix): Protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

Background: Incidence and mortality from cervical cancer have remained high due to many obstacles facing the implementation of organized screening programs in resource-constrained countries such as Nigeria. The application of mobile technologies (mHealth) to health services delivery has the potential to reduce inequalities, empower patients to control their health, and improve the cost-effectiveness of health care delivery. Aim: To assess the efficacy of mobile technology intervention on Pap test screening adherence compared to a control condition and also determine the factors affecting the uptake of Pap smear screening practices among women in Lagos. Methods: This is a multi-center randomized controlled trial that will involve women aged 25 to 65 years attending the General Outpatient clinics of the two tertiary health institutions in Lagos, Nigeria between April and December 2020. At baseline, a total of 200 National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) enrollees will be randomized to either a text message arm or usual care (control) arm. The primary outcome is the completion of a Pap smear within 6 months of enrolment in the study. The associations between any two groups of continuous variables will be tested using the independent sample t-test (normal distribution) or the Mann-Whitney U test (skewed data) and that of two groups of categorical variables with Chi-square X 2 or Fisher's exact test where appropriate. Using binary logistic regression model, we will adjust for age and other relevant sociodemographic and clinical variables and adherence to Pap test screening. Statistical significance will be defined as P-value less than 0.05. Discussion: The mHealth-Cervix study will evaluate the impact of mobile technologies on cervical cancer screening practices in Lagos, Nigeria as a way of contributing to the reduction in the wide disparities in cervical cancer incidence through early detection facilitated using health promotion to improve Pap smear screening adherence. Registration: PACTR202002753354517 13/02/2020.

Bacterial Vaginosis and Pregnancy Outcome in Lagos, Nigeria.

Background. Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a complex clinical syndrome characterized by alterations in the normal vaginal flora and a malodorous discharge when symptomatic. In pregnancy, BV has been associated with adverse outcomes such as miscarriage, premature rupture of membranes, preterm birth, and low birth weight. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence and associations of BV and pregnancy outcomes among pregnant women in Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH). Methods. We conducted a prospective observational study with high vaginal swabs obtained from consecutive newly registered antenatal women between 14 and 36 weeks gestation. The women were monitored until delivery, and their pregnancy outcome and demographic data were obtained using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Results. Bacterial vaginosis was diagnosed by Nugent score in 64 of 246 women, giving a prevalence rate of 26%. Bacterial vaginosis was significantly associated with preterm delivery (risk ratio [RR], 2.68; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.44-4.98), low birth weight (RR, 3.20; 95% CI, 1.29-7.94), and premature rupture of membranes (RR, 6.75; 95% CI, 3.11-14.67). The association between BV and miscarriage (<28 weeks gestation) and neonatal admission for various morbidities was not statistically significant. Conclusions. The prevalence rate of BV among pregnant women in LUTH is high and is significantly associated with adverse pregnancy outcome. Routine screening and treatment of women preconceptually may enable interventions to prevent these adverse outcomes.