Toward Strengthening the Capacity of the Health System: A Cross-Sectional Study of Factors Predicting Quality of Life in 545 Nigerian Children Exposed to Sexual Abuse.

In Nigeria, the predictors of quality of life among children exposed to sexual abuse are unknown. Addressing this gap may strengthen the capacity of the health system to care for this population. Thus, this cross-sectional study selected 545 (mean age = 14.4 ± 1.4 years) Nigerian children exposed to sexual abuse. Results show that self-compassion, resilience, and meaning in life jointly predicted quality of life and explained 39% variance. The independent prediction of each predictor variable shows that self-compassion, resilience, and meaning in life have significant independent predictions, with self-compassion showing the greatest independent prediction, followed by resilience and meaning in life. Sex, age, and how long ago respondents were exposed to sexual abuse jointly predicted quality of life and explained 6% variance. However, how long ago respondents were exposed to sexual abuse shows a significant independent prediction. Results offer clinical implications that may strengthen the capacity of the health system to care for this population.

Skinfold Thickness Measurement in Term Nigerian Neonates: Establishing Reference Values.

Skin fold thickness (SFT) measurement is a reliable, cheap, simple, noninvasive method of body fat estimation at all ages including the neonatal period. Objective. To determine reference values of biceps, triceps, subscapular, and suprailiac skinfold thickness measurements in term Nigerian newborns. Method. A prospective cross-sectional study over a six-month period (Dec 2010-May 2011) was carried out on term and healthy neonates delivered between 37 and 41 weeks. The anthropometric measurements were taken within the first 48 hours of life including the skinfold thickness. The skinfold thickness measurements were taken at four sites, namely, triceps, biceps, subscapular, and suprailiac, using Harpenden skinfold calipers. The mean of two readings was recorded. Result. A total of one thousand one hundred and sixty-eight neonates were studied. The birth weight ranged between 2000 g and 5000 g with a mean birth weight of the neonates at 3259 ± 470 g. The mean birth weight of the males (3339 ± 0.45) was significantly higher than that of females (3200 ± 0.44) (p < 0.0001). Female neonates had higher mean values of triceps, subscapular, and suprailiac skinfold thickness (p < 0.001, resp.) while male neonates had higher mean value of biceps skinfold thickness (p = 0.008). Females also had higher mean values of the sum of skinfold thicknesses at all four sites and the sum at the two truncal sites at every stratified gestational age. Conclusions. The sex specific percentile chart developed for skinfold thickness measurements can be used to detect deviation from the reference population such that infants who are at risk of nutritional or health problems are identified early, and intervention is instituted promptly.