Factors influencing adolescent pregnancies with intent for child trafficking in selected vulnerable communities in Nigeria: A qualitative exploration

In accordance with the United Nations Recommended Principles and Guidelines on Human Rights and Human Trafficking, intentional adolescent pregnancies for the purpose of child trafficking are a grave violation of human rights, demonstrating egregious exploitation. This study examines the determinants of deliberate adolescent pregnancies aimed at selling newborns to child traffickers in Nigeria. Employing a qualitative design, purposive sampling was utilized to select 46 participants, including eight pregnant adolescent girls (aged 11 to 16), seven family members of the pregnant adolescents, six community leaders, and twenty-five community members. Semi-structured in-depth interviews and focus group discussions were used. Audio-recorded interviews were meticulously transcribed and translated from Ibibio to English by certified language experts to preserve meaning. Thematic analysis employed identified themes and sub-themes. Data underwent coding, categorization, and analysis using ATLAS.ti qualitative software. Determinant factors influencing deliberate pregnancies among adolescent girls for child trafficking include socioeconomic vulnerability, marital infertility, societal pressure, money rituals, criminal exploitation, limited education access, and inadequate legal protection. A holistic approach addressing socioeconomic disparities, cultural norms, criminal networks, legal protections, and education empowerment offers promise to eradicate buying and selling of babies. By confronting these factors, Nigeria can forge a safer, more equitable future for its adolescent girls.

Low-dose spironolactone combats dyslipidemia and hepatic inflammation by modulating PCSK9 in rat model of polycystic ovarian syndrome

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder among women and it is associated with overt metabolic derangement. Circulating lipids are regulated by proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) which blocks low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptors especially in the liver. The liver is highly vulnerable in dyslipidemia as lipid accumulation leads to progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). An array of scientific endeavours hold that low-dose spironolactone (LDS) is beneficial as intervention for PCOS traits, but this claim is yet to be fully elucidated. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of LDS on dyslipidemia and hepatic inflammation in rats with letrozole (LET)-induced PCOS and to assess the possible involvement of PCSK9 in these effects. Eighteen female Wistar rats were randomly assigned into 3 groups. The control group received vehicle (distilled water; p.o.), LET-treated group received letrozole (1 mg/kg; p.o.), LET+LDS-treated group received LET plus LDS (0.25 mg/kg, p.o.) for 21 days. Exposure to LET increased body and hepatic weights, plasma and hepatic total cholesterol (TC), TC/HDL, LDL, interleukin-6, MDA, PCSK9, ovarian degenerated follicles and hepatic NLRP3 intensity, reduced GSH and normal ovarian follicles. Interestingly, LDS averted dyslipidemia, NLRP3-dependent hepatic inflammation and ovarian PCOS traits. It is evident herein that LDS ameliorates PCOS traits and combats dyslipidemia and hepatic inflammation in PCOS by a PCSK9-dependent mechanism.

Predictors of intimate partner violence among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at state specialist hospital Ikere-Ekiti, Southwest, Nigeria

The study determined the socio-demographic predictors of reports of intimate partner violence (IPV) among pregnant women attending ante-natal clinic in State Specialist Hospital Ikere-Ekiti. A descriptive cross-sectional design was used and a pretested questionnaire was administered to 390 pregnant women who were selected using simple random sampling technique. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The prevalence rate IPV was 38.8 %, sexual violence (35.6%), followed by physical (35.1%), verbal (33.8%) and psychological (33.6%) was reported. The study found a significant relationship (p <0.05) between socio-demographic characteristics and IPV. The prevalence of IPV among the study participants was high, age of partner, years in relationship, age at marriage, educational status, occupational status, income and parity were predictors of IPV. Therefore, it is highly imperative for nurse-midwives to have a high index of suspicion and screen for intimate partner violence, especially physical and sexual violence during pre-natal care.

Lived experiences of prostate cancer patients in an urban metropolis in North Central, Nigeria

Prostate cancer (PCa) is currently the second most prevalent cancer in the world and the most common type of cancer among Nigerian men. This study explored the lived experiences of patients with PCa at the General Hospital in Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria. A mixed-method design was adopted. Purposive and consecutive sampling techniques were employed to recruit 50 and 10 participants for the quantitative and qualitative aspects respectively. Qualitative data was analyzed using thematic content analysis while quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. All participants were above the age of 50 years, 72% earned about $100 monthly while 68% were diagnosed in less than five years. Majority of the participants utilized adaptive coping styles and also found the strategies moderately helpful while living with the effects of radical prostatectomy. Participants also found the high cost of treatment severely challenging. Government and other stakeholders may need to subsidize the cost of PCa management thereby encouraging early accessibility to care, improved adherence to treatment and also reduce the economic burden of the disease on patients and their families.

Family planning method discontinuation among Nigerian women: Evidence from the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey 2018

Objectives

The cessation of family planning among sexually active women who do not intend to have children increases the number of unplanned pregnancies and the risks to maternal health. This study examined the predictors of family planning method discontinuation among sexually active Nigerian women.

Methods

Data from the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) were used. A total of 4553 women 15-49 years of age who had stopped using family planning methods in the previous 5 years were included in the study. Descriptive and binary logistic regression were used in the analysis.

Results

More than 60% of the women sampled had stopped family planning and had no intention of having children. Respondents discontinued family planning because of adverse effects (15.2%) and method failure (12.9%). Predictors of modern family planning discontinuation were secondary education (OR = 1.302, 95% CI: 1.006-1.685), Islamic religion (OR = 1.281, 95% CI: 1.059-1.550), residence in the South-East geopolitical zone (OR = 0.248, 95% CI: 0.195-0.316), having three or more children (OR = 0.848, 95% CI: 0.735-0.978) and having paid employment (OR = 0.838, 95% CI: 0.715-0.982).

Conclusion

Socio-economic and cultural factors influence discontinuation of family planning among Nigerian women. Policy options are needed to increase family planning uptake, identify common adverse effects of family planning and focus on raising public awareness regarding the negative consequences of discontinuing family planning on individuals, families and the nation.

Occurrence of mecA and blaZ genes in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus associated with vaginitis among pregnant women in Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is an increasingly prevalent pathogen. We studied the prevalence of MRSA and its association with vaginitis during pregnancy. Bacteriological investigations of high vaginal swabs of 350 healthy pregnant women attending antenatal clinics were carried out. Staphylococci were isolated from high vaginal swabs of 135 of the women. The staphylococcal isolates were resistant to multiple antibiotics. The PCR amplification of DNA of 20 selected isolates yielded six possessing the mecA gene and 13 the blaZ gene. MRSA possessing both the mecA and blaZ genes were isolated from subjects who reported vaginal discharge and itching.

Spironolactone reversed hepato-ovarian triglyceride accumulation caused by letrozole-induced polycystic ovarian syndrome: tissue uric acid-a familiar foe

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a complex endocrine disease among women of reproductive age and is one of the main causes of infertility. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), the most prominent chronic liver disease in adults, is characterized by excess hepatic triglyceride (TG) accumulation. PCOS women have increased risk of NAFLD and uric acid has been documented to have a positive correlation with subclinical tissue damage and might be the link in the cystic. Spironolactone (SPL) is a mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) blocker that has been in wide clinical use for some decades. In this research, we investigated the effects of SPL on ovarian and hepatic tissue damage in experimental PCOS rats induced by letrozole (LET). A total of eighteen adult female Wistar rats were used for this study and the animals divided into 3 groups are treated with vehicle, LET (1 mg/kg), and LET+SPL (SPL; 0.25 mg/kg), p.o. once daily respectively for 21 uninterrupted days. Results showed that LET treatment induced features of PCOS characterized by increased plasma testosterone (T) and luteinizing hormone (LH) together with increased body weight. Abnormal ovarian and hepatic histomorphological changes were also observed with elevated uric acid (UA) and TG accumulation in both tissues respectively. Treatment with SPL however attenuated the elevated testosterone in the LET-induced PCOS model accompanied with a reversal in the observed ovarian and hepatic UA, TG accumulation, and altered histomorphological changes. Taken together, spironolactone reversed the PCOS-induced ovarian and hepatic tissue damage by suppressing tissue UA and TG accumulation.