Background: The use of Long-Lasting Insecticide Treated Nets (LLINs) in Africa increased mean birth weight by 55g, reduced the incidence of low birth weight by 23% and decreased miscarriages/stillbirths by 33%. However, the benefit of the LLINs may be limited by the rate of ownership and utilization by pregnant women.
Objective: To determine and compare the ownership and utilization of LLINs among pregnant women in urban and rural areas of Ogun State.
Methods: A community-based comparative cross-sectional study on 72 and 74 pregnant women living in urban and rural areas, respectively of Ogun State was carried out. Using a multi-stage cluster sampling technique and a pretested semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaire, information on LLINs ownership and use were obtained.
Results: Ownership of LLINs was 81.1% in rural areas compared to 66.7% in urban areas. About 65% of participants in rural versus 44.4% in urban areas slept under LLINs. The predictor of ownership of LLIN was age group 15-24 years [AOR 0.10 (95%CI 0.01 - 0.56)]. The predictors of utilization of LLINs included urban residence [AOR 0.29 (95%CI 0.13 – 0.65)], age group 15-24 years [AOR 0.17 (95%CI 0.04 – 0.70)], registration of pregnancy for antenatal care [AOR 5.12 (95%CI 1.14 – 23.03)] and knowledge on prevention of malaria [AOR 4.94 (95%CI 1.51 – 16.17)].
Conclusion: Pregnant women should visit ANC clinics regularly, and health education on malaria should focus more on the prevention of malaria as well as encouraging the consistent use of the nets, particularly in the urban areas.
IntroductionIn Africa, there is increasing evidence that a large proportion of new HIV infections occur in cohabitating couples, many of whom are unaware of both partners’ serostatus. Sub-Saharan Africa has the highest prevalence and incidence of HIV infection worldwide, mostly attributable to heterosexual transmission. In Nigeria, the bulk of the new infections occur in persons who are not engaging in high risk sex, a sub-population that includes cohabiting or married sexual partners. This study was undertaken to determine the prevalence and assess factors associated with HIV serodiscordance status among HIV positive patients accessing ART in secondary health facilities in Ogun State, South West Nigeria.MethodsThis is a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted in four secondary health facilities offering HIV services in Ogun State over a six months period. Sample size of 650 was determined using the Cochrane formula and the respondents were consecutively recruited into the study. Data was collected using a structured interviewer administered questionnaire and analysis was done using the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 17.0. Results was presented using frequency tables, tests of associations was done using the Chi-square test and multiple Logistic regression with level of significance set at 0.05.ResultsA total of 637 questionnaires was retrieved (response rate 98%). Two hundred and Seventy eight (43.6%) of the respondents did not know their spouse HIV status while 359 knew partners status. Of the 359, 166 clients are serodiscordant (46.2%) while 193 (53.8%) were seroconcordant. 50.7% were aged 30–39 years, the mean age was 35.8±9.1 years. Significantly more females (74.7%) than males (25.3%) had serodiscordant partners (p-value=0.002). Clients who did not consume alcohol were significantly more likely to have serodiscordant partners compared with clients who consumed alcohol (p-value=0.001). Serodiscordant partners were significantly more among clients with infrequent sexual activities compared with clients with frequent sexual activities (p-value=0.001). Predictors of serodiscordance status among partners were clients who were <35 years old (odd ratio (OR)=1.727, confidence interval (CI)=1.107–2.693) and did not consumed alcohol (OR=2.204, CI=1.070–4.542), with partners whose occupation were skilled (OR=7.159, CI=1.440–35.604) and semi-skilled (OR=6.189, CI=1.216–31.503) and clients with infrequent sexual activities (OR=3.182, CI=1.437–7.046).ConclusionThe study indicates that HIV positive clients could have serodiscordant partners if they could modify their life-style, have infrequent sexual activities (Not more than twice in a month) with partners that are gainfully engaged. It is therefore recommended that for early identification of at risk partners, couple HIV counselling and testing needs to be scaled up in addition to group-based interventions in order to pick serodiscordant partners early and provided all the necessary behavioural change support required to remain serodiscordant.
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