Objective: We sought to estimate the incidence and risk factors associated with development of pre-eclampsia (PET) in Jos, Nigeria.Methods: An open cohort study of singleton pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic of Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH), Nigeria between November 2010 and August 2011. Eligible healthy women at ≤ 20 weeks gestation were enrolled and followed up until delivery or development of pre-eclampsia. Baseline demographic characteristics including weight, height and body mass index (BMI) were collected at enrollment. Incidence, risk factors and hazard ratios for developing PET were estimated with corresponding 95% confidence intervals and p-values. All statistical analyses were done with STATA version 11, college station, Texas, USA. Results: A total of 2416 pregnant women were screened for eligibility out of which 323 were eligible for inclusion. The incidence of PET was 87.9 per 1,000 pregnancies (8.8%). The significant risk factors for PET were previous history of PET (RR=5.1, 95% CI: 2.2-12.1) and BMI at booking ≥ 25 kg/m 2 (RR=3.9, 95% CI: 1.5-10.0). Conclusion:The incidence of PET was relatively high in our cohort in Jos, Nigeria and a previous history of the disease and overweight or obese pregnant women have a significant hazard of developing the disease in the course of gestational follow up. Targeting women with these characteristics for early preventive intervention and close surveillance at the antenatal booking clinic may help in prevention of the disease and its complications.

BackgroundIntimate partner violence is an important public health problem that cuts across geographic and cultural barriers. Intimate partner violence refers to the range of sexually, psychologically and physically coercive acts used against women by current or former male intimate partners. The frequency and severity of violence varies greatly but the main goal is usually to control the victims through fear and intimidation. About 80% of Gambian women believe it is acceptable for a man to beat his wife thus encouraging the perpetuation of violence against women.The objective was to ascertain the burden of intimate partner violence amongst pregnant women in Gambia.MethodsA cross sectional survey was carried out at Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital, Banjul, The Gambia, on antenatal clinic attendees between October and December 2012, using a pre-tested structured interviewer administered questionnaire. All pregnant women were informed about the study at the antenatal booking clinic. Of the 161 pregnant women informed, 136 (84.5%) consented to take part and were recruited in the study. Descriptive analysis was done using the Epi info statistical software. Any pregnant woman booking for the first time during the period of the study was eligible to be recruited into the study.ResultsMajority of enrolled participants (61.8%) reported intimate partner violence. Verbal forms of intimate partner violence were the commonest forms, with 12% requiring medical care on account of intimate partner violence and 3% prevented from seeking healthcare as a result of such violence.ConclusionIntimate partner violence is common in The Gambia, West Africa and is a threat to women’s health.

Background:To determine the level of awareness and knowledge of HIV postexposure prophylaxis (HIV PEP) and determinants of adequate knowledge among Family Physicians in Nigeria.Materials and Methods:This was a cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey conducted among 175 Family Physicians at two national conferences.Results:Majority (97.7%) of the respondents was aware of the concept of HIV PEP and 99.4% believed it was effective in preventing HIV transmission. Over two third of our respondents had been exposed to NSI; however, less than 25% of those exposed received PEP. There was high level of knowledge of the various high-risk body fluids as well as types of high-risk exposures. 93.9% of our respondents knew that HIV PEP should commence within 1 h of exposure, 83.3% knew the correct duration of HIV PEP, but only 57.0% knew the ideal PEP regimen for high-risk exposures. The total mean score for our respondents was 17.8±2.9 with 79.4% having an adequate score. Being a junior doctor and male sex were associated with adequate knowledge.Conclusion:This study shows that despite high levels of awareness and knowledge of HIV PEP, access to its use among family physicians in Nigeria is still sub-optimal.

SummaryBackgroundThe incidence of non-communicable diseases(NCDs) is rising globally, with its attendant morbidity andmortality, especially in developing countries. This study evaluatedthe prevalence of NCDs and their risk factors amongmembers of a university community.MethodsAll employees of the university were invited to the University health clinic for screening, using the World Health Organisation’s STEPwise approach to NCDs.ResultsA total of 883 (521; 59.0% males) employees with a mean age of 44 ± 10 years were studied. The median (IQR) number of NCD risk factors was three (two to three) per participant. The most common NCD risk factors were inadequate intake of fruit and vegetables (94.6%; 95% CI: 92.8–95.9), physical inactivity (77.8%; 95% CI: 74.9–80.5%) and dyslipidaemia (51.8%; 95% CI: 48.4–51.6%). Others included obesity (26.7%; 95% CI: 23.9–29.8%), alcohol use (24.0%; 95% CI: 21.3–27.0%) and cigarette smoking (2.9%; 95% CI: 2.0–4.3). Hypertension was the most common NCD (48.5%; 95% CI: 45.1–51.8%), followed by chronic kidney disease (13.6%; 95% CI: 11.4–16.1) and diabetes mellitus (8.0%; 95% CI: 6.4–10.1). There was no gender-specific difference in the prevalence of NCDs.ConclusionThis study identified that NCDs and their modifiable risk factors are highly prevalent in this community. Workplace policy to support the adoption of healthy living is needed.

Objectives Effective antiretroviral therapy has prolonged the survival of patients with HIV. Accordingly, studies of the consequences of ageing are increasingly important. We determined the prevalence of early menopause (EM) and its associated factors in a cohort of HIV-infected and HIV-negative controls in Jos, Nigeria. Methods HIV-infected women accessing care in an ambulatory setting and their negative counterparts from the general population were included. Menopause was defined as having gone one year since the last menstrual period. EM was defined as the onset of menopause at ≤45 years of age. Baseline characteristics were compared and logistic regression analyses were used to determine factors independently associated with EM. Results Out of a total of 253 women included, 58 attained menopause early, giving an EM prevalence of 22.9% (95% confidence interval [CI] 17.9–28.6%). Women with EM were younger ( P <0.001) and had been infected with HIV for a shorter period ( P =0.007). Baseline CD4+ cell count ( P =0.66) and viral load ( P =0.15) were similar among those with and without EM. For all subjects, HIV infection (adjusted odds ratio [AOR}=10.95, 95% CI 1.39–86.33) and sexual activity (AOR=2.37, 95% CI 1.24–4.52) were associated with EM while early menarche (AOR=14.88, 95% CI 1.37–161.10) and sexual activity (AOR=2.02, 95% CI 1.03–3.96) were independently associated with EM. Conclusion Over a quarter of our postmenopausal women attained menopause early. No HIV-related factor predicted EM in this study. A better understanding of ageing in these women is important to determine a more appropriate disease-management approach during this period of life.