Objective:To determine the serum calcium-magnesium ratio in pre-eclampsia and compare with normotensives. Methods:A case-control study was conducted in a tertiary hospital between October 2017 and March 2018 among 81 pregnant women (27 cases and 54 controls matched for age, gestational age, and parity). An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to obtain data on demography/clinical history. Venous blood was collected without stasis and sent for biochemical analysis. Statistical analysis used IBM SPSS 21.0. Results: The levels of serum Ca 2+ (7.73 + 1.24 vs 9.17 + 0.77; P<0.001), Ca 2+ -Mg 2+ ratio (3.36 + 0.60 vs 3.83 + 0.41; P=0.001), and Mg 2+ (2.35 + 0.35 vs 2.41 + 0.16; P=0.469) were lower among cases. Serum Ca 2+ level correlated negatively with systolic (r=0.45, P=0.05) and diastolic blood pressure (r=0.50, P=0.010) among the cases. Hypocalcemia was a risk factor (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 7.63, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.64-35.37) while social classes 2 and 3 were protective factors (AOR 0.01, 95% CI 0.00-0.46 and AOR 0.01, 95% CI 0.00-0.24, respectively) against pre-eclampsia. Conclusion:The result of this research supported the implication of micronutrients in pre-eclampsia and may help to understand the pathophysiological process of pre-eclampsia. It will also help to establish and enhance existing preventive strategies for the condition. The recommendation by WHO on calcium supplementation in pregnancy as a step in preventing the occurrence of pre-eclampsia should be practiced.

Background This study was part of a project funded under the Grand Challenges Explorations initiative to engage adolescent girls living in the main slums of Nairobi. This involved an innovative co-creation initiative through jointly designing and testing the feasibility of a toolkit of information, skill, and confidence-building, and coping mechanisms that can effectively shield them and their peers against the risks of mental stress during pregnancy and early motherhood. Methods Qualitative interviews and discussions from visual methodologies including Photovoice, digital storytelling, and public service announcements were conducted with 30 pregnant and adolescent mothers aged 14–19 years in four informal settlements either pregnant or having a child less than 2 years. The aims included; to generate an inventory of mental stressors during pregnancy and early motherhood; understand how mental stress affects the ability to seek care for themselves and their child, and understand individual coping strategies. Results The psychosocial challenges identified in order of importance included: chased from home by the parents; economic hardship; neglect and abandonment by the person responsible for the pregnancy; stigmatization by family, friends, and the community; feelings of shattered dreams; and daily stress related to living in poor and unhygienic conditions. During the pregnancy and early motherhood, the participants experienced feelings of embarrassment, shame, hopelessness, and to the extreme, suicidal thoughts clouded their minds. Main coping strategies included social isolation for some, socializing with other pregnant and adolescent mothers, and negative behaviors like the uptake of illicit drugs and alcohol and risky sexual relationships. Conclusion The unpreparedness for early motherhood infused with inadequate psychosocial support led to increased mental stress and risk of depression. The interconnection between the triggers to mental stress showed the need to focus on a multifaceted approach to address the wellbeing of pregnant and adolescent mothers.

Despite the vital role and availability of antenatal care, only a small proportion of Nigerian women utilise it. Women’s perception and satisfaction with antenatal care is believed to improve health outcomes, continuity of care, adherence to treatment, and the relationship with the provider. The aim is to ascertain the women’s perception and satisfaction with the quality of ANC services in mission hospitals in Benin City, Nigeria. This cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out among 405 pregnant women in their third trimester. Data collection was with a pretested interviewer-administered questionnaire and analysis with IBM SPSS Statistics version 21.0. Statistical significance was taken as P value <0.05. The women’s perception of doctors and nurses was good for all domains assessed. Their satisfaction was highest for cleanliness of the facility 336 (83.0%) and lowest for amount paid for delivery services 168 (41.5%). The overall satisfaction for services received was high 337 (83.2%). The religion of the respondents, gestational age at ANC booking, payment for booking, the delivery fee and availability of requisite resources to cater for the women showed statistically significance with the overall satisfaction. However, only religion (AOR = 17.450, 95% CI = 3.364-90.508) and availability of requisite resources (AOR = 4.629, 95% CI = 2.426-8.832) independently influenced their satisfaction. This study showed a high level of satisfaction with the services rendered. However, making services more affordable as well as improving their quality through investment in both human and material resources to deliver essential care to all clients will drive better satisfaction among them.

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How to cite this article:Ikekwuibe IC, Okoror CEM. The pattern and socio-cultural determinants of intimate partner violence in a Nigerian rural community.