Background/objective: To document the premenstrual and menstrual symptoms of Muslim women, with a view to providing adequate and sensitive care. Methods: Two hundred Muslim women were interviewed at Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital and Muslim Specialist Hospital, both in Zaria between August and October 2003. Results: Premenstrual symptoms were present in 23.8% of the women and breast pain was the commonest symptom (50%). Self-medication was practiced by those who needed medication for the premenstrual symptoms (29.8%). Premenstrual symptoms were significantly associated with lower parity (p = 0.02), previous (p = 0.03) and current (p = 0.01) contraceptive use and dysmenorrhoea (p = <0.001). Dysmenorrhoea was present in 36.4% and was significantly associated with lower age (p = 0.03), and lower parity (p = 0.01). Conclusions: Health care workers and the general public need to be aware of premenstrual symptoms and dysmenorrhoea in order to provide adequate care and support that is sensitive to Muslim women's needs. Health care providers should also be aware that premenstrual symptoms are more likely to coexist with dysmenorrhoea and provide therapies that can cater for both problems whenever possible. Conclusion:Des médecins des soins médicaux et la publique en général sont besoin d'avoir une connaissance sur des symptômes prémenstruel et la dysmenorrhée afin de fournir des soins adéquats et de donner des soutients qui sont sensitifs visant aux besoins des femmes muslèmes. Les médecins des soins médicaux devraient également avoir connaissance qui souligne que des symptômes prémenstruels sont plus probablement de co-éxister avec la dysmenorrhée et donner des thérapies qui peuvent resoudre les deux problèmes aussi souvent que possible.

Article HistoryBackground: Primary health care facilities are the closest to the community and are easily accessible to pregnant women and their children. Ensuring quality Antenatal care by skilled attendants at this level is pre-requisite to reducing pregnancy complications and over all maternal mortality Objective: This study was aimed at assessing the adequacy of antenatal care rendered at this level of care. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted at Babban-dodo primary health center, Zaria. An exit Questionnaires was administered to 400 pregnant women. Information on their demographic status and information about the Antenatal care just received was obtained focusing standard protocol for antenatal care. Result: showed that the women were not rendered all the full component of ANC. History of feeling unwell was not asked in 88%, examination including blood pressure check was done in only 37%, Obstetrics examination was done in more 80% of the women however symphsio-fundal height was not measured with tape. The women were sent to do most of the routine investigations, as they pay for these investigations and the revenue collected is used to partially run the hospital. There was only one nurse midwife at the center; community health workers were the sole providers and no medical doctor visit the hospital. Ninety six percent of the respondents were satisfied with the services while 3.6% were dissatisfied. Conclusion: There is total disregard for standard of care for antenatal services expected at this level. There is the need for re-assessment of all primary health care centers that are the first point of contact with our pregnant women, if reducing maternal mortality rate is great concern to all of us. Contribution/ Originality:This study further demonstrated that the quality of antenatal care in primary care facilities in Nigeria particularly in the Northern part of the country is poor and indirectly explains why maternal mortality and morbidity is very high.