Search

Introduction: When medically indicated, caesarean section (CS) can be a life-saving intervention for mothers and their newborns. This study assesses the prevalence of CS and its associated factors, focussing on inequalities between rural and urban areas in Nigeria. Methods: We disaggregated the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey 2018 and performed analyses separately for Nigeria's overall, rural, and urban residences. We summarised data using frequency tabulations and identified factors associated with CS through multivariable logistic regression analysis. Results: CS prevalence was 2.7% in Nigeria (overall), 5.2% in urban and 1.2% in rural areas. The North-West region had the lowest prevalence of 0.7%, 1.5% and 0.4% for the overall, urban and rural areas, respectively. Mothers with higher education demonstrated a greater CS prevalence of 14.0% overall, 15.3% in urban and 9.7% in rural residences. Frequent internet use increased CS prevalence nationally (14.3%) and in urban (15.1%) and rural (10.1%) residences. The southern regions showed higher CS prevalence, with the South-West leading overall (7.0%) and in rural areas (3.3%), and the South-South highest in urban areas (8.5%). Across all residences, rich wealth index, maternal age ≥ 35, lower birth order, and ≥ eight antenatal (ANC) contacts increased the odds of a CS. In rural Nigeria, husbands' education, spouses' joint healthcare decisions, birth size, and unplanned pregnancy increased CS odds. In urban Nigeria, multiple births, Christianity, frequent internet use, and ease of getting permission to visit healthcare facilities were associated with higher likelihood of CS. Conclusion: CS utilisation remains low in Nigeria and varies across rural-urban, regional, and socioeconomic divides. Targeted interventions are imperative for uneducated and socioeconomically disadvantaged mothers across all regions, as well as for mothers in urban areas who adhere to Islam, traditional, or 'other' religions. Comprehensive intervention measures should prioritise educational opportunities and resources, especially for rural areas, awareness campaigns on the benefits of medically indicated CS, and engagement with community and religious leaders to promote acceptance using culturally and religiously sensitive approaches. Other practical strategies include promoting optimal ANC contacts, expanding internet access and digital literacy, especially for rural women (e.g., through community Wi-Fi programs), improving healthcare infrastructure and accessibility in regions with low CS prevalence, particularly in the North-West, and implementing socioeconomic empowerment programs, especially for women in rural areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Antenatal care (ANC) is crucial for positive pregnancy outcomes, but it is underutilised in Nigeria, suggesting unmet needs, and potentially contributing to the country's high burden of maternal and neonatal mortalities. This study comprehensively assesses ANC utilisation and receipt of its components in Nigeria, focusing on disparities between rural and urban areas. Methods: We used the data disaggregation approach to analyse the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey 2018. We estimated ANC utilisation, assessed the receipt of ANC components, and identified factors associated with eight or more (≥ 8) ANC contacts nationally and across rural and urban residences. Results: Nationwide, only 20.3% of women had ≥ 8 ANC contacts, with a significant disparity (P < 0.001) between urban (35.5%) and rural (10.4%) areas in Nigeria. The North-East region had the lowest ANC utilisation nationally (3.7%) and in urban areas (3.0%), while the North-West had the lowest in rural areas (2.7%). Nationally, 69% of mothers received iron supplements, 70% had tetanus injections, and 16% received medicines for intestinal parasites, with urban residents having higher proportions across all ANC components. Maternal and husband education, health insurance, and maternal autonomy were associated with increased ANC odds at the national, rural, and urban residences. However, differences exist, with all ethnicities having higher ANC odds than the Hausa/Fulanis in urban areas and the Yorubas demonstrating greater odds than other ethnicities in rural settings. Internet use was significant only in the national context, watching television only in urban settings, while maternal working status, wealth, birth type, religion, and radio listenership were significant in rural areas. Conclusion: Our study reveals significant disparities in ANC utilisation and components across Nigeria, with rural residents, particularly in northern regions, as well as socioeconomically disadvantaged and teenage mothers facing notable challenges. A multifaceted approach prioritising the interplay of intersectional factors like geography, socioeconomic status, education, religion, ethnicity, and gender dynamics is essential. Key strategies should include targeted interventions to promote educational opportunities, expand health insurance coverage, leverage internet and context-specific media, and foster socioeconomic empowerment, with priority for underserved populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Whilst information has been published on the impact, severity and causes of incidents involving medicines in care homes, it has not been systematically described. This review explored whether coroners' Preventing Future Death (PFD) reports involving medicines for people living in care homes could add to this evidence base. Methods PFD reports made publicly available between 2017 and 2021 classified as 'care home-related deaths' were reviewed. Reports describing medicines and/or medicines processes were identified. Contributory factors within these reports were then identified. Results Within the timeframe, 156 reports were published, and 25 described medicines (n = 27) or medicines processes (n = 5) concerning people living in care homes. The impact of medicines and/or medicines processes was quantified as no impact (n = 7), contributory (n = 6) and direct (n = 14) per report. Two key themes emerged. Four deaths had an association between their falls risk, prescribed anticoagulants, and the failure of the service to seek timely emergency care following a fall and two deaths concerned endocrine medicines, where people refused insulin or blood sugar monitoring and staff did not seek timely advice. Conclusion This study demonstrated PFD reports provide an insight into the potential association between medicines, and other aspects of the person's care in causing harm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]