Influence of cultural factors on choice of childbirth place among women in Oyigbo Local Government Area,Rivers State,Nigeria

Objectives:This study aims to ascertain if cultural factors influence the childbirth place choice of women in Oyigbo.Materials and Methods:The study used a cross‑sectional study design using a self‑structured questionnaire as the instrument to collect data from 384 volunteers through simple random sampling,and these data were analyzed using frequency and percentage for descriptive statistics while Chi‑square was used for inferential statistics at 0.05 level of significance.Results:The influence of cultural factors such as family traditions(χ^(2)=12.56,P=0.006),beliefs(χ^(2)=70.66,P=0.000),lack of confidence in health facilities(χ^(2)=367.83,P=0.000),and the presence of male skilled birth attendants(χ^(2)=50.85,P=0.000)were statistically significant to the choice of childbirth place,while patriarchal system(χ^(2)=2.99,P=0.393)was not statistically significant to the choices of childbirth places of women in Oyigbo.Religion had a statistically significant influence on childbirth place(χ^(2)=125.46,P=0.000).Conclusion:This study shows that religious and cultural factors have a significant influence on the childbirth place choices of women in Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State.

Pharmacognostic characters of Albizia lebbeck (L.) Benth. leaves: macroscopy, microscopy, and phytochemical analysis

Background:Albizia lebbeck(L.)Benth,a medium to large tree belonging to the family Fabaceae,is commonly used as a medicinal plant for various disease conditions.Aim:The aim of this study was to establish a pharmacognostical profile for the leaves of Albizia lebbeck(L.)Benth in order to aid its identification and authentication.Method:Standard macroscopic methods were employed to analyze the physical parameters of the Albizia lebbeck(L.)Benth leaves.Fresh leaf samples and dried leaf powder were studied under a microscope to reveal the plant’s microscopic features.Preliminary phytochemical investigation of the plant material was also conducted using standard methods.Result:The results showed the presence of fibers,epidermal cells,stomata,sclereids,prismatic crystals,vascular bundles,and parenchyma cells.Preliminary phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of phenols,flavonoids,glycocides,terpenes,tannins,saponins,carbohydrates,and quinones.Conclusion:These pharmacognostical and preliminary phytochemical observations can be considered as standard for future studies.

Conventional and non-conventional management stratagies for pregnant women with sickle cell disease

Sickle cell disease is the most common inherited hemoglobinopathy and is characterized by painful vaso-occlusive crisis.Pregnancy in women with sickle cell disease is associated with an increased incidence of maternal and perinatal complications,but notwithstanding,adequate care through preconception,antenatal,intrapartum,and postnatal stages ensures a better outcome.Despite the management of pregnant women with sickle cell disease being best accomplished using a multidisciplinary approach,few therapeutic interventions have been explored.This paper focuses on the effective conventional and non-conventional management of pregnant women with sickle cell disease with the aim of suppress the alternating effect of sickle cell disease and pregnancy for better maternal and fetal outcomes.The conscious use of these therapies integratively or alternatively can improve self-care and quality of life,decrease the occurrence of discomforts and complications,and reduce frequency of hospitalization.