Olakunmi Ololade Ogunyemi

By Mary Agoyi, Roland Ojo, Toyosi Afolabi, Olakunmi Ogunyemi, Sekinat Adejumobi and Adeyemi Awoniyi

Community-based Birth Attendants (CBAs) provide maternal, child, sexual and reproductive information and services to a large part of the population in rural, marginalised and hard-to-reach communities (especially in underdeveloped and developing regions). In Nigeria, they cater for ~70% of the reproductive population who patronise them in their various communities due to accessibility, affordability and social acceptance for pregnancy-related care, delivery, other sexual and reproductive healthcare concerns. CBAs could be skilled, semiskilled but are largely unskilled. Their level of skill, knowledge, attitude, and practice in their community concerning different health issues is a huge determinant of their clients’ health outcomes, which has also been skewed over time. Studies have shown that the knowledge of these CBAs continues to be impeded despite attempts at training them and unifying their practices, due to the deep-seated disunity that affects their uptake of thought interventions. These divisions are drawn along the lines of religion, initial training/education and gender differences. Therefore, continuous education on safe and current hygienic practices; increases their capacity, knowledge and skills for correct information dissemination and service delivery. Likewise, future assimilation into the formal health system with legal framework will help regulate their practices, thereby reducing maternal and child morbidity and mortality.

Part of the book: Mortality Rates in Middle and Low-Income Countries

By Olakunmi Ololade Ogunyemi, Oluwakemi Mary Agoyi-Awoniyi and Hassan Taiwo Yahaya

Pregnancy is usually a joyous event for most women and their families in many cultures. However, in certain situations, this celebratory moment is marred by various maternal complications; chief among them is diabetes mellitus. Over eighty percent of diabetes in pregnancy is attributed to Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM). Also, GDM presents a higher risk of affected mothers developing diabetes later in the future. There is a growing prevalence of GDM which necessitates the need for closer monitoring and more screening of pregnant women. This can be achieved by following set guidelines of countries and public health organisations to ensure safer pregnancies, safer deliveries, and healthier babies.

Part of the book: Maternal and Child Health