ABSTRACT

This study investigated some anthropometric and reproductive characteristics

associated with nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (NVP) and menopause among

Nigerian women. Subjects for this study were drawn from the three major ethnic

groups in Nigeria and were divided into two groups viz; a prospective study group (n

= 344) which constitute gravid women and a retrospective group (n = 324) which

consist of menopausal women. Data was collected through questionnaire via oral

interview and recall from these women while anthropometric variables were obtained

following standard protocol. The result showed that an early menarcheal age, higher

educational level, increased parity and age at menopause significantly (P<0.05)

association with NVP in one group but not in the other. Although not significant, a

higher proportion of women born in wet season, having a higher economic status, an

early child birth and carrying female foetuses reported having NVP. So also were

variations in the ethnic report of NVP among the study population. This study also

suggest a high prevalence (43.71%)  of    NVP among Nigerian women and an

increased incidence over the years with women of Igbo origin having the highest

incidence (53.91%) and Hausa’s the least incidence (34.80%). NVP was found to

impose some limitation and emotional challenge on these women with exposure to

certain smell and certain food being the most aggravating factor. Both pharmaceutical

and complimentary medicines were used for management of NVP and lying down

was a common manoeuvre as management among those who did not use drugs.

Factors found to significantly associated with the age at menopause are religion,

ethnicity, parity and age at marriage (P<0.0001). Other variables that also showed

significant association were season of birth, NVP, breastfeeding, contraception,

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CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF STUDY

Anthropometric characteristics have been shown to be possible predictors of

reproductive success in human female species and this has been widely studied.

Height, weight and body mass index (BMI) has been associated with increased parity,

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