DOKITA

Instructions to Authors

DOKITA Editorial Board DOKITA Editorial Board — 2026-07-03

The Editorial Board

DOKITA Editorial Board DOKITA Editorial Board — 2026-07-03

The Editorial

DOKITA Editorial Board DOKITA Editorial Board — 2026-07-03

The Foreword

Akinyinka O. Omigbodun — 2026-07-03

Fertility Awareness in a Cross-Sectional Study of Young Female Graduates in Oyo State

Ujunwa M. Anyaegbu — 2026-07-03

Background: There has been a concerning increase in the prevalence of infertility globally. Consequently, Fertility awareness is being considered as a factor essential to preventing infertility. Fertility awareness also has the potential to influence better informed reproductive health- related decision making among young adults, particularly single females with the intention to have children later, and who may be navigating a transitional period in their lives.

The aim of this study is to assess the level of fertility awareness in a cohort of young educated women as it relates to their attitude and practices associated with fertility-based concerns.

Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional survey of two hundred and ninety-four (294) female youth corps members in a Local Government of Oyo State, South-West Nigeria was conducted. Respondents were interviewed using self-administered questionnaires. Data included socio- demographic characteristics and a measure of fertility knowledge, attitude and practice with a set of questions previously validated by other researchers. Data was analyzed using SPSS Version 29 and the level of significance for statistical analysis was set at p= 0.05.

Results: The respondents were females recently graduated from tertiary institutions, mostly single and from South-Western Nigeria with a mean age of 24.40 ± 2.60years. About half- 152 (51.7%) of the respondents had a High level of Fertility Awareness while 192 (65.3%) of them had a positive attitude towards fertility knowledge. Good practices related to fertility awareness were present among 142 (48.3%) of them. Those with a good level of fertility awareness appeared to have better practices related to fertility (p=0.00) as did those with a positive attitude towards fertility knowledge(p=0.04).

Conclusion: Fertility Awareness in young women is related to choices that make for better fertility outcomes in the future, hence knowledge to increase fertility awareness should be encouraged in this population.

Maternal mortality in urban slums: A focused review

Adejinmi John O. — 2026-07-03

Background: Maternal mortality is a public health crisis that has persisted since the dawn of mankind. This malady robs the earth of its precious human resource, women, leaving behind a profound void in families and the society at large. Despite all global efforts to eliminate this crisis through the “Millenium Development Goals (MDGs)” and “Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)”, the global maternal mortality ratio still remains high, with the values in urban slums alarmingly high. The reason for this occurrence is not far-fetched. Urban slums are a persistently marginalised population in the urban settlements who do not have access to basic public amenities, let alone maternal health services. These socio-economic conditions coupled with other socio-cultural and physical factors further exacerbate their vulnerability to maternal mortality. This study critically analyses maternal mortality in slums in Nigeria, identifies factors responsible for this crisis and proffers evidenced based solutions to the problem.

Methodology: Relevant literature on maternal mortality in urban slums in Nigeria and other parts of the world were reviewed. Sources of the literature included Google Scholar, National Library of Medicine, African Journal Online, Wiley Library using the appropriate keywords.

Result: This article reveals that there is a paucity of literature on the issue of maternal mortality in urban slum areas in Nigeria. The studies obtained consistently showed a high prevalence of maternal mortality in urban slums compared to urban settlements and the national average. The exclusion of slums from urban health initiatives have significantly contributed to the disparity in the maternal mortality ratio in slum and non-slum areas as slums receive less attention compared to rural and urban settlements.

Conclusion: Maternal mortality in slums is alarmingly high and the disparity in the maternal mortality ratio of slum and non slum areas have been masked by the national average. As a result there is an urgent need for more research focused on the state of maternal health services in slums to obtain an accurate statistic of the maternal mortality in Nigeria. In order to achieve the SDG 3 target, Nigeria’s public health stakeholders must collaboratively prioritise maternal health in slum areas and provide interventions targeted and tailored to their unique contexts. Some of these interventions include the establishment and strengthening of primary health care centres in slums, enrolment of slum dwellers under the “National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS)”, incorporation of digital interventions into maternal health interventions, training of “Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs)”, conduction of outreach services in slum areas, advocacy for female empowerment and maternal health facilities in slums, policy reformations to incorporate slums into urban health initiatives.

Maternal knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding neonatal jaundice: A cross-sectional study.

Bashar I. Muhammed — 2026-07-03

Background: Neonatal jaundice (NNJ) is a common condition affecting newborns worldwide, with potential complications if not properly managed. Maternal knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) play a crucial role in the early recognition and appropriate management of neonatal jaundice. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of mothers regarding neonatal jaundice.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 806 mothers. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire assessing maternal knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to neonatal jaundice. Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis.

Results: Among the participants, 98.0% had heard about neonatal jaundice, primarily from family and friends (68.6%) and healthcare workers (19.4%). However, only 44.2% correctly identified its causes, with 31.1% attributing it to blood group in
compatibility, while misconceptions such as hot weather (0.5%) and wearing yellow clothes (0.1%) were also noted. Mothers with tertiary education were significantly more aware of NNJ causes (p = 0.049). While 87.7% recognized jaundice by yellowing of the skin and eyes, only 51.1% were aware of its complications. Regarding attitudes, 67.4% of mothers considered neonatal jaundice a serious condition, and 87.2% expressed willingness to follow healthcare recommendations. However, only 33.4% believed it could be prevented. In terms of practice, 66.7% reported that their babies had developed jaundice. Among them, 26.2% used phototherapy, 12.3% relied on sunlight exposure, while 8.4% increased breastfeeding. Traditional practices such as cutting the ear (5.2%) and
cold-water bathing (1.7%) were also observed. Moreover, 60.9% received instructions on management, and 73.1% monitored their baby’s skin color regularly.

Conclusion: While most mothers had heard about neonatal jaundice, gaps in knowledge and the presence of harmful practices highlight the need for enhanced maternal education. Strengthening health education programs and improving awareness through healthcare providers could promote early recognition and appropriate management, reducing complications associated with neonatal jaundice.

Genomic insights into schizophrenia

Adejinmi John O. — 2026-07-03

Background: The precise aetiology of schizophrenia, a disorder of the mind affecting the behaviour, perception and even cognition of individuals still remains elusive according to current knowledge, although recent findings propose that biological and environmental factors have a role to play in its causology. Since schizophrenia became recognised, psychiatrists have proposed different theories in a bid to explain the aetiogenesis and pathophysiology of this illness. This review aims to utilise the current findings from genetic and genomic studies to enhance our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of this disorder.

Methods: A comprehensive review of relevant literature in genomic and genetic studies on schizophrenia was conducted. The literature sources included Google Scholar, National Library of Medicine, Nature Genetics, Elsevier, Spring Nature, Psychiatry Online.

Result: Findings from the field of psychiatry genetics highlight some genes and chromosomal abnormalities associated with schizophrenia. This demonstrates the significant efforts made to understand the molecular basis of this illness. Notwithstanding, the pathophysiology of schizophrenia still remains incompletely understood.

Conclusion: Although the pathophysiology of schizophrenia and other psychiatric disorders still remain poorly understood, the field of psychiatry genetics still holds immense promise to push the boundaries of current knowledge. The evolution of
the understanding of the molecular underpinnings of schizophrenia demonstrates that the depth of exploration of the genome depends largely on the sophistication of genomic tools available. Therefore, stakeholders in psychiatry and genomics should embrace and invest in innovative technologies that will advance knowledge and inherently improve patient care.

An overview of deep brain stimulation

Bamikole Jane A. — 2026-07-03

No Abstract.

Surgical sutures: Past and present

Fadairo Rhoda T. — 2026-07-03

No Abstract.

Interview with Dr. Akinyemi Ojesina (MD, PhD)

Bowale Ogunlakin — 2026-07-03

No Abstract.

Leadership Beyond Authority

Omoniyi Michael O. — 2026-07-03

No Abstract.

Grey

Rebecca Ogunnaike — 2026-07-03

No Abstract.

Unlocking the healthcare value chain in Nigeria: The roles of future clinlcians

Omoniyi Michael O. — 2026-07-03

No Abstract.

DOKITA Extras (Word Search and Riddles)

Bowale Ogunlakin — 2026-07-03

No Abstract.

College News

Bowale Ogunlakin — 2026-07-03

No Abstract.

DOKITA News

Orinayo Olu-Pereao — 2026-07-03

No Abstract.

DOKITA

Instructions to Authors

Table of Contents

The Editorial Board

The Editorial

The Foreword

Fertility Awareness in a Cross-Sectional Study of Young Female Graduates in Oyo State

Maternal mortality in urban slums: A focused review

Maternal knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding neonatal jaundice: A cross-sectional study.

Genomic insights into schizophrenia

An overview of deep brain stimulation

Surgical sutures: Past and present

Interview with Dr. Akinyemi Ojesina (MD, PhD)

Leadership Beyond Authority

Grey

Unlocking the healthcare value chain in Nigeria: The roles of future clinlcians

DOKITA Extras (Word Search and Riddles)

College News

DOKITA News