18 research outputs found
A Systematic Review of African Studies on Intimate Partner Violence against Pregnant Women: Prevalence and Risk Factors
Background: Intimate partner violence (IPV) is very high in Africa. However, information obtained from the increasing number of African studies on IPV among pregnant women has not been scientifically analyzed. This paper presents a systematic review summing up the evidence from African studies on IPV prevalence and risk factors among pregnant women.
Methods: A key-word defined search of various electronic databases, specific journals and reference lists on IPV prevalence and risk factors during pregnancy resulted in 19 peer-reviewed journal articles which matched our inclusion criteria. Quantitative articles about pregnant women from Africa published in English between 2000 and 2010 were reviewed. At least two reviewers assessed each paper for quality and content. We conducted meta-analysis of prevalence data and reported odds ratios of risk factors.
Results: The prevalence of IPV during pregnancy ranges from 2% to 57% (n = 13 studies) with meta-analysis yielding an overall prevalence of 15.23% (95% CI: 14.38 to 16.08%). After adjustment for known confounders, five studies retained significant associations between HIV and IPV during pregnancy (OR1.48-3.10). Five studies demonstrated strong evidence that a history of violence is significantly associated with IPV in pregnancy and alcohol abuse by a partner also increases a woman's chances of being abused during pregnancy (OR 2.89-11.60). Other risk factors include risky sexual behaviours, low socioeconomic status and young age.
Conclusion: The prevalence of IPV among pregnant women in Africa is one of the highest reported globally. The major risk factors included HIV infection, history of violence and alcohol and drug use. This evidence points to the importance of further research to both better understand IPV during pregnancy and feed into interventions in reproductive health services to prevent and minimize the impact of such violence
Pregnancy rates and predictors in women with HIV/AIDS in Rio de Janeiro, Southeastern Brazil
OBJECTIVE: To assess incidence and predictors of first pregnancy among women with HIV/AIDS. METHODS: Prospective cohort study was conducted in Rio de Janeiro, southeastern Brazil, between 1996 and 2003. This study comprised 225 women with HIV/AIDS followed up until their first pregnancy or first censored event (hysterectomy, tubal ligation, menopause, 50 years of age, loss to follow-up, death or the end of December 2003). Pregnancy and abortion rates were estimated, and Cox proportional hazards models were used to identify baseline characteristics associated with pregnancy risk. RESULTS: The women were followed up for 565 person/years with a median follow-up of 3 years per women. The mean age was 32 years (SD: 7), and 54.7% were white. There were 60 pregnancies in 39 women, and 18 were terminated (induced abortions), accounting for a rate of 6.9% and 2.1% women/year, respectively. Repeated pregnancies occurred in 33.3% of the women (13/39). Higher pregnancy risk was seen among younger women (HR=3.42; 95%CI: 1.69;6.95) and those living with their partners (HR=1.89; 95%CI: 1.00;3.57). Lower pregnancy risk was associated with higher education level (HR=0.43; 95%CI: 0.19;0.99) and use of antiretroviral therapy (HR=061; 95%CI: 0.31;1.17). CONCLUSIONS: Lower pregnancy rates were found in our cohort than in the general population. Sociodemographic characteristics should be taken into consideration in the management of reproductive health in HIV-positive childbearing age women. Reproductive and family planning counseling must be incorporated into HIV/AIDS programs for women to help preventing HIV transmission to their partners and offspring
Maternal death and obstetric care audits in Nigeria: A systematic review of barriers and enabling factors in the provision of emergency care.
Acknowledgements We would like to thank Yutaka Osakabe for co-ordinating the retrieval of full text articles. The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation supported this study, grant number 12-100074-000-INPPeer reviewedPublisher PD
Physical after effects and clients satisfaction following colposcopy and cervical biopsy in a Nigerian population
Background: Although Nigeria has a high prevalence of cervical cancer,
screening services including colposcopy and directed cervical biopsy
are not widely available Objectives: A prospective study among 111
women who had colposcopy and cervical biopsy following an abnormal Pap
smear result at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital in Nigeria.
It explored physical after effects experienced and satisfaction of
clients after the procedure. Results: The mean age of the population
was 49.5±8.7 years (range, 30 â 64 years) and majority
(64.9%) had tertiary education. Overall, 69 women (62.2%) reported
physical effects following the procedure. Common physical effects
experienced included spotting blood per vaginam (65.2%), pain (34.8%)
and vaginal discharge (17.4%). Spontaneous resolution of symptoms
occurred within 48 hours in 90.9% of those who reported physical
effects. Clients who experienced physical after effects were
significantly older (p=0.002) and had tertiary education (p=0.019).
Majority of the women (94.6%) were satisfied with the screening
services and more than 97% were willing to accept a repeat procedure.
Conclusion: Although majority of the clients who had colposcopy and
cervical biopsy reported they experienced physical side effects, more
than 97% were willing to have a repeat procedure. This information can
assist colposcopic service providers in counseling clients
Features and perceptions of menopausal women in Benin City, Nigeria
Background/Objective: The features of menopause have always been
assumed to occur only to a minor degree of significance in Nigerian
women. Perceptions of menopausal symptoms are greatly influenced by
social, cultural and economic settings and may influence the mode of
treatment for menopausal symptoms. The aim of this study was to
determine the features and perceptions of natural menopause among
menopausal women in Benin-City, Edo State, Nigeria. Methods: A
descriptive cross-sectional study of 533 randomly selected Nigerian
women in Benin City, Edo State who had experienced at least 24
continuous months of amenorrhea using a structured questionnaire.
Results: The ages of the women studied ranged between 47 and 78 years;
mean 57.4 ± 6.3 years. The mean menopausal and menercheal ages
were 49.8 ± 2.6 and 15.2 ± 2.0 years. Most (80.7%) were
currently married with 63.6% in monogamous relationships. Three hundred
and fifty-six women (66.8%) have heard of the word menopause and
correctly described it. Menopause was considered a normal event by
97.4%. Majority (407; 77.6%) adjusted very well to the events of
menopause with none revealing any serious maladjustment. Three hundred
and forty-six women (64.9%) were no longer sexually active. Joint pains
(287; 53.8%), hot flushes (272; 51%) and night sweats (22; 42%) were
the most common symptoms believed to be related to menopause. Three
hundred and two women (56.7%) actually suffered at least one of the
menopause symptoms. Joint pains (52.9%), hot flushes (43.3%) and night
sweats (29.8%) were the commonest symptoms experienced. Freedom from
monthly bleeding (50.7%) was the most commonly reported advantage of
menopause. Only thirty nine (7.3%) were aware of hormone replacement
therapy (HRT) and none were on /ever had HRT. Conclusion: Although
menopause is well-tolerated by women in our environment, it needs
further investigation. Research priorities include the influence of
socio-cultural beliefs on sexuality at menopause and evaluation of HRT
benefits
Features and perceptions of menopausal women in Benin City, Nigeria
Background/Objective: The features of menopause have always been
assumed to occur only to a minor degree of significance in Nigerian
women. Perceptions of menopausal symptoms are greatly influenced by
social, cultural and economic settings and may influence the mode of
treatment for menopausal symptoms. The aim of this study was to
determine the features and perceptions of natural menopause among
menopausal women in Benin-City, Edo State, Nigeria. Methods: A
descriptive cross-sectional study of 533 randomly selected Nigerian
women in Benin City, Edo State who had experienced at least 24
continuous months of amenorrhea using a structured questionnaire.
Results: The ages of the women studied ranged between 47 and 78 years;
mean 57.4 \ub1 6.3 years. The mean menopausal and menercheal ages
were 49.8 \ub1 2.6 and 15.2 \ub1 2.0 years. Most (80.7%) were
currently married with 63.6% in monogamous relationships. Three hundred
and fifty-six women (66.8%) have heard of the word menopause and
correctly described it. Menopause was considered a normal event by
97.4%. Majority (407; 77.6%) adjusted very well to the events of
menopause with none revealing any serious maladjustment. Three hundred
and forty-six women (64.9%) were no longer sexually active. Joint pains
(287; 53.8%), hot flushes (272; 51%) and night sweats (22; 42%) were
the most common symptoms believed to be related to menopause. Three
hundred and two women (56.7%) actually suffered at least one of the
menopause symptoms. Joint pains (52.9%), hot flushes (43.3%) and night
sweats (29.8%) were the commonest symptoms experienced. Freedom from
monthly bleeding (50.7%) was the most commonly reported advantage of
menopause. Only thirty nine (7.3%) were aware of hormone replacement
therapy (HRT) and none were on /ever had HRT. Conclusion: Although
menopause is well-tolerated by women in our environment, it needs
further investigation. Research priorities include the influence of
socio-cultural beliefs on sexuality at menopause and evaluation of HRT
benefits
HIV-AIDS Related Maternal Mortality in Benin City, Nigeria
Objective: To determine the causes and characteristics of maternal deaths in HIV-infected women.Design: A retrospective study of maternal deaths in a cohort of HIV-infected women.Setting: A facility-based maternal death review using case records and mortality summaries.Methods: Thirty seven maternal deaths which occurred in HIV-infected women were reviewed in a university teaching hospital in southern Nigeria over a 4- year period. Causes and circumstances surrounding each maternal death were identified. Result: One in every four maternal deaths occur in women with HIV infection. Majority (64.9%) of the women presented in advanced stage (WHO stage III/IV) of HIV syndrome while 86.5% had missed opportunities for antiretroviral programme. Pregnancyrelated sepsis was the commonest cause of maternal death. Other common causes were death from tuberculosis and pneumonia.Conclusion: HIV-related maternal death is emerging as a leading cause of pregnancy related death in Nigeria. There is need to scale-up preconception care and ensure comprehensive and sustainable prevention of mother -to-child transmission service for all pregnant women throughout Nigeria to reduce the burden of HIV/AIDS infection and minimize avoidable deaths from opportunistic infections