Pattern of gynaecological admissions in Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital: A three year review

Concept: Gynaecological admissions form a large proportion of the number of admissions in any Obstetrics and Gynaecological department of our hospitals.Aims and Objectives:This study was conducted in gynaecology ward of AKTH, Kano to review the gynaecological admissions, mortality and efficiency of hospital facility utilization over a period of 36 months (January 2006 to December 2008).Methodology: This is a retrospective review of all patients admitted into the gynecology ward between January, 2006 and December, 2008. Information obtained on socio-dermographic characteristics, diagnosis, hospital stay, bed occupancy, etc were collated and analysed.Results: There were 1717 admissions over the study period, out of which 1225 (71.3%) were emergencies and 494(28.7%) were elective admission for surgery giving an emergency/elective ratio of about 2.5:1. There were 50.5 patients per bed per year with bed occupancy of 13.8%. The commonest diseases responsible for gynaecological admission were abortions (23.1%), followed by medical complications of early pregnancy (19%), gynaeclogical malignancy (11.4%), ectopic pregnancy(6.7%), infertility (5.2%) and pelvic inflammatory disease (3.5%).All the deaths occurred in the emergency group (2.4%). The highest fatality was contributed by gynaecological malignancies, which accounted for 71.4 % of all gynaecological deaths with carcinoma of the cervix as theleading cause (33.2%), followed by ovarian cancer (28.6%). Postabortal sepsis was the third most common cause, contributing 16.7% fatality.Conclusion: Management should improve admission policy, understanding of patient needs in order to increase acceptance of our services.Key Words: Bed occupancy, gynaecological admissions, AKTH, Kano

Haematological Indices and Blood Urea Nitrogen of Yankasa Ram Lambs Fed Urea, Poultry Droppings and or Urea Treated Pennisetum pedicellatum (Kyasuwa Grass)

A study was conducted to evaluate the haematological indices and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) of Yankasa ram lambs fed urea and/or poultry droppings treated Kyasuwa (Pennisetum pedicellatum). There were no significant differences (P>0.05) between control treatment (K) and other treatment means observed in the values of packed cell volume (PCV), neutrophils, lymphocytes, eosinophils and basophils. Treatments KU and KPD are significantly different (P < 0.05) from the rest of the treatments in which treatment KPD had the highest value WBC. Blood urea nitrogen from all the treatments were not significantly different (P>0.05) from each other. No ill-health was encountered as a result of feeding treated Kyasuwa with urea and or poultry droppings

Cancer of the Cervix in Unscreened West African Women

Background: Cancer of the cervix remains an important health problem amongst women worldwide. Widespread comprehensive cervical cancer control programs have resulted in a marked reduction in the incidence and mortality in most developed countries. Developing countries bear over 80% of the global burden, with only 5% of the global resources for the control of cancer. Majority of the cases in these countries present late and are incurable at the time of diagnosis.Aim: To review the presentation and histopathological types of cervical cancer cases seen in Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital Kano, over a sixteen-year period (1995–2010).Materials and Methods: Case records of histopathologically diagnosed cases of cancer of the cervix were retrieved. Demographic data, stage of the tumor at presentation, and histopathologic type were extracted. The results were analyzed using descriptive statistics.Results: Six hundred and sixty gynecological cancers were seen during the study period, with cancer of the cervix accounting for 58.5% (386/660) cases. Among these cases with cancer of the cervix 71.1% (275/386) were grand multiparous and majority 89.7 % 346/386 presented with advanced disease. Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) accounted for 86.3% (333/386) of the cancers, adenocarcinoma contributed 12.4%,(48/386) and others contributed 1.3% (5/386).Conclusion: Cancer of the cervix is the commonest gynecological cancer at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, Nigeria. SCC is the commonesthistological type. Keywords: Africa, cervical cancer, screenin

Prevalence And Associated Factors For Non Utilisation Of Maternity Care Services In Rural Kano State

Objectives:- To determine the prevalence and the related sociodemographic determinants for non-utilisation of maternity care services in Shekar Maidaki Village, Kano State. Design:- Community based study. Methods:- One of the three wards in Shekar Maidaki Village was randomly selected. A cross sectional survey of all women in the village was carried out to identify mothers of children aged 23 months or less. These mothers were voluntarily recruited into a case – control study using a pretested questionnaire. Results:- The prevalence of non-utilisation of maternity care services amongst the 152 mothers of children aged 23 months and below was 78.3%. The key determinants for non-utilisation are low level of maternal education (P=0.005) high parity (P=0.007) and antenatal care non-attendance (p=0.001). Main reasons for non-hospital delivery are spousal inhibition (36.2%), access to experience TBA (24.1%) and the cost of institutional services (15.1%). Conclusion:- Utilisation of available maternity care services in our rural communities is poor, as a result of high illiteracy rate, cultural barriers and cost of institutional care. Formal education of the girl child, free maternity care and improvement of the quality of care may enhance utilisation. Key words:- Non-utilisation, maternity care services, rural. Highland Medical Research Journal Vol.2(2) 2004: 29-3