Helminthiasis in pregnancy in the Niger - Delta Region of Nigeria

Background: Helminthic infestations during pregnancy have significant public health implications. This study seeks to determine the prevalence of intestinal helminths among pregnant women in the Niger Delta Region in Nigeria and to identify possible predisposing factors.Methods: Pregnant women attending antenatal clinics were randomly selected in 6 health facilities. Stool and blood samples were collected from each woman. The stool sample was examined for ova and cyst of parasites while blood samples were analyzed for eosinophil count and packed cell volume. Proforma designed for the purpose was used to obtain sociodemographic information. Students t-test was used to test relationship between variables with a p value <0.05 considered statistically significant.Results: The mean age of the patients was 27.9±5.2 years and the mean gestational age was 27.635±.4 weeks. The overall prevalence of helminthiasis in pregnancy was 91 (22. 7%), with Ascaris lumbricoides and hookworm being the most predominant at 9. 7% and 8.2% respectively. The highest prevalence per health facility was in Emohua, a rural community with a prevalence of 48.5% and the least was at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching  Hospital with a prevalence of 17.8%. There were significant association of helminthiasis with eosinophilia, anaemia, clay (nzu) eating, socioeconomic class, and source of water.Conclusion: The prevalence of helminthiasis in pregnancy is high in the Niger delta region. It is associated with the lower socioeconomic class. Introduction of routine stool analysis and use of antihelminthic in pregnancy will help to reduce associated morbidity from intestinal helminth.Keywords: Helminthiasis; Pregnancy; Eosinophil Count; Anaemia; Nigeri

Primary postpartum haemorrhage at the university of Port Harcourt teaching hospital: Prevalence and risk factors

Background: Postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) is a leading global cause of severe maternal morbidity and mortality. Approximately 14 million women suffer postpartum haemorrhage annually and at least 128,000 of these women bleed to death. Most of these deaths, which occur within four hours of delivery and are as a result of problems during the third stage of labour. Majority of PPH related deaths occur in developing countries of the world where facilities are poorly developed in addition to a paucity of trained attendants at delivery. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence, risk factors, causes and outcome of primary postpartum haemorrhage at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), south-South, Nigeria.Method: This was a retrospective study of all consecutive births between January 1st and December 31st, 2014 at UPTH. The socio-demographic characteristics, mode of delivery, cause of primary postpartum haemorrhage, antenatal/ intrapartum risk factors, treatment received and outcome were extracted from the patients' case notes, entered into SPSS version 20.0 and analysed.Results: Of the 8,694 women who were delivered at the maternity unit of UPTH, 178 had  primary postpartumhaemorrhage giving a prevalencerateof 4.28%. Uterine atony was the leading cause and delivery by Caesarean section was the leading risk factor. There were 5 mortalities from primary postpartum haemorrhage.Conclusion: The prevalence of primary postpartum haemorrhage in UPTH is 4.28%. Uterine atony was the leading cause while Caesarean section was the commonest risk factor. Efforts should therefore, be made to reduce the caesarean section rate and improve surgical skills aimed at reducing blood loss at surgery.Keywords: Post-PartumHaemorrhage; Maternal Morbidity Mortality; Uterine Atony; Caesarean Sectio