Clinical presentation and complications in patients with unsafe abortions in University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar, Nigeria

No Abstract

Incidence Of Ectopic Pregnancy In Calabar, Nigeria: Two Halves Of The Last Decade Compared

Reports of a rising incidence of ectopic pregnancy (EP) in the country and beyond prompted this study to determine the incidence in Calabar over two time frames. Information from ward registers and case notes of EP patients who presented to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital from 1991 to 1995 were analyzed and compared with records of those who presented from 1996 to 2000. In the second half of the study period, the incidence was 3.30 per 100 deliveries, significantly higher than 2.19% in the first (p = 0.0008). The mean age of EP patients was 26.2 (sd = 5.38), significantly lower than 28.8 (sd = 5.99) for women who delivered in the same period (p 0.05). The incidence of EP appears to be rising in Calabar and puerperal infections may be important in the rise. Population-based prospective studies are necessary to confirm the findings. KEYWORDS: Ectopic Pregnancy, Calabar, Nigeri

Perinatal Outcome in Unbooked Teenage Pregnancies in the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar, Nigeria

Background. Teenage pregnancy being a high risk condition requires skilled attention for good outcome. Objectives. To determine the influence of antenatal care on perinatal outcome in teenage pregnancies in Calabar. Materials and Methods. A review of patient records in Calabar was conducted between 1st January, 2006 and 31st December, 2010, to determine perinatal outcome in teenage pregnancy. Results. Teenage pregnancy accounted for 644 (6.5%) of the total deliveries with 245 (38.0%) booked while 399 (62.0%) were unbooked. Teenage mothers contributed significantly to the proportion of women who were delivered without prior antenatal care (χ2 = 6.360; P < 0.05). The mean duration of labour in booked teenagers was 10.85 ± 4.2 hours, while unbooked teenagers was 23.31 ± 3.6 hours (t-value = 77.1039; P < 0.05). There was statistically more caesarean sections among unbooked teenage pregnancies than booked (χ2 = 36.75; P < 0.05). Stillbirth was statistically significant (χ2 = 27.096; P < 0.05) among unbooked teenagers than booked. However, early neonatal death was not significantly different between booked and unbooked teenage pregnancies(χ2 = 0.512; P < 0.05). Conclusion. Unbooked teenage pregnancies were significantly associated with increased operative intervention and poor perinatal outcome

Outcome of pregnancy in women with motorcycle accidents in Calabar, Nigeria

Three hundred and seventeen pregnant women managed in the maternity section of the University of Teaching Hospital, Calabar as a result of motorcycle accidents were assessed to determine maternal and perinatal complications and outcome of such pregnancies. The incidence of 6.6% of all deliveries was established with a rising trend over the years of 3.3% in 2001 to 8.7% in 2003. Married (42.3%), civil servants (34.6%) and multiparous (59.6%) women were more prone to having accidents in pregnancy. Risk was increased among those who sat more than one as passengers (40.3%) or sideways (42.3%) and in the third trimester of pregnancy (40.4%). Even though majority had uneventful pregnancy (62.5%) and normal deliveries (59.6%) some had life threatening complications such as abruptio placentae, ruptured uterus and 21.1% were delivered by caesarean section. Pregnant women in the third trimester or in labour should be the only passenger on motorcycle and sit astride. Strict enforcement of traffic laws by the relevant authority ensuring that only those properly trained and licensed are allowed to operate commercial motorcycle transports. Pregnant women irrespective of gestational age and degree of trauma should report in the obstetric emergency unit for proper assessment to avoid overlooking life-threatening injuries. Keywords: motorcycle accidents, pregnancy complications Mary Slessor Journal of Medicine Vol. 5 (1), 2005: 46-5

Socio demographic profile and presentations of patients with ruptured gravid uterus in Calabar Nigeria

Background: To study the Socio-demographic profiles and mode of clinical presentations of with uterine rupture in pregnancy in Calabar, Nigeria. Method: Medical records of 67 patients managed for ruptured gravid uterus over 10 years in Maternity section of the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital Calabar, Nigeria were reviewed. Results: An incidence of 1 in 213 of all deliveries during the period was established. Majority (49.2%) were aged between 31 to 40 years and 43.3% had no formal education. Unemployed patients were 29.9%, 42.3% did not book for antenatal care while 32.8% were attended to by traditional birth attendants (TBA) and in the churches. The Commonest clinical presentations were fetal heart rate abnormalities (52.2%) and maternal collapse (46.3%). Majority (50.7%) resulted from neglected obstructed labour. Conclusion: Ruptured uterus is a problem of ignorance among women of low socioeconomic group with most of them having unskilled and substandard care during pregnancy and delivery. Improvement in Socio-economic conditions and modification of some harmful cultural practices against women generally will reduce the problem of rupture uterus in our society Nigerian Journal of Medicine Vol. 17 (1) 2008 pp. 78-8

Trauma related to sexual assault in Calabar, south eastern Nigeria.

No Abstract. Nigerian Journal of Medicine Vol. 15(1) 2006: 72-7

Risk factors associated with sexual assault in Calabar south eastern Nigeria

No Abstract. Nigerian Journal of Medicine Vol. 15 (4) October-December 2006: 406-40