Effect of early amniotomy on the outcome of spontaneous labour: a randomized controlled trial of pregnant women in Enugu, South-east Nigeria

Background: Early amniotomy is common in obstetric practice but, its effectiveness has not been proven.Objectives: To determine the effects of early amniotomy on the duration of labour, and other maternal / neonatal out- comes of uncomplicated pregnancies in Enugu, South-east Nigeria.Methods: A randomized controlled study of 214 consenting term pregnant women at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital Enugu, Nigeria. Intervention group received amniotomy early in active labour while the control group had their membranes conserved.Results: Mean duration of labour for the amniotomy group (279.4 ± 53.7 minutes) was significantly lower than that of con- trol group (354.4 ± 67.5 minutes), (t = -8.988, p <0.001). Three (3.8%) women in amniotomy group needed oxytocin aug- mentation as against 21 (19.6%) women in the control group RR = 0.14, (CI 95%: 0.04 – 0.46), NNT = 16. The two groups did not vary with respect to cesarean section rate, newborn Apgar scores, and need for new born special care unit admission. Conclusion: Early amniotomy when compared to fetal membrane conservation reduced the duration of labour and need for oxytocin augmentation among term singleton pregnant women in Enugu, Nigeria. Its routine use in well selected cases may reduce prolonged labour and its complications.Keywords: Early amniotomy, duration of labour, oxytocin augmentation, term pregnancy, caesarean section rate, Enugu- Nigeria

Effect of early amniotomy on the outcome of spontaneous labour: a randomized controlled trial of pregnant women in Enugu, South-east Nigeria

Background: Early amniotomy is common in obstetric practice but, its effectiveness has not been proven. Objectives: To determine the effects of early amniotomy on the duration of labour, and other maternal / neonatal out- comes of uncomplicated pregnancies in Enugu, South-east Nigeria. Methods: A randomized controlled study of 214 consenting term pregnant women at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital Enugu, Nigeria. Intervention group received amniotomy early in active labour while the control group had their membranes conserved. Results: Mean duration of labour for the amniotomy group (279.4 \ub1 53.7 minutes) was significantly lower than that of con- trol group (354.4 \ub1 67.5 minutes), (t = -8.988, p <0.001). Three (3.8%) women in amniotomy group needed oxytocin aug- mentation as against 21 (19.6%) women in the control group RR = 0.14, (CI 95%: 0.04 \u2013 0.46), NNT = 16. The two groups did not vary with respect to cesarean section rate, newborn Apgar scores, and need for new born special care unit admission. Conclusion: Early amniotomy when compared to fetal membrane conservation reduced the duration of labour and need for oxytocin augmentation among term singleton pregnant women in Enugu, Nigeria. Its routine use in well selected cases may reduce prolonged labour and its complications

Occupational biopsychosocial factors associated with neck pain intensity, neck-disability, and sick leave: A cross-sectional study of construction labourers in an African population.

IntroductionThe burden and impact of neck pain is high in African countries including Nigeria. This study investigated the occupational biomechanical and occupational psychosocial factors associated with neck pain intensity, neck disability and sick leave amongst construction labourers in an urban Nigerian population.MethodsThis cross-sectional study measured clinical neck pain outcomes, occupational biomechanical factors, and occupational psychosocial factors. Descriptive, and univariate/multivariate inferential statistical analyses were conducted.ResultsSignificant independent factors associated with neck pain intensity were order and pace of tasks being dependent on others (β = 0.35; pConclusionsOccupational biomechanical factors may be more important than occupational psychosocial factors in explaining neck disability and sick leave. In contrast, occupational psychosocial factors may be more important than occupational biomechanical factors in explaining neck pain intensity in this population in Nigeria

Minimal-contact physical interventions for pregnant women with musculoskeletal disorders: a systematic review of randomised and non-randomised clinical trials

This review summarised minimal-contact physical interventions and their effects on pain, disability and quality of life in pregnant women with musculoskeletal disorders. Twelve bibliographic databases were systematically searched until December 31 2020. PEDro Scale was used for quality assessments. Narrative synthesis of 10 eligible studies was conducted. Education and multimodal home exercises plus handbooks/multimodal individual/group exercises; and self-management programmes improved pain intensity, sick leave and disability in pregnant women with lumbopelvic pain. Individual home-based progressive muscle relaxation exercises; unsupervised water exercises plus information using handbooks/videos/music; group multimodal exercises plus home exercises and information/education; and partner massage plus information using booklets/photographs reduced pain intensity in pregnant women with low back pain. Non-rigid/customised lumbopelvic belts plus information reduced pain intensity more significantly than rigid belts or stabilisation exercises plus information among pregnant women with pelvic girdle pain. Minimal contact interventions are effective and may be utilised during infectious disease pandemics

Summary of the sampling and response rates.

IntroductionThe burden and impact of neck pain is high in African countries including Nigeria. This study investigated the occupational biomechanical and occupational psychosocial factors associated with neck pain intensity, neck disability and sick leave amongst construction labourers in an urban Nigerian population.MethodsThis cross-sectional study measured clinical neck pain outcomes, occupational biomechanical factors, and occupational psychosocial factors. Descriptive, and univariate/multivariate inferential statistical analyses were conducted.ResultsSignificant independent factors associated with neck pain intensity were order and pace of tasks being dependent on others (β = 0.35; pConclusionsOccupational biomechanical factors may be more important than occupational psychosocial factors in explaining neck disability and sick leave. In contrast, occupational psychosocial factors may be more important than occupational biomechanical factors in explaining neck pain intensity in this population in Nigeria.</div

Sequential multiple regression analysis involving neck pain intensity with sick leave as the criterion variable.

Sequential multiple regression analysis involving neck pain intensity with sick leave as the criterion variable.</p

Sequential multiple regression analysis with neck pain intensity as the criterion variable.

Sequential multiple regression analysis with neck pain intensity as the criterion variable.</p

Sequential multiple regression analysis with neck disability as the criterion variable.

Sequential multiple regression analysis with neck disability as the criterion variable.</p

Descriptive summary of the dependent neck pain outcomes–neck pain intensity, neck disability and sick leave.

Descriptive summary of the dependent neck pain outcomes–neck pain intensity, neck disability and sick leave.</p

Sequential multiple regression analysis involving neck pain intensity with neck disability as the criterion variable.

Sequential multiple regression analysis involving neck pain intensity with neck disability as the criterion variable.</p