Knowledge and attitudes toward child adoption and fostering among infertile women in northern Nigeria

Background: Infertility is a public health problem in the developing countries. However, the role of child adoption or fostering in the management of infertile couples is underexplored, particularly in northern Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study involving the use of a structured interview questionnaire was employed to collect information from clients attending the infertility clinic of Aminu Kano University Teaching Hospital (AKTH), Kano. The data were analyzed using MINITAB® 12.21 software. Percentages and means were used to describe categorical and quantitative variables, respectively. The chi-square test was used to assess the significance of associations using a confidence interval of 95%. Results: Majority of the respondents (69.7%) were between 25 and 34 years of age, and of Hausa/Fulani ethnic group (79.6%). Knowledge of child adoption was good in 59.2% of the respondents, while the willingness to adopt versus foster was 28.2% and 44.4%, respectively. Conclusion: There is a need to advocate for infertility counseling services, so as to support infertile clients in taking informed decisions regarding child adoption or fostering as viable options for having their own families

Review of Intrauterine Adhesiolysis at the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital; Kano; Nigeria

Background: Hysteroscopic adhesiolysis is shown to significantly improve the outcome of intrauterine adhesions (IUA). The Minimally Invasive Surgical Unit (MISU) of our Department recently acquired a hysteroscope which is being used for hysteroscopic adhesiolysis among others. Materials and Methods: There were 57 patients diagnosed to have IUA of which 54 case notes were available for analysis; giving a retrieval rate of 95. The information extracted includes age; parity; and menstrual pattern; predisposing factors; treatment option; outcome; complications and the year of the procedure. The data extracted were analyzed using Epi info Version 3.4.1. Chi squared test (Fisher's exact test) was used to test for statistical difference in the outcome of the modalities of treatment. P value of less than 0.05 was considered significant. Results: There were 57 cases of IUA out of 4160 gynecological patients seen; giving a prevalence of 14/1000. The mean age was 28.9 years (SD 4.5) and mean parity was 1.4 (SD 1.4). Etiologic factors include Dilatation and curettage (D and C) (33.3); Caesarean section (C/S) (31.5); manual removal of placenta and Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) (7.4each); and unexplained (3.7). Mode of presentation was secondary amenorrhoea (50); oligomenorrhoea (22.2); and hypomenorrhoea (10). As for the management; 68had blind procedure while 25.9had hysteroscopic procedure. Lippes loop was used in all except three patients who had pediatric Foleys catheter instead. Upon follow-up 59.3resumed normal menses; 11.1had oligomenorrhoea; hypomenorrhoea 13and amenorrhoea 5.6. There was no statistical difference in the outcome of treatment between hysteroscopic adhesiolysis and the blind procedure when return to normal menses is considered as the end point; OR=2.27; CI 0.45-12.65; Fisher exact test (one-tailed) P=0.2184818. Conclusion: There was no significant difference between the blind and hysteroscopic procedures. Dilatation and curettage was found to be the commonest cause of IUA