ABSTRACT
Objectives: A comparative study of intradermal smear in the diagnosis of malaria in symptomatic pregnant women. Venous blood served as the control. Patients and methods : Fifty consecutive symptomatic pregnant women were recruited. Thick films of both venous and intradermal blood were examined. Questionnaires were used to determine patients' preference for the two techniques. Tests of statistical significance were done with Fisher exact and Yates correlation coefficient at 95confidence interval. Sensitivity specificity and accuracy rates were used to assess the validity of intradermal smear. Results: Intradermal smear more frequently diagnosed malaria parasitaemia than peripheral venous blood (66vs 56). This was statistically significant (P value: 0.0065). The sensitivity of intradermal smear was 85.7while the positive predictive value was 77.4. The accuracy rate was 76.7. The technique of intradermal blood collection was preferred by 28of women. Conclusion: Intradermal smear is useful in malaria diagnosis in pregnancy and may be an additional evaluation tool for persistent fever in pregnancy
Subject(s)
Blood Chemical Analysis , Comparative Study , Malaria/diagnosis , Pregnant WomenABSTRACT
Background: We determined the prevalence of dysmenorrhoea and associated factors amongst undergraduates in a Nigerian university. Information on dysmenorrhoea amongst Nigerian populace is limited as it is seen as a norm and hence unreported. This is in spite of its consequences on women's socio-economic lives. Method: This was a prospective questionnaire-based study. Cluster sampling technique was used and tests of statistical significance were done using Yates corrected Chi square. Results: The prevalence of dysmenorrhoea in this study was 76.3. The mean age at menarche was 13.8 years. Dysmenorrhoea occurred at menarche in 36.9respondents. Primary and secondary dysmenorrhoea was reported by 40.6and 16.3respondents respectively. Fifty one point nine per cent (51.9) had painful expectation of dysmenorrhoea. Having a sister with dysmenorrhoea did not have a statistically significant influence on expectation of dysmenorrhoea (CI 95; P value: 0.76). Normal activity was affected by dysmenorrhoea in 35of respondents while 68of those with dysmenorrhoea did not seek help. Hospital admission solely for dysmenorrhoea was reported by 6.9of respondents. Commonly associated symptoms with dysmenorrhoea were mood changes (59.4) and pimples (53.1). Conclusion: The high proportion of women not seeking help for dysmenorrhoea in this study may reflect the attitude of the larger society to the condition. Education to improve women's knowledge of and attitude to dysmenorrhoea is recommended
Subject(s)
Dysmenorrhea , Menarche , Students/educationABSTRACT
Background: Maternal mortality ratio of Nigeria is one of the highest globally. The delay in getting prompt and appropriate treatment in the event of a complication during pregnancy is one of the identified factors in maternal deaths. This study assessed the contribution of delay to maternal deaths and also determined the sociodemographiccharacteristics of patients with maternal deaths with associated delay. Methods: This is a cross-sectional descriptive study of all maternal deaths in Irrua specialist Teaching Hospital; Nigeria between January 1999 and December 2003. Statistical analysis was done using 1 tailed Fisher's exact test. The level of significance was inferred at p 0.05 Results: The mortality ratio in the study period is 1747/100;000 live births. Delay was associated with 77.8 of all maternal deaths. Type I delay was the major problem contributing 57.1. Identified risk factors for delay in this study are; unbooked status; low socioeconomic status and marital status. Conclusion: The recent launch of the National Health Insurance Scheme in Nigeria may improve access to health care of patients with pregnancy complications. Better living standards with improved social infrastructures as well as retraining of health personnel are also suggested
Subject(s)
Maternal MortalityABSTRACT
Background: The Obstetric outcome of the patients who receive antenatal care and deliver at the Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital is reasonably satisfactory. Our major challenges arise from unbooked emergencies. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of unbooked patients in the Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital; their clinical presentation; their demographic characteristics as well as their obstetric outcome. Methods: A structured proforma was used to collect relevant information over a one-year period from patients' case notes; theatre records and labour ward records. Results: During the study period; unbooked patients constituted 14.7of all deliveries. They had a higher proportion of teenagers (p
Subject(s)
Delivery, Obstetric , Health Behavior , Hospitals , Patient Acceptance of Health Care , TeachingABSTRACT
Background: The Obstetric outcome of the patients who receive antenatal care and deliver at the Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital is reasonably satisfactory. Our major challenges arise from unbooked emergencies. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of unbooked patients in the Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital; their clinical presentation; their demographic characteristics as well as their obstetric outcome. Methods: A structured proforma was used to collect relevant information over a one-year period from patients' case notes; theatre records and labour ward records. Results: During the study period; unbooked patients constituted 14.7of all deliveries. They had a higher proportion of teenagers (p