Prevalence of Diabetes Mellitus in Pregnancy amongst Antenatal Clinic Attendees at Booking at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital

Background:The prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) havetripled from 1980 till date as a result of many factors of which obesity/excessive weight gain is a closely related factor of DM. There are many adverse challenges of DM in pregnancy with its associated fetal and maternal consequences.Aim:To determine the prevalence of DM in pregnancy amongst antenatal clinic (ANC) at booking at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH).Methods: It was a cross sectional study of ANC attendees at booking at the RSUTH. Simple random sampling method was used. The Information was coded and analyzed using SPSS version 25.Results: A total of 99 pregnant women were recruited at booking in the ANC of the RSUTH. The mean age was 32.2 years and the modal parity was 1.0.The number of ANC attendees with weight equal to or greater than 90 Kg were 21 (21.2%), number with weight greater than equal to 90 Kg with glucose in urine were 10 (10.1%) Three (3.0%) of the subjects were known diabetic whereas 12 (12.1%) had family history of DM.Conclusion: The study revealed the prevalence of DM amongst ANC attendees at the RSUTH as 3.0%. There was corresponding glycosuria in 10.1% of the ANC attendees. ANC attendees had family history of DM were 12.1%. Advocacy is needed to educate the populace on the predisposing factors of DM and its adverse effect on maternal and child health.

The Role of Pastors: Attitude of 193 Ante Natal Clinic Attendees towards Caesarean Section at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital

Introduction:Caesarean section (Cs) is a surgical procedure carried out to prevent adverse maternal and fetal outcome. Aversion to Cs may constitute a major obstacle to safe motherhood. Some for pregnant women not accepting Cs are socio-cultural, religious, ethnic or economical.Aim:Determine the attitude of the church in Nigeria and Pastors towards caesarean section, hence profer solution to the aversion to caesarean section. Methods:It was a prospective study of ANC attendees at the RSUTH. The information was coded and analyzed using SPSS version 25.Results:A total of 200 questionnaires were distributed and 193 retrieved. The mean age was 31 years. The modal parity was 2. As regards level of education; respondents with no formal education were 5 (2.6%), primary 6 (3.1%), secondary 88 (45.6%) and tertiary 94 (48.7%). Fifty seven (30%) of the antenatal mothers had aversion for CS. The reasons given were socio-cultural 25 (13%), religious 8 (4.1%), economic 7 (3.6), ethnic 4 (2.1%), combination of the above 17 (8.8%) and 132 (68.4%) did not respond.Conclusion:The study revealed that the aversion for CS was 30% amongst antenatal clinic attendees at the RSUTH. Religious in this scenario were all Christians was 4.1 %, non-respondents were 68.4%. Counselling and advocacy are needed to change the wrong perspective about CS by the Pastors to reduce maternal and perinatal mortality

Religion, Culture and Medicine Analysis of Female Genital Mutilation amongst 84 Antenatal Clinic Attendees at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital

Introduction: Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) or Female Circumcision (FC) have been influenced by religion, culture and medicine. The practice of FGM havebeen associated with myriads of negative health consequences, resulting in its abolishment by the World Health Organization (WHO). This is unlike male circumcision which is well accepted by most religions of the world, culture and medically.Aim: To ascertain the influence of religion, culture and medicine as regards FGM amongst antenatal clinic (ANC) attendees at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH). Methods: It was a cross sectional study of ANC attendees at The RSUTH. The Information was retrieved using a self structured questionnaire which was coded and analyzed using SPSS version 25.Results: A total number 84 ANC attendees were recruited for the study. The mean age was 30.7 years and the modal parity was 1. The mean gestational age was 15.8 weeks. Twenty (23.8%) respondents had FC, all of whom were Christians. Eighteen (21.4%) of the respondents were of the opinion that FGM was a good practice; while 66 (78.6%) respondents believed that FGM was a wrong practice. The 2 most common reasons for FGM were to prevent promiscuity 7 (8.3%) and cultural reasons 7 (8.3%). The commonest known complication by respondents following FGM was bleeding from the genital tract 24 (28.6%).Conclusion: The prevalence of FGM from the study was 23.8% amongst ANC attendees at the RSUTH. Religion, culture and medicine may play vital roles in the eradication of FGM in our sub-region as recommended by WHO

Awareness and Early Detection of Ante Natal Clinic Attendees towards Breast Cancer at a Tertiary Hospital in South – South Nigeria

Background:Breast cancer is the leading cause of death globally in women between 44 –50 years. As a result of poor awareness, late presentation is often times common amongst women with breast cancer in developing countries of the world as such outcome is poor. Aim:To determine the awareness and early detection of ante natal clinic attendees towards breast cancer at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH), Port Harcourt, Nigeria.Methods:This was a cross-sectional study of ANC attendees at the RSUTH. Simple randomized sampling method was used. A structured pre-test survey questionnaire The information was analyzed using SPSS version 25.Results:A total of 180 questionnaires were distributed and 176 questionnaires retrieved. The mean gestational age was 32.4 years. The modal parity was 1. With respect to the educational level, tertiary were 129 (73.3%), secondary 43 (24.4%) and primary 4 (2.3%). Those aware of breast cancer were 159 (90.3%). Means of information by the subjects for breast cancer prevention were media 96 (54.6%), hospital 39 (22.0%), religious house 3 (3.8%) and others 38 (19.6%) Antenatal mothers who carried out self breast examination for detection of breast lumps were 95 (54%). Subjects who were aware of mammogram were 42 (23.9%) whilethose who had mammogram in the past were 2 (1.1%). ANC attendees who had family history of breast cancer were 7 (4%). The relationship between breast cancer awareness and educational status were as follows, tertiary 123 (69.9%), secondary 34 (19.3%), primary 2 (1.1%).Conclusion:Though the level of breast cancer awareness was high 90.3%. Self breast examination for early detection of breast cancer was above average (54%), while the use of mammogram for early detection of breast cancer was still not encouraging represented by 1.1% of the respondents. The media was the commonest medium of awareness for the prevention of breast cancer represented by 54.6% of the ante natal clinic attendees