Outcome of teen age pregnancy

Teenage pregnancy is pregnancy in a female under the age of 20 [when the pregnancy ends]. A pregnancy can take place as early as two weeks before menarche [the first menstrual period], which signals the possibility of fertility, but usually occurs after menarche. Aim of the present study was to find out the fetal and maternal outcome of teenage pregnancy. It is a descriptive study carried out in one year, in District teaching hospital of Gomal Medical College D. I. Khan, Pakistan. Patients with pregnancy and aging below 18 years presenting to Gynae unit were followed up since 1[st] antenatal visit to delivery. Patient with teenage pregnancy and presenting first time in labour were also included in the study. They were looked for associated medical problems. The main outcome measures were health of mother, mode of delivery, weight of the baby, neonatal nursery admission and postnatal complications of mother. There is marked increase in hospital admission of the teenage pregnancies in last 3 years, probably because ofIDPS from Waziristan. The most common medical problems found was anaemia [HB < 10 gm] which was 67%. In a total of 92% of them delivered through. Normal vaginal delivery which shows close relationship of smaller babies, and laxity of the pelvic structure. Fifty four percent of the babies were weighing in 2.5 -3 kg range

Outcomes of cervical cerclage in preventing pregnancy loss

This study was designed to know the outcome of cervical cerclage in preventing pregnancy loss in patients with cervical insufficiency. This is a prospective study. Patients with previous early pregnancy losses were included. Cervical length less than 2.5cm at 12-16 weeks was taken as an indicator of insufficiency. Cerclage was removed at 37 week and patient and neonate were followed till one week postnatal. A total of 32 patients were included in this study. Fifteen patients had emergency cerclage and 85% had elective cerclage. A total of 79% patient delivered at term and 9% had abortion. Among them 72% patients had normal vaginal delivery and others underwent ceasarean section. Maternal pyrexia was more in emergency group. Jaundice was seen in 62% of the neonates and 17% neonates had respiretory problems. Cervical cerclage has a preventive role in singleton pregnancies with short and insufficient cervix

Assessment of knowledge, attitude and skills of lady health workers

Government of Pakistan launched National Program for Family Planning and Primary Health Care in 1994. Lady Health Worker has a key role in providing these services. This study was designed to assess the quality of these services. It was a descriptive, cross-sectional study, conducted at District Kohat, Pakistan, in July 2005. Lady Health Workers with a job experience of more than 24 months were interviewed to assess their knowledge, attitude and skills, in terms of variables according to their job description. These variables included home visits, antenatal care, family planning, newborn care, vaccination, growth monitoring, common diseases, medicines and referrals. Fifty lady health workers were interviewed. Knowledge of lady health workers was above 36%, attitude score above 88% and skill assessment score above 86%. Sixty four percent lady health workers had established their health houses. Seven lady health workers showed non-satisfactory results with poor health house management. Much improvement in skills was required in the use of contraceptives. There was poor display of knowledge regarding vaccination schedule and insufficient knowledge 36% for the doses of common medicines. This study opened a window to peep through deficiencies of health system. It showed that most of the LHWs had optimum knowledge and an optimistic attitude. Deficiencies were seen in vaccination and contraception. It is recommended to arrange workshops and courses for LHWs on regular basis to refresh their knowledge