The Role of Pastors in the Prevention of Breast Cancer: Analysis of 176 Ante Natal Clinic Attendees at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital

Introduction:Pastors and religious leaders have a role to play in the prevention of diseases, in this scenario prevention of breast cancer. Breast cancer is the leading cause of death globally in women between 44 –50 years.Aim:The role pastors and religious leaders play in the prevention of breast cancer exemplified by the analysis of 176 antenatal clinic (ANC) attendees at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH).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 180 questionnaires were distributed and 176 questionnaires retrieved. The mean gestational age was 32.4 years. The modal parity was 1.As regards level of education, 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%) while those 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 tertiary 123 (69.9%), secondary 34 (19.3%), primary 2 (1.1%) and no information oneducational status 17(9.7%).Conclusion: Though the level of breast cancer awareness was high 90.3%, religious houses contributed to only 3%. In addition, preventive measures such as self breast examination (54%) and mammogram (1.1%) are still not encouraging

Thriving Traditional Birth Attendants in the Nigerian Church: Gate-way to Maternal and Perinatal Mortality - A Typical Example of Conflict in the Church. Review of Practices of Traditional Birth Attendants across the 23 Local Government Areas in Rivers State – South South Nigeria

Background: There is need to educate the pastors and the church congregation for the need for skilled birth attendants to handle pregnancy and labour related challenges in other to reduce maternal and perinatal mortality. This is because, in some “maternities” in Nigeria traditional birth attendants (TBAs) attend to pregnancy related cases and in some instances these unconventional practices are extended to the local churches.Aim: To determine cases of TBAs practicing in churches and help prevent these unconventional obstetrics practices thus preventing maternal and perinatal motality.Methods: It was a cross-sectional study of TBAs across all 23 local government areas of Rivers State in a lecture to prevent maternal death in the month of June 2019 in Port Harcourt, Rivers State Information was coded and analyzed using SPSS version 25.Results: Forty questionnaires were distributed and 37 retrieved. The mean age was 44 years. They were all females. All ofthem were Christians. Their modal age of practice was 1 –5 years. As regards TBAs educational status, those with no formal education were 4 (10.8%), primary 6(16.2%), secondary 20 (54.1%) and tertiary 7 (18.9%). Eleven (29.7%) of the TBAs have ante natal care in the church out of which 6 (16.2%) conducts delivery in the church. Perinatal and maternal deaths recorded by the TBAs in the past 1 year were 7 (18.9%) and 1 (2.7%) respectively.Conclusion: There is need for our Pastors and churches in Nigeria to recognize the place of skilled birth attendants in attending to pregnancy and labour in other to reduce maternal /perinatal mortality and discourage TBAs from practicing in the church. n addition, the study revealed that majority of the TBAs had secondary level of education (54.1%). There is need for churches to encourage their members to seek the pre-requisite training by emphasizing acquiring the necessary education to improve their vocation as birth attendants.

Access to Contraception amongst Female Adolescents: Rivers State Study

Introduction:The importance of contraception amongst adolescents cannot be over-emphasized especially as it concerns reproductive health. Globally, these group of persons are vulnerable and engage in high risk sexual behaviour with little or no access to contraception particularly in the developing countries of the world.Aim: To determine the access to contraception amongst female adolescents in Rivers State. Methods:It was a cross sectional study of female adolescents attending holiday camp in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Questionnaires were distributed and information coded and analysed using SPSS version 22.Results:One hundred questionnaires were distributed and 89 retrieved. The mean age was 16 ± 2 years. Fifty seven (64.0%) were in secondary school while 32(36.0%) of the adolescents were undergraduates. Twelve (13.5%) were sexually active compared to 69 (77.5%) who were not sexually active, 8 (9%) were non respondents to this question. One (1.1%) of the adolescents had access to contraception while 85 (95.5%) had no access to contraception, 3 (3.3%) did not give any response as regards to access to contraception or not. The media was the most common means of information 25 (28%) on contraception.Conclusion: The study revealed that access to contraception amongst female adolescents in Port Harcourt was poor. Enlightenment programme is highly recommended to prevent unwanted pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections and other adverse effects on reproductive health.

Obstructed Labour and Maternal Outcome at the Intensive Care Unit of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital: A Ten Year Review

ntroduction:Obstructed labour is a major cause of maternal mortality. Admissions into the intensive care unit (ICU) especially for post-delivery monitoring and treatment of patients with obstructed labour entails critical care for favourable outcome for the mother.Aim:To evaluate the maternal outcome of mothers admitted into the intensive care unit who had obstructed labour at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH).Methodology:The study was a retrospective study of all the cases of obstructed labour admitted into the ICU of UPTH between 1stJanuary, 2007 to 31stDecember, 2016. Information were retrieved from the patients case note and analyzed using SPSS version 20.Results:A total of1549 patients were admitted into the ICU for the period under review, of which 218(14.1%) were obstetric admissions. One hundred and forty were unbooked mothers while 78 were booked. The mean age was 30 ± 2 years and the modal parity was 2. All the 64 cases of obstructed labour were unbooked mothers and comprised 29.4% of the obstetric admissions. The number of maternal deaths from obstructed labour were 23, which comprised of 10.6% of the obstetric admissions. Conclusion:The study revealed that the maternal deaths following obstructed labour admitted into the ICU was high. The reason is that these patients present late. There is therefore need for patients at risk of obstructed labour to register for antenatal care early and delivery conducted by skilledbirth attendant for improved outcome.