Frequency of backache in pregnancy women attending antenatal clinic

To determine the frequency of backache and assess the efficacy of various treatment modalities used for the management of backache in pregnancy.Descriptive study. Outpatient department of obstetric services, Jinnah Hospital, Lahore. Patients coming to the antenatal clinic during February 2004 were asked about history of backache. A total of 918 women with complete data were recruited. Four hundred and thirty-two [47.05%] reported one or more significant episodes of back pain during their pregnancy. Of these 96 [22.22%] noted ongoing back pain at the time they became pregnant leaving a true incidence rate of [36.60%]. Twenty-one patients [4.86%] were less than 20 years, 407 [94.21%] were in between 20-40 years of age and 4 [0.92%] were above 40 years. Eighteen patients [4.16%] were less than 50kg, 345 [79.86%] had weight in between 50-70 kg and 69 [15.97%] were more than 70kg. Seventy-eight patients [18.05%] were primigravidas, 292 [67.59%] were multigravidas and 62 [14.35%] were grand multigravidas. Ninety-six patients [22.22%] had backache before pregnancy and 336 [77.77%] had it during pregnancy. No treatment was taken in 23 patients [5.32%], rest in 297 [68.75%], analgesic in 106 [24.52%] and massage by 6 [1.38%] patients. Subjective relief was up to 50.0% with rest, 75.0% with analgesics and up to 50.0% with massage. Backache is quite common in pregnancy. About one quarter of all pregnant women experience backache. About half of the patients took treatment mainly in the form of rest and analgesia. Chiroptic practice is also common in pregnancy and it gives some relief as well

Maternal mortality in a tertiary care hospital, Lahore: a four year review

This study was carried out to determine the cause and frequency of maternal deaths in Jinnah Hospital, Lahore which is a tertiary care hospital. The study was performed between January 2000 and December 2003 at Gynae unit-I. The case notes of all patients who died during January 2000 to December 2003 period in Jinnah Hospital gynecological unit-I as a result of conditions associated with pregnancy, labor, and puerperium [6 weeks after pregnancy] were reviewed in an effort to identify the most common cause of maternal deaths. Final conclusion regarding the causes of death were drawn after consultation within the department as well as with the concerned department like Medical, Surgical, Anaesthesia and ICU. Total number of deaths recorded during this period was 46. Maternal mortality ratio, measuring the risk of deaths specifically during pregnancy, was calculated to be 289.58/100,000 live births. Direct obstetrical deaths were 43 [93.47%] and there were three indirect deaths. Obstetrical hemorrhage accounted for 14 cases [30.43%]. Septicemia was second most common [11 cases, 23.91%]. Eclampsia accounted for 7 cases [15.21%]. Maternal mortality rate has been improved in 2002 [198.91/100,000] as compared to 333.55/100,000 in 2000 but again there was rise in 2003 [308.64/100,000]

Backache in pregnancy

This study was performed to determine the frequency of backache, its causes and to assess the efficacy of various treatment modalities used for the management of backache in pregnancy. The location of the study was outpatient department of obstetric services, Jinnah Hospital, Lahore. Patients attended to the antenatal OPD during February 2004 were asked about history of backache. A further information was obtained from patients who had history of backache. A total 918 ladies with complete data were recruited. Four hundred and thirty-two [47.05%] reported one or more significant episodes of back pain during their pregnancy. Of these 96 [22.22%] noted ongoing back pain at the time they became pregnant leaving, 1 true incidence rate of 36.60%. Twenty-one patients [4.86%] were less than 20 years, 407 [94.21%] were in between 20-40 years of age and 4 [0.92%] were above 40 years. Eighteen patients [4.16%] were less than 50kg, 345 [79.86%] had weight in between 50-70 kg and 69 [15.97%] were more than 70kg. Seven ty-eight patients [18.05%] were primigravida, 292 [67.59%] were multigravida and 62 [14.35%] were grand multigravida. Three hundred and twenty-nine patients [76.15%] were delivered vaginally, 5 [1.15%] had instrumental deliveries and 98 [22.68%] had lower segment caesarean section. In the later group, spinal anesthesia was given in 60 [61.22%], general anesthesia in 34 [34.69%] and epidural anesthesia in 4 patients [4.08%]. Ninety-six patients [22.22%] had backache before pregnancy and 336 [77.77%] had it during pregnancy. No treatment was taken in 23 patients [5.32%], rest in 297 [68.75%], analgesics in 106 [24.52%] and massage in 6 [1.38%] patients. Subjective relief was up to 50.0% with rest, 75.0% with analgesics and up to 50.0% with massage. Backache was found to be common in pregnancy. About one quarter of all pregnant women experience backache. The most common cause of backache in pregnancy is odd posture, heavy work and weight lifting. About half of the patients took treatment mainly in the form o f rest and analgesia. Chiroptic practice is also common in pregnancy and it gives some relief as well. Although, backache is so common in pregnancy still none of the patients had any concept about posture and exercise. It is advised that patients should be given special advice regarding posture and exercises

Oral contraceptives, pill; myths and the truth

Objective of Study: To assess the efficacy, safety popular believes, regarding oral contraceptives in general public and their validity in the face of medical evidence. Design: A cross-sectional and observational study. The sample consisted of 328 sexually active women using Combined Oral Contraceptives [COC] as mode of contraception. These women were interviewed according to a questionnaire, seeking information about the age, parity, education, social status and age at which first COC was taken. In women who ever used COCs, information was obtained regarding the duration, preparation, side-effects and their believes regarding COC

Setting: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Allama Iqbal Medical College and Jinnah Hospital, Lahore. Period: November, 2003- June, 2004

Material and Methods: Women presenting in OPD and wards

Results: 17% women were taking oral contraceptive pills as mode of contraception. 78% believed that pill causes weight gain. 67% thought that women need a break while taking the pill. 42% considered pills as effective acne treatment and 62% thought that COCs affect fertility. 55% women believed that pills reduce sexual performance. 75% thought that pill causes breast cancer while 58% had no knowledge about non-contraceptive benefits of the pill. 80% had no information that pill can protect from ovarian cancer

Conclusions: Despite myths, pill is still widely used worldwide. There are some women who will not consider the pill because of the myths they have heard. It is very important for women to be educated about the birth control pill so that they are able to base their contraceptive decisions on facts and not on myths and misinformation