HIV prevalence amongst clients attending antenatal clinic at the Federal Medical Centre, Makurdi

Background: Evidence from the 2005 National HIV Seroprevalence Sentinel Survey showed that Benue state has the highest seroprevalence rate of HIV infection in the country. Seroprevalence rate amongst antenatal women is a reflection of what is happening in the larger society. Knowledge of seroprevalence rate amongst pregnant women would help in targeting intervention strategies for prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV. Methods:The objective of the study is to determine the seroprevalence rate of HIV infection amongst clients attending antenatal clinic at the Federal Medical Centre Makurdi. Methods:Cross-sectional study of 262 randomly selected women that booked for antenatal care at the Federal Medical Centre Makurdi between 1 January 2007 to 30 April; 2007 was carried out. Information regarding age; parity; gestational age at booking; educational status and HIV sero-status of the clients were looked into. Results:A total of 50 women out of the 262 women studied were positive; giving a seroprevalence rate of 19.1. The highest seroprevalence rate was amongst 25-29 years age group (40.8). Women of parity 1-4 constituted the highest group (53.4). Majority of them (45.5) had secondary school education while 60 (22.9) had tertiary education. One hundred and ten (42) booked in the 3 trimester while only 34 (13) booked in the 1 trimester. Conclusion:HIV seroprevalence is high amongst antenatal women in Makurdi and intervention strategies should be scaled up for prevention of vertical transmission of the virus

Ruptured Tubal Pregnancy in Makurdi; North Central Nigeria

BACKGROUND: Ruptured tubal pregnancy remains a major cause of early foetal wastage and maternal mortality in Nigeria and other developing countries. This study was done to determine the incidence; predisposing factors; clinical presentation and management options of ruptured tubal pregnancy at the Federal Medical Centre Makurdi. METHODOLOGY: A retrospective descriptive study of 35 cases of ruptured tubal pregnancy managed at the Federal Medical Centre; Makurdi; between January 2004 and December 2006 was conducted. RESULTS: The incidence of ruptured tubal pregnancy was 0.87of total births (1 in 114 deliveries) and accounted for 94.6of all ectopic pregnancies. There was a rising trend in the incidence of ruptured tubal pregnancy from 0.65in 2004 to 1.09in 2006. Identified risk factors include previous pelvic infection and previous induced abortions. Abdominal pain (100); vaginal bleeding (65.7); dizziness (62.9) and amenorrhoea (57.1) were the commonest symptoms. The ampulla was the site of rupture in 27(77.1) patients. All patients had laparotomy. Unilateral total salpingectomy was done in 31(88.5) patients. There was no maternal death in the cases managed

Emergency Caesarean Section in a Nigerian Tertiary Health Centre

Background: Caesarean delivery is an important aspect of emergency obstetric care and a major tool in the reduction of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. This study was done to determine the caesarean section rate; ascertain the trend of emergency caesarean section; indications for emergency caesarean section and emergency caesarean morbidity and mortality at the Federal Medical Centre Makurdi. Method: A retrospective analysis of the clinical records of all patients delivered by caesarean section between January 2004 and December 2006 at the Federal Medical Centre Makurdi in north central Nigeria was conducted. Results: There were 4011 deliveries with 420 caesarean sections during the review period giving a caesarean section rate of 10.5. Emergency caesarean sections accounted for 351 (83.6) caesarean deliveries. The rate of emergency caesarean section decreased from 89.7in 2004 to 77.2in 2006. The leading indication for emergency caesarean section was cephalopelvic disproportion; accounting for 138 (39.3) cases; while antepartum haemorrhage and foetal distress followed in that order. There were 9 maternal deaths associated with emergency caesarean section giving a caesarean mortality rate of s 2.1Conclusion: Emergency caesarean sections account for 5 out of every 6 caesarean deliveries in our centre with a decreasing trend relative to elective caesarean sections. The emergency caesarean mortality is high

Globalization and Health: A Critical Appraisal

Background: Health has long been recognized as a central feature of development. Globalization tends to be understood as a process of economic integration; but it implies more. It entails openness to trade; ideas; investment; people and culture all of which impact health.Method: Review of relevant literature on globalization and health obtained from texts and Pubmed search.Results: Globalization affects health positively and negatively simultaneously; depending on such factors as geographical location; sex; age; ethnic origin; educational level and socioeconomic status. Conclusion: The challenge remains how to make globalization work for health and to use health to foster better forms of globalization. The health community must brace up to the challenge of engaging in the globalization debate with a view to promoting better health for us all

Globalization and Health: A Critical Appraisal

Background: Health has long been recognized as a central feature of development. Globalization tends to be understood as a process of economic integration; but it implies more. It entails openness to trade; ideas; investment; people and culture all of which impact health.Method: Review of relevant literature on globalization and health obtained from texts and Pubmed search.Results: Globalization affects health positively and negatively simultaneously; depending on such factors as geographical location; sex; age; ethnic origin; educational level and socioeconomic status. Conclusion: The challenge remains how to make globalization work for health and to use health to foster better forms of globalization. The health community must brace up to the challenge of engaging in the globalization debate with a view to promoting better health for us all

Caesarean Morbidity in a Northern Nigeria Tertiary Health Centre

Background: The popularity of caesarean section in developed countries is anchored on the increasing safety of the procedure. In Nigeria; there is a general aversion to the procedure. Regular auditing of morbidity trends following the procedure with a view to improving safety remains central to the acceptability of the procedure in our environment. The aim of this study is to determine the incidence and nature of morbidities complicating caesarean section at the Federal Medical Centre Makurdi. Method: A three-year retrospective study from January 2004 to December 2006 involving all mothers who had caesarean delivery at the Federal Medical Centre Makurdi was conducted. Results: There were 4011 deliveries during the study period of which 420 were caesarean deliveries giving a caesarean section rate of 10.5. Caesarean section related complications occurred in 87 patients giving a caesarean morbidity rate of 20.7. Seventy one (81.6) patients developed caesarean morbidity following emergency caesarean section. The commonest complications were infections (42.1); postpartum anaemia (34.3) and postpartum haemorrhage (17.9). Conclusion: Though the caesarean morbidity in our centre there is much room for improvement