Prevalence and Determinants of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms before and during Pregnancy in a Cohort of Nigerian Women

Background: Pregnancy and childbirth are thought to be associated with development of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). The study aimed at ascertaining prevalence rates of LUTS before and during pregnancy; the determinants and perceived effects of these symptoms on the life of the women. Materials and Methods: Questionnaires in which LUTS were defined according to recommendations of International Continence Society was administered on consecutive women who delivered at ?37 weeks' gestation to ascertain the presence or absence of LUTS before and during pregnancy and perceived effects on their life. Data was also collected on their socio-demographic and obstetric features. Descriptive statistics and relationship between LUTS and other variables were analyzed using SPSS version 16. Results: Prevalence rates of LUTS before and during pregnancy were 52.9 and 89.2; respectively; and mostly included nocturia and stress urinary incontinence. Women were more likely to develop LUTS during pregnancy (P = 0.002; OR 4.99; 95 CI 1.793 - 13.906). Only 14.4 and 41.7 reported any burden on their daily life before and during pregnancy; respectively. Previous vaginal delivery (P = 0.01; OR 3.12; 95 CI 2.91-5.62); grand-multiparity (P = 0.04; OR 4.15; 95 CI 3.82-7.24) were associated with LUTS prior to pregnancy while presence of LUTS before pregnancy (P = 0.001; OR 10.80; 95 CI 4.24-27.52); previous vaginal delivery (P = 0.002; OR 6.38; 95 CI 4.25-12.43) and moderate maternal obesity (P = 0.03; OR 2.56; 95 CI 1.82-3.47) were predictive of LUTS during pregnancy. Conclusion: LUTS are common among women both before and during pregnancy but most of them were not bothered by the LUTS. Those with previous vaginal delivery and are grand-multiparous are more likely to develop LUTS prior to pregnancy while the presence of LUTS before pregnancy; vaginal delivery and maternal obesity are determinants of LUTS during pregnancy

Postpartum Maternal Morbidity in Jos; North-Central Nigeria

Introduction: Postpartum maternal morbidity is a serious public health problem. Major acute and long-term obstetric morbidities affect the life and reproductive career of women. Objective: To determine the incidence; pattern and associated factors of postpartum maternal morbidity in the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) and offer suggestions on various interventions to reduce this postpartum morbidity. Materials and Methods: This was a 3-year prospective observational study at the JUTH between April 2005 and March 2008. All patients who delivered or were treated in the hospital for postpartum morbidity were recruited for the study. Results: A total of 9056 women delivered; of which 246 (2.72) were treated for postpartum morbidity. Most of the patients (32.9) were between 25 and 29 years old. A majority of the women (58.5) were of Parity 2 to 4. House officers and senior house officers supervised most (43.5) of the deliveries. The most common postpartum maternal morbidity was primary postpartum hemorrhage (35.4). This was followed by hypertensive disorders (24.8) and genital tract sepsis (16.7). There was a statistically significant relationship between accoucher and postpartum maternal morbidity. Conclusion: The incidence of postpartum morbidity was high; with hemorrhage; hypertensive disorders and genital tract sepsis being common problems. It is hoped that supervision of deliveries by skilled medical personnel and active management of the third stage of labor will reduce the incidence of postpartum hemorrhage

Knowledge; Attitude and Practice of Family Planning Methods among Women Attending Antenatal Clinic in Jos; North-Central Nigeria

Background:Family planning is regarded as an important preventive measure against maternal and child morbidity and mortality. This study was aimed at determining the knowledge; attitude and use of family planning methods among women attending antenatal clinic in Jos; factors that militates against use of contraceptive methods and their contraceptive intentions following the index pregnancy. Methods:This was a cross-sectional study involving 420 women who attended the antenatal clinic .The respondents were interviewed by the use of structured interviewer administered questionnaire.Knowledge (88.1) and acceptability (75.4) of family planning methods were high; while modern family planning methods use was 44.0. More women 39.3were aware of oral contraceptive pills. Common methods used were male condom (59.5); oral contraceptive pills (47.0) and injectables (27.1) among others. Most of the women (60.0) received their family planning information in the hospital. Seventy five percent of the women agreed that both husband and wife should jointly decide for a family planning method. Sixty eight percent of women would like to use contraceptive methods after delivery of the index pregnancy. The desire for more children accounted for 36.5among those that refused use of contraceptive method after delivery. Conclusion: Despite the high educational status