Determinants and outcomes of low birth weight among newborns at a Tertiary Hospital in Zambia: A retrospective cohort study

Aim: This study aimed to assess determinants and outcomes of LBW among newborns at a tertiary hospital. Settings and Design: Retrospective cohort study at Women and Newborn Hospital in Lusaka Zambia. Subjects and Methods: We reviewed delivery case records and neonatal files between January 1, 2018, and September 30, 2019, for newborns admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit. Statistical Analysis Used: Logistic regression models were used to establish determinants of LBW and describe the outcomes. Results: Women living with human immunodeficiency virus infection were more likely to deliver LBW infants (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.46; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.16­1.86). Other maternal determinants of LBW were; increased parity (AOR = 1.22; 95% CI: 1.05­1.43), preeclampsia (AOR = 6.91; 95% CI: 1.48­32.36), and gestational age <37 weeks compared to 37 weeks or more (AOR = 24.83; 95% CI: 13.27­46.44). LBW neonates were at higher odds of early mortality (AOR = 2.16; 95% CI: 1.85­2.52), developing respiratory distress syndrome (AOR = 2.96; 95% CI: 2.53­3.47), and necrotizing enterocolitis (AOR = 1.66; 95% CI: 1.16­2.38) than neonates with a birth weight of 2500 g or more. Conclusions: These findings underscore the importance of effective maternal and neonatal interventions to reduce the risk of morbidity and mortality for neonates with LBW in Zambia and other similar settings.

Carotid-radial Pulse Wave form and Velocity in Normotensive and Hypertensive Pregnant Women at University Teaching Hospital (UTH), Lusaka, Zambia.

Background: Hypertensive disease in pregnancy continues to be one of the leading causes of maternal death. Pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) is said to be accompanied by several cardiovascular pathophysiological changes including increases in arterial stiffness. Pulse wave velocity (PWV) is a method for measuring arterial stiffness. Both the pulse wave form and the velocity are said to change in PIH. However, studies documenting these characteristics of the pulse wave have mainly been in the Caucasian population. Aims and Objectives: To establish the characteristics of the carotid-radial (cr) pulse wave in normotensive (NTN) and hypertensive (HTN) pregnant black African women at the UTH in Lusaka, Zambia. Methodology: This cross-sectional study comprised of 26 systemically selected pregnant women between the ages 18-45 years old who met the criteria. A structured interview was used to collect socio demographic data. Anthropometric measurements were taken. After a 15 minute rest, peripheral systolic and diastolic blood pressures (BP) were measured. The PWV measurement involved applying non-invasive piezoelectric sensors on the skin over the carotid artery in the neck and the radial artery on the wrist (carotid-radial segment crPWV). Using IBM® SPSS® version 20.0 analyses were made using mann - whitney and spearman correlation tests. A 95% confidence interval (CI) and P-value of <0.05 were set. Quality recordings were obtained from the crPWV recording processes showing the wave forms and specific measurements were made. Results: The anthropometric measurements were comparable between the 2 groups. There were significant changes in the pulse wave forms. While the normotensive participants had the type C wave form, the type A wave form was recorded from hypertensive participants. The augmentation pressure (AP) in NTN was 4±5 mmHg while it was 9±8 mmHg in HTN, indicating an increase in pressure difference from the systolic shoulder to the peak of the pulse wave (p <0.05). There was also a significant increase in the augmentation index (Aix) (1±22% vs 16±23%) (p<0.05). The hypertensive pregnant women also had a significantly higher PWV (9±4 m/s vs 13±7 m/s) (p<0.05). Conclusion: Distinct differences were seen in the cr pulse wave forms and velocity between normotensive and hypertensive individuals with PIH indicating an increase in arterial stiffness. These findings suggest the presence of significant peripheral vascular changes that may underly the pathophysiology of PIH.

Adherence to antiretroviral therapy among HIV infected pregnant women in public health sectors: a pilot of Chilenje level one Hospital Lusaka, Zambia

Introduction: regular use of Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) in pregnancy and breastfeeding reduces the odds of Mother-to-Child HIV Transmission (MTCT). However, adherence to ART is critical for MTCT to be successful. The present study investigated factors that influence adherence to ART among HIV infected pregnant women in Zambia. Methods: a cross-sectional study design was conducted involving 71 HIV infected pregnant women who were advised to join the Prevention of Mother-to-Child HIV Transmission (PMTCT) program during their routine Antenatal clinic (ANC) visit and were on ART for more than six months. We used the Medication Possession Ratio (MPR) to quantify adherence levels. We used logistic regression to establish factors that influence adherence to ART. Results: a total of 71 HIV infected pregnant women with a median age of 27years (IQR, 25-30) were enrolled in the study. There was evidence of a difference in adherence levels between pregnant women above 30 years and ones between 15 years and 30 years (P<0.001). Median adherence levels in this group were found to be at 96%(IQR 89-97). The main predictor of adherence in this population was marital status (being on separation) and age. The women who were on separation were 0.14 times less likely to adhere to option B+ compared to married women. Conclusion: adherence to option B+ among pregnant women is low. Adherence was significantly influenced by marital status (being on separation) and age. Efforts to improve adherence should be directed towards women on separation and young adults (< 30 years of age)