The Burden of Unsafe Abortion Six Years before the COVID-19 Era in a Nigerian Tertiary Hospital: An Analytical Retrospective Study.

BACKGROUND: Unsafe abortion remains a leading cause of maternal mortality and morbidity, especially in developing countries with restrictive abortion laws. Disease containment measures during the COVID-19 pandemic have reduced access to contraception and safe abortion care, potentially increasing rates of unintended pregnancies and unsafe abortion. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the morbidity and mortality burden of unsafe abortion before the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: A six-year analytical retrospective study of unsafe abortion at the Federal Medical Centre, Lokoja, Nigeria. All case records of unsafe abortion managed within the study period were retrieved, and relevant data extracted using a purpose-designed proforma. Data obtained was analysed using the IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, version 25 (IBM Corp., Armonk, N.Y., USA). Associations between categorical independent and outcome variables were assessed using the Chi square test at 95% confidence level. A p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The prevalence of unsafe abortion was 8.6 per 1,000 deliveries. More than one-half (37, 52.9%) were medical abortions using misoprostol tablets. The mean age of the women was 23.15+ 3.96 years, and most of them were single (49, 70%), with primary/ secondary education (42, 60%), and of low socioeconomic status (67, 95.7%). Nearly one-half (33, 47.1%) had either never used any modern contraceptive (9, 12.9%) or only used emergency contraception (24, 34.3%). The predominant complications of unsafe abortion included retained product of conception (69, 98.6%), haemorrhagic shock (22,31.4%), and sepsis (19, 27.1%). There were two maternal deaths, giving a case fatality rate of 2.9%. CONCLUSION: Unsafe abortion remains a significant cause of maternal mortality and morbidity in our setting. Improving access to effective modern contraceptives and liberalizing our abortion laws may reduce maternal morbidity and mortality from unsafe abortion.

CONTEXTE: L'avortement à risque reste l'une des principales causes de mortalité et de morbidité maternelles, en particulier dans les pays en développement où les lois sur l'avortement sont restrictives. Les mesures de confinement de la maladie pendant la pandémie de COVID-19 ont réduit l'accès à la contraception et aux soins d'avortement sûrs, augmentant potentiellement les taux de grossesses non désirées et d'avortements à risque. OBJECTIF: Évaluer le fardeau de morbidité et de mortalité de l'avortement à risque avant la pandémie de COVID-19. METHODES: Une étude rétrospective analytique de six ans sur l'avortement à risque au Fédéral Médical Center, Lokoja, Nigeria. Tous les dossiers de tous les cas d'avortement à risque pris en charge au cours de la période d'étude ont été récupérés et les données pertinentes extraites à l'aide d'un formulaire conçu à cet effet. Les données obtenues ont été analysées à l'aide d'IBM SPSS Statistiques pour Windows, version 25 (IBM Corp., Armonk, N.Y., USA). Les associations entre les variables indépendantes catégorielles et les variables de résultat ont été évaluées à l'aide du test du chi carré à un niveau de confiance de 95 %. Une valeur de p <0,05 était considérée comme statistiquement significative. RESULTATS: L'prévalence des avortements à risque était de 8,6 pour 1000 accouchements. Plus de la moitié (37, 52,9%) étaient des avortements médicamenteux utilisant comprimés de misoprostol. L'âge moyen des femmes était de 23,15+ 3,96 ans, et la plupart d'entre elles étaient célibataires (49, 70%), avec une éducation primaire/secondaire (42, 60%) et de statut socio-économique bas (67, 95,7%). Près de la moitié (33, 47,1%) n'avaient jamais utilisé de contraceptif moderne (9,12,9%) ou n'avaient utilisé qu'une contraception d'urgence (24, 34,3%). Les complications prédominantes comprenaient la rétention du produit de conception (69, 98,6 %), le choc hémorragique (22, 31,4 %) et la septicémie (19, 27,1 %). Il y a eu deux décès maternels, soit un taux de létalité de 2,9 %. CONCLUSION: L'avortement à risque reste une cause importante de mortalité et de morbidité maternelles dans notre contexte. L'amélioration de l'accès à des contraceptifs modernes efficaces et la libéralisation de nos lois sur l'avortement réduiront la morbidité et la mortalité maternelles dues à l'avortement à risque. Mots-clés: Planification familiale, Avortement illégal/criminel, morbidité et mortalité maternelles, Produit de la conception retenu, Besoin non satisfait.

Occupational safety and wellbeing of social workers in the era of COVID-19 pandemic

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, a safe working environment is essential for health care workers such as social workers and even the clients they serve. The study examined occupational safety and wellbeing among social workers in Lagos and Ibadan, Nigeria. A descriptive cross-sectional survey was used for the study while a self-constructed validated questionnaire was sent on-line to social workers working in isolation centres and hospital concerned with the treatment of COVID19 patients. Four research questions were formulated for the study while descriptive statistics of percentages frequency tables, mean and standard deviation scores and inferential statistic of multiple regressions was used to analyse the data. Result revealed that provision of protective personal equipment such as face mask, hand sanitizer (β = -0.672, t = -5.606, p < 0.05) and safe work environment (β = 0.657, t = 5.480, p < 0.05) significantly predicted the wellbeing of social workers. Based on these findings, the study recommended that there is need for the implementation of safe workplace practices to limit exposure social workers to COVID-19. Based on these findings, healthcare centres should ensure adequate provision and maintenance of protective safety equipment and ensure that standards are not compromised;health workers should be properly trained on the use of protective equipment. © National Association of Social Workers-Zimbabwe/Author(s).

Association of gynecological endoscopy surgeons of Nigeria (AGES) advisory on laparoscopic and hysteroscopic procedures during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Coronavirus 2, or SARS-CoV-2 disease (COVID-19) is a global public health concern. Although there is a paucity of evidence to advise on the best practice, we recommend postponement of elective gynecological endoscopic surgeries until the pandemic is contained. Emergency surgeries should preferably be done through open surgeries than laparoscopy or hysteroscopy approach. However, if or when laparoscopy or hysteroscopy is considered, health personnel in theatre must wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and all standard precautions should be observed to prevent COVID-19 infection. When COVID-19 is highly suspected or confirmed, the patient should be referred to centers equipped in taking care of such cases.