Prevalence and risk factors for anaemia among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at Benue State University Teaching Hospital, North-central Nigeria.

In developing countries such as Nigeria, anaemia in pregnancy is thought to be one of the most common complications of pregnancy accounting for a significant level of maternal morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of anaemia in pregnancy among women attending the booking Antenatal Clinic (ANC) in Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH), North-Central, Nigeria. A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted from May 2019 to January, 2020 on 299 women. A structured interviewer administered questionnaire was used to obtain socio-demographic, clinical, and nutritional information from pregnant women attending the clinic who consented to participate in the study. Haematocrit levels were stratified according to the World Health Organisation's (WHO) classification as follows: <7mg/dL - severe, 7-8.99mg/dL - moderate, 9-10.99mg/dL - mild anaemia and ≧ 11mg/dL - non-anaemic. Data were analysed using SPSS version 25.0. Chi-square test was conducted to determine relationships. Multivariate logistic regression model was used to identify the risk factors for anaemia among pregnant women. P-value <0.05 and odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval were used to assess the association. The mean age of respondents was 29.9, ranging from 18 - 40 years. One hundred and twenty-three (41.1%) women were anaemic (haemoglobin [Hb] < 11.0 g/dL). The majority (95.1%) of these anaemic patients were mildly anaemic, whereas 4.9% were moderately anaemic. There was no case of severe anaemia (Hb < 7.0 g/dL). The prevalence of anaemia was significantly higher in those within the age group of 20-24 years and those with lower levels of education (P < 0.05). The patient's gestational age, number of miscarriages and birth interval had no significant relationship with the haemoglobin concentration among the pregnant women in this study (P > 0.05). However, parity, clinical features such as fever, and practices like use of haematinics and non-consumption of meat, poultry and fish were significantly related to anaemia (P < 0.05). The pregnant women who did not take haematinics were 5.8 times likely to develop anaemia (OR=5.8, 95%CI [2.3, 14.5]) while pregnant women who did not eat meat, poultry or fish were 9 times more likely to become anaemic than pregnant women who ate (OR=9.0, 95%CI [1.0, 79.5]). The prevalence of anaemia in pregnancy is high among women attending booking antenatal clinic at BSUTH, North-Central, Nigeria, and requires specific intervention that address the identified risk factors.

Stillbirths at the Jos University Teaching Hospital: incidence, risk, and etiological factors.

INTRODUCTION: Death of a fetus in-utero or intrapartum is both devastating to the couple and of concern to the clinician. Identifying the etiological and risk factors of stillbirths will help in the prevention or reduction of its occurrence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a prospective observational study of all stillbirths over a 16-month period (from January 2006 to April 2007) at the maternity Unit of Jos University Teaching Hospital. Information on maternal socio-demographic details, history of antenatal complications of the index pregnancy, and maternal medical history were obtained by personal interview of all mothers who had a stillbirth. For each stillbirth, information was obtained on the type of stillbirth, estimated gestational age at delivery, sex of baby, and the mode of delivery. These characteristics were subjected to analysis. Etiological causes were assessed using the clinico-pathological approach advocated by Baird-Pattinson. RESULTS: There were a total of 3,904 deliveries with 158 stillbirths during the study period, giving a stillbirth rate of 40.5 per 1,000 total births. There were 84 (53.2%) macerated and 74 (46.8%) fresh stillbirths. Of the 3,904 total deliveries, there were 2,022 (51.8%) males and 1,882 (48.2%) females. There were 84 male and 74 female stillbirths, giving stillbirth rates of 41.5 per 1,000 and 39.3 per 1,000 total deliveries for male and female deliveries, respectively, which was not statistically significant (X2 = 4.6865, P < 0.3564). The major causes were abruptio placentae (17.7%), hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (12.7%) and maternal HIV infection 10.7% of stillbirths. Other causes were cord accidents (7.0%), placenta praevia (3.8%), and anemia in pregnancy (3.8%). Forty-six (29.1%) of the stillbirths were unexplained. The main risk factors identified were lack of antenatal care, poor antenatal clinic attendance, home delivery, and late presentation of complicated labor to the facility. CONCLUSION: The stillbirth rate in our centre is high, major causes being abruptio placenta and maternal medical conditions. Maternal HIV infection has emerged as a major contributor to stillbirths in this study.

Stillbirths at the Jos University Teaching Hospital: Incidence; Risk; and Etiological Factors

Introduction: Death of a fetus in-utero or intrapartum is both devastating to the couple and of concern to the clinician. Identifying the etiological and risk factors of stillbirths will help in the prevention or reduction of its occurrence. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective observational study of all stillbirths over a 16-month period (from January 2006 to April 2007) at the maternity Unit of Jos University Teaching Hospital. Information on maternal socio-demographic details; history of antenatal complications of the index pregnancy; and maternal medical history were obtained by personal interview of all mothers who had a stillbirth. For each stillbirth; information was obtained on the type of stillbirth; estimated gestational age at delivery; sex of baby; and the mode of delivery. These characteristics were subjected to analysis. Etiological causes were assessed using the clinico-pathological approach advocated by Baird-Pattinson. Results: There were a total of 3;904 deliveries with 158 stillbirths during the study period; giving a stillbirth rate of 40.5 per 1;000 total births. There were 84 (53.2) macerated and 74 (46.8) fresh stillbirths. Of the 3;904 total deliveries; there were 2;022 (51.8) males and 1;882 (48.2) females. There were 84 male and 74 female stillbirths; giving stillbirth rates of 41.5 per 1;000 and 39.3 per 1;000 total deliveries for male and female deliveries; respectively; which was not statistically significant (X2 = 4.6865; P 0.3564). The major causes were abruptio placentae (17.7); hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (12.7) and maternal HIV infection 10.7of stillbirths. Other causes were cord accidents (7.0); placenta praevia (3.8); and anemia in pregnancy (3.8). Forty-six (29.1) of the stillbirths were unexplained. The main risk factors identified were lack of antenatal care; poor antenatal clinic attendance; home delivery; and late presentation of complicated labor to the facility. Conclusion: The stillbirth rate in our centre is high; major causes being abruptio placenta and maternal medical conditions. Maternal HIV infection has emerged as a major contributor to stillbirths in this study