Trends in the Management of Miscarriages with the Implementation of the Volunteer Obstetrician Scheme in Selected Primary Health Care Centres in Maiduguri, Northeastern Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Post-abortion care (PAC) is a crucial component of emergency obstetric care, and many of the primary health care centres (PHC) in the internally displaced person (IDP) camps and host communities in Maiduguri lack it. Improved access to high-quality PACs is essential for meeting the reproductive health needs of the IDPs and reducing the maternal morbidity and mortality that can result from miscarriages. OBJECTIVE: To determine the trend in managing miscarriages in the IDP camps and host communities in Maiduguri and the impact of the volunteer obstetrician scheme (VOS) on PAC. METHODOLOGY: We conducted a longitudinal study in selected PHCs serving IDP camps and host communities in Maiduguri. The study spanned five (5) years, and we compared the management of miscarriages and PAC services one year before the VOS project, two years during the project and two years after the project. During the two-year VOS project, staff manning the PHCs had supportive supervision with hands-on training on PAC. Chi-square for trend and odd ratio with a 95% confidence interval was used as appropriate to compare the trend in PAC services provided during the study period. RESULTS: One thousand eight hundred and eight (1808) women presented with miscarriages, and 1562 (86.4%) required uterine evacuation. Medical evacuation with oral misoprostol was offered to 974 (62.4%), and manual vacuum aspiration (MVA) was used in 422 (27.0%) of the women who needed uterine evacuation. There was a statistically significant rise in the use of medical evacuation throughout the study period (52.2% before VOS, and 71.4% by the second year of VOS) with ꭓ2=41.64 and P<0.001. In comparison, the use of MVA fell from 38.6% in 2015 to 27.7% in 2019 (ꭓ2=34.74 and P<0.001). Similar rising trends were also observed in postabortion family planning acceptance (ꭓ2=22.27, P<0.001). CONCLUSION: The Volunteer Obstetrician Scheme project appears to have improved PAC services, especially medical evacuation and family planning uptake in the PHCs in IDP camps and host communities in Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria. We recommend task shifting of PAC services and periodic supportive supervision to ensure the quality of care.

CONTEXTE: Les soins après avortement (PAC) sont une composante cruciale des soins obstétricaux d'urgence, et de nombreux centres de soins de santé primaires (PHC) dans les camps de personnes déplacées internes (PDI) et les communautés d'accueil à Maiduguri en sont dépourvus. Un accès amélioré à des PAC de haute qualité est essentiel pour répondre aux besoins de santé reproductive des PDI et réduire la morbidité et la mortalité maternelles qui peuvent résulter des fausses couches. OBJECTIF: Déterminer la tendance dans la gestion des fausses couches dans les camps de PDI et les communautés d'accueil à Maiduguri et l'impact du Programme de bénévoles obstétriciens (VOS) sur la PAC. MÉTHODOLOGIE: Nous avons mené une étude longitudinale dans des PHC sélectionnés desservant des camps de PDI et des communautés d'accueil à Maiduguri. L'étude a duré cinq (5) ans, et nous avons comparé la gestion des fausses couches et les services de PAC un an avant le projet VOS, deux ans pendant le projet et deux ans après le projet. Pendant les deux ans du projet VOS, le personnel des PHC a bénéficié d'une supervision avec formation pratique sur la PAC. Le chi carré pour la tendance et le rapport de cotes avec un intervalle de confiance de 95% ont été utilisés, le cas échéant, pour comparer la tendance des services de PAC fournis pendant la période de l'étude. RÉSULTATS: Mille huit cent huit (1808) femmes ont présenté des fausses couches, et 1562 (86,4%) ont nécessité une évacuation utérine. Une évacuation médicale avec du misoprostol oral a été proposée à 974 (62,4%), et l'aspiration manuelle sous vide (AMV) a été utilisée chez 422 (27,0%) des femmes ayant besoin d'une évacuation utérine. On a observé une augmentation statistiquement significative de l'utilisation de l'évacuation médicale tout au long de la période de l'étude (52,2% avant le VOS et 71,4% la deuxième année du VOS) avec ꭓ2=41,64 et P<0,001. En revanche, l'utilisation de l'AMV est passée de 38,6% en 2015 à 27,7% en 2019 (ꭓ2=34,74 et P<0,001). Des tendances similaires à la hausse ont également été observées dans l'acceptation de la planification familiale après avortement (ꭓ2=22,27, P<0,001). CONCLUSION: Le projet de Programme de bénévoles obstétriciens semble avoir amélioré les services de PAC, en particulier l'évacuation médicale et l'acceptation de la planification familiale dans les PHC des camps de PDI et des communautés d'accueil à Maiduguri, dans l'État de Borno, au Nigéria. Nous recommandons de déléguer les services de PAC et une supervision de soutien périodique pour garantir la qualité des soins. MOTS-CLÉS: Communauté d'accueil, Camps de PDI, Aspiration manuelle sous vide, Évacuation médicale, Misoprostol, Soins après avortement.

Prevalence, Risk Factors, Maternal and Perinatal Outcome of Patients with Eclampsia in University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Maiduguri, Nigeria: A 15-Year Retrospective Review.

BACKGROUND: Eclampsia, defined as the occurrence of generalised, tonic-clonic convulsions or coma that is unrelated to other medical conditions in a woman with hypertensive disorder of pregnancy, is a leading cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. METHODS: Retrospective review of cases of eclampsia managed over 15 years (2006 to 2020) at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Borno State, Nigeria. Factors associated with adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes were determined using appropriate bivariate analysis. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. RESULTS: The prevalence of eclampsia was 2.96%. Most of the patients, 55.2% (420/761) were >35 years, 76% (579/761) were primigravidae and 80.4% (612/761) were unbooked. In 59.1% (450/761) of the cases, the eclampsia was antepartum and 40.3% (301/761) were delivered through a caesarean section. The commonest risk factor was previous eclampsia. There were 58(7.6%) maternal deaths, and the perinatal mortality was 18.1% (138/761). There was a statistically significant association between adverse maternal outcomes and having no formal education (P<0.001), being unemployed (P<0.001), being in coma for >10 hours(P=0.029), caesarean delivery (P<0.001), SBP >160mmHg (P<0.001) and DBP >110mmHg (P<0.001). Adverse perinatal outcome was significantly associated with having no formal education (P<0.001), being unemployed (P=0.004), unbooked status (P=0.015), multiple pregnancy (P=0.021), preterm delivery(P<0.001), caesarean delivery (P=0.012) and Systolic BP >160mmHg (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of eclampsia is high. Having no formal education, unemployment, coma of 10 hours or more, vaginal delivery and severe hypertension, unbooked status, and multiple gestation are significantly associated with poor maternal or fetal outcomes.

CONTEXTE: L'éclampsie, définie comme la survenue de convulsions tonico-cloniques généralisées ou d'un coma sans rapport avec d'autres conditions médicales chez une femme atteinte d'un trouble hypertensif de la grossesse, est une cause majeure de morbidité et de mortalité maternelles et périnatales. METHODES: Examen rétrospectif des cas d'éclampsie pris en charge sur 15 ans (2006 à 2020) à l'hôpital universitaire de Maiduguri, État de Borno, Nigéria. Les facteurs associés aux issues maternelles et périnatales indésirables ont été déterminés à l'aide d'une analyse bivariée appropriée. La signification statistique a été fixée à P < 0,05. RESULTATS: La prévalence de l'éclampsie était de 2,96 %. La plupart des patients, 55,2 % (420/761) >35 ans, 76 % (579/761) étaient Primigravidés et 80,4 % (612/761) non réservés. Dans 59,1 % (450/761) des cas, l'éclampsie était antepartum et 40,3 % (301/761) ont été accouchés par césarienne. Le facteur de risque le plus courant était une éclampsie antérieure. Il y avait 58 (7,6%) décès maternels et la mortalité périnatale était de 18,1% (138/761). Il y avait une association statistiquement significative entre les issues maternelles défavorables et l'absence d'éducation formelle (P<0,001), le chômage (P<0,001), le coma pendant >10 heures (P=0,029), l'accouchement par césarienne (P<0,001), PAS > 160 mmHg (P<0,001) et PAD ed110 mmHg (P<0, 001). Les résul t at s péri nataux i ndési rabl es ét ai ent significativement associés à l'absence d'éducation formelle (P<0,001), au chômage (P=0,004), au statut non réservé (P=0,015), à la grossesse multiple (P=0,021), à l'accouchement prématuré (P<0,001), à la césarienne accouchement (P=0,012) et TA systolique >160mmHg (P<0,001). CONCLUSION: La prévalence de l'éclampsie est élevée. L'absence d'éducation formelle, le chômage, le coma de 10 heures ou plus, l'accouchement vaginal et l'hypertension sévère, le statut non réservé et la grossesse multiple sont significativement associés à de mauvais résultats maternels ou fœtaux. Mots clés: Eclampsie, Issue maternelle, Issue périnatale, Prévalence, Facteurs de risque.

When getting there is not enough: a nationwide cross-sectional study of 998 maternal deaths and 1451 near-misses in public tertiary hospitals in a low-income country.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the burden and causes of life-threatening maternal complications and the quality of emergency obstetric care in Nigerian public tertiary hospitals. DESIGN: Nationwide cross-sectional study. SETTING: Forty-two tertiary hospitals. POPULATION: Women admitted for pregnancy, childbirth and puerperal complications. METHODS: All cases of severe maternal outcome (SMO: maternal near-miss or maternal death) were prospectively identified using the WHO criteria over a 1-year period. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Incidence and causes of SMO, health service events, case fatality rate, and mortality index (% of maternal death/SMO). RESULTS: Participating hospitals recorded 91 724 live births and 5910 stillbirths. A total of 2449 women had an SMO, including 1451 near-misses and 998 maternal deaths (2.7, 1.6 and 1.1% of live births, respectively). The majority (91.8%) of SMO cases were admitted in critical condition. Leading causes of SMO were pre-eclampsia/eclampsia (23.4%) and postpartum haemorrhage (14.4%). The overall mortality index for life-threatening conditions was 40.8%. For all SMOs, the median time between diagnosis and critical intervention was 60 minutes (IQR: 21-215 minutes) but in 21.9% of cases, it was over 4 hours. Late presentation (35.3%), lack of health insurance (17.5%) and non-availability of blood/blood products (12.7%) were the most frequent problems associated with deficiencies in care. CONCLUSIONS: Improving the chances of maternal survival would not only require timely application of life-saving interventions but also their safe, efficient and equitable use. Maternal mortality reduction strategies in Nigeria should address the deficiencies identified in tertiary hospital care and prioritise the prevention of severe complications at lower levels of care. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: Of 998 maternal deaths and 1451 near-misses reported in a network of 42 Nigerian tertiary hospitals in 1 year.

Outcome of twin deliveries at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital: a 5-year review.

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of the study were to determine the outcome of twin births at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH), Maiduguri, in terms of morbidity and mortality and to recommend possible measures to curtail or reduce some of the preventable complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a 5-year retrospective study, from January 2000 to December 2004, of twin births at the UMTH. RESULTS: There were 196 twin deliveries in 8431 total deliveries, with a twin incidence of 2.3%. Dizygotic twins accounted for 63.4%. The increasing maternal age and positive family history of multiple pregnancies were associated with the increasing twinning rate. The main complications encountered were preterm labor, pregnancy-induced hypertension, and cord prolapse. The perinatal mortality rate of 107.5/1000 births was higher than that observed for singleton pregnancies in the same institution. Similarly, there was a higher Cesarian section rate of 24.7% compared to singletons within the same period. There were significantly higher perinatal mortality rates among the preterm (P = 0.000002) and low-birth-weight (P = 0.000004) fetuses. CONCLUSION: Considering that fetal prematurity and low birth weight, sequelae to preterm labor, are the commonest causes of perinatal death in this study, efforts should be geared during the antenatal period toward the prevention of a premature birth.

Indications and outcome of abdominal myomectomy in University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital: Review of ten year.

BACKGROUND: Abdominal myomectomy is a common modality of treatment for large and symptomatic uterine fibroid in women who wish to retain their fertility. Though frequently performed the procedure may still be associated with complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of all patients who had abdominal myomectomy from January 1999 to December 2008 at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital. Information on the Sociodemographic characteristics, indication for the myomectomy, uterine size, pre and post operative packed cell volume (PCV), intraoperative findings, cadre of surgeon, duration of hospital stay and complications were obtained. RESULTS: The rate of abdominal myomectomy was 3.34%. Majority of the patients (79.8%) aged 30-49 years, and most (58.9%) were nulliparas. Abdominal mass (63.7%), menorrhagia (57.7%), and subfertility 55.2% were the leading indications for abdominal myomectomy. Complications were seen in 10.9% of the cases, 55.5 % of which were wound infections. Clinical and intra operative factors associated with complications included menorrhagia (P=0.003), estimated blood loss (EBL) ≥500mls (P=0.005) and post operative PCV of <30% (P=0.081). CONCLUSION: Complication rate after myomectomy was low with menorrhagia and EBL ≥ 500 mls being significantly associated with development of complication.

Pregnancy outcome among grand multiparous women at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital: a case control study.

Grand multiparity has been described as an independent risk factor for a variety of obstetric complications, especially in developing countries with inadequate health facilities. This case control study compares the pregnancy outcomes of grand multiparas with that of multiparas at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital over a period of 1 year. The labour ward records and patients' case notes were used to extract information. Multivariate analysis created a model of the adverse factors that were independently associated with grand multiparity after control for confounding effects of age and other variables. During the period of study, there were 1,865 deliveries, out of which 350 were grandmultiparas, a rate of 18.8%. Out of the 350 grandmultiparas, 91 were excluded, leaving 259 (74%) patients which were used for the study. The multivariate analysis shows that compared with the multiparas, the grand multiparas were more likely to be uneducated, have abruptio placentae, precipitate labour and stillbirth but were less likely to have prolonged labour, episiotomy, placenta praevia, require operative deliveries or be anaemic at booking. Grandmultiparity was found to be associated with adverse pregnancy outcome. This finding has implications for practitioners caring for these women in our environment.

Autologous blood donation and transfusion in obstetrics and gynaecology at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital Maiduguri, Nigeria.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the practicability of autologous blood donation and transfusion in the practice of obstetrics and gynaecology in our environment. METHOD: A prospective study of 1221 obstetric and gynaecological patients to which autologous blood donation and transfusion was carried out at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Maiduguri over an 8 year period (January, 1998 to December, 2005). RESULTS: During the study period, there were 15,267 blood transfusions in the UMTH out of which 5,711 were for Obstetric and Gynaecological patients given a transfusion rate of 47.7% in the unit. Out of the 5711 transfusion in the obstetrics and gynaecology, 1221 were by autologous means; a rate of 21.4%. Of the 3010 transfusion in obstetrics 625 (20.7%) were of autologous blood and of the 2711 transfusion in gynaecological patients 596 (22.1%) were of autologous blood. Preoperative blood donation was done in 598 (95.8%) of the obstetrics autologous blood donation out of which, 40 (6.4%) predeposited 2 units. Five hundred and sixty (94.1%) gynaecological patients had preoperative blood donation out of which, 46 (7.7%) predeposited 2 units. Induction of labour constitutes the major indication 337 (53.9%) for the autologous blood donation in obstetric while the major indication in gynaecology patients was myomectomy (25.7%).The main complications encountered were dizziness, and fainting attack that necessitated re-infusion in one patient. CONCLUSION: Autologous blood donation and transfusion procedure is feasible in the setting of obstetrics and gynaecology and it does not require high technical procedure.

Prevalence, risk factors and effects of placental malaria in the UMTH, Maiduguri, North-eastern, Nigeria: a cross-sectional study.

SUMMARY: Most of the adverse effects of malaria in pregnancy on the fetus are usually as a consequence of placental malaria (PM). This study was conducted with the objective of determining the prevalence, risk factors and pregnancy outcome of PM. A cross-sectional study of 437 pregnant women who delivered at the UMTH, Maiduguri was conducted between 24 July 2007 and 12 January 2008. Placental histology was done for the malaria parasite. Maternal packed cell volume was done and thick blood films were studied for the malaria parasite in maternal peripheral blood and the cord blood/heel prick of their babies. The prevalence of PM was 33.9% (148/437). It is associated with non-usage of intermittent preventive treatment of malaria in pregnancy (IPT) and maternal HIV infection. PM in turn predisposes to low birth weight and cord parasitaemia. Only 2.8% of the women were sleeping under insecticide-treated nets (ITNs). The high prevalence of PM calls for renewed efforts for preventive measures, particularly the routine use of IPT and ITN during the antenatal period.

A 5-Year Review of Maternal Mortality Associated with Eclampsia in a Tertiary Institution in Northern Nigeria

Objective : To determine the incidence of maternal mortality associated with eclampsia and to determine how socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of the women influence the deaths. Methodology : Records of 52 eclampsia-related mortalities from January 2003 to December 2007 were reviewed; retrospectively. Their social demography; mode and place of delivery; time of eclampsia; and fetal outcome were extracted for analysis. Results : Eclampsia accounted for 52 (46.4) of the 112 total maternal deaths recorded within the 5-year period; with case fatality of 22.33. Age group 20; 20-29 and above 30 all had similar case fatality rate of 22.1; 23.8and 26.7; respectively. Those who were experiencing their first deliveries have the worst deaths recording 42.5of the case fatality in that category. As expected; unbooked had higher case fatality of 24.0compared to 15among booked cases; while those with no formal education also had more death (22.3case fatality) as compared to 3.3among those who had some form of formal education. Antepartum eclampsia was the cause in 50of the death; 11(21.2) of the pregnancies were not delivered before their death; while 18 (34.6) were stillbirth. Conclusion : Eclampsia still remains the major cause of maternal mortality in this region resulting from unsupervised pregnancies and deliveries. There is need to educate and encourage the general public for antenatal care and hospital delivery

Hormonal profile of men investigated for infertility at the University of Maiduguri in northern Nigeria.

INTRODUCTION: This study aims to determine the prevalence and pattern of endocrinological abnormalities in patients investigated for male infertility in our environment. METHODS: An observational, retrospective study was conducted on men investigated for infertility at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital over a two-year period, from April 2004 to March 2006. Hormonal assessments were done on those with abnormalities of their sperm count. RESULTS: A total of 1,201 men were evaluated for infertility during the study period, out of which 96 underwent hormonal assessment because of abnormalities of their sperm counts. 88 had abnormal hormonal assays, giving a prevalence of endocrine abnormality of 7.3 percent. The mean age of the patients was 35.7 years. 68 (70.8 percent) patients had primary infertility and 72 (75 percent) had azoospermia. 64 (66.7 percent) patients had elevated follicle-stimulating hormone levels, while 48 (50 percent) had decreased testosterone levels. 12 (12.5 percent) patients had elevation of serum prolactin. 40 (41.7 percent) patients had hormonal profile in keeping with hypergonadotropic hypogonadism, while the endocrinological diagnosis in four (4.2 percent) patients was hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. Patients with primary infertility were found to be more likely to have partial androgen resistance (odds-ratio 2.241, 95 percent confidence interval 0.458-10.955). CONCLUSION: Endocrinopathy, which can be successfully treated, is not an uncommon cause of male infertility in our environment. Therefore, hormonal assessments should be performed in the evaluation of male infertility as appropriate.