Single Dose Versus 72-Hour Course of Ceftriazone for Antibiotic Prophylaxis in Preventing Post-Caesarean Wound Infection: A Randomized Control Trial.

Background: Single dose antibiotic prophylaxis has been established as the standard for prevention of post-caesarean wound infection in most developed centers across the world. However, this is not the case in most developing countries including Nigeria where various multiple dose regimens are still being used due to paucity of locally generated evidence, and anecdotal suggestions of a higher risk of infectious morbidity in our environment. Objectives: This study was aimed to determine whether there was a significant difference in the incidence of post-caesarean section wound infection between a single dose and a 72-hour course of intravenous ceftriazone for antibiotic prophylaxis in selected patients undergoing both elective and emergency caesarean section. Materials and Methods: A randomized controlled trial was carried out among 170 consenting parturients scheduled for elective or emergency caesarean section who met a set out selection criteria, between January and June 2016. They were divided randomly into two equal groups, A and B, of 85 each using the Windows WINPEPI software version 11.65 (Copyright J.H. Abrahamson, 22 Aug 2016) for randomization. Group A patients received a single dose of 1 g, whereas Group B patients were given a 72-hour course (1 g daily) of intravenous ceftriazone. The primary outcome measure was the incidence of clinical wound infection. The secondary outcome measures were the incidences of clinical endometritis and febrile morbidity. Data were collected using a structured proforma and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 21. Results: The overall incidence of wound infection was 11.2%; Group A had 11.8%, and Group B had 10.6%. Endometritis was 20.6%; Group A had 20% and Group B had 21.2%. Febrile morbidity was 4.1%; Group A had 3.5% and Group B had 4.7%. There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of wound infection (relative risk [RR] = 1.113; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.433, 2.927; P = 0.808), endometritis (RR = 0.943; 95% CI = 0.442, 1.953; P = 0.850), and febrile morbidity (RR = 0.745, 95% CI = 0.161, 3.415; P = 0.700) between the two groups. Group A showed similar risk of developing wound infection compared to Group B (P > 0.05). Conclusion: There was no significant difference in post-caesarean wound infection and other infectious morbidity between patients that received a single dose, and those that received a 72-hour course of ceftriazone for antibiotic prophylaxis. This suggests that single dose antibiotic prophylaxis with ceftriazone is similar to multiple dose regimens in efficacy with likely cost-effective advantage.

Chlamydia trachomatis Seropositivity and Associated Risk Factors Among Women Attending A Northern Nigerian Tertiary Hospital.

Background: Genital Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) is the commonest bacterial sexually transmitted infection globally. Acquisition of Ct infection is affected by biological and behavioural factors. Aim: Determine the prevalence of Ct infection and identify risk factors associated with Ct infection in sexually active fertile women in Northern Nigeria. Materials and Methods: One hundred and fifty sexually active women presenting to the Obstetrics and Gynaecology department of Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria were studied. Socio-demographic characteristics and history of risk factors for acquisition of genital Ct were obtained from the participants using a questionnaire. Their sera were tested for the presence of Ct immunoglobulin G using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay. Results: The mean ages ± standard deviation of seropositive and seronegative women were 29.1 ± 7.3 years and 28.9 (SD 6.7) years respectively (P = 0.438). The prevalence of Ct infection was 6.7% (10/150). Occupation was associated with Ct seropositivity (P = 0.02). Number of sexual partners, age at coitarche; duration of sexual exposure and previous history suggestive of sexually transmitted infection were not associated with Ct seropositivity (P > 0.05). Conclusion: A low prevalence of Ct was found among fertile women. Lack of regular source of personal income was associated with Ct infection but the sexual behavioural factors studied were not.

Hypokalemic Periodic Paralysis in Pregnancy: A Case Report.

Background: Myopathy is a disorder of skeletal muscles and has a rare occurrence in pregnancy. It may present with numbness/weakness. The occurrence of isolated weakness involving all the limbs is alarming to the patient and the diagnosis can be challenging to the Obstetrician. We present a case of hypokalaemic paralysis in pregnancy. Case report: A 32-year-old grand multipara presented at 31 weeks gestation with numbness in all limbs for nine days and one-day history of weakness in all limbs. She had a similar episode in her last pregnancy with complete resolution by the end of puerperium. On examination, she was conscious with a Glasgow Coma Scale score was 15/15, had no signs of meningeal irritation, and no cranial nerve palsy. She had normal muscle bulk; the power of 4/5 in both upper limbs and 3/5 in both lower limbs. There was no clearly defined sensory level. Planter reflex was flexor symmetrically. A review of other systems was unremarkable. Her PCV was 35% and random blood glucose was 4.2mmol/l. Serum biochemistry showed severe hypokalaemia of 1.8mmol/l with normal levels of sodium and chloride. Urinary potassium level was normal. She had parenteral correction of potassium with complete resolution of weakness, and she was maintained on oral potassium supplements. She had an uneventful delivery at 37 weeks gestation. Conclusion: Measuring the serum level of potassium should be part of the initial workup when evaluating pregnant women presenting with muscle weakness. Multidisciplinary management leads to early diagnosis, prompt management, and a good prognosis.

Women's experience with group prenatal care in a rural community in northern Nigeria.

OBJECTIVE: To assess women's experience of group prenatal care in a rural Nigerian community. METHODS: In an observational study, consenting pregnant women were enrolled in a group prenatal care program based on the CenteringPregnancy model from July 1, 2010, to June 30, 2011, in Tsibiri, Nigeria. Women were interviewed before joining the group and postnatally. A predesigned pro forma was used to assess group behavior during sessions. Descriptive and inferential statistics were applied to data. RESULTS: In total, 161 women enrolled, and 54 of 72 scheduled prenatal sessions took place. The average number of visits was three per woman, with good group interaction and cohesion. Mothers who could mention at least five out of eight danger signs of pregnancy increased from 1.4% (2) to 13.3% (14) (P<0.001, 95% CI 4.28-19.52), while mean knowledge score for danger signs increased from 31% to 47.8% (P<0.001, 95% CI 0.86-2.16). Commitment to birth preparedness plans was impressive. The mothers enjoyed the group sessions and shared the lessons they learned with others. CONCLUSION: Group prenatal care was feasible and acceptable to women in the present study setting. Comparative trials would be helpful to demonstrate the benefits of the tested model in low-income settings.

The effects of centering pregnancy on maternal and fetal outcomes in northern Nigeria; a prospective cohort analysis.

BACKGROUND: Maternal and infant mortality remains high in Nigeria primarily due to low use of skilled birth attendants. Huge disparities exist between southern and northen Nigeria on use of skilled birth attendants with south significantly higher than the north. We assessed the effect of centering pregnancy group (CPG) antenatal care on the uptake of antenatal care (ANC), facility delivery and immunization rates for infants in Kano state. METHODS: Between December 2012 and May 2014, pregnant women with similar sociodemographics and obstetric history were enrolled into intervention (CPG) and control groups and followed up prospectively. Chi-square tests were conducted to compare the differences between the intervention and the control groups with respect to background characteristics and intervention outcomes. Logistic regression was used to measure the associations between CPG and uptake of services for mother-baby pairs in care. RESULTS: A total of 517 (260 in the control group and 257 in the CPG) pregnant women enrolled and participated in the study. Thirty-six percent of women in the control group attended ANC at least once in 2nd and 3nd trimester compared to 49% of respondents in the CPG (p < 0.01). Health facility delivery was higher among CPG (13% vs. 8%; p < 0.01). When controlled for age, number of previous pregnancies, number of term deliveries, number of children alive and occupation of respondent or their spouses, respondents who participated in the CPGs compared to those who did not, were more likely to attend at least one antenatal care (ANC) session in the third trimester [adjusted risk ratio (ARR):1.52; 95% CI:1.36-1.69], more likely to immunize their babies at six weeks [ARR: 2.23; 95% CI: 1.16-4.29] and fourteen weeks [ARR: 3.46; 95% CI: 1.19-10.01] and more likely to use health services [ARR: 1.50; 95% CI: 1.06-2.13]. CONCLUSION: Centering or group pregnancy showed a positive effect on the use of antenatal services, facility delivery and postnatal services and thus is a promising intervention to increase uptake of maternal health care services in northern Nigeria. The low facility delivery remains a cause for alarm and requires further investigation to improve facility delivery in northern Nigeria.

A cross-sectional study of traditional practices affecting maternal and newborn health in rural Nigeria.

INTRODUCTION: Certain traditional practices which have negative effects on maternal and child health continue to be practiced in sub-Saharan African countries. A survey was carried out in a rural village in Nigeria to understand the scale and range of these practices. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study in which trained interviewers administered pre-tested questionnaires on child-bearing women using questionnaires embedded on android devices. RESULTS: The median age of marriage and pregnancy were 15 and 16 years respectively. Home births were high (90.4%) while non-skilled birth attendant was 87.4%. The community had a son preference index ratio of 1:4.1. Up to 81.5% of mothers responded that one form of unhygienic traditional procedure or the other was performed on their children. Time to initiation of breast feeding was in hours in the majority (76.3%) of mothers, with a high rate of use of prelacteal feeds (85.2%). Being an adolescent mother (AOR 0.403, 95%CI 0.203, 0,797) and utilizing a skilled provider at birth (AOR 0.245, 95%CI 0.088, 0.683) were associated with less likelihood of having an unhygienic procedure performed on children. CONCLUSION: The findings of our study suggest that traditional practices which could have negative effects on maternal and child health are still ongoing in the study community. Child protection laws and safeguarding principles could help to reduce these practices and would need to be developed and implemented in these settings where these practices are still prevalent.