Comparative study of intradermal smear microscopy in the diagnosis of malaria in symptomatic pregnant women.

OBJECTIVES: A comparative study of intradermal smear in the diagnosis of malaria in symptomatic pregnant women. Venous blood served as the control. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty consecutive symptomatic pregnant women were recruited. Thick films of both venous and intradermal blood were examined. Questionnaires were used to determine patients' preference for the two techniques. Tests of statistical significance were done with Fisher exact and Yates correlation coefficient at 95% confidence interval. Sensitivity specificity and accuracy rates were used to assess the validity of intradermal smear. RESULTS: Intradermal smear more frequently diagnosed malaria parasitaemia than peripheral venous blood (66% vs 56%). This was statistically significant (P value: 0.0065). The sensitivity of intradermal smear was 85.7% while the positive predictive value was 77.4%. The accuracy rate was 76.7%. The technique of intradermal blood collection was preferred by 28% of women. CONCLUSION: Intradermal smear is useful in malaria diagnosis in pregnancy and may be an additional evaluation tool for persistent fever in pregnancy.

Comparative Study of Intradermal Smear Microscopy in the Diagnosis of Malaria in Symptomatic Pregnant Women

Objectives: A comparative study of intradermal smear in the diagnosis of malaria in symptomatic pregnant women. Venous blood served as the control. Patients and methods : Fifty consecutive symptomatic pregnant women were recruited. Thick films of both venous and intradermal blood were examined. Questionnaires were used to determine patients' preference for the two techniques. Tests of statistical significance were done with Fisher exact and Yates correlation coefficient at 95confidence interval. Sensitivity specificity and accuracy rates were used to assess the validity of intradermal smear. Results: Intradermal smear more frequently diagnosed malaria parasitaemia than peripheral venous blood (66vs 56). This was statistically significant (P value: 0.0065). The sensitivity of intradermal smear was 85.7while the positive predictive value was 77.4. The accuracy rate was 76.7. The technique of intradermal blood collection was preferred by 28of women. Conclusion: Intradermal smear is useful in malaria diagnosis in pregnancy and may be an additional evaluation tool for persistent fever in pregnancy

Utility of intradermal blood smear in the detection of asymptomatic malaria parasitaemia in pregnancy.

OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the usefulness of intradermal smear microscopy (IDS) in the detection of asymptomatic malaria parasitaemia in pregnancy. Peripheral venous blood (PVB) served as control. The preference for the collection technique of dermal blood was also assessed. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred and fifty (150) asymptomatic women were recruited. They had both intradermal smear and peripheral venous blood smear were made for all patients. Measures of test validity included sensitivity, specificity and accuracy rate. Test of statistical significance was with Yates correlation at 95% confidence limit. RESULTS: The prevalence of asymptomatic malaria parasitaemia was higher using intradermal smear (35.3% vs 33.3%) though this was not statistically significant. Intradermal smear had a sensitivity of 40% and specificity of 67%. The positive predictive value was 37.8% with accuracy rate of 58%. 41% of participants preferred the technique of collection of intradermal blood. CONCLUSION: Intradermal smear appears to have no usefulness in the detection of asymptomatic malaria parasitaemia in pregnancy. However, we recommend more studies on its value in pregnancy, especially amongst symptomatic pregnant women.

Menstrual pain and associated factors amongst undergraduates of Ambrose Alli University Ekpoma, Edo State, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: We determined the prevalence of dysmenorrhoea and associated factors amongst undergraduates in a Nigerian university. Information on dysmenorrhoea amongst Nigerian populace is limited as it is seen as a norm and hence unreported. This is in spite of its consequences on women's socio-economic lives. METHOD: This was a prospective questionnaire-based study. Cluster sampling technique was used and tests of statistical significance were done using Yates corrected Chi square. RESULTS: The prevalence of dysmenorrhoea in this study was 76.3%. The mean age at menarche was 13.8 years. Dysmenorrhoea occurred at menarche in 36.9% respondents. Primary and secondary dysmenorrhoea was reported by 40.6% and 16.3% respondents respectively. Fifty one point nine per cent (51.9%) had painful expectation of dysmenorrhoea. Having a sister with dysmenorrhoea did not have a statistically significant influence on expectation of dysmenorrhoea (CI 95%; P value: 0.76). Normal activity was affected by dysmenorrhoea in 35% of respondents while 68% of those with dysmenorrhoea did not seek help. Hospital admission solely for dysmenorrhoea was reported by 6.9% of respondents. Commonly associated symptoms with dysmenorrhoea were mood changes (59.4%) and pimples (53.1%). CONCLUSION: The high proportion of women not seeking help for dysmenorrhoea in this study may reflect the attitude of the larger society to the condition. Education to improve women's knowledge of and attitude to dysmenorrhoea is recommended.

Menstrual Pain and Associated Factors amongst Undergraduates of Ambrose Alli University Ekpoma; Edo State; Nigeria

Background: We determined the prevalence of dysmenorrhoea and associated factors amongst undergraduates in a Nigerian university. Information on dysmenorrhoea amongst Nigerian populace is limited as it is seen as a norm and hence unreported. This is in spite of its consequences on women's socio-economic lives. Method: This was a prospective questionnaire-based study. Cluster sampling technique was used and tests of statistical significance were done using Yates corrected Chi square. Results: The prevalence of dysmenorrhoea in this study was 76.3. The mean age at menarche was 13.8 years. Dysmenorrhoea occurred at menarche in 36.9respondents. Primary and secondary dysmenorrhoea was reported by 40.6and 16.3respondents respectively. Fifty one point nine per cent (51.9) had painful expectation of dysmenorrhoea. Having a sister with dysmenorrhoea did not have a statistically significant influence on expectation of dysmenorrhoea (CI 95; P value: 0.76). Normal activity was affected by dysmenorrhoea in 35of respondents while 68of those with dysmenorrhoea did not seek help. Hospital admission solely for dysmenorrhoea was reported by 6.9of respondents. Commonly associated symptoms with dysmenorrhoea were mood changes (59.4) and pimples (53.1). Conclusion: The high proportion of women not seeking help for dysmenorrhoea in this study may reflect the attitude of the larger society to the condition. Education to improve women's knowledge of and attitude to dysmenorrhoea is recommended

Salvaging twin 2 after abortion of twin 1: a case report.

We present intentional delayed delivery of twin 2 after a spontaneous membrane rupture and abortion oftwin1 in a dichorionic twin pregnancy at 14 weeks. As signs of infection were missing, we adopted a conservative (not expectant) management. The pregnancy was prolonged to 35 weeks' gestation. In the absence of additional risk factors, the role of conservative management of multiple pregnancies after loss of one fetus in prolonging the pregnancy to fetal viability in resource-poor setting is highlighted. The gained gestational age of 20 weeks and 4 days (144 days in all), for the remaining fetus and the healthy mother and child pair after delivery at 35 weeks are discussed. The perinatal, economic and psychological implications are highlighted. The importance of good clinical assessment in the diagnosis of cervical incompetence and using ultrasound scan as a complimentary instrument is emphasized.