Evaluation of histologically confirmed carcinoma of the cervix in Nnewi Nigeria: A five year review.

Background: Cervical cancer is the commonest gynaecological cancer in developing countries. It is a major cause of cancer related deaths among women in our subregion. Objective: To determine the incidence, mode of presentation, associated risk factors and management of histologically confirmed carcinoma of the cervix at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi. Method: This was a retrospective study of all the cases of histologically confirmed carcinoma of the cervix at the Nnamdi Azikwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, between first of August 2009 and 31st July 2014. Data collected was analysed with SPSS version 20.0 software and presented in tables and charts. Results: Sixty two patients with histological confirmation of cervical cancer were managed in the hospital over a five year period. Forty five of these patients with adequate information in their folders constitute the study group. There was an incidence of 9.2% of all gynaecological admissions. The highest incidence(31.2%) was found in age group 50-59 years. Conclusion: The incidence of cervical cancer is very high in our environment. Majority of the presentations were at the advanced stage of the disease.

Premarital HIV testing on prospective couples in a teaching hospital in sub Saharan Africa.

BACKGROUND: Most religious bodies insist on premarital screening for prospective couples. AIM: To determine the level of voluntary screening, prevalence and risk factors of HIV among premarital couples. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional descriptive study using interviewer administered questionnaire and HIV screening to collect data. Systematic sampling of everythird premarital couples attending the General outpatient Clinic between November 2010 and October 2011. SPSS version 17 was used for data analysis of 386 subjects. RESULTS: A majority of respondents (83.4% or 322); X2 = 172.446, df = 1, p < .05) had knowledge of transmission of HIV. Mandatory HIV screening was 5.7% (22); X2 = 303.018, df = 1, p < .05), while voluntary testing was 30% (113). The sero-prevalence of HIV was 2.6%, which was statistically and significantly associated with cohabitation and upper social class. A majority (68.4% or 266); X2 = 272.166, df = 3, p < .05) would call off marriage plans if their spouses tested positive to HIV. CONCLUSION The knowledge of transmission of HIV was very high with low sero-prevalence (2.6%) among premarital couples. Voluntary HIV testing was higher than mandatory request, while cohabitation and upper social class are risk factors for HIV transmission.

Weekend versus weekday hospital deaths: analysis of in-patient data in a Nigerian tertiary healthcare center.

AIM: This study aims at comparing weekday deaths to weekend deaths of in-patients of a tertiary hospital in Nigeria. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a 10-year retrospective survey conducted at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital in which the death records of the hospital were accessed from the various wards and health records department to extract relevant data pertaining to the time of hospital death. Tests of statistical significance were done using Chi-square test at 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: A total of 3934 deaths were recorded during the period of study. The ages ranged from a few hours to 94 years with a mean age of 38.5 years. The male to female ratio was 1.2:1. An average of 547 weekend deaths and 568 weekday deaths were recorded, giving a ratio of 0.96:1. A ratio of weekend to weekday death rate of 0.99:1 and 0.93:1 for the males and females, respectively was noted. The labor ward, followed by the intensive care unit (ICU) had the highest weekend to weekday death ratio of 1.72:1 ( P = 0.0461) and 1.41:1 ( P = 0.1440), respectively. Weekend deaths were less in the other wards, with the gynaecological ward having the least ratio of 0.63:1 ( P = 0.7360). CONCLUSION: The rate of hospital deaths was generally found not to vary significantly over the weekends and weekdays in the hospital except for the labor ward which had significantly higher weekend to weekday death rates of 1.72:1. There is therefore need for confidential enquiry into the causes of hospital deaths, especially in the labor ward, in order to identify and prevent avoidable deaths.

Weekend Versus Weekday Hospital Deaths: Analysis of In-Patient Data in a Nigerian Tertiary Healthcare Center

Aim: This study aims at comparing weekday deaths to weekend deaths of in-patients of a tertiary hospital in Nigeria. Materials and Methods: This is a 10-year retrospective survey conducted at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital in which the death records of the hospital were accessed from the various wards and health records department to extract relevant data pertaining to the time of hospital death. Tests of statistical significance were done using Chi-square test at 95 confidence intervals.Results: A total of 3934 deaths were recorded during the period of study. The ages ranged from a few hours to 94 years with a mean age of 38.5 years. The male to female ratio was 1.2:1. An average of 547 weekend deaths and 568 weekday deaths were recorded; giving a ratio of 0.96:1. A ratio of weekend to weekday death rate of 0.99:1 and 0.93:1 for the males and females; respectively was noted. The labor ward; followed by the intensive care unit (ICU) had the highest weekend to weekday death ratio of 1.72:1 (P = 0.0461) and 1.41:1 (P = 0.1440); respectively. Weekend deaths were less in the other wards; with the gynaecological ward having the least ratio of 0.63:1 (P = 0.7360). Conclusion: The rate of hospital deaths was generally found not to vary significantly over the weekends and weekdays in the hospital except for the labor ward which had significantly higher weekend to weekday death rates of 1.72:1. There is therefore need for confidential enquiry into the causes of hospital deaths; especially in the labor ward; in order to identify and prevent avoidable deaths