Misoprostol versus manual vacuum aspiration for treatment of first-trimester incomplete miscarriage in a low-resource setting: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Manual vacuum aspiration is a safe and effective technology for the treatment of incomplete miscarriage but it is not widely available and affordable in rural areas particularly in low-resource countries. Misoprostol is an alternative to manual vacuum aspiration for the treatment of incomplete miscarriage. AIM: To compare the effectiveness, client acceptability and satisfaction, and cost-effectiveness of misoprostol with manual vacuum aspiration for the treatment of the first-trimester incomplete miscarriage. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This study was conducted between February 1, 2018 and August 31, 2018 at Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital Abakaliki, Nigeria. 100 participants were randomized to treatment with either manual vacuum aspiration or 600 µg oral misoprostol. The main outcome measures assessed at 1-week follow-up were complete uterine evacuation, client acceptability and satisfaction, and cost-effectiveness. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25. Sociodemographic characteristics, treatment outcomes and other variables were summarized by descriptive statistics. Chi-square test was used for comparison between groups as regard categorical data while Student's't' test was used for comparison between groups for continuous data. P value of <0.05 was regarded as statistically significant. RESULTS: There was a higher failure rate in the misoprostol arm when compared with MVA. Although this difference in complete uterine evacuation rate did not reach statistical significance (81.3% versus 95.7%, RR = 4.3, 95% CI 0.98-18.9, P value = 0.05), more participants in the misoprostol arm would choose the method again when compared with women in the MVA group (47 versus 30, X[2] = 16.95, P < 0.001). The mean client satisfaction score was significantly higher among women in the misoprostol arm compared to MVA group (13.2 (2.1) versus 7.3 (4.6), P < 0.001). The mean cost of primary treatment was higher in the MVA group compared with misoprostol arm ($67.8 (8.9) versus 14.4 (4.0), P < 0.001). There was no significant difference in the mean cost of repeat uterine evacuation in both study arms (MVA, $64.9 (6.3) versus misoprostol, $65.76 (6.6), P = 0.86). CONCLUSION: Although medical treatment was associated with a higher failure rate, there was no statistically significant difference in the effectiveness of both treatment methods. However, medical treatment was associated with higher client acceptance and satisfaction and was more cost-effective than surgical treatment.

The prevalence of osteoporosis among antenatal clinic attendees in a rural mission hospital in South-East Nigeria.

INTRODUCTION: Osteoporosis is a global public health problem characterized by reduction of bone mineral density (BMD). This study aimed to assess the prevalence of osteoporosis among antenatal clinic attendees in a rural Southeastern hospital. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study of booking Antenatal Clinic Attendees at Mile 4 Catholic Hospital, Abakaliki, between October 2014 and February 2015. The study participants were selected through systematic random sampling. The BMD of the right calcaneal bone of the participants was measured using the OsteoPro, a Quantitative ultrasound scan. RESULTS: A total of 327 eligible women participated in the study. The average age of the participants was 29 ± 4.5 years. The average parity was 2 ± 1.6 childbirths. The mean T-score was -1.19 ± 4.9. Osteoporosis and osteopenia were recorded in 119 women (36.4%) and 56 women (17.1%), respectively, whereas 152 (46.5%) were within normal range. History of regular exercise by the respondents is statistically significant on the reduction of osteopenia and osteoporosis (P ≤ 0.05). The history of ever use of calcium supplementation by the study participants in the index pregnancy did not have any significant effect on the reduction of osteoporosis. CONCLUSION: There is a high prevalence of osteoporosis among pregnant women in Southeast Nigeria. This may be due to the predominant poor adherence and low dose of calcium supplementation among pregnant women in this environment. Therefore, there is an urgent need for sensitization on this public health problem.

Incidence, Clinical Outcome and Risk Factors of Intensive Care Unit Infections in the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Lagos, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Infections are common complications in critically ill patients with associated significant morbidity and mortality. AIM: This study determined the prevalence, risk factors, clinical outcome and microbiological profile of hospital-acquired infections in the intensive care unit of a Nigerian tertiary hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a prospective cohort study, patients were recruited and followed up between September 2011 and July 2012 until they were either discharged from the ICU or died. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing of isolates was done using CLSI guidelines. RESULTS: Seventy-one patients were recruited with a 45% healthcare associated infection rate representing an incidence rate of 79/1000 patient-days in the intensive care unit. Bloodstream infections (BSI) 49.0% (22/71) and urinary tract infections (UTI) 35.6% (16/71) were the most common infections with incidence rates of 162.9/1000 patient-days and 161.6/1000 patient-days respectively. Staphylococcus aureus was the most common cause of BSIs, responsible for 18.2% of cases, while Candida spp. was the commonest cause of urinary tract infections, contributing 25.0% of cases. Eighty percent (8/10) of the Staphylococcus isolates were methicillin-resistant. Gram-negative multidrug bacteria accounted for 57.1% of organisms isolated though they were not ESBL-producing. Use of antibiotics (OR = 2.98; p = 0.03) and surgery (OR = 3.15, p< 0.05) in the month preceding ICU admission as well as urethral catheterization (OR = 5.38; p<0.05) and endotracheal intubation (OR = 5.78; p< 0.05) were risk factors for infection. CONCLUSION: Our findings demonstrate that healthcare associated infections is a significant risk factor for ICU-mortality and morbidity even after adjusting for APACHE II score.

Pattern and determinants of antenatal booking at abakaliki southeast Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Antenatal care is one of the pillars of SAFE Motherhood Initiative aimed at preventing adverse pregnancy outcome. Early antenatal booking is recommended for this benefit. AIM: The objective of this study was to determine the antenatal booking pattern of pregnant women and its determinants. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional survey of pregnant women attending the antenatal booking clinic at Federal Medical Centre Abakaliki Ebonyi State between April 6, 2011 to August 5, 2011 was undertaken. Epi info 2008 version was used for analysis. RESULTS: The mean age of the respondents was 27.46 (5.81) years and the mean gestational age at booking was 24.33 (5.52) weeks. A total of 83.1% (286/344) of the pregnant women booked after the first trimester while the remaining 16.9% (56/344) booked early. Socio-biological variables and past obstetrics history did not contribute significantly to the gestational age at booking while sickness in index pregnancy, personal wishes, and financial constraint were statistically significant reasons given for seeking antenatal care. Majority of the pregnant women 37.2% (128/344) suggested that the second trimester was the ideal gestational age for booking while 18.3% (63/344) did not know the ideal gestational age for booking. Most pregnant women 81.1% (279/344) knew the benefits of early antenatal care even though they booked late 83.1% (286/344). CONCLUSION: Most pregnant women access antenatal care late at Abakaliki because of misconception and poverty. Health education and subsidization of cost of medical services will help in reversing the trend of late antenatal booking.

Retained placenta aspect of clinical management in a tertiary health institution in Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Retained placenta is a significant cause of postpartum haemorrhage, maternal morbidity and occasionally mortality. This study assessed the clinical presentation, management and outcomes of retained placenta at the Ebonyi State University teaching Hospital. METHOD: Analysis of records relating to retained placenta managed in the hospital over a three year period (August 2003 to July 2006. RESULTS: The incidence of retained placenta was 0.22% (1 in 456 vaginal deliveries). Eleven (32.4%) patients were admitted with retained placenta following home delivery. Two (5.6%) delivery in a peripheral hospital, 6 (17.7%) delivered in a. Health center and 2 (5.9%) delivered in a maternity home. Preterm deliveries accounted for 17.7% of the cases. Eighteen parturient were admitted in shock. One patient had hysterectomy for adherent placenta. CONCLUSION: Improved peripatum services, education on the dangers of unsupervised home deliveries, women empowernment and prompt referral for emergency obstetrics care will reduce the associated mortality and morbidity.

Patterns of menopausal symptoms and adaptive ability in a rural population in South-east Nigeria.

We set out to assess menopausal symptoms and the adaptability to them in a Nigerian population. This was a cross-sectional survey using a self-administered questionnaire and supplemented with focus group discussion carried out on a rural postmenopausal population in South-east Nigeria. Data were analysed using the epi Info version 3.3.2. Data from 186 were analysed. The mean age of women at the time of interview was 49.6+/-6.3 years. Mean and median ages at menopause were 45.47+/-5.5 years and 47 years, respectively. The major symptoms at menopause were: hot flushes 36 (58.1%), sweating 25 (40.3%), urinary frequency 24 (38.7%), vaginal dryness, discomfort or discharge 22 (35.5%), lack of concentration 17 (27.4%) and irritability 15 (24.2%). Widowhood and the empty nest syndrome but not educational attainment imparted negatively on the ability of the women to cope with the menopausal symptoms. Menopausal symptoms are a health concern to the Christian population in South-east Nigeria. Doctors working in this environment should utilise the opportunity of clinical consultation to raise and discuss these symptoms with postmenopausal women.