Ovarian cancer in Ibadan: characteristics and management.

Ovarian cancer has the highest case fatality rate among gynaecological cancers worldwide because of lack of effective screening methods and non-specific early warning symptoms with late presentation. A reinvigorated study is necessary in the developing countries because of a projected increase in its incidence. The decreasing fertility rate and increasing use of ovulation induction drugs are some of the reasons. The Ovarian Cancer Service of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria commenced the first longitudinal study of this malignancy from 1 December 1998 in order to establish a regional management and research centre. It is a questionnaire survey detailing the demography, clinical and staging laparotomy findings and histology of all confirmed cases. Twenty-one staging laparotomy and histologically confirmed ovarian cancer cases were managed from 1 December 1998 to 31 July 2002, about 1.5% of the 1387 gynaecological admissions. It is the third most common of the gynaecological cancers, representing 9.8% of the 214 cases. More than 60% of the patients were 50 years or younger. Only 19% were nulliparous, with 47.6% having had five or more deliveries. Only two patients (9.5%) had used the oral contraceptive pill, for a maximum period of 1 month. Only one patient (4.8%) had a positive family history of cancer. Abdominal swelling was the most common presenting symptom. Eighty-one per cent of the patients presented in Stages III and IV. Epithelial ovarian cancer constituted about 76.2% of the cases. Only 23.8% had adjuvant therapy, consisting of combination chemotherapy using cisplatin-based regimes. The case fatality rate 6 months after surgery was 76%. The ovarian cancer patients in this environment are younger and of higher parity than expected. The risk factors for this disease require further study.

Current causes and management of violence against women in Nigeria.

Violence against women is an important health and human rights issue. It carries with it both short- and long-term sequelae for women that can affect both their physical and psychological wellbeing. Every day obstetric providers treat patients who have been assaulted. Timely identification can interrupt the cycle of violence, prevent further injury and initiate the help-seeking process. The objectives of this study were to survey how often Nigerian obstetrician-gynaecologists see these patients in their practice and to describe the demographics and management of their most recent case so as to give an idea of the extent of the problem. This is especially important as abuse is grossly under-reported because the victims are afraid to report it because of male dominance in society and the fear of losing their homes. We used a self-administered questionnaire survey of 138 practising obstetricians and gynaecologists in Nigeria. Questions were asked about the yearly estimation of cases seen and how recently a case was seen. The type of abuse, risk factors and management of their most recent case was also documented. Most (98.6%) obstetricians surveyed had previously managed a case of violence. The mean estimate of abused women seen was 7.0 per year. Details of the last case managed were recollected by 91.3% of respondents. The majority (51.6%) of patients were pregnant. The assailant was the husband in 69.8% of cases and the most common factor for abuse was as a result of women requesting money for the family needs from their husbands. The most common type of abuse was physical (79.4%), with 34.9% of patients sustaining cuts. Treatment and counselling were the forms of management in most cases. The police were informed in 9.5% of cases and one obstetrician had to give evidence in court. Of the pregnant abused women, 73.8% had live births. Better job opportunities and female empowerment can reduce the risk of violence. Obstetricians should screen routinely for battery, provide education about violence, assess the danger, review safety plans and refer women appropriately. We cannot solve the problem alone, but sensitivity and commitment can begin to make a difference.

Forceps delivery at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria.

UNLABELLED: The incidence of forceps delivery has reduced in Nigeria and in the world in general. Some Obstetricians have not been trained in its use and lack the skill. OBJECTIVE: To determine the outcome of forceps delivery at this centre. METHODOLOGY: A retrospective analysis of all forceps delivery done at this centre between the 1st of January 1997 and 31st December 2001, a 5-year period was done. RESULTS: The incidence of forceps delivery was 1.57% or 16 per 1000 births and they were all low cavity deliveries. Most of the patients (68.5%) were booked at this centre. The mean age was 28.21 +/- 4.79 years and most (64.4%) were nulliparious. The mean gestational age at delivery was 38.7 +/- 3.0 weeks. The most common indications were prolonged second stage of labour (58.9%), maternal distress (43.8%) and fetal distress (15.1%). There were multiple indications in some patients. The mean birth weight was 3.03 +/- 0.69 kgs and 90.4% were live births. The main maternal complications were maternal injuries (8.1%), primary post partum haemorrhage (5.5%), anaemia (5.5%) and retained products of conception (4.1%). Maternal deaths occurred in 2 eclamptics and birth asphyxia in 6.9% of babies. The perinatal mortality rate was 54.8 per 1000 births. There were no fetal injuries. CONCLUSION: Obstetrics forceps delivery is on the decline in Nigeria. It is an art that can safely and quickly deliver the fetus. It could be offered in the place of a caesarean section in some instances with a good outcome to both the mother and fetus in skilled hands. Obstetricians should be trained to use it more frequently.