Olusola B. Fasubaa

Occupational health hazards among health care workers in an obstetrics and gynaecology unit of a Nigerian teaching hospital

The occupational health hazards among health-care workers in an obstetrics and gynaecology unit were investigated. A total of 78 pretested questionnaires were administered to the doctors, nurses and ward orderlies in the unit of Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. The common occupational health hazards were work-related stress (83·3%), needle-stick injuries (75·6%), bloodstains on skin (73·1%), sleep disturbance (42·3%), skin reactions (37·2%) assault from patients (24·3%) and hepatitis (8·9%). Nearly half of the staff used diazepam, lexotan or alcohol to cope with the stress of work. A greater percentage of doctors compared to nurses and ward orderlies used safety precautions such as gloves, facemasks and aprons. All the staff employed regular handwashing after various procedures. However no category of staff adopted regularly proper disposal of needles and sharps into separate puncture-resistant containers. About 59% of the staff recap used needles. The implications of the findings were discussed and recommendations made appropriately.

Socioeconomic barriers to safe motherhood among booked patients in rural Nigerian communities

This study examines the socioeconomic barriers to safe motherhood in booked patients in the Ife-Ijesha health administrative zone, Nigeria. During the period of study (January 1998 to December 1998), 161 booked patients of Ife State Hospital, Ile-Ife and Wesley Guild Hospital, Ilesha presented with an avoidable obstetric emergency, Seventeen (10.6%) presented during the antenatal period, while 89 (55.3%) and 55 (34.2%) presented in labour and postpartum respectively. The patients presented with obstetric complications such as obstructed labour (24.2%), postpartum haemorrhage (21.1%), puerperal sepsis (24.2%), imminent eclampsia and eclampsia (15.5%), retained second twin (9.3%). Three maternal deaths occurred (MMR 1467/100 000 births) and the perinatal mortality rate was 290/1000 total births. The adduced reasons for late presentation included, financial constrains (85.1%), poor access to hospital/transportation difficulties (33.5%), objection to hospital admission by relatives (23.0%), aversion to caesarean section (21.7%) and attitude to hospital staff (8.1%). The patients were of the opinion that reducing the economic burden associated with hospital fee, provision of transportation, encouraged family support and reduction of operation rate would lead to reduction in late presentation.This study examines the socioeconomic barriers to safe motherhood in booked patients in the Ife-Ijesha health administrative zone, Nigeria. During the period of study (January 1998 to December 1998), 161 booked patients of Ife State Hospital, Ile-Ife and Wesley Guild Hospital, Ilesha presented with an avoidable obstetric emergency, Seventeen (10.6%) presented during the antenatal period, while 89 (55.3%) and 55 (34.2%) presented in labour and postpartum respectively. The patients presented with obstetric complications such as obstructed labour (24.2%), postpartum haemorrhage (21.1%), puerperal sepsis (24.2%), imminent eclampsia and eclampsia (15.5%), retained second twin (9.3%). Three maternal deaths occurred (MMR 1467/100 000 births) and the perinatal mortality rate was 290/1000 total births. The adduced reasons for late presentation included, financial constrains (85.1%), poor access to hospital/transportation difficulties (33.5%), objection to hospital admission by relatives (23.0%), aversion to caesarean section (21.7%) and attitude to hospital staff (8.1%). The patients were of the opinion that reducing the economic burden associated with hospital fee, provision of transportation, encouraged family support and reduction of operation rate would lead to reduction in late presentation.

Delivery outside hospital after antenatal care: prevalence and its predictors.

Over a period of 5 years (1994 - 1998), of 9519 women who booked for antenatal care at the two tertiary hospitals of the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex, Ile Ife,-Nigeria,12.8% (1220) defaulted from hospital delivery. The casenotes of these patients were retrieved from the medical records department and were sorted into two groups of defaulters and non-defaulters from hospital delivery. Information obtained from the casenotes includes sociodemographic characteristic, past obstetric and present obstetric history. Bivariate analysis revealed six potential predictors; however, following adjustment by multiple logistic regression, only history of previous delivery outside the hospital (OR = 3.13, CI = 2.06 - 4.67), planned elective caesarean section in current pregnancy (OR = 2.03, 1.66 - 2.75), caesarean section in last delivery (OR = 1.93, CI = 1.57 - 2.76) and objection to admission in the current pregnancy (OR = 1.33, CI = 1.04 - 1.65) remained as significant predictors.

Prevalence of and risk factors for gestational diabetes using 1999, 2013 WHO and IADPSG criteria upon implementation of a universal one-step screening and diagnostic strategy in a sub-Saharan African population

OBJECTIVES To investigate the impact of the new consensus diagnostic criteria on the prevalence of gestational diabetes, evaluate risk factors, and missed opportunities for diagnosis if selective screening strategy was employed. STUDY DESIGN A prospective observational data of 1059 women with singleton pregnancy screened for gestational diabetes between 24 and 32 weeks gestation in a universal one-step screening and diagnostic strategy using 75-g oral glucose tolerance testing in an obstetric unit in Nigeria. Logistic regression was used to identify risk factors for GDM. RESULTS The prevalence of gestational diabetes in accordance with 1999 WHO, new 2013 WHO modified IADPSG and IADPSG criteria was 3.8%, 8.1%, 7.5%, and 8.6%, respectively. Overt diabetes was diagnosed in 1.03% of the study population. Using the new consensus criteria, approximately 20% of GDM cases would have been missed if selective screening strategy was employed. Using multivariable analysis, glycosuria [aOR 8.60 (3.29-22.46)] and previous poor obstetric outcome [aOR 3.01 (1.23-7.37)] were significantly associated with GDM on 1999 WHO criteria. Glycosuria [aOR 2.54 (1.10-6.42)] was the only risk significantly associated with increased risk of developing GDM diagnosed based on new 2013 and IADPSG criteria. CONCLUSION Using the new consensus screening and diagnostic guidelines, gestational diabetes is prevalent in our obstetric population. Missed opportunities exist with selective screening approach.

Mortality and morbidity associated with misdiagnosis of ectopic pregnancy in a defined Nigerian population.

Ectopic pregnancies can be very difficult to diagnose at initial admission. This paper reviewed the morbidity and mortality associated with misdiagnosis of ectopic gestation over a 15-year period (1985-99) at Ile-Ife, Nigeria. There were 380 confirmed ectopic pregnancies of 35 857 live births, giving an incidence of 10.5 per 1000 live births. Of the 380 cases, 38 (10%) were misdiagnosed initially at presentation. Mistaken diagnoses include pelvic inflammatory diseases, cholera, acute appendicitis, typhoid enteritis, incomplete septic abortion, uterine fibroid with menorrhagia, malaria, gastroenteritis, peptic ulcer and intestinal obstruction. There were five maternal deaths among the 38 misdiagnosed cases compared to two maternal deaths among the 342 initially correctly diagnosed cases. Significant morbidity included prolonged hospital stay, increased hospital costs and an enterocutaneous fistula. To improve the chances of correct diagnosis at initial admission, accurate menstrual and sexual history should be obtained. Facilities for improved diagnosis such as serum beta HCG and transvaginal ultrasonography should be provided. Colleagues from other specialities should be educated to increase their suspicion of ectopic pregnancy in any woman of childbearing age and perform the appropriate investigations.

Determinants of mission house delivery among booked patients in a Nigerian teaching hospital

This study examines the determinants of Mission House Delivery among booked patients in Ile-lfe, Nigeria. During the 12 months of the study (1 May 199930 April 2000) 196 booked patients at Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife who delivered at mission houses were analysed. All ages and parity groups, educational level and social classes were involved. The majority (73%) were of low socio-economic class. The reasons for mission house delivery included financial constraints (41%), fear of possible caesarean section (46%), industrial action by health-care workers (39%), transport difficulty at night (26%), previous deliveries in mission houses (16%) and communal feud (12%). Four maternal deaths occurred (MMR 978/100 000 births) and 20 perinatal deaths (PNMR 118/1000 total births). Reduction of hospital user fees, provision of transportation and efficient telecommunication facilities at all times, conflict resolution and proper remuneration of health care workers are urgent needs to be addressed. Legislation against delivery in unsafe places and establishment of appropriate facilities by churches interested in maternity services is highly recommended.This study examines the determinants of Mission House Delivery among booked patients in Ile-Ife, Nigeria. During the 12 months of the study (1 May 199930 April 2000) 196 booked patients at Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife who delivered at mission houses were analysed. All ages and parity groups, educational level and social classes were involved. The majority (73%) were of low socio-economic class. The reasons for mission house delivery included financial constraints (41%), fear of possible caesarean section (46%), industrial action by health-care workers (39%), transport difficulty at night (26%), previous deliveries in mission houses (16%) and communal feud (12%). Four maternal deaths occurred (MMR 978/100 000 births) and 20 perinatal deaths (PNMR 118/1000 total births). Reduction of hospital user fees, provision of transportation and efficient telecommunication facilities at all times, conflict resolution and proper remuneration of health care workers are urgent needs to be addressed. Legislation against delivery in unsafe places and establishment of appropriate facilities by churches interested in maternity services is highly recommended.

The effect of post-cesarean rectal misoprostol on intestinal motility

To determine whether rectally administered misoprostol can induce intestinal motility compared with oxytocin infusion when used to prevent primary postpartum hemorrhage after cesarean delivery.

Ovarian pregnancy causing obstructed labor at term in a heterotopic gestation

A case of advanced heterotopic pregnancy in which an ovarian pregnancy caused obstructed labour with incomplete uterine rupture is presented. A live baby that weighed 3.25 kg was delivered at caesarean section. Total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo‐oophorectomy was performed. The left ovarian mass contained a fetus papyraceus of about 24 weeks gestation.

Illegal Induced Abortion in Nigeria: An Examination of Its Consequences and Policy Implications for Social Welfare and Health Policy Makers

Abstract In this case study - based research, using the conceptual underpinnings of the subject-matter of public policy as our analytical point of departure, we examined the issue of illegal induced abortion in Nigeria. In the process, we highlighted its consequences and implications for the policy makers in the areas of responsive policy outputs as they concerned the issue of induced abortion. Along the same analytical plane, we examined the concept of illegal induced abortion per se relying on empirical evidences across the globe vis-a-vis its problems to society and, lack of adequate utilization or payment of attention to them by the government. With these background analyses, and, using purposive sampling technique which falls within the matrix of Non-probability sampling design, we sourced our data through the technique of content analysis, from the archival records of Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex (OAUTHC) in Ile-Ife. From the data, the incidence of illegal induced abortion to the total gynaecological admission was established as does the prevalence of the medico-socio-cultural and, political phenomenon - (i.e. illegal induced abortion) - in question, among our younger women under the age of 20 years. The resultant discussion of the data showed that induced abortion has caused a lot of reproductive health problems among the Nigerian women. This discussion equally revealed the paucity of our policy makers by ways of concrete policy or policies on illegal induced abortion in Nigeria and, that this was largely due to the heterogeneity of the Nigerian environment on one side and, lack of understanding by government of the real issues involved coupled with the government’s inadequate utilization or payment of attention by ways of policy initiation, formulation and implementation to the available empirical evidence on the consequences of illegal induced abortion on the other hand. Consequent on this, we recommended some concrete measures needed to reduce the rising tide of this sociopolitical and medical malaise with the provision that the achievement of the latter is contingent on the effective adoption of the offered solutions by the social welfare and health policy makers and other stakeholders in Nigeria.

Cervical cancer screening and practice in low resource countries: Nigeria as a case study

Cervical cancer is the most common female genital tract malignancy in Nigeria and majority of the patients present with advanced disease. It is a preventable cancer as there are well-defined treatable premalignant phases. The objective of the study is to review the burden of cervical cancer, its screening modalities, and practice of screening and treatment in low resource countries with emphasis on Nigeria. This is a review involving internet and literature search. While developed countries have recorded significant reduction in the incidence of cervical cancer owing to organized screening programs, treatment of premalignant cervical lesions, and follow-up of treated cases, developing countries including Nigeria are yet to optimally utilize screening services due to lack of organized population-based screening programs with only pockets of screening services which are at best opportunistic. This has not reduced the incidence of cancer because only a fraction of the target population is covered. Apart from this, loss to follow-up is rampant. The level of awareness of cervical cancer and its preventive strategies are low among the population and policymakers in Nigeria. There is no organized screening program, and the few services available are only opportunistic with little or no impact. Development of cervical cancer screening policy and institution of organized screening program targeted at covering ≥80% of population at risk is fundamental. There is also a need for widespread education of the populace on the burden of cervical cancer and the public health importance of the disease using the mass media, counseling at antenatal clinics, and the involvement of men will contribute immensely to reduction in the incidence of cervical cancer. Decentralization of services by incorporation of cervical screening and treatment in primary health care programs will ensure adequate rural-urban coverage.