Determinants of obstructed labour and associated outcomes in referral hospitals in Nigeria.

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of obstructed labour, associated risk factors and outcomes across a network of referral hospitals in Nigeria.

Design: Retrospective observational study.

Setting: A total of 54 referral-level hospitals across the six geopolitical regions of Nigeria.

A shortened versus standard matched postpartum magnesium sulphate regimen in the treatment of eclampsia: a randomised controlled trial.

Magnesium sulphate is currently the most ideal drug for the treatment of eclampsia but its use in Nigeria is still limited due its cost and clinicians inexperience with the drug. The purpose of this study was to determine whether a shortened postpartum course of magnesium sulphate is as effective as the standard Pritchard regimen in controlling fits in eclampsia Between January and June 2011, 98 eclamptic mothers presenting at the labour ward of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital were randomised to receive either the standard Pritchard regimen of magnesium sulphate or a shortened postpartum course in which only two doses of intramuscular magnesium sulphate is given four hours apart. The maternal and fetal outcomes were compared.

Outcome of an intervention to improve the quality of private sector provision of postabortion care in northern Nigeria.

The outcomes of an intervention aimed at improving the quality of postabortion care provided by private medical practitioners in 8 states in northern Nigeria are reported. A total of 458 private medical doctors and 839 nurses and midwives were trained to offer high-quality postabortion care, postabortion family planning, and integrated sexually transmitted infection/HIV care. Results showed that among the 17009 women treated over 10 years, there was not a single case of maternal death.

Nigerian lawyers and reproductive health rights: a survey of knowledge, practices and opinions on law reforms among the bar and bench in north eastern Nigeria.

The objective of this study was to determine the knowledge and attitudes of practicing Nigerian lawyers towards issues relating to reproductive health and reproductive rights, and their opinions about abortion law reform. It was a population- based study which consisted of interviews with practicing lawyers in north-east Nigeria. The results showed poor knowledge of issues related to reproductive health and reproductive rights among the lawyers.

Private medical providers' knowledge and practices concerning medical abortion in Nigeria.

To investigate the knowledge and practices regarding medical abortion and postabortion care in northern Nigeria among private physicians--the principal providers of such services in the area--122 doctors operating separate clinics in five states--Bauchi, Borno, Kaduna, Niger, and Taraba--were interviewed by means of a structured questionnaire. The results showed that 22 percent of the doctors reported that they terminate unwanted pregnancies, whereas nearly all reported that they manage complications of unsafe abortion. Manual vacuum aspiration and dilatation and curettage performed singly or in combination were the most common methods of abortion and postabortion care reported by the doctors.

Sexual assault against female Nigerian students.

Sexual assault is a common social disorder among students in our tertiary institutions. This study ascertains the extent and effect of sexual assault among Nigerian students. Two hundred and Sixty Eight structured questionnaires were distributed to randomly selected students in 4 tertiary institutions, information on socio demography, sexual history and consequences of their exposure were obtained for analysis and interpretation.

Trends in maternal mortality in a tertiary institution in Northern Nigeria.

Objective: To look at the trends in maternal mortality in our institution over 5 years.

Methods: Records of 112 maternal deaths were retrospectively reviewed to determine the trends and the likely direct cause of each death over the study period.

Results: There were a total of 112 maternal deaths, while 3931 deliveries were conducted over the 5-year period.

Community perception of maternal mortality in northeastern Nigeria.

This study was conducted to find out community's knowledge and perceived implications of maternal mortality and morbidity. The community members' perception on ways to prevent the scourge was also explored. It was a population-based qualitative study which took place in two urban and two rural communities in Borno state, Nigeria.