Compliance with research participant protection guidelines by Nigerian medical journals.

Background: Stakeholders in medical research have roles in ensuring that research participants are protected. Medical journals play gatekeeping roles in the responsible conduct of research. They help guard against the publication of findings of unethical research, such as those with compromised participant welfare.

Neutrophil Elastase as a Predictor of Delivery in Pregnant Women with Preterm Labour.

Background And Objectives: No previous study has been conducted in Nigeria on the role of neutrophil elastase in predicting preterm birth. The present study aimed to determine the role of the neutrophil elastase test in predicting birth in women with preterm labor.

Methods: The present prospective cohort study recruited 83 pregnant women with preterm labor between 28 and 36 weeks of gestation, and followed up these subjects for 14 days.

Incidence, Determinants, and Outcomes of Spontaneous Preterm Birth at Tertiary Hospitals in Enugu, Southeast, Nigeria: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: In the past five years, observational evidence suggests that the rates and determinants of preterm birth may have changed due to the effect of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and other humanitarian crises in our environment.

Aim: This study aimed to determine the incidence, associated factors, and outcomes of preterm birth in tertiary hospitals in Enugu, southeastern Nigeria.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included 238 pregnant women from the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Enugu State University of Science and Technology Teaching Hospital (ESUT-TH) Parklane, and Mother of Christ Specialist Hospital (MOCSH), Enugu, from April 2022 to March 2023.

Atherogenic Index, Cardiovascular Risk Ratio, and Atherogenic Coefficient as Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Disease in Pre-eclampsia in Southeast Nigeria: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Pre-eclampsia is a key trigger for maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. Current evidence suggests an association between dyslipidemia and atherosclerosis. Thus, the importance of evaluating some indices of atherosclerosis during pregnancy cannot be over-emphasized.

Association of clinical signs of chorioamnionitis with histological chorioamnionitis and neonatal outcomes in women with premature rupture of membranes.

Background: Premature rupture of membrane (PROM), especially when preterm or prolonged is associated with an increased risk of chorioamnionitis with its attendant feto-maternal complications.

Aim: The study was aimed to determine the association of clinical signs of chorioamnionitis with histological chorioamnionitis and neonatal outcomes in women with PROM.

Materials And Methods: Eligible participants with clinical diagnosis of PROM at gestational age of ≥28 weeks managed between December 2018 and June 2019 were consecutively recruited.

Postnatal care services use by mothers: A comparative study of defaulters versus attendees of postnatal clinics in Enugu.

Introduction: Despite much emphasis on the reproductive health of women, maternal mortality is still high, especially in postnatal period.

Objective: To assess the prevalence of postnatal care use and reasons for defaults among mothers attending the child immunization clinics in Enugu, Nigeria.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional comparative study of 400 consecutive nursing mothers who presented at the Institute of Child Health of UNTH and ESUTH, Enugu for Second dose of the Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV2) for their babies at 10 weeks postpartum.

Data on prevalence and management practices of malaria-typhoid co-infection in Unwana South East Nigeria.

Using a descriptive survey design, the prevalence and management practices of malaria and malaria- typhoid co-infection in Unwana South East Nigeria was determined. Two hundred and thirty-six (236) febrile volunteers comprising 104 males and 132 females attending the Medical Centre of Akanu Ibiam Federal polytechnic Unwana, Afikpo Ebonyi state Nigeria participated in this study. Using thick film microscopy and Widal antigen-based agglutination test, one hundred and thirty-seven participants were diagnosed with malaria mono infection while ninety-nine were diagnosed with malaria-typhoid co-infection.

Evaluation of maternal preferences for neonatal male circumcision in Enugu Nigeria.

Background: Although circumcision in male neonates is one of the most common procedures performed in neonatal surgery, mothers' preferences concerning the aspects of circumcision are not well-known. Since mother is the likely parent to present child for circumcision, her preferences should be given adequate consideration.

Objectives: The objective of this study is to evaluate maternal preferences for neonatal male circumcision in Enugu.

The Impact of Infertility on the Sexual Life of Infertile Women in Enugu, South East Nigeria.

Background: Infertility is a common gynecological problem in sub-Saharan Africa, including Nigeria. It tends to affect the sexual life of couples and may affect their quality of life.

Objective: The study was aimed to assess the impact of infertility on the sexual life of women with infertility seeking care in Enugu, South-East Nigeria.

Pregnant women utilization of dental services: still a challenge in low resource setting.

Background: Poor oral health in pregnancy can be associated with poor pregnancy outcome, however, dental consultation among pregnant women appears to be low.

Methods: This was a questionnaire-based study of 413 women who attended the antenatal clinic of University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Ituku/Ozalla, Enugu. The information obtained was analyzed using SPSS version 22.

Effects of short inter-pregnancy interval on maternal and perinatal outcomes: A cohort study of pregnant women in a low-income country.

Background: Short inter-pregnancy interval (IPI) is a potential risk factor for adverse pregnancy outcomes. Previous reports from sub-Sahara Africa documented increasing incidence of short IPI but evidence is lacking in its effect on pregnancy outcome.

Aim: The study aimed to determine the effect of short IPI on pregnancy outcome in Nigeria.

A ten year review of time interval between elective cervical cerclage removal at term and spontaneous onset of labour in Enugu, South-East Nigeria.

Cervical insufficiency is a recognised cause of third trimester miscarriage and spontaneous preterm births. It is one of the leading causes of neonatal morbidity and mortality. Miscarriage and preterm deliveries due to cervical insufficiency can be prevented by cervical cerclage insertion.

A Comparison of the Characteristics of Maternal Near-Misses and Maternal Deaths in Enugu, Southeast Nigeria: A 3-Year Prospective Study.

Background: Maternal near-misses, also known as severe acute maternal morbidity, have become globally recognized as an appropriate indicator of obstetric care. Women experiencing maternal near-misses are more in number than maternal deaths, and can provide more specific and detailed evidence, as the patient herself can be a leading source of useful information.

Objective: To determine the frequency of maternal near-misses and maternal deaths in the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital in Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu, document the primary determinant factor that caused these, and compare cases of maternal near-miss and maternal deaths.

Diagnostic value of Chorioquick for detecting chorioamnionitis in women with premature rupture of membranes.

Objective: To determine the accuracy of a semi-quantitative interleukin-6 (IL-6) vaginal secretion rapid test (Chorioquick) for detecting chorioamnionitis in women with premature rupture of membranes (PROM).

Methods: A prospective cohort study in five tertiary hospitals in Nigeria involved women with confirmed PROM at term and preterm PROM with or without suspected chorioamnionitis from August 1, 2017, to October 31, 2018. Cervicovaginal fluid samples were tested for chorioamnionitis using the Chorioquick test.

Acceptance of postpartum intrauterine contraceptive device among women attending antenatal care in a low-resource setting in Nigeria.

Objective: To assess the level of awareness, acceptance, and any identifiable barriers to the use of postpartum intrauterine devices (PPIUDs) among pregnant women receiving care in a low-resource setting in Nigeria.

Methods: A pretested interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to obtain relevant data from all consenting pregnant women receiving antenatal care at Polyclinic and Uwani health center in the city of Enugu from January 1 to March 31, 2018. Data were entered and analyzed using Epi Info statistical software.

Ethical issues in denial of church wedding based on couple's hemoglobin genotype in Enugu, south eastern Nigeria.

Background: Sickle cell anemia (SCA) is a major genetic disease with the greatest burden in sub-Saharan Africa. To try to help reduce this burden, some churches in Nigeria conduct premarital sickle cell hemoglobin screening and refuse to conduct weddings when both individuals are identified as carriers of sickle cell trait.

Main Body: This paper explores the ethical challenges involved in such denials.

Performance indices of AmnioQuick Duo+ versus placental α-microglobulin-1 tests for women with prolonged premature rupture of membranes.

Objective: To compare AmnioQuick Duo+ versus the placental α-microglobulin-1 (PAMG-1) test for diagnosis of prolonged premature rupture of membranes (PROM).

Methods: A multicenter prospective cohort study included women with suspected PROM at six tertiary institutions in southern Nigeria between January 1 and December 31, 2015. The inclusion criteria were features of PROM lasting at least 24 hours and a pregnancy duration of more than 24 weeks.

Prevalence and pattern of genital injuries among adolescent rape victims attending Enugu State University Teaching Hospital, South East Nigeria.

The study aimed to determine the prevalence and pattern of genital injuries among the female adolescents alleged to have been raped that presented at the Enugu State University Teaching Hospital (ESUTH) from January 1 2013 to August 31 2014. All of the adolescents alleged to have been raped that presented within the study period were studied, and the relevant data were extracted from their records. The data were analysed using the Epi info statistical software, Version 7.

Premaquick versus modified Bishop score for preinduction cervical assessment at term: A double-blind randomized trial.

Aim: To test whether Premaquick biomarkers were superior to modified Bishop score for preinduction cervical assessment at term.

Methods: A multicenter, double-blind randomized clinical trial in 151 nulliparous, cephalic presenting and singleton pregnancies was conducted. The cervix was considered 'ripe' when at least two out of three Premaquick biomarkers are positive or a Bishop score of ≥6.

Preference for anonymity in sperm donation for artificial insemination: an experience from low-resource settings in Nigeria.

Objective: Anonymous sperm donation is a common practice in Nigeria with its associated legal and ethical challenges. This study aimed to investigate infertile couples' opinions about issues of sperm donor anonymity and to determine factors that might influence their preferences.

Methods: A cross-sectional, multicentered, questionnaire-based study was conducted among infertile couples attending infertility clinics in three tertiary hospitals in the south-eastern region of Nigeria over a period of 6 months.

Effect of treatment with single total-dose intravenous iron versus daily oral iron(III)-hydroxide polymaltose on moderate puerperal iron-deficiency anemia.

Background: Iron-deficiency anemia is the most common nutritional cause of anemia in pregnancy and is often responsible for puerperal anemia. Puerperal anemia can impair postpartum maternal and neonatal well-being.

Objective: To determine the effect of treatment of moderate puerperal iron-deficiency anemia using a single intravenous total-dose iron dextran versus daily single dose oral iron(III)-hydroxide polymaltose.

Accuracy and response time of dual biomarker model of insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1/ alpha fetoprotein (Amnioquick duo+) in comparison to placental alpha-microglobulin-1 test in diagnosis of premature rupture of membranes.

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine accuracy and response time of duo of insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 (IGFBP-1)/alpha-fetoprotein (Amnioquick duo+) versus placental alpha-microglobulin-1 (PAMG-1) in diagnosing premature rupture of membranes (PROM).

Methods: A multicenter prospective study was conducted among women with features suggestive of PROM between 24 and 42 gestational weeks (GW). PROM was confirmed post-delivery based on presence of any two of these criteria: delivery within 48 h to 7 days, chorioamnionitis, membranes overtly ruptured at delivery, and adverse perinatal outcomes strongly correlated with prolonged PROM.

Accuracy of a combined insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-1/interleukin-6 test (Premaquick) in predicting delivery in women with threatened preterm labor.

Purpose: To determine values of combinations of interleukin-6 (IL-6)/cervical native insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-1 (IGFBP-1)/total IGFBP-1 (Premaquick©) in predicting spontaneous deliveries and spontaneous exclusive preterm deliveries in women with threatened preterm labor.

Methods: Women with singleton pregnancies between gestation age (GA) of 24 weeks and 36 weeks and 6 days with preterm labor were recruited during a prospective multicenter study. Premaquick© was positive when at least two of three biomarkers were positive.

Comparison of the duo of insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1/alpha fetoprotein (Amnioquick duo+®) and traditional clinical assessment for diagnosing premature rupture of fetal membranes.

Purpose: To determine the diagnostic accuracy of insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1/alpha fetoprotein (Amnioquick duo+®) compared with traditional clinical assessment (TCA) of nitrazine, ferning and pooling for the diagnosis of prelabor rupture of membranes (PROM).

Methods: A double-blinded, multicenter clinical study was conducted between February 2015 and August 2015 among pregnant women presenting with symptoms or features suggestive of PROM between 24 and 42 weeks gestation. Confirmation of PROM was done after delivery based on the presence of any two of these criteria: delivery within 48 h to 7 days, evidence of chorioamnionitis, membranes explicitly ruptured at delivery and adverse perinatal outcomes strongly correlated with prolonged PROM.

Unintended pregnancy among HIV-positive pregnant women in Enugu, southeast Nigeria.

Objective: To determine the prevalence and factors associated with unintended pregnancy among HIV-positive pregnant women in Enugu, southeast Nigeria.

Methods: A questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was performed of HIV-positive pregnant women receiving prenatal care at two tertiary health institutions in Enugu between March 1 and August 31, 2012. The women were interviewed with a pretested questionnaire.