Socio-cultural factors in maternal morbidity and mortality: a study of a semi-urban community in southern Nigeria.

Study Objective: To understand community based or socio-cultural factors that determine maternal morbidity and mortality in a semi-urban setting.

Design: The study is an exploratory multidisciplinary operations research and the instruments were focus groups and interviews.

Setting: Ekpoma, a semi-urban community with a population of 70,000 in central part of Edo state in southern Nigeria.

Types of ovarian tumours seen in Benin-City, Nigeria.

There were 243 histologically proven ovarian tumours seen at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin-City, from 1973 to 1987. Out of these 198 (81%) were benign, with dermoid cyst (31%) being the commonest benign ovarian tumour. Granulosa cell tumours was the commonest malignant ovarian tumour seen (20% of malignant cases).

Causes of maternal mortality in a semi-urban Nigerian setting.

Focus group discussions with people in Ekpoma, Nigeria, revealed them to be quite knowledgeable about haemorrhage in pregnancy and delivery. However, because of their inability to recognize early warning signs they continued traditional treatment even when clear evidence of danger existed. Furthermore, they tended not to seek help in clinics and hospitals because of sociocultural conditioning and a negative perception of the quality of care available.