Evaluating the hemostatic effects of tranexamic acid in women with pre-eclampsia.

Objective: To evaluate the hemostatic effects of tranexamic acid (TXA) ex vivo in women with pre-eclampsia.

Methods: This was an ex vivo study involving 45 normal pregnant women and 45 women with pre-eclampsia (nine with mild and 36 with severe features) matched for age, gestational age, and body mass index. Blood samples were collected and divided into two parts.

Universal versus selective screening for gestational diabetes mellitus among antenatal clinic attendees in Abakaliki: using the one-step 75 gram oral glucose tolerance test.

Aim: To compare universal screening with selective risk factor based screening for GDM, using the one-step 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT).

Materials And Method: A cross-sectional, comparison between universal and selective risk factor based screening for GDM, among 400 antenatal care clients at Alex-Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital Abakaliki (AE-FUTHA). All the participants had 75 g OGTT at 24-28 weeks of gestation and risk factor screening for GDM.

Early onset of neurological features differentiates two outbreaks of Lassa fever in Ebonyi state, Nigeria during 2017-2018.

Lassa fever (LF) is an acute viral haemorrhagic illness with various non-specific clinical manifestations. Neurological symptoms are rare at the early stage of the disease, but may be seen in late stages, in severely ill patients.The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiological evolution, socio-demographic profiles, clinical characteristics, and outcomes of patients seen during two Lassa fever outbreaks in Ebonyi State, between December 2017 and December 2018.

Birth preparedness and complication readiness among women of reproductive age group in Abakaliki, Southeast Nigeria.

Background: Birth preparedness and complication readiness (BPCR) reduces delays in obstetric care, improves health-seeking behavior during an obstetric emergency, and improves knowledge on danger signs of pregnancy.

Aims: To assess the knowledge, perception, and practice of women on BPCR.

Subjects And Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted at Federal Teaching Hospital in Ebonyi state, Nigeria at the postnatal ward from June to December 2016.

Knowledge and Practices of Health-Care Waste Management among Health Workers in Lassa Fever Treatment Facility in Southeast Nigeria.

Background: The threat of endemic, emerging, and reemerging infectious diseases, especially the viral hemorrhagic fevers demands effective health-care waste management (HCWM) among health-care workers. The study was intended to assess the knowledge and practices of HCWM among the cleaning staff in a Lassa fever (LF) treatment facility.

Materials And Methods: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study of 234 cleaning staff of Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki recruited by systematic random sampling.

Choice of birth place among antenatal clinic attendees in rural mission hospitals in Ebonyi State, South-East Nigeria.

Background: Low utilization of health facilities for delivery by pregnant women poses a public health challenge in Nigeria.

Aim: To determine the factors that influence the choice of birth place among antenatal clinic attendees.

Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study of the eligible antenatal clinic attendees recruited at Mater Misericordiae Hospital, Afikpo and Saint Vincent Hospital, Ndubia in Ebonyi State from February 1, 2016 to June 30, 2016.

Ruptured ectopic in heterotopic pregnancy: Management and spontaneous vertex delivery of a live baby at term.

Spontaneous heterotopic pregnancy is an uncommon clinical condition in which there is a simultaneous development of intrauterine and extrauterine pregnancies. It is a life-threatening emergency when the ectopic ruptures. We present Mrs.

Utilisation of preconception care services and determinants of poor uptake among a cohort of women in Abakaliki Southeast Nigeria.

Preconception care (PCC) is a preventive strategy for maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to assess the level of awareness and utilisation of PCC services. A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted at a teaching hospital.

The prevalence of osteoporosis among antenatal clinic attendees in a rural mission hospital in South-East Nigeria.

Introduction: Osteoporosis is a global public health problem characterized by reduction of bone mineral density (BMD). This study aimed to assess the prevalence of osteoporosis among antenatal clinic attendees in a rural Southeastern hospital.

Material And Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of booking Antenatal Clinic Attendees at Mile 4 Catholic Hospital, Abakaliki, between October 2014 and February 2015.

Perceptions and practice of epidural analgesia among women attending antenatal clinic in FETHA.

Background: The pain of childbirth is arguably the most severe pain that most women will endure in their lifetime. Epidural analgesia is widely used as an effective method of pain relief in labor. It provides almost complete relief of pain if administered timely, and does not affect the progress of the first stage labor.

Pentazocine Alone Versus Pentazocine Plus Diclofenac for Pain Relief in the First 24 Hours after Caesarean Section: A Randomized Controlled Study.

Introduction: Postoperative pain is one of the main postoperative adverse outcomes following caesarean section. Its management still remains a challenge especially in a low resource setting.

Aim: To compare the efficacy of intramuscular pentazocine alone and combined intramuscular pentazocine with diclofenac for pain relief within 24 hours after caesarean section.

Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Healthcare Managers to Medical Waste Management and Occupational Safety Practices: Findings from Southeast Nigeria.

Introduction: Awareness of appropriate waste management procedures and occupational safety measures is fundamental to achieving a safe work environment, and ensuring patient and staff safety.

Aim: This study was conducted to assess the attitude of healthcare managers to medical waste management and occupational safety practices.

Materials And Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted among 54 hospital administrators in Ebonyi state.

Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome: An incidental diagnostic finding in an infertility workup.

A case of Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome in a 32-year-old para 1+1 is reported. She presented with inability to conceive of 4 years duration. Her husband's semen analysis was within normal range.

Obstetric morbidity and socio-cultural predictors of ruptured uterus among women in Southeast Nigeria.

This study determined the incidence, obstetric morbidity and the socio-cultural factors associated with ruptured uterus. A 6-year prospective review of ruptured uterus and an enquiry into socio-cultural barriers to specialised care was conducted. The incidence of ruptured uterus was 12 per 1000 deliveries.

Obstetric benefits of health insurance: A comparative analysis of obstetric indices and outcome of enrollees and non-enrollees in southeast Nigeria.

This study determined the obstetric benefits and compared the obstetric indices and pregnancy outcome of enrollees and non-enrollees of the national health insurance scheme (NHIS). A prospective cohort study of enrollees and non-enrollees of NHIS was conducted over 2 years. Data was analysed with Epi-info statistical software.

Contraceptive prevalence and preference in a cohort of south-east Nigerian women.

Background: Rates of fertility, population growth, and maternal deaths in Nigeria are among the highest in the world, with an estimated 4% of all births being unwanted and 7% mistimed. These are caused mainly by nonuse, inappropriate choice, and difficulty in accessing contraceptive commodities. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and factors influencing the choice and sources of contraceptive options among market women in Ebonyi State, Nigeria.

Evaluation of clinical breast examination and breast ultrasonography among pregnant women in Abakaliki, Nigeria.

Background: Breast cancer in pregnancy accounts for 2%-3% of all breast cancers. The increased vascularity and lymphatic drainage from the breast during pregnancy potentiate the metastatic spread of the cancer to the regional lymph nodes. However, the increased breast density in pregnancy makes it difficult to detect breast lesions early.

Seroprevalence of human T-cell lymphoma/leukemia virus type-1 (HTLV-1) antibodies among blood donors at Enugu, Nigeria.

Background: Human T-cell lymphotrophic/leukemia virus (HTLV-1) is a retrovirus implicated in transfusion-transmitted infection.

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of HTLV-1 antibodies among blood donors at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, Eastern Nigeria.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out on consented participants over 4 months.

The preference and practice of Nigerian obstetricians regarding focused versus standard models of prenatal care.

Objective: To determine preferences, practices, and acceptance of focused versus standard prenatal-care models among Nigerian obstetricians.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was performed among clinicians who attended a conference held in Lagos, Nigeria, between November 27 and 29, 2013. The questionnaire assessed sociodemographic characteristics and opinions on prenatal care.

Perception of assent in biomedical research among medical specialists and trainees in Abakaliki, Nigeria.

Background: Assent is the child's affirmative agreement to participate in research. Consent from parents and assent from children are required in research involving children.

Objective: To determine the knowledge, perception, and level of practice of assent in children among medical specialists and trainees in research work as well as the level of ethical norms observed during research.

Correlates of poor perinatal outcomes in non-hospital births in the context of weak health system: the Nigerian experience.

Background: Nigeria's high perinatal mortality rate (PNMR) could be most effectively reduced by targeting factors that are associated with increased newborn deaths. Low access to skilled birth attendants (SBAs) and weak health system are recognized factors associated with high PNMR but other socio-demographic and reproductive factors could have significant influences as well. Identification of the major factors associated with high PNMR would be required in designing interventions to improve perinatal outcomes.

Seroprevalence and correlates of human T-cell lymphoma/leukemia virus type 1 antibodies among pregnant women at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, Nigeria.

Background: Human T-cell lymphoma/leukemia virus (HTLV)-1 is a retrovirus transmitted vertically from mother to child parenterally and sexually by infected lymphocytes.

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of HTLV-1 antibodies and associated risk factors for HTLV-1 infection among pregnant women in University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, southeast Nigeria.

Materials And Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out from July to October 2010.

Determinants of decision-to-intervention time in the management and therapeutic outcome of emergency gynecological surgeries in south east Nigeria.

Background: Prompt and timely response in the management of gynecological surgical cases can significantly affect the therapeutic surgical outcome of patients in emergency situations. The aim of this study was to evaluate the decision-to-intervention time (DIT), its determinants, and the significance in the therapeutic outcome of emergency gynecological surgeries managed at a federal teaching hospital in south east Nigeria over an 18-month period.

Methods: This was a prospective descriptive study of 105 emergency gynecological cases managed at a federal teaching hospital over an 18-month period.

Outcomes of asymptomatic malaria parasitaemia in neonates in a tertiary hospital, southeast Nigeria.

Background: Malaria infestation during pregnancy is mostly asymptomatic and untreated especially in unbooked pregnancies. It presents with almost all the fetal complications of overt malaria in pregnancy. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of asymptomatic malaria parasitaemia on the neonates of unbooked parturients delivered at term at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki.