The Case for Early and Universal Screening for Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: Findings from 9314 Pregnant Women in a Major City in Nigeria.

Introduction: Risk-based screening has been replaced by universal screening as the recommended course of care for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). As of 2016, no state in Nigeria had implemented a policy of universal screening for GDM. This research aimed to assess findings from a universal screening programme and its implication for scaling up universal and early screening for GDM.

Effectiveness of Glycated Haemoglobin in the Diagnosis of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus among Pregnant Women in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

Background: Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) is a common metabolic complication in pregnancy with a broad range of adverse foetal and maternal outcomes if not properly managed. Due to the difficult nature of the Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), the utilization of the Glycatedhaemoglobin (HbA1c) test as a simpler and acceptable alternative has been suggested. The aims were to determine the GDM prevalence, the diagnostic accuracy, the optimal cut-off point and the validity of the HbA1c in diagnosing GDM using OGTT as the gold standard in the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH).

COVID-19 and Pregnancy: A Prospective Descriptive Study from a Tertiary Hospital in Nigeria.

Background: It is known that pregnant women are more susceptible to viral infectious diseases, with an attendant risk of adverse foetal and maternal outcomes. The objective of this descriptive study is to evaluate the epidemiologic and clinical pattern, as well as the obstetric and COVID-19 outcome among pregnant women seen at a tertiary hospital in Southern, Nigeria.

Methods: This was a descriptive prospective study of all pregnant women seen and diagnosed with COVID-19 based on positive RT-PCR for SARS-COV-2, at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria from March 2020 to August 2020.

Ruptured ectopic pregnancy: the long and tortuous journey to the theatre.

Ectopic pregnancy is a common gynaecological emergency in Nigeria, West Africa. Here we present a case that brings to light some of the problems facing the health sector in reducing the high maternal mortality rate.

Sonographic evaluation of the splenic length in normal pregnancy in a tertiary hospital in southern Nigeria: a pilot study.

Background: The spleen is affected by the changes that occur in pregnancy. Ultrasound is the commonest imaging modality used in the evaluation of the abdominal organs in pregnancy; however, there is a paucity of information on the sonographic measurement of the splenic length in normal pregnancy in our environment.

Aim: To establish sonographically the range of splenic length in normal pregnant women.

Low birthweight delivery: prevalence and associated factors as seen at a tertiary health facility.

Background: Low birth weight deliveries are major causes of a huge health burden on poor economies around the globe. It is even more worrisome in developing countries.

Materials And Methods: The obstetric records of all low birth weight (LBW) deliveries were reviewed from 1 st June 2005 to 30 th May 2009.

Fetal outcome of antepartum and intrapartum eclampsia in Aba, southeastern Nigeria.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the fetal outcome of antepartum and intrapartum eclampsia. All cases of antepartum and intrapartum eclampsia managed at the Abia State University Teaching Hospital, Aba, Nigeria, between 1 January 2002 and 31 December 2007 were retrospectively analysed. Of the women who were delivered in our hospital over the period studied, 0.

Public awareness of testicular cancer and testicular self-examination in academic environments: a lost opportunity.

Background: Although testicular cancer is the most common cancer among 18- to 50-year-old males, healthcare providers seldom teach testicular self-examination techniques to clients, thus potentially missing opportunities for early detection. This form of cancer is easily diagnosable by testicular self-examination and is 96% curable if detected early. Periodic self-examination must be performed for early detection.

Perinatal Mortality in Southern Nigeria; less than half a decade to the Millennium Developmental Goals.

Background: Perinatal mortality is one of the essential indicators of the health status of a country and by extension its state of development. Reduction in perinatal mortality rate is an important aspect of the MDGs.

Objectives: To determine the perinatal mortality rate (PMR) in 2 tertiary institutions in Southern Nigeria and the factors responsible for the deaths.

Microalbuminuria in children with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

Background: Microalbuminuria is an early manifestation of HIV associated nephropathy (HIVAN). This study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors for microalbuminuria in children with HIV infection in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

Methods: Urine specimen of 50 children with HIV infection seen over a 4 months period (October 2007-February 2008) was assayed for albumin and creatinine to determine urinary albumin to creatinine ratio (ACR).

Urethral prolapse in a woman in her reproductive age--a very rare occurrence.

Background: Urethral prolapse is a rare condition occurring in prepubertal girls and postmenopausal women. Even most rare is that occurring in the reproductive age grade.

Method: A report of a woman in her reproductive age who presented in the gynaecology clinic of a private hospital is presented together with a brief review of the literature.

Urethral prolapse: a retrospective analysis of hospitalized cases in Port Harcourt.

Background: Urethral prolapse is a disease of the prepubertal girls and postmenopausal women. It is rare and seen in most cases as a circular protrusion of the distal urethra through the external meatus.

Method: A retrospective study of cases managed in University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) between January 1989 and December 2000 were analysed.

Abdominal massage: another cause of maternal mortality.

Background: Abdominal massage is an age long practice among obstetric and non obstetric patients in different parts of the riverine areas of Southern Nigeria.

Aim: To highlight the consequences associated with this practice in pregnancy and labour even among literate clients.

Methods: Two hundred and eighty four pregnant women who presented as obstetric emergencies in pregnancy and labour at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital from 1st May 1988 to 31st July 1998 were studied.

Prevalence and medicalization of female genital mutilation.

Background: Most traditional practices in Africa, sustained and fuelled by underdevelopment, ignorance, illiteracy, poverty and tenacious customs, have been on the decline except for female genital mutilation (FGM).

Aim: To ascertain the prevalence and operators of female genital mutilation (FGM).

Method: A cross sectional study was carried out in a semi-urban town in Rivers State of Nigeria between January and April 1988, utilizing structured questionnaires which were randomly distributed.

Genital prolapse in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

Background: Damage to the genitourinary supports from repeated pregnancies and labour is the most important predisposing aetiological factor in genital prolapse, a chronic gynaecological disorder that causes distressing morbidity (stress urinary incontinence, micturitional difficulties and problems of defecation).

Objective: To determine the pattern of presentation and management of genital prolapse at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, and compare with experience elsewhere.

Methods: Retrospective review of all cases of genital prolapse admitted and operated upon during the period January 1990 to December 1999.