Background: Infection with hepatitis B (HBV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are global public health problems. These infections during pregnancy increase the risk of maternal morbidity and mortality, and also pose a risk to the fetus due to mother to child transmission. Objective: To determine the prevalence of seropositive HIV and HBsAg cases amongst pregnant women at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH). Methodology: A retrospective review of hospital and laboratory records of all pregnant women booked at RSUTH in two years, from May 2017 to April 2019, was carried out. Data on patients’ age, parity and educational level and reactivity of HIV and HBsAg test at booking were retrieved using structured proforma and analyzed using Epi Info Version 7. Test for significance using Chi-square was set at a significant level of P<0.05. Results: 3560 patients had HIV and HBsAg screening out of which 148 (4.2%) and 9 (0.3%) respectively were positive. The comorbidity rate in this study was 0.06%. The mean age was 31.5±4.7 years and the mean gestational age at booking was 22.1±6.8 weeks. There was no significant relationship between their age (χ2 = 2.690, p-value=0.442) and parity (χ2 = 3.759, p-value = 0.145) with HIV seropositivity, but these were significant for HBsAg (χ2 = 13.691, p-value = 0.003) (χ2 = 13.121, p-value=0.001).  Educational status was significant for HIV (χ2 = 16.188, p-value=0.000) but not for HBsAg (χ2 = 0.229, p-value=0.892). Conclusion: The seroprevalence rate of HIV and HBsAg in this study were low. HIV seroprevalence was significantly affected by lower education, while HBsAg seroprevalence was significantly affected by younger maternal age and nulliparity. Continued screening of pregnant women for these infections remains valuable and further community-based studies to identify risk factors are recommended.

Background: Caesarean section commonly causes moderate to severe pain in the first 24 hours after surgery with associated discomfort, delayed ambulation, difficulty initiating breastfeeding and prolonged hospital stay. Receiving adequate analgesia after caesarean section is very important for the patient’s comfort, overall wellbeing and recovery. Objective: To compare the efficacy, time to rescue-analgesia and side effects of single agent rectal diclofenac versus its combination with intramuscular pentazocine for pain management after caesarean section in Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH). Methodology: A randomized double-blind clinical trial was carried out at the RSUTH. A total of 120 patients scheduled for either elective or emergency caesarean section were recruited. Group ‘A’ received rectal diclofenac 100 mg and intramuscular placebo (unimodal group) while group ‘B’ received rectal diclofenac 100mg and intramuscular pentazocine 30 mg (multimodal group). Socio-demographic information was collected via structured proforma, while Visual Analog Scale (VAS) was used to assess the level of pain. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20 and statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: The mean ages of respondents in unimodal and multimodal groups were 31.7 ± 4.3 years and 31.3 ± 5.2 years respectively. The difference in the median pain score and range was significant only at 8 hours between the groups, there was no significant difference before and after 8 hours. Although the mean time (in minutes) to first rescue-analgesia was shorter in the unimodal (147.5 ± 60.1) as compared to the multimodal group (170.0), this difference was not statistically significant. There was no side effect noticed in either of the two groups. Conclusion: The combined agents (diclofenac and pentazocine) had a superior analgesic effect to the single agent (diclofenac alone) when given as used in the study.

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a common cause of hyperglycaemia in pregnancy accounting for about 90% of all diabetic pregnancies. Women with GDM are at increased risk of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality which are preventable through early diagnosis and treatment. Objective: The aim was to determine the prevalence of GDM, compare the maternal and neonatal complications among GDM and non-GDM pregnant women, and the risk factors associated with GDM. Methodology: A prospective cohort study was carried out among 105 pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic of RSUTH between February and August 2017. They were interviewed using a pre-structured questionnaire that covered variables related to socio-demographic factors and family, medical, and social history. Fasting blood sugar (FBS) was done after an overnight fast. Women who had FBS less than 7 mmol/L had 75 g Oral Glucose Tolerant Test (OGTT) done. Those diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus were the exposed group while those negative for GDM were the non-exposed group. Both groups were followed up to delivery, and maternal and fetal outcomes were noted. Statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS version 20 and significance set at p < 0.05. Results: The prevalence of GDM was 10.5%. Positive history of GDM in previous pregnancy was the only independent risk factor (p=0.04, Adj OR: 26.89, 95% CI 2.86 to 252.61). GDM mothers had a significantly higher risk of developing pre-eclampsia (RR=7.48; 95% CI =3.36 to 16.63). Neonates of GDM mothers were at increased risk of fetal macrosomia (RR =9.00; 95% CI=1.36 to 59.4) and neonatal admissions (RR=8.00; C.I =1.19 to 53.67). Conclusion: The study revealed that the prevalence of GDM was high and that those with GDM were at increased risk of developing fetal and maternal complications. A history of GDM in previous pregnancy was an essential risk factor for subsequent GDM.

Background: Gynaecological malignancies continue to be an important public health problem globally and are among the leading causes of morbidity and cancer-related deaths worldwide. In developing countries there is poor awareness and late presentation, and specialized cancer treatment centers are few, necessitating the gynaecologists at the tertiary hospitals to render surgical care for some cancer patients. The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence, indications, and surgical outcome of hysterectomy for primary gynaecological malignancies and assess the associated factors.Methods: This was a retrospective review of hysterectomies performed between March 2015 and February 2021. Data were obtained from operating theater and gynaecological ward records. Information on age, parity, indication, length of surgery, blood loss and any blood transfusion, post-operative complication, and mortality, were extracted. Data were analyzed using Statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 20.Results: Of 1240 major gynaecological surgeries, 26 were hysterectomies for malignant conditions giving a prevalence of 2.1%. Commonest indication was Endometrial cancer 16 (61.5%), followed by cervical cancer 3 (11.5%) and ovarian malignancy 3 (11.5%). There was a significant relationship between age (p=0.027) with the indications for hysterectomy. Commonest complication was anaemia 6 (23.1%) and wound sepsis 5 (19.2%). Anaemia was significantly associated with duration of surgery (p=0.004) and estimated blood loss (p=0.005).Conclusions: The prevalence of 2.1% for a non-cancer center is a fair contribution to efforts at caring for cancer patients. All surgeries were simple TAH±BSO and more than half were done for endometrial cancer. Further training of cancer surgeons and establishment of a Cancer Centre in the State is needed.

Background: Despite many years of it being practiced, episiotomy has remained a controversial operation. The rate is on the decline in developed countries but remains high in developing countries. This study seeks to determine the prevalence of episiotomy and perineal tear, and to assess the associated factors, at the Rivers state university teaching hospital (RSUTH).Methods: A retrospective study over a two-year period, from 01 January 2018 to 31 December 2019, was carried out. All women who had singleton spontaneous vaginal deliveries (SVD) with episiotomy or perineal tear at the RSUTH with complete records were included, those with twin delivery and incomplete data were excluded. Data was retrieved from the birth registers and case notes using a proforma. Information on maternal age, parity, gestational age (GA), type of injury, birth weight, head circumference and Apgar scores were extracted. Data were analyzed using statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS) version 20.Results: There were 2150 vaginal deliveries, with 440 (20.5%) receiving episiotomy, while 21 (1.0%) had perineal tear. The mean age±standard deviation (SD) was 29.52±4.97 years, median parity was 1, and mean GA±SD was 37.35±1.71 weeks. The mean birth weight±SD was 3.33±0.52 kg and mean head circumference±SD was 34.76±1.90 cm. There was significant association between maternal parity and fetal birth weight with the occurrence of episiotomy and perineal tears.Conclusions: The rate of episiotomy and perineal tear was higher than recommended, with an increasing trend. The lower the parity and the higher the fetal birth weight, the likelihood to receive an episiotomy. More efforts are needed to reduce the rate.