Women under 16 years of age were at an increased risk of being raped, possibly because they are defenseless and vulnerable. Three quarters (3/4) of the assailants had some form of relationship with the victims, which may account for the delays in reporting. Children and young adolescents were more at risk than adults to be raped.

The adolescent maternal mortality ratio is high in Jos, north-central Nigeria. The main causes of maternal deaths among the adolescents were unsafe abortion, eclampsia and sepsis. The Hausa/Fulani ethnic group constituted the largest ethnic group of adolescent maternal deaths in our study. The risk factors for adolescent maternal mortality found in our study were illiteracy, non-utilisation of antenatal services and Hausa/Fulani ethnic group.

The stillbirth rate in our centre is high, major causes being abruptio placenta and maternal medical conditions. Maternal HIV infection has emerged as a major contributor to stillbirths in this study.

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Background: Postpartum contraception reduces the risk of unintended and rapid repeat pregnancies. A comprehensive postpartum family planning (PPFP) service can enable women make adequate and informed choices on a preferred contraceptive method, initiating a method as well as encouraging them to use that method for a period depending on their reproductive intentions.Methods: This study aimed to determine women’s intention regarding uptake of postpartum family planning, the preferred methods and the factors associated with uptake. We conducted a cross-sectional study among women attending antenatal and postnatal clinics at the Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Nigeria using structured questionnaires. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi square test of comparison.Results: Four hundred and five women participated in the study. The mean age of the respondents was 28.4+5.3 years. The previous contraceptive usage was 39.8%. A total of 262 (64%) women intend to use a method of postpartum contraception. The most preferred intended postpartum contraceptive was subdermal implant (19.2%) followed by injectables (18.4%) and intrauterine contraceptive device (14.7%). Reasons cited for nonuse of postpartum contraception include spousal refusal, effect on fertility, desire for further child bearing, religious beliefs.Conclusions: Counselling on postpartum contraception during the antenatal and postnatal period can help women make informed choices among the wide range of available contraception.

Background:Contraceptive implants (including Jadelle) are highly effective, safe, and easy to use and have a long duration of action. They do not interfere with intercourse with immediate return to fertility after removal. However, disruption of the menstrual bleeding pattern is almost inevitable and coercive prescription may be a problem because insertion and removal of implants are provider dependent. The objective of this study was to determine the sociodemographic profiles of acceptors of Jadelle and the reasons for discontinuation in Jos, Nigeria.Materials and Methods:This was a 6-year retrospective chart review carried out at the Jos University Teaching Hospital.Results:About 1401 women accepted Jadelle with a mean (±standard deviation) of 33.4 ± 5.9 years. About 88% of the women were Christians and almost three-quarters (73.5%) had at least secondary school education. The means of parity and number of children still alive at the time of accepting Jadelle were 4.1 and 3.8, respectively. Half of the women (49.5%) were breastfeeding and over half (55.9%) had future fertility desires at the time of commencing Jadelle. About 82% had previously used other contraceptives (mostly short-acting methods such as injectables, pills, and condoms), with only 18% starting Jadelle as the first-ever contraceptive method. About 90% of the women had regular menstrual cycles. The major reason for discontinuation of Jadelle was desire for pregnancy although menstrual pattern disruption was the most common reason for removal in the first 6 months of use.Conclusion:The main reason for discontinuation of Jadelle was to have more children although menstrual pattern disruptions accounted for earlier discontinuation.

There were 297 unbooked patients constituting 2% of all deliveries in the Jos Teaching Hospital. Mean age and parity were 26.7 +/- 6.8 years and 3.7 +/- 3.0, respectively. Non-literate women accounted for 36.9%, secondary education 26.2% and tertiary education 3.8%. Housewives constituted 81.2% of the mothers. The majority (93%) were married, while 21 (7.1%) were unmarried. Maternal morbidity included pre-term labour (40.1%), intrauterine fetal death (9.1%), abruptio placenta (4.2%) and ante-partum eclampsia (2.8%). Vaginal delivery occurred in 246 (82.8%) and caesarean section in 45 (15.1%). There were five maternal deaths and all died undelivered. There were 78 perinatal deaths (260/1,000 births), and over 65% were due to low birth weight and prematurity. Mean birth weight was 2.5 +/- 0.8 kg and 38.3% were of low birth weight. Unbooked patients remain significant obstetric pathologies in our maternity unit. Community health education is needed to reduce the number of unbooked patients and the associated pathologies.