ISSN 2736-1756
Advanced Journal of Microbiology Research Vol. 2003
Available online at http://internationalscholarsjournals.org/journal/ajmr
© 2003 International Scholars Journals
Short Communication
Rhesus negative pregnant women in a traditional birth home in Abeokuta, Nigeria
Idowu, O.A.1*, Mafiana, C.F. 1 and Sotiloye, Dapo2
1Department of Biological Sciences, University of Agriculture,Abeokuta, Nigeria
2Department of Obstetrics and Gyneacology Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta, Nigeria.
Accepted 23 July 2003
Abstract
In a survey of 200 pregnant women (mean age 24 years) attending a traditional birth home (TBH) in Abeokuta, Nigeria, 19 (9.5%) were found to be rhesus negative, 8 (42.1%) of which were primigravidae while 11 (57.9%) were multigravidae. 87.5% of the Rhesus negative primigravidae delivered at the TBH without being given the post partum injection of anti-D-gama globulin within 72 h of delivery, thereby having their systems likely sensitized (if baby is rhesus positive) against subsequent pregnancies involving Rhesus positive fetuses. Of the multigravidae involved in this study 27.3% women delivered live babies at the traditional birth home while the remaining 72.7% women were not seen again at the TBH. One woman who has had an induced abortion and was carrying a second pregnancy lost the pregnancy in the course of this study. The knowledge of these women (who were mostly without formal education) on their haematological status is nil. The need to educate the public, especially women patronizing TBH, on the rhesus problem is recommended.
Key words: Pregnancy, Rhesus factor, traditional birth home.