International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology

International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology ISSN 2736-1594, Vol. 13 (3), pp. 001-006, March, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Examining Awareness and Challenges in Accessing Maternal Health Care Services Among Reproductive Women in Amassoma Community, Bayelsa State

Onasoga A. Olayinka¹*, Osaji Teresa Achi¹, Alade O. Amos¹ and Egbuniwe Michel Chiedu²

¹Faculty of Nursing, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State, Nigeria.
²Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Anambra State, Nigeria.

Accepted 19 November, 2024

Abstract

Nigeria is on the verge of not meeting the fifth millennium development goals of improving maternal health due to a high maternal mortality rate which is estimated to be 630 women per 100,000 live births and lack of utilization of maternal health care services is a major contributing factor. Hence, the study was designed to explore awareness and barriers to the utilization of maternal health care services among reproductive women (15 to 45 years) in Amassoma community, Bayelsa State, Nigeria. The study population consists of women of reproductive age (15 to 45 years). A purposive sampling technique was used to select the sample size of 192. Data were collected using a questionnaire and descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data generated. The study revealed that the majority of the respondents [182 (94.8%)] have heard of maternal health services but only few actually knew the main services rendered at maternal health care services. Regression coefficient showed significant association between educational status and utilization of maternal health care services (MHCS) among the respondents (beta = 0.47, p = 0.000); parity and utilization of MHCS (beta = - 0.14, p = 0.016); and age and utilization of MHCS (beta = -0.19, p = 0.001). The major variables associated with barriers to utilization of maternal health services among respondents were poor knowledge of the existing services, previous bad obstetric history; attitude of the health care provider, availability, accessibility and husband's acceptance of the maternal healthcare services. It is recommended that Government should subsidize maternal health services in order to make it affordable, acceptable and available to women. Also nurses should encourage women of reproductive age to utilize maternal health by providing a welcoming and supportive attitude at all contacts.

Key words: Awareness, barrier, utilization, maternal health care services, reproductive age, women.

International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology ISSN 2736-1594, Vol. 13 (3), pp. 001-010, March, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Premarital Childbearing Trends Among Unmarried Young Women in Sub-Saharan Africa: Findings from Demographic Health Surveys

M. E. Palamuleni¹ and A. S. Adebowale^1,2

¹Population Training and Research Unit, North- West University, Mafikeng, South Africa. ²Department of Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Faculty of Public Health, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan.

Received 17 September, 2024; Accepted 12 January, 2025

Abstract

Premarital childbearing (PC) among young women remains a problem in Africa. Victims are often stigmatized, neglected and their socio-economic advancement in life is compromised. There is dearth of information on patterns of PC among unmarried female youths (UFY) in sub-Saharan Africa. The objectives of the study are to explore the patterns and differentials in the levels of PC in sub-Saharan Africa. It also identifies the factors that might account for high cases of PC in the region. The study used DHS dataset for Nigeria, Senegal, Rwanda, Malawi, Congo DR and Namibia. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were used to examine association between the socioeconomic factors and PC among UFY (15 to 24 years). The prevalence of PC was found to be highest in Namibia (25.5%) and least in Nigeria (4.8%). PC was more prominent among women with no formal education in Namibia (54.4%), Rwanda (16.5%) and Congo DR (7.9%). In Malawi, 4.5 and 78.0% of UFY had their first birth at ages 10 to 14 and 15 to 19 years respectively. Residing in urban areas in Nigeria (OR=0.37; CI=0.28 to 0.50) and Congo DR (OR=0.66; CI=0.45 to 0.98) reduces the risk of PC. The odd of PC reduces as the level of wealth quintile increases in Nigeria, Rwanda and Namibia. The identified determinants of PC included never use of contraceptive, Christianity, Islam and early sexual initiation. The study thus revealed premarital childbearing is still a problem in sub-Saharan Africa and the hardest hit country is Namibia and women with no formal education. Strategies aimed at reducing PC among UFY in this region should include improvement in female education.

Key words: Premarital childbearing, unmarried female youths, premarital sex.
 

International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology ISSN 2736-1594, Vol. 13 (3), pp. 001-002, March, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Case Report

Case Report: Pregnancy After Endometrial Ablation Leading to Subtotal Hysterectomy Under Spinal Anesthesia

Menelik Lee* and Nicholas Kenney

Obstetrics and Gynaecology, St Mary’s Hospital, Isle of Wight, UK.

Accepted 19 January, 2025

Abstract

A 44-year-old woman presented in her second pregnancy following a cavaterm balloon endometrial ablation three years earlier. Antenatal scans showed a fibroid measuring 11 × 7.5 × 8.2 cm in the lower segment. The placenta was fundal positioned and the baby’s growth was normal. At 32 weeks, a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan excluded placenta percreta but was unable to exclude placenta accreta. At 37 weeks, she was in labour with a transverse presentation. The baby was born with good apgars and weighed 2970 g. The fibroid was removed. She recovered well and histology described a leiomyoma and myometrial hyperplasia. There was no evidence of placenta accreta.

Key words: Pregnancy, endometrial ablation, antenatal scans, fibroid.
 

International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology ISSN 2736-1594, Vol. 13 (3), pp. 001-008, March, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Understanding the Lactational Amenorrhea Method: Awareness, Knowledge, and Practices Among Breastfeeding Mothers with Unintended Pregnancies

Chris E. Ekpenyong¹*, Nyebuk E. Daniel¹, Anthony Fidelis Uwah², Ette Okon Ettebong³ and John O. Ibu⁴

¹Department of Physiology, College of Health Science, University of Uyo, AkwaIbom State, Nigeria.
²Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Uyo, Uyo, AkwaIbom State, Nigeria.
³Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Uyo, AkwaIbom State, Nigeria.
⁴Department of Physiology, College of Health Sciences, Benue State University, Benue State, Nigeria.

Accepted 19 December, 2024

Abstract

This study assessed the awareness, knowledge and practice of lactational amenorrhoea method (LAM) of post partum contraception among breast feeding mothers of 18 to 40 years of age with unintended pregnancies. It was a cross-sectional, multicenter survey of seventy one breast feeding mothers with unintended pregnancies who visited these health centers for antenatal care within the study period. These women had been on LAM as the only post partum contraception before onset of pregnancy. A two section, semi-structured, self administered questionnaires were used to survey the participants. The incidence of unintended pregnancy was 14.3% among LAM users. There was a high level of awareness, but poor knowledge and practice among users. Lactating pregnant women who properly implemented only one component had more than 4 times odds for unintended pregnancy (odd ratio (OR)=4.12, confidence interval (CI)=3.21 to 4.72, P=0.04), those who implemented two components had about 3 times odds for unintended pregnancy (OR=2.82, 95%CI=2.54 to 2.94, P=0.01), while those who did not implement any of the three components had more than 7 times odds for unintended pregnancy (OR=7.52, 95%CI=7.23 to 7.94, P=0.001). High incidence of unintended pregnancy observed in this study was associated with poor knowledge and aberrant-practice of LAM by breast feeding mothers. Therefore, improving women knowledge (especially breast feeding mothers) on the proper guidelines of LAM could be of a great help in reducing high incidence of unintended pregnancy among LAM users.

Key words: Knowledge, practice, lactational amenorrhoea method (LAM), unintended pregnancy.
 

International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology ISSN 2736-1594, Vol. 13 (2), pp. 001-004, February, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

The Effect of Omega-3 Supplements on Preventing Preeclampsia Among High-Risk Women: An Evaluation Study

Fatemeh Lalooha¹, Talaat Dabbaghi Ghaleh¹, Hamideh Pakniiat¹, Fatemeh Ranjkesh², Toba gholshahi² and Omid Mashrabi³*

¹Faculty of Medicine, Ghazvin University of Medical Sciences, Ghazvin, Iran.

²Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Ghazvin University of Medical Sciences, Ghazvin, Iran.

³Women's Reproductive Health Research Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.

Accepted 10 August, 2024

Abstract

Identification of proactive preeclamptic factors in pregnant women, as one of the three maternal and neonatal mortality factors, is of special importance. Omega-3 is a polyunsaturated fatty acid that may reduce blood pressure and brain and heart attacks affecting the production of prostaglandins and reducing unwanted fat, vasodilatation and platelet adhesion. This study was designed and implemented to clinically evaluate the effect of omega-3 supplements in preventing preeclampsia among high risk women of Qazvin city. In a double-blinded clinical trial, 100 high risk preeclamptic women were selected by target-based sampling from among pregnant women referred to health centers in Qazvin city, and voluntarily enrolled into the study. Then, samples were randomly divided into two treatment groups with omega-3 supplementation and placebo, respectively. The population was monitored until termination of pregnancy and childbirth, and post-delivery information was collected and statistically analyzed. Incidence and severity of preeclampsia among the mothers receiving omega-3 supplement 1 g daily during pregnancy was significantly less than that in the control group (p = 0.015). The outcome of pregnancy, including birth time zone and minute 5 Apgar score of neonates in omega-3 group were significantly greater than in the control group. Mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure in omega-3 group was significantly less than that in the control group. Using Omega-3 supplement is effective in reducing incidence of preeclampsia and its severity. It is also effective on improving pregnancy outcome, including birth weight and neonatal minute 5 Apgar score. Therefore, development of nutritional education programs for pregnant women seems to be necessary.

Key words: High-risk pregnancy, preeclampsia, omega-3.
 

International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology ISSN 2736-1594, Vol. 13 (2), pp. 001-008, February, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Exploring the Mother-Infant Connection: Evaluating Feelings Through Interviews with First-Time Mothers Three Days After Birth

Thorstensson, Stina^1,2, Hertfelt Wahn, Elisabeth¹, Ekström, Anette¹, and Langius-Eklöf, Ann ^2,3

¹School of Life Sciences, University of Skövde, Skövde, Sweden.
²School of Health and Medical Sciences, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden.
³Department of Neurology, Care Sciences and Society, Division of Nursing, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.

Accepted 5 December, 2024

Abstract

Mothers’ perception of their relationship with their baby might affect sensitive parenting. This study aimed to explore first time mothers’ feelings for and their relation to the baby associated with how they responded to the “mother to infant relation and feelings (MIRF) scale” as a step in the validation process of the scale. Interviews with ten first-time mothers, three days after birth, were performed, using open questions followed by questions directly from the MIRF scale items. An inductive and deductive approach inspired by the “Think aloud” method guided the study. Results describe main category; New mothers bewilderment and anticipation which contained four categories; Natural and great but mixed, Maternal instinct and kinship, Ability and expectations and Not yet for real. When mothers responded to MIRF scale items they describe talking to their baby which they did not in their open answers. Answering the MIRF scale helped mothers in differentiating between their own mixed feelings of becoming mothers and their relation to and feelings for the baby. The MIRF scale appears valid in reflecting important aspects of mothers’ feelings for and relation to their baby. The MIRF scale could be used in research and when evaluating care routines as well as in dialogue with new mothers to support mother-to-infant interactions.

Key words: Maternal feeling assessment, becoming a mother, motherhood, childbirth, professional support, validity.