African journal of reproductive health
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Afr J Reprod Health · Dec 2011
Risk factors for maternal deaths in unplanned obstetric admissions to the intensive care unit-lessons for sub-Saharan Africa.
This study was undertaken to determine the risk factors for maternal deaths in unplanned or unbooked obstetric admissions to the intensive care unit of a tertiary health centre. Hospital records of unbooked obstetric admissions to the intensive care unit of the hospital from January 1997 to December 2006 were retrospectively reviewed. Data collected included patients' demographics, diagnosis, duration of stay in the ICU and patient outcome. ⋯ There were 12 deaths (48%). Organ dysfunction on admission, massive blood loss and late presentation were the risk factors for mortality. The high maternal mortality was mainly due to limited supply of blood products and inadequate prenatal care resulting in disease severity.
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Within the past one and half decades many efforts have been made to improve the availability and access to adolescent sexual and reproductive health services. Despite these efforts, adolescents still face a number of sexual and reproductive health problems. This paper uses data from the 2003 and 2008 Ghana Demographic and Health Surveys to examine changes in contraceptive use among sexually active female adolescents (15-19 years old). ⋯ Also ever use of any traditional method recorded a higher increase as compared to any modem method. There was a slight decline 7% (4.4 parentage points) in the number of non-users who intended to use contraceptives in the future. On the whole the findings indicate increasing unmet need for modern contraception due to barriers such as limited access, cost and misconceptions about the effects of contraceptives.
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Afr J Reprod Health · Jun 2010
Case ReportsAnaesthetic challenges associated with achondroplasia: a case report.
We report the anaesthetic management of two achondroplastic patients who presented for emergency cesarean section. Regional anaesthesia could not be done in both cases as a result of technical difficulties and general anaesthesia was performed. ⋯ We discuss the anaesthetic implications and problems associated with regional and general anaesthesia in achondroplastic parturients. The controversies in the anesthetic management of these patients are also highlighted.
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A total of 8260 children between the ages of 6-59 months were analyzed to identify the risk factors associated with childhood anaemia in Ethiopia. The overall mean (SD/standard deviation) haemoglobin (Hgb) level among the under-five children was 10.7 (2.2) g/dl and 50.3% were anaemic. Childhood anaemia demonstrated an increasing trend with maternal anaemia levels of mild, moderate and severe anaemia: odds ratio of 1.82, 2.16 and 3.73 respectively (p< 0.01). ⋯ Childhood anaemia in Ethiopia is a severe public health problem. Maternal anaemia and socio-economic status were found to be associated with anaemia in children. A holistic approach of addressing mothers and children is of paramount importance.