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Hypertensive disorders in pregnancy (HDPs) are a leading cause of maternal morbidity and mortality. Available guidelines for their postpartum management are expected to be optimally utilized. This study aimed to determine adherence to guidelines in selected Nigerian tertiary hospitals. It was nested in a cohort of women with HDPs who delivered in eight facilities between October 2017 and June 2018. Nine weeks after delivery, their cases were evaluated on prespecified indicators and supplemented with interviews. The level of adherence to the guidelines was determined using descriptive analyses, including frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations, as well as charts. Of the 366 participants, 33 (9%), 75 (20%), 200 (55%), and 58 (16%) had chronic hypertension, gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, and eclampsia, respectively. Only about a third had their blood pressure measured between postpartum days three and five. Similarly, a third of those with persistent hypertension (≥140/90 mmHg) were not on antihypertensive medications within the first week postpartum. In addition, 37% and 42% of participants were not counseled on contraceptives and early subsequent antenatal visits, respectively. Among those with preeclampsia/eclampsia, 93% were not offered postpartum screening for thromboprophylaxis. Although all women with preeclampsia/eclampsia remained hypertensive two weeks after discharge, only 24% had medical reviews. Overall, only 58% and 44% of indicators were adhered to among all HDPs and preeclampsia/eclampsia-specific indicators, respectively. Level of adherence to guidelines on postpartum management of HDPs in Nigerian tertiary hospitals is poor. It is recommended that institutionalization of guidelines be prioritized and linked to the entire continuum from preconception through longer term postpartum care.

INTRODUCTION: myths about sex during pregnancy harming fetus and leading to preterm labor or miscarriage are very strong factors releasing fear and leading to avoidance of sexual contact during gestation. We therefore evaluated the attitude, sexual experiences and changes in sexual function during pregnancy. METHODDS: a cross-sectional study was conducted among 170 pregnant women who were selected using systematic sampling. Data were collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Data was analysed using IBM SPSS® version 22.0. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square test and Cochran’s Q-test were estimated. RESULTS: the mean age of respondents was 27.2 ± 6.2 years. Most of the respondents, 107 (62.7%) had formal education. One-fifth of the respondents, 34 (20.2%) have been married for over 10 years. More than half of them were multiparous, 112 (68.3%) and in the third trimester of pregnancy, 99 (59.6%). Majority of the respondents, 153 (87.9%) thought coitus was safe in pregnancy. More than half 89 (58.2%) had coitus at least thrice a week before pregnancy and 98.8% have engaged in sexual activities during pregnancy. Most of the respondents, 105 (61.1%) enjoyed coitus during pregnancy. The desire for coitus significantly reduced in the third trimester, p=0.001. CONCLUSION: sexual intercourse during pregnancy was universal and respondents engaged in sexual activities during different stages of pregnancy. Although sexual frequency declined in pregnancy compared to pre-pregnancy period, most of the respondents desired and enjoyed it. We recommend that couples are well educated to understand the normal fluctuations in sexual interest and practices during pregnancy.

Background: Preconception care is an interventions aim to identify and modify biomedical, behavioral and social risks to pregnancy through prevention and management, emphasizing factors that must be acted upon before conception or in early pregnancy to have maximal impact. Objective: The aim of the study is to assess awareness and perception of preconception care among women. Method: A cross-sectional study conducted at UDUTH Sokoto, Nigeria, from 5 February to 1 March, 2018. A total of 131 women were recruited by simple random sampling technique via the ante-natal care clinic, using semi-structured interviewer questionnaires. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 24 and the results were presented in tables and charts. A P value of

Background: Breech delivery is a major issue in obstetric practice mainly because of the high perinatal morbidity and mortality associated with it. The aims of the study are to determine the prevalence management and perinatal outcome of singleton breech deliveries in our center. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study involving 395 singleton breech deliveries out of 24,160 deliveries conducted at the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital Sokoto, Sokoto, over a 10-year (2001-2010) period. Results: The prevalence rate of singleton breech delivery was 1.7%. Breech deliveries occurred more in the primigravidae. Most babies (69.1%) had vaginal delivery. There was a high caesarean section (CS) rate of 30.9%. Babies delivered by CS had better Apgar scores than those delivered through the vagina (P < 0.05). The perinatal mortality rate in breech deliveries (410/1000) was significantly higher than that (101.5/10000) in their cephalic counterparts (P < 0.05). Similarly, perinatal deaths were more common in unbooked than in booked patients (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Breech delivery was frequent in the study population. Singleton breech delivered by CS had better outcome than those who were delivered through the vagina.

INTRODUCTION: sexual violence is an important public health problem of growing concern all over the world. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence and pattern of sexual assault managed in Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital Sokoto, Nigeria. METHODS: it was a retrospective study that looked into cases of sexual assault admitted into the hospital between January 2010 and December 2014. Information on patients' biodata, and relevant details on the cases were extracted from the patients' case files and analyzed. RESULTS: out of the 5317 gynecological admissions during the period under study, 45 (0.84%) were cases of sexual assault. Of these, only 34 case files were available for data extraction. The patients' age ranged from 2 to 37 years (mean = 12.6 + 8.3). About two thirds (61.8%) of those affected were young children (aged 12 years and below). In majority of cases (70.6%) the assault was penetrative, and in most of the cases (91.2%) only a single assailant was involved. In close to two thirds of cases, the assailant was either an acquaintance (38.2%) or a family member (20.6%). Although law enforcement agents were informed in majority (58.8%) of cases, arrests were made in less than half (41.2%). CONCLUSION: although the prevalence of sexual assault in this study appears to be low, a major cause for concern is the fact that those affected were predominantly young children. Parents should be more vigilant in monitoring their children's movement, and stringent laws should be enacted and enforced to curb this heinous act.

Background: Hypertensive disorders in pregnancy (HDPs) are associated with lifelong cardiovascular disease risk. Persistent postpartum hypertension in HDPs could suggest progression to chronic hypertension. This phenomenon has not been well examined in low- and middle-income countries (LIMCs), and most previous follow-ups typically last for maximally six weeks postpartum. We assessed the prevalence of persistent hypertension up to one year in women with HDPs in a low resource setting and determined associated risk factors. Methodology: A prospective cohort study of women conducted at eight tertiary health care facilities in seven states of Nigeria. Four hundred and ten women with any HDP were enrolled within 24 hours of delivery and followed up at intervals until one year postpartum. Descriptive statistics were performed to express the participants' characteristics. Univariable and multivariable logistic regressions were conducted to identify associated risk factors. Results: Of the 410 women enrolled, 278 were followed up to one year after delivery (follow-up rate 68%). Among women diagnosed with gestational hypertension and pre-eclampsia/eclampsia, 22.3% (95% CI; 8.3-36.3) and 62.1% (95% CI; 52.5-71.9), respectively, had persistent hypertension at six months and this remained similar at one year 22.3% (95% CI; 5.6-54.4) and 61.2% (95% CI; 40.6-77.8). Maternal age and body mass index were significant risk factors for persistent hypertension at one year [aORs = 1.07/year (95% CI; 1.02-1.13) and 1.06/kg/m2 (95% CI; 1.01-1.10)], respectively. Conclusion: This study showed a substantial prevalence of persistent hypertension beyond puerperium. Health systems in LMICs need to be organized to anticipate and maintain postpartum monitoring until blood pressure is normalized, or women referred or discharged to family physicians as appropriate. In particular, attention should be given to women who are obese, and or of higher maternal age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]