Obstetric References in Disadvantaged Environments: Case of References to the University Hospital Center of Kara, in Northern Togo

Introduction: References are frequent and most often carried out in emergency situations. The objective of this study was to describe the epidemiological and clinical profile of obstetric referrals to the CHU-Kara. Methodology: This was a retrospective cross-sectional descriptive study conducted from September 1, 2022, to February 28, 2023, at CHU-Kara, focusing on obstetric referrals to the Gynecology-Obstetrics department. Result: 828 patients were referred for obstetric reasons out of 1295 admissions, representing a frequency of 63.9%. The average age was 25.04 years. They were primigravida (38.3%), unemployed (62.7%). Motorcycles were the main means of transportation, accounting for 53.1% of cases. The average distance to reach the referral center was 31.6 km, covered in an average of 71 minutes. In 40.7% of cases, patients had less than 4 prenatal consultations and were referred in peripartum (56.6%) for pre-eclampsia (14%), post-term pregnancy (11.8%), dystocia (10.5%). Eighty-six point nine percent (86.9%) of the referred patients were able to deliver during their stay in the department, of which 61.7% had vaginal deliveries. The maternal and perinatal mortality rates were 0.7% and 14.9%, respectively. Conclusion: Obstetric referrals to Kara University Hospital are frequent during the perpartum period and are often carried out by motorbike.

Placental Abruption Following Snakebites Envenomation: A Case Report and Literature Review

Background: Snakebite envenomation in pregnancy is uncommon. It can lead to a poor outcome in both the mother and the fetus. We describe our approach to envenomation in pregnancy based on the currently available evidence. Case: We reported two case of snakebite in the third trimester of pregnancy having caused placental abruption with expelling a fresh still born baby and a live baby. In both cases, consumption coagulopathy occurred. managed by polyvalent anti-snake and blood transfusion. Their investigations became normal and they were discharged of hospitalization. Conclusion: Snakebite envenomation in pregnant is a maternal and fetal emergency. Treatment must be quick and well adapted.

Cystic Degeneration of Uterine Leiomyoma Misdiagnosed as Ovarian Malignancy: A Case Report

Background: Massive cystic degeneration of the uterine myoma might mimic an ovarian tumor, especially a malignant ovarian tumor, causing misdiagnosis. We present a case of a woman with marked cystic degeneration of a uterine leiomyoma mimicking an ovarian neoplasm. Case: A 65-year-old woman (gravida 6, para 6) visited us due to an abdominal tumor. Clinical examination and radiology exploration suggested the presence of an ovarian tumour. The patient underwent a total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral adnexectomy. Histopathology confirmed a final diagnosis of a degenerated leiomyoma. The patient’s postoperative course was uneventful and she was discharged on her 5th post-operative day. Conclusions: When a patient has a huge abdomino-pelvic mass, mimicking an ovarian tumor, cystic degeneration of uterine myoma should be considered as a differential diagnosis.

Outcome of Pregnancies under Cupper Intrauterine Device: Experience of 10 Cases Collected at the Principal Clinic of the Togolese Association of Family Well-Being Planning Center (ATBEF)

Aims: Although the copper intrauterine device (Cu-IUD) is an effective contraceptive device, cases of pregnancy under the Cu-IUD have been reported. We here report 10 women who got pregnant under this condition, with special reference to etiologies and pregnancy outcomes. Methodology: We analyzed all women who got pregnant under Cu-IUD at ATBEF Main Clinic from July 1, 2015 to June 30, 2020. Results: We retrieved 10 patients. The durations of Cu-IUD use were 3 months to 6 years. The etiologies were poor insertion;migration and spontaneous expulsion. The occurrence of pregnancy was poorly accepted by the women: 20% of women considered it was due to the providers’ incompetence. Of the 10 pregnancies, 5 women had given vaginal birth spontaneously;2 induced abortions, 2 spontaneous abortions and 1 ectopic pregnancy. The contraceptive method adopted after pregnancy was jadelle implants in 8 cases and spousal vasectomy in 2 cases. Conclusion: The prevention of IUD pregnancies may require adequate insertion time, insertion technique and follow-up.

Treatment of Precancerous Lesions of the Cervix of the Uterus by Leep: Experience of the Principal Clinic of the Togolese Association of Family Well-Being Planning Center (ATBEF)

Objectives: Describe the socio-demographic characteristics, describe the main indications for LEEP and present the main complications. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional and descriptive study with consecutive recruitment of the study population through cervical cancer screening campaigns throughout the country during the period July 1, 2017 to April 30, 2019. Included were all patients eligible for LEEP and having benefited from this therapeutic method during our study period. Data were collected from a registry and recorded on a questionnaire developed for this study. These data were analyzed using Epi info 3.5.1 software. The following parameters were studied: patient age, indication for LEEP, intraoperative and postoperative complications, histological examination of the specimens, and postoperative surveillance and screening follow-up one year after LEEP. Results: During the study period, 12,595 women were screened for precancerous cervical lesions. A total of 474 women had precancerous lesions. Of these women, 227 had undergone loop resection, a rate of 47.9%. The main indications for LEEP were extensive lesions (68.7%), lesions penetrating the internal cervical os (12.8%). Incidents occurred in 7.5% of patients during the procedure. Post-operative complications occurred in 14.7% of cases. Conclusion: LEEP is a better way to treat precancerous lesions but is not well known by medical staff. The equipment of health facilities and the training of medical staff will make it possible to popularize the practice throughout the country. This extension will contribute to the fight against cervical cancer.

Knowledge, Attitudes of Pregnant Women and Practices of Women Who Have Recently Given Birth on Contraception in the Immediate Postpartum Period at Principal Clinic of the Togolese Association of Family Well-Being Planning Center (ATBEF)

Background: The use of modern contraceptive methods contributes to the reduction of maternal and neonatal mortality. The initiation of a contraceptive method in the immediate postpartum period is one of the strategies to avoid missing out on contraceptive opportunities. This strategy will reduce the unmet need for contraception which is still high in the country. Objective: To describe the knowledge and attitudes of pregnant women and the practices of women who have given birth about immediate postpartum contraception. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional and descriptive study conducted at the main clinic of ATBEF from 20th March to 20th October 2020. Our study included pregnant women whose gestational age was greater than or equal to 37 weeks of amenorrhea who came for prenatal consultation or for any other consultation and then gave birth in the center. Data collection was based on a survey form. Data analysis and entry was done with the Epi info 2000 version 6.04 software. The parameters studied were: socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge and attitudes of pregnant women about contraception in the immediate postpartum period, and contraceptive practices of the women who gave birth. Results: During the study period, 201 women were selected for the survey. The average age of the respondents was 26.2 years. They were nulliparous in 41.3% of cases. Our respondents had knowledge of modern contraceptive methods in 82.10% of cases. About 59.2% of the respondents had an unfavourable attitude towards the adoption of contraceptive methods in the immediate postpartum period. The main reason was adverse effects in 33.6%. Of the 82 women who had a favourable attitude, 29 women had adopted a contraceptive method after delivery, which corresponds to a rate of use of 14.4% of the respondents. The main reason for non-adoption of a contraceptive method after childbirth for those who had a favourable attitude was the opposition of the husband in 34%. Conclusion: Couple counselling during prenatal and postnatal care and intensified awareness raising on planning and ideal spacing of pregnancies for health will increase the number of contraceptive users in the immediate postpartum period.

Determinants of Home Birth in the Community of Dagbati in Togo

Introduction: Home birth or unassisted birth means for a woman to make the decision to give birth at home, not alone in absolute terms, but without professional assistance, be it that of a midwife, a doctor or any other person with midwifery qualifications. Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted from November 04th to December 21st, 2019 and from August 17th to August 21st, 2020, in the community of Dagbati, in 33 women who gave birth at home, received at the USP of Dagbati and during advanced strategies;who were registered or not in the delivery register of USP Dagbati and who agreed to participate in the survey freely and in an informed manner. Results: Of the 48 deliveries that took place in the locality during our study period, 33 took place at home, with a rate of 68.7%. The average age of the women giving birth was 26.33 years with extremes of 15 and 47 years. In 42.4% of cases, they were farmers. Twenty-seven women who gave birth had farmer spouses (81.9%). The distance between their house and the health center was greater than 2 km in 78.8% of cases. Among the reasons for giving birth at home, the lack of financial means was mentioned in 60.6%. In 63.6%, the family had assisted the women in giving birth. Conclusion: Home birth is still a reality in our communities, despite the increased number of health facilities. The sensitization of the population, the improvement of the conditions of accessibility to the health center, the quality of obstetric care, and also, the improvement of the living conditions of women will surely allow a total abandonment of home births.

Medical Interruption of Pregnancy in the Second Trimester at the Principal Clinic of the Togolese Association of Family Well-Being Planning Center (ATBEF): About 25 Cases

Introduction: Medical termination of pregnancy is a therapy that considerably reduces the number of obstetrical complications that can lead to maternal death and the number of births of children with diseases or malformations that are incompatible with life. Objective: To study the practice of medical termination of pregnancy at the Principal Clinic of the Togolese Association of Family Well-Being Planning Center (ATBEF). Methodology: This was a retrospective and descriptive study conducted at the Principal Clinic of the Togolese Association of Family Well-Being Planning Center (ATBEF) covering the period from May 1st, 2012 to April 30th, 2021, i.e. a period of 9 years. All patients who underwent a medical termination of pregnancy during the study period and whose term of pregnancy was <28 weeks of amenorrhea were included in this study. Information was collected on a survey sheet from the patients’ clinical records, admission and hospitalisation registers, referral forms and operative report registers. Data were entered and analyzed using Excel, World and epi-info 7.2.2. The main variables studied were hospital frequency, diagnostic means, main indications, means of evacuation and maternal prognosis. Result: 25 patients were identified and represented 0.5% of deliveries. Fetal, maternal and obstetric causes were the main indications for medical termination of pregnancy in respectively 28%, 20% and 52%. Obstetrical ultrasound was performed in 100% of patients. These ultrasounds allowed us to determine fetal vitality and to find some fetal malformations (28%) and some anomalies in the fetal appendages (48%). Clinical examination alone was used to diagnose 24% of indications. In 68% of cases, the clinical examination and ultrasound were used to establish the indication. The most commonly used evacuation technique was medication in 88% of cases. Caesarean section was chosen for urgent cases in 12%. Uterine haemorrhage and post-abortion endometritis were the main complications. Conclusion: Medical termination of pregnancy is a delicate subject requiring multidisciplinary management. This series has allowed us to highlight our singularities, and will allow us to improve the management of our patients, in the prevention of haemorrhage and other complications.

Cancers in the Elderly Seen in Anatomical Pathology Laboratory in Lomé, Togo

Background: The elderly cancers are worldwide a major public health issue. Their exact incidence is unknown in Togo. The purpose of this study was to describe epidemiological and histological data of cancers in the elderly in Togo. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional and descriptive study of cases of elderly cancers diagnosed at the laboratory of pathology of the university teaching hospital of Lomé from 1995 to 2014 (20 years). Cases of examination on samples of the elderly (biopsy, excision, surgical specimens) were collected from the data records of that laboratory. Results: Overall, 792/5200 cases of elderly cancer were collected representing 15.2% of all cancers diagnosed in the laboratory. The annual incidence was 39.6 cases. Patient age ranged from 65 to 103 years old, with a mean of 68.5 ± 4 years old. The sex ratio (M/F) was 1.3. At pathological level, the study material included pieces (n=290 cases;36.6%) and biopsies (n=502 cases;63.4%). Cancers located preferably in prostate in men (38%), and in women the most frequent locations were cervix (16.2%) and breast (15.8%). We noticed four histological groups: carcinomas (n = 706 cases;89.1%), sarcomas (n = 43 cases;5.5%), lymphoma (n = 34 cases;4.3%) and melanoma (n = 9 cases;1.1%). Carcinomas were dominated by adenocarcinomas (50.1%) and squamous cell carcinomas (33.8%);Kaposi’s sarcoma (32.6%) was the most common histological type in sarcomas. Conclusion: Our results showed that the elderly cancers were frequent in Togo, locating mostly in uterus cervix and breast in female, and prostate in men. This study could help to advocate the establishment of a cancer registry in Togo.

Methotrexate Treatment of Ectopic Pregnancy: Prognosis at Senlis Hospital

Introduction: Ectopic pregnancy is dreadful and can lead to the death of the patient if it is ignored. Diagnosed early, it offers the possibility of medical treatment with methotrexate. Objective: To describe the prognosis of ectopic pregnancies treated methotrexate. Patients and Methods: Retrospective study of the management of ectopic pregnancy by Methotrexate at Senlis hospital from June 2020 to May 2021 were included in the study, patients with a Fernandez score of less than 13, and having received Methotrexate as first-line treatment. Data were collected using gynecological emergency admission registers, and telephone interviews. Results: 35 cases were identified. The average age of the patients was 32 years old. Forty-nine percent were smokers. The mean gestational age was 5 weeks + 2 days. The diagnosis was made in all of our patients with the combination of the kinetics of ß-hcg and vaginal ultrasound. The size of adnexal mass was less than 4 cm with an average size of 20 mm. The average value of ß-hcg was 1405 IU/L. All patients had received a single dose of methotrexate 1 mg/kg intramuscularly. A second dose was administered to 17.1% of patients for stagnation or re-ascension of the ß-hcg level. The success rate was 91.4%. Thirty percent were obtained spontaneous intra uterine pregnancy, the first year following methotrexate treatment. Conclusion: The success rate of medical treatment for ectopic pregnancy is high in terms of meeting the eligibility criteria for treatment. The subsequent prognosis of fertility is generally preserved.

Delivery Outcome in Women with Major Sickle Cell Syndrome: A Comparative Study of the Homozygous Forms “SS” versus the Heterozygous “SC”

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of women who delivered in the two major sickle cell syndromes, “SS” and “SC”, and to identify maternal and early neonatal prognosis inherent to each form. Material and Methods: This is a comparative, descriptive and retrospective cross-sectional study of 226 files of women carrying major sickle cell syndrome (66 cases of “SS” form versus 160 cases of “SC” form), collected from May 2008 to May 2013 at the Gynecology and Obstetrics Clinic of the Sylvanus Olympio’s University Hospital of Lomé. Data were processed by Epi Info 6 software. For comparison of variables, the Chi-2 test of Fisher with significance as p < 0.05 has been used, so is the calculation of Odds Ratio with its confidence interval at 95%. Results: Carriers of the two major sickle cell syndromes represent 0.8% of all the deliveries during the study period. Caesarean section, especially prophylactic one, was the dominant mode of delivery. The SS forms have been exposed to have more vaso-occlusive crises (22.7% vs. 13.1%;p = 0.04, OR = 0.31), more blood transfusion (57.6% vs. 29.4%;p = 7 × 10-5, OR = 3.2) and more puerperal infections (p < 0.05). Acute chest syndrome was not related to any of the two forms of sickle cell disease (13.6% vs. 8.1%;p = 0.15). The maternal mortality rate and the perinatal mortality among SS form against SC form were not significant (respectively 15.1% vs. 8.7%;20.9% vs. 17.1%). Conclusion: Maternal and fetal complications were present in both forms of major sickle cell syndrome but the "SS" form gave exposure to greater maternal morbidity. Resuscitative measures in adults and newborns should be reinforced at the delivery time of these “at-risk-pregnancies”.

Women’s Preferential Contraceptive Methods in Publics’ Family Planning Centers in Lomé(Togo, West Africa): A Prospective Study of 734 Cases

Justification and Objectives: The reasons for the choice of contraceptive methods in Lomé were insufficiently documented. The current study aimed to identify preferential contraceptive methods in women in Lomé and the reasons for the choices. Materials and Methods: Prospective study conducted on 734 clients recruited in five family planning centers in the municipality of Lomé over a period of 3 months (30th September to 30th December 2005). Data were collected by direct interview and processed by Excel and Epi info 7 software. Results: Contraceptive methods preferred in descending order were: Medroxyprogesterone acetate injection (51.6%), Norethisterone enantate injection (17.3%), inert Intra Uterine Device (12.0%), Progestogen implants (11.0%), combined oral pills (8.03%) and spermicide jelly (0.1%). The main reasons for choices were the method’s reversibility (32.56%) and its long acting property;especially in illiterate women (p 10-10). Friends and medical staff counted for the choice in 9.26%. In 76.87% of cases, the husbands were reported to agree with the chosen methods. Conclusion: The choice of contraceptive methods in Lomé was mainly guided by the notion of reversibility and its long acting property. The focus should be put more on the quality of counselling towards women with low education level.

Study of the Active Management of the Third Stage of Labor (AMTSL) in Four Maternity Hospitals in the Commune of Kara (Togo)

Introduction: Active management of the third period of labor (AMTSL) significantly prevents postpartum hemorrhage onset. Objective: To assess the practice of AMTSL in four maternity in the commune of Kara (Kara University Hospital Center, Kara Tomdè Regional Hospital Center, SOS Kara Mother-Child Hospital, and Adabaweré Peripheral Care Unit). Method: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study over four months, from January 28 to May 28, 2019. Two questionnaires were used for data collection: an observation and evaluation grid AMTSL practice and a questionnaire for providers. The grid was designed and adapted to the RPC repository model for emergency obstetric and neonatal care in Africa 2018. The data was processed using the Epi Info 7 software. Results: During the study period, 528 parturients were identified and 30 providers surveyed. No provider had received ongoing training in AMTSL. The practice of AMTSL was systematic at each delivery. The practice was correct in 45.8%. Factors associated with incorrect practice were relationship between caregiver-patient (p = 0.0005), placental examination (p = 0.0003), postpartum monitoring (p = 0.0001). Conclusion and Suggestion: The practice of AMTSL is systematic, but it was incorrect regardless of the provider’s qualification. Continuing education on AMTSL is necessary to prevent postpartum hemorrhage.