Morbi-Mortality Linked to Unsafe Abortions—Difficulties in Accessing Safe Abortions in Cameroon: Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review

Background: Unsafe abortions are one of the leading causes of maternal mortality, especially in developing countries. In Cameroon, the maternal mortality rate remains high, and the scarcity of data on abortions leads to a lack of solid evidence to advocate on the extent of the abortions related complications. Our objective was to evaluate the unsafe abortions related complications, and to assess the difficulties of accessing safe abortions in our setting. Methods: We carried out a meta-analytic and systematic review in the biomedical databases MEDLINE (Pubmed), Google Scholar and African Journal Online concerning unsafe abortions and/or difficulties in accessing safe abortions in Cameroon. The keywords used for the search are seen in table I. Selection of studies was simultaneously done by two authors. Data were extracted through a form designed on Google Form. We used a random-effect model for proportion estimation, and The I2 and Q statistics to assess the extent of heterogeneity. Results: A total of 430 studies were identified, from which 28 were included and analysed. About 5% (95% CI: 3 - 7) of unsafe abortions leads to death. The contribution of unsafe abortions in maternal deaths was 23% (95% CI: 20 - 27). The rate of severe bleeding and/or anemia were 40% (95% CI: 18 - 63) and the rate of infection was 17% (95% CI: 7 - 28), dominated by pelvic infections, pelviperitonitis, severe sepsis, and septic shock. Case reports described uterine perforations, uterine rupture during the following pregnancy. Abortion was performed in the practitioner’s or patient’s home in 41.4% of cases, in a health center in 35.1% of cases, in a private clinic in 21.2% of cases, drugs selling places and in traditional healer clinics. The restriction of abortion laws, the stigma surrounding abortion and its consequences at any level of the society, lead to the underreporting of unsafe abortions and a deep reluctance to advocate for safe abortion services. Conclusion: The strengthening of awareness campaigns for provider behavior change communication, family planning, the de-stigmatization of abortions, the training of health personnel in post-abortion care, a multidisciplinary and multicentric action would contribute to the reduction in morbidity and mortality due to abortions.

Perioperative Materno-Fetal Morbimortality Related to the Caesarean in the Hospital Setting in Mali

Introduction: During childbirth by Caesarean, several types of anesthesia can be used. The Caesarean, the most practiced surgical delivery technique in obstetrics, has a risk for complications for both the pregnant women and newborns. Objective: To evaluate the importance of the complications due to Caesarean in the Teaching hospital Gabriel Toure. Patient and Methods: We conducted a cross sectional survey in the departments of intensive care unit and gyneco-obstetric from January to August 2017 in the University hospital Gabriel Touré of Bamako. Our study population was pregnant women who gave birth to children by Caesarean. We included all cases of preventive and emergent Caesarean under loco-regional or general anesthesia. Data were compiled from the obstetrical files of the patients, the anesthetic consultation registry and the databasis of the department of gyneco-obstetric. The test of khi2 of Pearson was used for the comparison of our results with a value of p < 0.05 considered as statistically significant. The consent of the patients or parents was gotten. The survey didn’t include a potentially dangerous act. Results: During the study period, 1875 childbirths have been recorded of which 633 were by Caesarean (33.7%). We collected and analyzed 524 files of Caesarean. The mortality rate was 1.5% in pregnant women and 15% in newborns. The average age was 26.6 ± 6.9 ans. Pregnant women were referrals in 59.4% of the cases. The most frequent motive of referrals was high blood pressure and pregnancy in 66.6%. The Caesarean was indicated in most of the cases on previously operated uterus in 22% and eclampsia was present in 14%. The maternal mortality had occurred in a context of hemorrhage in 50% of the cases. The factors of maternal morbi-mortality were the mode of admission, iterative Caesarean, t surgeon, context of the Caesarean, realization of the anesthetic consultation and the technic of anesthesia (p = 0.05). The factors of fetal mortality were the realization of endo-tracheal intubation, technic of anesthesia, realization of the anesthesia consultation, context of the Caesarean, iterative Caesarean and the mode of admission (p ≤ 0.05). Conclusion: The caesarean is associated with a high risk of maternal complications and a very important fetal mortality. The anesthesia consultation in the follow-up of pregnancy would reduce this high mortality.

Cesarean Sections according to the Robson’s Classification in Two University Hospitals of Yaoundé: Indications and Maternofetal Outcome

Introduction: Cesarean section is a surgical intervention which consists in the extraction of a fetus from the uterus after its incision. The rate of cesarean section varies depending on the country and the health facility. For this reason, in 2015, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended the use of Robson’s classification to evaluate the practice of cesarean sections in order to identify the groups of women who had abnormally high rates. The objective of our study was to evaluate cesarean sections using the Robson’s classification in CHRACERH and in the Yaoundé Central Hospital (YCH). Methodology: We carried out a retrospective cross sectional and descriptive study in two (02) university hospitals in Yaoundé which took place from December 2017 to May 2018. We included in our study all women who gave birth over a period of two (02) years from January 2016 to December 2017 in these two health facilities. Our sampling was exhaustive over the study period. The parturients’ information was collected using an anonymous and pretested questionnaire. The Robson’s group of every parturient was determined. Descriptive parameters like mean and proportions were calculated. We compared the rates and indications of cesarean sections between the both hospitals using Chi2 test. Results: Out of 330 deliveries realized in CHRACERH, we had 90 cesarean sections;hence, a rate of 27.2%. Out of 1863 deliveries carried out at the YCH, 462 were by cesarean section, hence a rate of 24.8%. The women who belonged to groups 1, 3 and 5 contributed to the highest rates of cesarean sections in both hospitals: in CHRACERH, group 5 (31.1%), group 3 (20%) and group 1 (15.6%), at YCH: group 3 (22.5%), group 1 (21.6%) and group 5 (17.3%). The indications of the cesarean sections varied depending on the Robson’s group and the hospital, the principal indication in group 1 was acute fetal distress (28.6%) in CHRACERH and cephalopelvic disproportion (36.7%) at YCH. Cephalopelvic disproportion was the predominant indication in groups 3 of CHRACERH (44.4%) and YCH (39.2%). In groups 5, CHRACERH and of YCH, a scarred uterus was the principal indication for the cesarean section at 82.4% and 78.4% respectively. At CHRACERH, the maternofetal complications were more frequent in groups 1 and 2 at the YCH, this was the case mostly in groups 1 and 3. Conclusion: The Robson’s classification is an adequate tool for the evaluation and comparison of the rates of cesarean sections. The rates of cesarean section in CHRACERH (27.2%) and at YCH (24.8%) were higher than the rates recommended by WHO. Robson’s groups 1, 3 and 5 were identified as the groups most at risk for cesarean sections in the both hospitals.

Total Hip Replacement: Short- and Medium-Term Morbidity and Mortality in the Department of Orthopedic Traumatology of Donka University Hospital, Guinea-Conakry

Introduction: Total hip prostheses are a reliable means of treating hip disorders. It is indicated when pain and reduced mobility of the hip become incompatible with the patient’s daily activities. In low-income countries, the risk factors for hip disease are numerous, but the means for its management, such as total hip prostheses, are not. The aim of this work was to determine the morbi-mortality of total hip prostheses in the short and medium term in our department and to review the literature. Patients and Method: This was a prospective and descriptive study over a period of 9 years. It involved 50 THPs performed on 45 patients. Patients who had received a THP and were followed up for at least two years were included. We excluded patients who were lost to follow-up. The Moore-type posterolateral minimally invasive approach was used. Complications were investigated from the immediate postoperative period and in the medium term. The final functional results were evaluated according to the Postel Merle d’Aubigné score. Results: We performed 50 THPs out of 750 procedures, i.e. , 6.6%. The indications were: primary coxarthrosis 60%, necrosis of the femoral head 26%, post-infectious balloon hip 4%, and pseudarthrosis of the femoral neck 10%. The average time to the consultation was 2.4 years with extremes of 1 and 5 years. According to the terrain, sickle cell disease represented 18%, tuberculosis 12%. Postoperative complications were lameness 12%, dislocation 6%, suppuration 6%, death 4%, peri-prosthetic fracture 8%, loosening 2%, peri-articular ossification 2%, and paralysis of the external popliteal nerve 2%. Conclusion: Whoever performs a THP is obliged to monitor the patient as long as he/she is alive. Complications are possible at any time and can negatively change the assigned goal and force the surgeon to be expensive and sometimes inconclusive secondary interventions.