Obstetric Emergencies at the Kara University Hospital Maternity Ward: Sociodemographic, Etiological and Prognostic Aspects

Introduction: Obstetric emergencies are common throughout the world and more particularly in developing countries where they are responsible for high maternal-fetal mortality and morbidity. Objective: Study obstetric emergencies in the maternity ward of Kara University Hospital. Method: Retrospective and descriptive study from April 1, 2022 to March 30, 2023, carried out in the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department of Kara University Hospital. Results: Eight hundred and thirty-five (835) obstetric emergencies were recorded out of 2215 admissions, i.e. a frequency of 37.7%. The average age of the patients was 26.7 with a range of 14 and 45 years. They were primigravidas (36.7%) and nulliparous (38.7%), referred (84.7%) and came from rural areas (72%). Emergencies occurred in the 3rd trimester in 74.1% and in parturients (54.1%). Preeclampsia (27%), cessation of progression of labor due to feto-pelvic disproportion (12.4%), postpartum hemorrhage (7.5%) constituted the main obstetric emergencies. In 44.8%, the delivery was carried out vaginally. Magnesium sulfate was the most used drug, i.e. 30.1%;followed by antihypertensive medications in 28.1%. Blood transfusion was performed in 24.3%. The evolution was simple in 90.9%. The maternal fatality rate was 1.6%. The perinatal case fatality rate was 12.3%. Conclusion: Obstetric emergencies are common, dominated by preeclampsia, stopping progress of labor and postpartum hemorrhages. They are responsible for high morbidity and mortality.

Influence of Prenatal Surveillance on Maternal and Perinatal Prognosis: A Prospective Study over 6 Months at the Maternity Ward of the Owendo University Hospital (Gabon)

Introduction: The occurrence of pregnancy in women is a risky situation. Prenatal care is necessary, which is not often the case in our context. Aim: To analyze the influence of antenatal surveillance on maternal and perinatal prognosis. Patients and Method: Preliminary longitudinal and analytical survey at the Owendo University Hospital (OHU) over 6 months. It focused on prenatal surveillance. The study population consisted of parturients who gave birth within 24 hours and we studied sociodemographic characteristics, variables related to antenatal contact, those of delivery as well as maternal and newborn outcomes. Results: 2485 deliveries were recorded and 1300 patients were retained according to the inclusion criteria. No prenatal contact (ANC0) was performed in 93 (7.15%), insufficient (ANCI) in 943 patients (72.5%), and sufficient (ANCS) in 264 patients (20.30%). Patients with low school level were significantly found when the NPC was not performed or insufficient and the same was true for the group of patients who were not employed and those who were single (p < 0.005). The caesarean section rate and perinatal mortality are high in this case. Conclusion: The quality of prenatal contact is insufficient in our context. The absence or inadequacy of the latter has a strong negative impact on maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality.

Fetal Macrosomia in the Maternity Ward of the Community University Hospital: Risk Factors and Maternal-Fetal Prognosis

Introduction: Fetal macrosomia is a birth weight greater than or equal to 4000 grams. The aim of this study is to determine the frequency of macrosomia, to identify the risk factors, and to evaluate the maternal and perinatal prognosis in the obstetrics and gynaecology department of the Community University Hospital Centre (CHUC). Methodology: This was a retrospective case-control study over a period of 24 months in the maternity ward of the CHUC. Results: The frequency of delivery of macrosomic fetuses was 4.1%, and the average age of women with large fetuses was 29.5 years. In 65.7% of cases, they were not engaged in any income-generating activity. Most of them had at least secondary education (65.7%) and were mainly multiparous (78.8%). The risk factors found were maternal age greater than or equal to 35 years, multiparity, previous large fœtus, gestational diabetes, obesity and male sex. Maternal complications were dominated by uterine atony (52.2%), perineal tear (31.9%), and cervical tear (15.9%). In our series, macrosomic newborns were three times more likely to present with a neonatal complication than normal-weight newborns. Neonatal mortality was 2.1%. Conclusion: Reducing macrosomia requires a better understanding of the risk factors, early detection, correct management during vaginal delivery and close monitoring of labour with good control of obstetric manoeuvres.

Profile of Pregnant Women and Success of the Uterine Test on a Uni or Bi-Scar Uterus at the Maternity Ward of Panzi Hospital, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Introduction: Trial of labor after a previous cesarean section (TOLAC) is a method that requires strict monitoring to decrease the cesarean section (CS) rate and improve the maternal and neonatal prognosis. The objective is to determine the profile and outcome of patients with one and two previous CSs who performed TOLAC at Panzi General Referral Hospital. Methodology: This is a cross-sectional study with a prospective collection of data of 111 patients with one and two previous CSs at Panzi Hospital from January 2021 to August 2022. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences SPSS version 23 software was used to analyze the collected data. The percentages of categorical variables were summarized in a frequency table. The mean or median with standard deviation was used to summarize quantitative variables. Results: The overall success rate of the TOLAC was 64%, with 63.8% following one previous CS and 64.3% following two CSs. The mean age of the patients was 27.09 years, with an age range of 25 - 34 years. They were mostly pauciparous (52.2%), married (88.3%), with a high school education (60.4%). The inter-delivery interval > 18 months was noted (64.1%) and overweight in 63.9%. More than three antenatal consultations were performed (58.6%). We found a mean gestational age of 38 (34 - 41) weeks. The perinatal mortality rate was 0.9%. However, we did not record any cases of maternal mortality during the study period. Conclusion: TOLAC after one and two previous CS is implemented in the maternity Unit of Panzi Hospital for well-selected patients. In addition, the success rate is similar after TOLAC with an acceptable maternal-neonatal prognosis.

Impact of designed infection control educational program on nurses’knowledge and compliance with standard precautions at maternity hospitals

Objectives:This study aimed to assess the nurses’knowledge and compliance with infection control standard precautions and evaluate the impact of the designed infection control educational program on nurses’knowledge and compliance with standard precautions at the maternity hospital.Materials and Methods:A quasi‑experimental one‑group pretest‑posttest design was used on convenient sample of 60 nurses working at Obstetrics and Gynecological hospital in Cairo University Hospital,Kasr El Ainy,who received“designed infection control educational program”for 6 months.The data were collected through the questionnaire comprising demographics,knowledge,and compliance with standard precautions questionnaire.The nurses’knowledge and compliance score were compared before and after intervention.Results:The studied nurses had higher level of knowledge(85.3%)and compliance(92.8%)regarding infection control standard precautions after the educational program compared to before the program.The results revealed statistically significant difference between before and after the program regarding nurses’knowledge score(15.5±2.9 vs.17.1±1.6,P<0.001)and compliance score(58.5±13.2 vs.74.3±5.1,P<0.001).In addition,there was insignificant relation between nurses’knowledge and compliance with standard precautions both before(r=0.952,P=0.474)and after educational program(r=0.164,P=0.223).Conclusion:The nurses’level of knowledge and compliance regarding infection control standard precautions was significantly improved after the program.Therefore,it is recommended that periodical educational programs regarding the standard precautions of infection control are essential for nurses at maternity hospital.

Association between the Length of Interpregnancy Interval and Pregnancy Outcomes in Women with One Previous Caeserian Section Undergoing a Repeat Caeserian Delivery at Term at Pumwani Maternity Hospital between 2014 and 2018 a Cross-Sectional Study

Caesarean sections constitute major surgery, and are associated with immediate maternal and perinatal risks with implications on future pregnancies. After a caesarean delivery, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends an Inter-pregnancy Interval (IPI) of at least 24 months to lower the risk of adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes in the subsequent pregnancy. However, whether the recommendation confers obstetric benefits is unclear as there’s paucity of data in low- and medium-income countries (LMIC). The objective was to determine the association between IPI length and maternal and neonatal outcomes in women with one previous caesarian section undergoing a repeat caesarian delivery at term in Pumwani Maternity Hospital between 1st January 2014 and 31st December 2018. A cross-sectional study was done where patients who had delivered via repeat caesarean section at term between 1st January 2014 and 31st December 2018 were evaluated. The files of 625 patients were retrieved and IPI was determined from the time interval between a previous caesarean section delivery and the beginning of the subsequent pregnancy, established from the date of the last normal menstrual period as recorded or extrapolated from an early trimester obstetric scan. The files were allotted to study groups as follows: <24 months/short IPI (n = 170), 24 - 29 months/intermediate IPI (n = 384), and 60+ months/long IPI (n = 121) and data on sociodemographic/reproductive characteristics and maternal and neonatal outcomes abstracted and uploaded to SPSS (version 21) worksheet. Descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate logistic regression analyses were done and a p-value of 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The demographic and reproductive characteristics were comparable across the three IPI groups. Maternal outcomes such as uterine rupture, post-partum haemorrhage (PPH), blood transfusions, preeclampsia, and maternal mortality were comparable across short, intermediate, and long IPI. Some neonatal outcomes, however, showed evidence of an association with IPI. These were prematurity (p = 0.03) and developing congenital malformations (p = 0.01). Other neonatal outcomes (birth outcomes, birth weight, Apgar at 5, and NBU admission) were similar. In conclusion, maternal outcomes are comparable when the IPI after a repeat caesarean section at term is short, intermediate, and long. Congenital anomalies and premature births should be anticipated when the IPI is long (more than 59 months).

Hospital Hygiene Maternity Hospital Public Lubumbashi Democratic Republic of Congo

Introduction: Public hospitals in the DRC are of significant disrepair, while there is a strong link between the failure of hospital hygiene and the incidence of nosocomial infections. We have conducted a study with the objective of evaluating the structural-functional conditions of hospital hygiene maternity wards of public hospitals in Lubumbashi. Methodology: It was a descriptive cross-sectional study and structural-functionalist whose population consisted of nurses responsible for 7 of 12 maternity hospitals which were selected based on the inclusion criteria. The observation with an observation guide and maintenance using a questionnaire we used to collect data. Results: The results showed that hospital hygiene conditions in maternity wards of public hospitals in Lubumbashi are not good because almost all maternity services and surgery are not always water in the taps (14.3%). The bins were a means for care units, no coding system exists to distinguish the type of waste. The medical waste are mixed and the other waste are burned in the open or in makeshift incinerator with other types of waste. Conclusion: These maternity wards have poor hygiene, staff responsible for this sector did not follow any training in this area. There is need to regulate the sector and train them.

Emergency Trolley’s Contents and Records: Audit Study at Maternity Sections, State Hospitals, Windhoek, Namibia

The purpose of the study sought to assess and evaluate the contents and records of the emergency trolley in the maternity section of the state hospitals in Windhoek, Namibia. A quantitative and descriptive research design was used for the study to investigate emergency equipment, essential drugs and emergency trolleys. A convenient sample of 10 emergency trolleys in the Windhoek Central Hospital (Hospital A) and Katutura Intermediate Hospital (Hospital B) in Windhoek, Namibia were used. Data was collected using a checklist adapted and edited from the EMSSA. Data were analysed using Microsoft excel 2013. Essential paediatric equipment including bag valve mask devices, Magill’s forceps, oxygen masks were absent in many of the units and wards. Data described that checking of defibrillators, monitors and suction devices still remained a major problem in the units/wards that were fortunate enough to have the aforementioned equipment. A conclusion was that generally the units/wards performed well during the assessments and evaluations. There were still units without emergency trolleys, trolleys that were poorly assessed, and those that were obstructed and registered nurses that had a negative perception to the audit of the emergency trolley. Specialized units such as NICU and Hi-Care Hospital A and Prem Unit Hospital B performed very well in their assessments. Development of policy with regards to assessing, restocking and maintenance of emergency supplies can be used to guide the nurses on what to do. Resuscitation morbidity and mortality meetings in order to identify issues and outcomes surround resuscitation incidences within the unit or ward.

The Problematics of Transferred Parturient Women in Guinean Urban Areas: The Case of the Donka Maternity Ward at the University Hospital Centre (Chu) Conakry

Objectives: To describe the socio-demographic aspects of transferred parturient women;To identify the means of transport used by the evacuated parturient women to the Donka maternity ward at the University Hospital of Conakry;To describe the difficulties met;And to assess maternal and fetal prognosis. Methodology: It consisted of a prospective study over a period of 6 months from 01/02 to 31/07/2018. All patients transferred to the maternity ward of the Donka National Hospital of Conakry University Hospital. Results: The frequency of obstetric transfers was 13.79%. The epidemiological profile was that of a parturient woman of an average age of 25.7 years, married, and housewife, unschooled, who was on her first pregnancy and from the city of Conakry. The average distance covered was 16 km with extremes of 3 and 50 km. The transfer to the referral maternity clinic was not medicalized in 94% of cases. The venous route was not taken in 96% of cases. The parturient was not escorted by a health worker in 98% of cases. Bleeding was the most frequent reason for evacuation, followed by acute fetal sufferings. The average number of prenatal consultation was 2 with extremes of 0 and 9. The average length of stay was 3.6 days with extremes of 1 and 28 days. The majority of transferred women had a full-term pregnancy. The Cesarean section was 79.4%. The Retro placental hematoma was the most common complication found and was 29.4%. The counter-reference was not made in 97.79%. We recorded 8 maternal deaths, for a lethality rate of 1.77%. Possible interventions to reduce the dramatic situation of obstetric evacuations require first of all the decentralization of health care structures capable of performing a cesarean section. This approach should aim to create medical centers with a surgical antenna in all municipalities. These decentralized units would reduce the delay in case management and thus, limit the number of complications.

Evaluation of Management of Pre-Eclamptic Cases Admitted to Elshatby Maternity University Hospital

Hypertensive diseases of pregnancy, mainly PET, consist of several diseases which are associated with increased morbidity and mortality rates both maternal and fetal wise. Its incidence among pregnant females is about 3% - 10%. This study included 500 pregnant PET women, and they categorized to mild and severe forms, after exclusion of cases with essential hypertension, renal disease and SLE. All pregnant ladies underwent history taking, abdominal examination (general and local), obstetric ultrasound, Doppler ultrasound, laboratory investigations;treatment received (antihypertensive medications, magnesium sulphate (MgSO4) and steroids) and finally follow up till delivery. Regarding complications, PET can result in serious fetal/neonatal or maternal complications. By the beginning of this study we started with 380 mild cases and 120 severe cases, but the end of the study 50 cases of mild PET were lost during follow up and 70 cases of mild PET converted into severe form. The aim of this study is to evaluate the management protocols of preeclamptic cases admired to Elshatby maternity hospital to minimize maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. RESULTS: The results showed that the incidence of PET is significant in both young and old age, higher incidence of IUGR in sever PET, the use of corticosteroids and MgSO4 was significantly higher in sever cases. CONCLUSION: it’s important to diagnose PET by repeated blood pressure measurement. The use of corticosteroids and MgSO4 is improving maternal and fetal outcomes significantly. The incidence of C.S. is higher towards prematurity in sever cases.

Reducing Extended Hospital Lengths of Stay

In the United States, the costs of health care have become a major burden for the health care system. In order to address this problem, the hospitals of Syracuse, New York, developed programs to provide subacute and complex care. The Subacute programs provided patient transportation services for dialysis and other types of care outside hospitals. They also developed programs for services such as intravenous therapy in nursing homes. The Complex Care Programs, such as intravenous therapy and mental health services, have provided alternatives to extended care in hospitals. During the past five years, utilization of these programs has varied, declining between 2019 and 2022, and then increasing between 2022 and 2024. The programs have avoided the need for 1530 - 2974 patient days in hospitals. The programs saved the Syracuse hospitals approximately $600 per inpatient day. This amounted to savings of $918,000 - $1,784,400 per year. These programs demonstrated how relatively small mechanisms can save large amounts of health care resources.

The Peripheral Hospital as Focal Point for Pacemaker Activity: Review of the Last 300 Implantations Carried out at the Haute Correze Hospital Center

Background: Pacemaker implantation is a very old activity which has revolutionized the cardiology practice throughout the world. This activity is effective at the Haute Correze Hospital Center since more than 20 years. Due to progress in this area, and the increasing request within this center located at the outskirts of town, we set out to evaluate our pacemaker activity in general and more specifically to assess the post-procedural complications in our series patients. Methodology: This was a retrospective longitudinal study. Data were recorded for period of 90 months from 27/05/2016 to 19/11/2023. This data collection was possible via a specific register completed by computerized patient data from the SillageTM software. All files of patients implanted with single or dual chamber pacemakers were included, generator replacements, upgrading procedures and addition of leads were excluded. The sampling was non-probabilistic, consecutive and non-exhaustive. Statistical analysis was carried out using the Excel 2019 spreadsheet and SPSS version 23 software. The quantitative variables were presented as mean ± standard deviation, the qualitative data as proportions. Results: A total of 303 first-time pacemaker’s implantations were carried out during the study period (rate of 40 per year). The average age in the population was 79.7 ± 9.4 years (44 - 99 years) with a male predominance of 63.7% (n = 193). Atrioventricular block (2nd and 3rd degree) was the main indication for pacemaker implantation in 42.9% of cases (n = 130). Patients were most often implanted with a dual-chamber pacemaker (57.7%, n = 175). The approach was most often cephalic in 72.6% of cases (n = 220), followed by the subclavian access in 27.4% of cases (n = 84). The average fluoroscopy time was 7.9 min ± 2.4 (1 - 43). The average irradiation dose in gray/cm2 was 12.4 ± 9.3 (0.22 - 117.5). The average length of hospitalization was 7 ± 4 (2 - 26) days. The overall complication rate at one year was 12.9% (n = 39). These complications are distributed as follows: Leads dislodgement in 8.2% (n = 25), hematoma 3.6% (n = 11) all without clinical consequences, pneumothorax 0.7% (n = 2), both cases of pneumothorax did not require specific care, infection (superficial) in 0.3% (n = 1). Leads dislodgement occurred after a median time of 18 days (IQR: 3 - 36). The earliest dislodgement was observed on D0 and the latest on D207. No serious complications were recorded. The average atrial threshold at implantation/first control/last follow-up was 0.7/1.3/0.8 V, respectively. The average ventricular threshold at implantation/first control/last follow-up was 0.5/1.08/0.87 V, respectively. The average atrial detection at implantation/first control/last follow-up was 3.2/2.3/ 2.05 mv, respectively. The average ventricular detection at implantation/first control/last follow-up was 10.3/11.03/10.8 mv. The average atrial impedance at implantation/first control/last follow-up was 610/457/457 ohms. The average ventricular impedance at implantation/first control/last follow-up was 754/547/563 ohms. Conclusion: Pacemaker implantation is safe at the Haute Correze Hospital Center with a relatively low rate of complications, in this case an almost zero major infection and no serious hematoma. The peripheral hospital should remain a focal point of this activity in order to respond more quickly to the needs of the populations.

Re-Laparotomy after Caesarean Section at Omdurman Maternity Hospital-Khartoum, Sudan

Introduction: Caesarean section has avoidable morbidity which may lead to mortality especially in developing world. Caesarean section is a major operation which should be performed with maximum care and safety. Objectives: This study aimed to find incidence, indications, procedures and maternal outcome of re-laparotomy after caesarean delivery. Methods: This was a descriptive cross sectional prospective total coverage hospital based study conducted at Omdurman Maternity Hospital from June 2014 to January 2015. Results: The incidence for re-laparotomy after Caesarean section is (0.66%) and the main indication for re-laparotomy is hemorrhagic events. Re-laparotomy outcome reported 22 cases (64.7%) alive and well and 6 cases (17.6%) alive with morbidity (renal failure and massive blood transfusion complications) and 6 cases (17.6%) of maternal mortality mainly due to sepsis. Conclusion: Re-laparotomy after Caesarean section is contributing to morbidity and maternal mortality. The majority of re-laparotomy was done after emergency Caesarean section. Lacks of skills, experience;safety measures of perfection and infection control are points to be concern.

Management of Eclampsia and Imminent Eclampsia, Maternal and Perinatal Outcome in 666 Cases—2003-2007 at Government Maternity Hospital in Hyderabad

Objective: This is an audit to evaluate the maternal and perinatal outcome in eclampsia and imminent eclampsia with the management adopted at a tertiary hospital. Methods: During a period of 34 months, from 2003-2007 at Government maternity hospital, Osmania medical college, Hyderabad, 666 women with eclampsia and imminent eclampsia were managed. The number of eclampsia and imminent eclampsia (IE) was 532 and 134, respectively. We have analyzed the clinical profile, parity, age, degree of proteinuria, the period of gestation in weeks, the antenatal care, the number of antenatal visits, referrals from other hospitals, the diastolic B.P. at the time of admission, the recurrence of convulsions and the complications. 1) All the cases of eclampsia and IE were managed with magnesium sulphate as an anticonvulsant. 2) Oral nifedipine, IV labetalol, sublingual nifedipine and nitroglycerine infusion were used to control severe hypertension. 3) Prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) was used for induction of labour (IOL), 25 mcg × 4th hrly, vaginal route and 50 mcg for less than 28 weeks gestation, in 290/424 cases of IOL. Other methods of IOL were employed in 134 cases. Results: Eclampsia (n = 532) occurred antepartum in 407 (75.56%), intrapartum in 76 (14.28%), post partum in 46 (8.64%) and intercurrent in 3 (0.5%) patients. The period of gestation was 34 weeks in 340 patients. Induction of labour with misoprostol was done in 290 with vaginal delivery in 235 (81%) and lower segment caesarean section (LSCS) for failed IOL in 55 (19%) and other methods of IOL were used in 134. The total number of deliveries was 656, with vaginal deliveries in 336 (66.46%) patients, ceasarean deliveries in 220 (33.54%) patients. Ten patients died undelivered. Maternal mortality was 17/666—2.55%. Cerebrovascular events were responsible in 13/17 (76.46%) patients, pulmonary embolisim in 2, aspiration pneumonia in one and sepsis in one. The perinatal mortality was 167/582 (28.69%), PNM when birth weight was >1.5 kg was 59/426 (13.84%), intrauterine fetal deaths at admission were 54 (8.5%), there were four sets of twins. Conclusions: 1) More effective measures to control hypertension and routine administration of anticonvulsant, magnesium sulphate to women with eclampsia should be practised from the first referral unit itself. 2) Our caesarean delivery rate of 33.54% in the very high risk cases of eclampsia and imminent eclampsia is very low compared to others. 3) Induction of labour with misoprostol was successful in 81% with consequent reduction in caesarean section rate and morbidity and mortality associated with caesarean deliveries. Misoprostol has proved to be a safe and effective inducing agent in eclampsia. 4) The maternal mortality in our series is 2.55%.

Attitude toward Safety among Staffs in the Iranian Maternity Care Units of Public Hospitals with High Maternal Death Rate, 2015-2016

Background: Although extensive Mother-friendly Hospital initiatives have been improved the quality of maternity care in Iran, recent national reports have been indicated that obstetrics errors are still common. The current study aimed to assess safety attitude in the maternity care units of public hospitals in a region with high rate of maternal death in Iran. Materials and Methods: Data was collected from 314 midwives, specialist and also managers working in all public hospitals in 2016. The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was used to analyze psychometric features of the Safety Attitudes Questionnaire (SAQ). Results: 86.2% of the participants (n = 314) completed the questionnaire. Results showed that lower scores in teamwork, safety climate and also job satisfaction subcomponents. The working conditions and stress recognition had the highest negative scores. There was a significant relationship between the following subcomponents and work load: teamwork (r = ﹣0.416, P-value = 0.05), stress recognition (r = 0.40, P-value = 0.05) and also working conditions (r = 0.421;P-value = 0.02). The score of midwives was significantly lower than specialists regarding job satisfaction (P-value = 0.014), working conditions (P-value = 0.02) and also the overall safety attitude score (P-value = 0.001). About 63% of respondents reported no error during the last year. The mean of error reporting during the last year significantly increased among specialists compared to midwives (P-value = 0.001). Conclusion: Maternity care units in the region with high maternal death have been faced with many intangible barriers related to safety attitude such as poor teamwork climate, working condition and also poor stress recognition. It is now needed to promote supportive environment for midwives and also strengthening staff cohesion through guiding the strategic direction of current maternity risk management system in creating open and just culture, improving leadership behaviors among senior managers and also addressing poor staffing levels.

Problem of Obstetrical Evacuations: About 630 Cases Collected at the Maternity of Bouake University Hospital

Objective: To improve the care of evacuees at the maternity of the University Hospital Center of Bouaké (CHUB). Methodology: This is a cross-sectional and descriptive study over a period of three months that covered 630 cases collected at the Maternity of the university Hospital of Bouaké. Results: Obstetric evacuation accounted for 42.5% of admissions to the delivery room. Patients under 20 years and over 34 years of age respectively represented 21% and 13.5% of the total. 62.7% of evacuees were not educated and 84.9% had low economic level. Nulliparous and multiparous women accounted for 54.9% of the patients and 88% had mean prenatal follow up. The evacuations were decided by midwives (91.3%), without previous adapted treatment (79.4%), with a badly filled evacuation card (49.7%) and no partograph. The taxi was the most used means of transportation (75.2%) and most evacuees took less than one hour to access the referral center (61.4%). The reasons for evacuation are mainly dominated by mechanical obstructions (34.8%);on admission the evacuees with no real reference reason were 243 (38.6%) and the diagnosis was inconsistent in 43% of cases. The majority of evacuated women delivered vaginally (69.4%). Most newborns had a satisfactory state at the 5th minute of life (79.4%) and we noted 54 cases (08.3%) of neonatal deaths. 7.8% of evacuees had a complication dominated by postpartum anemia (51.1%);we had lamented 17 cases (2.7%) of maternal deaths among evacuees, attributable to delivery haemorrhage (47.1%) and eclampsia (23.5%). Conclusion: A better organization of the reference and an equipment of the peripheral health structures would improve the prognosis of the evacuees.

Problematic of Clandestine Induced Abortions in Three Maternity Hospitals of Chad

Background: In the world, induced abortion constitutes a preponderant cause of morbidity and maternal mortality, more particularly in developing countries. In these countries, the prevalence of contraception remains low, and situation makes the bed of unwanted pregnancies leading easily to the induced abortions. The objective was to determine frequency of clandestine induced abortions and to know the motivations of women that practice these abortions in order to find a solution to minimize this practice. Patients and method: We conducted a prospective, descriptive and multicenter survey for three months from November 1st, 2015 to January 31st, 2016 achieved at N’Djamena Mother and Child hospital which is national reference structure in terms reproduction health, Moundou Regional Hospital and Abéché Regional Hospital about the epidemiological aspects and complications clandestine induced abortions. The population of survey was constituted of patients admitted in a maternity of these hospitals for clandestine induced abortion. Every patient having practiced a documented induced abortion and having agreed to participate in the survey was included. Results: During the survey period, we recorded 94 cases of clandestine induced abortions among 2759 deliveries giving a frequency of 3.4%. The age group between 20 - 24 years was the most represented with 42.7%. The average age was 25.4 years, with the extremes ranging from 15 to 42 years. Singles (66%) dominated marital status. Sixty patients (63.9%) were of secondary. These patients were for the most part students or pupils (55.3%). Concerning the parity, nulliparous were the most numerous to practice the abortion (40.5%). More than half our patients (58.7%) knew no contraceptive method. The principal reason evoked to realize the abortion was further studies (38.2%). Means of abortion most used was the misoprostol (36 cases that is 38.2%). In this series, we observed 29 cases of complications, which is 30.8%. The complications were dominated by the anaemia (62.1%). Conclusion: The clandestine induced abortion is a frequent situation in the Chad and is cause of numerous complications.

Maternal Complications of Caesarean Section in a Resource-Limited Country: The Case of the Maternity Unit of Kankan Regional Hospital, Guinea

Introduction: Innovations in surgical and anaesthetic techniques to provide a good maternal and child safety have made the cesarean section a routine intervention in obstetrics. However, its complications, especially the short or long term per and postoperative maternal ones, are not exceptional and can affect mothers’ vital prognosis. The objectives of this study were to describe the maternal per and postoperative complications encountered during the cesarean section. Patients and method: This is a prospective, descriptive and analytical study carried out at the maternity ward of Kankan Regional Hospital over a 6 month period from January 1, 2018 to June 30, 2018. Results: During this period, out of a total of 2229 deliveries, 319 caesarean sections were performed i.e. a rate of 12.51%. Complications concerned 111 patients (34.79%). The average age was 28 with extremes of 15 and 45. Non-medical transportation concerned 71.17% of our patients. The cesarean section was performed in emergency situations in 82.8% of cases. Indications were dominated by the fetopelvic disproportion. There was a statistically significant relationship between labour duration and the occurrence of complications. Intraoperative complications were dominated by bleeding (25.22% of all complications and 8.77% of total cesarean sections). Post-operative complications were dominated by parietal suppurations (94.49% of all complications and 34.79% of the total number of cesarean sections). In most cases, patients simultaneously developed several complications. Conclusion: The maternal complications of cesarean sections remain considerable. If the increase in the rate of caesarean sections has contributed to the improvement of the mother-fetal prognosis, the surgical procedure itself is not without complications, which encourages us to review its indications for a better management. Hemorrhagic and infectious complications were the most frequent. These results call for increased asepsis measures in our operation theaters to reduce infectious complications. The increase in Caesarean section rates over the years is faced with increased maternal morbidity in the short and long term. Its indications should be well thought out and should include the responsibility of an experienced obstetrician.

Fetal Prognostics in Relation to Uricemia and Maternal Proteinuria of Arterial High Blood Pressure Types during Pregnancy at the Maternity of Donka, National Hospital Donka, CHU of Conakry, Guinea

Objectives: The objectives of this work were to calculate the frequency of arterial hypertension during pregnancy, describe the epidemiological profile, and identify the most common type of hypertension and to establish fetal prognosis based on uricemia and maternal proteinuria. Methodology: This was a six (6) month descriptive prospective study performed in the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department of Donka National Hospital-CHU Conakry. The study took place from july 1 st to December 31st, 2015. Results: The frequency of arterial hypertension during pregnancy was 8.82% in the service. The epidemiological profile was that of teenagers (32.8%), nulliparous (56%), coming from home (69.2%), not having performed CPN (52%), not schooled (68%) and housewives. The primary factor was the risk factor (52.4%). Gestational age greater than 37 was the most concerned (62%). The reasons for consultation are dominated by headache (76%) and vertigo (68%). The main type of hypertension was pre-eclampsia (48%) followed by Transient HTA (28%). The predominant clinical form during the admission was pre-eclampsia (47.2%) followed by eclampsia (23%). At the first minute, 35.68% of newborns had an APGAR score of less than 7 and the fifth 25.5% had a score of less than 7. Fetal morbidity was dominated by fetal hypotrophy (30.19%), followed by prematurity (23.92%). In 90.90% of hypotrophy, there are ?85.24% of premature babies, 95.55% of SFA, and 80% of MIU;the serum uric acid was greater than 350 mmol. We recorded 204 children born with mothgers with proteinuria greater than or equal to 30 mg/dl, or 80% of children. 30 cases of MFIU and 7 cases of neonatal death out of 255 births, that is 14.50% were noted. Conclusion: The detection of risk factors by a good prenatal follow-up and the regular training of the care providers for adequate and multidisciplinary care (obstetrician, intensive care nephrologist and pediatrician) of hypertensive pregnant women and their newborns can improve the maternal prognosis and fetal.

Experiences of Midwives for Caring Unbooked Pregnant Mothers in a Maternity Unit at a District Hospital in the Eastern Cape Province

Background: South Africa struggles to improve maternal health outcomes resulting to its failure to achieve millennium development goal for maternal health. Non-utilisation of antenatal health services by pregnant mothers is the leading cause of unbooked cases that complicate the labour stages. Purpose: The purpose of the study was to explore the experiences of midwives for caring unbooked pregnant women in a maternity unit at a district hospital in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. Design and Methods: A phenomenological approach was adopted in this study. Specifically, a descriptive phenomenological deign was used to explore midwives’ experiences for caring unbooked pregnant women in maternity ward of a district hospital on six (6) purposively selected midwives. In this study, the researcher utilised individual, semi structured phenomenological interviews to collect data from midwives caring for unbooked pregnant mothers in a maternity unit. Data saturation was reached after carrying out the six interviews. These interviews were audio taped and transcribed verbatim and Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis framework steps method of qualitative data was applied to analyse the collected data. Results: Three thematic categories emerged from data analysis: 1) Experiences of midwives, which interfered with emotional challenges leading to fear and anxiety. Experiences of midwives were also associated with shortage of midwives and leading to maternal incidences. 2) Caring for unbooked pregnant mothers interfered with incompetency and inexperienced midwives and reported a lack of debriefing. 3) Support system which was seen as lacking from managers. Conclusion: The study recommended collaboration with primary health care clinics including community leaders, and employment of highly skilled professionals and in-service trainings of the current midwives to minimise unnecessary incidences.