Trends and risk factors associated with stillbirths: A case study of the Navrongo War Memorial Hospital in Northern Ghana

Background: Nosocomial infections are one of the main causes of neonatal morbidity and mortality in low- and middle-income countries. The neonatal intensive care unit is a suitable environment for disseminating infections. The aim of this study was to identify risk factors associated with having a nosocomial infection in the neonatal intensive care unit at Mahatma Gandhi Memorial hospital between 2014 and 2015.Methods: An observational, analytical case-control study was conducted at the neonatal intensive care unit at Mahatma Gandhi Memorial hospital in 2017 following ethical approval (BE336/16). A retrospective review of medical records for a sample size of 144 cases and 144 matched controls from 2014 to 2015 was analysed. Descriptive statistics were presented and multivariate conditional logistic regression was used to determine associations between the independent variables and having a nosocomial infection.Results: A total of 144 neonates developed nosocomial infections as proven by positive cultures with Klebsiella pneumoniae being most frequent (n = 60; 41.67%). On multivariate logistic regression analysis, multiple deliveries, low birth weight, respiratory distress, prematurity, neonatal jaundice, hyaline membrane disease, the use of total parenteral nutrition, blood transfusion and surfactant administration, immediate use of oxygen and intravenous fluid and central line insertion were significantly associated with having a nosocomial infection (p ≤ 0.001).Conclusion: Neonatal-related factors and treatment modalities were identified as factors that increased the risk for nosocomial infections. A review of treatment modalities and related infection prevention and control in neonatal management are the key to prevention, early detection and management of nosocomial infections.

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PLACENTAL ABRUPTION;

The Professional Medical Journal ◽

10.29309/tpmj/2012.19.03.2147 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 19 (03) ◽

pp. 370-374

Author(s):

NAILA YOUSUF MEMON ◽

FIRDOUS MUMTAZ ◽

SHAISTA FAROOQ

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Placental Abruption ◽

Past History ◽

Common Factor ◽

Positive History ◽

Factors Associated ◽

History Of ◽

Labour Room ◽

Study Setting

Objective: To determine the frequency of risk factors associated with Placental Abruption. Design: Prospective andObservational Case Study. Setting & duration: Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Liaquat University of Medical and Health SciencesHyderabad, for a period of 15 months from January 2006 to March 2007. Patients & methods: All the antenatal patients/ pregnant ladiesadmitted to labour room /ward and delivered during the above mentioned period were scrutinized and those suffering from Abruptio Placentaewere entered into this study by completing a proforma for each patient. The risk factors studied were; Age of Patient, Parity, past history ofabruption, rural belonging, history of trauma, association with diabetes, hypertension, smoking and anemia. Results were analyzed on SPSSversion 10. Results: A total of 100 patients suffering from placental abruption were studied during 15 months period. The commonest age groupwas 30 years (47%). Majority (54%) was multiparous, 66% belonged to rural population and among these, 2/3 were unbooked. Only one patientgave history of trauma. 5 patients had history of previous abruption. History of diabetes was present in only one patient, whereas 38% werehypertensive. Only 4 patients gave positive history of smoking. Anemia was the single most common factor present in 83% ladies.Conclusions: Age around 30 years, multiparity, hypertension, presence of anemia, rural belonging and previous abruption are the risk factorsfor placental abruption as per this study. No association of abruption has been found with trauma, diabetes or smoking in this study.

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