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Background: The study determined the pattern and distribution of gynaecological cancer cases seen at a university teaching hospital in southwest Nigeria over a 5-year period. Methodology: It was a 5-year retrospective review of all gynaecological cancer cases seen and managed at the hospital from 1 September 2013 to 31 August 2018. Results: A total of 6247 gynaecological admissions and 902 gynaecological cancers were seen in the hospital during the study period accounting for a proportion of 14.4%. Of these 902 cases, 835 (92.6%) women had their detailed records available for data extraction and analyses. Cervical cancer was the most commonly seen malignancy (61.7%). The mean age of the patients was 52.5 ± 12.4 years with the largest proportion of the women being in the age group of 50-59 years (26.9%). A large proportion (35.6%) of the patientshad a parity of 5 or more with an overall median parity of 4 (1QR, 1-5) while the largest proportion (59.1%) were postmenopausal women. The highest mean age was seen in women with vulvar cancer (67.2 ± 0.6 years) while the lowest was in those with sarcoma botryoides (12.3±1.01 years). Conclusion: There was a steady annual increase in the number of gynaecological cancer cases at the hospital during the period under review. The most common cancers seen in this study are associated with advanced age, increased parity and postmenopausal status. There is a need for improved public enlightenment on the importance of routine screening and for consistent government policy on the institution of an effective organised screening programme for cervical cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The burden of stillbirth is so huge in sub-Saharan Africa, especially in Nigeria where many mothers and mothers-to-be are denied the joy of motherhood. Despite the frequent occurrence of this obstetric problem in our environment, little priority is placed on it. Objectives: The study aims to bring to the fore, the burden, trend, and characteristics of stillbirth delivery in Lagos, Nigeria. Subjects and Methods: This was a 5-year descriptive retrospective study of the case records of women who had stillbirth delivery at Lagos University Teaching Hospital from January 2009 to December 2013. Relevant information was obtained using a study pro forma, and data analysis was carried out using SPSS version 20.0. Results: The prevalence of stillbirth was 6.2%, and the rate was 61.8/1000 total births. Women who did not book for antenatal care accounted for 76.2% of the cases, and the antenatal and intrapartum stillbirths accounted for 64.6% and 35.4%, respectively. The mean gestational age was 35.5 ± 1.2 weeks, while the mean birth weight was 2.9 ± 1.0 kg. Majority of the stillbirths were male fetuses (54.5%). Previous history of stillbirth (36.0%), hypertensive disorders in pregnancy (33.0%), placental abruption (28.8%), intrauterine growth restriction (13.0%), and ruptured uterus (11.3%) were the common clinical risk factors identified. Conclusion: The burden of stillbirth is high in our environment, and majority is due to preventable or manageable obstetric conditions. There is a need to encourage early referral of complicated pregnancies and labor to specialized centers that can cater for them, so as to avoid unnecessary and preventable deaths. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To assess the intention to use postpartum contraceptives and factors influencing use. A total of 423 consecutive consenting women attending the pregnancy and puerperal clinics at a university teaching hospital were interviewed using structured questionnaire. The prevalence of previous contraceptive use was 35.5%. Fifty-four percent of the respondents intended to use contraceptives after delivery, though 3% were yet to decide. Condoms (38.3%) followed by intrauterine contraceptive device (IUCD) 11.5%, were the most preferred choice of postpartum contraceptives. However, spermicide (0.4%) was the least preferred. Advanced age and high parity significantly predicted intention to use postpartum contraceptives ( P = 0.02 and 0.01, respectively). Also high level of respondent’s education and family planning counseling by doctors and nurses increased the intention to use postpartum contraceptives ( P = 0.03 and 0.01, respectively). Family planning counseling and education play a vital role in increasing the use of contraceptives in the postpartum period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]