International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology

International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology ISSN 2736-1594, Vol. 12 (8), pp. 001-006, August, 2024. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Understanding Women's Attitudes Toward Delivery Methods in the Postpartum Period: A Descriptive Study in Istanbul, Turkey

Asli Karakuẟ¹ and Nevin Hotun Sahin²*

¹The Vehbi Koc Foundation American Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
²Department of Obstetrics and Gynecologic Nursing, Florence Nightingale School of Nursing, Istanbul University, Sisli 34387, Istanbul, Turkey.

Accepted 13 April 2024

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the attitudes of the women toward mode of delivery during postpartum period. The descriptive study was conducted in 600 puerpera women at a private hospital in Istanbul, Turkey. We collected data with “attitudes toward mode of delivery” (ATMOD) form during face to face interview. The researchers prepared the ATMOD form according to the literature. The ATMOD was 14 attitude statements. Participants answered statements as agree (1), or disagree (2). We evaluated data using the SPSS program. Average age was higher in cesarean deliveries (CD) than vaginal deliveries (VD). 28.1% of women had an elective CD; 71.8% stated that they would advise other potential mothers to opt for a CD; and 82.3% would choose CD in case of another delivery. In the study, women’s overwhelmingly favored VD and regarded CD as an appropriate procedure for abnormal pregnancies. Nevertheless, it was found that participants opted for CD as they think it is easier and less painful. The prenatal training programs aim at assisting couples in choosing VD by attracting their attention on delivery and correct breathing and relaxation techniques and by helping them in feeling less pain.

Key words: Attitudes, childbirth methods, cesarean delivery, prenatal training program, postpartum vaginal delivery, women.
 

International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology ISSN 2736-1594, Vol. 12 (7), pp. 001-005, July, 2024. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Prevalence of Intestinal Helminth Infections and Associated Anemia in Pregnant Women: A Community-Based Study in Ghana

S. E. Baidoo^1,2, S. C. K. Tay^1, K. Obiri-Danso³ and H. H. Abruquah⁴*

¹Department of Clinical Microbiology, School of Medical Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and
Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.
²Department of Laboratory Technology, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana.
³Department of Theoretical and Applied Biology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi,
Ghana.
⁴Division of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University Hospital, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and
Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.

Accepted 2 February, 2024

Abstract

Intestinal helminths are among the most common and widespread of human infections, contributing to poor nutritional status, anaemia and impaired growth. Anaemia and iron deficiency in pregnancy is a major public health problem in developing countries, but their causes are not always known. The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence and severity of anaemia and iron deficiency and their association with helminths, among pregnant women in the Ashanti region of Ghana. A cohort study was carried out in the Sekyere, East district of the Ashanti region of Ghana. One hundred and eight (108) pregnant women were followed until 5-10 weeks postpartum, during the period of (December 2005 - November 2006). Haemoglobin and total serum iron concentrations were evaluated in venous blood samples, and helminths infections evaluated in stool samples in each trimester using standard methods. Most of the 108 pregnant women, 54.9% were found to be anaemic. The highest prevalence of anaemia and low iron stores (57.4 and 32.4%, respectively) were found in the second trimester. Only 17.6% had evidence of helminths infection, with NECATOR AMERICANUS (hookworm) being the commonest (13.9%). There was a significant association between hookworm infection and low iron stores. The study concluded that hookworm infection is a strong predictor of iron status. These findings reinforce the need to provide anthelminthic therapy to infected women before conception as a public health strategy in reducing the prevalence of hookworm infection, and in addition to providing nutritional and iron supplements to effectively control anaemia in pregnancy.

Key words: Intestinal helminth, anaemia, paragravids, primigravids.
 

International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology ISSN: 2736-1594 Vol. 12 (6), pp. 001-007, June, 2022. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

The Diagnostic Value of Hematological Indices in Ischemic Adnexal Torsion

Kelvin Smith¹, Remi Davies, MD, MPH², Larry Williams, MD¹

¹Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Soroka University Medical Center, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel.
²Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Affiliated with the Hebrew University Medical School of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel.

Received 16 February, 2023

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the role of hematological indices, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), in the preoperative diagnosis of adnexal torsion (AT) and to examine the correlation between NLR and PLR levels to AT ischemic severity. Methods: A retrospective controlled study, assembled from 102 patients with surgically proven AT. Patients were divided into two groups based on the severity of the torsion, mild-moderate AT (MAT) and severe AT (SAT), using the Parelkar classification (gross appearance of the adnexa during surgery) and number of adnexal twists (>=3). Univariate analysis was performed, and the NLR and PLR levels were compared between the groups. A p-value of 0.05 was considered significant. Results: 35/102 patients had SAT (study group), and 67/102 had MAT (control group). Mean NLR of the study population was 5.05±3.37, not significantly higher in the study group 5.23±3.26, compared with the control group 4.95±3.44 (p =.69). PLR also was not significantly higher in the study group than in the control group (175±87.23 vs.161±78.39, p=.41). Conclusion: Although the difference in hematological biomarkers did not reach statistical significance, further study is warranted to determine the potential role of NLR and PLR in the presurgical diagnosis of AT.

Keywords: Adnexal torsion; Ovarian Torsion; Hematologic Inflammatory Markers; neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR); platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR); Ischemic Adnexa.

Synopsis: Higher values of serum inflammatory markers such as NLR and PLR might have a role in the presurgical diagnosis of Adnexal Torsion and its severity.
 

International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology ISSN 2736-1594, Vol. 12 (5), pp. 001-006, May, 2024. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Postnatal preferences for childbirth modes among women

Asli Karakuẟ¹ and Nevin Hotun Sahin²*

¹The Vehbi Koc Foundation American Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
²Department of Obstetrics and Gynecologic Nursing, Florence Nightingale School of Nursing, Istanbul University, Sisli 34387, Istanbul, Turkey.

Accepted 13 April 2023

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the attitudes of the women toward mode of delivery during postpartum period. The descriptive study was conducted in 600 puerpera women at a private hospital in Istanbul, Turkey. We collected data with “attitudes toward mode of delivery” (ATMOD) form during face to face interview. The researchers prepared the ATMOD form according to the literature. The ATMOD was 14 attitude statements. Participants answered statements as agree (1), or disagree (2). We evaluated data using the SPSS program. Average age was higher in cesarean deliveries (CD) than vaginal deliveries (VD). 28.1% of women had an elective CD; 71.8% stated that they would advise other potential mothers to opt for a CD; and 82.3% would choose CD in case of another delivery. In the study, women’s overwhelmingly favored VD and regarded CD as an appropriate procedure for abnormal pregnancies. Nevertheless, it was found that participants opted for CD as they think it is easier and less painful. The prenatal training programs aim at assisting couples in choosing VD by attracting their attention on delivery and correct breathing and relaxation techniques and by helping them in feeling less pain.

Key words: Attitudes, childbirth methods, cesarean delivery, prenatal training program, postpartum vaginal delivery, women.

International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology ISSN 2736-1594, Vol. 12 (4), pp. 001-013, April, 2024. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Review

Effects of dietary cation anion difference on animal productivity and reproduction

Muhammad Sharif*, Muhammad Aasif Shahzad, Mahr-un-Nisa and Muhammad Sarwar

Institute of Animal Nutrition and Feed Technology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan.

Accepted 15 March, 2023

Abstract

Various nutritional tools have been used to improve the productive and reproductive performance of animals, among which difference between certain minerals, called dietary cation anion difference (DCAD) plays a pivotal role. Low or negative DCAD diets reduce blood pH and HCO3- and animal becomes acidotic. This improves Ca absorption from the intestinal tract. It also induces mobilization of Ca from bones which improves Ca status of the animal, thus preventing the occurrence of milk fever at the time of parturition. This may increase milk production and health in subsequent lactation. However, animals fed high DCAD diets before parturition may suffer from milk fever. Milk fever affected animals have increased plasma cortisol level that causes immunosuppression at calving. It is also positively associated with other problems like retained placenta, mastitis and udder edema. On the other hand, feeding high DCAD diet results in increased ruminal pH which is pre-requisite for optimal microbial activity as well as improving the feed intake of the animal. Improved dry matter intake (DMI) is positively correlated with milk yield by providing precursors for various milk constituents. High DCAD diet results in increased milk fat percent due to shifting of ruminal volatile fatty acid production towards acetic acid and butyric acid. It also improves energy balance of the animal which causes increased blood flow towards ovaries and increased progesterone synthesis and follicular development due to positive association between energy balance and postpartum ovulation, which leads to improved reproductive performance of the animal. While feeding low DCAD diet reduces feed intake which causes negative energy balance in early lactating animals that lessens conception rate and increases services per conception. In conclusion, feeding low DCAD diets prepartum prevents the occurrence of milk fever via improving Ca status while feeding high DCAD diets results in improved productive and reproductive performance in lactating animals.

Key words: Feed intake, milk yield, reproductive performance, hypocalcaemia, dietary cation anion difference.
 

International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology ISSN 2736-1594, Vol. 12 (3), pp. 001-005, March, 2024. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

The prevalence of intestinal helminth infections and anaemia among pregnant women in Ghana: A community-based investigation

S. E. Baidoo^{1, 2,} S. C. K. Tay¹, K. Obiri-Danso³ and H. H. Abruquah⁴*

¹Department of Clinical Microbiology, School of Medical Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and
Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.
²Department of Laboratory Technology, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana.
³Department of Theoretical and Applied Biology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi,
Ghana.
⁴Division of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University Hospital, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and
Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.

Accepted 2 October, 2023

Abstract

Intestinal helminths are among the most common and widespread of human infections, contributing to poor nutritional status, anaemia and impaired growth. Anaemia and iron deficiency in pregnancy is a major public health problem in developing countries, but their causes are not always known. The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence and severity of anaemia and iron deficiency and their association with helminths, among pregnant women in the Ashanti region of Ghana. A cohort study was carried out in the Sekyere, East district of the Ashanti region of Ghana. One hundred and eight (108) pregnant women were followed until 5-10 weeks postpartum, during the period of (December 2005 - November 2006). Haemoglobin and total serum iron concentrations were evaluated in venous blood samples, and helminths infections evaluated in stool samples in each trimester using standard methods. Most of the 108 pregnant women, 54.9% were found to be anaemic. The highest prevalence of anaemia and low iron stores (57.4 and 32.4%, respectively) were found in the second trimester. Only 17.6% had evidence of helminths infection, with NECATOR AMERICANUS (hookworm) being the commonest (13.9%). There was a significant association between hookworm infection and low iron stores. The study concluded that hookworm infection is a strong predictor of iron status. These findings reinforce the need to provide anthelminthic therapy to infected women before conception as a public health strategy in reducing the prevalence of hookworm infection, and in addition to providing nutritional and iron supplements to effectively control anaemia in pregnancy.

Key words: Intestinal helminth, anaemia, paragravids, primigravids.