Korean J Obstet Gynecol.  2012 May;55(5):309-314. 10.5468/KJOG.2012.55.5.309.

Ectopic pregnancy: A Nigerian urban experience

• Etuknwa BT
• Azu OO
• Peter AI
• Ekandem GJ
• Olaifa K
• Aquaisua A
• Ikpeme E

• KMID: 2078146
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5468/KJOG.2012.55.5.309

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
To assess the incidence of ectopic pregnancy (EP) in St. Luke's Hospital, Anua in Uyo metropolis, Nigeria. Data on EP incidence in developing countries are rare and often out of date, particularly in Nigeria.
METHODS
A five-year retrospective study (2000-2004) was carried out, examining all cases of EP registered in the medical files of records in the casualty, maternity and surgical departments of St. Luke's Hospital, Anua in Uyo metropolis, which before the advent of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, in 2002, was the hub of medical activities in Akwa Ibom State.
RESULTS
Within the period under study, 2,3951 pregnancies was registered in that hospital out of which 72 cases of ectopic pregnancies was reported (3/1,000 pregnancies). Most of the affected females were young single women and students with 81.9% of them between 21 and 30 years of age. Mortality was 1.4% in the study. Related risk factors included pelvic inflammatory disease, previous history of abortions, infertility and a previous history of EP. These problems are compounded by social issues leading to multiple sexual partners and financial stress resulting from the palpable poverty in Nigeria today.
CONCLUSION
Reports of hospital-based incidence of EP in various centers across Nigeria varies but has increased over the last decade. Health professionals and public health officials in developing countries, especially those in Africa, should consider EP as a major obstetric problem for maternal morbidity. Early detection and more public education as well as advocacy programs targeted at women are needed to solve the problem of EP in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state, Nigeria.

Keyword

Ectopic pregnancy; Incidence; Awareness; Risk factors; Urban Nigeria

MeSH Terms

Africa
Developing Countries
Female
Health Occupations
Hospitals, Teaching
Humans
Incidence
Infertility
Nigeria
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
Poverty
Pregnancy
Pregnancy, Ectopic
Public Health
Retrospective Studies
Risk Factors
Sexual Partners

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