Knowledge of Ghana Abortion Laws and Factors Hindering Access to Safe Abortion Services by Female Students at the University for Development Studies (UDS)
Martin Mumuni Danaah Malick,
Nidhi Rathod Balvant,
Radiyatu Nagumsi Fuseini,
Peter Paul Bamaalabong,
Cynthia Akumanue
Issue:
Volume 11, Issue 3, May 2023
Pages:
56-60
Received:
18 April 2023
Accepted:
24 May 2023
Published:
31 May 2023
Abstract: Young women in the universities have an independence streak and have no restraints from parents, or school authorities regarding their sex lives, and can have as much sex as desired. If they have little knowledge on how to prevent unwanted pregnancies, they can pick seed and conceive. Lack of support from partners and/or family and limited monetary support lead them to make wrong choices regarding the termination of an unwanted pregnancy. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge and factors hindering access to safe abortion services among female students at the U.D.S. This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted at the U.D.S. 100 female students between the ages of 15 and 45 years were conveniently selected from a database of 187 female students. A questionnaire containing the relevant research questions related to the topic was designed using google forms, pre-tested on randomly selected 20 participants out of the total study population and subsequently self-administered to 100 female students through a web-based electronic platform. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20.0. Age distribution of study participants: 15-20 Years, 18 (18%), 21-25 Years, 67 (67%), 26-30 years, 15 (15%). Knowledge of abortion laws in Ghana: 71 (71%) Yes, 29 (29%) No. Revision of the current abortion law in Ghana: 72 (72%) Yes, 28 (28%) No. Reasons for change in abortion Laws: Infringes on basic human rights of women 89 (89%), Contents are obsolete 11 (11%). Knowledge of safe abortion methods: 95 (95%) Yes, 5 (5%) No. Knowledge of safe abortion centers: 69 (69%) Yes, 31 (31%) No. Knowledge of qualified safe abortion service providers: Gynecologists 50 (50%), Midwives 28 (28%), Pharmacists 15 (15%), General Nurses 7 (7%). Factors hindering access to safe abortion services: Religious beliefs 50 (50%), Cost of services 30 (30%), Fear of stigmatization 22 (22%), Lack of knowledge about services 8 (8%). Most student participants were between the ages of 21 and 25 years. Majority of the students have knowledge about abortion laws in Ghana, the different methods of safe abortion, and the availability of safe abortion service centers and providers. Half of the students think religious beliefs interfere with their willingness to access safe abortion services and that the Gynecologist is usually the most qualified specialist to provide safe abortion services.
Abstract: Young women in the universities have an independence streak and have no restraints from parents, or school authorities regarding their sex lives, and can have as much sex as desired. If they have little knowledge on how to prevent unwanted pregnancies, they can pick seed and conceive. Lack of support from partners and/or family and limited monetary...
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Acetic Acid Test Performed by Vulvoscopy Had Revealed an "O Sign" in the Inner Vulvar Ring of Patients with Vulvodynia
Vesna Harni,
Damir Babic,
Suzana Ljubojevic-Hadzavdic,
Dubravko Barisic
Issue:
Volume 11, Issue 3, May 2023
Pages:
61-72
Received:
11 June 2023
Accepted:
29 June 2023
Published:
8 July 2023
Abstract: This study examined the distribution and characteristics of acetowhite staining (AWS) in three vulvar rings in women with chronic vulvar discomfort. AWS was monitored as a secondary outcome measure in the study DATRIV (Diagnostic Accuracy of Three Rings Vulvoscopy). The study included 328 consecutive participants, divided into four groups based on their medical history, results from the vulvodynia questionnaire designed by the International Society for the Study of Vulvovaginal Disease, and clinical examination. Asymptomatic participants were classified into a normal vulva group (N = 82) and an impaired vulvar skin group (N = 82). Patients with chronic vulvar discomfort were divided into primary vulvar distress/vulvodynia (N = 82) and secondary discomfort caused by vulvar dermatosis (N = 82). The clinical data collected from the three rings vulvoscopy (TRIV) were analyzed using statistical software such as StatSoft (Dell, Austin, TX, USA), Statistica 12 (TIBCO®, Palo Alto, CA, USA), and SPSS 20 (IBM, Armonk, NY, USA). The study was conducted with the approval of the Institutional Review Board of Polyclinic Harni, and all participants provided written informed consent. The study's findings support the notion that AWS patterns can vary across different histological areas of the vulva and can indicate specific conditions. The higher incidence of AWS in the outer vulvar ring among patients with vulvar dermatosis (45.1%) suggests a widespread involvement in this area. In contrast, the study found that patients with vulvodynia (96.3%) and impaired vulvar skin (78.0%) exhibited a higher AWS frequency and a distinct pattern called the "O sign" in the inner vulvar ring. AWS in the middle vulvar ring was observed in all participants. However, there were noticeable differences between patients with vulvodynia and vulvar dermatosis, highlighting the potential diagnostic value of AWS distribution in this area. The faster onset of AWS in patients with vulvodynia (mean 51.6 seconds), a significantly higher frequency of sharp demarcation of AWS (49.4%), nontransparent AWS (16%), the "O sign" (81.7%) and provoked erythema (11.1%) supports the role of a potential inflammatory component in this condition in response to AWS. This specific pattern suggests that AWS combined with the TRIV approach can enhance the clinical recognizability of vulvodynia. The similarity in the distribution and characteristics of AWS in patients with vulvodynia and impaired vulvar skin suggests a potential connection between the two conditions and the progression or evolution of vulvodynia in the presence of impaired vulvar skin over time.
Abstract: This study examined the distribution and characteristics of acetowhite staining (AWS) in three vulvar rings in women with chronic vulvar discomfort. AWS was monitored as a secondary outcome measure in the study DATRIV (Diagnostic Accuracy of Three Rings Vulvoscopy). The study included 328 consecutive participants, divided into four groups based on ...
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Stepping Towards Improved Audit Quality: The Outcome of Caesarean Section Using the Robson Ten Group Classification System at Mnazi Mmoja Hospital, Zanzibar
Salma Abdi Mahmoud,
Ali Makame Ussi,
Rashid Saleh Khamis,
Said Ali Said,
Chukwuma Okafor,
Mansab Ramadhan Mansab,
Muhiddin Abdi Mahmoud,
Mwanaisha Juma Fakih,
Shuwena Abdalla Hamad,
Rahma Mussa Ali,
Ali Said Yussuf,
Sabra Salim Masoud,
Kamilya Ali Omar,
Ummulkulthum Omar Hamad,
Hassanat Mohammed Abdallah,
Zeyana Abdulaziz Ibrahim,
Amina Idrissa Ahmada,
Alawiya Abubakar Ahmed,
Fatma Mrisho Haji,
Aziza Ali Haji,
Ibrahim Shaaban Salum,
Asya Mohammed Ali,
Ali Juma Hassan,
Aysha Mwalim Omar,
Chausiku Jumbe Darwesh,
Sabrina Bashir Mohamed
Issue:
Volume 11, Issue 3, May 2023
Pages:
73-79
Received:
15 June 2023
Accepted:
3 July 2023
Published:
11 July 2023
Abstract: Introduction: There is a rising concern regarding the escalating rates of caesarean section (CS) in various countries, including Tanzania. This study aimed to evaluate the rate of CS by using Ten-Group Robson Classification system at the obstetric unit of Mnazi Mmoja Hospital, Zanzibar. Materials and Methods: Observational retrospective study was conducted involving 56,314 women who gave birth at the obstetric unit of Mnazi Mmoja Teaching Hospital between January 2018 and December 2022. Relevant information pertaining to the study participants was retrieved from their respective delivery records. Data analysis was performed using SPSS Statistics for Windows, version 10. Results: The CS rate was 65%, among the different groups, the most significant contributors to the CS rate were as follows: multiparous women with previous CS, single, cephalic, term (group 5) accounted for 16.9%; nulliparous women and women with the preterm single cephalic, term (group 10) accounted for 13.8%; single cephalic term multiparous women in spontaneous labour (group 3) accounted for 13.5%; and nulliparous single cephalic, term, with spontaneous labour (group 1) accounted for 12.6%. The most common indication for CS was previous CS (10,571 cases; 28.8%), followed by hypertensive disorders (7,735 cases; 21.1%) and poor progress in labour (6,692 cases; 18.3%). The analysis of maternal outcomes was 204 maternal deaths, cases of Post partum haemorrhage (PPH) (22.6%), wound infection (24%) and cesarean hysterectomy (15.2%). Regarding neonatal outcomes, stillbirth accounted for 46.6%, lower Apgar Score 28.9% and Neonatal sepsis 24.5%. Conclusion: We observed a significant increase in the CS rate at Mnazi Mmoja Hospital. Based on our analysis of Robson classification and with maternal and neonatal outcomes, it is evident that improvements in labor management at the hospital are necessary. By prioritizing this enhancement, we can strive to optimize maternal and neonatal care, leading to healthier outcomes for both mothers and their babies.
Abstract: Introduction: There is a rising concern regarding the escalating rates of caesarean section (CS) in various countries, including Tanzania. This study aimed to evaluate the rate of CS by using Ten-Group Robson Classification system at the obstetric unit of Mnazi Mmoja Hospital, Zanzibar. Materials and Methods: Observational retrospective study was c...
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