Previous History Of Abortion Research Articles

Unraveling gestational diabetes in Ethiopia: Insights from a cross-sectional study on prevalence and risk factors among Sidama’s pregnant population

BackgroundGestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a chronic condition characterized by glucose intolerance during pregnancy and is particularly common in low- and middle-income countries, where it poses significant health risks to both mothers and their fetuses. Research on this topic in Ethiopia has been limited, especially regarding the World Health Organization’s 2013 guidelines for universal screening. This study aims to evaluate the prevalence of GDM and identify its influencing factors among women attending antenatal clinics in the Sidama regional state. MethodsA cross-sectional study in the Sidama Region included 685 pregnant women who underwent a two-hour Oral Glucose Tolerance Test for universal screening and diagnosis of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). The prevalence of GDM was evaluated using descriptive statistics and multivariate analysis with the adjusted odds ratio (AOR) at a 95% confidence interval and a significance level of 0.05. ResultsThe study, comprising 685 participants, attained a 92.4 % response rate, indicating a 16.1 % prevalence of GDM overall and an average post-glucose load level of 0.99 mmole/L. Factors such as living in urban areas (AOR = 1.69, 95 % CI (1.011, 2.82)), being widowed (AOR = 2.23,95 % CI (1.00,5.08)), history of previous abortions (AOR = 2.59,95 %CI(1.50,4.50)), prior caesarean section(AOR = 0.14,95 % CI (0.07,0.27)), gravidity (AOR = 0.77,95 % CI (0.64,0.94)), parity (AOR = 1.93, 95 % CI (1.54, 2.42)), and HIV/AIDS status (AOR = 4.06, 95 % CI (2.18, 7.58)) were independently associated with GDM. ConclusionThe study revealed a gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) prevalence of 16.1% in the Sidama region of Ethiopia, consistent with findings from other recent studies across the country. It also identified several key independent risk factors for GDM, including urban residency, widowhood, prior abortions or cesarean deliveries, HIV status, gravidity, and parity. The results emphasize the critical need for targeted interventions and continuous monitoring of GDM among pregnant women, particularly in regions with high prevalence. To enhance maternal health outcomes in Ethiopia and beyond, it is crucial to incorporate these findings into comprehensive healthcare strategies.

Effectiveness and Safety of Medical Abortion with Mifepristone and Sublingual Misoprostol up to 63 Days of Gestation

Background: The use of medical abortion increases among unplanned pregnant women. The primary objective of this study is to assess the outcomes of using a combination of Mifepristone followed by sublingual Misoprostol for the termination of pregnancy up to 63 gestational days. The secondary objectives were identifying significant factors that contribute to an increased rate of incomplete abortions resulting in surgical intervention and evaluating the safety of this medical procedure. Methods: This retrospective cohort study was conducted at Siriraj Hospital, a tertiary care center in Thailand, from July 2021 to December 2023. Women were given 200 mg of oral Mifepristone at the clinic, followed by self-administration of 800 μg of sublingual Misoprostol at home 36–48 hours later. A follow-up visit was scheduled approximately 14 days later to confirm the outcome of the procedure. Demographic and medical data were collected from medical records and subsequently analyzed. The primary outcome was defined as the success of the procedure, indicated by complete abortion without the need for surgical intervention. Secondary outcomes included assessing side effects and complications following medication administration, as well as identifying factors associated with an increased rate of incomplete abortions. Results: The final analysis included follow-up data from 205 women. Medical abortion was successful in 70.7% (145 out of 205) of cases, with no ongoing pregancies recorded. No serious side effects or complications were detected. Diarrhea and chills were the most commonly observed side effects. The study found that women with a history of previous abortions and those experiencing significantly heavier bleeding after the procedure were at a higher risk of incomplete abortion, requiring surgical aspiration. Conclusions: The regimen of oral Mifepristone followed by sublingual Misoprostol for medical termination of pregnancy is effective and safe through 63 days of gestation. A history of previous abortion and experiencing heavier bleeding after the procedure were identified as risk factors for incomplete abortion.

Anemia in young pregnant women: A cross-sectional study in Indonesia

Background: The prevalence of anemia among pregnant women in Indonesian remains high at 48.9%, with the highest rates observed among young mothers aged 15-24 years. Anemia is associated with adverse outcomes for both mothers and their children. Understanding the determinants of anemia in young mothers is crucial for taking preventive measures. However, there are currently no national studies in Indonesia on the prevalence and risk factors of anemia in pregnant women aged 15 to 24 years.Objective: To measure the prevalence and factors associated with anemia in young pregnant women in Indonesia.Methods: This cross-sectional study utilized on secondary data from the 2018 Basic Health Research (Riset Kesehatan Dasar= Riskesdas). The subject of this research were pregnant women aged 15 to 24 years who participated in Riskesdas 2018 and had independent variables data including hemoglobin measurement data, age, education, residence, occupation, travel time to health facilities, age at first pregnancy, ownership of the maternal and child health (MCH) handbook, history of previous abortion, gestational age, number of iron supplement tablets, supplementary feeding, and chronic energy deficiency. Univariate analysis was conducted to analyse the subject characteristics and hemoglobin data, while chi-square and logistic regression were used to determine factors associated with anemia in young pregnant women Results: The study found that 36.2% of young pregnant women had anemia. The incidence of anemia was associated with gestational age but not with other factors. Pregnancy in the first trimester poses the highest risk compared to other trimesters (cOR=3.89; 95%CI:1.47-10.30; p=0.006), as confirmed by multivariate analysis (aOR=4.44; 95%CI: 1.41-13.95; p=0.01).Conclusion: Anemia affects 36.2% of pregnant women aged 15 to 24 years in Indonesia. The risk of anemia in young pregnant women is significantly associated with gestational age with the first trimester being the most critical period.

Correlation Between the First Trimester Two-Hour Postprandial Blood Glucose Greater Than 110 mg/dL for the Prediction of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus.

To determine the correlation between first-trimester two-hour postprandial blood glucose (PPBG) > 110 mg/dL for predicting gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). This prospective cohort study enrolled 200 women between 8 and 10 weeks of gestation from February 2022 to February 2024. All recruited pregnant women underwent testing for two-hour PPBS at 8-10 weeks and were followed up till delivery. GDM screening was done during 14-16, 24-28, and 32-34 weeks of gestation. Amongst women having PPBS > 110 mg/dL, 95.9% developed GDM, while in the group with PPBS < 110 mg/dL, only 4% developed GDM. In the PPBS > 110 mg/dL group, a significantly higher number of women were in the older age group (p < 0.049), had a higher BMI (p < 0.001), a family history of diabetes (p < 0.001), and previous history of abortion (p < 0.001). Women with PPBS > 110 mg/dL had significantly higher rates of cesarean section (p < 0.01), preterm delivery (p < 0.001), and macrosomia (p < 0.001). A positive correlation (r = 0.677; p < 0.001) was observed between first trimester two-hour PPBS and cord blood glucose levels. Similarly, a positive correlation (r = 0.465; p < 0.001) was present between insulin levels measured during the first trimester with cord blood insulin. The area under the curve (AUC) for PPBS was 0.969 (p < 0.001) with 95% CI: 0.933-0.988. PPBS > 110 mg/dL has a sensitivity of 95.9%, specificity of 95.6%, positive predictive value (PPV) of 95.9%, negative predictive value (NPV) of 95.7%, and diagnostic accuracy of 95.77% to predict GDM. PPBS > 110 mg/dL at two hours exhibits high levels of diagnostic accuracy for the prediction of GDM and is associated with adverse fetomaternal outcomes. PPBG is a superior, physiologic, and low-cost option compared to HbA1c for early prediction of GDM and can also be performed as a simple point-of-care test with a glucometer at home or in the periphery by healthcare workers (HCW) and in wellness centers.

The Relationship Between Anti-Mullerian Hormone Levels and Pregnancy Outcomes in Patients with Recurrent Unexplained Miscarriage

Background: This study aimed to assess the correlation between serum levels of anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH), basal follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), basal luteinizing hormone (LH), and basal estradiol with pregnancy outcomes. Methods: Conducted at Shariati Hospital in Tehran from 2020 to 2021, this prospective cohort study included women under 38 years old with idiopathic recurrent miscarriage (IRM). Individuals with AMH levels below 1 ng/mL were classified as the poor responder group. All participants with IRM received a daily combination of 20 mg prednisolone and 200 mg progesterone vaginal suppositories from the beginning of pregnancy until 12 weeks, along with aspirin and folic acid. Pregnancy was monitored until 36 weeks, and outcomes were evaluated over two years using univariate and multiple logistic regression, with P-values &lt; 0.05 considered significant. Results: The study comprised 128 individuals with a mean age of 36.4 ± 3.9 years. Of these, 80 became pregnant, while 48 did not. Among the pregnant individuals, 34 had terminations before 26 weeks (13 ongoing and 21 clinical), while 46 had pregnancies lasting 26 weeks or longer. Maternal age (RR = 1.23, 95% CI: 1.10 - 1.90, P = 0.001), history of abortion (RR = 1.262, 95% CI: 1.052 - 1.327, P = 0.008), and low serum AMH level (RR = 0.752, 95% CI: 0.227 - 0.934, P = 0.035) were significantly associated with the probability of subsequent pregnancies. Maternal age (RR = 1.108, 95% CI: 1.05 - 1.350, P = 0.025) and history of abortion (RR = 1.097, 95% CI: 1.02 - 1.161, P = 0.042) were the only factors associated with the risk of non-pregnancy. Conclusions: The study findings suggest that AMH levels in women with IRM significantly influence pregnancy outcomes, including abortion and live births at 26 weeks or more. The univariate analysis revealed significant correlations between age, serum AMH levels, previous history of abortion, and the risk of abortion. Additionally, AMH levels were found to relate to follicle storage rather than egg quality, indicating that AMH does not predict live birth after IVF. Overall, this prospective study underscores the importance of maternal age, AMH level, and previous abortion history in predicting pregnancy outcomes.

Comparing Relationship Satisfaction and Body-Image-Related Quality of Life in Pregnant Women with Planned and Unplanned Pregnancies.

This comparative cross-sectional study conducted at the "Pius Brinzeu" healthcare center in Timisoara explored the differential impacts of pregnancy planning status on sexual function, body image, and relationship satisfaction among pregnant women. Employing the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), Body Esteem Scale for Adolescents and Adults (BESAQ), and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II), the study analyzed responses from 107 participants divided into groups of planned (n = 59, mean age 28.5 ± 5.2) and unplanned (n = 48, mean age 27.3 ± 4.8) pregnancies. In the first trimester, unplanned pregnancies reported higher median scores in desire (4.7 vs. 3.6, p = 0.005), arousal (4.5 vs. 3.8, p = 0.001), and lubrication (4.6 vs. 3.7, p = 0.015) compared to planned pregnancies. Satisfaction scores also favored unplanned pregnancies in the first trimester (4.8 vs. 3.9, p = 0.009). Similar trends were observed in subsequent trimesters, with unplanned pregnancies consistently reporting higher FSFI scores, indicating a robust sexual function. Risk factors significantly associated with sexual dysfunction were a higher BMI in the first trimester (beta coefficient: -0.124, p = 0.019), unmarried civil status (beta coefficient: -0.323, p = 0.045), history of previous abortion (beta coefficient: -0.451, p = 0.012), irregular menstrual cycles (beta coefficient: -0.384, p = 0.026), and rural living area (beta coefficient: -0.278, p = 0.034). Notably, unplanned pregnancy itself was not a significant risk factor for sexual dysfunction (beta coefficient: -0.054, p = 0.095). Regarding relationship dynamics, planned pregnancies exhibited significantly higher satisfaction with partner support (4.1 ± 0.9 vs. 3.7 ± 1.1, p = 0.041) and communication within the couple (4.0 ± 1.0 vs. 3.5 ± 1.2, p = 0.020), whereas unplanned pregnancies reported higher satisfaction with emotional closeness (4.3 ± 0.7 vs. 3.8 ± 1.0, p = 0.004). Concerns about managing professional activities and household chores were significantly more prevalent in the unplanned pregnancy group (62.50% vs. 33.90%, p = 0.014). Unplanned pregnancies demonstrated better initial sexual function but faced greater challenges in relationship satisfaction and managing pregnancy demands. Identifying and addressing the risk factors associated with sexual dysfunction can provide targeted interventions to improve the well-being of pregnant women, regardless of pregnancy planning status.

Prevalnce of Anemia and Associated Factors in Jashore District of Bangladesh – A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Anemia is a global public health problem affecting both developing and developed countries with major consequences on human health as well as social and economic development. It occurs at all stages of the life cycle but is more prevalent in pregnant women and young children. Anemia during pregnancy is a major cause of morbidity and mortality of pregnant women in developing countries and has both maternal and fetal consequences. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the prevalence and factors associated with anemia in Bangladeshi human subjects, especially women. Methodology: This cross-sectional survey was held on human subjects (N=528), of which 4% were children (n=27), 27% male (n=141), 33% non-pregnant female (n=173) and 36% pregnant female (n=187). The signs and symptoms of participants were also considered. The study participants for this study were people who were categorized as: children 6-59 months, children 5-11 years, children 12-14 years, men (15 years of age and above), non-pregnant women (15 years of age and above) and female (pregnant). The survey was held on 528 patients of children (27), male (141), non-pregnant female (173) and pregnant female (187). The questionnaire had been developed including the basic information about anemia associated with dietary habits and relevant factors in details. The questionnaire contained seven section: background information, personal information, history of patients, dietary information, signs and symptoms, diagnostic information and pregnancy status for females. Blood samples of the subjects had been tested for percentage value of hemoglobin. Results: The anemic children were affected by thalassemia genetically. Among the people, more than 50% were below 6 months of age. More than 80% of anemic patients had been found suffering from different diseases. Of them, 10% patients suffered from accidental blood loss. Among the female anemic patients, 63% had been habituated with excessive menstrual bleeding. Pregnant women had been found suffering from mild to moderate anemia (characterized by hemoglobin concentration) but non-pregnant had been noticed with moderate anemia. This might be due to the undiagnosed mild anemic condition in non-pregnant female. Almost 65% of pregnant women had children and among them, 58% had previous pregnancy within last 2 years. In our observation, 25% of the anemic pregnant women had previous abortion history and 34% affected by bleeding during pregnancy. The education level was below secondary in 55% of anemic adult patient. Conclusion: Mild to moderate anemia prevails among the study subjects. Their lifestyle modification especially intake of iron rich food and suppliments seem apt in overcoming this crisis.

Epidemiology of hyperglycemia during pregnancy in Ethiopia: prevalence, associated factors, and feto-maternal outcomes: systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundHyperglycemia in pregnancy (HIP) is a significant medical complication affecting pregnant women globally and is considered a public health burden due to the negative outcomes it can cause for both mother and infant. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to examine the prevalence, risk factors, and feto-maternal outcomes of HIP in Ethiopia.MethodsTo gather relevant information for this study, both published and unpublished studies were searched for in several major databases, including PubMed, Embase, HINARI, Web of Science direct, and Google Scholar, as well as other sources. The Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) tool was used to evaluate the methodological quality of the findings from these studies. Data was then extracted and summarized using a template in Microsoft Excel software, and the extracted data was analyzed using Stata software version 16.0. If significant heterogeneity was found between studies, subgroup analyses were conducted to further examine the data.ResultEighteen studies were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis, involving a total sample size of 50,816 pregnant women in Ethiopia. The prevalence of HIP among pregnant women varied considerably across the primary studies, ranging from 0.4 to 26.2%. The pooled prevalence of HIP among pregnant women in Ethiopia was found to be 6.9% (95% C 2.2–11.6). Pregnant women with a family history of diabetes had 2.5 times higher odds of developing HIP compared to those without a family history of diabetes (OR = 2.49; 95% CI = 2.02, 2.96). However, there was no significant association found between HIP and maternal obesity (OR 2.31, 95% CI = 0.85, 3.78) or previous history of abortion (OR 3.89; 95% CI 0.85, 6.94). The common fetal outcomes associated with HIP were admission to the intensive care unit (46.2; 95% CI 27.4, 65.1), macrosomia (27.3%; 95% CI 9.4%, 45.1%), and preterm birth (16.9; 95% CI 12.5, 21.3). Additionally, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (28.0%; 95% CI 15.2, 40.8) and operative delivery (51.4%; 95% CI 35.9, 66.8) were more common among women with HIP in Ethiopia.ConclusionAlthough there was some variation between studies, the meta-analysis revealed that approximately seven out of 100 pregnant women in Ethiopia had HIP. A family history of diabetes was found to be a significant predictor of HIP in Ethiopia. Additionally, HIP was associated with various serious adverse outcomes for both mothers and infants in Ethiopia. These findings highlight the need for national guidelines to ensure that pregnant women are uniformly screened for HIP.

Regulatory role of miR-125a expression with respect to its target genes LIFR, ERBB2 and STAT3 in the pathogenesis of recurrent pregnancy losses.

Studies have investigated miR-125a for its predictable role in recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) cases to regulate many biological events required for the maintenance of pregnancy by regulating its confirmed target genes LIFR, ERBB2 and STAT3. The present study included 40 cases of women with at least two RPLs in ≤20 weeks of gestation against 40 healthy multiparous women without a previous history of abortion. Expression analysis of ERBB2, LIFR, STAT3 and miR-125a was conducted by quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). The expression of miR-125a was significantly lower in the plasma of RPL cases (P = 0.0001) and showed a significantly increased mean expression level in product of conception (2.56-fold, P < 0.0001). Among the target gene of miR-125a, ERBB2 and STAT3 gene expression level was significantly increased (2.58-fold, P = 0.04; 1.87-fold, P = 0.025), respectively in RPL cases while the LIFR gene revealed comparable expression (P = 0.64). Furthermore, expression analysis of ERBB2 gene with respect to its regulatory miR-125a cases depicted a significant association (P = 0.0005). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis revealed cases with low miR-125a expression had significantly shorter time to miscarriages, (log-rank P = 0.02). Also, decreased expression of miR-125a significantly conferred >2-fold increased risk for RPL (HR = 2.34: P < 0.05). The overall conclusion of the study was that altered miR-125a expression may cause deregulation in target genes LIFR, ERBB2 and STAT3 resulting in adverse consequence in the outcome of pregnancy.

Prevalence of depression among pregnant women and its correlation with the choice of delivery method.

Caesarean section is usually limited to cases where natural vaginal delivery is not possible or poses a serious risk to the foetus and mother. Psychological health of mothers is likely to play an important role in the method of delivery. This study aims to investigate the prevalence of depression in pregnant women and its relationship with the choice of delivery method and other demographic parameters. In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 250 mothers referring to the hospitals of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran, were selected, and their demographic information and level of depression was collected using a questionnaire. Statistical analysis was conducted to evaluate the correlation between depression, method of delivery and other associated parameters. Among 250 pregnant women, 225 (90%) had no depression, 25 (10%) had mild depression and no moderate or severe depression was reported in any pregnant mother. Also, 146 (58.4%) were willing to have a caesarean section and 104 (41.6%) wanted to have a normal delivery. The choice of delivery method was not significantly associated with depression. Analyzes showed that increasing maternal age is associated with a greater tendency to caesarean delivery. The incidence and higher depression scores of mothers showed a significant association with the history of previous abortions. Although in this study no significant association was observed between depression in pregnant mothers and the choice delivery, due to the high prevalence of caesarean section in the country and its progression to higher percentages, it seems that the design and implementation of effective programs and interventions is required.

Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Perinatal Outcomes of Anemia Among Pregnant Women

Introduction: Anemia is a crucial common health problem affecting the developed as well as the developing world. Around the world, malnutrition is the most common cause for child and maternal death. The aim of the study is to determine the prevalence and outcome of anemia in pregnancy and her new.Methodology: Quantitative approach with descriptive survey method was used. Data were collected from 107 pregnant women using the non-probability purposive sampling technique.Result: The majority 103 (96.2%) of pregnant women are belong to the age of 20–30 years and mostly 62 (57.9%) were Hindu. The mode of delivery of pregnant anemic women shows that the majority 21 (70%) of women delivered vaginally. The majority of the mothers, 103 (96.3%), did not have a previous history of abortion. The distribution of weight of the newborn at birth states that the majority of newborns weighed above 2.5 kg (69%). The distribution of pregnant mothers based on associated risk factors reveals that only 5 (4.7%) pregnant women had thyroid problems, gestational DM, and epilepsy one each. The prevalence of anemia based on severity showed that most of the mothers 85 (78.4%) had moderate anemia as per the WHO classification.Conclusion: The study concludes that moderate anemia is prevalent among pregnant women. Some of the health problems associated with anemia are thyroid problems, gestational DM, and epilepsy

Detectable immunological response in Brucella abortus s 19 vaccinated herds of cattle in vilachchiya veterinary range, north central province, Sri Lanka

Brucellosis a zoonotic disease caused by Gram-negative, intracellular, coccobacillus. Brucellosis, an economically important disease in livestock with zoonotic implications has been reported worldwide. It is transmitted via contaminated animals and their products. Clinical signs of animal brucellosis are abortions, reduced fertility, retention of fetal membranes, endometritis, and substantial decline in milk production over an animal’s lifespan. Orchitis, epididymitis and chronic hygroma had been reported in bulls. The current study focused on to studying the detectable immunological responses to Brucella S 19 live attenuated vaccine using serological tests in cattle of dry zone farms. A questionnaire-based survey was carried out in selected farms with and without a previous history of abortion respectively. Animals that were in 1st to 5th lactation in the 18 farms were selected for screening by Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT) and positives were confirmed by Complement Fixation Test (CFT). Three farms each with and without history of abortion were selected for Brucella S19 vaccination from the RBPT and CFT negative farms. Sixty non pregnant heifers over 6 months were selected, and 1ml each of S19 vaccine was given subcutaneously to 30 animals while 30 animals were kept as controls. The serum samples were collected and screened for Brucellosis by RBPT and CFT at 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 weeks of post vaccination. The second week after the vaccination, 71.42% of the animals showed over 1:4 CFT levels while 28.57% of them did not show any antibody titres for Brucellosis in the Brucella endemic farms. In Brucella non-endemic farms, 68.75% of animals showed over 1:4 CFT titre at 2 weeks after the vaccination. However, 31.25% of animals did not show any CFT titre. No persistent and detectable antibody responses were found 10 weeks post vaccination in heifers of endemic and non-endemic herds. The titers of CFT indicate IgG or IgM humeral response, cell mediated immune response of live attenuated vaccine has not been monitored in the study. Thus, seropositivity after the 10 weeks post vaccination may indicate an infection of Brucellosis since no antibodies from vaccination were found. Further investigation with highly sensitive tests such as ELISA is recommended to have a better insight into this aspect in the future.

Anxiety Disorders in Pregnant Women and its Effects on Choosing the Delivery Method

ObjectivesCesarean section is usually limited to cases where natural childbirth is not possible or is associated with serious risks to the fetus and mother. In the past few years, cesarean section has become a preferred method of delivery among women who are not medically indicated for the procedure. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of anxiety in pregnant women and its relationship with choosing delivery methods and other demographic parameters. MethodsIn this study, 300 mothers referring to the hospitals of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences were selected by convenience sampling. The medical history of all patients was obtained, and the Beck questionnaire was used to determine the levels of anxiety. Results57% of mothers chose cesarean section as the method of delivery and the frequency of mild, moderate, and severe anxiety was estimated to be 36.33%, 19.33%, and 2.33%, respectively. It was seen that the preference for cesarean section was associated with higher levels of anxiety, higher education, older age, having a history of previous abortion, first pregnancy, and a gestation period of over 28 weeks. ConclusionsDue to the high prevalence of cesarean section in our country and its progress to higher percentages, it seems that the design and implementation of effective programs and interventions, including providing painless delivery, education, and psychological interventions.

Possible roles of human cytomegalovirus immunoglobulin G and its avidity to specific human cytomegalovirus antigens in the prevention of abortion among pregnant women

Abstract Background: The human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a widespread viral pathogen characterized by strict host specificity and is limited to humans. It has been described as an important etiological agent of intrauterine infection during the pregnancy, that causes lifelong infection and may lead to some serious results such as miscarriage, cerebellar malformation stillbirth, and fetus developmental retardation. Objectives: The study was carried out in Kirkuk governorate from the August 2021 to April 2022 to analyze the seroprevalence of HCMV-immunoglobulin G (IgG) against some HCMV antigens and its relation to the history of abortion. Materials and Methods: A total of 220 pregnant women were examined for the seroprevalence of HCMV-IgG by using electro-chemo-luminescence technique and then examined their reactivity and avidity for specific HCMV antigens using line immune assay. Results: The findings of the study showed that among 120 HCMV-IgG seropositive pregnant women, the rates of IgG antibodies were 161 (73.18%). In terms of reactivity and avidity of HCMV-IgG against different HCMV antigens, the rates were as follows: 67 (55.83%) for HCMV IE1, 52 (43.33%) for CM2, 116 (96.66%) for p150, 68 (56.66%) for p65, 117 (97.5%) for gB1, and 82 (68.33%) for gB2 antigens. Among pregnant women with no previous history of abortion, the prevalence of HCMV-IgG reactivity against gB2 was 75.60%. Furthermore, the rates of HCMV-IgG avidity for HCMV antigens were 90.24% for CM2 and 83.05% for p65 antigens. Conclusions: This finding may refer to the possible role of the specificity of HCMV-IgG and its high avidity for specific HCMV antigens in the prevention of abortion among pregnant women infected with HCMV infection.

Risk Factors Associated with Congenital Anomalies among Children Admitting Surgical Unit in Rapareen Pediatric Teaching Hospital in Erbil City

Backgrounds and objectives: Congenital anomalies, which can affect how the body operates, are anatomical, functional, or metabolic abnormalities that develop during intrauterine life. The study aimed to identify risk factors associated with congenital anomalies among children who are admitting to the surgical unit at Rapareen Pediatric Teaching Hospital in Erbil city. Methods: descriptive, case-control design was used to conduct this study. This study was conducted in Rapreen Pediatric Teaching Hospital in Erbil from 1st of July to 1st of October 2022. Non- probability purposive sample of 100 mothers with congenital anomalies children and admitted to the Surgical Unit and 100 mothers with other health condition children (control group) at Rapareen Pediatric Teaching Hospital were asked respectfully to participate in the study. Descriptive and frequency, Regression analytics was used for exploring the factors associated with congenital anomalies, Chi-square was used to find out the association between dependent and independent variables, and t-tests were used to identify the differences between case and control groups. Results: the results show that that anemia in pregnancy, previous history of congenital anomalies, family history of congenital anomalies, Pesticide use, living near of mobile station, passive smoke, stress during pregnancy, didn't use folic acid, and drink of coffee during pregnancy had a very high statistical difference between case and control P-value &lt;0.001, while Radiation exposure had a difference between case and control P-value of 0.045. That age of mothers and weight were factors which highly statistical associated with congenital anomalies among children P-value 0.001 and &lt;0.001 respectively, moreover age of father and history of previous abortion were factors behind the congenital anomalies P-value 0.033 and 0.017 respectively. Conclusions: the study concluded that age of mothers and father, weight, and history of previous abortion were factors behind the congenital anomalies. Primary prevention is most important to reduce the......

Acceptance for coronavirus disease 19 vaccines among pregnant women seeking antenatal care in tertiary care hospital

: Corona virus disease 2019 (COVID -19) is caused by the Severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus (SARS-COV-2). In the absence of an effective treatment, vaccination becomes the main modality to control the incidence of infectious diseases. Hence, there is a need to estimate the attitudes and willingness among pregnant women for COVID 19 Vaccine.To estimate the frequency of COVID 19 Vaccine acceptance and non acceptance in pregnant women attending antenatal OPD. To describe the factors associated with non acceptance of COVID 19 Vaccine in pregnant women attending antenatal OPDThis is an observational cross-sectional study where 500 pregnant women attending antenatal care were counseled about the COVID-19 vaccine. Women who refused the vaccine were asked about the reasons for refusal and the same was noted. 95.6% accepted the vaccine and 4.4% did not accept. Majority belonged to 21 to 25 years(45% acceptors and 72% non acceptors), were second gravidas (38.7% acceptors and 54.5% non acceptors) and were between 25 to 36 weeks gestation(52.7% acceptors and 50% non acceptors). 13.8% of acceptors and 4.5% of non acceptors had previous history of abortions. Commonest concern was fear of vaccine related complications and fear of harming the fetus. Vaccine reactions followed by fear of harming the baby were the commonest reasons for non acceptance. Vaccine acceptance was high in this study (95.6%). Vaccine induced reactions followed by fear of harming the baby were the commonest reasons for non acceptance.

Alcohol consumption and associated factors among pregnant women attending antenatal care at governmental hospitals in Harari regional state, Eastern, Ethiopia

BackgroundAlcohol consumption during the pregnancy period is high despite the well-established evidence of its harmful effects on pregnancy and infant development. Early identification and behavioral modification are of great significance. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of alcohol consumption among pregnant women attending antenatal care at governmental hospitals in the Harari regional state, Eastern Ethiopia.MethodFrom April 1/2022-May 1/2022, an institutional-based cross-sectional survey was conducted among 589 pregnant women attending antenatal care governmental hospitals in Harari regional state. A systematic random sampling technique was used to select study participants during the study period. Data were collected through face-to-face interview methods using AUDIT-C. The collected data were coded, entered into Epi-data data version 3.1, and analyzed by SPSS Version 26. Binary logistic regression was carried out to identify independent predictors of alcohol consumption at a 95% confidence level.ResultsFrom a total of 617 eligible participants, 589 participated in the study with a response rate of 95.46%. The overall prevalence of alcohol consumption among pregnant women in Harari regional state governmental hospitals was 21.2% (95% CI:17.8, 24.4). In multivariate analysis, single marital status (AOR = 5.18;95% CI (2.66,10.11), previous history of abortion(AOR = 4.07;95% CI(2.06,8.04), family history of mental illness (AOR = 4.79;95% CI (1.94,11.83), depression (AOR 2.79; 95%CI(1.35,5.76), and anxiety(AOR = 2.51; 95% CI (1.23, 5.12) were variables found to have a statistically significant association with alcohol consumption during pregnancy in Harari regional state governmental hospitals.ConclusionIn comparison to the majority of other research, the prevalence of alcohol usage during pregnancy was high in this study. This study observed that single marital status, previous history of abortion, family history of mental illness, depression, and anxiety were highly associated with alcohol consumption during pregnancy. Hence, responsible bodies working on mother and child health should try to mitigate or remove the above-mentioned risks when developing interventions.

Anaemia and Its Determinants among Pregnant Women Attending for Accessing Antenatal Care in Dhaka, Bangladesh

Anaemia is a major cause of maternal mortality in low- and middle-income countries and Bangladesh. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of anemia and its contributing factors among pregnant women in Dhaka, Bangladesh. A total of 260 pregnant women were included in this study, recruited from two healthcare facilities in Dhaka. The primary outcome of interest was the presence or absence of anaemia (yes or no). The exposure variables encompassed various characteristics related to the women, their partners, and the community. To investigate the associations between the outcome and exposure variables, multivariate logistic regression techniques were employed. The findings revealed that two-thirds of the pregnant women in the study were anemic. Notable socio-demographic determinants of anaemia included women aged between 21 and 30 years, unemployment, residing in households with lower wealth, and not taking iron supplements during the current pregnancy. Additionally, a history of previous abortions was identified as a risk factor for anaemia during pregnancy. The prevalence of anaemia among pregnant women in Bangladesh is notably high. There is a pressing need for improvements in the provision of antenatal care and other healthcare services to address this issue effectively.

Sociodemographic and obstetric factors associated with health-related quality of life of high-risk pregnant women.

To evaluate the association between sociodemographic and obstetric factors and the health-related quality of life of pregnant women in high-risk prenatal care. A cross-sectional study of women in high-risk prenatal care in Ceara, Brazil. The investigated outcomes were health-related quality of life, using the Medical Outcomes Study 36-item short-form health survey; the investigated covariates were sociodemographic and obstetric data. Associative analyses were performed using the Jamovi® software version 0.9. Of the 276 women included in the study, women with the following characteristics presented a better quality of life in some domain of the scale: age equal to or greater than 35 years, higher income per dependent, religious, living with three or fewer persons, with their own home, in primigestation, nulliparous, with no history of previous abortion, and with up to two living children. The regression model showed an association between the total scale score, which means a higher quality of life in women with age equal to or greater than 35 years and a higher income per dependent. The study identified sociodemographic and obstetric factors that may affect the quality of life of high-risk pregnant women, providing subsidies to health providers so that they can promote better prenatal care.

Barriers to Uptake of Postpartum Long Acting Reversible Contraception; A Cross Sectional Study

Objective: To investigate factors limiting postpartum long-acting reversible contraception from being used in our system. Methodology: This cross sectional study was carried out in the department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nishtar Medical University, Multan, from September 2022 to April 2023, consisted of all women who gave birth at this hospital during the study period. Data were gathered using a structured questionnaire that had been pretested. The survey asks questions about sociodemographics, reproductive health, healthcare, knowledge and attitudes about LARC, and family planning use. At discharge, a skilled nurse conducted a face-to-face interview with the patient in a quiet private room to gather the data. Results: In our study most (56.04%) of the women were between age of 26-35 years and (69.97%) belonged to urban area. Main bulk (47.68%) of the women had parity of 3-4 and majority (44.58%) of the women in sample had 0-2 alive children and (21.05%) women presented with history of previous abortion. Most (74.61%) of the women had spontaneous vaginal delivery. The rate of use of LARCs was 69 (21.36%) in our study sample. The comparison of rate of use of LARC’s was found to be significantly (P-value &lt; 0.05) associated with increasing age, increasing women education, occupation and job status. Family income, number of alive children and duration for plan to have next pregnancy were also significant (P-value &lt; 0.05) contributors for uptake of LARCs. Conclusion: The rate of used of postpartum LARC was low (21.36%) in the studied population. Postpartum women from of higher age, having higher education, with formal employment, having higher level of family income, and with higher duration for plan to have next pregnancy were more likely to use LARC.