Background: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) attacks the body’s immune system and, when undiagnosed and untreated, may lead to adverse consequences. In pregnancy, HIV may lead to many adverse consequences, including mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT). Objective: To determine the prevalence and sociodemographic factors associated with HIV infection among pregnant women receiving antenatal care in the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital. Methodology: We reviewed the antenatal clinic, voluntary counselling and testing register, and partner notification registers for all booked patients who accessed antenatal care at the facility over five years; extracted, coded, and analysed the data. Results: A total of 9062 new patients registered for antenatal care during the period; 476 were HIV-positive, giving a prevalence rate of 5.3%. Three hundred and sixty-seven (77.1%) of the HIV infected women were already aware of their HIV status and on treatment, while 22.9% were newly diagnosed. Of these, 343 (72.1%) had started antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) before booking for antenatal care, 26.2% started them after diagnosis at booking, and 1.7% declined ARVs; partner notification was 81.3%. Most (70.2%) of the patients were 25-34years, multiparous (45.8%) and married (93.9%). While 11.7% had no formal education, 72.5% had at least a secondary level of education, were civil servants (55.2%), and lived in urban areas (59.8%). Conclusion: The prevalence of HIV infection was high. There is a need for emphasis on primary prevention strategies tailored toward women in the older group aged 25-34 years, partner notification, and ARV acceptance for treatment and Prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT).
Background: We are presenting a 27 years old female with her second pregnancy at 42 weeks of gestation who was admitted because she was post date with one previous uterine scar and planned for emergency caesarean section due to aforementioned reasons. She was prepared and sent to theatre where uterine scar dehiscence was found but she got a live fetus male baby weighed 3.2kg and scored 9 and 10 at 1 st and 5 th minutes respectively. The patient received all necessary post operative cares, she progress well while in the ward and was discharged in good health after 3 days and came again in the 7 th day for suture remove and then continued with post natal visits as per protocol until was discharged from the clinic. Conclusion: Uterine scar dehiscence without notable complications to the mother and her fetus is rare condition which necessitates serious attention to most women with previous caesarean delivery. In preconception period around 3 to 6 months post previous c/section, transvaginal ultrasound is ideal to measure the lower uterine segment thickness and during pregnancy is better at 32 to 36 weeks using trans-abdominal ultrasound. Whenever an ultrasound is not conclusive, MRI can be used. This case is presented to emphasize on importance of scheduled caesarean section at 37 completed weeks.
OBJECTIVE: To determine whether qualitative pain characteristics in chronic vulvar discomfort correspond to diagnosis-specific epidermal and dermal histopathological patterns in vulvodynia and vulvar dermatoses. METHODS: This prospective observational sub-analysis of the DATRIV study included 328 women equally stratified into four groups: normal vulva, impaired asymptomatic vulvar skin, vulvodynia, and vulvar dermatoses (n = 82 per group). Pain quality was assessed using structured clinical interviews and categorized as sharp (fast) or dull (slow) descriptors. Vulvar biopsies underwent blinded histopathological evaluation of epidermal architecture and dermal features, including inflammatory infiltrates, fibrosis, vascularity, adnexal structures, nerve fibers, and mast cells. Associations between pain quality, histopathological findings, and symptom duration were analyzed using proportion tests, pairwise comparisons, and multivariate models. RESULTS: Epidermal architecture was largely preserved in normal vulva, impaired asymptomatic skin, and vulvodynia, whereas epidermal thinning, atrophy, and keratinization disorders were predominantly confined to vulvar dermatoses (p < 0.001). Vulvar dermatoses demonstrated a stable inflammatory–fibrotic dermal phenotype characterized by collagen accumulation and hyalinization. In contrast, vulvodynia exhibited a neurovascular–adnexal dermal profile marked by increased nerve fibers, vascular proliferation, sebaceous gland prominence, and increased mast cell density (p < 0.001). Sharp pain descriptors were strongly associated with vulvodynia and, within this group, were significantly more prevalent in cases with subtle epidermal abnormalities. Dull descriptors predominated in vulvar dermatoses and corresponded to structural remodeling. In vulvodynia, longer symptom duration was associated with increased dermal inflammation and vascularity, whereas dermal characteristics in vulvar dermatoses remained stable over time. CONCLUSION: Chronic vulvar discomfort demonstrates diagnosis-specific sensory–histopathological coupling. Vulvodynia is characterized by sharp, fast pain qualities linked to a neurocutaneous dermal phenotype, whereas vulvar dermatoses are dominated by dull, slow, inflammation-driven nociception associated with fibrotic remodeling. Integrating structured pain quality assessment with histopathological evaluation enhances diagnostic differentiation and supports mechanism-oriented stratification and individualized management.
Context: The acquisition of blood products in Guinean hospitals is a problem in resolving gynecological and obstetric emergencies. The aim of this study was to evaluate blood transfusion practices in the Gynecology and Obstetrics department of the Ignace Deen University Hospital in Conakry in 2025. Patients and Methods: This was a descriptive, cross-sectional study conducted over a 6-month period, from July 1st to December 31st, 2025, in the Gynecology-Obstetrics Department of the Ignace Deen University Hospital Center in Conakry. The variables studied were: epidemiology, transfusion indications, labile blood products, transfusion incidents, and their severity, classified as grades 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4. SPSS 21.0 software was used for the analysis, and the data were presented as proportions, means, and standard deviations. Results: The transfusion rate of labile blood products was 5.89%, affecting all age groups with a mean age of 26 ± 6.24 years. Packed red blood cells (PRBCs) were the most frequently administered transfusion (77.90% of cases, 141/181), followed by combined PRBCs and fresh frozen plasma (FFP) (19.8%, 36/181). We reported 3 maternal deaths (1.65%), corresponding to a grade 4 incident. Conclusion: Blood transfusion often remains essential in a level III health facility; it allows for the resolution of serious obstetric complications related to hemorrhage.
The use of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) is increasing rapidly across Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), particularly among young women, while endometriosis remains substantially underdiagnosed in the region. Emerging evidence suggests that vaping may influence hormonal, inflammatory, and oxidative pathways relevant to endometriosis. This scoping review followed PRISMA guidelines and searched PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, African regional databases, and grey literature to identify studies examining vaping exposure in relation to reproductive or hormonal outcomes and gynecologic pathology. Eligible studies were appraised using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale and STROBE criteria, and findings were narratively synthesized due to methodological heterogeneity. Across epidemiologic and mechanistic domains, the evidence indicates that nicotine-product use is associated with higher odds of dysmenorrhea and suspected endometriosis; disrupts the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis and estrogen–progesterone signaling; induces oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and NF-κB activation; and may drive epigenetic and immune alterations that promote endometrial adhesion, angiogenesis, and impaired fertility. Contextual vulnerabilities in SSA including environmental co-exposures, infectious disease burden, limited diagnostic capacity, and dual use of vaping with alcohol may further amplify these risks. Although direct causal data from SSA remain limited, the convergence of biological plausibility and emerging epidemiologic signals highlights vaping as a potential reproductive health concern, underscoring the need to integrate vaping into sexual and reproductive health guidelines and to prioritize region-specific research.
