A Comparison of the Accuracy of the Use of Last Menstrual Period and Symphysio-Fundal Height for Gestational Age Determination among Nigerian Women
Journal Title: International Journal of TROPICAL DISEASE & Health - Year 2015, Vol 7, Issue 1
Abstract
Aims: The aim of the study was to evaluate the accuracy of the symphysio-fundal height (SFH) in comparison to the last menstrual period (LMP) for gestational age assessment. Study Design: Hospital-based prospective cross sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Maternity unit of the Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Nigeria, between December 2012 and April 2013. Methodology: A total of 289 consecutive consenting women with singleton uncomplicated pregnancies at gestational ages of less than or equal to 20 weeks were recruited at the maternity unit of Jos University Teaching Hospital between December 2012 and April 2013. Ultrasound scan (USS) was used to confirm eligibility after which other information including the LMP were documented on a questionnaire. The women returned after 22 weeks’ gestation based on ultrasound recorded GA for SFH assessment and some weeks thereafter for a second SFH assessment. Results: Mean age of the women was 28.9±4.8 years with a range of 16-42 years. Most of them were of parity 1 – 4 (58.1%). The mean GA at booking was 15.3±3.1 weeks based on LMP and 14.9±3.1 from early ultrasound scan. The mean percentage accuracy for SFH method compared to USS dating was 95.8% while that of LMP was 91.0%. This difference was found to be statistically significant (P = .02). Conclusion: The study showed a significant difference between the LMP and early ultrasound scan dating but not between SFH and early ultrasound scan. Also, the mean percentage accuracy was statistically higher for SFH, suggesting that SFH was a more accurate tool for gestational age assessment among these women.
Authors and Affiliations
A. E. Ogbe, C. C. Ekwempu, J. Musa, A. S. Anzaku
Nigeria National Health Insurance Scheme: A Highly Subsidized Health Care Program for a Privileged Few
The National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) of Nigeria was established over a decade ago with the aim of achieving universal health coverage within ten years of inception. Currently the population coverage is less than 1...
Anemia and Its Correlation with Parasite Infections in Children from Riverside Communities in the Brazilian Amazon: A Public Health Problem?
Aims: To identify the prevalence and the determinants of anemia as well as its correlation to enteroparasitosis in a population of Riverside children living at two communities at the Northeast region of Pará, Brasil. Stu...
Helicobacter pylori Stool Antigen in Asymptomatic Children in Lagos State, Nigeria
Aim: Helicobacter pylori stool antigen (HpSAg) is associated with chronic antral gastritis and peptic ulceration among young children. The major transmission mechanism is most probably fecal-oral infection among children...
Prevalence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Plasmodium falciparum Dual Infection amongst Residents of Kaduna South in North Western Nigeria
The possibility of co-infection between malaria and HIV in Nigeria is of tremendous public health concern. The study was designed to investigate the prevalence of malaria and HIV dual infection. A total of one hundred an...
Prevalence of Pulmonary Mycoses among HIV Infected Clients Attending Anti-Retroviral Therapy Clinic at Kisoro District Hospital, Western Uganda
Aim: For determining the prevalence of pulmonary mycosis among HIV infected clients attending anti-retroviral therapy clinic at Kisoro district Hospital in Western Uganda. Study Design: This was a cross- sectional study....