Background: Postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) is a direct leading cause of maternal death in developing countries including South Africa, and atonic uterus is responsible for up to 80% of cases of postpartum haemorrhage. The introduction of the uterine compression suture (UCS) by C B-Lynch revolutionised the conservative surgical management of postpartum haemorrhage. Its use is simple, does not require special training and reduces the need for hysterectomy. Many small studies have been conducted in different parts of the world on its effectiveness but no published studies have been found from Africa. To understand the unique challenges in developing countries, especially those in Africa, it would be relevant to establish if uterine compression sutures are beneficial in a low resource setting for the management of PPH. Accordingly, the aim of the present study was to audit the use of uterine compression suture (UCS) in our regional hospital, with a focus on the circumstances in which it was used and its success rate in treating postpartum haemorrhage. Methods: This was a retrospective folder review study of all women who had a UCS inserted to treat obstetric haemorrhage in Mowbray Maternity Hospital during the period between January 2010 and June 2016, following ethical approval from the UCT HREC and Mowbray Maternity Hospital's management. Cases were identified from theatre registrars and a designated UCS book. Patients' records were retrieved and data collected and analyzed using the Excel spreadsheet software. Results: During the 6.5-year study period, there were 132, 612 deliveries in the population served by Mowbray maternity Hospital, of which 102,261 (78%) were by normal vaginal delivery and 30,351 (22%) by caesarean section. A total of 150 UCS cases were identified giving a rate of 0.87 UCS per 1000 deliveries (at MMH and its referral MOUs). Of the 150 cases, 115 (77%) patient files could be retrieved for further analysis. UCS was performed more commonly after ceasarean section (107; 93%) than after vaginal delivery (8; 7%) The majority were performed by obstetric registrars (73; 63.4%) compared to 21 (18.3%) performed by consultants and by medical officers. The UCS was successful in stopping haemorrhage without the need for hysterectomy in 107 (93%) of all analyzed cases. Among the 8 failures, all required a hysterectomy and one woman died. The majority of UCS (50%) were performed in cases with estimated blood loss over 1000 mls, with 20.9% having blood loss more than 2000mls. Of note, 13.9% had an estimated blood loss (EBL) less than 500 mls (the majority of which were performed by medical officers). Short term morbidity of UCS cases included blood transfusion (42%), admission to ICU (8.7%), post ceasarean section sepsis (9.6%), and prolonged hospital stay (46.1%). Discussion and conclusion: This study is one of the largest case series and the first done in an African setting. Our success rate of 93% is similar to other previously reported published studies with similar low rates of short term morbidity. Our study confirmed that the success of the UCS is achievable even in low-resource environments and that UCS can be safely performed by surgeons with different levels of surgical expertise (medical officers as well as registrars and consultants).

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Includes abstract. / Includes bibliographical references. / Despite two decades of studies of mother to child transmission of HIV, very little data is available regarding vertical transmission in twin pregnancies. There is uncertainty whether discordance of HIV transmission exists between the first born (Twin A) and second born (Twin B) infant. Primary aim of the study was to examine if there is any discordance of HIV transmission in twin pregnancies when comparing Twin A to Twin B. Secondary objectives were to identify possible additional risk factors for HIV transmission in twin pregnancies. We assessed antenatal care, antiretroviral therapy, birth order, delivery route and feeding options as risk factors for mother to child transmission of HIV in twin pregnancies.

Bibliography: leaves 36-41. / This study was designed to identify specific patient and tumour related factors which could be used as prognostic parameters in women with stage IIIB cervial cancer, and to investigate the relationship between these factors and treatment outcome. Primary endpoints were overall survival, disease-free and pelvic recurrence-free survival rates.

The interval between one pregnancy and the next may affect the outcome of pregnancy. Both short and long interpregnancy intervals (IPI) have been associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes and most of these occur with a short IPI. Our primary objective was to determine the effects of a short IPI (< 24 months) compared with a long IPI (≥ 24 months) on the subsequent potentially viable pregnancy in women who received antenatal care (ANC) in the secondary level hospitals in the Metro-West area of Cape Town. The secondary objective was to review possible determinants of a short IPI. Methods: This was a pilot descriptive cross-sectional study conducted between 1st September 2016 and 28th November 2016. One hundred and thirty women who were Para 2 were recruited to the study in the early postnatal period. Sixty women were recruited into the short IPI group (<24 months) and 70 to the long IPI group (≥24months). Questionnaire-based interviews were conducted and data were entered using Microsoft Excel 2012 spread sheets. Statistical analysis was done using Stata® Edition 13. Results: We analysed the data for both short and long IPI and found that there were no significant differences in preterm birth, abruptio placentae, preterm prelabour rupture of membranes (PPROM) and low birth weight. There was however a significant difference in the number of small-for-gestational- age (SGA) babies. In the short IPI group, 19 women (31.7%) had SGA babies in comparison to the long IPI group where 7 women (10%) had SGA babies( p = 0.015). Of the 130 respondents, 79 women (60.8%) had unintended pregnancies, 44 (73%) with a short IPI vs 35 (50%) with a long IPI (p = 0.017). Women with a long IPI were more likely to have a different partner for the subsequent pregnancy (p= 0.002). Women in relationships longer than 5 years were more likely to have a long IPI (p = 0.049). Thirty-eight women (63.3%) with a short IPI would have preferred the pregnancy later compared to 11 women (15.7%) with a long IPI (p<0.001). There were 27 (38%) women who supported themselves financially in the long IPI group compared with 8 (13%) with a short IPI (p=0.001). A long IPI was associated with more formal employment and professional careers compared to a short IPI (p= 0.002). In the long IPI group 10 women (7%) had professional positions compared with none in the short IPI group (p=0.002). There were no significant differences in breastfeeding duration, contraception use and knowledge, social habits, previous obstetric history, educational status or emotional support between the two groups. Conclusion: In our study, of all the pregnancy outcomes investigated, small-for-gestational age was the only clinical outcome significantly associated with a short IPI. There were differences in pregnancy intendedness, duration of relationships, financial support and employment between the two groups. The majority of women with a short IPI (63.3%) would have preferred the index pregnancy to have occurred later.

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Includes bibliographical references. / In South Africa assisted reproductive techniques (ART) are poorly covered by health insurances or government funding thereby often inflicting out-of-pocket payment (OPP) on patients. This can create treatment barriers or high financial burdens for households, with unknown consequences of the latter. This is the first study from South and sub-saharan Africa which explores the impact of ART-related OPP on households. The study was undertaken at Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town, where ART is subsidized but patients have to contribute to the cost of treatment. Eighty six consecutive IVF/ICS/ cycles were prospectively analysed through patient interviews. Data included socio-demographic, economic, and infertility information, emotional and financial stress among participants, as well as coping and financial strategies adopted by households. In keeping with international recommendations, catastrophic expenditure was defined as a direct cost of all ART cycles in the last 12 months equal to or exceeding 40% of the annual non-food households expenditure.

No description available.

Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 56-64).

Includes synopsis. Includes bibliographical references.