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Comparison of Anxiety Levels Between Primigravida and Multigravida Pregnant Women in the Working Area of Bola Community Health Center, Sikka Regency

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Background: Anxiety during pregnancy is a common mental health concern arising from physiological and psychological changes that may adversely affect both maternal and fetal well-being. Primigravida women may experience heightened anxiety due to their first exposure to pregnancy, whereas anxiety among multigravida women may be shaped by previous pregnancy experiences. Anxiety that is not adequately managed during pregnancy may result in significant physical and psychological consequences, including prolonged labor, preeclampsia, postpartum depression, and developmental impairments in the infant.

Objective: This study aimed to compare anxiety levels between primigravida and multigravida pregnant women in the working area of Bola Community Health Center Sikka Regency.

Methods: This quantitative study employed an analytical observational design with a cross-sectional approach. Stratified random sampling was used to recruit 40 pregnant women, consisting of 18 primigravida and 22 multigravida participants. Data were analyzed using the Shapiro–Wilk test for normality and the Mann–Whitney test for group comparison.

Results: No significant difference in anxiety levels was observed between primigravida and multigravida participants, with p-value 0.095 (p > 0.05).

Conclusion: Anxiety levels did not differ significantly between primigravida and multigravida pregnant women in the working area of Bola Community Health Center Sikka Regency.

Association Between Third-Trimester Maternal Anemia and Low Birth Weight: A Prospective Cohort Study at Sikumana Primary Health Center

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Background: Maternal anemia remains one of the most common complications during pregnancy and continues to pose a significant public health challenge, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Reduced hemoglobin concentration during pregnancy may impair oxygen and nutrient transport from mother to fetus, potentially resulting in suboptimal fetal growth and adverse perinatal outcomes, including low birth weight.

Objective: To evaluate the association between anemia in third-trimester pregnant women and the incidence of low birth weight among newborns at Sikumana Primary Health Center.

Methods: This study employed an observational analytic design with a prospective cohort approach. A total of 50 third-trimester pregnant women and their newborns were enrolled. Maternal hemoglobin levels were measured using venous blood samples analyzed in the laboratory, while neonatal birth weight data were obtained from maternal and child health records or birth certificates. Data normality was assessed using the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test, and the relationship between maternal anemia and birth weight was analyzed using Pearson correlation.

Results: The prevalence of anemia among third-trimester pregnant women was 36%, while the incidence of low birth weight was 40%. The most frequently observed erythrocyte morphologies were microcytic hypochromic and normocytic normochromic patterns. Statistical analysis demonstrated a significant association between maternal anemia and low birth weight (p = 0.032), with a moderate correlation strength (r = 0.304).

Conclusion: Anemia in the third trimester of pregnancy was significantly associated with low birth weight among infants delivered at Sikumana Primary Health Center. Strengthening early detection and management of maternal anemia may contribute to improved neonatal outcomes.

Gingival Pyogenic Granuloma -Clinical Case Report

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Pyogenic granuloma is a vascularized non neoplastic lesion, in the oral cavity, caused by trauma, local irritants or hormonal factors, with a higher prevalence in women, present more frequently in the mandible than in the maxilla. It is not associated with pus as its name suggests and histologically it resembles an angiomatous lesion rather than a granulomatous lesion. It is known by a variety of names such as Crocker and Hartzell’s disease, granuloma pyogenicum, granuloma pediculatum benignum, benign vascular tumor and during pregnancy as granuloma gravidarum Treatment consists of removal of local irritant, if any followed by excisional biopsy. This clinical case report presents the clinical and histopathological characteristics of the large pyogenic granuloma in a 36-year-old female, who reported to the Department of Santosh Dental College, Ghaziabad. Intraoral examination revealed a lesion mainly non tender, sessile, soft in consistency and measuring approximately 16by 9 mm in diameter in the posterior side of maxillary first quadrant. Keeping in view the characteristics of the lesion, anamnesis and the literature, the pyogenic granuloma and giant cell granuloma were defined as diagnostic hypotheses. Excisional biopsy was done and specimen was sent for histopathological evaluation.

Pregnancy Associated Osteoporosis: Knowledge Attitude and Practice of Exercise among Pregnant Women in a Selected Nigerian Community

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Pregnancy induced decrease in bone mineral density (BMD) often occurs at the femoral necks, lumbar spine and other sites during the second or third trimester of pregnancy leading to pain in the hips, pelvis, low back etc and sometimes fractures even with mild trauma/falls. Exercising during pregnancy has been known to offer several benefits including improving bone health. However, there is paucity of studies investigating the knowledge, attitude and practice of pregnant women towards exercising to minimize the risk for osteoporosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) of exercise for the prevention of pregnancy associated osteoporosis among urban and rural dwelling pregnant women in a selected Nigerian community. A total of 258 (168 urban dwelling and 90 rural dwelling) pregnant women were recruited and subjected to interview using a pre-validated questionnaire on KAP of exercise in the prevention of Pregnancy associated osteoporosis. The urban and rural dwelling women had moderate and poor knowledge of exercising for osteoporosis prevention respectively. Both groups of women had moderately positive attitude towards exercising for osteoporosis prevention. Also both groups of women had poor practice towards exercising for osteoporosis prevention. A significant association was only found between having another source of income in the family and the women’s attitude towards exercise.

Current Status and Burden of Malaria in Pregnancy among Women in Some Selected Internally Displaced persons Camps in Maiduguri, Borno State

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Malaria is a major cause of morbidity and mortality among displaced populations in sub-Saharan Africa, accounting for an estimated 30 million women living in malaria endemic area become pregnant each year. Recent literature indicates that over 140 million people in Nigeria with 97% of the population are at risk from malaria infection. To assess the current status and burden of malaria in pregnancy among women in IDPs camps in Maiduguri, a cross sectional study on the relationship between pregnancy and malaria parasitaemia was conducted among pregnant IDPs women in Maiduguri. Of the 100 pregnant women enrolled in the study and screened for malaria infection, 40 (40%) were examined in Dalori camp, 37 (37%) were examined in Bakasi and 23 (23%) were examined in Aji ganaram camp. The prevalence of malaria infection among pregnant women based on different IDPs camps reveals that, 42(42.0%) out of the 100 pregnant women examined in all the three camps were infected with malaria parasitaemia. In Dalori camp 19(47.5%) out of 40 women examined were infected, while in Aji ganaram camp 16(43.2%) out of 37 women examined were infected, likewise in Bakasi 7(30.4%) out of 23 women examined were infected respectively. There is no statistically significant difference between camps and malaria infection (p˃0.5). Similarly, the prevalence of malaria infection based on age group. Of the sample examined 68 (68%) out of the 100 women examined were infected with malaria parasitaemia, the age group of <15 years had the lowest malaria infection rate with 2 (2.0%) and there was significantly higher prevalence rate of malaria infection  recorded in age group of 15-45 years old women with 66(66.0%). %).  However, prevalence of malaria parasitaemia based on marital status in study population reveals that 51(51.0%) out of 100 women examined were infected with malaria infection. There was significantly higher prevalence among widows with 29(54.7%), followed by 18 (48.6), and followed by 4(40.0%) in single (not married women) respectively. Chi-square analysis shows significant difference between widows, married, single and infection rate (p˃0.05).The study showed a strong correlation between age, marital status and malaria infection among pregnant women in IDPs camps. The morbidity and mortality burden of malaria in the study population among pregnant women in internally displaced persons camps could be reduced drastically by proper prevention strategies, good dietary feeding, good shelter and improving diagnosis.