Risk factors and outcomes of ectopic pregnancies at Aminu Kano teaching hospital, Kano, Nigeria

Objectives: To determine the incidence, risk factors, clinical presentation, morbidity and mortality of ectopic pregnancies at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital.Methods: It is a retrospective study of patients with ectopic pregnancies treated at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH), Nigeria, from 1st January, 2005 to 31st December, 2009. The record folders were retrieved from the record department of the hospital and analyzed using Epi Info Electronic statistical software. Data on socio-demographic characteristic, clinical features, postoperative outcomes and duration of hospital stay were extracted.Results: One hundred and ninety seven patients were admitted with ectopic pregnancy during the period under review. Their case notes were retrieved giving a retrieval rate of 91.14%. The mean age was 26.72 ± 5.20, the mean parity was 2.03 ±2.33. The major risk factors were past history of induced abortion (26.70%), and sexually transmitted infections (18.30%). Abdominal pains (93.30%), amenorrhoea (60.00%), vaginal bleeding (58.30%), abdominal tenderness (83.30%) and cervical motion tenderness (90.00%) were the major clinical features. The ampulla was involved in 58.33% of cases and salpingectomy was the surgical option in 95.56%. Shock (3.33%) and anaemia (3.33%) were the major complications.Conclusions: The incidence of ectopic pregnancy at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital is 1.29%. The most important association is with pelvic infection. Therefore, efforts have to be emphasized on prevention, early and vigorous treatment of pelvic and sexually transmitted infections.Key Words: Ectopic pregnancy, Risk factors, Outcomes, Nigeria