Background: Contraception is very important in preventing unwanted pregnancies thereby reducing maternal and child mortality as well as improving the lives of women and their families. This paper aims to determine the pattern of contraceptive usage, uptake rates of the contraceptives, the socio-demographic characteristics and sources of information on contraceptive use at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH) during the study period.Methods: This was a retrospective study of clients’ records in family planning clinic at RSUTH over a period of ten years. Their records were retrieved, reviewed; data extracted, coded and analyzed using the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) IBM version 25.0.Results: There were 1893 contraceptive acceptors attending family planning clinic between 1st January, 2008 and 31st December, 2017 in the centre. The uptake rate of the contraceptives throughout the study period was on the downward trend.  Over half of the clients (60.7%) were within the age range of 30-39years and 6 (0.3%) were below 20 years. Age range for the study was 19-51years. Majority of the users (66.1%) were multipara. Modal parity was para 3 and 1862 clients (98.4%) had formal education. Most of the clients were married 1814 (95.8%) and of Christian religion 1813 (95.7%). Most preferred contraceptive method was the intrauterine contraceptive device (IUCD), 814 (43%). Clinical personnel were the commonest source of information accounting for 1425 (75.3%).Conclusions: There was a downward trend in the use of contraceptives during the study period. Most clients were in their thirties, married, educated and multiparous.

Background: Depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) also known as depo provera is a highly effective, safe and long-lasting reversible contraceptive with side effects that may cause discontinuation amongst acceptors. Objective was to determine the prevalence rate, side effects, discontinuation rate and indications for discontinuation of DMPA at Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH), Port Harcourt.Methods: This was a retrospective study of 874 clients attending family planning clinic at the RSUTH from 1st January, 2015 to 31st December, 2019. Their records were retrieved from the clinic and reviewed. Data was extracted, coded and analyzed using the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) IBM version 25.0 (Armonk, NY).Results: One hundred and one clients accepted DMPA out of 874 acceptors of contraceptives within the study period giving a prevalence rate of 11.6%. The modal age group was 25-29 years accounting for 31 (30.7%). Age range was 19-47 years and the modal parity was para 2. Majority of the clients had formal education, 100 (99%), married, 94 (93.1%) and multipara 61 (60.4%). The discontinuation rate was 32.7% and the commonest reasons for discontinuation were secondary amenorrhoea and irregular vaginal bleeding with each contributing 24.2%.Conclusions: The prevalence and discontinuation rates of Depo provera were low. Secondary amenorrhoea and irregular vaginal bleeding were the commonest side effects and reasons for discontinuation.

Background: Puerperal depression is the most common of the mood disorders occurring within the first six weeks postpartum. It affects more than 15% of women across the globe and constitutes a considerable public health problem for the women and their families. It accounts for more than 20% of maternal deaths after child birth. Children of mothers with puerperal depression are likely to suffer severe behavioral problems. It is therefore imperative that factors that contribute to it be identified and considered in their management. Objectives: To determine the prevalence, risk factors and possible predictors of puerperal depression. Methods: women visiting the postnatal clinic six weeks after child birth, who met the study inclusion criteria and consented to the study were interviewed, and screened for depression using a socio-demographic risk factor questionnaire and the Edinburg postnatal depression scale (EPDS). Using the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 23.0, data obtained was analyzed. P-values<0.05 were statistically significant. Results: Four hundred and five (405) women consented to the study and 135, (33.3%) had depression. Among the risk factors isolated, cohabitation, poor emotional and social support, partner violence, mode of delivery, death of children and children’s health challenges were predictive risk factors for puerperal depression. Conclusion: There is a need for urgent overhaul of social systems that favor women before and during pregnancy and after childbirth which will consider these predisposing predictive factors in their management.

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