1.1 Introduction
Congenital anomalies are structural or functional abnormalities that occur during pregnancy and may be detected before birth, at birth, or later in life. They may affect different parts of the body and include conditions such as cleft lip and palate, neural tube defects, congenital heart defects, and abnormalities of the limbs. Medical conditions among women and neonates also include illnesses or complications that occur during pregnancy, childbirth, or the early period after birth. These conditions are important because they may affect the health and survival of both mothers and newborns (World Health Organization [WHO], 2023).
Pregnancy and childbirth require regular healthcare because some maternal and neonatal conditions may not be noticed without proper examination and screening. Conditions such as hypertension in pregnancy, diabetes, infections, anaemia, premature birth, low birth weight, birth asphyxia, and neonatal jaundice may cause serious health problems if they are not detected and treated promptly. The WHO identifies quality antenatal, delivery, and postnatal care as important measures for preventing avoidable complications and improving maternal and newborn survival (World Health Organization, 2022).
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the aim and objectives of the study. Others are significance of the study, scope of work, research hypothesis and questions, limitation of the study and definition of terms.
1.2 Background of Study
Congenital anomalies and medical conditions among women and neonates are important maternal and child health concerns because they may affect pregnancy, childbirth, newborn survival, and the long-term health of children. According to the World Health Organization, congenital disorders are structural or functional abnormalities that develop during intrauterine life and may be identified before birth, at birth, or later in infancy. They include conditions such as congenital heart defects, neural tube defects, cleft lip and palate, Down syndrome, limb abnormalities, and some metabolic disorders. The WHO further reported that approximately 6% of babies worldwide are born with a congenital disorder, while severe congenital disorders contribute substantially to neonatal and childhood deaths, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (WHO, 2023).
The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development reported that congenital anomalies may be structural, functional, or developmental and can result in physical disabilities, developmental problems, other health complications, or death when severe conditions are not detected and treated early (NICHD, 2023). Similarly, many maternal medical conditions occurring during pregnancy may influence fetal growth and newborn health. Conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, infections, anaemia, malnutrition, and other pregnancy-related complications require proper monitoring because their effects may extend from the mother to the developing fetus. The interaction between maternal health and fetal development therefore makes antenatal assessment an important part of preventing avoidable complications.
WHO (2023) stated that congenital disorders may result from genetic, infectious, nutritional, environmental, or other factors, although the exact cause of many conditions is not always known. Maternal infections such as syphilis and rubella, nutritional deficiencies involving folate or iodine, uncontrolled diabetes, exposure to harmful substances, certain medications, and advanced maternal age are among factors associated with increased risk. Likewise, inadequate access to nutritious food, healthcare, screening, and preventive services may increase the burden in resource-limited settings. These factors show that congenital anomalies are not only medical problems but are also connected with the social and environmental conditions surrounding pregnancy (World Health Organization, 2023).
The health of a newborn during the first days of life is strongly influenced by events during pregnancy and childbirth. According to the WHO (2022), quality antenatal, childbirth, and postnatal care are important for identifying health problems early and providing appropriate care to mothers and newborns. Medical conditions commonly observed among neonates may include prematurity, low birth weight, birth asphyxia, neonatal infections, jaundice, respiratory difficulties, and congenital abnormalities. Some of these conditions require immediate intervention because delays in treatment may result in permanent disability or death.
Maternal health problems may create additional risks during labour and after delivery. Hypertensive disorders, haemorrhage, infections, anaemia, diabetes, and complications related to childbirth remain major concerns in maternal healthcare. According to the World Health Organization (2024), improving access to quality maternal healthcare, skilled birth attendance, early detection of complications, and timely referral is essential for reducing preventable maternal deaths. Supporting this position, the WHO emphasizes that many maternal complications can be prevented or successfully managed when women receive appropriate care before, during, and after childbirth.
In Nigeria, the issue is particularly important because maternal and newborn health services continue to face challenges associated with limited healthcare resources, socioeconomic conditions, unequal access to services, and delays in seeking or receiving appropriate care. According to the National Population Commission (NPC) and ICF (2019), maternal and child health outcomes in Nigeria are influenced by differences in healthcare utilization, maternal education, household conditions, place of residence, and access to skilled healthcare services.
Similarly, Adeoye et al. (2017) reported that maternal healthcare utilization is associated with neonatal survival in Nigeria, while factors beyond individual-level characteristics also influence newborn outcomes. In the same vein, proper assessment of women during pregnancy and newborns after delivery helps healthcare workers identify conditions that may otherwise remain unnoticed until they become severe.
At the facility level, Federal Medical Centre Yola provides an important setting for examining these issues because women and neonates presenting for maternal and newborn services may have different medical conditions and congenital abnormalities. However, the pattern of these conditions within a particular healthcare facility may differ according to the characteristics of the population served, referral patterns, healthcare-seeking behaviour, and availability of diagnostic services.
This study is set against the backdrop of the continuing importance of maternal and neonatal health, the occurrence of congenital anomalies and medical conditions during pregnancy and the neonatal period, and the need for reliable facility-based information to support early diagnosis, appropriate treatment, prevention, referral, and improved healthcare outcomes among women and neonates at Federal Medical Centre Yola.
1.3 Statement of Problems
Investigation revealed that congenital anomalies and medical conditions among women and neonates remain important health concerns because they may lead to complications, prolonged hospital admission, disability, or death when they are not identified and managed early. Congenital anomalies are structural or functional abnormalities that develop before or at birth, while medical conditions in women during pregnancy and childbirth may affect both maternal and neonatal health (WHO, 2023).
Additionally, some pregnant women may have limited access to regular antenatal care, screening, and early diagnosis, making it difficult to identify certain conditions before delivery. On the other hand, neonates may develop conditions such as birth asphyxia, neonatal infections, prematurity, jaundice, low birth weight, and congenital abnormalities, which require prompt medical attention (WHO, 2020).
Furthermore, although Federal Medical Centre Yola provides maternal and neonatal healthcare services, there is a need to assess the types of congenital anomalies and medical conditions occurring among women and neonates who receive care at the facility. It is against this backdrop that this study seeks to assess congenital anomalies and medical conditions among women and neonates.
1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of this study is to assess congenital anomalies and medical conditions among women and neonates at Federal Medical Centre Yola, Adamawa State.
The specific objectives of the study are to:
- Identify the common types of congenital anomalies among neonates at Federal Medical Centre Yola.
- Determine the common medical conditions affecting women and neonates at the facility.
- Assess factors associated with congenital anomalies and medical conditions among the study population.
- Examine the methods used for the identification and management of congenital anomalies and medical conditions at the facility.
- Identify the major challenges affecting the effective management of congenital anomalies and medical conditions at Federal Medical Centre Yola.
1.5 Research Questions
The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:
- What are the common types of congenital anomalies among neonates at Federal Medical Centre Yola?
- What are the common medical conditions affecting women and neonates at the facility?
- What factors are associated with congenital anomalies and medical conditions among women and neonates?
- What methods are used for identifying and managing congenital anomalies and medical conditions at the facility?
- What are the major challenges affecting the effective management of congenital anomalies and medical conditions at Federal Medical Centre Yola?
1.6 Research Hypotheses
In order to pursue the objective of this study, the following generalized statements have been designed to guide and aids in obtaining the result for the experiment to be conducted. For this work, the null hypothesis will be represented with H0 while the alternative hypothesis will be represented with hypothesis H1.
Hypothesis One
- H0: There is no significant relationship between the identified factors and the occurrence of congenital anomalies among neonates at Federal Medical Centre Yola.
- H1: There is a significant relationship between the identified factors and the occurrence of congenital anomalies among neonates at Federal Medical Centre Yola.
Hypothesis Two
- H0: There is no significant difference in the occurrence of medical conditions among women and neonates at Federal Medical Centre Yola.
- H1: There is a significant difference in the occurrence of medical conditions among women and neonates at Federal Medical Centre Yola.
Hypothesis Three
- H0: The methods used for identifying and managing congenital anomalies and medical conditions have no significant relationship with the management outcomes at Federal Medical Centre Yola.
- H1: The methods used for identifying and managing congenital anomalies and medical conditions have a significant relationship with the management outcomes at Federal Medical Centre Yola.
Hypothesis Four
- H0: There are no significant challenges affecting the effective management of congenital anomalies and medical conditions at Federal Medical Centre Yola.
- H1: There are significant challenges affecting the effective management of congenital anomalies and medical conditions at Federal Medical Centre Yola.
1.7 Significance of Study
The outcome of this research will provide clear information about the congenital anomalies and medical conditions commonly found among women and neonates at Federal Medical Centre Yola. The study will also provide hospital management with information needed for planning maternal and neonatal services.
Furthermore, the result obtained will provide useful information for pregnant women and families about the importance of antenatal care and early medical attention. It will also improve access to simple information about conditions that may affect mothers and newborns and the importance of seeking healthcare early.
Lastly, the findings will provide reference material for students, researchers, and other health professionals interested in congenital anomalies and maternal and neonatal medical conditions.
1.8 Scope of Study
The scope of the research is focused on the assessment of congenital anomalies and medical conditions among women and neonates receiving care at Federal Medical Centre Yola, Adamawa State, Nigeria.
1.9 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, there were some problems encountered which stood as limitations to the research work. Some of the limitations include:
- Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
- Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).
- Initial Cooperation Delay from Respondents: A particular limitation of this work came as a result of the respondent refusal to offer their cooperation at the initial time they were contacted. This contributed in making the success of this research study difficult.
1.10 Definition of Terms
Assessment:
Assessment refers to the systematic process of collecting and examining information about a person's health condition to determine the presence, nature, or severity of a health problem. In this study, it refers to examining congenital anomalies and medical conditions among women and neonates at Federal Medical Centre Yola.
Congenital Anomalies:
Congenital anomalies are structural or functional abnormalities that develop during pregnancy and may be detected before birth, at birth, or later in life (World Health Organization [WHO], 2023).
Medical Conditions:
Medical conditions refer to diseases, disorders, illnesses, or health problems affecting an individual. In this study, the term covers health problems identified among women and neonates receiving care at the study facility.
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