Kelsey Harrison
Encyclopedia
Kelsey Harrison is a Nigerian gynecologist and obstetrician who contributed immensely to studies of maternal health
, especially during pregnancy. As a researcher at the University of Ibadan
,he mapped out the effects of severe anaemia on the mother and her baby, and established the safety of treating gross anaemia by packed cell transfusion combined with rapidly acting diuretic. Also, he was part of a group that discovered the dangerous threat posed by sickle cell to maternal and fetal lives among Africans. He also raised awareness on the issue of maternal deaths, in which Nigeria had the second highest death incidents in the world.
on January 9, 1933. After completing his primary education, he went to Government College, Umuahia
for secondary studies. From there, he went to University College, Ibadan and the University of London
from 1951 to 1958. After the completion of his studies, he chose obstetrics and gynecology as areas of specialization. In 1964, he became a member, and in 1973, a fellow of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
In 1960, he joined the faculty of medicine at the University of Ibadan, he stayed at Ibadan
for 12 years, before moving to Ahmadu Bello University
, Zaria
to become the head of the Obstetrics department.
It was in Zaria that Kelsey Harrison gained wide attention, when he published the report of a survey that documented 22,774 consecutive deliveries. He used the data collected to find factors that contributed to the high number of maternal deaths in the country. His analysis led him to consider the importance of social epidemiology. The problems of teenage marriage
and pregnancy
, women's supposed inferior
status, and the use of unorthodox or traditional child delivering methods which encouraged antenatal neglect, he believed contributed greatly to the number of maternal death rates in the country. At Zaria, he also devised a management method that included sociologists, women groups and social workers to educate the community about maternal health and to encourage prenatal and antenatal care. He co-edited "Maternity care in Developing Countries" in 2001. His autobiography published in 2006 is entitled "An Arduous Climb: from the creeks of the Niger delta to a leading obstetrician and university vice chancellor" His latest book released in July 2010 is titled "Sowing the seeds of safe motherhood in Sub Saharan Africa" and is a compilation of some of his research publications. He had earned the degree of Doctor of Science (Medicine) of University of London in 1988.
Maternal health
Maternal health refers to the health of women during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. It encompasses the health care dimensions of family planning, preconception, prenatal, and postnatal care in order to reduce maternal morbidity and mortality.Preconception care can include...
, especially during pregnancy. As a researcher at the University of Ibadan
University of Ibadan
The University of Ibadan is the oldest Nigerian university, and is located five miles from the centre of the major city of Ibadan in Western Nigeria...
,he mapped out the effects of severe anaemia on the mother and her baby, and established the safety of treating gross anaemia by packed cell transfusion combined with rapidly acting diuretic. Also, he was part of a group that discovered the dangerous threat posed by sickle cell to maternal and fetal lives among Africans. He also raised awareness on the issue of maternal deaths, in which Nigeria had the second highest death incidents in the world.
Life
Kelsey Harrison was born in Abonnema, Rivers StateRivers State
Rivers State is one of the 36 states of Nigeria. Its capital is Port Harcourt. It is bounded on the South by the Atlantic Ocean, to the North by Imo, Abia and Anambra States, to the East by Akwa Ibom State and to the West by Bayelsa and Delta states...
on January 9, 1933. After completing his primary education, he went to Government College, Umuahia
Umuahia
Umuahia is the capital of Abia State in southeastern Nigeria. Umuahia is located along the rail road that lies between Port Harcourt to Umuahia's south and Enugu city to its north. Umuahia has a population of 359,230 according to the 2006 Nigerian census. Umuahia's indigenous ethnic group are the...
for secondary studies. From there, he went to University College, Ibadan and the University of London
University of London
-20th century:Shortly after 6 Burlington Gardens was vacated, the University went through a period of rapid expansion. Bedford College, Royal Holloway and the London School of Economics all joined in 1900, Regent's Park College, which had affiliated in 1841 became an official divinity school of the...
from 1951 to 1958. After the completion of his studies, he chose obstetrics and gynecology as areas of specialization. In 1964, he became a member, and in 1973, a fellow of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
In 1960, he joined the faculty of medicine at the University of Ibadan, he stayed at Ibadan
Ibadan
Ibadan is the capital city of Oyo State and the third largest metropolitan area in Nigeria, after Lagos and Kano, with a population of 1,338,659 according to the 2006 census. Ibadan is also the largest metropolitan geographical area...
for 12 years, before moving to Ahmadu Bello University
Ahmadu Bello University
Ahmadu Bello University is the largest university in Nigeria and second largest in Africa, second only to Cairo University, Egypt. It is situated in Zaria. It was founded on October 4, 1962 as the University of Northern Nigeria....
, Zaria
Zaria
Zaria may refer to:*Zaria, a city in Kaduna State, Nigeria*Zaria , or Zoria, the Slavic goddess of beauty*Countess Zaria of Orange-Nassau, Jonkvrouwe van Amsberg, a member of the Dutch royal family...
to become the head of the Obstetrics department.
It was in Zaria that Kelsey Harrison gained wide attention, when he published the report of a survey that documented 22,774 consecutive deliveries. He used the data collected to find factors that contributed to the high number of maternal deaths in the country. His analysis led him to consider the importance of social epidemiology. The problems of teenage marriage
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
and pregnancy
Pregnancy
Pregnancy refers to the fertilization and development of one or more offspring, known as a fetus or embryo, in a woman's uterus. In a pregnancy, there can be multiple gestations, as in the case of twins or triplets...
, women's supposed inferior
Inferior
Inferior means of lower station, rank, degree, or grade . It may also refer to:* Inferiority complex* An anatomical term of location* Inferior angle of the scapula, in the human skeleton...
status, and the use of unorthodox or traditional child delivering methods which encouraged antenatal neglect, he believed contributed greatly to the number of maternal death rates in the country. At Zaria, he also devised a management method that included sociologists, women groups and social workers to educate the community about maternal health and to encourage prenatal and antenatal care. He co-edited "Maternity care in Developing Countries" in 2001. His autobiography published in 2006 is entitled "An Arduous Climb: from the creeks of the Niger delta to a leading obstetrician and university vice chancellor" His latest book released in July 2010 is titled "Sowing the seeds of safe motherhood in Sub Saharan Africa" and is a compilation of some of his research publications. He had earned the degree of Doctor of Science (Medicine) of University of London in 1988.