title: Pseudocyesis in a rural southeast Nigerian community.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pseudocyesis is uncommon and probably under reported among the African population.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To document the incidence and presentation of false pregnancies in a Nigerian rural population.
  
  
  METHODS
  This involved a review of prospectively collected data on all patients who were diagnosed with pseudocyesis over a four-year period in a Mission hospital.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Pseudocyesis occurred at a frequency of 1 in 344 pregnancies. The mean age was 33.6 years and the condition was found more commonly among poorly educated women. Amenorrhea was common among the subjects and 54% claimed they felt fetal movement. Ultrasound studies confirmed the absence of pregnancies in all cases. Management included counseling and referral to specialist clinical psychologists.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pseudocyesis is more common among the African population than in developed countries. Gynaecologists in these regions should have a high index of suspicion to diagnose this and assess the mental status of the subject and the precipitating factors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Ebonyi State University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, Nigeria. oujair@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Umeora
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Ouj
mesh_terms: D003376:Counseling; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D011555:Pseudopregnancy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy