TITLE:
A Six-Year Review of Caesarean Sections at the Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, South East Nigeria
AUTHORS:
Johnbosco E. Mamah, Obiora G. Asiegbu, Uzoma V. Asiegbu, Kenneth C. Ekwedigwe, Ugochukwu U. Nnadozie, Love Okafor
KEYWORDS:
Abakaliki, Caesarean Section Rate, Maternal Mortality, Perinatal Mortality
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology,
Vol.10 No.12,
December
11,
2020
ABSTRACT: Background: Globally, the rise in the rate of caesarean section
is becoming a public health problem. This study examined the rate, indications
and complications of caesarean section at the Federal Teaching Hospital
Abakaliki (FETHA). Subjects and Methods: This was a six-year retrospective study covering January 1st 2012 to December 31st 2017. Patients who met the inclusion criteria
were identified from the theatre records and their case notes retrieved from
the health information unit of the hospital. Information extracted includes
sociodemographic data, indications and types of caesarean section performed and
the complications. Data was collected using a structured proforma and entered
into a secured personal computer. Data analysis was performed by means of Epi Info version 7. Results are
presented in tables, means and simple percentages. Results: During this
period, a total of 11,215 deliveries were recorded at FETHA, of these, 3908
were delivered by CS giving a caesarean section rate of 34.8%. The mean age of
the study subjects was 29.3 ± 5.03 years. Almost half (49.7%) of the patients
were in the 20 - 29 age group. Multiparous women made up 36.0% while
nulliparous women were 12.6%. The most common
indication for an emergency caesarean section was failure to progress in labour with 20.0% contribution and the most
common indication for elective caesarean section was previous caesarean section with 13.5%. Majority of the babies were
delivered at term (77.0%) with an average gestational age of 38 ± 2.6 weeks.
Almost two-thirds of the subjects (62.5%)
had emergency caesarean section. The
average birthweight was 3.03 ± 0.71 kg.
Maternal anaemia was the most common complication recorded 38.0%. There was direct maternal death in 2.0% of
the study population. Severe birth asphyxia was recorded in 12.3% of the babies
while there was 3.2% perinatal death. Conclusion: There is a high rate
of caesarean section from this study. The
World Health Organization has stated that there is no additional maternal or
fetal benefit with caesarean section rate
of greater than 10% - 15%. Stakeholders and policy
makers need to do more to mitigate this rising trend.