Socio-demographic characteristics and pregnancy outcome of booked and unbooked women at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital

Abstract

To investigate effect of booking status and other parturient characteristics on pregnancy outcome. A retrospective case controlled study of unbooked and booked women. Case notes and ward registers were sources of data. The unbooked had less education and higher teenage pregnancy than the booked (Primary education; unbooked 41.7% and booked 9.4%. Teenage pregnancy; unbooked 4.1%, booked 0.6%) P<0.001. Caesarean delivery was higher in the unbooked than the booked (51.1% and 20.7%). Maternal Mortality was nine times higher in unbooked than booked parturients.

Birth asphyxia and perinatal mortality were >7 times less in the booked compared to the unbooked. Low social class of unbooked women influenced their not booking; this in turn resulted in poorer pregnancy outcome such as higher interventions, obstructed labour, perinatal and maternal mortality. Low education, husbands occupation and social class of unbooked women influenced their not booking; this in turn resulted in poorer pregnancy outcome such as higher interventions, obstructed labour, perinatal and maternal mortality. Public enlightenment, education of the girl child and women empowerment will improve booking for orthodox ANC and delivery.

Keywords: Booked, Unbooked, Pregnancy Complications, Maternal Mortality, Maternal Morbidity, Educational Status, Social Class