Comparison of Pregnancy Outcomes of Booked and Unbooked Patients in the Niger Delta

Abstract

Background: Sub-Saharan African countries have some of the worst maternal mortality ratios in the world sub-regions. Uncoordinated antenatal care  practices and delivery outside health institutions are some of the determinants of these deaths experienced in the region. The objective of the study is to  determine some of these erring behavioral antenatal practices that are inimical to good obstetric outcomes and how health care planners can use the  results to close these gaps of maternal mortality and save lives.

Method: This study was a cross sectional retrospective study of the women who delivered at The Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital, Okolobiri,  between 1 st June,2021 to 1st June, 2022. The study compared the maternal and fetal outcomes between the booked and unbooked patients who  delivered during this period. Relevant data to the study were extracted from patients’ medical records using a proforma and data collected entered SPSS  Version 25 for analysis.

Results: Three hundred and forty-six patients participated in the stud, 72.3 % were booked and 27.7% were unbooked. Place of  delivery N = 253, 75.5 % delivered in health facilities and 24.5 in non-Health facilities. Unbooked patients have prolonged labor lasting more than 24  hours, suffered more blood loss during delivery, their babies have more unfavorable one minute Apgar, all compared to outcomes of the booked patients.

Conclusion: Booked patients have more favorable pregnancy outcomes compared to the unbooked patients. Health care planners and care  providers should devote more time and resources to unbooked patients to have favorable pregnancy outcomes.