Ruptured uterus in Kano, Nigeria - study of risk factors

Abstract

This is a comparative prospective study of the risk factors for ruptured uterus in Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, Nigeria, between 1st January 2000 and 31st December 2005. Forty six women with ruptured uterus (cases) were compared with two hundred and thirty women who delivered without ruptured uterus (control). Chi-square (x2) test was used for comparison of the data for statistical significance. The incidence of ruptured uterus was 1 in 278 deliveries (0.36%). The significant risk factors found were unbooked status (OR = 36.70, CI = 12.85 – 112.94), low socioeconomic status (OR = 11.51, CI = 5.34 – 25.10), 30-39 years of age (OR = 2.23, CI = 1.10 – 4.50), grandmultiparity (OR = 8.25, CI = 3.88 – 17.64). Prolonged obstructed labour (OR = 5.92, CI = 2.57 – 13.66).Poor supervision in labour (unbooked status) was found to be the commonest cause of ruptured uterus. In a predominantly Islamic community like ours where early marriage is common, female western education and employment, as well as education of their husbands, community and religious leaders on the importance of antenatal care and hospital delivery, will go a long way to improve its utilization and reduce the prevalence of ruptured uterus in our community.
Keywords: Ruptured uterus, risk factors, Kano
Nigerian Hospital Practice Vol. 2 (3) 2008: pp. 65-69