Caesarean section in a Secondary Health Hospital in Awka, Nigeria

Abstract

Setting: Amaku General Hospital, Awka is a state government owned secondary health facility in South East Nigeria.
Objectives: To determine the rate, indications, outcome and complications of caesarean sections with a view to improving on our service delivery.
Patients and Methods: A retrospective review of all caesarean deliveries over a five year period, January 2005 to December 2009.
Results: A total of 291 caesarean sections were performed. A total of 2809 patients were delivered giving a caesarean section rate of 10.4%. The incidence was commoner in the multigravidae. The commonest indication and morbidity were cephalopelvic disproportion 72(25.6%) and wound sepsis 40 (33.3%) respectively. There was a gradual yearly increase in rate from 9.0% in 2005 to 11.4% in 2009. Maternal mortality rate was 480
per 100,000 deliveries while the perinatal mortality rate was 63.8 per 1000 total births.
Conclusions: The rate of caesarean section has shown a gradual yearly increase. There is need to improve on the facilities and manpower in the secondary health care facilities as these will impact positively on the quality and safety of its services.

Niger Med J. Vol. 50, No. 3, July – Sept., 2009: 64 – 67.

Key words: caesarean section, rates, secondary health centre