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High Caesarean Section Rate at Federal Medical Centre, Birnin-Kebbi: Real or Apparent?
Abstract
In a two year retrospective analysis (January 2002 and December 2003) there were 364 cases of Caesarean section out of 1796 deliverers at Federal medical Centre, Birnin Kebbi giving a caesarean section rate of 20.3%. One thousand five hundred and twenty-three patients (84.8%) were unbooked while two hundred and seventy three patients (15.2%) were booked for ante-natal care. Emergency and elective procedures accounted for 94.2% and 5.8% of the cases respectively. Apart from two classical Caesarean section, others were transverse lower segment operation.
The main indications for the Caesarean section were prolonged obstructed labour, eclampsia and placenta praevia. Considering the fact that most of the patients were unbooked (only presented because of complications of pregnancy or labour) and some of the patients who had eclampsia would have benefited from vaginal delivery if they had antenatal care and timely induction of labour, we think that the high rate of Caesarean section in the centre is most likely apparent.
Key Words: High Caesarean section rate, Real or Apparent?
Nigerian Medical Practitioner 46(2) 2004: 39-40
The main indications for the Caesarean section were prolonged obstructed labour, eclampsia and placenta praevia. Considering the fact that most of the patients were unbooked (only presented because of complications of pregnancy or labour) and some of the patients who had eclampsia would have benefited from vaginal delivery if they had antenatal care and timely induction of labour, we think that the high rate of Caesarean section in the centre is most likely apparent.
Key Words: High Caesarean section rate, Real or Apparent?
Nigerian Medical Practitioner 46(2) 2004: 39-40
