Caesarean section related morbidity and mortality at the Imo State University Teaching Hospital Orlu

Abstract

Background: There is a general aversion to Caesarean section among Nigerian women. However, with increasing safety of the procedure and better enlightenment, more women are beginning to accept the procedure. To maintain this increasing acceptability, Caesarean section related morbidity and mortality must be reduced to the barest minimal levels.

Aim: To determine the incidence and the complications associated with Caesarean section at the Imo State University Teaching Hospital, Orlu.

Methods: A four-year descriptive study from June 2004 to May 2008 from the Obstetrics Department of Imo State University Teaching Hospital, Orlu was conducted. All pregnant women that were delivered by Caesarean section were included.

Results: There were 363 (33.2%) mothers who underwent Caesarean sections out of 1094 deliveries in the unit during the period under review. Postoperative complications occurred in 52 patients (14.5%). The complications cut across all reproductive age groups and parity. The commonest complications encountered were wound infection (71.9%), postpartum haemorrhage (63.2%) and anaemia (40.4%). The mortality rate was 1.2%.

Conclusion: The Caesarean section complication rate of 14.5% is still high, even though it is less than the figures quoted for some environments. There is still the need to reduce this rate to the barest minimum for us to be able to sustain the gains of the recent past.

Key words: Caesarean section, Morbidity, Mortality, Orlu