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Published:
Feb 18, 2013Keywords:
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Maternal morbidity after childbirth in a health care facility in south - South Nigeria
Abstract
Background: Maternal morbidity though a global public health problem had not been a major Subject of emphasis like maternal mortality. And yet for each woman that dies sixteen others Suffer various forms of morbidity.
Objective: This study was design to determine the incidence, types and determinants of maternal morbidity after childbirth in a health care facility in south-south Nigeria.
Methodology: This study was a retrospective review of delivery records of women who were treated at the maternity unit of the Holy Family Hospital, Ikom, Cross-Rivers State, Nigeria from January 2004 to December 2010.
Results: Among the 3,068 deliveries, 124(4.04%) women suffered various morbidities. Most (31.5%) were aged 26 to 30 years. Sixty seven (54.0%) had at least secondary level of education. About 38.0% had no occupation. Unbooked (53.2%) and Para 3 to 4 (54.0%) were in the majority. The leading morbidities were; postpartum heamorrhage (33.9%), retained placenta (25.0%), hypertensive disorders (14.5%) and genital sepsis (13.7%). Educated women were more likely to book for antenatal care (p=0.000) and to deliver in orthodox health facility (p=0.007).The
morbidities were significantly related to the level of skill of the birth attendants (p=0.001) and place of delivery (P=0.045). Majority (85.5%) of the patients were treated as in-patients for a week.
Conclusion: The incidence of maternal morbidity was high with postpartum haemorrhage, retained placenta, hypertensive disorders and genital sepsis as the leading morbidities. Sustaining the campaign for women education,
utilization of reproductive health services, promoting the employment of skilled birth attendants and hospital delivery is recommended.
Keywords: Maternal morbidity, postpartum haemorrhage, puerperal sepsis, hypertension, childbirth.
