Caesarean Section in Kano, North-West Nigeria

Abstract

A prospective study of all Caesarean sections (C/S) that were performed at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, Nigeria, between January 2001 and December 2006 was carried out to determine the incidence, age, parity, indications, types and feto-maternal outcome. The caesarean section rate in this review was 13.7%. Emergency C/S accounted for 87.9%, while 12.1% were done electively. Among them 52.4% were booked while 47.6% were unbooked, giving a C/S rate of 9.2% for booked and 29.2% for unbooked patients. The leading indications for emergency C/S were cephalo-pelvic disproportion (CPD)/obstructed labour and preeclampsia/ eclampsia, while for elective C/S it was two or more previous C/S and breech presentation. Feto-maternal morbidity and mortality were significantly higher among unbooked patients because of late presentation in the hospital. We recommend that Traditional Birth Attendants should be trained to refer patients early. Antenatal care should be free or subsidized and made more accessible. In a predominantly Islamic society like ours where early marriage and teenage pregnancies are common, campaign for antenatal care and hospital delivery, should include education of the husbands and community about the importance of antenatal care. Involvement of religious and community leaders will go a long way to achieve this goal, as well as the aims of Millennium Development Goals- 4 and 5. Key Words: Caesarean section, booking status, feto-maternal outcome