Abstract
Caesarean section is a very important procedure to decrease maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. Anecdotal evidence suggests that more than half of all caesarean sections done in The Gambia are done at the Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital. The aim of the study was to determine the caesarean section rate at the Edward Francis Small teaching Hospital. The study also aimed to determine the socio-demographic factors associated with caesarean section and maternal and fetal outcomes of caesarean section at the hospital. A retrospective review of all caesarean sections carried out at the Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital from 1st January 2014 to 31st December 2014 was done. Data was extracted from patients' record. Descriptive statistics was done using Epi Info 7 statistical software. The Caesarean section rate in the hospital is 24.0%. The commonest indications for caesarean section were previous caesarean section (20.6%) and cephalopelvic disproportion (20.2%). There were 21 maternal deaths (1.8%) and 71 fresh stillbirths (6.0%) in the study population. About a quarter of all deliveries in the hospital were caesarean sections most of which were done as emergencies. The commonest indications for caesarean section were cephalopelvic disproportion and previous caesarean section.
Highlights
Caesarean section, a surgical procedure to deliver a baby in which an incision is made on the maternal abdomen and a second one on her uterus is an important tool for reducing maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality
This study aims to determine the caesarean section rate at Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital (EFSTH), identify the socio-demographic factors associated with caesarean section and determine the maternal and foetal outcome of caesarean sections at EFSTH
A study conducted at a tertiary hospital in Nigeria suggests a caesarean section rate of 27.6% which was almost 3-fold more than the 10.4% recorded in this centre over two decades ago[23]
Summary
A surgical procedure to deliver a baby in which an incision is made on the maternal abdomen and a second one on her uterus is an important tool for reducing maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. @ 2018 Idoko et al; licensee African Health Sciences. A previous WHO study found that the rate of caesarean delivery was positively associated with adverse outcomes such as postpartum infection, postpartum antibiotic treatment and severe maternal morbidity and mortality, even after adjustment for risk factors[10]. Anecdotal evidence suggests that more than half of all caesarean sections done in The Gambia are done at the Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital. Objective: The aim of the study was to determine the caesarean section rate at the Edward Francis Small teaching Hospital. The study aimed to determine the socio-demographic factors associated with caesarean section and maternal and fetal outcomes of caesarean section at the hospital. Outcome of caesarean section at the Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital, Banjul The Gambia.
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