Postoperative Complications and Risk Factors among Women Who Underwent Caesarean Delivery from Northern Tanzania: A Hospital-Based Analytical Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: Caesarean section (CS) causes some complications. We here attempted to determine the rate of CS complications, characterize their timing, and identify their risk factors among women delivered at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Center (KCMC). Methods: Patients who underwent CS in KCMC were interviewed and analysed. Risk factors were expressed with Odds ratio (OR) and 95% CI. Results: Of 386 deliveries, 106 (27.5%) had one or more complications. Common early complications (24 - 72 hours after CS) were puerperal sepsis, anaesthesia-related complications, blood transfusion and ICU admission. Longer duration of surgery was significantly associated with all complications (aOR 2.90; 95% CI: 1.02 - 8.50). Grand multiparity was significantly associated with blood transfusion (7.0; 1.40 - 34.35) and PPH (6.4; 1.5 - 24.24) while pre-operative anaemia was significantly associated with blood transfusion (4.34; 1.90 - 9.45). Conclusion: Longer duration of surgery, grand multiparity and pre-operative anaemia are associated with complications. Physicians should be aware that these are risk factors for CS-complications.