Prevalence of Caesarean Section Deliveries Among Primigravidae in General Hospital Gboko, Benue State, Nigeria

Emmanuel Okechukwu Chukwu

doi:10.11648/j.ijcems.20170305.12

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to assess the prevalence of caesarean-section among primigravida in general hospital Gboko, Benue State, Nigeria. The study was a hospital-based cross-sectional retrospective survey conducted from January 2016-December 2016. The target population comprised all the primigravida within the age of 16-45 who underwent caesarean section in General Hospital Gboko, Benue State, Nigeria. The sample size consisted of 224 patients that met the inclusion criteria of caesarean deliveries performed after period of viability (28 weeks). Data collection instrument was the hospital delivery records from the maternity units, theatre records, admission and discharge registers in labour ward with outcome of caesarean section using delivery collection sheet. Collected data were analysed using frequency distribution table. Findings revealed increased incidence of caesarean section from a steep of 17.9% recorded in January-February after a rapid rise to 20.5% in September-October to 22.3% in November-December. Finding also showed that most of the cases of caesarean-section achieved a life viable fetus with an APGAR score of 8/10 in the first five minutes of life. Major indications for caesarean-section were due to failure to progress during labour, previous uterine scar, no reassuring fetal status and fetal mal-presentation. It was also revealed that majority of women who had a previous caesarean section ended up having a spontaneous vaginal delivery.

Highlights

A caesarean section is delivery of a fetus through a surgical incision in the abdominal wall; known as laparatomy, and an incision through the uterine wall known as hysterectomy [4]
The caesarean section rate is rising despite national goals to decrease their occurrence to 15% [13]
The United States has recorded the highest caesarean section rate ever, accounting for 26.1% of all deliveries in 2007 [8]. [3] states that the rising caesarean section rate can be correlated to the dramatic decrease in vaginal births after previous caesarean deliveries

Summary

Introduction

A caesarean section is delivery of a fetus through a surgical incision in the abdominal wall; known as laparatomy, and an incision through the uterine wall known as hysterectomy [4]. More research on the impact of caesarean section on woman’s psychological and social well-being is still needed Due to their increased cost, high rates of unnecessary caesarean sections can pull resources away from other services in overloaded and weak health systems. These conclusion highlights the value of Emmanuel Okechukwu Chukwu et al.: Prevalence of Caesarean Section Deliveries Among Primigravidae in General

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Methods

Findings

Conclusion