Abstract
We conducted this retrospective case-control study to identify possible risk factors of delivery through caesarean section in the Far North Region of Cameroon. Data was collected retrospectively from delivery room registers at the Provincial Hospital, Maroua, Cameroon from 01/01/2003 to 31/12/2004. The overall 125 eligible caesarean deliveries were compared with 244 women who delivered vaginally during the study period. The odds ratio as well as the 95% confidence interval was used to measure the relationship between maternal characteristic and risk of delivery by caesarean section. We found that the marital status is similar in the two study populations. Risk factors associated with cesarean section were: maternal age less than 17 years (OR 3.55, 95%CI: 1.46–8.64), maternal age over 39 years (OR 3.55, 95% CI: 1.17–10.75), nulliparity (OR 2.72, 95% CI: 1.59–4.66), grand multiparty (OR 3.43, 95% CI: 1.79–6.57), and macrosomia (OR 4.82, 95% CI: 1.49–16.44). There was a weak association with absent or poor. Caesarean delivery is associated with extreme ages of reproductive life, macrosomia, nulliparous and grand multiparous status. We strongly recommend that these factors be taken into consideration to strengthen the mother and child health programs in Cameroon and countries with similar socioeconomic profiles.
Highlights
Caesarean section may sometimes be the only means to save the life of the mother and/or foetus [1]
The marital status in this study is consistent with the previous findings that almost all women who deliver in Far North Cameroon are married [7]
This study shows that when the parturient’s age is less than 17 years, the rate of delivery by caesarean section is doubled and the risk of caesarean delivery is tripled compared to women aged 20–29
Summary
Caesarean section may sometimes be the only means to save the life of the mother and/or foetus [1]. Current estimates in Cameroon put the national caesarean section rate at about 2%, with the lowest rate of 0.4% being reported in the Far North Region. A recent study reported poor foetal outcome of fœtus delivered through caesarean section in Far North Cameroon Region and revealed that one of three caesarean deliveries ended up in foetal death [5]. A study in Nigeria revealed a higher perinatal mortality of 34% in women who refused elective caesarean delivery compared to 5% for those who accepted the procedure [6]. In order to perform caesarean section at right time for safety of the mother and her child, counseling on cesarean delivery must be part of each woman’s prenatal care.
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