Ruptured Uterus-A Study of Socio-Demographic and Obstetric Risk Factors in Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital

Abstract

Objective: This is a comparative prospective study of the risk factors for ruptured uterus in Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, Nigeria, between 1st January 2000 and 31st December 2005. Materials and methods: Forty six women with ruptured uterus (cases) were compared with an equal number of women who delivered immediately after them without ruptured uterus (controls). Chisquare (x2) test was used to determine statistical significance. The odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were determined where appropriate. Results: The incidence of ruptured uterus was 1 in 278 deliveries (0.36%). The significant risk factors found were unbooked status (OR = 38.95, CI = 10.36 – 160.27), low socioeconomic status (OR = 4.27.51, CI = 1.64 – 11.29), being 30-39 years of age (OR = 2.77, CI = 1.02 – 7.65), grandmultiparity (OR = 3.37, CI = 1.29 – 8.96), prolonged obstructed labor (OR = 5.60, CI = 1.54 – 22.23). Poor supervision in labor (unbooked status) was the most common cause of ruptured uterus. Conclusion: In a predominantly Islamic community like ours where early marriage is common, female western education and employment, education of their husbands, the community and their religious leaders on the importance of antenatal care and hospital delivery, will go a long way to improve its utilization and reduce the prevalence of ruptured uterus in our community.Keywords: Ruptured uterus, incidence, risk factors, developing country