The Delivery of Grand Multiparas in a Semi-Rural Setting: A Cross-Sectional Descriptive Study at the Ayos Locality of Cameroon

Abstract

Introduction: Grand multiparity is a known risk factor for maternal and fetal complications. Materials and Methods: We carried out a cross-sectional descriptive study on the delivery of grand multiparas at the maternity of the regional hospital annex of Ayos, a semi-rural locality in the Center region of Cameroon. The study covered the period from January 2012 through December 2020, and the objective was to assess the frequency, the determinants and the outcome of delivery in grand multiparas. Results: We recorded 1384 deliveries and enrolled 137 cases of delivery of grand multiparas. This gives a frequency of grand multipara delivery of 9.89%. The mean age of the women was 34.96 ± 4.45 years. Married parturients accounted for 65% of the cases and 16.8% were HIV positive. Delivery occurred at term in 89.9%. In 35.8%, no antenatal consultation was done. The use of the partograph during labor was reported in 11.7%. Per vaginal delivery was noted in 88.3%, emergency cesarean in 10.2% and elective cesarean in 1.5%. The most frequent maternal complications included post-partum hemorrhage (19.9%), genital tract tears (12.4%), endometritis (9.5%) and surgical wound infection (8.7%). No maternal death was recorded. The mean birth weight of the newborns was 3336.8 ± 550 g. Fetal complications were mostly represented by neonatal infection (20.1%), perinatal death (7.9%) and neonatal asphyxia (9.5%). Conclusion: The frequency of grand multiparous delivery in the semi-rural locality of Ayos, Cameroon, was 9.89%. The mean age of parturients was 38.96 years and the proportion of vaginal delivery was 88.3%.