Abstract
BackgroundUterine rupture is one of the most devastating complications of labour that exposes the mother and foetus to grave danger hence contributing to the high maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity in Uganda. Every year, 6000 women die due to complications of pregnancy and childbirth, uterine rupture accounts for about 8% of all maternal deaths.The objective of this study was to establish the incidence of uterine rupture, predisposing factors, maternal and fetal outcomes and modes of management at a regional referral university hospital in South-western Uganda.MethodsCase–control design of women with uterine rupture during 2005–2006. Controls were women who had spontaneous vaginal delivery or were delivered by caesarean section without uterine rupture as a complication. For every case, three consecutive in-patient chart numbers were picked and retrieved as controls. All available case files, labour ward and theater records were reviewed.ResultsA total of 83 cases of uterine rupture out of 10940 deliveries were recorded giving an incidence of uterine rupture of 1 in 131 deliveries. Predisposing factors for uterine rupture were previous cesarean section delivery(OR 5.3 95% CI 2.7-10.2), attending < 4 antenatal visits (OR 3.3 95% CI 1.6-6.9), parity ≥ 5(OR 3.67 95% CI 2.0-6.72), no formal education (OR 2.0 95% CI 1.0-3.9), use of herbs (OR15.2 95% CI 6.2-37.0), self referral (OR 6.1 95% CI 3.3-11.2) and living in a distance >5 km from the facility (OR 10.86 95% CI 1.46-81.03). There were 106 maternal deaths during the study period giving a facility maternal mortality ratio of 1034 /100,000 live births, there were 10 maternal deaths due to uterine rupture giving a case fatality rate of 12%.ConclusionUterine rupture still remains one of the major causes of maternal and newborn morbidity and mortality in Mbarara Regional referral Hospital in Western Uganda. Promotion of skilled attendance at birth, use of family planning among those at high risk, avoiding use of herbs during pregnancy and labour, correct use of partograph and preventing un necesarry c-sections are essential in reducing the occurences of uterine repture.
Highlights
Uterine rupture is one of the most devastating complications of labour that exposes the mother and foetus to grave danger contributing to the high maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity in Uganda
A high incidence of uterine rupture is an indicator of poor obstetric care, poor accessibility to the few available comprehensive Emergence Obstetric Care (EmoC) facilities as well as a poor socio-economic condition of the community [14,15,16,17,18]
This study aimed at establishing the incidence of uterine rupture, predisposing factors, maternal and fetal outcomes and modes of management at a regional referral university hospital in South-western Uganda
Summary
Uterine rupture is one of the most devastating complications of labour that exposes the mother and foetus to grave danger contributing to the high maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity in Uganda. One of the major obstetric complications of labour contributes significantly to maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity [4,5,6,7,8]. The occurrence of uterine rupture varies in different parts of the world While it is rare in high-income countries, it remains a public health problem in low income countries, in Africa and mainly occurring as consequence of prolonged, obstructed labour [6,7,8]. A high incidence of uterine rupture is an indicator of poor obstetric care, poor accessibility to the few available comprehensive Emergence Obstetric Care (EmoC) facilities as well as a poor socio-economic condition of the community [14,15,16,17,18]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
