Caesarean Section in a Tertiary Hospital in South-South, Nigeria: A 3-year Review
Dennis O. Allagoa, Peter Chibuzor Oriji, Ebiye S. Tekenah, Lukman Obagah, Onyekachi S. Ohaeri, Kanayochukwu Michael Mbah, Chima Ikoro, T. J. Wagio, Nnamdi C. Nwanze, Gordon Atemie
Abstract
Background: Caesarean section is the delivery of the foetus, placenta, and foetal membranes through an incision on the abdominal and uterine walls after the age of foetal viability. It is a life-saving surgical procedure, which has helped reduce maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality over the years. Objective: To determine the rates, indications, outcomes, and complications of Caesarean section at the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: This research was carried out at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, South-South, Nigeria between 1st January 2018 and 31st December 2020. It was a retrospective study. Data was retrieved from the labour ward records, delivery register, theatre records, and patients’ folders during the period under review, and entered into a pre-designed proforma. Data were analysed with IBM SPSS version 23.0. Results were presented in frequencies and percentages for categorical variables and mean and standard deviation for continuous variables. Results: About 959 women had Caesarean section (CS) out of 2,263 deliveries, giving a Caesarean section rate of 42.4%. The commonest indication for emergency Caesarean section was cephalopelvic disproportion (36.0%), while that for elective Caesarean section was repeat Caesarean section (19.6%). Conclusion: The Caesarean section rate in our Centre is extremely high, almost three times the acceptable upper limit set by the WHO. Encouraging vaginal birth after Caesarean section as a means to reduce this high rate is recommended as it was noted that previous Caesarean section was a leading indication for surgeries.