Indications and Feto-Maternal Outcomes of Caesarean Section at University Calabar Teaching Hospital: A Six Year Review (Published)
Caesarean section is one of the most common surgical procedures. With an increasing prevalence of caesarean section globally, periodic review is pertinent in order to determine the prevalence, indications and outcomes in our environment.The delivery records in the maternity unit of UCTH between 1st January 2013 and 31st December, 2018 were reviewed and relevant data obtained. Data were analyzed and presented as percentages.Caesarean section was the commonest major obstetric operation in university of Calabar Teaching Hospital over the period under review with a rate of 38.8%.The commonest indication being repeat caesarean section which accounted for 29.5% followed by Cephalo-pelvic disproportion (CPD) 17%. A total of 78% clients had emergency caesarean section while 22% of the caesarean sections were elective cases. The study demonstrated a high caesarean section rate in UCTH, Calabar (38.8%). Intensive effort should be invested towards reducing the prevalence by reducing the rate at which primary Caesarean section is performed. This can be achieved by encouraging operative vaginal deliveries; vaginal breech deliveries and vaginal birth after caesarean section to stem the tide of increasing caesarean section rate.
Keywords: Antenatal Care, Calabar, caesarean section, obstructed labour