Ruptured uterus in a Nigerian community: a study of sociodemographic and obstetric risk factors

• Published in: Acta obstetricia et gynecologica Scandinavica Vol. 84; no. 12; pp. 1172 - 1174
• Main Authors: Ebeigbe, Peter N., Enabudoso, Ehigha, Ande, Adedapo B. A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK; Malden, USA Munksgaard International Publishers 01.12.2005; Taylor & Francis
• Subjects: Adult; antenatal care; Biological and medical sciences; Case-Control Studies; Delivery. Postpartum. Lactation; Female; Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics; Humans; Incidence; Medical Records; Medical sciences; Medically Underserved Area; morbidity; mortality; Nigeria - epidemiology; Pregnancy; Prenatal Care; Prevalence; Retrospective Studies; Risk Factors; ruptured uterus; Socioeconomic Factors; Uterine Rupture - epidemiology; Uterine Rupture - etiology; Uterine Rupture - prevention & control; Nigeria; risk factors; Gynecology; Mortality; Epidemiology; Obstetrics; Morbidity; Care; antenatal care; Pregnancy; Prenatal; ruptured uterus; Uterus; Sociodemographic factor; Female genital system; Risk factor; Delivery
• ISSN: 0001-6349; 1600-0412
• DOI: 10.1111/j.0001-6349.2005.00778.x

Background.  Ruptured uterus is a common obstetric emergency in Nigeria, associated with high maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. There is a need for definitive identification of the risk factors to guide effective interventions to curb its scourge. Objective.  To identify the sociodemographic and obstetric risk factors for ruptured uterus in Benin City, Nigeria, and based on this, make appropriate recommendations toward curbing the incidence and morbidity and mortality associated with it. Materials and methods.  Sociodemographic and obstetric variables in 51 women with ruptured uterus and 300 randomly selected hospital controls from the general obstetric population were compared. Fisher's exact test was used to determine statistical significance between proportions. Results.  The incidence of ruptured uterus was 1 in 426 deliveries. The risk factors found were low socioeconomic class (OR = 6.8, CI = 3.6–12.9), being unbooked for antenatal care (OR = 10.4, CI = 5.4–20.0), grand multiparity (OR = 8.7, CI = 4.0–19.1), and prolonged obstructed labor (OR = 35.3, CI = 15.3–81.6). Conclusion.  Measures that promote education and economic empowerment of women and the utilization of modern antenatal care will reduce the prevalence of rupture of the uterus in the community.