Outcome of caesarean section at the Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital, Banjul The Gambia

Abstract

BackgroundCaesarean section is a very important procedure to decrease maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. Anecdotal evidence suggests that more than half of all caesarean sections done in The Gambia are done at the Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital.ObjectiveThe aim of the study was to determine the caesarean section rate at the Edward Francis Small teaching Hospital. The study also aimed to determine the socio-demographic factors associated with caesarean section and maternal and fetal outcomes of caesarean section at the hospital.MethodA retrospective review of all caesarean sections carried out at the Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital from 1st January 2014 to 31st December 2014 was done. Data was extracted from patients' record. Descriptive statistics was done using Epi Info 7 statistical software.ResultsThe Caesarean section rate in the hospital is 24.0%. The commonest indications for caesarean section were previous caesarean section (20.6%) and cephalopelvic disproportion (20.2%). There were 21 maternal deaths (1.8%) and 71 fresh stillbirths (6.0%) in the study population.ConclusionAbout a quarter of all deliveries in the hospital were caesarean sections most of which were done as emergencies. The commonest indications for caesarean section were cephalopelvic disproportion and previous caesarean section.

Health issues of concern to Africa and beyond: infections, NCDs and health systems inertia

“…This section begins with a Gambian study on the outcome of caesarean section and deliveries over a one year period 19 , and it is followed by a Ugandan experience of teaching health workers obstetrics ultrasound. 20 Continuing with the teaching theme in SRH, Turkish researchers report on their experience with fertility and expectations of having children.…”

Factors Associated with High Rates of Caesarean Deliveries: A Cross Sectional Study Classifying Deliveries According to Robson in Mengo Hospital Kampala

“… 3 In Bangladesh, there was an increase of caesarean deliveries from 4% in 2004 to 23% in 2014. 8 In Gambia, CSR in hospitals is 24.0% and the most common indications for a CS were a previous CS (20.6%) and a cephalopelvic disproportion (20.2%), 9 and in Nigeria, the cesarean rate was 27.6%, nearly three times higher than the 10.4% recorded at that center over two decades ago. 10…”