Prevalence of pregnancy-related complications and course of labour of surviving women who gave birth in selected health facilities in Rwanda: a health facility-based, cross-sectional study

Factors influencing delivery-related complications and their consequences in hard-to-reach areas of Bangladesh

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Bangladesh's high maternal mortality ratio is exacerbated by delivery-related complications, particularly in hard-to-reach (HtR) areas with limited healthcare access. Despite this, few studies have explored delivery-related complications and factors contributing to these complications among the disadvantaged population. This study aimed to investigate the factors contributing to delivery-related complications and their consequences among the mothers residing in the HtR areas of Bangladesh.

METHODS

Data were collected using a cross-sectional study design from 13 HtR sub-districts of Bangladesh between September 2019 and October 2019. Data from 1,290 recently delivered mothers were analysed.

RESULTS

Around 32% (95% CI: 29.7-34.8) of the mothers reported at least one delivery-related complication. Prolonged labour pain (21%) was the highest reported complication during the delivery, followed by obstructive labour (20%), fever (14%), severe headache (14%). Mothers with higher education, a higher number of antenatal care (ANC) visits, complications during ANC, employed, and first-time mothers had higher odds of reporting delivery-related complications. More than one-half (51%) of these mothers had normal vaginal delivery. Nearly one-fifth (20%) of mothers who reported delivery-related complications were delivered by unskilled health workers at homes. On the other hand, about one-fifth (19%) of the mothers without any complications during delivery had a caesarean delivery. Nine out of ten of these caesarean deliveries were done at the private facilities.

CONCLUSION

Delivery-related complications are significantly related to a woman's reproductive history and other background characteristics. Unnecessary caesarean delivery is prominent at private facilities.

Pregnancy Induced Hypertension and Uric Acid Levels among Pregnant Women Attending Ruhengeri Referral Hospital, in Rwanda

Background:

Pregnancy Induced Hypertension (PIH) is a common burden during pregnancy usually associoted with adverse maternal and paternal outcomes. The uric acid serum level was identified as an important biochemical marker which can predict preeclampsia, a type of PIH. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of serum uric acid levels in association with blood pressure among pregnant women attending Ruhengeri Referral Hospital.

Methodology:

A cross-sectional study was designed and 80 pregnant women in different gestation trimesters participated in the study. Data was collected from September to October 2018. Digital sphygmomanometer was used to test blood pressures for participants. Blood samples were collected in red top tubes and centrifuged to obtain serum for uric acid levels. Using Humastar 80, uric acid levels were measured for each participant. Data was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23.0. Bivariate correlation was used to analyse the relationship between uric acid levels and participants’ blood pressure.

Results:

The median age was 27 in interquartile 23-31 ranging from 19 to 39 years. 58.75% of participants were in their 1^st trimester, followed by 21.25% in the 2^nd trimester and 20% in the 3^rd trimester. The prevalence of hypertension was 11.3% (7.5% for stage 1 and 3.8% for stage 2). Hyperuricemia was found in 15% of the participants. The mean of uric acid level was 7.12 ±1.86 mg/dl in the hypertensive group and 4.49 ±1.22 mg/dl in the non-hypertensive group. The study revealed a strong positive correlation between uric acid levels and systolic/diastolic blood pressure.

Conclusion:

High prevalence of hypertension among pregnant women was revealed. The association of hypertension and hyperuricemia was recorded with a strong correlation between blood pressures and serum uric acid levels. Examination of Uric acid levels among pregnant women should be routinely performed for early identification and management of hypertension.

Prevalence of pregnancy-related complications and associated factors among reproductive-aged women in northwest Ethiopia: A community-based retrospective cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE

To determine the Prevalence and factors associated with pregnancy-related complications among reproductive-aged women in northwest Ethiopia.

METHODS

A community-based retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted among 2367 mothers who delivered from November 2018 to April 2019. Two-stage stratified random sampling technique was employed in clustered villages from three districts out of 10. Pretested and semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect information on pregnancy-related complications. A binary logistic regression model was fitted to identify the associated factors.

RESULTS

Overall, 2335 (98.6%) women participated in the study. Mean age of respondents was 15.4 (SD ±3.2) years and 1763 (75.5%) of the women were below 18 years of age. The number of pregnancy-related complications was 372 (15.9%). Severe headache and high fever were the most frequently reported complications. Having a history of known health problem (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 10.0, 95% confidence interval [CI] 7.10-14.10), history of hypertension (aOR 3.90, 95% CI 1.10-14.20), heart problems (aOR 1.90, 95% CI 1.10-3.30), and living in urban areas (aOR 1.40, 95% CI 1.10-1.81) were the factors associated with pregnancy-related complications.

CONCLUSION

The number of pregnancy-related complications was high. Having a history of a known health problem, having a hypertension problem, having a heart problem, and being an urban resident were contributing factors.