Journal of Women's Health Care
Open Access

Abstract

Prevalence of Obstructed Labor among Mothers Delivered in Mizan-Aman General Hospital, South West Ethiopia: A Retrospective Study

Andualem Henok and Adane Asefa

Background: Obstructed labor is still a major cause of maternal morbidity and mortality and of adverse outcome for newborns in low-income countries. There are few data from Ethiopia, although the problem is believed to be common. Objective: To assess the prevalence of obstructed labor among pregnant mothers delivered in Mizan-Aman General Hospital, South West Ethiopia.
Methods: Hospital based retrospective study was conducted from July 2014 back to September 2013 in Mizan- Aman General Hospital located at Bench Maji zone, Southwestern Ethiopia. From 1825 obstetrics records 151 were selected by using systematic random sampling technique and data analyzed. Data was entered to Epidata 3.1 and transported to SPSS for analysis. Frequencies were calculated to determine prevalences.
Results: Prevalence of obstructed labor was 7.95% and the main causes were cephalopelvic disproportion (66.67%), malpresentation or malposition (25%), and cervical and fetal congenital anomaly (8.33%). Out of this, only 25% had received antenatal care at least once, and the majority (83.3%) came from rural areas. The commonest maternal complications observed were postpartum hemorrhage (32.25%) and uterine rupture (25%). Forty -one point six seven percent of perinatal mortality was recorded.
Conclusion: The prevalence of obstructed labor was high with high rate of complications. The antenatal care follow-up practice was also low. Improved antenatal care coverage, good referral system, and comprehensive obstetric care in nearby health institutions are recommended to prevent obstructed labor and its complications.