Prevalence, Indications and Outcomes of Cesarean Section Deliveries in Nigeria: A Four-Year Retrospective Review in Bowen University Teaching Hospital

Background aim: The prevalence of cesarean section as a mode of delivery is on a steady increase, it is, therefore, a good practice to perform periodic assessments of the procedure in various institutions. This study aimed to examine the prevalence, indications, and outcomes of cesarean section in a private teaching hospital in Nigeria. Methods: This retrospective record review was conducted among mothers who delivered in Bowen University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria. Case records, maternity records, and theatre records of 978 women who delivered via cesarean section from June 1, 2018 to May 31, 2022 were retrieved. Data was collected from secondary sources using a self-structured checklist. SPSS version 20 was used to analyze data. Results: A total of 2,558 deliveries were registered during the four years of the survey, out of which 978 (38.2%) were carried out via cesarean section. The mean age of mothers was 30.3±0.15years. The majority of the women were multi gravida accounting for 59.9%. The previous scar was the leading indication with 15.5%, followed by fetal distress and prolonged labor with 13.9% and 13.6%, respectively. Of the women who had cesarean sections, 152 (15.6%) exhibited adverse outcomes. The most adverse outcome was anemia, which accounted for 6.4%. Conclusion: The prevalence of cesarean section was higher than the World Health Organization s recommended rate of 10-15%. Therefore, there is need for individualized care during antenatal visits, with an emphasis on reducing medicalization of pregnancy to decrease the rate of unnecessary cesarean sections.