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

BACKGROUND: Caesarean 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. OBJECTIVE: The 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. METHOD: A retrospective review of all caesarean sections carried out at the Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital from 1(st) January 2014 to 31(st) December 2014 was done. Data was extracted from patients' record. Descriptive statistics was done using Epi Info 7 statistical software. RESULTS: The 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. CONCLUSION: About 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.