Browsing by Author "Shikwambi, Hilma Inoukapo Taukondjele"
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- ItemOpen AccessNon-elective caesarean sections in the Khomas Region, Namibia: implications for midwifery practice(2014) Shikwambi, Hilma Inoukapo Taukondjele; Clow, Sheila; Fawcus, Susan RWomen who undergo caesarean section (CS) are likely to have a repeat CS in a subsequent pregnancy, thus increasing the CS rate in the country, which is not ideal in a resource constrained setting. The occurrence of high maternal mortality among women who have nonelective CS is usually due to indications for prior CS such as fetal distress, obstructed labour and eclampsia. In developing countries, there is a high rate of maternal deaths associated with major operative complications. This study was a retrospective, descriptive quantitative, clinical audit. The purpose was to identify the reasons for non-elective CS in two hospitals namely, the Windhoek Central hospital and Intermediate Katutura hospital, and the implications for Midwifery clinical practice. The research question was: What are the indications and intrapartum care factors for non-elective CS in the two hospitals, and what are the implications for Midwifery practice? The population consisted of records of women who had given birth by CS between 1st January 2012 and 30th June 2012 in the two hospitals. All available records of women who had non-elective CS during the study period were reviewed. Data was collected with individual data collection sheets and analysed using Statistica 11 software. A total of 838 records were reviewed. The CS rate was 1264/5296 (23.9%), the rate of nonelective CSs was 912/5296 (17.2%), and the proportion of non-elective CS was 912/1264 (72.2%). A total of 171/838 (20.4%) women were HIV positive. Seventy per cent (634/838) women had a CS for the first time, of which 290/634 (45.7%) were multigravida. Records were grouped according to Robson’s classification, a mutually exclusive and totally inclusive classification of CS. The Robson group making the largest contribution was nulliparous women with a single cephalic pregnancy, at greater than or equal to 37 weeks gestation in spontaneous labour (group 1) with 213/838=25.4%. Problems with the progress of labour were the most common reason why women had non-elective CSs during the study period. The study findings highlighted a high number of primary CS in low risk women with poor assessment of maternal wellbeing and progress of labour. Limited documentation of Midwifery intervention and care was noted suggesting inadequate Midwifery care. Training is required to render evidence based care.