Occupational Medicine & Health Affairs
Open Access

Abstract

Introduction: Obstructed labor is still a major cause of maternal morbidity and mortality and of adverse outcome for women and newborns in developing countries, mainly the problem caused by maternal pelvis or the fetus or both. Aim & Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was carried out to assess the magnitude and associated factors of obstructed labor and its fetal and maternal outcome among women delivered in Gimbi Public Hospital, Wollega, Western Ethiopia from February to March 2015. A total of 321 deliveries registered from 2012-2014 was reviewed. Single population proportion formula was used to determine sample size. The study participants were selected by systematic sampling technique. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis were applied. Independent variables with p<0.05 in multivariable logistic regression analysis were considered as predictors of obstructed labor. Results: Prevalence of obstructed labor was 18.1% and the main causes were cephalopelvic disproportion 61.3% followed by malpresentation 27.1%. Risk of obstructed labor was significantly associated with age, 15-19 year (AOR 11.22, 95% CI: 4.4328.42), 25-29 year (AOR 1.23, 95% CI: 0.07-2.56); parity (nulipara) (AOR 24.96, 95% CI: 10.73-56.85) and birth weight, 2.5-4 kg, (AOR 4.76, 95% CI: 1.20-18.90). The major maternal complications were post-partum hemorrhage, ruptured uterus and puerperal sepsis. From the total obstructed deliveries 45 (78.9%) of them were live birth and 13 (21.1%) were still birth. Poor perinatal outcome including perinatal mortality was higher among obstructed deliveries. Prenatal complication was related with parity and prolonged duration of labor. The perinatal mortality rate was 310 per 1000 total births for women who had obstructed labor and 42 per 1000 total births among women non obstructed group. Overall the perinatal mortality rate was 90 per 1000 total births. Conclusion: The prevalence of obstructed labor was high. Age of the mother, parity and birth weight were significantly associated with obstructed labor. Birth preparedness and complication readiness also need to be addressed within the health system and the community level.

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