INCIDENCE AND TREND OF CAESAREAN SECTION AMONGWOMEN OF CHILD BEARING AGE IN GENERAL HOSPITALIKOT EKPENE

Abstract

The study was undertaken to determine the incidence, incidence rate and trend of Ceasarean Section (CS) among women of childbearing age in General Hospital, Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State from 2000-2009. A total of 884 folders of women who
attended the hospital for the ten years period were consulted. Data were collected using CS inventory proforma (CSIP) from patient's folder in the record office. Frequencies and percentages were used to answer the research questions while Chisquare statistic was used to test null hypotheses at .05 level of significance. Graphs were used to present the data. The results showed that a total of 884 cases were recorded from 2000-2009. The overall incidence rate was 16 per 100 cases. It observed that women within 36-45 years and parity status six and above recorded the highest incidence. The trend was downward and upward in certain years but highest was in 2005 while the lowest was recorded in 2008. -It was recommended that schools should intensify the teaching of reproductive health with special emphases on safe motherhood and family planning.