Adverse perinatal outcomes in Chiradzulu, Southern Malawi.

Abstract: This study was conducted to investigate the relationship between perinatal care and perinatal outcomes of mothers who delivered at Chiradzulu District Hospital and in the community. The cross-sectional study prospectively reviewed 626 health passports and records of labouring mothers that presented at the health facility and those that delivered in the community. Most of the participants (75%) attended primary education, were aged 19-35 (77%) and were married (72.8%). Except for Malaria and HIV,which accounted for 69.8 and 18.1% of mothers, respectively, few maternal health problems were reported: preeclampsia (1.2%), antepartum haemorrhage (9.4%) and anaemia (13% for mild, 11.1% for moderate and 2.4% for severe). Birth weight was significantly associated with preeclampsia and eclampsia (P<0.05). Fetal distress was significantly associated with Apgar score (P<0.05). Prolonged second stage of labour was a significant risk factor for still birth (P<0.05). Results show that maternal complications caused adverse perinatal outcomes and intrapartum complications caused the most adverse effects. Therefore there is a need to manage the maternal complications to promote neonatal survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]