Maternal morbidity: results of a country-wide review.

PURPOSE: To determine the incidence of maternal morbidity and to identify its main causes in Jordan.

METHODS

A national cohort sample of pregnant women was enrolled before their 22nd week of gestation, and was followed-up throughout the antenatal period, labour and puerperium. A total of 4,501 women were included in the study. A total of 80 physicians were responsible for completing the questionnaire and data sheet.

RESULTS

The overall morbidity rate was 60.8%. The morbidity rate during the ante natal period was 41.3%. During labour and delivery, 34.5% of women suffered from at least one morbid condition. In the puerperium, 18.7% of women suffered from one or more morbidities. The caesarean sections rate was 27.7%. The prevalence of anaemia at enrolment and delivery were 20.1 and 26.3%, respectively. The commonest morbidities of the antenatal period were urinary tract infections at 20.2% and genital infections at 19.4%. Parity of >4 was independently related to increased morbidity during the antenatal period and labour but not in the puerperium. There were no maternal mortalities.

CONCLUSIONS

Parity of >4 was a significant predictor of antenatal period and intrapartum morbidity. The commonest maternal morbidities were urinary tract infections, vaginal genital infections and anaemia.