Pregnancy outcome in unbooked mothers at a tertiary health institution, South-South, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Maternal complications and poor perinatal outcome are highly associated with non-utilisation of antenatal and delivery care services. The study aimed at determining the socio-demographical characteristics and feto-maternal outcome in unbooked mothers who delivered at a tertiary referral hospital.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study of all unbooked patients managed at the Obstetric unit of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), Nigeria from January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2013. Data obtained from the theatre records, delivery registers and case notes were analysed using the statistical package SPSS 20.

RESULTS: Unbooked mothers constituted 15.8% (2,490) of the deliveries. Majority (81.7%) of the women were aged 20-34 years with a mean age of 30.8 ± 4.5 years. More than half of the women were Para 1-4 (61.3%). Emergency caesarean section was the mode of delivery in 58.7% of the women. The commonest indication for caesarean section was cephalopelvic disproportion (40%) followed by Obstructed labour (26%). There were 149 maternal deaths, giving maternal mortality ratio of 4654.8/100,000. The perinatal mortality rate was 331.7/1000 births.

CONCLUSION: The study showed a positive correlation between lack of proper antenatal care and adverse pregnancy outcome in unbooked patients. Improvement in the socioeconomic conditions of the populace especially women and the removal of fee for service in maternal care services will help to improve the availability and accessibility of good quality antenatal care.