Incidence of postpartum gynaecological morbidities and their associated factors in a selected district in Sri Lanka

Abstract

IntroductionThe objective of this study was to assess the incidence of postpartum gynaecological morbidities and to describe their associated factors in a selected district in Sri Lanka. MethodologyA sample of pregnant women (n-1050) was followed up by field investigators from 36 weeks of pregnancy to 42 days postpartum on a preplanned schedule. The morbid conditions were diagnosed using specific criteria developed for the study which included inquiries using a symptom checklist, clinical examination and laboratory investigations, Factors associated with these morbidities were studied using bivariate and multivariate analyses. ResultsThe incidence of infection of LSCS scar was 13.7% (21) while infection of episiotomy was 2.2% (13). Gaping of episiotomy was found in 5.1% (30). In this study 19% (198) of mothers reported of perineal pain and 28 % (57) of these were not identified to have any specific morbidity. The incidence of urinary tract infection and genital tract infection was 2.3% (24) and 0.38% (4) respectively. Factors related to intrapartum care, place of delivery and health related personal behaviours showed significant association with the selected morbidities. ConclusionsThe study concluded that post partum gynaecological infection and their morbidities were foundto, be high and associated with factors that could be modified.

Keywords

• women's health, maternal health, postpartum morbidities, postpartum infections