Descriptive Analysis of Caesarean Sections Performed at Federal Government Polyclinic Islamabad

Abstract

Objective: To determine the rate of cesarean sections among pregnant women admitted to the hospital and to document the indications for cesarean sections among them.

Methodology: This descriptive observation study was carried out at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Federal Government Polyclinic (FGPC), Islamabad from September 1, 2022 to August 31, 2023. Non-probability consecutive sampling technique was employed. All pregnant women who were admitted in the hospital for childbirth were included in the study. Patients who did not consent for participation in the study were excluded. Robson's ten group classification system (RTGCS) was employed to categorize the women undergoing cesarean sections.

Results: Out of 3489 deliveries, there were 1855 cesarean sections with cesarean section rate of 53.16%. Majority of the cesarean sections (n=1445; 77.89%) were emergency whereas only 22.10% (n=410) cesarean sections were elective. Majority of the cesarean sections (n=1411; 76.06%) were instituted among women with previous scars whereas 444(23.93%) were performed in primigravida.

The highest frequency of cesarean sections was observed among women of Robson’s group-5 (n=965; 52.02%), followed next by women in Robson’s group-2 (n=276; 14.87%), and those in Robson’s group-1 (n=182; 9.81%).

Conclusion: The rate of cesarean sections was 53.16%. Majority of the cesarean sections were performed among women with previous cesarean section. Robust efforts should be made to improve the standards of obstetric care at the level of the primary healthcare facilities. This will help to reduce not only primary cesarean sections but more importantly the alarmingly high secondary cesarean sections in the Robson’s group-5 women.