Adverse Effects of Interpregnancy Interval on Maternal Health Among Pregnant Women Attending Delivery at El-Manial University Hospital-Cairo University
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- Category: Vol. 79, March 2011
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Adverse Effects of Interpregnancy Interval on Maternal Health Among Pregnant Women Attending Delivery at El-Manial University Hospital-Cairo University,AZZA A. ABD ELHAMID and HASSAN M. GAAFAR
Abstract
Aim of this Study: Was to explore the adverse effects of interpregnancy interval (IPI) on maternal health during preg-nancy, labor and immediate postpartum period.
Design: A descriptive exploratory design was adopted.
Settings: Were the Reception of labor unit then observe the sample in labor and delivery suites at El-Manial Maternity Hospital.
Sample: A total of 100 pregnant women (50 pregnant women with IPI less than 1 year and 50 pregnant women with IPI more than or equal to 1 year but not exceeding 2 years) were recruited for this study according to certain criteria.
Tools: Three tools were used for data collection, structure interviewing questionnaire; partograph and immediate post-partum maternal assessment.
Procedure: Data collected through: 1) Interviewing; 2) Assessment and 3) Evaluation.
Results: Study group was divided into two sub-groups according to interpregnancy interval G1 <6 months, and G2=6m <12m. Also Comparative group was divided into two sub-groups G3=12m <18m and G4=18 <-24m. Fifty three point three percent of pregnant women in G1 had third trimester bleeding and 16% in G2 while, it was 17.9% and 15.4% in G3 and G4 respectively, statistically significant differences between groups were found (p=0.02). One third of pregnant women in G1 had preeclampsia while, low percentage in G2 and G3 represented as 4% and 10.7% respectively Vs. 7.7% in G4, statistically significant differences between groups were found (p= 0.04). Only 5% of pregnant women in G1had term labor and 33.3% of pregnant women in G2 Vs. 45.7% and 73.3% in G3 and G4 respectively. High percentage (80%) of pregnant women in G1 delivered by cesarean section and around half in G2 and G3 represented as 56% and 42.9% respectively Vs. 23.1% in G4, statistically significance differ-ences between groups were found (p=0.02). High percentage of pregnant women in G1 (73.3%) had lax uterus and 40% of pregnant women in G2 while, low percentage of pregnant women in G3 and G4 had lax uterus represented as 21.4% and 7.7% respectively, highly statistically significance differ-ences between groups were found (p=0.01).
Conclusions: The less the interpregnancy interval (less than 6 months) the higher adverse effects on maternal health. The appropriate interpregnancy interval is 18-24 months associated with the lowest adverse effects on maternal health.
Recommendations: Based on the study results an awareness program is needed to raise women knowledge regarding the adverse effects of interpregnancy interval and the importance of antenatal follow-up.