Epidemiological and Clinical Profile of Emergencies Received at the Maternity Unit of Saint-Louis Regional Hospital, Senegal: A Retrospective Cross-sectional and Descriptive Study

Abstract

The goal of this study was to provide the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of women received in emergency at the maternity unit of the regional hospital of Saint-Louis. In Senegal, reducing maternal mortality is one of the main priorities of the National Health Development Plan.

On the basis of the archives for a year, a retrospective, cross-sectional, and descriptive study was conducted (July 1, 2017 - June 30, 2018). Out of 5822 collected files, there were 1364 evacuations (23.43%). The majority of women were under 25 years of age (42.53%), unschooled (60.92%), married (97.73%), low-income (96.68%), first-time pregnant (37.91%), prim parous (38.57%), with a full-term pregnancy (85.28%) and less than 4 prenatal consultations (56.02%).

The most common pathologies were dystocic (20.16%), hypertensive (18.40%), and hemorrhagic (8.65%). Medical treatment (72.87%) was dominated by vascular filling, antibiotic and antihypertensive medication, blood transfusion, and magnesium sulphate injection. Gynaeco-obstetrical care included 42 abortions, 834 births, and 303 caesarean sections, for a total of 1179 cases (86.44%).

It is concluded that improving the situation requires a more educated population and a better organized network of “obstetric and neonatal emergency care (ONEC)” services (medical transport, sufficient and upgraded staff, better maternity and neonatology, correct filled databases).