Obstetric indices at the Ebonyi State University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, South East Nigeria.

Background: Some vital health statistics are usually necessary in planning and execution of certain health policies and programmes. This is especially important in an obstetric unit where reduction of maternal and perinatal mortality have become yardstick for achieving some aspects of the Millennium Development Goal. Nigeria. Method: A review of Obstetric records in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, EBSUTH, Abakaliki, over a three-year period (January 2001-December 2003 was done. Results: A total 1660 deliveries were conducted during the review period. Of these, 82.2% were registered for antenatal care. Caesarean section rate was, 17.8%, instrumental deliveries 2.1% while 0.5% had destructive operations.. Teenage pregnancy and grandmultiparity accounted for 6.0% and 15% respectively. Sixteen. Percent of the babies were of low birth weight while 4.5% were macrosomic. Maternal mortality ratio and perinatal mortally rate were 3,392 per 100,000 and 86.3 per 1,000 respectively. Conclusion: Some of the vital obstetric indices were still within the range comparable to other centers. Grandmultiparity contributed a significant proportion of the cases and this calls for aggressive family planning campaigns. Maternal and perinatal mortality rates were outrageous. It is suggested that periodic review of some vital obstetric indices will pinpoint priority areas and help health policy makers and implementers provide the basic rudiments of safe motherhood initiative to our women. Keywords : Obstetric indices, tertiary health institution, Abakaliki, Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Medicine Vol. 17 (4) 2008: pp. 399-402