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BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth
Published in: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth 1/2014

Open Access 01-12-2014 | Research article

Risk factors for reported obstetric complications and near misses in rural northwest Bangladesh: analysis from a prospective cohort study

Authors: Shegufta S Sikder, Alain B Labrique, Abu A Shamim, Hasmot Ali, Sucheta Mehra, Lee Wu, Saijuddin Shaikh, Keith P West Jr, Parul Christian

Published in: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth | Issue 1/2014

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Abstract

Background

In rural Bangladesh, more than 75% of all births occur at home in the absence of skilled birth attendants. Population-based data are lacking on the burden and risk factors for obstetric complications in settings with low rates of institutional delivery. We sought to describe the prevalence of reported complications and to analyze risk factors for obstetric complications and near misses, using data from a representative, rural setting of Bangladesh.

Methods

This study utilized existing data on 42,214 pregnant women enrolled in a micronutrient supplementation cohort trial between 2007 and 2011 in rural northwest Bangladesh. Based on self-report of complications, women were categorized as having obstetric complications, near misses, or non-complicated pregnancies using definitions modified from the World Health Organization. Multivariable multinomial regression was used to analyze the association of biological, socioeconomic, and psychosocial variables with obstetric complications or near misses.

Results

Of enrolled women, 25% (n = 10,380) were classified as having at least one obstetric complication, 2% (n = 1,004) with reported near misses, and 73% (n = 30,830) with non-complicated pregnancies. Twelve percent (n = 5,232) reported hemorrhage and 8% (n = 3,259) reported sepsis. Of the 27,241 women with live births or stillbirths, 11% (n = 2,950) reported obstructed labor and 1% (n = 328) reported eclampsia. Biological risk factors including women’s age less than 18 years (Relative Risk Ratio [RRR] 1.26 95%CI:1.14-1.39) and greater than 35 years (RRR 1.23 95%CI:1.09-1.38), history of stillbirth or miscarriage (RRR 1.15 95%CI:1.07-1.22), and nulliparity (RRR 1.16 95%CI:1.02-1.29) significantly increased the risk of obstetric complications. Neither partner wanting the pregnancy increased the risk of obstetric complications (RRR 1.33 95%CI:1.20-1.46). Mid-upper arm circumference <21.5 cm increased the risk of hemorrhage and sepsis.

Conclusions

These analyses indicate a high burden of obstetric morbidity. Maternal age, nulliparity, a history of miscarriage or stillbirth, and lack of pregnancy wantedness were associated with increased risk of obstetric complications. Policies to address early marriage, unmet need for contraception, and maternal undernutrition may help mitigate this morbidity burden in rural Bangladesh.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Risk factors for reported obstetric complications and near misses in rural northwest Bangladesh: analysis from a prospective cohort study
Authors
Shegufta S Sikder
Alain B Labrique
Abu A Shamim
Hasmot Ali
Sucheta Mehra
Lee Wu
Saijuddin Shaikh
Keith P West Jr
Parul Christian
Publication date
01-12-2014
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth / Issue 1/2014
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2393
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2393-14-347

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