Introduction: Uterine rupture is an uncommon but life-threatening complication of pregnancy and delivery and the impacts of its complications are not just short term but can expand over a long-term period as well (Getahun et al., 2018). In the Tamale Teaching Hospital, common obstetric emergencies including uterine rupture continue to …
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Introduction: Uterine rupture is an uncommon but life-threatening complication of pregnancy and delivery and the impacts of its complications are not just short term but can expand over a long-term period as well (Getahun et al., 2018). In the Tamale Teaching Hospital, common obstetric emergencies including uterine rupture continue to be one of the leading causes of maternal morbidity and Perinatal mortality (TTH, 2022). This study sought to assess the factors associated with uterine rupture among pregnant women who delivered at the Tamale Teaching Hospital.Methods: An institution-based descriptive cross-sectional study was adopted for this study. Using a total population sampling technique, all uterine rupture cases admitted at the Tamale Teaching Hospital in 2021 were sampled and assessed. Data were extracted from patients’ medical records using a structured checklist and analysed using descriptive statistics and a Mann Whitney test with the level of significance set at p<0.05. Results: Out of a total 8,376 deliveries at TTH, in 2021, 27 uterine rupture cases occurred, making an incidence of 1:310. Women in their 30s made up the largest age group and 68% of patients had no formal education. The majority of patients had more than one previous delivery and for those with history of previous uterine surgeries, more than half had two or more caesarean sections. With p-values of <0.05, this study showed that there was a significant association between uterine rupture and parity (.044), previous uterine surgery (0.49), use of uterotonics (0.46), and mothers who were referred from other health facilities to TTH (0.49). Conclusion: The majority of the factors associated with uterine rupture that were identified in this study are avoidable. Uterine rupture can be reduced by receiving quality prenatal care—not simply the number of antenatal visits—adequate counselling for patients who have had a previous C-section for a hospital delivery, and training for skilled birth attendants. Furthermore, the improper use of uterotonics—particularly those made with herbs—should be strictly discouraged. The study recommends that healthcare workers prioritise early detection and intervention for uterine rupture, and the Ministry of Health formulate policies that incorporate the identified factors as crucial factors in obstetric risk assessment.
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