Assessment of Episiotomy Practice in Mizan Aman General Hospital, Ethiopia

Abstract

Introduction: During the 1970s, episiotomy was common for almost all women having their first delivery. It was practiced for easier delivery, prevention of severe perineum tears and repair.Methods: A prospective cross sectional study design was used. Data was collected from Mizan Aman General Hospital in Ethiopia. All pregnant women, for which episiotomy performed during study period included in the study. Interview and checklist data collection technique was used. Binary logistic regression model was used to identify significant factors for episiotomy practice.Result: From a total of 310 laboring mothers 95(30.6%) of them, their second stage labor was assisted by episiotomy, of which 65(68.4%) had ANC followed up, 57(60%) of them were promigravida and 38(40%) were 1-4 parity and 81(85.5%) were 32-42 weeks of gestational age. The most common indication for episiotomy were imminent laceration of the perineum 67(70.5%). Place of residence is significant effect for episiotomy practice having (OR=2.51, 95%CI 1.41-4.464) for rural mothers. There was 71.4% increase in Episiotomy practice for those who have no ANC follow up (OR=1.714, 95% CI 1.041-2.82). The weight of neonates >4000g have more Episiotomy practice (OR 2.697, 95% CI 1.057- 6.88) as compared with those weighting of 1500g-2499g.Conclusion:The prevalence of episiotomy performed is high compared with previous study done in Brazil, Nevada, and South Albert. The majority of them were married, gestational age is 37- 42 weeks and more than half of them were Primigravida. About half of the procedure was not performed according to the protocol for episiotomy procedure. Episiotomy practice increase 2.5 times in mothers residing outside Mizan Aman town compared to those residing in Mizan Aman town. Comparing Spontaneous type of labor with induced one Episiotomy done about three times more.

Keywords: Episiotomy practice (observation, indication, mediolateral incision)