[116 ectopic pregnancies observed in Bangui (Central African Republic)]

Although ectopic pregnancy continues to endanger the life of patients in the Central African Republic, data on this pathology is drastically missing. This study is the result of an observation carried out over a period of 1 year taking all ectopic pregnancy cases into account with a view to identify the risk factors of this pathology and to draw the epidemiological profile of the patients concerned. Controls were used for the identification of the risk factors. The frequency of ectopic pregnancies was of 1 case against 61.8 deliveries. Ectopic pregnancies were more frequent among young women, with a peak in the 20-29 age group. Gonococcus infections and multiple partners were found to be correlated with the occurrence of ectopic pregnancies. If paraclinical tests had helped establish the diagnosis, the presence of clinical symptoms was decisive, thus explaining late diagnosis with tubal rupture followed by an hemorrhage. Those patients who were attended at an advanced stage had to undergo tubal resection, a treatment jeopardizing their obstetrical future. Clearly, African practitioners must imperatively learn to identify the clinical symptoms of this pathology.