Magnitude of episiotomy in a teaching hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

To assess the rate of Episiotomy in vaginal birth in Tikur Anbessa teaching Hospital and the associated factors that influences the use of episiotomy in the unit.

A cross-sectional study was conducted in the delivery unit of the Tikur Anbessa Hospital from May to September 2000. Data on mothers who delivered in the study period was collected using structured questionnaire. Variables on use of episiotomy, parity, fetal presentation, duration of labor, mode of delivery, Apgar scores at first and fifth minutes, indications for episiotomy and the practice of analgesia & anesthesia in the management of Episiotomy were collected Medical charts and the labor ward logbook were reviewed for collecting the data.

A total of 917 deliveries were attended during the study period among which 672 mothers (83.1%) delivered vaginally. Among the vaginal deliveries, 270 (40.2%) mothers had episiotomy. Of these 203 (75.2%) mothers were primigravidae. Nulliparity (77.7% vs 21.3%), the duration of the second stage of labor more 90 minutes (76% vs. 13.8%) and instrumental delivery (86.2% vs. 13.8%) has been shown to be significantly associated to having episiotomy, while the birth weight and Apgar scores didn't show significant differences. Local anesthesia was used only in 71 (28.1%) cases among the 253 on whom information regarding the use of local anesthesia was retrieved.

The rate of episiotomy is significantly higher than the recommended practice for many centers. Measures should be taken to lower the rate of episiotomy rate that include preparation of guidelines and protocols according to the standard and training and nurses, midwives and doctors on the selective use of episiotomy. The current practice of perineal repair without analgesia/anesthesia should be revised and making labor and delivery less painful needs to be advocated.