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Maternal Profiles and Pregnancy Outcomes: A Descriptive Cross-Sectional Study from Angola
Dinamene Oliveira1, José Martinez de Oliveira2, Maria do Rosário Martins3
1Global Health and Tropical Medicine, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical-Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal. odinamene@gmail.com.
Maternal and Child Health Journal
|October 10, 2023
Summary
Adolescence, illiteracy, and short stature increase risks for adverse pregnancy outcomes in Angola. Birth asphyxia and low birth weight in newborns require urgent attention, alongside investigating non-medical cesarean sections.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Maternal and Child Health
- Public Health
Background:
- Limited data exists on pregnancy outcomes in Angola.
- Huíla province is the second most populous region in Angola.
- Characterizing maternal and neonatal health is crucial for targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize pregnant women admitted to Irene Neto Maternity Hospital in Lubango.
- To analyze pregnancy outcomes in this population.
- To identify risk factors for adverse outcomes.
Main Methods:
- A descriptive, cross-sectional, facility-based survey was conducted.
- 500 pregnant women were followed from labor admission to delivery.
- Statistical analyses included means, frequencies, and confidence intervals.
Main Results:
- High rates of adolescent (18.3%) and advanced maternal age (14.5%) pregnancies.
- Significant prevalence of short stature (33.6%), malaria (16.3%), anemia (18.1%), and hypertension (36.0%).
- Cesarean sections were performed in 25.2% of cases, with 23.0% lacking clear medical indication; 22.7% of newborns experienced birth asphyxia and 10.3% had low birth weight.
Conclusions:
- Adolescence, illiteracy, and short stature are associated with increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes.
- Birth asphyxia and low birth weight are significant newborn concerns.
- Further research is recommended on non-medical cesarean rates and twinning prevalence.
