Induction of Labour in a District Hospital of Rural Nepal: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study

Induction of labour, a medical intervention before spontaneous onset, is employed when the risk of continuing pregnancy is elevated. Common indications include intrauterine growth restriction, preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, placental abnormalities, prelabor rupture of membranes, post-term pregnancy, and intrauterine foetal demise. The objective of this study was to find out the prevalence of induction of labour in a rural setting in Nepal.

We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study in the District Hospital Tehrathum using patients' record files from 14 January 2021 to 14 January 2023. Ethical approval was obtained from Nepal Health Research Council. Demographic variables were collected along with maternal outcomes which include indication of induction of labour, mode of delivery, indication of lower segment caesarean section and foetal outcomes include APGAR score at one and five minutes, birthweight and liquor colour. A total population sampling method was used in the study and 95% confidence Interval was used to calculate the point estimate.

Among 640 deliveries during the study period 118 (18.43%) (15.43- 21.43, 95% Confidence Interval) underwent induction of labour. Sixty-three (53.4%) of the 118 patients who underwent induction of labour were primigravida.

The prevalence of induction of labour was comparable with previous studies. Neonatal outcome, rate of vaginal and lower segment C-section deliveries after induction of labour using misoprostol is comparable with other studies.