Obstructed Labor in Public Health Facilities: An In-depth Analysis of Prevalence, Causes and Contributing Factors at RMCH

Background: Obstructed labor is a significant maternal health concern in public health facilities, often leading to adverse outcomes for both mothers and infants. This study aimed to analyze the prevalence, causes, and contributing factors of obstructed labor at RMCH during the period from February 2021 to November 23. Objective: The primary objective was to assess the extent of obstructed labor cases, identify their root causes, and understand the factors contributing to their occurrence at RMCH. Methods: A comprehensive retrospective analysis of 612 patient records from RMCH was conducted. Data included patient demographics, medical history, diagnostic findings, and outcomes. Descriptive and statistical analyses were performed to determine the prevalence, causes, and contributing factors. Percentage values were calculated for key findings. Results: The study revealed a prevalence of obstructed labor cases at 18.4% during the study period. The majority of patients were aged 15-34 years (90%), Primary causes included cephalopelvic disproportion (45.7%), delivery by unskilled birth attendants (15.9%), Contracted Pelvis (11.1%), malposition (20.3%), and other causes (7.0%). Contributing factors encompassed delayed access to care (44.2%), inadequate prenatal care (21.6%), home delivery (13.4%), lack of awareness (18.6%), and other factors (2.1%). Conclusions: This study underscores the significance of obstructed labor as a maternal health challenge at RMCH. Efforts should focus on improving timely access to healthcare services and enhancing prenatal care to mitigate the occurrence of obstructed labor cases. These findings can inform public health policies to reduce maternal morbidity and mortality.