Effect of demographic factors on obstetrical outcome

Abstract

Background: In light of the adverse obstetrical outcomes related to age, socioeconomic and educational status, it is crucial to find out the effect of these factors on increased maternal- fetal morbidity and mortality so that measures can be taken to improve prognosis. Pregnancy at advanced maternal age has become more common in both developed and developing countries over the last decades. The association between adverse perinatal outcomes and advanced maternal age has been a matter of discussion. Similarly at lower age, outcome is not without complications. Education, socioeconomic status and residence also largely influence obstetrical outcome.Aim: To study effect of various demographic factors on obstetrical outcome.Material and method: This study included 150 indoor and OPD patients in Sri Guru Ram Das Institute of Medical Sciences, Vallah, Amritsar, Punjab, India. Each patient was asked about the previous pregnancies, about the mode of delivery and any associated complications. Patient who had came for antenatal visits were examined and stratification was done according to risk factors like hypertension, diabetes, anemia, malnutrition and other socioeconomic factors. Following this, co-relation was studied between these.Conclusion: For Clinicians who are counseling young women, it is of importance to highlight the need of antenatal care and its benefit. There is need for individualizing antenatal surveillance programmes and obstetric care based on age, socio-economic strata and education which is the need of the hour for the progress of nation.