Epidemiological Profile of Childbirth among Primiparous Women in Rural Areas of Tanganyika Province, Democratic Republic of Congo

Introduction: Sub-Saharan Africa remains one of the areas where maternal deaths are most prevalent. This situation is linked to a number of maternal risk factors including obstetric experience, age, disease history, socio-economic conditions and the quality of the health system. The objective of this study is to determine the epidemiological profile of childbirth in rural primiparous women. Methods: This is a multi-centre, retrospective and descriptive cross-sectional study among primiparous women in Moba (DR. Congo). The period from 2015 to 2016 was chosen. Epi Info 7 and Excel software were used for data analysis. Results: Of the 2644 deliveries selected for this study, 474 (17.9%) were among primiparous women. The average age of primiparous women was 18.4 ± 1.9 years (extremes 15 to 24 years). The majority of primiparous women were educated, married, housewives, with poor prenatal monitoring of pregnancies, having given birth by eutocic mode (53.6%) and vaginal route (92.0%). Maternal and early neonatal mortality was 0.8% and 1.7% respectively. This mortality only significantly (p < 0.05) concerned dystocic deliveries and the 18- to 21-year-old age group. Maternal age (p < 0.001), especially before the age of 18 (p < 0.000), and occupation (p < 0.01) significantly determine the mode of childbirth. Conclusion: The primiparous under 18 years of age presents risks of dystocic childbirth. Dystocia is responsible for several complications that can lead to maternal or neonatal death. Efforts should be made to discourage early pregnancy and improve the quality of obstetric care.