Grand multiparity at Jimma hospital

Abstract

A comparative study was conducted to analyze the reproductive performance of grand multiparas at Jimma Hospital from June 1992 to March 1993. The incidence of grand multiparity was 16%. The age ranged from 24 to 50 years with a mean age of 34 years. Complications necessitating antenatal admission to hospital occurred in 18% of grand multiparas as compared to 5% for the non-grand multiparas. There were a total of 7 maternal deaths during the study period, five of whom were grand multiparas. The over all perinatal mortality rate was 97 per 1000 births; forty percent of the perinatal deaths occurred in grand multiparas. The leading causes of perinatal death were ruptured uterus (35%), obstructed labor (19%), and congenital malformations (15%). The need for an improvement in the antenatal care, and family planning service is stressed.