Prevalence and Associated Factors for Post-Caesarean Delivery Blood Transfusion in Eastern Sudan: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background

Obstetric haemorrhage is a leading cause of maternal mortality and morbidity worldwide. Caesarean delivery (CD) is associated with significant blood loss, which may require blood transfusions. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and associated factors for post-CD transfusion.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted in Gadarif maternity hospital, eastern Sudan, from March to September 2020. Sociodemographic, obstetric and clinical data, including pre- and postoperative haemoglobin levels, were collected. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed.

Results

A total of 539 women were enrolled in the study; the median (interquartile range) age of these women was 28.0 (8.0) years. The overall post-CD transfusion rate was 8.2%. Emergency CD (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]=2.57, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.25‒5.28) and antepartum haemorrhage (AOR=44.70, 95% CI=11.18‒178.76) were associated with increased risk of post-CD blood transfusion. Preoperative haemoglobin (AOR=0.48, 95% CI=0.36‒0.64) and rural residence (AOR=0.45, 95% CI=0.22‒0.93) were associated with reduced risk for post-CD blood transfusion.

Conclusion

The overall prevalence of post-CD transfusion in this part of Sudan is 8.2%. Women with emergency CD, low preoperative haemoglobin levels and antepartum haemorrhage were at higher risk for post-CD transfusion. Risk identification and correction of antenatal anaemia can reduce the hazard of blood transfusion among CD women.

Keywords:

• caesarean delivery
• blood transfusion
• haemoglobin
• antepartum haemorrhage
• Sudan

Abbreviations

PPH, postpartum haemorrhage; CD, caesarean delivery; BMI, body mass index; CI, confidence interval; IQR, interquartile range; AOR, adjusted odds ratios.

Ethics Approval and Informed Consent

This study complies with the Declaration of Helsinki. Ethics approval was obtained from the Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Medicine of Gadarif University, Sudan (Reference number #2020.07). Written informed consent was collected from each participant.

Disclosure

The authors report no conflicts of interest in relation to this work.

Additional information

Funding

This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.