OBSTETRIC MORBIDITY IN SOUTH-INDIA - RESULTS FROM A COMMUNITY SURVEY

A sample of 3600 mothers with at least one pre-school age child were i nterviewed in detail about obstetric problems associated with their la st confinement. About 10% reported one or more of the classic symptoms of pre-eclampsia; and 8% reported symptoms of potentially life-threat ening conditions during delivery, most notably prolonged labour of ove r 18 hr. Disorders during the post-partum period were more common; 10% reported excessive bleeding, loss of consciousness or convulsions (al l indicative of potentially serious conditions) and an additional 17% reported symptoms of infections. The level of health care received by women is described. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd