A CASE-CONTROL STUDY ON POSTCESAREAN ENDOMETRITIS-MYOMETRITIS IN MOZAMBIQUE

Post-caesarean endometritis-myometritis (PCEM) was diagnosed in 49 Moz ambican women. They were compared with 47 control women without signs of PCEM after caesarean section. The patients and controls were matche d for age, parity and days post partum. Features of the socio-economic background and of past and current obstetric history were registered. Endocervical, intracavitary and blood cultures were carried out. Scre ening for syphilis seropositivity and HIV-1 and HIV-2 antibodies was p erformed. Socio-economic and obstetric background factors were similar ly distributed in cases and referents, though previous caesarean secti on was less frequent among cases than among referents (OR 0.12). Moder ate high-risk factors in existing antenatal card tended to be more fre quent among cases than among referents (OR 3.29). Microbiological find ings indicated more anaerobes in the vagina, in the endocervix and in the uterine cavity, though the differences only approached significanc e. It is concluded that women with PCEM in the setting studied expose few characteristic background features discriminating them from women with uneventful post-caesarean outcome. Further research efforts shoul d be directed towards case-control studies with focus upon surgical fa ctors and on a more comprehensive microbiology and serology approach.