The survey of maternal complications of Kermanshah earthquake in 2017

One of the goals of the third millennium development is maternal and neonatal health. One of the harmful factors of health is natural disasters. This study was performed aimed to determine maternal complications in Kermanshah earthquake in 2017.

This cross-sectional study was conducted on 850 women who had delivery in Imam Khomeini hospital of Eslam Abad Gharb. The earthquake group included the women who had delivered in the earthquake of 2017 and the non-earthquake group included the women who were delivered in the same hospital in 2016. All data obtained from patients' records. Data were analyzed by SPSS software (version 21) and Independent t-test, and Mann-Whitney test, Chi-square and Fisher exact test. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant.

In women who had delivered in an earthquake, prevalence of maternal complications included preterm labour in 99 (22.3%), premature rupture of membrane in 30 (7.05%), caesarean section in 179 (42.1%), postpartum hemorrhage in 42 (9.9%), gestational hypertension in 24 (5.6%) and abortion in 11 (2.58%). In women who had delivered in 2016, there were preterm labor in 51 (11%), premature rupture of membrane in 12 (2.8 %), caesarean section in 153 (36%), postpartum hemorrhage in 20 (5%), gestational hypertension in 9 (2.1%) and abortion in 2 (0.5%). There were significant differences between the two groups in all cases (P<0.05).

Natural disasters such as earthquakes can increase maternal complications. Therefore, necessary precautions and health care should be increased in the event of a natural disaster.