Perinatal mortality and cesarean section in Jos University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria.

The experience on perinatal mortality among 757 patients who underwent cesarean section in Jos University Teaching Hospital serving a high risk urban and rural population in Jos, Plateau State of Nigeria is presented. During the 2 years of study the cesarean section rate was found to be 4.4%. There were 69 stillbirths, 107 deaths during the first week of life giving a perinatal mortality rate of 235 per 1000. The possible factors responsible for this high rate are discussed and suggestions made to improve on this figure. These results were also compared with figures from studies carried out in other parts of Nigeria, and in other countries.