George Uchenna Eleje, Emmanuel Onyebuchi Ugwu, Joseph Tochukwu Enebe, Chukwuemeka Chukwubuikem Okoro, Boniface Chukwuneme Okpala, Nnanyelugo Chima Ezeora, Emeka Ifeanyi Iloghalu, Chidebe Christian Anikwe, Chigozie Geoffrey Okafor, Polycarp Uchenna Agu, Emeka Philip Igbodike, Iffiyeosuo Dennis Ake, Kingsley Emeka Ekwuazi, Arinze Anthony Onwuegbuna, Osita Samuel Umeononihu, Onyedika Promise Anaedu, David Chibuike Ikwuka, Henry Ifeanyi Nwaolisa, Chukwuemeka Chidindu Njoku, Chidinma Patricia Nwankwo, Ekene Agatha Emeka, Lydia Ijeoma Eleje, Kenechi Miracle Adinnu, Chinelo Onuegbuna Okoye, Angela Ogechukwu Ugwu, Ethel Oluchukwu Nwachukwu, Sunday Gabriel Mba, Eziamaka Pauline Ezenkwele, Uchenna Elizabeth Okoye, Chika Ifeoma Ofiaeli, Golibe Christian Ikpeze, Livinus Nnanyere Onah, Odigonma Zinobia Ikpeze, Toochukwu Benjamin Ejikeme, Gerald Okanandu Udigwe, and Joseph Ifeanyichukwu Ikechebelu
Objectives: The objective of the study was to assess how the current COVID-19 pandemic has affected cesarean section (C-section) rates, indications, and peripartum outcomes. Methods: This was a retrospective cross-sectional study that compared a 3-month rates of and indications for C-sections at three tertiary health care institutions in Nigeria before (October 2019–December 2019) and during the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic (March 2020–May 2020). Primary outcomes were C-section rate and indications between the two periods. Data were analyzed using SPSS 26.0 IBM Corporation. Rates and odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were used to quantify indications and peripartum outcomes and statistical significance was accepted when p value was Results: The baseline characteristics of the two groups were similar. The C-section rate during the COVID-19 period was significantly less than the period prior to the pandemic (237/580, 40.0% vs 390/833, 46.8%; p = 0.027). The rates of postdatism (odds ratio = 1.47, 95% confidence interval = 1.05–2.05, p = 0.022), fetal distress (odds ratio = 3.06, 95% confidence interval = 1.55–6.06, p = 0.017), emergency C-section (odds ratio = 1.43, 95% confidence interval = 1.01–2.05, p = 0.042), and anemia (odds ratio = 1.84, 95% confidence interval = 1.12–3.03, p = 0.016) were significantly higher during the pandemic than prepandemic. Conclusion: The overall C-section rate during the first wave of COVID-19 was significantly lower than the prepandemic period. There were higher rates of postdatism, fetal distress, emergency C-section, and postpartum anemia. Further studies on this changing C-section trend during the pandemic are needed.