Background: The primary objective of the present study is to determine the episiotomy rate and factors associated with practice of episiotomy at the maternities in Bukavu town, South-Kivu, DRC.Methods: A case-control study was carried out the women who underwent the episiotomy (case) and those which did not undergo episiotomy (control) over one 12 months period between January to December 2015. A total of 1878 women had a vaginal delivery at a rate of one case for one control (939 cases and 939 controls) were included. Their medical files were exploited. The factors associated with episiotomy were performed by logistic regression.Results: The rate of episiotomy was 20.4%. It was found that after the logistic regression, the Primiparity (OR = 4,5;95% CI:2,31-4,49), the existence of a foetal distress (OR = 4,2;IC to 95% CI :2,36-5,29), the antecedent of episiotomy (OR = 3,9;95% CI:2,83-7,07), private character of maternity (OR= 3,3; 95% CI :2,12-6,30) and the fact that the childbirth was directed by a doctor (OR = 2,3; 95% CI :1,85-5,08) were strongly associated with the practice of the episiotomy in our medium of study.Conclusions: This study showed UA-S/D ratio and UA-RI>2SD are significant predictors of perinatal deaths and immediate neonatal resuscitation in preeclampsia. Acute fetal distress in labour or neonatal nursery admission could not be predicted.

INTRODUCTIONIn 2008, the World Health Organisation (WHO) estimated that over 350,000 women died in complications of childbirth.1 Ninety-nine per cent of these deaths occurred in resource-poor countries where access to family planning, antenatal care, and emergency obstetric services are limited.2 It is worldwide known that caesarean can present several risks than a vaginal birth even if it is become nowadays one of obstetric intensive cares regarding its benefits for mother and baby. 3 The WHO suggests that the level of caesarean section should range between 5% and 15% and no region in the world is justified with having a caesarean rate greater than 10% to 15% and not be less than 5%.4-6 Thus, both the upper and the lower limits have been discussed critically by several researchers. [7][8][9] DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.18203/2320-1770.ijrcog20175230 ABSTRACT Background: Caesarean section is the most common major surgery performed on women Worldwide. Even if caesarean can be useful for mother and foetus, it can provoke some medical and social complications like infection, expensive cost and maternal death. This study aimed at determining the factors associated with caesarean section in Bukavu, at the Provincial Hospital. Methods: Data were collected retrospectively by exploring the files of childbirth established systematically for each pregnant woman. 466 files were exploited including 233 caesarean s (case) and 233 vaginal delivery (control). The normal childbirth which followed a caesarean was served as control. This study was a case-control. Logistic regression was used to model factor associated with caesarean section. Results: During the study period, there were 2170 deliveries in which 491 of them by caesarean section (22.6%). The factors associated with the caesarean section at the Provincial Hospital in Bukavu town were foetal distress, bleeding in the third trimester of the pregnancy, previous caesarean section, referral status and the moment of delivery (day shift). Conclusion: This study recommends an adequate monitoring of the pregnancy and training of professionals in best practices; implementation and technical audit of caesarean with feedback can significantly reduce the rate of Caesarean section in this hospital. Also, allocation in equipment suitable for the treatment of pregnant women is necessary.