Incidence and risk factors of cervical laceration following vaginal deliveries in Punakha, Bhutan.

Background: Cervical laceration is a critical health issue with significant maternal morbidity and mortality worldwide. This study aimed to evaluate the incidence and risk factors of cervical laceration among mothers following spontaneous vaginal delivery in Punakha, Bhutan.

Methods: This retrospective study using a population-based sampling technique included 180 mothers who had spontaneous vaginal delivery. The researchers developed the instruments for data collection and employed logistic regression to identify the predictors of cervical laceration.

Results: The incidence of cervical laceration was 23.10% (95% confidence interval [CI] 18.2 to 27.9). Logistic regression revealed that mothers ≤19 y of age had 3.5 times higher odds of experiencing cervical lacerations compared with those ≥30 y of age (adjusted odds ratio 3.5 [95% CI 1.27 to 9.74]).

Conclusions: The incidence of cervical laceration was high in this study, with teenagers being at greater risk of experiencing this complication. The Health Ministry of Bhutan needs to strategize and revamp the existing policies and create better awareness campaigns to reduce teenage pregnancies and the grave consequences associated with it.