Complications of Twin Delivery and Associated Factors: A Hospital-Based Cross-Sectional Analytical Study in Yaoundé

Background: Twin birth is considered a high-risk obstetrical situation. Despite the progress in obstetrical and pediatric care that has occurred in recent years, twin delivery is still associated with high maternal morbidity and perinatal mortality. Few recent studies have focused on the complications and risk factors associated with complications of twin birth in our environment. The objective of our study was to identify the complications of twin birth and the factors associated with them. Methodology: We carried out a cross-sectional analytical study. Data collection was prospective, over a period of 4 months (January 1, 2022 to April 30, 2022), at the maternity units of the Gyneco-Obstetric and Pediatric Hospital of Yaoundé and the Central Hospital of Yaoundé. The study population included all pregnant women who gave birth to twins during our study period at these hospitals. Data analysis was done using the SPSS software (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) version 23.0. The Chi-square test was used to compare proportions and the student’s t test to compare means. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: In total, we recorded 37 complicated twin deliveries out of a total of 66 twin deliveries. This corresponded to a complication rate of 56%. Maternal complications occurred in 11.38% of cases, the majority being soft tissue lesions (4.54%), and postpartum hemorrhage (4.54%). Perinatal complications at the time of delivery were dominated by early neonatal infections (12.12%), non-reassuring fetal condition (10.6%) and intrauterine fetal death (6.06%). Factors associated with complications of twin births after univariate analysis were: maternal age ≤ 30 years (OR = 8.15; CI = 9.78 - 71.06; P = 0.03), being a student, (OR = 5.09; CI = 3.65 - 7.10; P = 0.00), primary level of education (OR = 1.48; CI = 3.30 - 6.63; P = 0.00), having less than four prenatal contacts (OR = 5.76; CI = 12.2 - 27, 24; P = 0.02), lack of ultrasound assessments (OR = 2.65; CI = 1.08 - 4.65, P = 0.04), diagnosis of twinning at labor (P = 0.03), admission for preeclampsia and eclampsia (OR