Retrospective Cohort Study to Investigate Pregnancy Outcomes in a Population of Advanced Maternal Age Congolese Women of Kinshasa: A Study Protocol

Introduction: Pregnancies at advanced maternal age (AMA) are those occurring after the age of 35 years old. They carry a high risk of maternal-fetal morbidity and mortality, thus constituting a public health problem. Several African countries have reported an upward trend in both the age of childbirth and the frequency of women with AMA over the past 20 years. In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality remain very high, data on AMA pregnancies go back more than 20 years. Objective: We propose evaluating obstetrical outcomes among women in AMA in our setting and the associated factors. Methods: This retrospective cohort study will be conducted in two healthcare facilities (ESS) in Kinshasa. The study population will consist of all women who delivered a single fetus after 28 weeks of gestation between January 2012 and December 2022 (10 years) in the selected ESS. The data collected will be analyzed using R software version 4.2.0. Quantitative variables will be summarized as means with standard deviation or medians with interquartile range. Qualitative variables will be presented as proportions (%). Multivariate logistic regression will be used to determine the main maternal-fetal complications associated with AMA and predictors of obstetric outcomes. P < 0.05 will be considered statistically significant. Results will be presented in tabular and graphical form. Discussion: The high maternal and infant mortality rates in DRC are among the highest in the world. The context of maternal age has become a topic of growing interest due to its potential implications for the health of women and newborns, it is crucial to identify the risk factors associated with obstetric outcomes by identifying obstetrical outcomes associated with advanced maternal age in the DRC. Many Congolese women tend to start their maternity journey at a relatively young age. However, there is also an emerging trend towards delayed childbearing, particularly in urban areas and among women with access to education and family planning services. Conclusion: The results of this study will enable us to update the frequency of AMA pregnancies in our environment. The socio-demographic and clinical profile of these pregnancies will be determined. The main maternal-fetal complications associated with AMA in our setting and the associated factors will be identified.