COVID-19 and Pregnancy: Factors Associated with the Occurrence of COVID-19 during Pregnancy, Maternal and Perinatal Outcome in Two Referral Hospitals in the City of Douala, Cameroon

Introduction: The Coronavirus pandemic was responsible for an unprecedented health crisis that shook the world with its high contagiousness and lethality. Its impact on maternal and fetal health places pregnant women at high risk. The aim of our study was to determine the factors associated with the occurrence of COVID-19 in pregnant women, and the maternal and perinatal outcomes of infected patients. Methodology: This was a case-control study involving 42 cases matched to 42 controls recruited from two public and tertiary hospitals in the cities of Yaoundé and Douala over a period from November 31 to May 31, 2024. Cases were defined as deliveries or records of COVID-19 deliveries confirmed positive by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) or by a COVID-19 rapid diagnostic test (Covid-RDT). Controls were defined as deliveries or records of deliveries negative to the same test. They were matched by the hospital. Non-consenting births and unusable records were excluded. The data collected were recorded on a pre-established, pretexted data sheet examining sociodemographic, clinical characteristics and maternal and perinatal outcomes which were then analyzed using SPSS version 23.0 software. Results: After multivariate analysis, the independent sociodemographic factors were: belonging to the [30 - 40] age group (OR: 4.4; P = 0.010), being married (OR: 8.1; P = 0.030); being unemployed (OR: 3; P = 0.040). Independent clinical factors were: being in the third trimester of pregnancy (OR: 1.1; P = 0.017), being diabetic (OR: 5; P = 0.033) and being obese (OR: 11.5; P = 0.043). Independent factors associated with maternal outcome were: caesarean section (OR: 10; P = 0.001); admission to intensive care (OR: 30.7; P = 0.013); SO₂ ≤ 94% (OR: 11.7; P = 0.033); HR > 100 (OR: 15.5; P = 0.001). Independent factors associated with perinatal outcome were: weight < 2500 (OR: 12; P = 0.039); APGAR score (OR: 15; P = 0.030). Conclusion: The factors associated with the occurrence of COVID-19 in pregnant women are multiple, and maternal outcome depends on its condition on admission, and has a significant impact on perinatal health, including mode of delivery. Emphasis must be placed on prevention and optimal management of these associated factors.