Prevalence and factors associated with the perception of perineal laceration: a cross-sectional study with data from the Nascer no Brasil Survey, 2011 and 2012.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the prevalence of perineal laceration, based on the self-reported perception of postpartum women, and to analyze factors associated with its occurrence in Brazil. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study conducted with 23,894 postpartum women, excluding twin pregnancies, cesarean sections, and births with episiotomies, between 2011 and 2012. Prevalence ratios (PR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) of association between the event and maternal, fetus/newborn, obstetric and clinical management characteristics were estimated in hierarchical Poisson regression models. RESULTS: Out of 4,606 postpartum women, 49.5% (95%CI 46.1;42.9) self-reported perineal laceration. Being an adolescent (PR = 1.12; 95%CI 1.02;1.25), primipara (PR = 1.47; 95%CI 1.33;1.63), having had excessive gestational weight gain (PR = 1.17; 95%CI 1.07;1.29) and having undergone the Kristeller maneuver (PR = 1.18; 95%CI 1.08;1.29) increased the proportion of the outcome. CONCLUSION: The results found call for prenatal care and adjustments to childbirth care so as to be in accordance with current recommendations. MAIN RESULTS: Prevalence of self-reported perineal laceration was 49.5%. Being in the adolescent age group, primiparity, excessive gestational weight and the Kristeller maneuver were risk factors associated with the event. IMPLICATIONS FOR SERVICES: Studying self-reported prevalence of perineal laceration supports new care practices, highlights the prevention of risk factors considered modifiable and confirms the need to follow current guidelines. PERSPECTIVES: New national studies are needed comparing prevalence of self-reported perineal laceration with that recorded in medical records in order to support care practices and public obstetric policies.

Prevalence and factors associated with the perception of perineal laceration: a cross-sectional study with data from the Nascer no Brasil Survey, 2011 and 2012 / Prevalencia y factores asociados a la percepción de laceración perineal: estudio transversal con datos de la Encuesta Nascer no Brasil, 2011 y 2012 / Prevalência e fatores associados à percepção da laceração perineal: estudo transversal com dados do Inquérito Nascer no Brasil, 2011 e 2012

Abstract Objective: To describe the prevalence of perineal laceration, based on the self-reported perception of postpartum women, and to analyze factors associated with its occurrence in Brazil. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted with 23,894 postpartum women, excluding twin pregnancies, cesarean sections, and births with episiotomies, between 2011 and 2012. Prevalence ratios (PR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) of association between the event and maternal, fetus/newborn, obstetric and clinical management characteristics were estimated in hierarchical Poisson regression models. Results: Out of 4,606 postpartum women, 49.5% (95%CI 46.1;42.9) self-reported perineal laceration. Being an adolescent (PR = 1.12; 95%CI 1.02;1.25), primipara (PR = 1.47; 95%CI 1.33;1.63), having had excessive gestational weight gain (PR = 1.17; 95%CI 1.07;1.29) and having undergone the Kristeller maneuver (PR = 1.18; 95%CI 1.08;1.29) increased the proportion of the outcome. Conclusion: The results found call for prenatal care and adjustments to childbirth care so as to be in accordance with current recommendations.

Resumen Objetivo: Describir la prevalencia de laceración perineal, a partir de la percepción autoinformada de puérperas, y analizar los factores asociados a su aparición en Brasil. Métodos: Estudio transversal entre 2011 y 2012, con 23.894 puérperas, excluyendo embarazos gemelares, cesáreas y partos con episiotomías. Se estimaron razones de prevalencia (RP) e intervalos de confianza del 95% (IC95%) de la asociación entre el evento y las características maternas, feto/recién nacido, obstétricas y de manejo clínico en modelos de regresión jerárquica de Poisson. Resultados: Entre 4.606 mujeres en posparto, el 49,5%(IC95%:46,1;42,9) informó laceración perineal. Ser adolescente (RP = 1,12; IC95% 1,02;1,25), primipara (RP = 1,47; IC95% 1,33;1,63), haber tenido aumento excesivo de peso gestacional (RP = 1,17; IC95% 1,07;1,29) y haber sido sometido a la maniobra de Kristeller (RP = 1,18; IC95% 1,08;1,29) aumentó la proporción de resultados. Conclusión: Los resultados encontrados requieren atención prenatal y ajustes en la atención del parto de acuerdo con las recomendaciones actuales.

Resumo Objetivo: Descrever a prevalência da laceração perineal segundo a percepção autorrelatada da puérpera, e analisar os fatores associados à sua ocorrência no Brasil. Métodos: Estudo transversal conduzido em 23.894 puérperas, excluindo-se gestações gemelares, cesarianas e partos com episiotomias entre 2011 e 2012. Razões de prevalência (RP) e intervalos de confiança de 95% (IC95%) da associação entre o evento e as características maternas, feto/recém-nato, obstétricas e manejo clínico foram estimadas em modelos de regressão de Poisson hierarquizados. Resultados: Entre 4.606 puérperas, 49,5% (IC95% 46,1;42,9) autorrelataram laceração perineal. Ser adolescente (RP = 1,12; IC95% 1,02;1,25), primípara (RP = 1,47; IC95% 1,33;1,63), ter tido ganho de peso gestacional excessivo (RP = 1,17; IC95% 1,07;1,29) e ter sido submetida à manobra de Kristeller (RP = 1,18; IC95% 1,08;1,29) elevaram a proporção do desfecho. Conclusão: Os resultados encontrados demandam atenção pré-natal e adequações na assistência ao parto conforme recomendações vigentes.