Awareness during Anaesthesia for Caesarean Section in Zambia

The prevalence of awareness after receiving anesthesia during cesarean section is examined in different patient groups at the University Teaching Hospital in Zambia. The pilot study consisted of 76 patients. 22% of these patients were found to be aware upon postoperative examination. 2 follow-up studies were conducted. Statistical analysis was employed on the data. The 1st follow-up group had 340 patients receiving thiopentone or ketamine intravenously. Suxamethonium was employed during intubation. 5% of the patients were aware. Of this 5%, 6 experienced no pain and 12 had pain. The 2nd follow-up group consisted of 288 patients receiving thiopentone and suxamethonium for induction and endotracheal intubation. Halothane was next given. 6% of this group was aware. Awareness was associated consisting of air, oxygen, and halothane had an incidence rate of 21.7% while nitrous oxide with oxygen halothane had 2.9%. This higher incidence of awareness is attributed to incorrect concentration of halothane by anesthetists. The incidence of awareness was also associated with the anesthetist. 1 anesthetist had none of his 60 patients becoming aware while another anesthetist had 5 out of 28 patients becoming aware. This finding was attributed to the anesthetist's lack of knowledge or poor technique. It is suggested that anesthetists in developing countries determine the prevalence of awareness of their patients.