Abstract

Childbearing is one of the most eventual activities in women and life but comes along with a lot of consequences
which range from minor to major. The categorization of these consequences is classified based on the effect imposed
on the individual woman and perineal tears happen to be of such discomfort abilities in mothers’ lives. This study
therefore aimed at exploring the factors that contribute to perineal tears among mothers seeking maternal care
services at Kibuku health center IV in Kibuku district and specifically on social economic factors, their effects on
mothers, and possible preventive measures needed to minimize perineal trauma occurrence. A cross-sectional study
involving both qualitative and quantitative descriptive study was carried out at Kibuku health center IV, Kibuku
district on women seeking services for perineal traumas where 30 respondents were selected using a questionnaire
by simple random sampling method from a pool of mothers was used as a baseline data for analysis, discussion,
conclusions, and recommendations. The study found that young mothers mainly those located in rural areas of 37%
poor social economic status were at more risk of getting perineal tears than other groups in the same situation. The
most presenting effect were; sepsis, fistulas, and widened virginal opening that could lead to marital separation
(70%). Anticipated preventive measures were encouraging mothers to deliver from well-established centers, stocking
health facilities with adequate obstetric equipment as well as increasing the number of skilled health workers to
detect the high-risk mothers before their condition runs out of control. Poor social economic status contributing to
perineal tears among mothers in the communities can be prevented with standard measures put in place such as
creating income-generating activities as well as creating referral centers, availing centers with essential obstetric
equipment and staffing them with skilled personnel in addition to conduction of massive health talks to the
population about the causes, effects, and preventive measures.