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Objective: To evaluate the impact of an intervention package on maternal and newborn health indicators.Methods: A randomized stepped-wedge non-blind trial was conducted across six subdistricts within two districts in Guatemala from January 2014 to January 2017. Data on outcomes were collected on all deliveries in all 33 health centers. The intervention package included distribution of promotional materials encouraging health center delivery; education for traditional birth attendants about the importance of health center delivery; and provider capacity building using simulation training. Main outcomes were number of health center deliveries, maternal morbidity, and perinatal morbidity and mortality.Results: Overall, there were 24 412 deliveries. Health center deliveries per 1000 live births showed an overall increase, although after adjustment for secular trends and clustering, the relative risk for the treatment effect was not statistically significant (aRR, 1.04; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.97-1.11, P=0.242). Although not statistically significant, maternal morbidity (aRR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.60-1.02; P=0.068) and perinatal morbidity (aRR, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.68-1.05; P=0.133) showed a tendency toward a decrease.Conclusion: The present study represents one of the few randomized evaluations of an integrated approach to improve birth outcomes in a low-income setting. ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT0315107. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess the prevalence of disrespect and abuse during childbirth and its associated factors in Peru.Methods: In an observational cross-sectional study, women were surveyed within 48 hours of live delivery at 14 hospitals located in nine Peruvian cities between April and July 2016. The survey was based on seven categories of disrespect and abuse proposed by Bowser and Hill. To evaluate factors associated with each category, prevalence ratios (PRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using adjusted Poisson models with robust variances.Results: Among 1528 participants, 1488 (97.4%) had experienced at least one category of disrespect and abuse. Frequency of abandonment of care was increased with cesarean delivery (PR 1.27, 95% CI 1.03-1.57) but decreased in the jungle region (PR 0.27, 0.14-0.53). Discrimination was associated with the jungle region (PR 5.67, 2.32-13.88). Physical abuse was less frequent with cesarean than vaginal delivery (PR 0.23, 0.11-0.49). The prevalences of abandonment of care (PR 0.42, 0.29-0.60), non-consented care (PR 0.70, 0.57-0.85), discrimination (PR 0.40, 0.19-0.85), and non-confidential care (PR 0.71, 0.55-0.93) were decreased among women who had been referred.Conclusion: Nearly all participants reported having experienced at least one category of disrespect and abuse during childbirth care, which was associated with type of delivery, being referred, and geographic region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To compare perinatal outcomes between spontaneous conception and assisted reproductive technologies (ART) among patients of advanced maternal age.Methods: The present retrospective study included data from singleton pregnancies of women aged at least 40 years who delivered between January 1, 1991, and December 31, 2013, at Soroka University Medical Center, Beer Sheva, Israel. Demographic, obstetric, and perinatal data were compared between pregnancies conceived with ART (in vitro fertilization [IVF] or ovulation induction) and those conceived spontaneously. Multiple regression models were used to define independent predictors of adverse outcomes.Results: A total of 8244 singleton pregnancies were included; 229 (2.8%) following IVF, 86 (1.0%) following ovulation induction, and 7929 (96.2%) were spontaneous. Preterm delivery (P<0.001), fetal growth restriction (FGR) (P<0.001), and cesarean delivery (P<0.001) demonstrated linear associations with the conception mode; the highest rates for each were observed for IVF, with decreased rates for ovulation induction and spontaneous conception. The incidence of gestational diabetes and hypertensive disorders were highest among pregnancies following ART. No association was observed between conception mode and perinatal mortality. Multivariate logistic regression demonstrated that IVF was independently associated with increased odds of preterm delivery (P<0.001) and FGR (P=0.027) compared with spontaneous conception.Conclusions: Among patients of advanced maternal age, ART were independently associated with increased FGR and preterm delivery rates compared with spontaneous pregnancies; perinatal mortality was comparable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To compare severe maternal complications (potentially life-threatening conditions [PLTCs], maternal near miss [MNM], and maternal death) and perinatal outcomes between multiple and singleton pregnancies.Methods: A secondary analysis was undertaken using data from the Brazilian Network for Surveillance of Severe Maternal Morbidity (prospective surveillance of morbidities in 27 Brazilian obstetric units between July 2009 and June 2010). Health indicators and criteria used for PLTCs and MNM were assessed. Adjusted prevalence ratios (PRadj ) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for perinatal outcomes.Results: Among 267 multiple pregnancies, 235 (88.0%) were affected by PLTCs, 25 (9.4%) by MNM, and 7 (2.6%) by maternal death; these prevalences did not differ from singleton pregnancies (n=7986). Management criteria for MNM were used almost twice as much in multiple pregnancies (PRadj 1.85, 95% CI 1.41-2.42). Preterm birth (PRadj 1.62, 95% CI 1.41-1.86), low birthweight (PRadj 1.73, 95% CI 1.45-2.06 for the first-born vs singleton), any adverse perinatal outcome (PRadj 1.12, 95% CI 1.03-1.22 for the second- vs first-born), and neonatal near miss (PRadj 1.37, 95% CI 1.13-1.67 for the second-born vs singleton) were significantly associated with multiple pregnancy.Conclusion: Among cases of severe maternal morbidity, perinatal but not maternal outcomes were poorer for multiple pregnancies than for singletons. Differentiated care is needed during pregnancy and childbirth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To compare primary indications for cesarean delivery among patients with different female genital mutilation (FGM) status.Methods: The present secondary analysis included data from women who underwent trial of labor resulting in cesarean delivery at 28 obstetric centers in six African countries between November 1, 2001, and March 31, 2003. Associations between cesarean delivery indications and FGM status were assessed using descriptive statistics and multivariable multinomial logistic regression.Results: Data from 1659 women (480 patients with no type of FGM and 1179 patients with FGM [any type]) were included; cesarean delivery indications were collapsed into five categories (fetal indications, maternal factors, stage 1 arrest, stage 2 arrest, and other). The incidence of a clear medical indication for cesarean delivery did not differ between the groups (P=0.320). Among patients without a clear indication for cesarean delivery, women with FGM were more likely to have undergone cesarean delivery for maternal factors (adjusted relative risk ratio [aRRR] 3.92, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.3-11.71), stage 1 arrest (aRRR 7.74, 95% CI 1.33-45.07), stage 2 arrest (aRRR 6.63, 95% CI 3.74-11.73), or other factors (aRRR 2.41, 95% CI 1.04-5.60) rather than fetal factors compared with women who had no type of FGM.Conclusion: Among women with unclear medical indications, FGM was associated with cesarean delivery being performed for maternal factors or arrest disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess a multifaceted postpartum hemorrhage (PPH)-management intervention in community hospitals in Southern Thailand.Methods: The present prospective study was conducted from November 1, 2012 to April 30, 2015. The medical records of women with PPH were collected before (January 1, 2011, and October 31, 2012) and after (March 1, 2013, and December 31, 2014) the implementation of a multifaceted PPH-management intervention at three community hospitals in Southern Thailand; these patients were compared with patients diagnosed with PPH at three control hospitals in the same provinces during the same time periods. The intervention, delivered to general practitioners and nurses, utilized previously developed PPH-management guidelines. PPH management was compared between the intervention and control hospitals and factors associated with PPH management were evaluated using univariate and multiple logistic regressions.Results: The post-intervention median blood loss within 2 hours of delivery was lower in intervention hospitals (P<0.001) and post-intervention indwelling bladder catheterization was higher (P=0.004). Increased odds of indwelling bladder catheterization were recorded among patients treated at intervention hospitals (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.79, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.40-5.55) and patients who experienced more than 500 mL of blood loss (501-1000 mL [aOR 2.41, 95% CI 1.22-4.76] or >1000 mL [aOR 16.45, 95% CI 2.04-132.80]).Conclusion: Implementation of the multifaceted intervention improved PPH management at community hospitals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the effect of amniotomy on the duration of spontaneous labor.Methods: In the present randomized controlled trial, women in spontaneous labor with singleton pregnancies presenting at a tertiary teaching hospital in South India between August 1, 2014, and October 31, 2015, were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to undergo amniotomy or conservative management. The primary outcome was the duration of labor. Per-protocol analyses were performed and the duration of labor was compared between the groups of patients.Results: There were 144 patients randomized to each group. The median duration of labor was 235 minutes (interquartile range 117-355) in the amniotomy group and 364 minutes (interquartile range 201-580) in the conservative management group (P<0.001).Conclusion: Amniotomy was associated with a shorter duration of labor in comparison with conservative management in patients with singleton pregnancies experiencing spontaneous labor. Clinical Trials Registry-India: (CTRI) (CTRI/2014/12/005264). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine reference ranges for patient vital signs during the immediate postpartum period.Methods: A retrospective chart review collected data on the variables of interest for all women with 0-24-hour postpartum data available at two hospitals in the USA, between July 1, 2012, and January 31, 2015. Patients were excluded if they had received antihypertensives, uterotonics, or blood products. Regression lines, with 95% prediction intervals, were constructed for shock index, systolic blood pressure, heart rate, pulse pressure, and rate over pressure evaluation (ROPE) values.Results: There were 8874 patients and 87 336 data measurements included in the analysis. During the 24 hours following delivery, an increase in ROPE values, and decreases in pulse pressure, heart rate, and systolic blood pressure were recorded for all patients; an increase in shock index was observed among patients who had cesarean deliveries. Anomalous values for the shock index (>1.0), and reference ranges for pulse pressure (21.09-69.32 mm Hg), ROPE (1.01-3.22 bpm/mm Hg), heart rate (51-112 bpm), and SBP (81-137 mm Hg) were generated.Conclusion: Specific reference ranges for patients during the postpartum period could be used in future studies to determine the parameters, or combinations of parameters, that perform best as early markers of hemodynamic compromise in women experiencing early postpartum hemorrhage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Healthcare measures to prevent maternal deaths are well known. However, effective implementation of this knowledge to change practice remains a challenge.Objectives: To assess whether strategies to promote the use of guidelines can improve obstetric practices in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).Search Strategy: Electronic databases were searched up to February 7, 2014, using relevant terms for implementation strategies (e.g. "audit," "education," "reminder"), and maternal mortality.Selection Criteria: Randomized and non-randomized studies of implementation strategies targeting healthcare professionals within the formal health services in LMICs were included.Data Collection and Analysis: Cochrane methodological guidance was followed. Because of heterogeneity in the interventions, a narrative synthesis was completed.Main Results: Nine studies met the inclusion criteria. Moderate-to-low-quality evidence was found to show improvement in the areas of doctor-patient communication (one study), analgesic provision (one study), the management of emergencies (two studies) and maternal and late neonatal mortality (one study each). Intervention effects were not consistent across studies.Conclusions: Implementation strategies targeting health professionals could lead to improvement in obstetric care in LMICs. Future research should explore what feature of an intervention is effective in one context and how this could be translated into another context.Prospero: CRD42014010310. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To compare the effectiveness and safety of carbetocin, misoprostol, and oxytocin for the prevention of postpartum hemorrhage following cesarean deliveries.Methods: A double-blind randomized controlled trial enrolled patients with a singleton pregnancy scheduled for an elective cesarean delivery at a maternity hospital in Cairo, Egypt, between October 1, 2012 and June 30, 2013. Participants were randomized using a computer-generated sequence to receive treatment with carbetocin, misoprostol, or oxytocin. The primary outcome was the occurrence of uterine atony necessitating additional uterotonics. Per-protocol analyses were performed. Patients, investigators, and data analysts were masked to treatment assignments.Results: The present study enrolled 263 patients; data were analyzed from 88 patients treated with carbetocin, 89 treated with misoprostol, and 86 women treated with oxytocin. Further uterotonics were needed for the treatment of 5 (6%) patients who were treated with carbetocin, 20 (22%) patients treated with misoprostol, and 11 (13%) patients treated with oxytocin. In the prevention of uterine atony, carbetocin was comparable with oxytocin (RR 0.41, 95%CI 0.14-1.25) and superior to misoprostol (RR 0.21, 95%CI 0.07-0.58).Conclusion: Additional uterotonics were needed less frequently by patients treated with carbetocin. Carbetocin was comparable to oxytocin and superior to misoprostol in the prevention of uterine atony following an elective cesarean delivery. ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02053922. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To describe risk factors, clinical events, and avoidable factors in cases of maternal death due to bleeding during and after cesarean delivery.Methods: A retrospective study was undertaken of the clinical records of women who delivered in seven hospitals in Johannesburg, South Africa, between January 2013 and December 2014. Maternal deaths due to cesarean-related hemorrhage during or within 42days of cesarean delivery at 24weeks or more were selected. Case records were audited using quantitative techniques to determine the events leading up to death.Results: There were 123 251 deliveries and 17 maternal deaths due to bleeding during or after cesarean (3.2 deaths per 10 000 deliveries). Risk factors included previous cesarean delivery, preoperative anemia, and placental abruption. Uterine atony and surgical trauma were the main causes of bleeding. Five (29%) women died before the cause of bleeding was found. Avoidable factors included delays in the recognition and management of shock. Thirteen (76%) women died within 48hours of the cesarean procedure.Conclusion: Deaths due to bleeding during and after cesarean have multifactorial causation. Maternal healthcare systems must be strengthened, with attention to the knowledge and skills of health workers. This requires increased clinical vigilance, a rapid effective response to obstetric hemorrhage and shock, and overall health system strengthening. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To explore men's experience and beliefs regarding the use of maternity waiting homes (MWHs) in Kalomo District, Zambia.Methods: As part of a qualitative study, in-depth interviews with the husbands/partners of women attending the under-five clinic at a health center with a MWH were conducted between April 1 and May 31, 2014. Men aged 18-50 years whose partner/wife was of reproductive age and who had lived in the area for more than 6 months were eligible for inclusion.Results: Overall, 24 husbands/partners were interviewed in seven rural health centers. Men perceived many potential benefits of MWHs, including improved access to facility-based skilled delivery services and treatment in case of labor complications. Their many roles included decision making and securing funds for transport, food, cleaning materials, and clothes for the mother and the neonate to use during and after labor. However, limited financial resources made it difficult for them to provide for their wives and newborns, and usually led to delays in their decisions about MWH use. Poor conditions in MWHs and the lack of basic social and healthcare needs meant some men had forbidden their wives/partners from using the facilities.Conclusion: Important intervention targets for improving access to MWHs and skilled birth attendance have been identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate whether a hospital-based mentoring program could significantly increase short- and longer-term emergency obstetrics and neonatal care (EmONC) knowledge and skills among health providers.Methods: In a prospective before-and-after study, 20 mentors were trained using a specially-created EmONC mentoring and training program at Bwaila Hospital in Lilongwe, Malawi. The mentors then trained an additional 114 providers as mentees in the curriculum. Mentors and mentees were asked to complete a test before initiation of the training (Pre-Test), immediately after training (Post-Test 1), and at least 6 months after training (Post-Test 2) to assess written and practical EmONC knowledge and skills. Mean scores were then compared.Results: Scores increased significantly between the Pre-Test and Post-Test 1 for both written (n=134; difference 22.9%, P<0.001) and practical (n=125; difference 29.5%, P<0.001) tests. Scores were still significantly higher in Post-Test 2 than in the Pre-Test for written (n=111; difference 21.0%, P<0.001) and practical (n=103; difference 29.3%, P<0.001) tests.Conclusion: A hospital-based mentoring program can result in both short- and longer-term improvement in EmONC knowledge and skills. Further research is required to assess whether this leads to behavioral changes that improve maternal and neonatal outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To implement the Safe Abortion Care (SAC) model in public health facilities in the Tigray region of Ethiopia and document the availability, utilization, and quality of SAC services over time.Methods: The project oriented providers in 50 public health facilities in Tigray to the SAC model. Changes in SAC indicators between baseline and endline were assessed using a retrospective review of procedure logbooks at baseline and prospective monitoring of procedure logbooks for facility performance after introduction of the SAC model.Results: Availability of SAC services increased from 39% to 86% of the recommended number of 5 facilities per 500000 population, primarily as a result of functional improvements at health centers. Decentralization was accompanied by a 94% increase in the annualized number of women who received services. The proportion of uterine evacuation procedures for induced abortion rose from 7% to 60% (P<0.01), and the proportion performed with recommended technology increased from 30% to 85% (P<0.01). The proportion of abortion patients who received modern contraception also increased from 31% to 78% (P<0.01).Discussion: While widespread service delivery improvements were recorded using the SAC monitoring approach, the project design was built around existing programmatic activities of the local health authority and reflects some related research limitations. For example, there was no comparison group of facilities, timing did not allow for prospective collection of the baseline data before the intervention, and facilities received different levels of monitoring support.Conclusion: Using the SAC model, public health facilities tracked progress and made needed adjustments, which improved service delivery. Continued focus on critical safe abortion care elements should increase the availability, quality, and use of life-saving care to reduce preventable abortion mortality in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Policy, regulation, training, and support for cadres adopting tasks and roles outside their historical domain have lagged behind the practical shift in service-delivery on the ground. The Health Systems Strengthening for Equity (HSSE) project sought to assess the alignment between national policy and regulation, preservice training, district level expectations, and clinical practice of cadres providing some or all components of emergency obstetric care (EmOC) in Malawi and Tanzania.Methods: A mixed methods approach was used, including key informant interviews, a survey of District Health Management Teams, and a survey of health providers employed at a representative sample of health facilities.Results: A lack of alignment between national policy and regulation, training, and clinical practice was observed in both countries, particularly for cadres with less preservice training; a closer alignment was found between district level expectations and reported clinical practice. There is ineffective use of cadres that are trained and authorized to provide EmOC, but who are not delivering care, especially assisted vaginal delivery.Conclusion: Better alignment between policy and practice, and support and training, and more efficient utilization of clinical staff are needed to achieve the quality health care for which the Malawian and Tanzanian health ministries and governments are accountable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To show how GIS can be used by health planners to make informed decisions about interventions to increase access to emergency services.Methods: A combination of data sources, including the 2008 national Ethiopian baseline assessment for emergency obstetric and newborn care that covered 797 geo-coded health facilities, LandScan population data, and road network data, were used to model referral networks and catchment areas across 2 regions of Ethiopia. STATA and ArcGIS software extensions were used to model different scenarios for strengthening the referral system, defined by the structural inputs of transportation and communication, and upgrading facilities, to compare the increase in access to referral facilities.Results: Approximately 70% of the population of Tigray and Amhara regions is served by facilities that are within a 2-hour transfer time to a hospital with obstetric surgery. By adding vehicles and communication capability, this percentage increased to 83%. In a second scenario, upgrading 7 strategically located facilities changed the configuration of the referral networks, and the percentage increased to 80%. By combining the 2 strategies, 90% of the population would be served by midlevel facilities within 2 hours of obstetric surgery. The mean travel time from midlevel facilities to surgical facilities would be reduced from 121 to 64 minutes in the scenario combining the 2 interventions.Conclusions: GIS mapping and modeling enable spatial and temporal analyses critical to understanding the population's access to health services and the emergency referral system. The provision of vehicles and communication and the upgrading of health centers to first level referral hospitals are short- and medium-term strategies that can rapidly increase access to lifesaving services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To examine user fees for maternity services and how they relate to provision, quality, and use of maternity services in Ethiopia.Methods: The national assessment of emergency obstetric and newborn care (EmONC) examined user fees for maternity services in 751 health facilities that provided childbirth services in 2008.Results: Overall, only about 6.6% of women gave birth in health facilities. Among facilities that provided delivery care, 68% charged a fee in cash or kind for normal delivery. Health centers should be providing maternity services free of charge (the healthcare financing proclamation), yet 65% still charge for some aspect of care, including drugs and supplies. The average cost for normal and cesarean delivery was US $7.70 and US $51.80, respectively. Nineteen percent of these facilities required payment in advance for treatment of an obstetric emergency. The health facilities that charged user fees had, on average, more delivery beds, deliveries (normal and cesarean), direct obstetric complications treated, and a higher ratio of skilled birth attendants per 1000 deliveries than those that did not charge. The case fatality rate was 3.8% and 7.1% in hospitals that did and did not charge user fees, respectively.Conclusion: Utilization of maternal health services is extremely low in Ethiopia and, although there is a government decree against charging for maternity service, 65% of health centers do charge for some aspects of maternal care. As health facilities are not reimbursed by the government for the costs of maternity services, this loss of revenue may account for the more and better services offered in facilities that continue to charge user fees. User fees are not the only factor that determines utilization in settings where the coverage of maternity services is extremely low. Additional factors include other out-of-pocket payments such as cost of transport and food and lodging for accompanying relatives. It is important to keep quality of care in mind when user fees are under discussion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To demonstrate that training ensures correct administration of oral misoprostol by auxiliary midwives for prevention of postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) among women giving birth at the community level in Senegal.Methods: A 6-day training program for auxiliary midwives and supervisors, including 1 day of PPH prevention training and a practicum of 10 deliveries at health centers and 3 deliveries at maternity huts, was conducted in 2 Senegalese districts in June-July 2009. Data were collected between July and December 2009 on the administration of oral misoprostol by trained auxiliary midwives among 245 women giving birth at health centers, health posts, and maternity huts.Results: All participating women received the correct administration of oral misoprostol; however, few women delivering in the community-based maternity huts received the supervision that is locally required to administer misoprostol. Women were willing to pay for some or all of the costs of misoprostol for PPH prevention.Conclusion: Timely management of PPH is essential to reduce maternal mortality. With limited training, auxiliary midwives achieved the correct administration of oral misoprostol that can attain this goal. Community delivery supervised by a skilled attendant limits access to, and need not be a requirement for, PPH prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To examine the quality of the maternal health system in Eritrea to understand system deficiencies and its relevance to maternal mortality within the context of Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 5.Methods: A sample of 118 health facilities was surveyed. Data were collected on 5 dimensions of health system quality: availability; accessibility; management; infrastructure; and process indicators. Data on the causes of hospital admissions for obstetric patients and maternal deaths were extracted from medical records.Results: Eritrea has only 11 comprehensive emergency obstetric care (CEmOC) facilities, all of which are grossly understaffed. There is considerable pressure on the infrastructure and health providers at hospitals. Compliance with clinical care standards and availability of supplies were optimal. As a result, the case fatality rate of 0.65% was low. In total, 45.6% of obstetric admissions and 19.5% of maternal deaths were attributed to abortion complications.Conclusion: In Eritrea, critical gaps in the health system-especially those related to human resources-will impede progress toward MDG 5, and it will not be possible to reduce maternal mortality without addressing the high burden of abortion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the impact of the H1N1 influenza pandemic on maternal mortality in the province of Antioquia, Colombia, in 2009.Methods: The present study was a descriptive, retrospective, cross-sectional study of maternal deaths in Antioquia in 2009 caused by H1N1-related pneumonia. The study formed part of the epidemiologic surveillance process undertaken by the Health and Social Protection Directorate of Antioquia and the particular healthcare institutions involved in the cases.Results: In 2009, there were 42 maternal deaths in Antioquia, corresponding to a maternal mortality ratio of 46 per 100 000 live births. Ten deaths were due to pneumonia, 9 of which occurred after the H1N1 outbreak was first reported in early 2009. In 3 cases, the women were confirmed to have H1N1 virus infection, and the remainder fulfilled probable case criteria. The main factors contributing to the deaths were underestimation of H1N1 symptoms, and delays in administration of antiviral medication and in hospitalization.Conclusion: For the population subgroup of pregnant women in Antioquia, it is crucial to remain alert regarding H1N1 virus infection, guaranteeing patients adequate monitoring and/or timely administration of immunization, medication, and hospitalization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess the feasibility of introducing misoprostol for the treatment of incomplete abortion in Quito, Ecuador.Methods: In a randomized prospective study conducted at a large tertiary-level maternity hospital and a private secondary-level clinic between November 2006 and November 2007, women with incomplete abortion were treated with either 600 μg of oral misoprostol (n=122) or manual vacuum aspiration (MVA) (n=120). All participants were requested to return for follow-up care on day 7 to determine the success of the treatment and to document their satisfaction with the method and the adverse effects experienced.Results: Sixteen percent of women (39/242) did not return for their follow-up visit and their outcomes are unknown. Among those who did return, 94% (100/106) of women showed successful completion of abortion after treatment with misoprostol, as compared with 100% (97/97) of women treated with MVA. Most women described their adverse effects after treatment as tolerable (misoprostol, 95%; MVA, 91%). Nearly all women reported being satisfied with their treatment (196/203); there were no differences among the women's reports of satisfaction according to treatment received.Conclusion: An oral dose of 600 μg of misoprostol was found to be an acceptable and effective non-surgical option for treating incomplete abortion. Clinical trials.gov NCT00674232. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To report on the availability and quality of emergency obstetric and newborn care (EmONC) in Ethiopia.Methods: All licensed hospitals and health centers were visited and standard questionnaires were administered. In addition, a nonrandom systematic sample was taken of recent cesarean deliveries, partographs, and maternal deaths-and these cases were systematically reviewed. Health facilities were geocoded using geographic positioning system devices.Results: Too few facilities provided EmONC to meet the UN standards of 5 per 500,000 population, both nationally and in all but 2 regions. Only 7% of deliveries took place in institutions of any type, and only 3% in facilities that routinely provided all the signal functions. Only 6% of women with obstetric complications were treated in any health facility, half of whom were treated in fully functional EmONC facilities. Nationwide, 0.6% of expected deliveries were by cesarean. The mortality rate for women with serious obstetric complications (case fatality rate) was 2%. The cause of death was unknown in 10% of cases, and 21% were due to indirect causes (primarily malaria, anemia, and HIV-related).Conclusion: None of the indicators met UN standards. Ethiopia faces many challenges--not least geography--with regard to improving EmONC. Nevertheless, the government places high priority on improvement and has taken (and will continue to take) action to achieve Millennium Development Goals 4 and 5. This comprehensive survey serves both as a road map for planning strategies for improvement and as a baseline for measuring the impact of interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess the maternal disease burden due to pre-eclampsia/eclampsia in Ethiopia and the national health system's readiness to respond to the needs of women with pre-eclampsia/eclampsia.Methods: The national emergency obstetric and newborn care (EmONC) assessment entailed collecting information from 112 hospitals and 685 health centers in Ethiopia, focusing on their infrastructure, the services they provided, human resources, equipment and supplies, case load, and mortality due to pre-eclampsia/eclampsia.Results: Pre-eclampsia/eclampsia complicated 1.2% of all institutional deliveries. Given the low institutional delivery rate and an expected incidence of 2%-8% of all deliveries, this implies that only a small fraction (3.8%) of all women with pre-eclampsia/eclampsia received care at health facilities. 11% of all maternal deaths and 16% of direct maternal deaths were due to this obstetric complication. The cause-specific case fatality rate was high (3.6%). Availability of urine test strips, anticonvulsants, antihypertensives, and actual service provision to treat these diseases was limited, especially at health centers.Conclusion: The salutary effects of the national EmONC assessment were immediate, as evidenced by how quickly the release of the Ethiopian report led to important national efforts to improve maternal and newborn health. Expansion of health services should be augmented with periodic assessments of logistics and quality-related issues to assure functioning facilities for women accessing obstetric services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objective: To analyze factors contributing to the prognosis of patients with fulminant viral hepatitis in pregnancy (FVHP). Methods: A retrospective study was conducted among 90 patients with FVHP who were admitted between January 1994 and August 2008 in 9 Chinese hospitals with expertise in the treatment of FVHP. Results: Different clinical types of FVHP presented with different fatality rates; the acute type showed the highest fatality rate and the chronic type showed the lowest fatality rate. Serum albumin (Alb), total cholesterol (Tch), total bilirubin (Tbil), prothrombin activity (PTA), creatinine (Scr), white blood cell count (WBC), the phenomenon of “bilirubin-transaminase separation”, and intractable complications correlated with the prognosis of FVHP. The fatality rate increased with decreasing Tch and PTA, increasing WBC, the appearance of “bilirubin-transaminase separation”, and complications such as hepatic encephalopathy, hepatorenal syndrome, hemorrhage, and infection. The above indices were all significantly different between survivor and non-survivor groups. Conclusion: The clinical type of fulminant hepatitis, Alb, Tch, PTA, TBIL, Scr WBC, phenomenon of “bilirubin-transaminase separation”, and intractable complications are important factors associated with prognosis of patients with FVHP. Dynamic monitoring of these indicators and active treatment of complications are key to the improvement of outcomes in patients with FVHP. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective: To determine whether combined spinal-epidural analgesia (CSEA) can decrease the known epidural effect of lengthening delivery.Methods: Between April and May 2010, 144 women undergoing childbirth in hospital with epidural pain relief were randomized to receive either low-dose epidural analgesia (LEA) or CSEA. The spinal component included 2.5mg of bupivacaine, 25 μg of fentanyl, and 200 μg of morphine. The epidural component of the CSEA procedure was started once pain returned. The primary outcome was total labor duration measured from the time of initiation of labor analgesia to delivery.Results: The difference in duration between LEA (n=72) and CSEA (n=72) was 5 minutes for labor (P=0.82), 2 minutes for delivery (P=0.60), and 7 minutes for total labor duration (P=0.75). The combined group used less levobupivacaine (P<0.001) and had lower sensory blockade at the dermatomal level (P=0.037). Women in the CSEA group had a higher incidence of pruritus (P=0.002) and lightheadedness (P=0.02) during labor; and a higher incidence of pruritus (P=0.002), nausea-vomiting (P=0.026), and drowsiness (P=0.003) in the postpartum period.Conclusion: As compared with LEA, CSEA did not shorten the duration of labor length; however, it did reduce levobupivacaine consumption and motor weakness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To explore maternal healthcare utilization in rural western China, and to analyze the socioeconomic and demographic determinants associated with use of maternal health services.Methods: Between July and August 2005, 14112 women from 45 counties in 10 western provinces of China were enrolled in a cross-sectional study by a multi-stage probability sampling method. The women completed a structured questionnaire, and a 2-level logistic regression model was used to examine the data.Results: The proportion of women who had prenatal care was 95%. The average number of prenatal visits was 4.94. The proportion of women who had more than 4 prenatal visits was 52.9%, and 66.9% of these had their first prenatal visit within 12 weeks of gestation. The hospital delivery rate was 86.3%. The frequency of postnatal visits was 84.8%, and the average number of postnatal visits was 2.19. Han ethnicity, higher education, lower parity, higher wealth index, and lower altitude of county had a higher odds ratio for more than 4 prenatal visits, hospital delivery, and postnatal visits.Conclusion: Maternal healthcare utilization seems to be associated with socio-economic and regional factors. The Chinese government should focus on the supply, funding, and quality of maternity services in rural areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To calculate the met need for comprehensive emergency obstetric care (CEmOC) in 2 Tanzanian regions (Mwanza and Kigoma) and to document the contribution of non-physician clinicians (assistant medical officers [AMOs]) and medical officers (MOs) with regard to meeting the need for CEmOC.Methods: All hospitals in the 2 regions were visited to determine the proportion of major obstetric interventions performed by AMOs and MOs. All deliveries (n = 38 758) in these hospitals in 2003 were reviewed. The estimated met need for emergency obstetric care (EmOC) was calculated using UN process indicators, as was the contribution to that attainment by AMOs. Hospital case fatality rates were also determined.Results: Estimated met need was 35% in Mwanza and 23% in Kigoma. AMOs operating independently performed most major obstetric surgery. Outside of the single university hospital, AMOs performed 85% of cesareans and high proportions of other obstetric surgeries. The case fatality rate was 2.0% in Mwanza and 1.2% in Kigoma.Conclusion: AMOs carried most of the burden of life-saving EmOC-particularly cesarean deliveries-in the regions investigated. Case fatality was close to the 1% target set by the UN process indicators, but met need was far below the goal of 100%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To conduct a needs assessment for emergency obstetric care (EmOC) to address the unacceptably high maternal and newborn mortality indices in Sierra Leone 8 years after the end of the civil war.Methods: From June to August 2008, a cross-sectional survey was conducted of health facilities in Sierra Leone offering delivery services. Assessment tools were local adaptations of tools developed by the Averting Maternal Death and Disability program at Columbia University, New York, USA.Results: There were enough comprehensive EmOC (CEmOC) facilities in the country but they were poorly distributed. There were no basic EmOC (BEmOC) facilities. Few facilities (37% of hospitals and 2% of health centers) were able to perform assisted vaginal delivery (AVD), and 3 potentially BEmOC facilities did not meet the standard only because they did not perform AVD. Severe shortages in staff, equipment, and supplies, and unsatisfactory supply of utilities severely hampered the delivery of quality EmOC services. Demand for maternity and newborn services was low, which may have been related to the poor quality and the high/unpredictable out-of-pocket cost of such services.Conclusion: Significant increases in the uptake of institutional delivery services, the linkage of remote health workers to the health system, and the recruitment of midwives, in addition to rapid expansion in the training of health workers (including training in midwifery and obstetric surgery skills), are urgently needed to improve the survival of mothers and newborns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess the availability and coverage of emergency obstetric care (EmOC) services in Zambia.Methods: Reported provision of EmOC signal functions in the Zambian Health Facility Census and additional criteria on staffing, opening hours, and referral capacity were used to classify all Zambian health facilities as providing comprehensive EmOC, basic EmOC, or more limited care. Geographic accessibility of EmOC services was estimated by linking health facility data with data from the Zambian population census.Results: Few Zambian health facilities provided all basic EmOC signal functions and had qualified health professionals available on a 24-hour basis. Of the 1131 Zambian delivery facilities, 135 (12%) were classified as providing EmOC. Zambia nearly met the UN EmOC density benchmarks nationally, but EmOC facilities and health professionals were unevenly distributed between provinces. Geographic access to EmOC services in rural areas was low; in most provinces, less than 25% of the population lived within 15 km of an EmOC facility.Conclusion: A national Health Facility Census with geographic information is a valuable tool for assessing service availability and coverage at national and subnational levels. Simultaneously assessing health worker density and geographic access adds crucial information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine risk factors for perinatal mortality among hospital-based deliveries in Nigeria.Methods: The WHO Global Maternal and Perinatal Health Survey was implemented in Nigeria as a first step in establishing a global system for monitoring maternal and perinatal health. Twenty-one health facilities with more than 1000 deliveries annually were selected by a stratified multistage cluster sampling strategy. Information was recorded on all women who delivered and their neonates within a 3-month period.Results: Overall, there were 9208 deliveries, comprising 8526 live births, 369 fresh stillbirths, 282 macerated stillbirths, 70 early neonatal deaths, and 721 perinatal deaths. The stillbirth and perinatal mortality rates were, respectively, 71 and 78 per 1000 deliveries; the early neonatal death rate was 8 per 1000 live births. Approximately 10% of all newborns weighed less than 2500 g, and 12.3% were born at less than 37 weeks of gestation. Predictors of perinatal mortality were mother's age, lack of prenatal care, unbooked status, prematurity, and birth asphyxia.Conclusion: The perinatal mortality rate remains unacceptably high in Nigeria. Fresh stillbirth accounted for most perinatal deaths. Interventions to improve the utilization and quality of prenatal care, in addition to the quality of intrapartum care, would considerably reduce perinatal death. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To review the use of evidence-based practices in the care of mothers who died or had severe morbidity attending public hospitals in two Latin American countries.Methods: This study is part of a multicenter intervention to increase the use of evidence-based obstetric practice. Data on maternal deaths and women admitted to intensive care units whose deliveries occurred in 24 hospitals in Argentina and Uruguay were analyzed. Primary outcomes were use rates of effective interventions to reduce maternal mortality (MM) and severe maternal morbidity (SMM).Results: A total of 106 women were included: 26 maternal deaths and 80 women with SMM. Some effective interventions for severe acute hemorrhage had a high use rate, such as blood transfusion (91%) and timely cesarean delivery (75%), while active management of the third stage of labor (25%) showed a lower rate. The overall use rate of effective interventions was 58% (95% CI, 49%-67%). This implies that 42% of the women did not receive one of the effective interventions to reduce MM and SMM.Conclusion: This study shows a low use of effective interventions to reduce MM and SMM in public hospitals in Argentina and Uruguay. Dissemination and implementation of evidence-based practices must be guaranteed to effectively achieve progress on maternal health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the availability and quality of emergency obstetric care (EmOC) received by women in a rural Chinese province.Methods: The study was conducted in 7 rural counties and townships in Shanxi Province, China. Data sources included interviews with 7 hospital leaders, 5 maternal and child health workers, and 7 obstetricians; 118 records of complicated delivery were audited, 21 Maternal and Child Health Annual Reports analyzed, and observations conducted of facilities and advanced labor care.Results: The number of comprehensive EmOC facilities was adequate in all counties. Three counties had fewer basic EmOC facilities than recommended and only 4 counties reached the recommended level. Most of the existing township hospitals did not provide birthing services. All the county hospitals could perform cesarean deliveries with rates from 6.8%-40.8%. The management of complications was not evidence-based. For example, women with pre-eclampsia and eclampsia were given too little magnesium sulfate; women were not closely monitored for hemorrhage after birth and the partograph was used incorrectly with consequences for obstructed labor.Conclusion: Basic EmOC facilities are not adequate and township hospitals should be upgraded to provide birthing services. The quality of EmOC is poor and needs improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To examine the impact of a national intervention to improve the postabortion care (PAC) content of midwifery education in Nigeria.Methods: A 3-part quantitative assessment was carried out during and post-intervention. The first baseline component developed and examined the intervention to improve teaching capacity and improve the PAC curriculum among 6 midwifery schools that were to become regional training centers. The second survey was a pre- and post-assessment conducted among midwifery instructors from all schools of midwifery in the country. In the third component, 149 midwives graduating from the 6 regional midwifery schools were interviewed once 3-9 months after graduation to evaluate whether the intervention had improved their knowledge of PAC and clinical practice, and the likelihood that they would provide PAC after graduation.Results: Data from 6 schools of midwifery in 2003 showed that none offered PAC or had educators trained in PAC prior to the intervention. Incorporation of PAC content and teaching capacity increased in all 6 study schools during the 3 years after a national intervention. Midwifery instructors demonstrated statistically significant improvements in knowledge of and exposure to PAC and manual vacuum aspiration (MVA) after the intervention. A follow-up interview with 149 student midwives post graduation showed increased knowledge, exposure to, and use of MVA in the workplace.Conclusion: Significant changes in graduate midwives' exposure, practice, and provision of PAC services resulted from a national intervention to improve the training environment and skills of midwifery instructors and students in the 6 schools of midwifery selected for evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To describe our experience of a complex training intervention to introduce effective perinatal care, evidence-based medicine, national confidential enquiries into maternal deaths, and facility-based near-miss case reviews in the Central Asian Republics.Methods: We describe our experiences from training sessions and report on findings from data extraction from patient records, patient interviews, discussions with healthcare staff, and observation of health care during our follow-up visits.Results: Many outdated practices in perinatal care have been abandoned, and several recommended approaches have been adopted in pilot facilities. Familiarity with the concept of evidence-based medicine has increased among participants. National confidential enquiries into maternal deaths are being prepared and facility-based near-miss case reviews piloted.Conclusion: The experience of the complex training intervention to improve maternal and perinatal health care in the Central Asian Republics is encouraging, but roll-out will be challenging. The quality of care and the attitudes of healthcare providers will have to be monitored continuously. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Maternal mortality continues to be high in rural India. Chief among the reasons for this is a severe shortage of obstetricians to perform cesarean delivery and other skills required for emergency obstetric care (EmOC). In 2006, the Government of India and the Federation of Obstetric and Gynecological Societies of India (FOGSI) with technical assistance from Jhpiego, instituted a nationwide, 16-week comprehensive EmOC (CEmOC) training program for general medical officers (MOs). This program is based on an earlier pilot project (2004-2006).Objective: To evaluate the pilot project, and identify lessons learned to inform the nationwide scale-up.Methods: The lead author (CE) visited trainees and their facilities to evaluate the project. Eight data collection tools were created, which included interviews with informants (program/government staff, regional/international experts, trainees and trainers), facility observation, and facility-based data collection of births and maternal/newborn deaths during the study period.Results: More trainees performed each of the basic EmOC skills after the training than before. After training, 10 of 15 facilities to which trainees returned could provide all signal functions for basic EmOC whereas only 2 could do so before. For comprehensive EmOC, 2 facilities with obstetricians were providing all functions before and 2 were doing so after, even though the specialists had left those facilities and services were being provided by CEmOC trainees. Barriers to providing, or continuing to provide, EmOC for some trainees included insufficient training for cesarean delivery, lack of anesthetists, equipment and infrastructure (operating theater, blood services, forceps/vacuum, manual vacuum aspiration syringes).Conclusion: Although MOs can be trained to provide CEmOC (including cesarean delivery), without proper selection of facilities and trainees, adequate training, and support, this strategy will not substantially improve the availability of comprehensive EmOC in India.Recommendations: To implement a successful nationwide scale-up, several steps should be taken. These include, selecting motivated trainees, implementing the training as it was designed, improving support for trainees, and ensuring appropriate staff and infrastructure for trainees at their facilities before they return from training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The lack of anesthesia providers in rural public sector hospitals is a significant barrier to providing emergency obstetric care. In 2006, the state of Gujarat initiated the Life Saving Anesthetic Skills (LSAS) for Emergency Obstetric Care (EmOC) training program for medical offers (MOs). We evaluated the trained MOs' experience of the program, and identified factors leading to post-training performance.Methods: The sample was chosen to equally represent performing and nonperforming LSAS-trained MOs using purposive sampling qualitative interviews with trainees across Gujarat (n=14). Data on facility preparedness and monthly case load were also collected.Results: Being posted with a specialist anesthesiologist and with a cooperative EmOC provider increased the likelihood that the MOs would provide anesthesia. MOs who did not provide anesthesia were more likely to have been posted with a nonperforming or uncooperative EmOC provider and were more likely to have low confidence in their ability to provide anesthesia. Facilities were found to be under prepared to tackle emergency obstetric procedures.Conclusion: Program managers should consider extending the duration of the program and placing more emphasis on practical training. Posting doctors with cooperative and performing EmOC providers will significantly improve the effectiveness of the program. A separate team of program managers who plan, monitor, and solve the problems reported by the trained MOs would further enhance the success of scaling up the training program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To document an innovative public-private partnership between the government of Gujarat, India and private obstetricians in rural areas that provides delivery care to the poor.Methods: This is a descriptive analysis of the scheme and analysis of secondary data. We estimate the lives of mothers and newborns potentially saved because of the scheme.Results: More than 800 obstetricians have joined the scheme and more than 269000 poor women have delivered in private facilities in 2 years. We estimate that the percentage of institutional deliveries among poor women increased from 27% to 48% between April 2007 and September 2008. In addition, there are fewer reported maternal and newborn deaths among the beneficiaries compared with the number of deaths expected in the absence of the scheme.Conclusions: This innovative program shows that, at least in some areas of India, it is possible to develop a large scale partnership with the private sector to provide skilled birth attendance and emergency obstetric care to poor women at a relatively low cost. This is one way of addressing the human resource deficit in the public sector in rural areas of low-income countries to achieve Millennium Development Goals 4 and 5. We also conclude that the skilled care thus provided can reduce maternal and neonatal mortality among the poor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess the association between cesarean delivery rates and pregnancy outcomes in African health facilities.Methods: Data were obtained from all births over 2-3 months in 131 facilities. Outcomes included maternal deaths, severe maternal morbidity, fresh stillbirths, and neonatal deaths and morbidity.Results: Median cesarean delivery rate was 8.8% among 83439 births. Cesarean deliveries were performed in only 95 (73%) facilities. Facility-specific cesarean delivery rates were influenced by previous cesarean, pre-eclampsia, induced labor, referral status, and higher health facility classification scores. Pre-eclampsia increased the risks of maternal death, fresh stillbirths, and severe neonatal morbidity. Adjusted emergency cesarean delivery rate was associated with more fresh stillbirths, neonatal deaths, and severe neonatal morbidity--probably related to prolonged labor, asphyxia, and sepsis. Adjusted elective cesarean delivery rate was associated with fewer perinatal deaths.Conclusion: Use of cesarean delivery is limited in the African health facilities surveyed. Emergency cesareans, when performed, are often too late to reduce perinatal deaths. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: We assessed the effect of prenatal and peripartum antibiotics on maternal morbidity and mortality among HIV-infected and uninfected women.Methods: A multicenter trial was conducted at clinical sites in 4 Sub-Saharan African cities: Blantyre and Lilongwe, Malawi; Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; and Lusaka, Zambia. A total of 1558 HIV-infected and 271 uninfected pregnant women who were eligible to receive both the prenatal and peripartum antibiotic/placebo regimens were enrolled. Pregnant women were interviewed at 20-24 weeks of gestation and a physical examination was performed. Women were randomized to receive either antibiotics or placebo. At the 26-30 week visit, participants were given antibiotics or placebo to be taken every 4 hours beginning at the onset of labor and continuing after delivery 3 times a day until a 1-week course was completed. Logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards models were used.Results: There were no significant differences between the antibiotic and placebo groups for medical conditions, obstetric complications, physical examination findings, puerperal sepsis, and death in either the HIV-infected or the uninfected cohort.Conclusion: Administration of study antibiotics during pregnancy had no effect on maternal morbidity and mortality among HIV-infected and uninfected pregnant women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate inequalities in cesarean delivery rates in Brazil according to ethnic group and level of access to hospital delivery.Methods: Cross-sectional analysis of data for primiparous women with singleton deliveries between 2003 and 2004 from the National Information System of Live-Births (6,064,799 live births). Robust Poisson regression modeling was applied to estimate prevalence ratios of cesarean deliveries for ethnic group and level of access to hospital delivery according to residence.Results: There were 2,438,180 primiparous deliveries and the cesarean rate was 45.8%. Ethnic inequalities in cesarean delivery rates showed lower rates for all ethnic groups compared with white women, with the lowest rates recorded for indigenous women. The association between ethnicity and cesarean delivery was higher in states with lower access to hospital (P<0.001). Multiple regression models showed that this association was, in part, explained by older maternal age and higher levels of education and prenatal care.Conclusions: Overuse of cesarean delivery and strong evidence of ethnic inequalities in cesarean rates exist in Brazil. The inequalities are greater in states with lower access to hospital and were partially explained by socioeconomic factors and prenatal care, suggesting a misuse of medical technology at birth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: WHO, UNICEF, and UNFPA with other development partners have supported African Ministries of Health to institutionalize maternal death review (MDR) since 2003. To evaluate the program, its status, lessons learned, and the challenges to success were reviewed in 2007.Methods: A standard self-administered questionnaire was sent to Ministries of Health in 46 Sub-Saharan African countries in May 2007. Completed questionnaires were returned by e-mail, processed, and analyzed.Results: Thirty countries completed the survey questionnaire. Maternal death is a notifiable condition in 21 (67%) counties. A national committee has been set up to plan, coordinate, and implement MDR activities in 7 countries. Fifteen countries stated that facility-based MDR is the main method selected for conducting reviews of the causes of maternal death. Fourteen (47%) countries reported that national MDR guidelines had been developed and 12 (40%) had implemented the guidelines. Fifteen (50%) countries reported that maternal deaths were reviewed and analyzed. Only 7 countries reported that the government had allocated a budget for MDR. Implementation of MDR has led to local policy changes and improvement in quality of maternal health services in several countries. Ten of the 15 countries in which analysis has been conducted reported that recommendations have been implemented at least at the health facility level.Conclusion: Although use of MDR is increasing in African countries, effective coverage is still low. The institutionalization of MDR requires political commitment, legal and administrative back-up, financial support, capacity development, simplified reporting forms and procedures, coordinated support of development partners, involvement of professional bodies, and regular supportive follow-up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Factors contributing to the limited use of confidential inquiries into maternal deaths include the negative focus and demotivating effect of such inquiries, perceptions of unavailability of sufficient documentation of events, and lack of time and resources. To ascertain whether these problems can be overcome, variations to confidential inquiries into maternal deaths were introduced in Ghana and Indonesia.Methods: Clinical review panels were set up as part of the usual process of confidential inquiries, and modifications to the confidential inquiries were introduced. In Ghana, the traditional confidential inquiry process focusing on health facility care was modified to introduce the assessment of positive factors. In addition to the assessment of positive factors, adaptations in Indonesia consisted of including cases of obstetric complications, as well as deaths, and the use of interview testimonials as data sources. Information about resource and time needs for conducting confidential inquiries was collected.Results: The introduction of positive aspects to the process provided a balanced and more motivating setting for the inquiry. The data obtained from case notes in district hospitals and interview testimonials provided sufficient information to assess why maternal deaths and severe complications occurred. The costs of conducting the inquiries ranged from US $4000 to US $11000 (per study), and the estimated time required for a panel member to review each case was more than 3 hours.Conclusion: This study introduced practical ways to encourage the implementation of maternal death reviews, inquiries, and audits that are context specific and, therefore, acceptable to local practitioners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the use of beneficial maternal and perinatal healthcare practices in a network of public maternity hospitals in Argentina.Method: A multicenter, prospective, descriptive study of 6661 deliveries in 9 hospitals. The use of 5 obstetric care practices that reduce maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality was evaluated.Results: Median use rates for the selected practices were: continuous support for women during childbirth (17.9%); corticosteroids for preterm birth (35.3%); avoidance of episiotomy in primiparous women (41.2%); iron and folate supplementation (52.5%); active management of third stage of labor (93.5%).Conclusion: There is limited use of the selected evidence-based maternal and perinatal practices in public hospitals in Argentina and a large variation in their use among and within hospitals. Efforts should be made to increase the use of these evidence-based practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The Yemen is a signatory of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and one of 10 countries chosen for the UN Millennium Project. However, recent MDG progress reviews show that it is unlikely that the maternal health goal will be reached by 2015 and Yemen still has an unacceptably high maternal mortality of 365 per 100000 live births. Because 82% of deaths happen intrapartum, the purpose of this needs assessment was to identify and prioritize constraints in delivery of emergency obstetric care (EmOC).Methods: Four district hospitals and 16 health centers in 8 districts were assessed for functional capacity in terms of infrastructure; availability of essential equipment and drugs; EmOC technical competency and training needs; and Health Management Information System.Results: We found poor obstetric services in terms of structure (staffing pattern, equipment, and supplies) and process (knowledge and management skills).Conclusion: The data argue for strengthening the 4 interlinked health system elements-human resources, and access to, use, and quality of services. The Government must address each of these elements to meet the Safe Motherhood MDG. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate Sri Lankan maternal deaths due to heart disease and to consider low-cost interventions to reduce these deaths.Methods: A qualitative study based on retrospective audit of all maternal deaths and late maternal deaths in Sri Lanka caused by cardiac disease in 2004.Results: A total of 145 maternal deaths were recorded in 2004, for a maternal mortality rate of 38 per 100,000. There were 42 indirect deaths, 25 of which were due to cardiac disease; 23 deaths had a specific cardiac cause listed. Standard care was identified in prepregnancy counseling, contraception, and prenatal community and specialist care.Conclusion: Cardiac disease is a major cause of maternal mortality in Sri Lanka, second only to postpartum hemorrhage. Rheumatic mitral valve disease is responsible for more than a third of maternal deaths from cardiac disease. Substandard care was identified in all cases; strategies to improve care could allow a reduction in maternal cardiac deaths. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To develop, implement, and evaluate an evidence-based multidisciplinary teaching program to improve maternal and infant health in remote Vietnam.Methods: Needs assessments identified prevention of infection, neonatal resuscitation, and prevention of postpartum hemorrhage as primary targets. A 3-day workshop based on the small group, interactive, skills-based SCORPIO method was developed. Participants underwent formative written and performance-based assessments. Qualitative and quantitative evaluation of course content and teaching method was conducted.Results: Two annual workshops were conducted for 58 health professionals, all of whom demonstrated skills acquisition to an adequate standard on completion. The workshops were rated as good or excellent overall by 100% of the participants, who reported that the content would help with their clinical work and that the teaching method was acceptable and easy to understand.Conclusion: We demonstrated the SCORPIO method can be adapted to teach knowledge and clinical skills in remote Vietnam. Further work is needed to demonstrate an effect on health outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess the effects of a comprehensive intervention (staff training, equipment, internal clinical audits, cost sharing system, patients-providers meetings) in improving cesarean delivery access and quality in an urban district of Burkina Faso.Methods: We conducted a before-after study in the health district sector 30 in Ouagadougou between 2003 and 2006. We measured cesarean delivery quality (accessibility, diagnosis, procedure, postoperative follow-up) and maternal and neonatal health in 1371 sections.Results: The number of cesarean deliveries performed increased each year, from 42 in 2003 to 630 in 2006. This increase happened without increase in maternal and perinatal post-cesarean mortality (respectively 1.1% and 3.6% in 2006). The cesarean delivery rate for women of the district increased from 1.9% to 3.3% of expected births between 2003 and 2005.Conclusion: To improve access to quality cesarean delivery, we have shown that it was necessary to have a systemic approach combining technical, operational, sociocultural, and political factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: It is unlikely that some low-income countries will achieve Millennium Development Goal 5 (MDG5) unless governments find new approaches. One possibility is through government partnerships with mission hospitals and other faith-based organizations (FBOs), but this would require overcoming historic reservations.Methods: We review the limited literature on mission hospitals and other FBO health services providing maternity care.Conclusion: The management and the clinical care provided by FBOs are often of higher quality than that provided by government hospitals. Mission hospitals have several advantages including more resources (especially foreign exchange), greater access to expatriate staff especially for training, and more flexibility in hiring and managing staff and in procuring and managing medicines and supplies.Recommendation: Increased collaboration between governments and mission hospitals, particularly in underserved and rural areas, could improve availability and quality of obstetric services enough to meet MDG5 targets. Delegating responsibilities to mission hospitals, exchanging information, and collaboration in projects and training could accelerate progress toward MDG5. Bilateral and multilateral funding institutions and International NGOs should encourage more effective partnerships between governments and FBOs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess the availability, accessibility, utilization, and quality of emergency obstetric care (EmOC) services in Malawi.Methods: A complete enumeration was made of all hospitals and a 25% random sample of all health centers, in all districts of Malawi. Enumerators (nurses and midwives) collected data by reviewing facility registers and records, observations, and interviews with health workers to determine extent of utilization of services. In-depth interviews and focus group discussions were also held with key informants to identify barriers to utilization of services and explore participants' perceptions of quality of care.Results: Almost twice the minimum number of recommended comprehensive EmOC facilities exist (1.8 facilities per 500,000 population), but only 2% of the recommended number of basic EmOC facilities. Met need was only 18.5%; cesarean delivery rate was less than 3%. The case fatality rate was 3.4% indicating poor quality of care, attributable partly to absence of skilled birth attendants and motivated staff, and the frequent shortage of drugs and medical supplies.Conclusion: Malawi needs to improve the provision of quality EmOC services by implementing evidence-based strategies for the reduction of maternal mortality. Consequently, the Malawi Road Map for accelerating improvement was developed through multidonor and multisector collaboration with the Reproductive Health Unit of the Ministry of Health. This Road Map is now being implemented in all districts of Malawi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]