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Nedberg IH, Manjavidze T, Rylander C, Blix E, Skjeldestad FE, Anda EE. Changes in cesarean section rates after introduction of a punitive financial policy in Georgia: A population-based registry study 2017–2019. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0271491. [PMID: 35853028 PMCID: PMC9295975 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0271491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background There is little research on how financial incentives and penalties impact national cesarean section rates. In January 2018, Georgia introduced a national cesarean section reduction policy, which imposes a financial penalty on hospitals that do not meet their reduction targets. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of this policy on cesarean section rates, subgroups of women, and selected perinatal outcomes. Methods We included women who gave birth from 2017 to 2019 registered in the Georgian Birth Registry (n = 150 534, nearly 100% of all births in the country during this time). We then divided the time period into pre-policy (January 1, 2017, to December 31, 2017) and post-policy (January 1, 2018, to December 31, 2019). An interrupted time series analysis was used to compare the cesarean section rates (both overall and stratified by parity), neonatal intensive care unit transfer rates, and perinatal mortality rates in the two time periods. Descriptive statistics were used to assess differences in maternal socio-demographic characteristics. Results The mean cesarean section rate in Georgia decreased from 44.7% in the pre-policy period to 40.8% in the post-policy period, mainly among primiparous women. The largest decrease in cesarean section births was found among women <25 years of age and those with higher education. There were no significant differences in the neonatal intensive care unit transfer rate or the perinatal mortality rate between vaginal and cesarean section births in the post-policy period. Conclusion The cesarean section rate in Georgia decreased during the 2-year post-policy period. The reduction mainly took place among primiparous women. The policy had no impact on the neonatal intensive care unit transfer rate or the perinatal mortality rate. The impact of the national cesarean section reduction policy on other outcomes is not known.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingvild Hersoug Nedberg
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Community Medicine, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
- * E-mail:
| | - Tinatin Manjavidze
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Community Medicine, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
- National Center for Disease Control and Public Health, Tbilisi, Georgia
| | - Charlotta Rylander
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Community Medicine, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Ellen Blix
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Nursing and Health Promotion, OsloMet–Oslo Metropolitan University, Oslo, Norway
| | - Finn Egil Skjeldestad
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Community Medicine, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Erik Eik Anda
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Community Medicine, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
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Abstract
OBJECTIVES The objective of this study is to explore the association of health financing indicators with the proportion of births by caesarean section (CS) across countries. DESIGN Ecological cross-country study. SETTING This study examines CS proportions across 172 countries. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The primary outcome was the percentage excess of CS proportion, defined as CS proportions above the global target of 19%. We also analysed continuous CS proportions, as well as excess proportion with a more restrictive 9% global target. Multivariable linear regressions were performed to test the association of health financing factors with the percentage excess proportions of CS. The health financing factors considered were total available health system resources (as percentage of gross domestic product), total contributions from private households (out-of-pocket, compulsory and voluntary health insurance contributions) and total national income. RESULTS We estimate that in 2018 there were a total of 8.8 million unnecessary CS globally, roughly two-thirds of which occurred in upper middle-income countries. Private health financing was positively associated with percentage excess CS proportion. In models adjusted for income and total health resources as well as human resources, each 10 per cent increase in out-of-pocket expenditure was associated with a 0.7 per cent increase in excess CS proportions. A 10 per cent increase in voluntary health insurance was associated with a 4 per cent increase in excess CS proportions. CONCLUSIONS We have found that health system finance features are associated with CS use across countries. Further monitoring of these indicators, within countries and between countries will be needed to understand the effect of financial arrangements in the provision of CS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilir Hoxha
- Kolegji Heimerer, Pristina, Kosovo
- The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice, Lebanon, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Günther Fink
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzlerland
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Bhandari AKC, Dhungel B, Rahman M. Trends and correlates of cesarean section rates over two decades in Nepal. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2020; 20:763. [PMID: 33298004 PMCID: PMC7724849 DOI: 10.1186/s12884-020-03453-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cesarean section (CS) is a major component of emergency obstetric care. There has been a substantial rise in the rate of CS in private institutions in Nepal which might reflect the successful implementation of delivery schemes introduced by the government extended to the private organizations alternatively, it may also reflect the need for more public health care facilities to provide maternal and child health care services. Hence, the objective of this study was to examine the trends in institutional-based CS rates in Nepal along with its correlates over time. METHODS We used the National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) data collected every 5 years, from 1996 to 2016. The trend in CS rates based on five waves of NDHS data along with its correlates were examined using multivariable logistic regression models after adjusting for socio-demographics and pregnancy-related variables. RESULTS We included 20,824 reproductive-aged women who had a history of delivery within the past 5 years. The population-based CS rate increased from 0.9% in 1996 [95% CI: (0.6-1.2) %] to 10.2% in 2016 [95% CI: (8.9-11.6) %, p < 0.01] whereas the institutional-based CS rate increased from 10.4% in 1996 [95% CI: (8.3-12.9) %] to 16.4% in 2016 [95% CI: (14.5-18.5) %, p < 0.01]. Private institutions had a nearly 3-fold increase in CS rate (8.9% in 1996 [95% CI: (4.8-16.0) %] vs. 26.3% in 2016[95% CI: (21.9-31.3) %]. This was also evident in the trend analysis where the odds of having CS was 3.58 times higher [95% CI: (1.83-7.00), p < 0.01] in 2016 than in 1996 in the private sectors, while there was no evidence of an increase in public hospitals (10.9% in 1996 to 12.9% in 2016; p for trend > 0.05). Education of women, residence, wealth index, parity and place of delivery were significantly associated with the CS rate. CONCLUSION Nepal has observed a substantial increase in cesarean delivery over the 20 years, which might indicate a successful implementation of the safe motherhood program in addressing the Millennium Development Goals and Universal Health Care agenda on maternal and child health. However, the Nepal government should examine existing disparities in accessibility of emergency obstetric care services, such as differences in CS between public and private sectors, and promote equity in maternal and child health care services accessibility and utilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aliza K. C. Bhandari
- St. Luke’s International University Graduate School of Public Health, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Bibha Dhungel
- St. Luke’s International University Graduate School of Public Health, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mahbubur Rahman
- St. Luke’s International University Graduate School of Public Health, Tokyo, Japan
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Nedberg IH, Rylander C, Skjeldestad FE, Blix E, Ugulava T, Anda EE. Factors Associated with Cesarean Section among Primiparous Women in Georgia: A Registry-based Study. J Epidemiol Glob Health 2020; 10:337-343. [PMID: 33009731 PMCID: PMC7758855 DOI: 10.2991/jegh.k.200813.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2020] [Accepted: 07/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Cesarean section rates remain high in Georgia. As a cesarean section in the first pregnancy generally lead to a cesarean section in subsequent pregnancies, primiparous women should be targeted for prevention strategies. The aim of the study was to assess factors associated with cesarean section among primiparous women. The study comprised 17,065 primiparous women with singleton, cephalic deliveries at 37–43 weeks of gestation registered in the Georgian Birth Registry in 2017. The main outcome was cesarean section. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis were used to identify factors associated with cesarean section. The proportion of cesarean section was 37.1% with regional variations from 14.2% to 57.4%. Increased maternal age, obesity and having a baby weighing ≥4000 g were all associated with higher odds of cesarean section. Of serious concern for newborn well-being is the high proportion of cesarean section at 37–38 weeks of gestation. Further research should focus on organizational and economical aspects of maternity care to uncover the underlying causes of the high cesarean section rate in Georgia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingvild Hersoug Nedberg
- Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Charlotta Rylander
- Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Finn Egil Skjeldestad
- Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Ellen Blix
- Department of Nursing and Health Promotion, Faculty of Health Sciences, OsloMet - Oslo Metropolitan University, Oslo, Norway
| | - Tamar Ugulava
- United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), Tbilisi, Georgia
| | - Erik Eik Anda
- Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
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Prevalence of Fear of Childbirth and Its Associated Factors in Primigravid Women: A Cross- Sectional Study. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017. [DOI: 10.5812/semj.61896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Effectiveness of an educational intervention on the suitability of indications for cesarean delivery in a Brazilian teaching hospital. Int J Gynaecol Obstet 2014; 128:114-7. [PMID: 25444612 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijgo.2014.08.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2014] [Revised: 07/29/2014] [Accepted: 09/29/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effectiveness of an intervention to adjust the indications for caesarean delivery in a Brazilian teaching hospital in accordance with a specific protocol. METHODS The present before-and-after study was carried out in three stages. In stages 1 and 3, data were obtained for 160 cesarean deliveries that occurred between May 20 and July 10 in 2011 and 2012, respectively. For stage 2, the protocol was implemented for 12 months. The deliveries in stages 1 and 3 were classified as high or low risk, and as consistent or inconsistent clinical cases on the basis of the protocol. RESULTS A total of 160 (61.1%; 95% confidence interval [CI] 55.2-67.0) of 262 deliveries in stage 1 were by cesarean, compared with 160 (71.4%; 95% CI 65.5-77.3) of 224 in stage 3 (P=0.67). In stage 1, 125 (78.1%; 95% CI 71.7-84.5) showed indications consistent with the protocol, compared with 136 (85.0%; 95% CI 79.5-90.5) in stage 3 (P=0.11). Among the low-risk cesarean deliveries, 27 (51.9%; 95% CI 38.3-65.5) of 52 were consistent with the protocol in stage 1, compared with 49 (72.1%; 95% CI 61.4-86.1) of 68 in stage 3 (P=0.02). CONCLUSION The proposed intervention improved the suitability of indications for cesarean delivery among low-risk pregnancies only.
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Delnord M, Blondel B, Drewniak N, Klungsøyr K, Bolumar F, Mohangoo A, Gissler M, Szamotulska K, Lack N, Nijhuis J, Velebil P, Sakkeus L, Chalmers J, Zeitlin J. Varying gestational age patterns in cesarean delivery: an international comparison. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2014; 14:321. [PMID: 25217979 PMCID: PMC4177602 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2393-14-321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2014] [Accepted: 09/04/2014] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background While international variations in overall cesarean delivery rates are well documented, less information is available for clinical sub-groups. Cesarean data presented by subgroups can be used to evaluate uptake of cesarean reduction policies or to monitor delivery practices for high and low risk pregnancies based on new scientific evidence. We studied differences and patterns in cesarean delivery rates by multiplicity and gestational age in Europe and the United States. Methods This study used routine aggregate data from 17 European countries and the United States on the number of singleton and multiple live births with cesarean versus vaginal delivery by week of gestation in 2008. Overall and gestation-specific cesarean delivery rates were analyzed. We computed rate differences to compare mode of delivery (cesarean vs vaginal birth) between selected gestational age groups and studied associations between rates in these subgroups namely: very preterm (26–31 weeks GA), moderate preterm (32–36 weeks GA), near term (37–38 weeks GA), term (39–41 weeks GA) and post-term (42+ weeks GA) births, using Spearman’s rank tests. Results High variations in cesarean rates for singletons and multiples were observed everywhere. Rates for singletons varied from 15% in The Netherlands and Slovenia, to over 30% in the US and Germany. In singletons, rates were highest for very preterm births and declined to a nadir at 40 weeks of gestation, ranging from 8.0% in Sweden and Norway, to 22.5% in the US. These patterns differed across countries; the average rate difference between very preterm and term births was 43 percentage points, but ranged from 14% to 61%. High variations in rate differences were also observed for near term versus term births. For multiples, rates declined by gestational age in some countries, whereas in others rates were similar across all weeks of gestation. Countries’ overall cesarean rates were highly correlated with gestation-specific subgroup rates, except for very preterm births. Conclusions Gestational age patterns in cesarean delivery were heterogeneous across countries; these differences highlight areas where consensus on best practices is lacking and could be used in developing strategies to reduce cesareans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Delnord
- INSERM UMR1153, Obstetrical, Perinatal and Pediatric Epidemiology Research Team, Research Center for Epidemiology and Biostatistics Sorbonne Paris Cité (CRESS), DHU Risks in pregnancy, Paris Descartes University, Port Royal Maternity Unit, 53 Avenue de l'Observatoire, Paris, 75014, France.
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Sørbye IK, Daltveit AK, Sundby J, Stoltenberg C, Vangen S. Caesarean section by immigrants' length of residence in Norway: a population-based study. Eur J Public Health 2014; 25:78-84. [PMID: 25192708 DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/cku135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Immigrants to Europe account for a significant proportion of births in a context of rising caesarean rates. We examined the risk of planned and emergency caesarean section (CS) by immigrants' length of residence in Norway, and compared the results with those of non-immigrants. METHODS We linked population-based birth registry data to immigration data for first deliveries among 23 147 immigrants from 10 countries and 385 306 non-immigrants between 1990-2009. Countries were grouped as having low CS levels (<16%; Iraq, Pakistan, Poland, Turkey, Yugoslavia, Vietnam) or high CS levels (>22%; the Philippines, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Thailand). Associations between length of residence and planned/emergency CS were estimated as relative risks (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) in multivariable models. RESULTS In the immigrant group with low CS levels, planned, but not emergency, CS was independently associated with longer length of residence. Compared with recent immigrants (<1 year), the risk of planned CS was 70% greater among immigrants with residency of 2-5 years (RR 1.70, CI: 1.19-2.42), and twice as high in those with residency of ≥ 6 years. (RR 2.01, CI: 1.28-3.17). Compared with non-immigrants, immigrants in the low group with residency <2 years had lower risk of planned CS, while those with residency >2 years had greater risk of emergency CS. In the high group, the risk of planned CS was similar to non-immigrants, while emergency CS was 51-75% higher irrespective of length of residency. CONCLUSION Efforts to improve immigrants' labour outcomes should target subgroups with sustained high emergency caesarean risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingvil K Sørbye
- 1 Norwegian Resource Centre for Women's Health, Women and Children's Division, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Anne K Daltveit
- 2 Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway 3 Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Johanne Sundby
- 4 Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Camilla Stoltenberg
- 2 Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway 3 Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Siri Vangen
- 1 Norwegian Resource Centre for Women's Health, Women and Children's Division, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway 2 Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
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Geirsson RT. Endometriosis and other efforts for women's health. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 2013; 92:489-90. [PMID: 23594159 DOI: 10.1111/aogs.12139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Pregnancy Outcome of Multiparous Women Aged over 40 Years. Int J Reprod Med 2012; 2013:287519. [PMID: 25954770 PMCID: PMC4388023 DOI: 10.1155/2013/287519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2012] [Revised: 12/17/2012] [Accepted: 12/19/2012] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of maternal age on prenatal and obstetric outcome in multiparaous women. Materials and Methods. A retrospective case control study was conducted, including women aged 40 years and over (study group, n = 97) who delivered at 20 week's gestation or beyond and women aged 20–29 years (control group, n = 97). Results. The mean age of women in the study group was 41.2 ± 1.7 years versus 25.4 ± 2.3 years in the control group. Advanced maternal age was associated with a significantly higher rate of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, fetal complication, and 5-minute Apgar scores <7 (P < 0.05). Caeserean section rate, incidence of placental abruption, preterm delivery, and neonatal intensive care unit admission were more common in the older group, but the differences were not statistically significant. Conclusions. Advanced maternal age is related to maternal and neonatal complications.
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