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Albarqouni L, Abukmail E, MohammedAli M, Elejla S, Abuelazm M, Shaikhkhalil H, Pathirana T, Palagama S, Effa E, Ochodo E, Rugengamanzi E, AlSabaa Y, Ingabire A, Riwa F, Goraya B, Bakhit M, Clark J, Arab-Zozani M, Alves da Silva S, Pramesh CS, Vanderpuye V, Lang E, Korenstein D, Born K, Tabiri S, Ademuyiwa A, Nabhan A, Moynihan R. Low-Value Surgical Procedures in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Systematic Scoping Review. JAMA Netw Open 2023; 6:e2342215. [PMID: 37934494 PMCID: PMC10630901 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.42215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Importance Overuse of surgical procedures is increasing around the world and harms both individuals and health care systems by using resources that could otherwise be allocated to addressing the underuse of effective health care interventions. In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), there is some limited country-specific evidence showing that overuse of surgical procedures is increasing, at least for certain procedures. Objectives To assess factors associated with, extent and consequences of, and potential solutions for low-value surgical procedures in LMICs. Evidence Review We searched 4 electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, PsycINFO, and Global Index Medicus) for studies published from database inception until April 27, 2022, with no restrictions on date or language. A combination of MeSH terms and free-text words about the overuse of surgical procedures was used. Studies examining the problem of overuse of surgical procedures in LMICs were included and categorized by major focus: the extent of overuse, associated factors, consequences, and solutions. Findings Of 4276 unique records identified, 133 studies across 63 countries were included, reporting on more than 9.1 million surgical procedures (median per study, 894 [IQR, 97-4259]) and with more than 11.4 million participants (median per study, 989 [IQR, 257-6857]). Fourteen studies (10.5%) were multinational. Of the 119 studies (89.5%) originating from single countries, 69 (58.0%) were from upper-middle-income countries and 30 (25.2%) were from East Asia and the Pacific. Of the 42 studies (31.6%) reporting extent of overuse of surgical procedures, most (36 [85.7%]) reported on unnecessary cesarean delivery, with estimated rates in LMICs ranging from 12% to 81%. Evidence on other surgical procedures was limited and included abdominal and percutaneous cardiovascular surgical procedures. Consequences of low-value surgical procedures included harms and costs, such as an estimated US $3.29 billion annual cost of unnecessary cesarean deliveries in China. Associated factors included private financing, and solutions included social media campaigns and multifaceted interventions such as audits, feedback, and reminders. Conclusions and Relevance This systematic review found growing evidence of overuse of surgical procedures in LMICs, which may generate significant harm and waste of limited resources; the majority of studies reporting overuse were about unnecessary cesarean delivery. Therefore, a better understanding of the problems in other surgical procedures and a robust evaluation of solutions are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loai Albarqouni
- Institute for Evidence-Based Healthcare, Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, Bond University, Gold Coast, Australia
| | - Eman Abukmail
- Institute for Evidence-Based Healthcare, Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, Bond University, Gold Coast, Australia
| | - Majdeddin MohammedAli
- Medicine & Health Sciences Faculty, Department of Medicine, An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine
| | - Sewar Elejla
- Faculty of Medicine, Islamic University of Gaza, Gaza Strip, Palestine
| | | | | | - Thanya Pathirana
- School of Medicine and Dentistry, Griffith University, Sunshine Coast, Australia
| | - Sujeewa Palagama
- School of Medicine and Dentistry, Griffith University, Sunshine Coast, Australia
| | - Emmanuel Effa
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, College of Medical Sciences, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria
| | - Eleanor Ochodo
- Centre for Global Health Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kismu City, Kenya
- Centre for Evidence-Based Health Care, Department of Global Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Eulade Rugengamanzi
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Yousef AlSabaa
- Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University of Gaza, Gaza Strip, Palestine
| | - Ale Ingabire
- Institute for Evidence-Based Healthcare, Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, Bond University, Gold Coast, Australia
| | - Francis Riwa
- Institute for Evidence-Based Healthcare, Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, Bond University, Gold Coast, Australia
| | - Burhan Goraya
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mina Bakhit
- Institute for Evidence-Based Healthcare, Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, Bond University, Gold Coast, Australia
| | - Justin Clark
- Institute for Evidence-Based Healthcare, Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, Bond University, Gold Coast, Australia
| | - Morteza Arab-Zozani
- Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran
| | | | - C. S. Pramesh
- Tata Memorial Centre, Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai, India
| | - Verna Vanderpuye
- National Centre for Radiotherapy, Oncology and Nuclear Medicine, Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra, Ghana
| | - Eddy Lang
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Deborah Korenstein
- Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Karen Born
- Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Stephen Tabiri
- Department of Surgery, University for Development Studies–School of Medicine and Tamale Teaching Hospital, Tamale, Ghana
| | - Adesoji Ademuyiwa
- Paediatric Surgery Unit, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine of the University of Lagos and Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi Araba, Lagos
| | - Ashraf Nabhan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Ray Moynihan
- Institute for Evidence-Based Healthcare, Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, Bond University, Gold Coast, Australia
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Zahroh RI, Kneale D, Sutcliffe K, Vazquez Corona M, Opiyo N, Homer CSE, Betrán AP, Bohren MA. Interventions targeting healthcare providers to optimise use of caesarean section: a qualitative comparative analysis to identify important intervention features. BMC Health Serv Res 2022; 22:1526. [PMID: 36517885 PMCID: PMC9753390 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-022-08783-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rapid increases in caesarean section (CS) rates have been observed globally; however, CS rates exceeding 15% at a population-level have limited benefits for women and babies. Many interventions targeting healthcare providers have been developed to optimise use of CS, typically aiming to improve and monitor clinical decision-making. However, interventions are often complex, and effectiveness is varied. Understanding intervention and implementation features that likely lead to optimised CS use is important to optimise benefits. The aim of this study was to identify important components that lead to successful interventions to optimise CS, focusing on interventions targeting healthcare providers. METHODS: We used Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) to identify if certain combination of important intervention features (e.g. type of intervention, contextual characteristics, and how the intervention was delivered) are associated with a successful intervention as reflected in a reduction of CS. We included 21 intervention studies targeting healthcare providers to reduce CS, comprising of 34 papers reporting on these interventions. To develop potential theories driving intervention success, we used existing published qualitative evidence syntheses on healthcare providers' perspectives and experiences of interventions targeted at them to reduce CS. RESULTS We identified five important components that trigger successful interventions targeting healthcare providers: 1) training to improve providers' knowledge and skills, 2) active dissemination of CS indications, 3) actionable recommendations, 4) multidisciplinary collaboration, and 5) providers' willingness to change. Importantly, when one or more of these components are absent, dictated nature of intervention, where providers are enforced to adhere to the intervention, is needed to prompt successful interventions. Unsuccessful interventions were characterised by the absence of these components. CONCLUSION We identified five important intervention components and combinations of intervention components which can lead to successful interventions targeting healthcare providers to optimise CS use. Health facility managers, researchers, and policy-makers aiming to improve providers' clinical decision making and reduce CS may consider including the identified components to optimise benefits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rana Islamiah Zahroh
- Gender and Women's Health Unit, Centre for Health Equity, School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
| | - Dylan Kneale
- grid.83440.3b0000000121901201EPPI-Centre, UCL Social Research Institute, University College London, London, UK
| | - Katy Sutcliffe
- grid.83440.3b0000000121901201EPPI-Centre, UCL Social Research Institute, University College London, London, UK
| | - Martha Vazquez Corona
- grid.1008.90000 0001 2179 088XGender and Women’s Health Unit, Centre for Health Equity, School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC Australia
| | - Newton Opiyo
- grid.3575.40000000121633745UNDP/UNFPA/UNICEF/WHO/World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP), Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Caroline S. E. Homer
- grid.1056.20000 0001 2224 8486Maternal, Child, and Adolescent Health Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC Australia
| | - Ana Pilar Betrán
- grid.3575.40000000121633745UNDP/UNFPA/UNICEF/WHO/World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP), Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Meghan A. Bohren
- grid.1008.90000 0001 2179 088XGender and Women’s Health Unit, Centre for Health Equity, School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC Australia
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Cavallaro FL, Kabore CP, Pearson R, Blackburn RM, Sobhy S, Betran AP, Ronsmans C, Dumont A. Does hospital variation in intrapartum-related perinatal mortality among caesarean births reflect differences in quality of care? Cross-sectional study in 21 hospitals in Burkina Faso. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e055241. [PMID: 36202588 PMCID: PMC9540846 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-055241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To examine hospital variation in crude and risk-adjusted rates of intrapartum-related perinatal mortality among caesarean births. DESIGN Secondary analysis of data from the DECIDE (DECIsion for caesarean DElivery) cluster randomised trial postintervention phase. SETTING 21 district and regional hospitals in Burkina Faso. PARTICIPANTS All 5134 women giving birth by caesarean section in a 6-month period in 2016. PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURE Intrapartum-related perinatal mortality (fresh stillbirth or neonatal death within 24 hours of birth). RESULTS Almost 1 in 10 of 5134 women giving birth by caesarean experienced an intrapartum-related perinatal death. Crude mortality rates varied substantially from 21 to 189 per 1000 between hospitals. Variation was markedly reduced after adjusting for case mix differences (the median OR decreased from 1.9 (95% CI 1.5 to 2.5) to 1.3 (95% CI 1.2 to 1.7)). However, higher and more variable adjusted mortality persisted among hospitals performing fewer caesareans per month. Additionally, adjusting for caesarean care components did not further reduce variation (median OR=1.4 (95% CI 1.2 to 1.8)). CONCLUSIONS There is a high burden of intrapartum-related perinatal deaths among caesarean births in Burkina Faso and sub-Saharan Africa more widely. Variation in adjusted mortality rates indicates likely differences in quality of caesarean care between hospitals, particularly lower volume hospitals. Improving access to and quality of emergency obstetric and newborn care is an important priority for improving survival of babies at birth. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER ISRCTN48510263.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca L Cavallaro
- Population, Policy and Practice, University College London Institute of Child Health, London, UK
- The Health Foundation, London, UK
| | - Charles P Kabore
- Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
- CEPED, Université Paris Cité, IRD, INSERM, Paris, France
| | - Rachel Pearson
- UCL Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Ruth M Blackburn
- UCL Institute of Health Informatics, University College London, London, UK
| | - Soha Sobhy
- Centre for Primary Care and Public Health, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Ana Pilar Betran
- UNDP/UNFPA/WHO/World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction, Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research, WHO, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Carine Ronsmans
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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Zamboni K, Schellenberg J, Hanson C, Betran AP, Dumont A. Assessing scalability of an intervention: why, how and who? Health Policy Plan 2020; 34:544-552. [PMID: 31365066 PMCID: PMC6788216 DOI: 10.1093/heapol/czz068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/28/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Public health interventions should be designed with scale in mind, and researchers and implementers must plan for scale-up at an early stage. Yet, there is limited awareness among researchers of the critical value of considering scalability and relatively limited empirical evidence on assessing scalability, despite emerging methodological guidance. We aimed to integrate scalability considerations in the design of a study to evaluate a multi-component intervention to reduce unnecessary caesarean sections in low- and middle-income countries. First, we reviewed and synthesized existing scale up frameworks to identify relevant dimensions and available scalability assessment tools. Based on these, we defined our scalability assessment process and adapted existing tools for our study. Here, we document our experience and the methodological challenges we encountered in integrating a scalability assessment in our study protocol. These include: achieving consensus on the purpose of a scalability assessment; and identifying the optimal timing of such an assessment, moving away from the concept of a one-off assessment at the start of a project. We also encountered tensions between the need to establish the proof of principle, and the need to design an innovation that would be fit-for-scale. Particularly for complex interventions, scaling up may warrant rigorous research to determine an efficient and effective scaling-up strategy. We call for researchers to better incorporate scalability considerations in pragmatic trials through greater integration of impact and process evaluation, more stringent definition and measurement of scale-up objectives and outcome evaluation plans that allow for comparison of effects at different stages of scale-up.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen Zamboni
- Department of Disease Control, Faculty of Infectious Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, UK
| | - Joanna Schellenberg
- Department of Disease Control, Faculty of Infectious Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, UK
| | - Claudia Hanson
- Department of Disease Control, Faculty of Infectious Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, UK.,Department of Public Health Sciences, Karolinska Institutet, Nobels väg 6, Solna and Alfred Nobels Allé 8, Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ana Pilar Betran
- Department of Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization, 20 Avenue Appia, 2011 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Alexandre Dumont
- CEPED, IRD, Université de Paris, Equipe SAGESUD, ERL INSERM U 1244, 45 Rue des Saints Pères, Paris, France
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Kaboré C, Ridde V, Chaillet N, Yaya Bocoum F, Betrán AP, Dumont A. DECIDE: a cluster-randomized controlled trial to reduce unnecessary caesarean deliveries in Burkina Faso. BMC Med 2019; 17:87. [PMID: 31046752 PMCID: PMC6498483 DOI: 10.1186/s12916-019-1320-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2019] [Accepted: 04/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In Burkina Faso, facility-based caesarean delivery rates have markedly increased since the national subsidy policy for deliveries and emergency obstetric care was implemented in 2006. Effective and safe strategies are needed to prevent unnecessary caesarean deliveries. METHODS We conducted a cluster-randomized controlled trial of a multifaceted intervention at 22 referral hospitals in Burkina Faso. The evidence-based intervention was designed to promote the use of clinical algorithms for caesarean decision-making using in-site training, audits and feedback of caesarean indications and SMS reminders. The primary outcome was the change in the percentage of unnecessary caesarean deliveries. Unnecessary caesareans were defined on the basis of the literature review and expert consensus. Data were collected daily using a standardized questionnaire, in the same way at both the intervention and control hospitals. Caesareans were classified as necessary or unnecessary in the same way, in both arms of the trial using a standardized computer algorithm. RESULTS A total of 2138 and 2036 women who delivered by caesarean section were analysed in the pre and post-intervention periods, respectively. A significant reduction in the percentage of unnecessary caesarean deliveries was evident from the pre- to post-intervention period in the intervention group compared with the control group (18.96 to 6.56% and 18.27 to 23.30% in the intervention and control groups, respectively; odds ratio [OR] for incremental change over time, adjusted for hospital and patient characteristics, 0.22; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.14 to 0.34; P < 0.001; adjusted risk difference, - 17.02%; 95% CI, - 19.20 to - 13.20%). The intervention did not significantly affect the rate of maternal death (0.75 to 0.19% and 0.92 to 0.40% in the intervention and control groups, respectively; adjusted OR 0.32; 95% CI 0.04 to 2.23; P = 0.253) or intrapartum-related neonatal death (4.95 to 6.32% and 5.80 to 4.29% in the intervention and control groups, respectively, adjusted OR 1.73; 95% CI 0.82 to 3.66; P = 0.149). The overall perinatal mortality data were not available. CONCLUSION Promotion and training on clinical algorithms for decision-making, audit and feedback and SMS reminders reduced unnecessary caesarean deliveries, compared with usual care in a low-resource setting. TRIAL REGISTRATION The DECIDE trial is registered on the Current Controlled Trials website: ISRCTN48510263 .
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles Kaboré
- IRD (French Institute for Research on sustainable Development), CEPED (IRD-Université Paris Descartes), Universités Paris Sorbonne Cités, ERL INSERM SAGESUD, Paris, France. .,Research Institute of Health Sciences, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
| | - Valéry Ridde
- IRD (French Institute for Research on sustainable Development), CEPED (IRD-Université Paris Descartes), Universités Paris Sorbonne Cités, ERL INSERM SAGESUD, Paris, France.,University of Montreal Public Health Research Institute (IRSPUM), Montreal, Canada
| | - Nils Chaillet
- Hospital Center of Laval University (CHUL), Quebec, Canada
| | | | - Ana Pilar Betrán
- UNDP/UNFPA/UNICEF/WHO/World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP), Department of Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization, Avenue Appia 20, CH-1211, Geneva 27, Switzerland
| | - Alexandre Dumont
- IRD (French Institute for Research on sustainable Development), CEPED (IRD-Université Paris Descartes), Universités Paris Sorbonne Cités, ERL INSERM SAGESUD, Paris, France
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6
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Kingdon C, Downe S, Betran AP. Interventions targeted at health professionals to reduce unnecessary caesarean sections: a qualitative evidence synthesis. BMJ Open 2018; 8:e025073. [PMID: 30559163 PMCID: PMC6303601 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2018-025073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2018] [Revised: 10/10/2018] [Accepted: 10/15/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To establish the views and experiences of healthcare professionals in relation to interventions targeted at them to reduce unnecessary caesareans. DESIGN Qualitative evidence synthesis. SETTING Studies undertaken in high-income, middle-income and low-income settings. DATA SOURCES Seven databases (CINAHL, MEDLINE, PsychINFO, Embase, Global Index Medicus, POPLINE and African Journals Online). Studies published between 1985 and June 2017, with no language or geographical restrictions. We hand-searched reference lists and key citations using Google Scholar. STUDY SELECTION Qualitative or mixed-method studies reporting health professionals' views. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS Two authors independently assessed study quality prior to extraction of primary data and authors' interpretations. The data were compared and contrasted, then grouped into summary of findings (SoFs) statements, themes and a line of argument synthesis. All SoFs were Confidence in the Evidence from Reviews of Qualitative research (GRADE-CERQual) assessed. RESULTS 17 papers were included, involving 483 health professionals from 17 countries (nine high-income, six middle-income and two low-income). Fourteen SoFs were identified, resulting in three core themes: philosophy of birth (four SoFs); (2) social and cultural context (five SoFs); and (3) negotiation within system (five SoFs). The resulting line of argument suggests three key mechanisms of effect for change or resistance to change: prior beliefs about birth; willingness or not to engage with change, especially where this entailed potential loss of income or status (including medicolegal barriers); and capacity or not to influence local community and healthcare service norms and values relating to caesarean provision. CONCLUSION For maternity care health professionals, there is a synergistic relationship between their underpinning philosophy of birth, the social and cultural context they are working within and the extent to which they were prepared to negotiate within health system resources to reduce caesarean rates. These findings identify potential mechanisms of effect that could improve the design and efficacy of change programmes to reduce unnecessary caesareans. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER CRD42017059455.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carol Kingdon
- School of Community Health and Midwifery, Faculty of Health and Wellbeing, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, UK
| | - Soo Downe
- School of Community Health and Midwifery, Faculty of Health and Wellbeing, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, UK
| | - Ana Pilar Betran
- Department of Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
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Kingdon C, Downe S, Betran AP. Non-clinical interventions to reduce unnecessary caesarean section targeted at organisations, facilities and systems: Systematic review of qualitative studies. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0203274. [PMID: 30180198 PMCID: PMC6122831 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0203274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2018] [Accepted: 08/19/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE When medically indicated, caesarean section can prevent deaths and other serious complications in mothers and babies. Lack of access to caesarean section may result in increased maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity. However, rising caesarean section rates globally suggest overuse in healthy women and babies, with consequent iatrogenic damage for women and babies, and adverse impacts on the sustainability of maternity care provision. To date, interventions to ensure that caesarean section is appropriately used have not reversed the upward trend in rates. Qualitative evidence has the potential to explain why and how interventions may or may not work in specific contexts. We aimed to establish stakeholders' views on the barriers and facilitators to non-clinical interventions targeted at organizations, facilities and systems, to reduce unnecessary caesarean section. METHODS We undertook a systematic qualitative evidence synthesis using a five-stage modified, meta-ethnography approach. We searched MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsychINFO, EMBASE and grey literature databases (Global Index Medicus, POPLINE, AJOL) using pre-defined terms. Inclusion criteria were qualitative and mixed-method studies, investigating any non-clinical intervention to reduce caesarean section, in any setting and language, published after 1984. Study quality was assessed prior to data extraction. Interpretive thematic synthesis was undertaken using a barriers and facilitators lens. Confidence in the resulting Summaries of Findings was assessed using GRADE-CERQual. RESULTS 8,219 studies were identified. 25 studies were included, from 17 countries, published between 1993-2016, encompassing the views of over 1,565 stakeholders. Nineteen Summary of Findings statements were derived. They mapped onto three distinct themes: Health system, organizational and structural factors (6 SoFs); Human and cultural factors (7 SoFs); and Mechanisms of effect to achieve change factors (6 SoFs). The synthesis showed how inter- and intra-system power differentials, and stakeholder commitment, exert strong mechanisms of effect on caesarean section rates, independent of the theoretical efficacy of specific interventions to reduce them. CONCLUSIONS Non-clinical interventions to reduce caesarean section are strongly mediated by organisational power differentials and stakeholder commitment. Barriers may be greatest where implementation plans contradict system and cultural norms. PROTOCOL REGISTRATION PROSPERO: CRD42017059456.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carol Kingdon
- Department of Community Health and Midwifery, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, Lancashire, United Kingdom
| | - Soo Downe
- Department of Community Health and Midwifery, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, Lancashire, United Kingdom
| | - Ana Pilar Betran
- Department of Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization (WHO), Geneva, Switzerland
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Kingdon C, Downe S, Betran AP. Women's and communities' views of targeted educational interventions to reduce unnecessary caesarean section: a qualitative evidence synthesis. Reprod Health 2018; 15:130. [PMID: 30041661 PMCID: PMC6057083 DOI: 10.1186/s12978-018-0570-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2018] [Accepted: 07/05/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is continued debate about the role of women and communities in influencing rising rates of caesarean section (CS). In settings where CS rates exceed recommended levels, mothers and babies are exposed to potential harms that may outweigh the potential benefits. There is therefore a need to understand how educational interventions targeted at women and communities to reduce unnecessary CS are perceived and used. This qualitative evidence synthesis aimed to explore what women and communities say about the barriers and facilitators to intervention effectiveness for these important groups. METHOD Seven electronic databases were searched using predefined search terms. Studies reporting qualitative data pertaining to interventions, published between 1985 and March 2017, with no language restriction were sought. Study quality was independently assessed by two authors before qualitative evidence synthesis was undertaken using an interpretive, meta-ethnography approach. Resulting Statements of Findings were assessed using GRADE-CERQual, and summarised thematically. RESULTS Twelve studies were included. They were published between 2001 and 2016. Eleven were from high-income countries. Twelve Summaries of Findings encompassed the data, and were graded (moderate or high) on CerQual. The Statements of Findings are reported under three final themes: 1) Mutability of women's and communities' beliefs about birth; 2) Multiplicity of individual information needs about birth; 3) Interactions with health professionals and influence of healthcare system on actual birth method. Women and communities value educational interventions that include opportunities for dialogue, are individualised (including acknowledgement of previous birth experiences), and are consistent with available clinical care and the advice of the health professional they come into contact with. CONCLUSION Women's values and preferences for birth, and for information format and content, vary across populations, and evolves in individual women over time. Interactions with health professionals and health system factors can partly be responsible for changes in views. Educational interventions should take into account these dynamic interactions, as well as the women's need for emotional support and dialogue with professionals alongside information about birth. Further research is required to test these findings and the utility of their practical application, particularly in medium and low income settings. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION NUMBER PROSPERO 2017 CRD42017059453 .
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Affiliation(s)
- Carol Kingdon
- School of Community Health and Midwifery, Faculty of Health and Wellbeing, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, PR1 2HE, UK.
| | - Soo Downe
- School of Community Health and Midwifery, Faculty of Health and Wellbeing, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, PR1 2HE, UK
| | - Ana Pilar Betran
- Department of Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization (WHO), Geneva, Switzerland
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Kaboré C, Ridde V, Kouanda S, Dumont A. Assessment of clinical decision-making among healthcare professionals performing caesarean deliveries in Burkina Faso. SEXUAL & REPRODUCTIVE HEALTHCARE 2018; 16:213-217. [PMID: 29804769 DOI: 10.1016/j.srhc.2018.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2018] [Revised: 03/12/2018] [Accepted: 04/15/2018] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To identify the factors associated with quality decision-making of healthcare professionals in managing complicated labour and delivery in referral hospitals of Burkina Faso. METHODS We carried out a six-month observational cross-sectional study among 123 healthcare professionals performing caesareans in 22 hospitals. Clinical decision-making was evaluated using hypothetical patient vignettes framed around four main complications during labour and delivery and developed using guidelines validated by an expert committee. The results were used to generate a quality decision-making score. A multivariate linear regression analysis was used to identify the factors independently associated with the score. RESULTS Out of 100, the mean ± SD quality decision-making score was 63.84 ± 7.21 for midwives, 65.58 ± 6.90 for general practitioners (GPs), and 71.94 ± 6.70 for gynaecologist-obstetricians (p < 0.001). Quality decision-making score was higher among professionals with more than seven years' work experience and those with the highest level of professional qualification. Working in a service where partograms are regularly reviewed by peers dramatically increased the skills of professionals. CONCLUSION The simple dissemination of written clinical guidelines is not sufficient to maintain high-quality decision-making among healthcare professionals in Burkina Faso. Midwives may have some better scores than GPs if duly retrained and supervised. Increasing in-service training and supervision of both junior staff and lower-qualified healthcare professionals might help to improve obstetric practices in referral hospitals of Burkina Faso.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles Kaboré
- IRD (French Institute For Research on sustainable Development), CEPED (IRD-Université Paris Descartes), Universités Paris Sorbonne Cités, ERL INSERM SAGESUD, Paris, France; Research Institute of Health Sciences, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
| | - Valéry Ridde
- IRD (French Institute For Research on sustainable Development), CEPED (IRD-Université Paris Descartes), Universités Paris Sorbonne Cités, ERL INSERM SAGESUD, Paris, France; University of Montreal Public Health Research Institute (IRSPUM), Montreal, Canada
| | - Séni Kouanda
- Research Institute of Health Sciences, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | - Alexandre Dumont
- IRD (French Institute For Research on sustainable Development), CEPED (IRD-Université Paris Descartes), Universités Paris Sorbonne Cités, ERL INSERM SAGESUD, Paris, France
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