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Berg M, Berg U, Mapatano E, Mukwege D. Caesarean section rate reduced by a redesigned birthing room. Results of a quality improvement intervention at a hospital in Democratic Republic of Congo. SEXUAL & REPRODUCTIVE HEALTHCARE 2024; 39:100925. [PMID: 38056384 DOI: 10.1016/j.srhc.2023.100925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Revised: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the influence of a new birthing room at a tertiary hospital in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), on the caesarean section (CS) rate in women classified as Robson group 1, i.e., nulliparous women at term with spontaneous onset of labour of one foetus in cephalic presentation. METHOD As part of quality improvement interventions, a new birthing room designed to promote person-centredness was constructed at the labour ward at Panzi General Referral Hospital in DRC. In a quasi-experimental study on women classified as Robson 1, a comparison was performed between the group being cared for in the new birthing room and the group being cared for in the general birthing room. The main outcome measure was CS rate. RESULTS In the new person-centred birthing room, the CS rate was 17.1 % versus 28.4 % in women cared for in the general birthing room (p-value 0.001). There was also a higher presence of accompanying persons (p-value < 0.0001) and less use of synthetic oxytocin for the augmentation of labour (p-value 0.024). No difference in fear and childbirth experience was identified between women in the two rooms. CONCLUSION The results demonstrate that it is possible, in a low-income country as the Democratic Republic of Congo, to reduce the CS rate in women classified as Robson 1 by adapting the birthing environment to be more person-centred, without compromising other obstetric and neonatal outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Berg
- Institute of Health and Care Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Arvid Wallgrens backe 1, 413 46 Gothenburg, Sweden; Faculty of Medicine and Community Health, Evangelical University in Africa, Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo; Panzi General Referral Hospital, Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo.
| | - U Berg
- Faculty of Medicine and Community Health, Evangelical University in Africa, Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo; Panzi General Referral Hospital, Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo; Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - E Mapatano
- Faculty of Medicine and Community Health, Evangelical University in Africa, Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo; Panzi General Referral Hospital, Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo
| | - D Mukwege
- Faculty of Medicine and Community Health, Evangelical University in Africa, Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo; Panzi General Referral Hospital, Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo
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Petre I, Barna F, Cîtu C, Gorun F, Gorun OM, Tomescu LC, Apostol A, Bordianu A, Furau C, Petre I. Development of a Framework for On-Demand Caesarean Section in Romania. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:2705. [PMID: 36768071 PMCID: PMC9916243 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20032705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2022] [Revised: 01/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Caesarean section rates have continued to trend upward in most countries, including Romania, creating a number of economic challenges. In the public health system, there is no regulation for performing Caesarean sections on demand; it is often done unlawfully, and in private hospitals, it is a real business. Thus, this study aims to investigate the budgetary impact at a hospital level and the profit per procedure by introducing on-demand caesarean sections for a fee. METHODS This study was conducted in one of the largest maternity units in Western Romania-the "Bega" Maternity Clinic of the Timisoara County Emergency Hospital. For the analysis, the difference between a proposed occupancy rate (between 50 and 85%, increasing every 5 percent) and the actual occupancy rate was calculated. Considering that this difference can be used to admit patients to receive Caesarean sections on demand for a fee, the profit that could be obtained during the study period was calculated. RESULTS It is reported that between 238 (proposed occupancy rate of 50%) and 4683 patients (a proposed occupancy rate of 85%) could have benefited from on-demand caesarean section surgery in 2017-2019. Between RON 419,999 and RON 8,551,636 could be obtained in the 3 years of study by implementing caesarean section against payment. CONCLUSION The implementation of a system of on-demand payment for caesarean sections in Romania would bring significant profits to the hospital budget.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ion Petre
- Department of Functional Sciences, Medical Informatics and Biostatistics Discipline, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, 2 Eftimie Murgu Square, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
- Doctoral School, Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, West University of Timisoara, 16 J. H. Pestalozzi Street, 300115 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Flavia Barna
- Department of Finance, Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, West University of Timisoara, 16 J. H. Pestalozzi Street, 300115 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Cosmin Cîtu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, 2 Eftimie Murgu Square, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Florin Gorun
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Municipal Emergency Clinical Hospital Timisoara, 1-3 Alexandru Odobescu Street, 300202 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Oana-Maria Gorun
- Doctoral School, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, 2 Eftimie Murgu Square, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | | | - Adrian Apostol
- Department VII of Internal Medicine, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, 2 Eftimie Murgu Square, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Anca Bordianu
- Departament of Plastic Surgery and Reconstructive Microsurgery Bagdasar-Arseni, Emergency Hospital Bucharest, 014461 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Cristian Furau
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, “Vasile Goldiș” Western University of Arad, 310025 Arad, Romania
| | - Izabella Petre
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, 2 Eftimie Murgu Square, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
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Kanellopoulos D, Gourounti K. Tocophobia and Women's Desire for a Caesarean Section: a Systematic Review. MAEDICA 2022; 17:186-193. [PMID: 35733734 PMCID: PMC9168579 DOI: 10.26574/maedica.2022.17.1.186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Introduction:The rate of cesarean sections has been continuously increasing in most industrialized countries in recent years. It has been observed that the rate of cesarean sections has increased in the last thirty years and is now between 0.4 and 65%. A significant percentage of women, ranging from 1-20%, request a caesarean section without a medical indication. Aim:The aim of this study is to systematically review the available international literature concerning the phenomenon of tocophobia leading to woman`s desire for a caesarean section. Methods: The methodology followed, included an advanced search in various scientific databases and retrieval of the relevant quantitative studies. Results:We found a total of seven papers, all in English, which examined the correlation between tocophobia and women's desire for a caesarean section. Conclusions:One of the primary reasons behind women's desire to give birth through a caesarean delivery is the pathological fear associated with the labor process, known under the scientific term "tocophobia". According to the findings of this review, the prevalence of tocophobia ranged between 7-25% among primiparous women and 7.7-16.25% among multiparous ones. Approximately 7-18.6% of women with tocophobia asked for an elective cesarean section without any medical indication. Clinical treatment of tocophobia is required when the condition has a negative impact on the pregnant woman's quality of life and her bond with the embryo, as well as when it affects her decision regarding the method of childbirth.
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Corrigan S, Howard V, Gallagher L, Smith V, Hannon K, Carroll M, Begley C. Midwives’ views of an evidence-based intervention to reduce caesarean section rates in Ireland. Women Birth 2022; 35:536-546. [DOI: 10.1016/j.wombi.2022.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Revised: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Poinas AC, Padgett K, Heus RD, Perrotin F, Devlieger R. Oral misoprostol tablets (25 µg) for induction of labor: a targeted literature review and cost analysis. J Med Econ 2022; 25:428-436. [PMID: 35297743 DOI: 10.1080/13696998.2022.2053432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Various methods exist for the induction of labor (IOL), and there is limited consensus as to optimal methods. Off-label misoprostol is recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) for IOL but preparing it into doses suitable for IOL lacks precision, with potential adverse outcomes if dosing is inaccurate. This study explores potential outcomes and costs associated with increased uptake of a low-dose (25 µg) oral misoprostol formulation (Angusta; Norgine BV, Amsterdam) approved for IOL, in France, Belgium, and the Netherlands. METHODS A literature review was undertaken to derive probabilities of delivery outcomes (vaginal, instrumental, and cesarean sections) for IOL methods, from published meta-analyses. Outcomes for oral misoprostol tablets (25 µg) were unavailable in the meta-analyses, so were estimated using data from two published retrospective cohort studies. A model was developed to predict the frequency of IOL outcomes and associated costs at the national level, across multiple scenarios. Scenarios were tested using a moderate, medium, and high increase in oral misoprostol tablet (25 µg) uptake. Market shares, costs, and induction rates were defined for each country using multiple data sources. RESULTS Increased uptake of oral misoprostol tablets (25 µg) was estimated to be associated with a slightly increased rate of routine vaginal deliveries, and concurrent decreases in instrumental vaginal deliveries and cesarean sections. Since routine vaginal deliveries are less costly than other delivery outcomes, increased uptake of oral misoprostol tablets (25 µg) within the IOL market has the potential to be cost-saving. These trends were predicted using 25 µg oral misoprostol tablet outcomes informed by both retrospective studies. CONCLUSION Preliminary outcomes suggest that oral misoprostol tablets at 25 µg per dose may improve outcomes in IOL and be cost-saving. Further study is required to validate these findings and assess the comparative efficacy of IOL methods, including oral misoprostol tablets (25 µg).
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Roel de Heus
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, St. Antonius Hospital, Utrecht, Netherlands
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Dal Cin S, Low LK, Lillvis D, Masten M, De Vries R. What Do Women Want? Consent for the Use of Electronic Fetal Monitoring. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CHILDBIRTH 2021. [DOI: 10.1891/ijcbirth-d-20-00044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUNDGuidelines published by professional associations of midwives, obstetricians, and nurses in the United States recommend against using continuous cardiotocography (CTG) in low-risk patients. In the United States, CTG or electronic fetal/uterine monitoring (EFM) rather than auscultation with a fetoscope or Pinard horn is the norm. Interpretation of the fetal heart rate (FHR) and uterine activity (UA) tracings provided by continuous EFM may be associated with the decision for a cesarean birth. Typically, consent is not sought in the decision about type of monitoring. No studies were identified where women's attitudes about the need to consent to the type of fetal monitoring used during labor have been explored. Therefore, the purpose of this research was to examine women's attitudes about the use of EFM in a healthcare setting.METHODSWe asked a sample of women aged 18–50 years to respond to one of three monitoringscenarios. The scenarios were used to distinguish between attitudes about monitoring in general, monitoring the health of a mother in labor, and monitoring the health of the fetus during labor. Wemeasured their level of interest in being monitored and their opinions about whether healthcare providers should be required to obtain consent for the monitoring described in the scenario.RESULTSInterest in receiving monitoring (across all three scenarios) was moderate, with the highest level of interest in monitoring the fetus during labor and the least interest in monitoring a general health context. Across all scenarios, 82% of respondents believed that practitioners should obtain consent for monitoring, 14% were unsure, and 4% said there should not be a requirement for consent. While low (6%), the percentage responding that consent was not needed was highest in monitoring a fetus in labor.CONCLUSIONSWomen in our study expressed a strong preference for the opportunity to consent to the use of monitoring regardless of the healthcare scenario. There is findings suggest the need for further research exploring what women do and do not know about CTG and what their informed performance are a pressing need to rethink the role of a pressing need to rethink the role of shared decision-making and informed consent about the type of monitoring use during labor.
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Smith V, Hannon K, Begley C. Clinician's attitudes towards caesarean section: A cross-sectional survey in two tertiary level maternity units in Ireland. Women Birth 2021; 35:423-428. [PMID: 34420910 DOI: 10.1016/j.wombi.2021.08.004] [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: 04/21/2021] [Revised: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although caesarean section (CS) is a life-saving intervention when medically indicated, the growth in CS rates is causing concern. In reducing unnecessary CS, it is important to understand clinicians' attitudes towards CS so that these might be understood contextually. OBJECTIVE To explore clinicians' attitudes towards CS in Ireland. METHODS A cross sectional survey involving maternity care professionals in two urban maternity hospitals in Ireland. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the data. Ethical approval was granted by the Research Ethics Committees of the University and the two study sites. FINDINGS One hundred and fifty-two maternity care professionals responded to the survey. Most (97%) indicated that the CS rate in their unit was 'high', although 81% believed there was a shift in culture towards a lower threshold for performing CS. Most participants (85%) considered birth a natural process that should not be interfered with unless necessary and that elective CS is not the safest option for the mother (74%) or baby (71%), yet 45% believed that a woman should be able to have a CS if she wants a CS. Just over half the participants considered a previous 3rd or 4th degree tear an indication for an elective CS. Offering vaginal birth after a previous CS for fetal distress and failure to progress increased with clinical experience. CONCLUSION The findings of this survey can be considered contextually in addressing high CS rates and will be of wider relevance in understanding maternity care providers' beliefs about CS in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valerie Smith
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Dublin, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland.
| | - Kathleen Hannon
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Dublin, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
| | - Cecily Begley
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Dublin, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
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Downe S, Calleja Agius J, Balaam MC, Frith L. Understanding childbirth as a complex salutogenic phenomenon: The EU COST BIRTH Action Special Collection. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0236722. [PMID: 32756586 PMCID: PMC7406045 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0236722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
In 2014, the EU funded a four-year European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) Action to address the topic of childbirth. The COST Birth Action was a cross-European network, that brought together over 120 scientists, practitioners, activists and policy makers from 34 countries to work on intrapartum care. The central aim was to advance the state of research and practice in a specific area of great clinical and social importance, intrapartum care. The Action used inter and trans-disciplinary approaches to address birth from multiple perspectives and drew on complexity theory and the concept of salutogenesis (wellbeing). This special collection presents six papers produced from the Action and gives a sense of the range and depth of the work conducted. The Collection illustrates the knowledge that can be generated when a diverse group of people come together with a similar goals and perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soo Downe
- ReaCH Group, UCLan, Lancashire, United Kingdom
| | - Jean Calleja Agius
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
| | | | - Lucy Frith
- Institute of Population Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
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