Quality Indicators and Outcomes of Emergency Caesarean Deliveries at a District-level Maternity Hospital

The objective of this research study is to identify quality indicators of cesarean deliveries and determine their relationship to neonatal and maternal morbidity and mortality in one high volume maternity hospital in Lilongwe, Malawi. Demographic, perioperative, and postoperative data were collected on all cesarean deliveries over three months. Indicators of quality (antibiotic administration, use of oxytocin, decision-to-incision time, and uterine incision type) were compared to maternal morbidities (postpartum hemorrhage, fistula and wound infection) and neonatal mortality. Causes of delays in decision to incision time were identified. 513 cesarean deliveries were performed during the study period, with no maternal deaths and 39 neonatal deaths. Adherence to oxytocin and antibiotic administration was high but not complete, with greater adherence to the former (97.1% vs 82.6%). The decision to incision time between women with and without neonatal deaths was similar (1.62 hours vs 1.49 hours, p=0.41). Most delays were attributed to a busy operating theatre (49.1%) and delayed transfer to the operating theatre (26.9%). Uterine rupture and cesarean hysterectomy were associated with an outcome of neonatal death (p<0.001). Infrastructure and personnel limitations are major barriers to the improvement of quality of cesarean deliveries. Future endeavors towards quality improvement must address these deficiencies. (Afr J Reprod Health 2015; 19[3]: 61-67). Keywords: obstetrics, international, quality, low resource L'objectif de cette étude est d'identifier les indicateurs de qualité de césariennes et de déterminer leur relation à la morbidité et la mortalité néonatale et maternelle dans un hôpital de la maternité de volume élevé à Lilongwe, au Malawi. Démographique, périopératoire, et les données post-opératoires ont été recueillies sur tous les accouchements par césarienne plus de trois mois. Indicateurs de qualité (l'administration d'antibiotiques, l'utilisation de l'ocytocine, l e temps de décision à l'incision, et de l'utérus de type d'incision) ont été comparés à de morbidité maternelle (hémorragie post-partum, la fistule et infection de la plaie) et la mortalité néonatale. Les causes de retards dans la prise à l'incision du temps ont été identifiés. 513 césariennes ont été effectuées au cours de la période de l'étude, aucun décès maternels et 39 décès néonatals. L'adhésion à l'ocytocine et l'administration d'antibiotiques était haute mais pas complet, avec une plus grande adhésion à l'ancien (97,1% vs 82,6%). La décision d'incision de temps entre les femmes avec et sans décès néonatals était similaire (1,62 vs 1,49 heures heures, p = 0,41). La plupart des retards ont été attribués à un théâtre chargé d'exploitation (49,1%) et le transfert retardé au théâtre d'exploitation (26,9%). La rupture utérine et l'hystérectomie césarienne ont été associées à un résultat de décès néonatal (p <0,001). Infrastructure et du personnel des limitations sont des obstacles majeurs à l'amélioration de la qualité des accouchements par césarienne. Les efforts futurs vers amélioration de la qualité doivent combler ces lacunes. (Afr J Reprod Health 2015; 19[3]: 61-67). Mots-clés: obstétrique, internationale, de qualité, à faible ressourc

Improvement and retention of emergency obstetrics and neonatal care knowledge and skills in a hospital mentorship program in Lilongwe, Malawi

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

Reproductive intentions and family planning practices of pregnant HIV-infected Malawian women on antiretroviral therapy

The objective of this study was to describe the pregnancy intentions of pregnant HIV-infected Malawian women on antiretroviral therapy (ART) for at least 6 months prior to the current pregnancy, and to assess whether time on ART was associated with pregnancy intention. We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of HIV-infected Malawian women receiving antenatal care at a government hospital with a survey assessing ART history, reproductive history, and family planning use at conception. We used Pearson’s chi-square tests and Fisher’s exact tests to compare these parameters between women on ART greater than 24 months with those on ART less than 24 months. Modified Poisson regression was performed to assess the association between time on ART and pregnancy intention. Most women (75%) reported that their current pregnancy was unintended, defined as either mistimed (21%) or unwanted (79%). Women on ART for longer than 2 years were more likely to report an unintended pregnancy (79% versus 65%, p=0.03), though there was no significant association between time on ART and pregnancy intention in multivariate analysis. Most women (79%) were using contraception at the time of conception, with condoms being most popular (91%), followed by injectables (9%) and the implant (9%). HIV-infected women on ART continue to experience high rates of unintended pregnancy in the Option B+ era. As Option B+ continues to be implemented in Malawi and increasing numbers of HIV-infected women initiate lifelong ART, ensuring that the most effective forms of contraception are accessible is necessary to decrease unintended pregnancy

Effect of HIV status on fertility desire and knowledge of long-acting reversible contraception of postpartum Malawian women

The objectives of this study were to describe the most recent pregnancy intentions and family planning preferences of HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected postpartum Malawian women, and to assess whether HIV status is associated with fertility desire and knowledge of intrauterine contraception (IUC) and the subdermal contraceptive implant. We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of the baseline characteristics of Malawian women enrolled in a prospective cohort study assessing postpartum contraceptive uptake and continuation. Women at a government hospital completed a baseline survey assessing reproductive history, family planning preferences, and knowledge of IUC and the implant. We used Pearson's chi-square tests to compare these parameters between HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected women. Modified Poisson regression was performed to assess the association between HIV status and fertility desire and knowledge about IUC and the implant. Of 634 postpartum women surveyed, HIV-infected women were more likely to report their most recent pregnancy was unintended (49% versus 37%, p=0.004). Nearly all women (97%) did not want a child in the next two years but HIV-infected women were more likely to desire no more children (adjusted PR: 1.59; 95% CI: 1.33, 1.89). HIV-infected women were also less likely to know that IUC (adjusted PR 0.72; 95% CI: 0.61, 0.84) and the implant (adjusted PR 0.83; 95% CI: 0.75, 0.92) are safe during breastfeeding. Postpartum women strongly desire family spacing and many HIV-infected postpartum women desire no more children, suggesting an important role for these long-acting methods. Education about the efficacy and safety of IUC and the implant particularly during breastfeeding may facilitate postpartum use

Association between contraceptive implant knowledge and intent with implant uptake among postpartum Malawian women: a prospective cohort study

Abstract Background Long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) can assist women with birth spacing and reduce unintended pregnancies. Sub-Saharan Africa has low uptake of the two available methods of LARC, the subdermal implant and intrauterine contraception (IUC). Our primary objectives were to: 1) calculate the incidence of LARC use among postpartum Malawian women, and 2) assess if LARC knowledge and intent to use LARC were associated with LARC uptake. Methods This study was a prospective cohort study of 634 postpartum women who were recruited from the postpartum ward of Bwaila Hospital in Lilongwe, Malawi. Study participants completed a baseline survey in the postpartum ward. Follow-up telephone surveys about contraceptive use were conducted at 3, 6, and 12 months postpartum. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was performed to evaluate if implant knowledge and intent to use implant were associated with implant uptake. Results One hundred thirty-seven implant and 10 IUC placements were reported over 12 months of follow-up; given the low rate of IUC uptake, further analysis was only done for implant uptake. The incidence rate for implant uptake was 35.6 per 100 person-years (95 % CI 30.0, 42.2). Correct implant knowledge (adjusted HR = 1.69; 95 % CI 1.06, 2.68) and intent to use implant (adjusted HR 1.95; 95 % CI 1.28, 2.98) were both associated with implant uptake. Conclusions More women reported implant use than IUC use in our study. Correct implant knowledge and intent to use implant were both associated with implant uptake, with a stronger association for intent. Interventions to increase LARC uptake should focus on improving LARC knowledge and removing barriers to LARC. Trial registration Clinical Trial Registration #: NCT0189302

Reproductive intentions and family planning practices of pregnant HIV-infected Malawian women on antiretroviral therapy

The objective of this study was to describe the pregnancy intentions of pregnant HIV-infected Malawian women on antiretroviral therapy (ART) for at least 6 months prior to the current pregnancy, and to assess whether time on ART was associated with pregnancy intention. We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of HIV-infected Malawian women receiving antenatal care at a government hospital with a survey assessing ART history, reproductive history, and family planning use at conception. We used Pearson’s chi-square tests and Fisher’s exact tests to compare these parameters between women on ART greater than 24 months with those on ART less than 24 months. Modified Poisson regression was performed to assess the association between time on ART and pregnancy intention. Most women (75%) reported that their current pregnancy was unintended, defined as either mistimed (21%) or unwanted (79%). Women on ART for longer than 2 years were more likely to report an unintended pregnancy (79% versus 65%, p=0.03), though there was no significant association between time on ART and pregnancy intention in multivariate analysis. Most women (79%) were using contraception at the time of conception, with condoms being most popular (91%), followed by injectables (9%) and the implant (9%). HIV-infected women on ART continue to experience high rates of unintended pregnancy in the Option B+ era. As Option B+ continues to be implemented in Malawi and increasing numbers of HIV-infected women initiate lifelong ART, ensuring that the most effective forms of contraception are accessible is necessary to decrease unintended pregnancy

Effect of HIV status on fertility desire and knowledge of long-acting reversible contraception of postpartum Malawian women

The objectives of this study were to describe the most recent pregnancy intentions and family planning preferences of HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected postpartum Malawian women, and to assess whether HIV status is associated with fertility desire and knowledge of intrauterine contraception (IUC) and the subdermal contraceptive implant. We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of the baseline characteristics of Malawian women enrolled in a prospective cohort study assessing postpartum contraceptive uptake and continuation. Women at a government hospital completed a baseline survey assessing reproductive history, family planning preferences, and knowledge of IUC and the implant. We used Pearson's chi-square tests to compare these parameters between HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected women. Modified Poisson regression was performed to assess the association between HIV status and fertility desire and knowledge about IUC and the implant. Of 634 postpartum women surveyed, HIV-infected women were more likely to report their most recent pregnancy was unintended (49% versus 37%, p=0.004). Nearly all women (97%) did not want a child in the next two years but HIV-infected women were more likely to desire no more children (adjusted PR: 1.59; 95% CI: 1.33, 1.89). HIV-infected women were also less likely to know that IUC (adjusted PR 0.72; 95% CI: 0.61, 0.84) and the implant (adjusted PR 0.83; 95% CI: 0.75, 0.92) are safe during breastfeeding. Postpartum women strongly desire family spacing and many HIV-infected postpartum women desire no more children, suggesting an important role for these long-acting methods. Education about the efficacy and safety of IUC and the implant particularly during breastfeeding may facilitate postpartum use