The ten group Robson classification: an institutional study to analyse the caesarean section rates

Background: Over the last few decades, there has been an alarming increase in the rate of deliveries by caesarean section (CS) in most of the countries, though the drivers of this trend are not completely understood. In 1985, WHO had proposed that ideal rate for regional CS rates should not exceed 10-15%. The Robson’s classification system is simple, robust and flexible. The study was done as it was important to have a tool to monitor, compare the CS rates in a same setting and between different settings over a period of time and to optimise the CS rates.Methods: It was a retrospective study conducted in the department of obstetrics and gynaecology in a tertiary care centre. The hospital delivery records were reviewed for a period of 15 months from April 2020 to June 2021.Results: The total number of deliveries during the study period was 1016. The total number of CSs was 441 and the total number of vaginal deliveries was 575.The CS rate was 43.4%. The relative contribution from groups 1, 2 and 5 in our study accounted for 76.36% and group 5 accounted for 44.4% of the total CSs. These 3 groups should be the focus of attention to reduce the overall CS rates.Conclusions: It is advisable that all institutions can use the Robson’s report table to analyse the population catered by them and to make institutional specific policies. This will allow comparing the data amongst the different institutions and countries which can help in policy making

Prevalence of adenomyosis and associated gynaecological pathologies in hysterectomy samples: a retrospective study

Background: Adenomyosis is a prevalent gynaecological disorder among women and it is a major cause for AUB. Its diagnosis is confirmed by histological examination of hysterectomized samples. Moreover it is associated with other benign gynaecological pathologies. The aim of this study is to identify the prevalence of Adenomyosis and its association with other benign gynaec pathologies in hysterectomized samples.Methods: This retrospective of two year duration was conducted in obstetrics and Gynaecology department of Malabar Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, a tertiary care centre in Kozhikode, Kerala from 2019 June to 2021 June. 452 patients underwent hysterectomy for abnormal uterine bleeding during this period. Among this, 76 patients had histologically proven adenomyosis in hysterectomy specimen and their case record were reviewed and the data was analysed.Results: The prevalence of Adenomyosis in this study was 16.8%. Majority of women were in age group of 41 to 46 (36.8%), followed by 46 to 50 age group (26.3%). 94 % of women were multipara with majority in para2 and para3 group. Only 6 % of women were nulliparous. Most common symptom was abnormal uterine bleeding (92%), followed by dysmenorrhoea and chronic pelvic pain. Majority had overlap of symptoms. 7% of women were asymptomatic. In 60 % of women no other gynaec pathologies were identified. Most common associated pathology was leiomyoma (15.8%), closely followed by endometriosis (13.2%). Endometrial hyperplasia was associated with adenomyosis in 3.9%of women and endometrial polyp in 2.6%. Ovarian pathologies identified were simple ovarian cyst (2.6%) and serous cystadenoma (1.3%).Conclusions: In the present study, the prevalence of adenomyosis was high and abnormal uterine bleeding was the patients’ most prevalent complaint. Among the associated gynaec pathologies, leiomyoma had the highest correlation with adenomyosis

The clinical study of vaginal birth after caesarean section

Background: VBAC has reduced the rate of repeat caesarean section in modern medicine. VBAC-TOL is successful in 60-80% of acceptable candidates if applied to all patients presenting with prior caesarean procedure (8.2-8.5%), there is potential to increase the overall vaginal delivery rate by 5%. Though the safety of VBAC in carefully selected patients have been demonstrated in several studies, controversy continues over when to advise patients who had caesarean section to undergo TOL. The purpose of current study was to know the success of VBAC, to know the maternal morbidity and mortality and foetal outcome in VBAC group.Methods: It was a prospective study performed on women with one previous LSCS admitted to tertiary care hospital for a period of one year from August 2018 to August 2019 at DM Waynad institute of medical sciences, Waynad.Results: In the present study 292 women with one previous LSCS were selected, among them 32 women had elective LSCS for various indications, 260 women underwent TOL. Among 260 women, 152 women achieved VBAC (58.46%) and 108 women underwent LSCS following failed TOL. Maternal morbidity was 9.61%. The incidence of scar dehiscence was 2.69% and uterine rupture was 0.38%. There was no maternal and foetal mortality in this study. NICU admission was 4.6%.Conclusions: Trial of labour should be encouraged in women with one previous LSCS with no obstetric complications

A cluster-based, spatial-sampling method for assessing household healthcare utilization patterns in resource-limited settings

Background: Implementation of population-based surveys is resource intensive and logistically demanding, especially in areas with rapidly changing demographics and incomplete or no enumeration of the underlying population and their residences. To remove the need for pre-enumeration and to simplify field logistics for the population healthcare utilization survey used for the Surveillance for Enteric Fever in Asia Project in Nepal, we incorporated a geographic information system-based geosurvey and field mapping system into a single-stage cluster sampling approach.Methods: A survey was administered to ascertain healthcare-seeking behavior in individuals with recent suspected enteric fever. Catchment areas were based on residential addresses of enteric fever patients using study facilities; clusters were randomly selected from digitally created grids using available satellite images and all households within clusters were offered enrollment. A tablet-compatible geosurvey and mapping system that allowed for data-syncing and use in areas without cellular data was created using the ArcGIS suite of software.Results: Between January 2017 and November 2018, we surveyed 25 521 households in Nepal (16 769 in urban Kathmandu and 8752 in periurban Kavrepalanchok), representing 84 202 individuals. Overall, the survey participation rate was 90.9%, with geographic heterogeneity in participation rates within each catchment area. Areas with higher average household wealth had lower participation rates.Conclusion: A geographic information system-based geosurvey and field mapping system allowed creation of a virtual household map at the same time as survey administration, enabling a single-stage cluster sampling method to assess healthcare utilization in Nepal for the Surveillance for Enteric Fever in Asia Project . This system removed the need for pre-enumeration of households in sampling areas, simplified logistics and could be replicated in future community surveys

Prevalence of Abnormal Uterine Bleeding and its Associated Risk Factors in Women of Perimenopausal Age Group- A Retrospective Study

Introduction: Abnormal Uterine Bleeding (AUB) is defined as any deviation from the normal menstrual cycle that is abnormal in regularity, duration, volume and frequency. AUB may be accompanied by pain and discomfort which presents a substantial burden on patient’s health, quality of life, society and healthcare system. There is also an increased incidence of associated co-morbidities like thyroid disease, diabetes and hypertension in AUB cases. Aim: To estimate the prevalence of AUB according to the PALM-COEIN classification and its associated risk factors in the perimenopausal age group. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study was conducted in the Gynaecology Department of Malabar Medical College, Kozhikode, Kerela, India. The data was collected from the medical records and computerised system of the hospital for a period of one year from January 2021 to December 2021. A total of 225 patients in the perimenopausal age group (40 years and above) attending Gynaecology Outpatient Department (OPD) and admitted with complaints of AUB was included. Patient’s information such as age, menstrual history, obstetric history, medical and surgical history, laboratory tests, imaging findings, endometrial biopsy results was obtained and analysed. Data was entered in Microsoft excel and analysed by using Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS) version 24.0. Results: The total number of patients attending the Gynaecology OPD during the study period was 11765. The total number of AUB cases during the study period were 2154, so the prevalence for AUB was 18.3%. For the associated risk factors, 255 patients were considered, where maximum number of patients 103 (45.3%) were in the age group of 45-49 years. Structural causes accounts for 175 (77.6%) cases. Hypertension was the most common risk factor associated with AUB 68 (30.2%), followed by diabetes 32 (14.2%) and thyroid disorders 15 (6.6%). Conclusion: The prevalence of AUB was 18.3% in present study. Abnormal Uterine Bleeding-Ovulatory dysfunction and Abnormal Uterine Bleeding- Endometrial had statistically significant association with thyroid disease

A Cluster-based, Spatial-sampling Method for Assessing Household Healthcare Utilization Patterns in Resource-limited Settings

BACKGROUND: Implementation of population-based surveys is resource intensive and logistically demanding, especially in areas with rapidly changing demographics and incomplete or no enumeration of the underlying population and their residences. To remove the need for pre-enumeration and to simplify field logistics for the population healthcare utilization survey used for the Surveillance for Enteric Fever in Asia Project in Nepal, we incorporated a geographic information system-based geosurvey and field mapping system into a single-stage cluster sampling approach. METHODS: A survey was administered to ascertain healthcare-seeking behavior in individuals with recent suspected enteric fever. Catchment areas were based on residential addresses of enteric fever patients using study facilities; clusters were randomly selected from digitally created grids using available satellite images and all households within clusters were offered enrollment. A tablet-compatible geosurvey and mapping system that allowed for data-syncing and use in areas without cellular data was created using the ArcGIS suite of software. RESULTS: Between January 2017 and November 2018, we surveyed 25 521 households in Nepal (16 769 in urban Kathmandu and 8752 in periurban Kavrepalanchok), representing 84 202 individuals. Overall, the survey participation rate was 90.9%, with geographic heterogeneity in participation rates within each catchment area. Areas with higher average household wealth had lower participation rates. CONCLUSION: A geographic information system-based geosurvey and field mapping system allowed creation of a virtual household map at the same time as survey administration, enabling a single-stage cluster sampling method to assess healthcare utilization in Nepal for the Surveillance for Enteric Fever in Asia Project . This system removed the need for pre-enumeration of households in sampling areas, simplified logistics and could be replicated in future community surveys