Comparative Study of the Efficacy of Misoprostol and Oxytocin Im in the Prevention of Post-Partum haemorrhage in a Low-Resource Setting

Background: In developing countries, postpartum hemorrhage is responsible for 30% of maternal deaths. Although the World Health Organization recommends the use of oxytocin for the prevention of postpartum hemorrhage, the use of misoprostol is increasingly common. The objective of this study was to determine the frequency of postpartum hemorrhage in parturients delivering at Saint-Vincent Hospital and to compare the effectiveness of misoprostol use versus oxytocin in preventing postpartum hemorrhage. Material and Methods: We conducted a comparative longitudinal study at the Saint Vincent Hospital comparing 10 units of intramuscular oxytocin with 600 micrograms of sublingual misoprostol. The study was conducted from 01 January 2017 to 31 December 2019, a period of 3 years. The study population consisted of 2161 consenting women. Of these, 1289 received 10 IU of intramuscular oxytocin and 872 received 600 micrograms of misoprostol. The collected data were entered using Microsoft Excel 2013 and analysed using SPSS version 21 software. Results: The frequency of administration of Misoprostol and oxytocin in parturients was 40.4% and 59.6% respectively in this study. One hundred and fourteen cases of postpartum hemorrhage (114/2161 or 5.3%) were noted among the parturients. The average age of parturients who received oxytocin was 24.36 ± 4.45 years vs 24.63 ± 5.11 years among parturients who received Misoprostol;(p = 0.190). The mean parity was 2.52 ± 1.46 vs 2.66 ± 1.44;(p = 0.020). We noted a high proportion (78.3%) of postpartum hemorrhage from the oxytocin group vs. 21.7% from the Misoprostol group (OR 2.5-fold), with a statistically significant difference (p 0.001). We noted high proportions of uterine atony (92.3%) from the oxytocin group vs 7.7% from the Misoprostol group (p = 0.004). Uterine atony was the actual factor associated with postpartum hemorrhage (OR = 10.0895% CI: 1.78 - 57.10;p = 0.009). Conclusion: Misoprostol 600 Microgram administered sublingually immediately after neonatal expulsion and before delivery was 2.5 times more effective than oxytocin 10 IU/IM. Misoprostol is therefore a good alternative to oxytocin and offers more advantages in management, use and outcome than oxytocin.

Profile of Pregnant Women and Success of the Uterine Test on a Uni or Bi-Scar Uterus at the Maternity Ward of Panzi Hospital, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Introduction: Trial of labor after a previous cesarean section (TOLAC) is a method that requires strict monitoring to decrease the cesarean section (CS) rate and improve the maternal and neonatal prognosis. The objective is to determine the profile and outcome of patients with one and two previous CSs who performed TOLAC at Panzi General Referral Hospital. Methodology: This is a cross-sectional study with a prospective collection of data of 111 patients with one and two previous CSs at Panzi Hospital from January 2021 to August 2022. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences SPSS version 23 software was used to analyze the collected data. The percentages of categorical variables were summarized in a frequency table. The mean or median with standard deviation was used to summarize quantitative variables. Results: The overall success rate of the TOLAC was 64%, with 63.8% following one previous CS and 64.3% following two CSs. The mean age of the patients was 27.09 years, with an age range of 25 - 34 years. They were mostly pauciparous (52.2%), married (88.3%), with a high school education (60.4%). The inter-delivery interval > 18 months was noted (64.1%) and overweight in 63.9%. More than three antenatal consultations were performed (58.6%). We found a mean gestational age of 38 (34 - 41) weeks. The perinatal mortality rate was 0.9%. However, we did not record any cases of maternal mortality during the study period. Conclusion: TOLAC after one and two previous CS is implemented in the maternity Unit of Panzi Hospital for well-selected patients. In addition, the success rate is similar after TOLAC with an acceptable maternal-neonatal prognosis.

Associated Factors with Vaginal Delivery on a Uni- or Bi-Scar Uterus in a Low-Resource Setting

Introduction: Delivery in a scar uterus is one of the most debated topics in obstetrics. The objective was to determine the uterine test and the maternal-fetal outcome in patients with uni- and bi-scared uterus who received the uterine test at Panzi General Referral Hospital. Methodology: This is a cross-sectional study with a prospective collection of patients who delivered on a uni- or bi-scareduterus at Panzi Hospital, between January 1, 2021 and August 1, 2022. Results: The average age of the patients was 27.09 years, with an age range of 25 - 34 years, they were mostly married (88.3%), with secondary educational level (60.4%). Pauciparous women, with a history of previous caesarean delivery once, represented respectively 52.2%;7.2% of parturients with an intergenital space equal to 18 months. 63.9% were overweight, 58.6% had undergone more than three ANC sessions. We noted statistically significant associations between modes of admission, water sac, type of membranes rupture, uterine height and success of uterine test (p 0.05). We did not find significant associations between parturient age, gestational age, intergestational interval, pregnancy term, surgical history, number of ANC performed, number of previous caesarean sections, number of newborns. We did not record any cases of maternal death but one case of perinatal death with 0.9% in this study. Conclusion: A good selection of patients with uni- or bi-scared uterus would allow the reduction of the fetomaternal morbidity during the uterine test.

Knowledge and Level of Use of Misoprostol by Health Care Providers in the Maternity Wards of South Kivu in the Practice of Obstetrics

Post-partum haemorrhage (PPH) is one of the leading causes of maternal death in sub-Saharan Africa. In developing countries, PPH is responsible for about 30% of maternal deaths. The main causes of PPH are uterine atony, placental implantation anomalies and coagulation disorders. Acting on the causes of post-partum haemorrhage would significantly reduce maternal mortality. To prevent PPH, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends the use of uterotonics as a preventive measure. Although parenteral Oxytocin is recommended as the first line Oxytocic for the prevention of PPH, the use of misoprostol is increasingly used in gynaecology and obstetrics, not only for the prevention of postpartum haemorrhage, but also for many other obstetric indications. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge and level of use of misoprostol by healthcare providers in the gynaecology and maternity departments of South Kivu in the practice of gynaecology and obstetrics. Materials and methods We conducted a descriptive study from January 03 up to February 04, 2023. The study of population was made up of healthcare workers in South Kivu. A questionnaire containing questions relating to socio-demographic informations and knowledge of misoprostol was prepared and encoded in the kobo collect software. To access the questionnaire, it was compulsory to read the research protocol and give consent by ticking the “yes” button. All those who ticked “no” were denied access to the questionnaire. The link was sent, with a request to take part in the survey, to groups in the social networks of doctors and midwives in South Kivu. For areas not covered by the internet, a printed format was distributed and then encoded by data entry operators. For the paper format, respondents were also asked to indicate their consent by ticking the “yes” box. All the encoded data was automatically compiled on the server and then analysed and interpreted by the research team. Results: Nearly all (95.8%) healthcare workers in South Kivu knew about Misoprostol, and only 4.2% did not. The majority (90.1%) of healthcare workers had already used Misoprostol. Providers were aware of the obstetrical indications for Misoprostol, but in most cases, they did not know the dosage recommended by FIGO. For the prevention of post-Partum haemorrhage, only 39.9% use the correct dosage, 42.7% for the treatment of incomplete miscarriage and 49.3% for the treatment of post-Partum haemorrhage. 10% to 21% of providers know the indications of misoprostol but have no idea about dosage. Providers were aware of all routes of administration, but in most cases, they prescribed Misoprostol via the sublingual route (84.5%). The side effects observed by the providers were those already observed in other studies.