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.

Uterotonic drugs use for post partum hemorrhage: An audit of the third stage of labor management

Objectives: Worldwide the use of uterotonic drugs has significantly reduced maternal mortality from postpartum hemorrhage. The objective is to audit the use of uterotonics in the active management of the third and fourth stages of labor. Methods: Personal data, diagnostic clinical information, blood loss and uterotonics administered were extracted from a cohort of 634 consecutive parturient. Trend in Shock Index (Pulse Rate/Systolic Blood Pressure) and 48 hours hematocrit changes were computed and analyzed. Results: There were 422 vagina deliveries and 212 caesarean sections. Primiparous mothers were 141 (34.2%), while grand multiparous mothers were 14 (3.4%). The mean visually estimated postpartum blood loss 165.9 ± 80 ml. There was no significant difference in the mean blood loss between the three parity groups of parturient [P = 0.09]. Fourteen parturient (3.44%) had blood loss ≥500 ml. The value of Shock Index (Pulse Rate/Systolic Blood Pressure) in the study ranged between 0.43 and 1.38. Logistic regression analysis of the variables associated with the switch between the three regimens of uterotonic drugs, showed a significant positive correlation between VEBL and uterotonic drugs administered [Pearson correlation = 0.130, P-value = 0.008]. In addition, there was a significant negative correlation between uterotonic drugs administered and Shock Index at 30 minutes and 2 hours postpartum. The correlation coefficient between VEBL and regimens of uterotonic drugs used was positive and significant (P = 0.019). Conclusion: Visually estimated blood loss, with shock are the main Triggers involved in switching between uterotonic drugs regimens used in active management of PPH. Shock index calculation is vital in management decision. We advocate training of all birth attendants on VEBL.

Intravenous Administration of Carbetocin Versus Oxytocin for Preventing Postpartum Hemorrhage After Vaginal Delivery in High Risk Women:A Double-blind,Randomized Controlled Trial

Objective::To compare the effects between carbetocin and oxytocin on reducing postpartum hemorrhage(PPH)after vaginal delivery in high risk pregnant women.Methods::A prospective double-blinded randomized study was conducted in the Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital from March to May 2018.Women at or beyond 28 gestational weeks,cephalic presentation,18-45 years old,and with at least one risk factor for PPH,were enrolled.Using a computer-generated randomization sequence,women were randomized to carbetocin group or oxytocin group which receive 100μg intravenous infusion carbetocin or 10 IU intravenous infusion of oxytocin after anterior shoulder and before placental delivery.The primary outcome was the incidence of blood loss≥500 mL within 24 hours postpartum.The secondary outcomes were amount of total blood loss,blood loss within 2 hours after delivery,the rate of blood loss≥1000 mL postpartum,need for a second-line uterotonics and interventions,blood transfusion,difference between hemoglobin before and 48 hours after delivery,adverse maternal events attributed to the trial medication.Hemodynamic status(blood pressure and pulse)was measured at 0 minutes,30 minutes,60 minutes,and 120 minutes after delivery.Results::A total of 314 and 310 participants constituted the carbetocin and oxytocin groups,respectively.The baseline characteristics were comparable between the groups.The carbetocin group had similar rates of PPH(blood loss≥500 mL)and rates of≥1000 mL PPH,(29.6%vs.26.8%,P=0.48)and(3.2%vs.3.5%,P=0.83),to the oxytocin group.The average amount of bleeding was(422.9±241.4)mL in carbetocin group and(406.0±257.5)mL in oxytocin group,which was no statistically significant difference(P=0.40).Either the amount of blood loss within 2 hours((55.5±33.9)mL vs.(59.9±48.7)mL)was no statistically significant difference(P=0.19).The need for therapeutic uterotonics was 23.9%in carbetocin group and 23.5%in oxytocin group,which was also no statistically difference(P=0.93).The rate of blood transfusion(P=0.62)and hemoglobin change(P=0.07)were not differ between the carbetocin and oxytocin groups.However,the rate of manually removing placenta was significantly different between two groups regarding the need for manually remove of placenta because of uterine bleeding in the third stage of labor(4 cases in carbetocin group vs.13 cases in oxygen group),especially in those after oxytocin-induced or augmented labor(relative risk:3.39,95%confidence interval:1.09-10.52).After delivery,the blood pressure in the carbetocin group tend to be lower than that in the oxytocin group(P>0.05),especially at 30 minutes postpartum(P<0.05),while pulse tend to be simultaneously higher(P>0.05).Conclusion::Among women with high risk of PPH,intravenous carbetocin infusion did not better than oxytocin in the prevention of blood loss≥500 mL after vaginal delivery.