Background: Maternal mortality remains high in low- and middle-income countries. Many maternal deaths occur within hospitals often due to a lack of access to basic emergency obstetric care (Emoc). Aim: The study aimed...Background: Maternal mortality remains high in low- and middle-income countries. Many maternal deaths occur within hospitals often due to a lack of access to basic emergency obstetric care (Emoc). Aim: The study aimed to assess the effectiveness of a community-based pregnant women initiative to support emergency obstetric care in a Kimpese Health Zone (HZ). Setting: Kimpese Health Zone, Province of Central Kongo, in the South Western of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Results: Four hundred and thirty-five women were received for Emoc between January 2008 and June 2011, 75% were aged between 18 - 34 years old. Mechanical dystocia was the first cause of emergencies (34%). The diagnosis concordance between the transfers and the reasons for the transfer was weak and not statistically significant (Kappa = 0.350, p = 0.405). After the évaluation of the newborns, a favorable outcome was noted after the 10<sup>th</sup> day of de follow-up (95.4%). In multivariate analysis, the lack of ANC visits, the waiting time > 1 hour before the visit at the referral hospital, and assisted birth were the factors associated with the unfavorable obstetric outcomes. Conclusion: Improvement in maternal health involves better preparation of the community and the healthcare system for Emergency Obstetric Care. Research is needed for innovative and effective interventions in resource constraints settings.展开更多
文摘Background: Maternal mortality remains high in low- and middle-income countries. Many maternal deaths occur within hospitals often due to a lack of access to basic emergency obstetric care (Emoc). Aim: The study aimed to assess the effectiveness of a community-based pregnant women initiative to support emergency obstetric care in a Kimpese Health Zone (HZ). Setting: Kimpese Health Zone, Province of Central Kongo, in the South Western of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Results: Four hundred and thirty-five women were received for Emoc between January 2008 and June 2011, 75% were aged between 18 - 34 years old. Mechanical dystocia was the first cause of emergencies (34%). The diagnosis concordance between the transfers and the reasons for the transfer was weak and not statistically significant (Kappa = 0.350, p = 0.405). After the évaluation of the newborns, a favorable outcome was noted after the 10<sup>th</sup> day of de follow-up (95.4%). In multivariate analysis, the lack of ANC visits, the waiting time > 1 hour before the visit at the referral hospital, and assisted birth were the factors associated with the unfavorable obstetric outcomes. Conclusion: Improvement in maternal health involves better preparation of the community and the healthcare system for Emergency Obstetric Care. Research is needed for innovative and effective interventions in resource constraints settings.
