Perinatal audit has been tested and proved an important tool for reduction of perinatal mortality and assessment of quality of perinatal care. At Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH), a tertiary hospital in Dar es salaam, Tanzania we performed a retrospective cross-sectional study using data from an obstetrics database to classify all perinatal deaths during 1999-2003. We also determined the prevalence of anaemia in pregnancy and its impact on perinatal outcome. Furthermore, we conducted a perinatal audit to study potential determinants and causes of perinatal and neonatal deaths and their avoidability. We also assessed the quality of care of patients admitted with eclampsia using a criteria based audit. Stillbirth, early neonatal and perinatal mortality rates (PMR) were 96, 27 and 124 respectively. A large proportion of foetuses (38%) had no audible foetal heart beat on admission at MNH labour ward and the majority of the neonatal deaths were asphyxiated at delivery. The PMR for multiples and singletons were 269 and 118 respectively resulting in a rate ratio of 2.4 (95%CI: 2.1-2.4). The prevalence of anaemia and severe anaemia was 68% and 5.8%, respectively. Severity of anaemia increased the risk of preterm delivery with ORs of 1.4, 1.4 and 4.1 for women with mild, moderate and severe anaemia as compared to women with normal haemoglobin levels. The corresponding risks for LBW and VLBW were 1.2, 1.7 and 3.8, and 1.5, 1.9 and 4.2 respectively. The prevalence of preterm delivery and LBW was 17% and 14% respectively. The hospital-based incidence of eclampsia was 504 per 10,000 women or 5.1 % of all mothers admitted. Suboptimal care were identified on criteria regarding management plan by senior staff, review of the plans by specialist obstetrician, delay on caesarean section, monitoring patients on magnesium sulphate and inadequate use of the laboratory. Two out of three patients requiring operation were not operated within set standards. Birth asphyxia was the main cause of intrapartum fresh stillbirth (47%) and early neonatal deaths (51%), whereas eclampsia (25%) and preeclampsia (8.3%) were main maternal medical conditions. The majority of stillbirths were fresh, indicating foetal demise during labour or just before delivery. The audit study identified suboptimal care in about 80% of audited cases out of which about 50% were found to be the likely cause of the adverse perinatal outcome. Inadequate maternal and foetal monitoring during labour were the main suboptimal factors, though delay in referral and operative interventions were also prominent. Based on these studies, we conclude that: The perinatal mortality (PMR) in this study was higher than the national average. About one in four perinatal deaths at MNH can be attributed to avoidable factors linked to obstetric care Main causes of perinatal and neonatal deaths were intrapartum birth asphyxia, immaturity related and infections            Management of patients in labour needs to be improved Suboptimal care that is essentially avoidable included: inadequate monitoring of patients during labour, delay of care,    e.g. long decision to surgery interval, and delayed referral of patients fromprimary hospitals The prevalence of anaemia in pregnancy was very high; and low birth weight and preterm delivery was independently associated with severity of anaemia The prevalence of eclampsia at MNH was high and the case management needs to be improved

<p><i>Objectives: </i>To study indicators specifically reflecting the reproductive health of Ukrainian women and to analyse factors behind the indicators. </p><p><i>Methods:</i> Induced abortion and maternal mortality were studied in some countries/regions of the former Soviet Union, using official statistics. Abortion rates, contraceptive practices and intentions in Ukrainian women were analysed by a large self-completion survey in 1996, and by a classroom questionnaire to first year medical students in 1999 in Donetsk, Ukraine. Totally, 1694 women and 689 students participated. Perinatal mortality was studied, applying the Nordic-Baltic perinatal death classification to all cases in the Donetsk region in 1997-98 (n=1126) and in Denmark in 1996 (n=540). Clinical guidelines, use of technology and rates of interventions in the two regions were analysed. </p><p><i>Results:</i> Abortion remains a major method of fertility control and abortion-related mortality contributes to maternal deaths. Perinatal mortality rate is twice as high in the Donetsk region as in Denmark. A substantial proportion of sexually active women do not practice contraception. Modern methods of contraception are not widely used. There is a lack of knowledge in reproductive health issues and negative attitude to OCs. There is a positive attitude towards abortion as an acceptable fertility control method and of having abortion instead of using OCs or IUD. Poor economy is an obstacle to the use of contraceptive methods associated with a cost. Lack of experience with contraception reduces the intention to use any method in the future. Being single, younger than 19 years, living with parents, having a positive attitude towards abortion as fertility control method, having a history of previous childbirth and/or abortion are important factors associated with pregnancy termination. Antepartum deaths of growth-retarded fetuses, intrapartum and neonatal deaths associated with asphyxia are more common in Ukraine than in Denmark, particularly among premature infants. Lack of evidence-based clinical guidelines and adequate resources for fetal monitoring during pregnancy and labour, together with negative attitudes towards, and limited resources for, instrumental delivery, contribute to high perinatal mortality.</p><p><i>Conclusion:</i> Better reproductive education/information of all strata of society is needed. Implementation of evidence-based guidelines in perinatal medicine, where international collaboration can be of great value, should be a matter of high priority. </p>

Objectives: To study indicators specifically reflecting the reproductive health of Ukrainian women and to analyse factors behind the indicators. Methods: Induced abortion and maternal mortality were studied in some countries/regions of the former Soviet Union, using official statistics. Abortion rates, contraceptive practices and intentions in Ukrainian women were analysed by a large self-completion survey in 1996, and by a classroom questionnaire to first year medical students in 1999 in Donetsk, Ukraine. Totally, 1694 women and 689 students participated. Perinatal mortality was studied, applying the Nordic-Baltic perinatal death classification to all cases in the Donetsk region in 1997-98 (n=1126) and in Denmark in 1996 (n=540). Clinical guidelines, use of technology and rates of interventions in the two regions were analysed. Results: Abortion remains a major method of fertility control and abortion-related mortality contributes to maternal deaths. Perinatal mortality rate is twice as high in the Donetsk region as in Denmark. A substantial proportion of sexually active women do not practice contraception. Modern methods of contraception are not widely used. There is a lack of knowledge in reproductive health issues and negative attitude to OCs. There is a positive attitude towards abortion as an acceptable fertility control method and of having abortion instead of using OCs or IUD. Poor economy is an obstacle to the use of contraceptive methods associated with a cost. Lack of experience with contraception reduces the intention to use any method in the future. Being single, younger than 19 years, living with parents, having a positive attitude towards abortion as fertility control method, having a history of previous childbirth and/or abortion are important factors associated with pregnancy termination. Antepartum deaths of growth-retarded fetuses, intrapartum and neonatal deaths associated with asphyxia are more common in Ukraine than in Denmark, particularly among premature infants. Lack of evidence-based clinical guidelines and adequate resources for fetal monitoring during pregnancy and labour, together with negative attitudes towards, and limited resources for, instrumental delivery, contribute to high perinatal mortality. Conclusion: Better reproductive education/information of all strata of society is needed. Implementation of evidence-based guidelines in perinatal medicine, where international collaboration can be of great value, should be a matter of high priority.

After the 1994 genocide and collapse of the health system, Rwanda initiated major social and health reforms in order to reduce child mortality and health inequities in accordance with the Millennium Development Goals. The aim of this thesis was to assess trends in under-five mortality (U5M) and equity in child survival, to study social barriers for improved perinatal and neonatal survival, and to evaluate Helping Babies Breathe (HBB), a newborn resuscitation program. In paper I we analysed trends and social inequities in child mortality 1990−2010, using data from national Demographic and Health Surveys conducted in 2000, 2005, and 2010. The following papers were based on hospital studies in the capital of Rwanda. In paper II we explored social inequities in perinatal mortality. Using a perinatal audit approach, paper III assessed factors related to the three delays, which preceded perinatal deaths, and estimates were made of potentially avoidable deaths. Paper IV evaluated knowledge and skills gained and retained by health workers after training in HBB. Under-five mortality declined from the peak of 238 deaths per 1000 live births (95% CI 226 to 251) in 1994 to 65 deaths per 1000 live births (95% CI 61 to 70) in 2010 and concurred with decreased social gaps in child and neonatal survival between rural and urban areas and household wealth groups. Children born to women with no education still had significantly higher under-five mortality. Neonatal mortality also decreased but at a slower rate as compared to infant and U5M. Maternal rural residence or having no health insurance were linked to increased risk of perinatal death. Neither maternal education nor household wealth was associated with perinatal mortality risks. Lack of recognition of pregnancy danger signs and intrapartum-related suboptimal care were major contributors to perinatal deaths, whereof one half was estimated to be potentially avoidable. Knowledge significantly improved after training in HBB. This knowledge was sustained for at least 3 months following training whereas practical skills had declined. These results highlight the need for strengthening coverage of lifesaving interventions giving priority to underserved groups for improved child survival at community as well as at hospital levels.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Umeå : Umeå universitet, 2009. / Härtill 4 uppsatser. Även tryckt utgåva.