Screening and management of pre-eclampsia and eclampsia in antenatal and labor and delivery services: findings from cross-sectional observation studies in six sub-Saharan African countries

Abstract Background Preeclampsia and eclampsia (PE/E) are major contributors to maternal and neonatal deaths in developing countries, associated with 10–15% of direct maternal deaths and nearly a quarter of stillbirths and newborn deaths, many of which are preventable with improved care. We present...

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Main Authors: Barbara Rawlins, Marya Plotkin, Jean Pierre Rakotovao, Ashebir Getachew, Maria Vaz, Jim Ricca, Pam Lynam, Frank Kagema, Patricia Gomez
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2018-08-01
Series:BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth
Subjects:
Online Access:http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12884-018-1972-1
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author Barbara Rawlins
Marya Plotkin
Jean Pierre Rakotovao
Ashebir Getachew
Maria Vaz
Jim Ricca
Pam Lynam
Frank Kagema
Patricia Gomez
author_facet Barbara Rawlins
Marya Plotkin
Jean Pierre Rakotovao
Ashebir Getachew
Maria Vaz
Jim Ricca
Pam Lynam
Frank Kagema
Patricia Gomez
author_sort Barbara Rawlins
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Preeclampsia and eclampsia (PE/E) are major contributors to maternal and neonatal deaths in developing countries, associated with 10–15% of direct maternal deaths and nearly a quarter of stillbirths and newborn deaths, many of which are preventable with improved care. We present results related to WHO-recommended interventions for screening and management of PE/E during antenatal care (ANC) and labor and delivery (L & D) from a study conducted in six sub-Saharan African countries. Methods From 2010 to 2012, cross-sectional studies which directly observed provision of ANC and L & D services in six sub-Saharan African countries were conducted. Results from 643 health facilities of different levels in Ethiopia (n = 19), Kenya (n = 509), Madagascar (n = 36), Mozambique (n = 46), Rwanda (n = 72), and Tanzania (n = 52), were combined for this analysis. While studies were sampled separately in each country, all used standardized observation checklists and inventory assessment tools. Results 2920 women receiving ANC and 2689 women in L & D were observed. Thirty-nine percent of ANC clients were asked about PE/E danger signs, and 68% had their blood pressure (BP) taken correctly (range 48–96%). Roughly half (46%) underwent testing for proteinuria. Twenty-three percent of women in L & D were asked about PE/E danger signs (range 11–34%); 77% had their BP checked upon admission (range 59–85%); and 6% had testing for proteinuria. Twenty-five cases of severe PE/E were observed: magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) was used in 15, not used in 5, and for 5 use was unknown. The availability of MgSO4 in L & D varied from 16% in Ethiopia to 100% in Mozambique. Conclusions Observed ANC consultations and L & D cases showed low use of WHO-recommended practices for PE/E screening and management. Availability of MgSO4 was low in multiple countries, though it was on the essential drug list of all surveyed countries. Country programs are encouraged to address gaps in screening and management of PE/E in ANC and L & D to contribute to lower maternal and perinatal mortality.
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spelling doaj.art-8412036e9c9e4a7c9d1470971a715cd72022-12-22T01:05:38ZengBMCBMC Pregnancy and Childbirth1471-23932018-08-0118111110.1186/s12884-018-1972-1Screening and management of pre-eclampsia and eclampsia in antenatal and labor and delivery services: findings from cross-sectional observation studies in six sub-Saharan African countriesBarbara Rawlins0Marya Plotkin1Jean Pierre Rakotovao2Ashebir Getachew3Maria Vaz4Jim Ricca5Pam Lynam6Frank Kagema7Patricia Gomez8JhpiegoJhpiegoJhpiego MadagascarGandhi Memorial HospitalJhpiego MozambiqueJhpiegoJhpiegoKenyatta Referral and Teaching HospitalJhpiegoAbstract Background Preeclampsia and eclampsia (PE/E) are major contributors to maternal and neonatal deaths in developing countries, associated with 10–15% of direct maternal deaths and nearly a quarter of stillbirths and newborn deaths, many of which are preventable with improved care. We present results related to WHO-recommended interventions for screening and management of PE/E during antenatal care (ANC) and labor and delivery (L & D) from a study conducted in six sub-Saharan African countries. Methods From 2010 to 2012, cross-sectional studies which directly observed provision of ANC and L & D services in six sub-Saharan African countries were conducted. Results from 643 health facilities of different levels in Ethiopia (n = 19), Kenya (n = 509), Madagascar (n = 36), Mozambique (n = 46), Rwanda (n = 72), and Tanzania (n = 52), were combined for this analysis. While studies were sampled separately in each country, all used standardized observation checklists and inventory assessment tools. Results 2920 women receiving ANC and 2689 women in L & D were observed. Thirty-nine percent of ANC clients were asked about PE/E danger signs, and 68% had their blood pressure (BP) taken correctly (range 48–96%). Roughly half (46%) underwent testing for proteinuria. Twenty-three percent of women in L & D were asked about PE/E danger signs (range 11–34%); 77% had their BP checked upon admission (range 59–85%); and 6% had testing for proteinuria. Twenty-five cases of severe PE/E were observed: magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) was used in 15, not used in 5, and for 5 use was unknown. The availability of MgSO4 in L & D varied from 16% in Ethiopia to 100% in Mozambique. Conclusions Observed ANC consultations and L & D cases showed low use of WHO-recommended practices for PE/E screening and management. Availability of MgSO4 was low in multiple countries, though it was on the essential drug list of all surveyed countries. Country programs are encouraged to address gaps in screening and management of PE/E in ANC and L & D to contribute to lower maternal and perinatal mortality.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12884-018-1972-1Pre-eclampsiaEclampsiaQuality of careAntenatal careLabor and deliveryEthiopia
spellingShingle Barbara Rawlins
Marya Plotkin
Jean Pierre Rakotovao
Ashebir Getachew
Maria Vaz
Jim Ricca
Pam Lynam
Frank Kagema
Patricia Gomez
Screening and management of pre-eclampsia and eclampsia in antenatal and labor and delivery services: findings from cross-sectional observation studies in six sub-Saharan African countries
BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth
Pre-eclampsia
Eclampsia
Quality of care
Antenatal care
Labor and delivery
Ethiopia
title Screening and management of pre-eclampsia and eclampsia in antenatal and labor and delivery services: findings from cross-sectional observation studies in six sub-Saharan African countries
title_full Screening and management of pre-eclampsia and eclampsia in antenatal and labor and delivery services: findings from cross-sectional observation studies in six sub-Saharan African countries
title_fullStr Screening and management of pre-eclampsia and eclampsia in antenatal and labor and delivery services: findings from cross-sectional observation studies in six sub-Saharan African countries
title_full_unstemmed Screening and management of pre-eclampsia and eclampsia in antenatal and labor and delivery services: findings from cross-sectional observation studies in six sub-Saharan African countries
title_short Screening and management of pre-eclampsia and eclampsia in antenatal and labor and delivery services: findings from cross-sectional observation studies in six sub-Saharan African countries
title_sort screening and management of pre eclampsia and eclampsia in antenatal and labor and delivery services findings from cross sectional observation studies in six sub saharan african countries
topic Pre-eclampsia
Eclampsia
Quality of care
Antenatal care
Labor and delivery
Ethiopia
url http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12884-018-1972-1
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