Audit of cases with uterine rupture: a process indicator of quality of obstetric care in Angola.

Audit of uterine rupture (UR) used as a process indicator, can identify factors considered avoidable to improve future quality of obstetric care. Records of UR cases at a referral maternity in Luanda were studied retrospectively (n=43) and prospectively (n=67) including basic obstetric information, maternal and foetal outcome, duration of labour, time interval between diagnosis and intervention, drugs used, type of delivery and intervention, surgical procedures and complications. A clinical estimation of avoidability was based on this information. Prevalence of UR was 4.9%. Maternal case fatality rate was 14% and early perinatal mortality 71%. Women with previous Caesarean Section (CS) constituted 28%, grand multiparous women 44% and primiparous women 6%. Uterotonic treatment was given in 36%. Avoidability was estimated to 65%. Regular morbidity-oriented audits with analysis of clinical management reveal weaknesses in obstetric care and may serve as an instrument for future improvement.

Audit of cases with uterine rupture: a process indicator of quality of obstetric care in Angola

Audit of uterine rupture (UR) used as a process indicator, can identify factors considered avoidable to improve future quality of obstetric care. Records of UR cases at a referral maternity in Luanda were studied retrospectively (n=43) and prospectively (n=67) including basic obstetric information, maternal and foetal outcome, duration of labour, time interval between diagnosis and intervention, drugs used, type of delivery and intervention, surgical procedures and complications. A clinical estimation of avoidability was based on this information. Prevalence of UR was 4.9%. Maternal case fatality rate was 14% and early perinatal mortality 71%. Women with previous Caesarean Section (CS) constituted 28%, grand multiparous women 44% and primiparous women 6%. Uterotonic treatment was given in 36%. Avoidability was estimated to 65%. Regular morbidity-oriented audits with analysis of clinical manage-ment reveal weaknesses in obstetric care and may serve as an instrument for future improvement (Afr. J. Reprod. Health 2010; 14[2]:55-62)

Audit of referral of obstetric emergencies in Angola: a tool for assessing quality of care.

By auditing various aspects of referrals of obstetric emergencies, we wanted to study the effectiveness over time of a recently established network of peripheral birth units and two central hospitals in Luanda. 157 women referred for obstetric emergencies were studied regarding clinical outcome and process indicators like waiting time, partogramme quality and Caesarean section rate (CSR). After a change in routines at hospital admission and further partogramme education 92 referred women were compared with the former. Maternal mortality decreased from 17.8% to nil in the second. Total mean waiting time was reduced from 13.7 hours to 1.2 hours. Partogramme quality was significantly improved. CSR increased from 13 to 30%. Prolonged labour was the most common diagnosis.This study demonstrates the importance of clinic-based audit to enhance quality of care regarding referrals of patients with obstetric emergencies.

Audit of referral of obstetric emergencies in Angola: a tool for assessing quality of care

By auditing various aspects of referrals of obstetric emergencies, we wanted to study the effectiveness over time of a recently established network of peripheral birth units and two central hospitals in Luanda. 157 women referred for obstetric emergencies were studied regarding clinical outcome and process indicators like waiting time, partogramme quality and Caesarean section rate (CSR). After a change in routines at hospital admission and further partogramme education 92 referred women were compared with the former. Maternal mortality decreased from 17.8% to nil in the second. Total mean waiting time was reduced from 13.7 hours to 1.2 hours. Partogramme quality was significantly improved. CSR increased from 13 to 30%. Prolonged labour was the most common diagnosis.This study demonstrates the importance of clinic-based audit to enhance quality of care regarding referrals of patients with obstetric emergencies (Afr J Reprod Health 2009; 13[2]:75-85)

Unexpected low prevalence of HIV among fertile women in Luanda, Angola. Does war prevent the spread of HIV?

We studied HIV prevalence and risk factors for HIV infection among fertile women in Luanda for the purposes of obtaining background data for planning of interventions as well as to look into the association of armed conflicts and HIV prevalence in sub-Saharan Africa. The HIV-1 prevalence was 1.7% in an antenatal care group (n = 517) and 1.9% in a family planning group (n = 518). Socioeconomic and sexual background factors did not significantly differ HIV-positive from HIV-negative women. Data on armed conflict factors were matched with HIV prevalence figures among pregnant women in sub-Saharan Africa. The level of armed conflicts was found to be inversely related to HIV prevalence. The low HIV seroprevalence in Luanda is in sharp contrast to the capitals of neighbouring countries. While the spread of HIV may have been hampered by the long armed conflict in the country, it is feared to increase rapidly with the return of soldiers and refugees in a post-war situation. The challenge for preventive actions is urgent. This example may be relevant to other areas with a recent end-of-war situation.

The impact of hormone replacement therapy on quality of life and willingness to pay.

OBJECTIVE: To measure the gain in quality of life due to hormone replacement therapy for women with mild and severe menopausal symptoms. DESIGN: Prospective study where data on quality of life and willingness to pay were collected by interview. SETTING: Department of Gynaecology at Södertälje Hospital near Stockholm. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred and four women aged 45 to 65 years treated for menopausal symptoms for at least one month. METHODS: Quality of life was measured by the time tradeoff and rating scale methods. The willingness to pay for hormone replacement therapy was investigated using the contingent valuation method. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The quality adjusted life year weight measured with the rating scale and time tradeoff methods, and willingness to pay. RESULTS: The increase in the quality adjusted life year weight due to hormone replacement therapy for women with mild symptoms was 0.26 according to the rating scale method and 0.18 according to the time tradeoff method. For women with severe symptoms the quality adjusted life year weight increased by 0.50 according to the rating scale method and by 0.42 according to the time tradeoff method. The mean willingness to pay for hormone replacement therapy per month was 2300 Swedish krone for women with mild symptoms and 4800 Swedish krone for women with severe symptoms (Pounds 1 = 10.3 Swedish krone). CONCLUSIONS: Hormone replacement therapy leads to a major improvement in quality of life for women with menopausal symptoms. Both for women with mild and severe menopausal symptoms the willingness to pay for the treatment also greatly exceeds the costs, indicating that hormone replacement therapy is economically beneficial for women with menopausal symptoms.