Health seeking behaviour associated with obstetric fistula care in Guinea: An analysis of the 2018 Demographic and Health survey.

This study aimed to analyze factors associated with obstetric fistula care-seeking behavior in Guinea, based on data from the 2018 Demographic and Health Survey. Women aged 15-49 years who reported having obstetric fistula constituted the study population, statistical analysis was using Stata 16.0 software. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify the factors associated with fistula care-seeking behavior. Among women with obstetric fistula, 78.9% sought care; 21.1% of those who sought care underwent repair. Factors associated with care-seeking behavior were being divorced (AOR =8.08; 95% CI:1.56-41.84), having a job (AOR =3.23; 95% CI: 1.11-9.44), being a member of a poor household (AOR =6.49; 95% CI:1.21-34.82) and whose fistula had appeared 6 days or more after the occurrence of the causal circumstance (AOR =3.63 95% CI: 1.28-10.28). This study suggests that the foundations on which fistula prevention and treatment programs are built should be reviewed, taking into account the factors highlighted by this study.

Cette étude visait à analyser les facteurs associés aux comportements de recherche de soins pour la fistule obstétricale en Guinée, partant des données de l'enquête démographique et de santé de 2018. Les femmes âgées de 15 à 49 ans ayant déclaré avoir une fistule obstétricale ont constitué la population d'étude, l'analyse statistique a été réalisée à l'aide du logiciel Stata 16.0. La régression logistique multivariée a été utilisée pour identifier les facteurs associés aux comportements de recherche de soins pour la fistule. Parmi les femmes atteintes de fistule obstétricale, 78,9 % ont eu recours à des soins ; 21,1 % de celles qui ont recouru ont subi une réparation. Les facteurs associés aux comportements de recherche de soins étaient le fait d'être divorcée (ORA=8.08 ; 95% IC :1.56-41.84), d'avoir un travail (ORA =3.23 ; 95% IC : 1.11-9.44), d'être membre d'un ménage pauvre (ORA =6.49 ; 95% IC :1.21-34.82) et dont la fistule était apparue 6 jours ou plus après la survenue de la circonstance causale (ORA =3.63 95% IC : 1.28-10.28). Cette étude suggère de revoir les bases sur lesquelles les programmes de prévention et de traitement de la fistule sont construits, tout en prenant en compte les facteurs mis en évidence par cette étude.

Midterm complications after primary obstetrical anal sphincter injury repair in France.

BACKGROUND: Incidence of complications following obstetrical anal sphincter injury (OASI) during vaginal delivery are poorly defined. They are only studied in high level maternities, small cohorts, all stages of perineal tear or in low-income countries. The aim of our study was to describe complications after primary OASI repair following a vaginal delivery in all French maternity wards at short and midterm and to assess factors associated with complication occurrence. METHODS: We conducted a historical cohort study using the French nationwide claim database (PMSI) from January 2013 to December 2021. All women who sustained an OASI repair following a vaginal delivery were included and virtually followed-up for 2 years. Then, we searched for OASIS complications. Finally, we evaluated factors associated with OASIS complication repaired or not and OASIS complication repairs. RESULTS: Among the 61,833 included women, 2015 (2.8%) had an OASI complication and 842 (1.16%) underwent an OASI complication repair. Women were mainly primiparous (71.6%) and 44.3% underwent an instrumental delivery. During a follow-up of 2 years, 0.6% (n = 463), 0.3% (n = 240), 0.2% (n = 176), 0.1% (n = 84), 0.06% (n = 43) and 0.01% (n = 5) of patients underwent second surgery for a perineal repair, a fistula repair, a sphincteroplasty, a perineal infection, a colostomy and a sacral nervous anal stimulation, respectively. Only one case of artificial anal sphincter was noticed. Instrumental deliveries (OR = 1.56 CI95%[1.29;1.9]), private for-profit hospitals (OR = 1.42 [1.11;1.82], reference group "public hospital"), obesity (OR = 1.36 [1;1.84]), stage IV OASIS (OR = 2.98 [2.4;3.72]), perineal wound breakdown (OR = 2.8 [1.4;5.48]), ages between 25 and 29 years old (OR = 1.59 [1.17;2.18], refence group "age between 13 and 24 years old") and 30 and 34 years old (OR = 1.57 [1.14; 2.16], refence group "age between 13 and 24 years old") were factors associated with OASIS complication repairs. CONCLUSIONS: Maternal age, stage IV OASIS, obesity, instrumental deliveries and private for-profit hospitals seemed to predict OASIS complications. Understanding factors associated with OASIS complications could be beneficial for the patient to inform them and to influence the patient's follow-up in order to prevent complications, repairs and maternal distress.

Obstetric Characteristics and Functional Outcomes in Women with Obstetric Anal Sphincter Injury.

BACKGROUND: Obstetric anal sphincter injury is a complication of vaginal delivery, if left untreated, causes significant maternal morbidities; urinary problems and fecal/ flatus incontinence. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence and describe the obstetric characteristics and functional outcomes of women who had vaginal delivery at Paropakar Maternity and Women's Hospital Nepal and sustained Obstetric anal sphincter injury. METHODS: This retrospective descriptive study included women who had vaginal delivery, irrespective of parity, in the labor room or birthing unit of Paropakar Maternity and Women's Hospital from April 2018 to September 2020, and sustained Grade III or IV Obstetric anal sphincter injury after 28 weeks period of gestation. Maternal characteristics, obstetric details and perineal status after vaginal delivery were noted after review of hospital records. The patients were further inquired via telephone for their current status of fecal and/or urinary incontinence. RESULTS: The incidence of OASI was 106 (0.33%) among 31, 786 Nepalese women with vaginal birth over a 2-year period. The mean age women with Obstetric anal sphincter injury was 24.6 ± 4.3 years and 45(52.9%) cases belonged to Janajati ethnicity. Fifty two (61.2 %) were primipara and 77 (90.6%) had spontaneous vaginal deliveries. Episiotomy was not performed on most of the patients (63, 74.1%). Problems with flatus holding, stool holding and urine holding was reported by 28.3%, 13.2% and 22.6% women respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of Obstetric anal sphincter injury among Nepalese women with vaginal birth over a 2-year period was 0.33%, which was lower than other South Asian studies. Grade III Obstetric anal sphincter injury was the frequent most type. The injuries were more common in women with Janajati ethnicity, primipara and women who did not have episiotomy. Problems with flatus holding and urine holding were present in almost one-fourth of the women with Obstetric anal sphincter injury at follow up.

A denigration curve to delineate the spread of communication about obstetric staff errors in Italy and its practical application.

Background: Mistrust of doctors and the desire for compensation are driving a rise in malpractice litigation worldwide. Aim: To estimate the extent to which Italians view birth complications as malpractice in obstetric care, and how widespread this perception is. Method: WhatsApp® and Facebook® contacts of one of the authors were invited to respond to an online questionnaire. The answers of 265 Italian respondents were used to estimate how common the perception of obstetric staff errors is and how this perception spreads over time: the denigration curve. To test if the denigration curve is reliable, the curve has been plotted along with the trend of the rate of litigation in Italy. Results: Almost a 50% of respondents deemed that birth complications are due to obstetric staff errors. The likelihood of the percep-tion that one has experienced a birth complication was 64.5%. The communication of obstetric staff error seemed low overall among the respondents. The denigration curve shape is almost coincident with the curve of claim rates in Italy, proving that it would be reliable. Conclusion: The respondents provided an estimate of the rate of birth complications that was higher than the real occurrence rate, and attributed these complications to obstetric staff errors. The denigration curve could predict whether and when there might be litigation related to any birth complications (both error related and non-error related).

Maternal excessive weight gain as a potential risk factor for prolonged labor in Japanese pregnant women: The Japan Environment and Children's Study.

AIM: This study aimed to determine whether excessive maternal weight gain during pregnancy was associated with a higher risk of prolonged labor. METHODS: We analyzed the data regarding maternal weight gain during pregnancy for the participants of Japan Environment and Children's Study (JECS), which is an ongoing nationwide prospective birth cohort study in Japan. After excluding participants with multiple pregnancies, with deliveries before 37 or beyond 42 weeks of gestation, or who had undergone cesarean section, 71,154 (nulliparous, n = 28,442) Japanese women were included. Prolonged labor was defined by a cutoff ranking at the 95th percentile and consequently defined as labor duration exceeding 12.7 h in multiparous women and exceeding 23.2 h in nulliparous women. These classifications were made according to labor curves established by the Japanese Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology Perinatal Committee developed in June 2021. Considering that no studies have conducted an investigation based on this new guideline, we analyzed the association between excessive maternal weight gain during pregnancy and prolonged labor by parity. RESULTS: The overall incidence of prolonged labor was 10.2% (2,907/28,442) in nulliparous women and 6.1% (2,597/42,712) in multiparous women. Multivariable analysis indicated that excessive maternal weight gain was significantly associated with prolonged labor in nulliparous (adjusted odds ratio, 1.21; 95% confidence interval, 1.10-1.32) and multiparous women (adjusted odds ratio, 1.15; 95% confidence interval, 1.05-1.27). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that as labor progressed, the percentage of women who had not yet delivered was higher among those with excessive maternal weight gain than among those with normal maternal weight gain in both the nulliparous (median labor duration 12.9 h vs 12.2 h, p<0.001) and multiparous (median labor duration 6.2 h vs 5.8 h, p<0.001) groups. CONCLUSION: Excessive maternal weight gain was significantly associated with prolonged labor in Japanese women.

Associations between fetal position at delivery and duration of active phase of labor: A historical cohort study.

INTRODUCTION: In clinical experience, occiput posterior (OP) position is associated with longer labor duration than occiput anterior (OA) position, but few studies have investigated the association between labor duration and fetal position. We aimed to compare duration of the active phase of labor in OP deliveries with OA deliveries in a contemporary population using survival methods. Secondary aims were to compare the frequencies of operative interventions, obstetric anal sphincter injuries (OASIS), postpartum hemorrhage, and newborn outcomes in OP with OA deliveries. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We did a historical cohort study in three university hospitals in Norway from 2012 to 2022. Women with a single fetus in cephalic presentation, no previous cesarean section and gestational age ≥37 weeks were eligible and stratified into the first four groups of the Robson ten-group classification system (TGCS). We estimated the mean duration and calculated the hazard ratio (HR) for delivery using survival analyses. Cesarean sections and instrumental vaginal deliveries were censored. RESULTS: The study population comprised 112 019 women, 105 571 (94.2%) were delivered in OA and 6448 (5.8%) in OP position. The estimated mean duration of the active phase of labor was longer in women with the fetus in OP position in all four TGCS groups. The estimated duration was longer in the OP groups in analyses stratified with respect to epidural analgesia and oxytocin augmentation. The graphical abstract illustrates the probability of delivery in OP compared with OA position in merged TGCS groups 1 and 2a, as a function of time. The unadjusted HR was 0.33 (95% CI 0.31-0.36) for fetuses delivered in OP position compared with OA position in TGCS group 1, 0.25 (95% CI 0.21-0.27) in group 2a, 0.70 (95% CI 0.67-0.73) in group 3, and 0.61 (95% CI 0.55-0.67) in group 4a, respectively. Neither maternal age, gestational age, BMI nor birthweight had confounding effect. Operative delivery rates and OASIS rates were higher in OP position in all four groups. CONCLUSIONS: We found longer duration of the active phase of labor in women with the fetus delivered in OP position in all four TGCS groups.

The global burden, risk and inequality of maternal obstructed labor and uterine rupture from 1990 to 2019.

BACKGROUND: Obstructed labor (OL) and uterine rupture (UR) are common obstetric complications. This study explored the burden, risk factors, decomposition, and health inequalities associated with OL and UR to improve global maternal health. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional analysis study including data on OL and UR from the Global Burden of Diseases, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2019. The main outcome measures included the number and age-standardized rate (ASR) of incidence, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), prevalence, and deaths. RESULTS: The global burden of OL and UR has declined, with a decrease in incidence (number in 2019: 9,410,500.87, 95%UI 11,730,030.94 to 7,564,568.91; ASR in 2019: 119.64 per 100,000, 95%UI 149.15 to 96.21; estimated annual percentage change [EAPC] from 1990 to 2019: -1.34, 95% CI -1.41 to -1.27) and prevalence over time. However, DALYs (number in 2019: 999,540.67, 95%UI 1,209,749.35 to 817,352.49; ASR in 2019: 12.92, 95%UI 15.63 to 10.56; EAPC from 1990 to 2019: -0.91, 95% CI -1.26 to -0.57) and deaths remain significant. ASR of DALYs increased for the 10-14 year-old age group (2.01, 95% CI 1.53 to 2.5), the 15-19 year-old age group (0.07, 95% CI -0.47 to 0.61), Andean Latin America (3.47, 95% CI 3.05 to 3.89), and Caribbean (4.16, 95% CI 6 to 4.76). Iron deficiency was identified as a risk factor for OL and UR, and its impact varied across different socio-demographic indices (SDIs). Decomposition analysis showed that population growth primarily contributed to the burden, especially in low SDI regions. Health inequalities were evident, the slope and intercept for DALYs were - 47.95 (95% CI -52.87 to -43.02) and - 29.29 (95% CI -32.95 to -25.63) in 1990, 39.37 (95%CI 36.29 to 42.45) and 24.87 (95%CI 22.56 to 27.18) in 2019. Concentration indices of ASR-DALYs were - 0.2908 in 1990 and - 0.2922 in 2019. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the significant burden of OL and UR and emphasizes the need for continuous efforts to reduce maternal mortality and morbidity. Understanding risk factors and addressing health inequalities are crucial for the development of effective interventions and policies to improve maternal health outcomes globally.

The association between BMI, episiotomy, and obstetric anal sphincter injuries (OASIS) in singleton vaginal deliveries.

OBJECTIVE: Prevalence of obesity in reproductive age and pregnant women has been on the rise during the past several decades. The relationship between body mass index (BMI) and obstetric anal sphincter injuries (OASIS) or episiotomy has not yet been thoroughly investigated. The objective of this study was to shed light on this issue. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study was performed using electronic database of an obstetrics department at a university-affiliated tertiary medical center. All spontaneous singleton vaginal deliveries at term between January 2015 and December 2021 were included. The primary outcome was the incidence of OASIS (third- and fourth-degree perineal tears) and obesity. These were compared across three BMI categories: normal (BMI below 25 kg/m2), overweight (BMI 25.0-29.9 kg/m2), and obesity (BMI of 30 kg/m2 and over). RESULTS: Of the overall 13,932 spontaneous vaginal deliveries identified, 34.7 % had BMI in the normal range, 43.1 % were overweight, and 25.4 % were obese. Multivariate analysis demonstrated lower rates of OASIS in obese (OR 0.2, 95 %CI 0.04-0.9) and in overweight (OR 0.3, 95 %CI 0.1-0.99) women, as compared to the normal-weight cohort. In addition, lower rates of episiotomy were noted in the obese cohort (OR 0.7, 95 %CI 0.6-0.8). CONCLUSIONS: Decreased incidence of OASIS was noted in women with obesity, in conjunction with lower use of episiotomy. These findings imply that obstetrics clinics might consider a more conservative approach to episiotomy in obese patients.

Individual-level Predictors of Birth Preparedness and Complication Readiness: Urban-Rural Comparison.

INTRODUCTION: Maternal mortality is a major public health problem. Birth preparedness and complication readiness (BP/CR) constitute a veritable strategy for reducing maternal mortality, yet adoption is low with wide urban-rural discrepancies. OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to compare the practice of BP/CR amongst women in rural and urban areas of Rivers State, Nigeria, and determine the individual-level predictors. METHODS: A facility-based cross-sectional comparative study using a multistage sampling method was employed in the selection of 924 (462 urban and 462 rural) women who gave birth within the last 12 months in urban and rural local government areas. Outcome measures were birth preparedness (defined as undergoing antenatal care (ANC) with a skilled birth provider, voluntary counselling and testing for HIV and saving money for childbirth at an agreed place of delivery with a skilled birth attendant) and complication readiness (defined as being knowledgeable about danger signs, identifying decision-maker, a nearest functional institution in case of emergency, emergency means of transport and funds and a suitable blood donor). Bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed at P < 0.05. RESULTS: The proportion of women who were birth prepared was significantly higher amongst women in urban areas (85.9%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 82.7%-89.1%) versus rural counterparts (56.7%; 95% CI: 52.2%-61.2%), whereas the proportion of complication readiness was significantly higher in rural (31.8%; 95% CI: 27.6%-36.1%) than urban (18.2%; 95% CI: 15.2%-47.8%) groups. Predictors were possession of secondary educational level or higher (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 4.9; 95% CI: 1.5-15.5), being employed (AOR: 2.7; 95% CI: 1.5-15.0) and ANC attendance (AOR: 29.2; 95% CI: 8.8-96.9) in urban, whereas amongst the rural, it was ANC attendance (AOR: 20.0; 95% CI: 9.1-43.7). CONCLUSION: In urban areas, more women were birth prepared while fewer women were complication ready compared to the women in rural areas, with predictors such as education, employment and ANC attendance in urban areas and only ANC attendance in rural areas. Measures to promote ANC uptake, maternal education and empowerment could promote BP/CR.

The impact of selective episiotomy on maternal short-term morbidity: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: The aim is to investigate the risk of short-term maternal morbidity caused by the selective clinical use of episiotomy (rate < 0.02), and to compare the risk of severe perineal tears with the statewide risk. METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study, we investigated the effect of selective episiotomy on the risk of severe perineal tears and blood loss in singleton term deliveries, using propensity scores with inverse probability weighting. RESULTS: This study included 10992 women who delivered vaginally between 2008-2018. Episiotomy was performed in 171 patients (1.55%), three of whom (1.75%) experienced severe perineal tears compared to 156 (1.44%) in the control cohort. The adjusted odds ratio of severe perineal tears was 2.06 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.51, 8.19 with 0.3 p value). Multivariate linear regression showed that episiotomy increased blood loss by 96.3 ml (95% CI: 6.4, 186.2 with 0.03 p value). Episiotomy was performed in 23% (95% CI: 0.228, 0.23) of vaginal deliveries in the state of Hessen, with a risk of severe perineal tears of 0.0143 (95% CI: 0.0139, 0.0147) compared to 0.0145 (95% CI: 0.0123, 0.0168) in our entire cohort. CONCLUSIONS: Selective use of episiotomy does not increase the risk of higher-grade perineal tears. However, it may be associated with maternal morbidity in terms of increased blood loss.

An episiotomy is a cut between the vagina and the anus that may be performed by an obstetrician during childbirth and can result in increased blood loss or severe birth tears. In this study, we investigated the risks of both bleeding and severe tears caused by a highly selective local practice of episiotomies below 2% and compared the results with statewide data. The study included 10992 women who delivered between 2008­2018, 171 of whom underwent episiotomies according to the hospital's protocols. Having an episiotomy did not increase the likelihood of severe birthing tears but was associated with an increase in estimated blood loss. Therefore, although highly selective use of episiotomy is unlikely to cause more severe tears, it has the potential to worsen the mother's health by increasing blood loss.

Prevalence and associated factors of maternal birth trauma following vaginal delivery at University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, North-West Ethiopia, 2022.

BACKGROUND: Maternal injury with any form of perineal trauma following vaginal delivery is very common which ranges globally from 16.2 to 90.4%. The frequency of Obstetric anal sphincter Injuries and the incidence of cervical laceration increases rapidly. However, in Ethiopia, there is limited evidence on the prevalence of maternal birth trauma and its determinant factors after vaginal delivery. OBJECTIVE: To assess the magnitude and associated factors of Maternal Birth Trauma after vaginal delivery at University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Gondar, North-West Ethiopia, 2022. METHODS: An Institution based cross-sectional study was conducted among mothers with singleton vaginal delivery at University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital from 9th May to 9th August 2022 among 424 study participants. Pre-tested semi-structured questioner was utilized. Epi-Data version 4.6 was used for data entry and exported to SPSS version 25 for data management and analysis. To identify the determinant factors, binary logistic regression model was fitted and variables with p-value < 0.2 were considered for the multivariable binary logistic regression analysis. In the multivariable binary logistic regression analysis, Variables with P-value < 0.05 were considered to have statistical significant association with the outcome variable. The Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) with 95% CI was reported to declare the statistical significance and strength of association between Maternal Birth Trauma and independent variables. RESULTS: A total of 424 mothers who delivered vaginally were included. The mean age of participants was 26.83 years (± 5.220 years). The proportion of birth trauma among mothers after vaginal delivery was47.4% (95%CI: 43.1, 51.7). Of different forms of perineal trauma, First degree tear in 42.8%, OASIs in 1.5% and Cervical laceration in 2.5% study participants. In the multivariable binary logistic regression analysis being primiparous (AOR = 3.00; 95%CI: 1.68, 5.38), Gestational age ≥ 39 weeks at delivery (AOR = 2.96; 95%CI: 1.57, 5.57), heavier birth weight (AOR = 12.3; 95%CI: 7.21, 40.1), bigger head circumference (AOR = 5.45; 95%CI: 2.62, 11.31), operative vaginal delivery (AOR = 6.59; 95%CI: 1.44, 30.03) and delivery without perineum and/or fetal head support (AOR = 6.30; 95%CI: 2.21, 17.94) were significantly associated with the presence of maternal birth trauma. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION: Maternal birth trauma following vaginal delivery was relatively high in this study. Prim parity, gestational age beyond 39 weeks at delivery, heavier birth weight, bigger head circumference, operative vaginal delivery and delivery without perineum and/or fetal head supported were factors affecting perineal outcome. The Ministry of Health of Ethiopia should provide regular interventional training as to reduce maternal birth trauma.

Risk factors analysis and multidisciplinary team first-aid simulation training for umbilical cord prolapse can improve neonatal outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: In the present study, we sought to identify risk factors for umbilical cord prolapse (UCP) and adapt the multidisciplinary team (MDT) first-aid simulation training for UCP patients. We evaluated the usefulness of the MDT first-aid simulation by comparing delivery outcomes for UCP patients before and after its implementation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted on 149 UCP cases (48 overt and 101 occult) and 298 control deliveries that occurred at the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from January 1998 to December 2022. Patient data were compared between the groups. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used for means comparison, and the chi-square test was used for categorical data. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors significantly associated with UCP. RESULTS: Overt UCP was strongly associated with all adverse delivery outcomes. Both univariate and multivariate analyses identified multiparity, breech presentation, polyhydramnios, and low birth weight as independent risk factors for overt UCP (all odds ratios [OR] > 1; all p < 0.05). Preterm labor and abnormal placental cord insertion were identified as independent risk factors for occult UCP (all OR > 1; all p < 0.05). After 2014, when obstetrical staff received MDT first-aid simulation training, patients with overt UCP experienced shorter decision-to-delivery intervals due to more timely cesarean sections. They also had higher Apgar scores at 1, 5, and 10 min, and lower admission rates to the neonatal intensive care unit compared to patients before 2014 (all p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: MDT first-aid simulation training for overt UCP can improve neonatal outcomes. However, medical simulation training efforts should initially focus on the early identification of risk factors for both overt and occult UCP.

Overt umbilical cord prolapse (UCP) is an obstetric emergency that can lead to adverse delivery outcomes. Early identification of risk factors for both overt and occult UCP is beneficial for facilitating early interventions. Multidisciplinary team first-aid simulation training specifically for overt UCP has been shown to effectively improve neonatal outcomes.

Obstetric vesico-uterine fistula in nine reference hospitals in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: epidemiological, clinical, and therapeutic aspects.

INTRODUCTION: With global cesarean section rates rising, there's concern about increase in obstetric vesico-uterine fistula (OVUF). Very little is known about this anatomoclinical entity of obstetric fistula in Africa in general and in DRC in particular. Our purpose was to describe the epidemiological, clinical, and therapeutic aspects of OVUF in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). METHODS: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study. Data were collected from patients who presented with OVUF across seven provinces of the DRC (North Kivu, Haut-Uélé, Kasai Central, Kwilu, Maniema, Nord-Ubangi and Sankuru) from January 2017 to December 2022. Study variables were epidemiological, clinical, and therapeutic features. RESULTS: Of 1,267 patients presenting with obstetric fistulas, 355 (28.0%) had OVUF. The mean age was 32.9 ± 11.6 years, 80.6% of patients (286/355) lived in rural areas, and the majority had a low level of education (40% no formal education, 30.1% primary school, 28.7% secondary school). In total, 64.8% of patients were primiparous (230/355) and in all (100%) cases, OVUF was caused iatrogenically during cesarean delivery. Majority (76.3%) of patients laboured for one day or less (mean duration 1.0 ± 0.5 days) before giving birth, and the fetus died in 58.3% of cases. In 35.8% of cases, the fistula had lasted more than 10 years (mean age 10.1 ± 10.0 years) before repair. A proportion of 88.2% (n = 313) of OVUF was isolated while 11.3% (n = 40) was associated with a uretero-vaginal fistula. In 82.8% (n = 294) of cases the OVUF was single. The average fistula size was 2.4 ± 1.0 cm (range: 0.5 and 5.5 cm) and 274 (77.2%) fistulas measured between 1.5 and 3 cm, with 14.9% (n = 53) of them larger than 3 cm. Fibrosis was present in 65.1% of cases, cervical involvement was absent in 97.7% and post-operative complications were absent in 94.4%. In all cases, the OVUF was surgically repaired abdominally with a success rate of 97.5% (346/355). CONCLUSION: The proportion of OVUF is relatively high in the DRC. Most affected patients were young, under-educated, primiparous women living in rural areas. Cesarean section was the sole identified cause of OVUF which was isolated, single, without fibrosis, in majority of cases. Abdominal repair of OVUF was very effective, with good results in almost all cases. Teaching young doctors working mainly in remote areas how to perform safe cesarean section is needed to reduce incidence of OVUF in DRC.

Factors Associated with Obstetric Anal Sphincter Injury During Vacuum-Assisted Vaginal Delivery.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Obstetric anal sphincter injury (OASI) is a major complication associated with vacuum-assisted vaginal delivery (VAVD). The aim of this study was to evaluate risk factors related to vacuum extraction that are associated with OASI. METHODS: This was a case-control study performed at a tertiary university teaching hospital. Included were patients aged 18-45 years who had a singleton pregnancy resulting in a live, term, VAVD. The study group consisted of women diagnosed with OASI following vacuum extraction. The control group included women following VAVD without OASI. Matching at a ratio of 1:2 was performed. Groups were compared regarding demographic, obstetric. and labor-related parameters, specifically focusing on variables related to the vacuum procedure itself. RESULTS: One hundred and ten patients within the study group and 212 within the control group were included in the final analysis. Patients in the OASI group were more likely to undergo induction of labor, use of oxytocin during labor, increased second stage of labor, higher likelihood of the operator being a resident, increased number of pulls, procedure lasting under 10 min, occipito-posterior head position at vacuum initiation, episiotomy, increased neonatal head circumference, and birthweight. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that increased week of gestation (OR 1.67, 95% CI 1.25-2.22, p < 0.001), unsupervised resident performing the procedure (OR 4.63, 95% CI 2.17-9.90), p < 0.001), indication of VAVD being fetal distress (OR 2.72, 95% CI 1.04-7.10, p = 0.041), and length of procedure under 10 min (OR 4.75, 95% CI 1.53-14.68, p = 0.007) were associated with OASI. Increased maternal age was associated with lower risk of OASI (OR 0.9, 95% CI 0.84-0.98, p = 0.012). CONCLUSIONS: When performing VAVD, increased week of gestation, unsupervised resident performing the procedure, fetal distress as vacuum indication, and vacuum procedure under 10 min were associated with OASI. In contrast, increased maternal age was shown to be a protective factor.

Childbirth Acquired Perineal Trauma study (CHAPTER): a UK prospective cohort study protocol.

INTRODUCTION: Childbirth-related perineal trauma (CRPT) is the most common complication of childbirth affecting 80% of women overall after vaginal birth. There remains a lack of comprehensive evidence relating to the prevalence of subsequent health problems. Current evidence is related to short-term outcomes, for example, pain, but there is less known about longer-term outcomes such as infection, wound dehiscence, pelvic floor function and psychological outcomes. This is a protocol for a cohort study assessing outcomes of women after CRPT. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: A multicentre, prospective UK cohort study aiming to include 1000 women. All women who have sustained CRPT will be eligible for inclusion and will be followed-up for 12 months after childbirth. The primary outcome will be perineal infection at 6 weeks post-birth. Secondary outcomes will include antibiotic use for perineal infection, wound breakdown, use of analgesia, the requirement for admission or surgical intervention, urinary and faecal incontinence, anxiety and depressive symptoms, sexual function and impact on daily activities. Outcomes will be measured at 6 weeks, 6 months and 12 months post partum, with some outcomes being measured at all time points and others at selected most appropriate time points only. Outcome data will be obtained from a review of clinical notes and from patient questionnaires. Simple descriptive statistics will be used to summarise characteristics and outcomes, with categorical variables expressed as percentages and continuous variables as mean averages, alongside the corresponding standard deviatons. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethical approval has been granted by the Research Ethics Council with reference 23/WA/0169. Data collected from the Childbirth Acquired Perineal Trauma (CHAPTER) cohort study will highlight the prevalence and type of complications after CRPT and which women are more at risk. After the conclusion of this study, findings will be used to work with governmental organisations and Royal Colleges to target resources and ultimately improve care.

Effects of epidural analgesia on intrapartum maternal fever and maternal outcomes: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Epidural-related maternal fever in women is a common clinical phenomenon that leads to adverse consequences for mothers and neonates. The meta-analysis aimed to quantify the risk for intrapartum maternal fever after epidural analgesia (EA) stratified according to parity. The secondary objective was to investigate the association between EA and maternal outcomes. METHODS: An electronic literature search of the Medline/PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Wanfang Data, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure databases was performed to identify studies reporting the occurrence of intrapartum fever in parturients. Studies were reviewed in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, and meta-analysis was performed using Review Manager version 5.3. RESULTS: Seventeen randomized controlled trials (RCTs) (5959 parturients) were included. Odds ratios for maternal fever in the analysis were 4.17 (95% confidence interval (CI) 2.93-5.94) and 5.83 (95% CI 4.96-6.87), respectively. Results of subgroup analysis according to parity were consistent. EA significantly prolonged the length of the first stage of labor (MD 34.52 [95% CI 12.13-56.91]) and the second stage of labor (MD 9.10 [95% CI 4.51-13.68]). Parturients who received EA were more likely to undergo instrumental delivery (OR 2.03 [95% CI 1.44-2.86]) and oxytocin augmentation (OR 1.45 [95% CI 1.12-1.88]). There were no differences in cesarean delivery rates between the EA and non-EA groups. CONCLUSIONS: Parturients who received EA exhibited a higher incidence of intrapartum fever. Credibility of the subgroup analyses was low because the mixed group did not effectively represent multiparas.

Impact of disrespectful maternity care on childbirth complications: a multicentre cross-sectional study in Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Globally, disrespectful, and abusive childbirth practices negatively impact women's health, create barriers to accessing health facilities, and contribute to poor birth experiences and adverse outcomes for both mothers and newborns. However, the degree to which disrespectful maternity care is associated with complications during childbirth is poorly understood, particularly in Ethiopia. AIM: To determine the extent to which disrespectful maternity care is associated with maternal and neonatal-related complications in central Ethiopia. METHODS: A multicentre cross-sectional study was conducted in the West Shewa Zone of Oromia, Ethiopia. The sample size was determined using the single population proportion formula. Participants (n = 440) were selected with a simple random sampling technique using computer-generated random numbers. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews with a pretested questionnaire and were entered into Epidata and subsequently exported to STATA version 17 for the final analysis. Analyses included descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression, with a 95% confidence interval (CI) and an odds ratio (OR) of 0.05. Co-founders were controlled by adjusting for maternal sociodemographic characteristics. The primary exposure was disrespectful maternity care; the main outcomes were maternal and neonatal-related complications. RESULTS: Disrespectful maternity care was reported by 344 women (78.2%) [95% CI: 74-82]. Complications were recorded in one-third of mothers (33.4%) and neonates (30%). Disrespectful maternity care was significantly associated with maternal (AOR = 2.22, 95% CI: 1.29, 3.8) and neonatal-related complications (AOR = 2.78, 95% CI: 1.54, 5.04). CONCLUSION: The World Health Organization advocates respectful maternal care during facility-based childbirth to improve the quality of care and outcomes. However, the findings of this study indicated high mistreatment and abuse during childbirth in central Ethiopia and a significant association between such mistreatment and the occurrence of both maternal and neonatal complications during childbirth. Therefore, healthcare professionals ought to prioritise respectful maternity care to achieve improved birth outcomes and alleviate mistreatment and abuse within the healthcare sector.

Intrapartum fever complicated with maternal bacteremia: prevalence, bacteriology, and risk factors.

PURPOSE: To assess the prevalence, microbial profile, and clinical risk factors of maternal bacteremia associated with intrapartum fever (IPF). METHODS: A retrospective cohort study, in a single tertiary university-affiliated medical center between 2012 and 2018. Demographic and labor characteristics of women, who delivered at term (37+0/7-41+6/7) and developed bacteremia following IPF were compared to a control group of women with IPF but without bacteremia. RESULTS: During the study period there were 86,590 deliveries in our center. Of them, 2074 women (2.4%) were diagnosed with IPF, of them, for 2052 women (98.93%) the blood maternal cultures were available. In 26 patients (1.25%) maternal bacteremia was diagnosed. A lower rate of epidural anesthesia (84.6% vs 95.9%, p = 0.02) and a higher rate of antibiotics prophylaxis treatment prior to the onset of fever (30.8%.vs 12.1%, p = 0.006) were observed in patients who developed maternal bacteremia in comparison to those who have not. Maternal hyperpyrexia developed after initiation of antibiotics or without epidural anesthesia remained significantly associated with maternal bacteremia after applying a multivariate analysis, (Odds Ratio 3.14 95% CI 1.27-7.14, p = 0.009; 4.76 95% CI 1.35-12.5, p = 0.006; respectively). CONCLUSION: Maternal fever developing after initiation of antibiotics or without epidural is associated with maternal bacteremia.