Intrapartum oxytocin use for labor acceleration in rural India.
OBJECTIVE
To examine factors associated with the use of oxytocin for acceleration of labor in women delivered at home in rural India.


METHODS
Quantitative data were collected from 527 women who were delivered at home and qualitative interviews were carried out with 21 mothers and 9 birth attendants.


RESULTS
Oxytocin use was associated with higher education and socioeconomic status, primigravidity, and delivery by a traditional birth attendant.


CONCLUSIONS
Labor acceleration with oxytocin occurs indiscriminately In India. Oxytocin use should be regulated, and training for birth attendants should be provided as well as health education for pregnant women.
Sharan
M
M
Department of Population and Family Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 North Wolfe Street, E4153, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA. msharan@jhsph.edu
Strobino
D
D
Ahmed
S
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006700:Home Childbirth / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D008427:Maternal Health Services / Q000592:standards*; D008519:Medicine, Traditional; D008875:Middle Aged; D010120:Oxytocics; D010121:Oxytocin / Q000600:supply & distribution / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012423:Rural Health; D019035:Rural Health Services / Q000592:standards; D012923:Social Class
D010120:Oxytocics; D010121:Oxytocin