[National survey on midwifery practice in health facilities in China].
OBJECTIVE
To understand the use of midwifery practice in health facilities and get the baseline data for future action.


METHODS
A national survey was conducted in 2003. Questionnaires were sent to 887 sampled health facilities in 31 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities. Midwifery practice data in year 2002 were collected and a descriptive study was done based on the data.


RESULTS
The average proportion of cesarean section was 38.0%. The proportion of episiotomy per 100 vaginal deliveries was 44.9%. The percentage of births delivered by vacuum extraction was 3.6% and the percentage was 1.9% by forceps. The percentages of use of breech extraction and of internal version to vaginal delivery were 1.4% and 0.2%, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
The appropriate use of midwifery practice is not fully guaranteed, thus national regulations should be made to standardize midwifery practice in health facilities imminently.
Wang
Bin
B
Division of Maternal and Child Health, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing 100083, China.
Shi
Qi
Q
Wang
Yan
Y
Li
Nan
N
Shi
Ling
L
D000328:Adult; D002585:Cesarean Section / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002681:China; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004841:Episiotomy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005113:Extraction, Obstetrical / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008880:Midwifery / Q000193:education / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009772:Obstetrical Forceps; D011247:Pregnancy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires