Quality of normal delivery care in Côte d'Ivoire.
The aim of this study was to assess the quality of normal delivery care in Côte d'Ivoire. A total of 229 women were included in a cross-sectional study conducted in four urban maternity wards between 2002 and 2003. Observation checklists and exit-interviews were used to examine various dimensions of care. The results showed that the overall quality of care was poor, despite most women giving birth with a professional midwife. A vaginal examination was performed systematically at admission but blood pressure was measured in less than half of the women. The partograph was completed during labour in only 5% of cases. Episiotomy and uterine revision rates were high at 24% and 32%, respectively. There was a lack of universal hygiene precautions and women received little support during labour. Our results question the quality of labour, delivery and postpartum care by skilled attendants in Côte d'Ivoire.
Delvaux
Thérèse
T
STD/HIV Research and Intervention Unit, Department of Microbiology, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium. tdelvaux@itg.be
Aké-Tano
Odile
O
Gohou-Kouassi
V alérie
Va
Bosso
Patrice
P
Collin
Simon
S
Ronsmans
Carine
C
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D007560:Cote d'Ivoire; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006920:Hygiene; D008427:Maternal Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011247:Pregnancy; D011787:Quality of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards