title: Unmet need for induction of labor in Africa: secondary analysis from the 2004 - 2005 WHO Global Maternal and Perinatal Health Survey (A cross-sectional survey).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Induction of labor is being increasingly used to prevent adverse outcomes in the mother and the newborn.This study assessed the prevalence of induction of labor and determinants of its use in Africa.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed secondary analysis of the WHO Global Survey of Maternal and Newborn Health of 2004 and 2005. The African database was analyzed to determine the use of induction of labor at the country level and indications for induction of labor. The un-met needs for specific obstetric indications and at country level were assessed. Determinants of use of induction of labor were explored with multivariate regression analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 83,437 deliveries were recorded in the 7 participating countries. Average rate of induction was 4.4% with a range of 1.4 - 6.8%. Pre-labor rupture of membranes was the commonest indication for induction of labor. Two groups of women were identified: 2,776 women with indications had induction of labor while 7,996 women although had indications but labor was not induced.Induction of labor was associated with reduction of stillbirths and perinatal deaths [OR - 0.34; 95% CI (0.27 - 0.43)].Unmet need for induction of labor ranged between 66.0% and 80.2% across countries. Determinants of having an induction of labor were place of residence, duration of schooling, type of health facility and level of antenatal care.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Utilization of induction of labor in health facilities in Africa is very low. Improvements in social and health infrastructure are required to reverse the high unmet need for induction of labor.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria. fawoleo@yahoo.co.uk
authors.forename: Fawole
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bukola
authors.forename: Nafiou
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Idi
authors.forename: Machoki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: M'Mimunya
authors.forename: Wolomby-Molondo
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Jean-Jose
authors.forename: Mugerwa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kidza
authors.forename: Neves
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Isilda
authors.forename: Amokrane
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Faouzi
authors.forename: Shah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Archana
authors.forename: Souza Joao
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Paulo
authors.forename: Mathai
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Matthews
authors.forename: Gulmezoglu
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Metin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000349:Africa / Q000453:epidemiology; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007751:Labor, Induced; D008429:Maternal Welfare; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011247:Pregnancy; D050497:Stillbirth / Q000453:epidemiology; D014944:World Health Organization; D055815:Young Adult