title: [The use of ultrasound to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality in a primary care facility in Ivory Coast].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In pregnancy care, ultrasound is used to detect pregnancy-related complications. The purpose of this study was to assess the use of ultrasound in monitoring pregnant women in a primary care facility for the purposes of reducing maternal and neonatal mortality.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted from February 16, 2009 to April 16, 2009. Interviews were conducted with pregnancy women who had an ultrasound was recommended by a health worker or requested by the women. A Comprehensive recruitment strategy was used. The variables studied were sociodemographic characteristics, the indications or reasons for the ultrasound scan, the results of the ultrasound examination, the final diagnosis and the recommended behaviors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 353 pregnant women aged between 15 and 45 years underwent an ultrasound examination. Sixty-six percent (66.3%) of the prescribers were midwives. In terms of pregmancy related pathologies, the main reasons for the ultrasound were pelvic pains (5.4%0, bleeding in the first trimester (4%0, and dystocia (3.7%). The main results were dystocic presentations (4.2%0, pregnancy loss (4%), and causes of bleeding in the first trimester (2.5%). As a result of these findings, 9.3% of at-risk women were sent to a specialized hospital.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Ultrasound contributes to reducing maternal and dneonatal mortallity in primary care facilities. The results suggest that the health authorities need to improve equipment in primary care facilities to include ultrasound as a diagnosis tool in order to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality.
authors.affiliation: Institut National d'Hygiène Publique (INHP), Treichville, V 14 Abidjan, Côte d'lvoire.
authors.forename: N'cho Simplice
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Dagnan
authors.forename: Youssouf
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Traoré
authors.forename: Badara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Diaby
authors.forename: Daouda
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Coulibaly
authors.forename: Kouadio Daniel
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Ekra
authors.forename: Pétronille
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Zengbe-Acray
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D007560:Cote d'Ivoire; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006268:Health Facilities; D006801:Humans; D007226:Infant Mortality; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007232:Infant, Newborn, Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008428:Maternal Mortality; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011320:Primary Health Care; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal; D055815:Young Adult