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Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
medicine
Assessment of surgical and obstetrical care at 10 district hospitals in Ghana using on-site interviews
Journal of Surgical Research, Volume 171, No. 2, Year 2011
Notification
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Description
Background: For most of the population in Africa, district hospitals represent the first level of access for emergency and essential surgical services. The present study documents the number and availability of surgical and obstetrical care providers as well as the types of surgical and obstetrical procedures being performed at 10 first-referral district hospitals in Ghana. Materials and Methods: After institutional review board and governmental approval, a study team composed of Ghanaian and American surgeons performed on-site surveys at 10 district hospitals in 10 different regions of Ghana in August 2009. Face-to-face interviews were conducted documenting the numbers and availability of surgical and obstetrical personnel as well as gathering data relating to the number and types of procedures being performed at the facilities. Results: A total of 68 surgical and obstetrical providers were interviewed. Surgical and obstetrical care providers consisted of Medical Officers (8.5%), nurse anesthetists (6%), theatre nurses (33%), midwives (50.7%), and others (4.5%). Major surgical cases represented 37% of overall case volumes with cesarean section as the most common type of major surgical procedure performed. The most common minor surgical procedures performed were suturing of lacerations or episiotomies. Conclusions: The present study demonstrates that there is a substantial shortage of adequately trained surgeons who can perform surgical and obstetrical procedures at first-referral facilities. Addressing human resource needs and further defining practice constraints at the district hospital level are important facets of future planning and policy implementation. © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Authors & Co-Authors
Abdullah, Fizan
United States, Baltimore
Johns Hopkins University
Choo, Shelly S.
United States, Baltimore
Johns Hopkins University
Hesse, Afua Adwo Jectey
Ghana, Accra
Korle bu Teaching Hospital
Abantanga, Francis Atindaana
Ghana, Kumasi
Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital
Sory, Elias Kavinah
Ghana, Accra
Ministry of Lands, Forestry and Mines, Ghana
Osen, Hayley
United States, Baltimore
Johns Hopkins University
Ng, Julie
United States, Baltimore
Johns Hopkins University
McCord, Colin W.
United States, New York
Columbia University
Cherian, Meena Nathan
Switzerland, Geneva
Organisation Mondiale de la Santé
Fleischer-Djoleto, Charles
Switzerland, Geneva
Organisation Mondiale de la Santé
Perry, Henry B.
United States, Baltimore
Johns Hopkins University
Statistics
Citations: 51
Authors: 11
Affiliations: 6
Identifiers
Doi:
10.1016/j.jss.2010.04.016
ISSN:
00224804
e-ISSN:
10958673
Research Areas
Health System And Policy
Violence And Injury
Study Design
Cross Sectional Study
Study Locations
Ghana