Skip to content
Home
About Us
Resources
Profiles Metrics
Authors Directory
Institutions Directory
Top Authors
Top Institutions
Top Sponsors
AI Digest
Contact Us
Menu
Home
About Us
Resources
Profiles Metrics
Authors Directory
Institutions Directory
Top Authors
Top Institutions
Top Sponsors
AI Digest
Contact Us
Home
About Us
Resources
Profiles Metrics
Authors Directory
Institutions Directory
Top Authors
Top Institutions
Top Sponsors
AI Digest
Contact Us
Menu
Home
About Us
Resources
Profiles Metrics
Authors Directory
Institutions Directory
Top Authors
Top Institutions
Top Sponsors
AI Digest
Contact Us
Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
Introduction of an obstetric health information system: Results of a pilot study in North Cameroon
Revue d'Epidemiologie et de Sante Publique, Volume 54, No. 6, Year 2006
Notification
URL copied to clipboard!
Description
Background: International safe motherhood programs have placed increasing emphasis on assessing progress in reducing maternal mortality in developing countries. We assess the feasibility and relevance of an obstetric health information system introduced in Maroua urban district in North Cameroon. Methods: During the study period, an obstetric observation register was introduced for obstetric data collection, complemented by anthropological case studies on maternal deaths. Results: At the end of the study period, implementation and data collection processes were correctly done, and the overall rate of completion of obstetric registers was 95% (ranging from 82.5% to 98.5% between maternity units). Eight hundred and twenty-six deliveries (n=826) were recorded and evenly distributed over the nine weeks of the study period. Eight women (1%) were transferred from non-surgical to surgical health facilities. Thirteen C-sections (n=13; 1.6%; CI: 0.8-2.7%) mainly in the provincial hospital of Maroua (11/13), and four maternal deaths were recorded, giving a maternal mortality rate of 4/826 (484 for 100,000; CI: 132-1240 for 100,000 deliveries). Nevertheless, anthropological enquiry recorded five maternal deaths during the same study period. Analysis of the geographical origin of these women showed that four of the five came from very remote areas. Rapid analysis and dissemination of results have initiated changes in obstetric practices (introduction of the partograph, modifications in the attitudes of health personnel), and also to the creation of a network between maternity units (those with and without surgical facilities) and provincial health headquarters. Conclusion: The introduction and use of a basic obstetric health information system combined with anthropological survey can provide a relatively accurate assessment of the maternal health situation. Such knowledge would be an excellent basis for implementing obstetric networking and relevant tools for active management of the obstetric pyramid at a regional level in developing countries. © 2006. Elsevier Masson SAS. Tous droits réservés.
Authors & Co-Authors
Dongmo, Roger
Cameroon
Provincial Hospital Maroua
Fenieys, D.
France, Toulouse
Université Fédérale Toulouse Midi-pyrénées
France, Toulouse
Université Toulouse Iii - Paul Sabatier
Aminou, M.
Cameroon
Statistics Division
Calvez, Thierry
France, Toulouse
Université Fédérale Toulouse Midi-pyrénées
France, Toulouse
Université Toulouse Iii - Paul Sabatier
Gruénais, Marc Éric
France, Marseille
Aix Marseille Université
Thonneau, Patrick
France, Toulouse
Université Fédérale Toulouse Midi-pyrénées
France, Toulouse
Université Toulouse Iii - Paul Sabatier
Statistics
Citations: 6
Authors: 6
Affiliations: 5
Identifiers
Doi:
10.1016/S0398-7620(06)76750-5
Research Areas
Health System And Policy
Maternal And Child Health
Study Design
Cross Sectional Study
Grounded Theory
Study Approach
Quantitative
Study Locations
Cameroon
Participants Gender
Female