Barriers to Emergency Obstetric Care Services in Perinatal Deaths in Rural Gambia
Author Information
Author(s): Jammeh Abdou, Sundby Johanne, Vangen Siri
Primary Institution: University of Oslo
Hypothesis
What are the barriers to timely access to emergency obstetric care services resulting in perinatal deaths in rural Gambia?
Conclusion
Delays in accessing emergency obstetric care are critical in perinatal deaths, highlighting the need for timely transport services and prompt decision-making.
Supporting Evidence
- Transport/cost-related delays are major contributors to perinatal deaths.
- Delays in recognizing danger signs of pregnancy/labour are significant.
- Obtaining blood for transfusion is a barrier to appropriate care.
- Nearly two-thirds of births in Gambia occur at home, often without skilled attendants.
Takeaway
In rural Gambia, many women face delays in getting emergency care during childbirth, which can lead to the death of babies. Better transport and quicker decisions can help save lives.
Methodology
Qualitative in-depth interviews were conducted with 20 survivors of severe obstetric complications and key informants, using content analysis to identify barriers.
Potential Biases
Selection bias may affect the findings as the study focused on women who delivered at a specific hospital.
Limitations
The study may not be representative of the entire country due to geographic and sociodemographic differences.
Participant Demographics
Mean age of participants was 29 years, with a range of 18–40 years; all were married and none had attended formal school.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website