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Availability and use of obstetric guidelines in Nigeria
Author(s) -
Olamijulo Joseph,
Ogedengbe Olasubomi,
GiwaOsagie Osato
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
international journal of gynecology and obstetrics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.895
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1879-3479
pISSN - 0020-7292
DOI - 10.1016/j.ijgo.2008.04.019
Subject(s) - medicine , obstetrics and gynaecology , abortion , family medicine , maternal morbidity , developing country , pregnancy , obstetrics , medical emergency , genetics , biology , economics , economic growth
Objective To determine the availability and use of obstetric guidelines in Nigeria, and seek the opinions of obstetricians regarding the benefits of such guidelines.Methods A questionnaire survey of obstetricians attending the Annual Conference of the Society of Gynaecology and Obstetrics of Nigeria held in November 2006. Respondents were asked whether their units had management guidelines for 12 common obstetric complications, and whether they thought the use of guidelines would improve obstetric outcome.Results Only 14.1% of 170 respondents worked in units with guidelines on all 12 obstetric complications, while 28.8% said their units had none. Guidelines were most commonly available for HIV/AIDS and hypertensive disorders, and least available for sepsis and abortion complications. The majority of respondents (96%) agreed that guidelines would improve obstetric outcome.Conclusion The availability of obstetric guidelines in Nigeria is low and variable. Widespread introduction is advocated as a strategy for improving obstetric outcome.