Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

The Injustice Of Unfit Clinical Practice Guidelines In Low-Resource Realities, Nanna Maaløe, Anna Marie Rønne Ørtved, Jane Brandt Sørensen, Brenda Sequeira Dmello, Thomas Van Den Akker, Monica Lauridsen Kujabi, Hussein Kidanto, Tarek Mequid, Christian Bygbjerg, Jos Van Roosmalen, Dan Wolf Meyrowitsch, Natasha Housseine

Faculty of Health Sciences, East Africa

To end the international crisis of preventable deaths in low-income and middle-income countries, evidence-informed and cost-efficient health care is urgently needed, and contextualised clinical practice guidelines are pivotal. However, as exposed by indirect consequences of poorly adapted COVID-19 guidelines, fundamental gaps continue to be reported between international recommendations and realistic best practice. To address this long-standing injustice of leaving health providers without useful guidance, we draw on examples from maternal health and the COVID-19 pandemic. We propose a framework for how global guideline developers can more effectively stratify recommendations for low-resource settings and account for predictable contextual barriers of implementation …

Fetal Heart Rate Development During Labour, Jarle Urdal, Kjersti Engan, Trygve Eftestøl, Solveig H. Haaland, Benjamin Kamala, Paschal Mdoe, Hussein Kidanto, Hege Ersdal

Faculty of Health Sciences, East Africa

Background Fresh stillbirths (FSB) and very early neonatal deaths (VEND) are important global challenges with 2.6 million deaths annually. The vast majority of these deaths occur in low- and low-middle income countries. Assessment of the fetal well-being during pregnancy, labour, and birth is normally conducted by monitoring the fetal heart rate (FHR). The heart rate of newborns is reported to increase shortly after birth, but a corresponding trend in how FHR changes just before birth for normal and adverse outcomes has not been studied. In this work, we utilise FHR measurements collected from 3711 labours from a low and low-middle …

The Impact Of Introducing Ambulance And Delivery Fees In A Rural Hospital In Tanzania, Corinna Vossius, Estomih Mduma, Robert Moshiro, Paschal Mdoe, Jan Terje Kvaløy, Hussein Kidanto, Sara Lyanga, Hege Ersdal

Faculty of Health Sciences, East Africa

Background Access to health care facilities is a key requirement to enhance safety for mothers and newborns during labour and delivery. Haydom Lutheran Hospital (HLH) is a regional hospital in rural Tanzania with a catchment area of about two million inhabitants. Up to June 2013 ambulance transport and delivery at HLH were free of charge, while a user fee for both services was introduced from January 2014. We aimed to explore the impact of introducing user fees on the population of women giving birth at HLH in order to document potentially unwanted consequences in the period after introduction of fees. …

Learning From Changes Concurrent With Implementing A Complex And Dynamic Intervention To Improve Urban Maternal And Perinatal Health In Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, 2011-2019, Brenda Sequeira Dmello, Ziada Sellah, Grace Magembe, Natasha Housseine, Nanna Maaløe, Thomas Van Den Akker, Dan W. Meyrowitsch, Timothy Mushi, Mangalu Masweko, Dorcas Jidayi, Jos Van Roosmalen, Hussein Kidanto

Faculty of Health Sciences, East Africa

Introduction Rapid urbanisation in Dar es Salaam, the main commercial hub in Tanzania, has resulted in congested health facilities, poor quality care, and unacceptably high facility-based maternal and perinatal mortality. Using a participatory approach, the Dar es Salaam regional government in partnership with a non-governmental organisation, Comprehensive Community Based Rehabilitation in Tanzania, implemented a complex, dynamic intervention to improve the quality of care and survival during pregnancy and childbirth. The intervention was rolled out in 22 public health facilities, accounting for 60% of the city’s facility births.

Methods Multiple intervention components addressed gaps across the maternal and perinatal continuum of …

Low Use Of Vacuum Extraction: Health Care Professionals’ Perspective In A University Hospital, Dar Es Salaam, Henrik Makokha-Sandell, Andrew Mgaya, Johanna Belachew, Helena Litorp, Hussein Kidanto, Birgitta Essén

Faculty of Health Sciences, East Africa

Background Use of vacuum extraction (VE) has been declining in low and middle income countries. At the highest referral hospital Tanzania, 54% of deliveries are performed by caesarean section (CS) and only 0.8% by VE. Use of VE has the potential to reduce CS rates and improve maternal and neonatal outcomes but causes for its low use is not fully explored.

Method During November and December of 2017 participatory observations, semi-structured in-depth interviews (n = 29) and focus group discussions (n = 2) were held with midwives, residents and specialists working at the highest referral hospital in Tanzania. Thematic analysis …

Magnitude Of Screening For Gestational Diabetes Mellitus In An Urban Setting In Tanzania; A Cross-Sectional Analytic Study, Akampa Mukuve, Mariam Noorani, Ibrahim Sendagire, Miriam Mgonja

Faculty of Health Sciences, East Africa

Background

Medical screening detects risk factors for disease or presence of disease in otherwise well persons in order to intervene early and reduce morbidity and mortality. During antenatal care (ANC) it is important to detect conditions that complicate pregnancy, like gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Despite international and local guidelines recommending screening for GDM during ANC, there is evidence to suggest that the practice was not being carried out adequately. A major challenge may be lack of consensus on uniform GDM screening and diagnostic guidelines internationally and locally.

The primary objective was to determine the magnitude of screening for GDM among …

Predictors Of Death Including Quality Of Positive Pressure Ventilation During Newborn Resuscitation And The Relationship To Outcome At Seven Days In A Rural Tanzanian Hospital, Robert Moshiro, Jeffrey M. Perlman, Hussein Kidanto, Jan Terje Kvaløy, Paschal Mdoe, Hege L. Ersdal

Faculty of Health Sciences, East Africa

Background Effective positive pressure ventilation (PPV) of non-breathing newborns is crucial in facilitating cardio-respiratory adaptation at birth. Identifying predictors of death in newborns receiving PPV is important in order to facilitate preventative strategies.

Objective The objective of this study was to determine the perinatal predictors of death including the quality of PPV administered among admitted newborns.

Methods An observational study of admitted newborns who received PPV after birth was conducted. Research assistants observed all deliveries and recorded perinatal events on data collection forms. Measured heart rate (HR) and ventilation parameters were then compared between newborns who died and survivors.

Results …

Tracking Facility-Based Perinatal Deaths In Tanzania: Results From An Indicator Validation Assessment, Marya Plotkin, Dunstan Bishanga, Hussein Kidanto, Mary Carol Jennings, Jim Ricca, Amasha Mwanamsangu, Gaudiosa Tibaijuka, Ruth Lemwayi, Benny Ngereza, Mary Drake

Faculty of Health Sciences, East Africa

Background Globally, an estimated 2.7 million babies die in the neonatal period annually, and of these, about 0.7 million die from intrapartum-related events. In Tanzania 51,000 newborn deaths and 43,000 stillbirths occur every year. Approximately two-thirds of these deaths could be potentially prevented with improvements in intrapartum and neonatal care. Routine measurement of fetal intrapartum deaths and newborn deaths that occur in health facilities can help to evaluate efforts to improve the quality of intrapartum care to save lives. However, few examples exist of indicators on perinatal mortality in the facility setting that are readily available through health management information …

Intermittent Fetal Heart Rate Monitoring Using A Fetoscope Or Hand Held Doppler In Rural Tanzania: A Randomized Controlled Trial, Paschal Francis Mdoe, Hege Ersdal, Estomih Mduma, Jeffrey M. Perlman, Robert Moshiro, Peter Wangwe, Hussein Kidanto

Faculty of Health Sciences, East Africa

Background: Neonatal mortality is a global challenge, with an estimated 1.3 million intrapartum stillbirths in 2015. The majority of these were found in low resource settings with limited options to intrapartum fetal heart monitoring devices. This trial compared frequency of abnormal fetal heart rate (FHR) detection and adverse perinatal outcomes (i.e. fresh stillbirths, 24-h neonatal deaths, admission to neonatal care unit) among women intermittently assessed by Doppler or fetoscope in a rural low-resource setting.

Methods: This was an open-label randomized controlled trial conducted at Haydom Lutheran Hospital from March 2013 through August 2015. Inclusion criteria were; women in labor, …

A Care Bundle Including Antenatal Corticosteroids Reduces Preterm Infant Mortality In Tanzania A Low Resource Country, Augustine Massawe, Hussein Kidanto, Robert Moshiro, Edna Majaliwa, Flora Chacha, Aisa Shayo, Paschal Mdoe, Prisca Ringia, Mary Azayo, Georgina Msemo

Faculty of Health Sciences, East Africa

Background Preterm neonatal mortality (NM) has remained high and unchanged for many years in Tanzania, a resource-limited country. Major causes of mortality include birth asphyxia, respiratory insufficiency and infections. Antenatal corticosteroids (ACS) have been shown to significantly reduce mortality in developed countries. There is inconsistent use of ACS in Tanzania.

Objective To determine whether implementation of a care bundle that includes ACS, maternal antibiotics (MA), neonatal antibiotics (NA) and avoidance of moderate hypothermia (temperature < 36°C) targeting infants of estimated gestational age (EGA) 28 to 34 6/7 weeks would reduce NM (< 7 days) by 35%.

Methods A Pre (September 2014 to May 2015) and Post (June 2015 to June 2017) Implementation strategy was used and introduced at three University-affiliated and one …

Predictors Of Low Birth Weight And 24-Hour Perinatal Outcomes At Muhimbili National Hospital In Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania: A Five-Year Retrospective Analysis Of Obstetric Records, Benjamin Anathory Kamala, Andrew Hans Mgaya, Matilda Michael Ngarina, Hussein Kidanto

Faculty of Health Sciences, East Africa

Introduction: The global prevalence of low birth weight (LBW) is 16%, representing more than 20 million infants worldwide, of which 96% are born in low-income countries. This study aimed to determine the prevalence, predictors and perinatal outcomes of LBW newborns.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of data obtained from the hospital's obstetric and neonatal database. Descriptive statistics and multivariate logistic regression were performed with 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Results: The prevalence of LBW was 21% (n = 8,011) and two-thirds of these were delivered at term. Seven percent of newborns were stillbirths and 2% died within 24hrs after birth. …

Factors Associated With Women's Intention To Request Caesarean Delivery In Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, C G. Misaeli, B A. Kamala, A H. Mgaya, Hussein Kidanto

Faculty of Health Sciences, East Africa

Background. In the past decade, the rate of caesarean section (CS) has increased dramatically in many parts of the world. At Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH) there has been a dramatic rise in the caesarean section rate over the past decade.

Objective. To determine the incidence of maternal request for CS and factors associated with intention to request caesarean section at the MNH antenatal clinic.

Methods. We conducted a cross-sectional study from August to October 2014. A structured questionnaire gathered participants’ background and obstetric information, perceptions and opinions regarding a request for caesarean section, and the respective reasons for …

Is Time Of Birth A Predictor Of Adverse Perinatal Outcome? A Hospital-Based Cross-Sectional Study In A Low-Resource Setting, Tanzania, Andrew H. Mgaya, Januarius Hinju, Hussein Kidanto

Faculty of Health Sciences, East Africa

Background Inconsistent evidence of a higher risk of adverse perinatal outcomes during off-hours compared to office hours necessitated a search for clear evidence of an association between time of birth and adverse perinatal outcomes.

Methods A cross-sectional study conducted at a tertiary referral hospital compared perinatal outcomes across three working shifts over 24 h. A checklist and a questionnaire were used to record parturients’ socio-demographic and obstetric characteristics, mode of delivery and perinatal outcomes, including 5th minute Apgar score, and early neonatal mortality. Risks of adverse outcomes included maternal age, parity, referral status and mode of delivery, and were assessed …

Effect Of Early Tranexamic Acid Administration On Mortality, Hysterectomy, And Other Morbidities In Women With Post-Partum Haemorrhage (Woman): An International, Randomised, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial, Haleema Shakur-Still, Ian Roberts, Rizwana Chaudhri, Bukola Fawole, Mohamed El-Sheikh, Adesina L. Akintan, Zahida Qureshi, Hussein Kidanto, Bellington Vwalika, Abdulfetah Abdulkadir

Faculty of Health Sciences, East Africa

Background Post-partum haemorrhage is the leading cause of maternal death worldwide. Early administration of tranexamic acid reduces deaths due to bleeding in trauma patients. We aimed to assess the effects of early administration of tranexamic acid on death, hysterectomy, and other relevant outcomes in women with post-partum haemorrhage.

Methods In this randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, we recruited women aged 16 years and older with a clinical diagnosis of post-partum haemorrhage after a vaginal birth or caesarean section from 193 hospitals in 21 countries. We randomly assigned women to receive either 1 g intravenous tranexamic acid or matching placebo in addition …

Breech Delivery At A University Hospital In Tanzania, Ulf Högberg, Catrin Claeson, Lone Krebs, Agneta Skoog Svanberg, Hussein Kidanto

Faculty of Health Sciences, East Africa

Background There is a global increase in rates of Cesarean delivery (CD). A minor factor in this increase is a shift towards CD for breech presentation. The aim of this study was to analyze breech births by mode of delivery and investigate short-term fetal and maternal outcomes in a low-income setting.

Methods The study design was cross-sectional and the setting was Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH), Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania. Subjects were drawn from a clinical database (1999–2010) using the following inclusion criteria: breech presentation, birth weight ≥ 2,500 g, single pregnancy, fetal heart sound at admission, and absence of pregnancy-related complication as …

Improving Standards Of Care In Obstructed Labour: A Criteria-Based Audit At A Referral Hospital In A Low-Resource Setting In Tanzania, Andrew H. Mgaya, Hussein Kidanto, Lennarth Nystrom, Birgitta Essén

Faculty of Health Sciences, East Africa

Objective In low-resource settings, obstructed labour is strongly associated with severe maternal morbidity and intrapartum asphyxia, and consequently maternal and perinatal deaths. This study evaluated the impact of a criteria-based audit of the diagnosis and management of obstructed labour in a low-resource setting.

Methods A baseline criteria-based audit was conducted from October 2013 to March 2014, followed by a workshop in which stakeholders gave feedback on interventions agreed upon to improve obstetric care. The implemented interventions included but were not limited to introducing standard guidelines for diagnosis and management of obstructed labour, agreeing on mandatory review by specialist for cases …

Criteria-Based Audit To Improve Quality Of Care Of Foetal Distress: Standardising Obstetric Care At A National Referral Hospital In A Low Resource Setting, Tanzania, Andrew H. Mgaya, Helena Litorp, Hussein Kidanto, Lennarth Nyström, Birgitta Essén

Faculty of Health Sciences, East Africa

Background In Tanzania, substandard intrapartum management of foetal distress contributes to a third of perinatal deaths, and the majority are term deliveries. We conducted a criteria-based audit with feedback to determine whether standards of diagnosis and management of foetal distress would be improved in a low-resource setting.

Methods During 2013–2015, a criteria-based audit was performed at the national referral hospital in Dar es Salaam. Case files of deliveries with a diagnosis of foetal distress were identified and audited. Two registered nurses under supervision of a nurse midwife, a specialist obstetrician and a consultant obstetrician, reviewed the case files. Criteria for …

‘Essential But Not Always Available When Needed’ – An Interview Study Of Physicians’ Experiences And Views Regarding Use Of Obstetric Ultrasound In Tanzania, Annika Åhman, Hussein Kidanto, Matilda Ngarina, Kristina Edvardsson, Rhonda Small, Ingrid Mogren

Faculty of Health Sciences, East Africa

Background The value of obstetric ultrasound in high-income countries has been extensively explored but evidence is still lacking regarding the role of obstetric ultrasound in low-income countries.

Objective We aimed to explore experiences and views among physicians working in obstetric care in Tanzania, on the role of obstetric ultrasound in relation to clinical management.

Design A qualitative study design was applied. Data were collected in 2015, through 16 individual interviews with physicians practicing in obstetric care at hospitals in an urban setting in Tanzania. Data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis.

Results Use of obstetric ultrasound in the management of …

‘What About The Mother?’ Women׳S And Caregivers׳ Perspectives On Caesarean Birth In A Low-Resource Setting With Rising Caesarean Section Rates, Helena Litorp, Andrew Mgaya, Hussein Kidanto, Sara Johnsdotter, Birgitta Essén

Faculty of Health Sciences, East Africa

Objective in light of the rising caesarean section rates in many developing countries, we sought to explore women׳s and caregivers׳ experiences, perceptions, attitudes, and beliefs in relation to caesarean section.

Design qualitative study using semi-structured individual in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and participant observations. The study relied on a framework of naturalistic inquiry and data were analysed using thematic analysis.

Setting a public university hospital in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Participants we conducted a total of 29 individual interviews, 13 with women and 16 with caregivers, and two focus group discussions comprising five to six caregivers each. Women had undergone …

Maternal Near-Miss And Death And Their Association With Caesarean Section Complications: A Cross-Sectional Study At A University Hospital And A Regional Hospital In Tanzania, Helena Litorp, Hussein Kidanto, Mattias Rööst, Muzdalifat Abeid, Lennarth Nyström, Birgitta Essén

Faculty of Health Sciences, East Africa

Background The maternal near-miss (MNM) concept has been developed to assess life-threatening conditions during pregnancy, childhood, and puerperium. In recent years, caesarean section (CS) rates have increased rapidly in many low- and middle-income countries, a trend which might have serious effects on maternal health. Our aim was to describe the occurrence and panorama of maternal near-miss and death in two low-resource settings, and explore their association with CS complications.

Methods We performed a cross-sectional study, including all women who fulfilled the WHO criteria for MNM or death between February and June 2012 at a university hospital and a regional hospital …

Grand Multiparity: Is It Still A Risk In Pregnancy?, Andrew H. Mgaya, Siriel N. Massawe, Hussein Kidanto, Hans N. Mgaya

Faculty of Health Sciences, East Africa

Background The association of grand multiparity and poor pregnancy outcome has not been consistent for decades. Classifying grand multiparous women as a high-risk group without clear evidence of a consistent association with adverse outcomes can lead to socioeconomic burdens to the mother, family and health systems. We compared the maternal and perinatal complications among grand multiparous and other multiparous women in Dar es Salaam in Tanzania.

Methods A cross-sectional study was undertaken at Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH). A standard questionnaire enquired the following variables: demographic characteristics, antenatal profile and detected obstetric risk factors as well as maternal and neonatal risk …

Increasing Caesarean Section Rates Among Low-Risk Groups: A Panel Study Classifying Deliveries According To Robson At A University Hospital In Tanzania, Helena Litorp, Hussein Kidanto, Lennarth Nystrom, Elisabeth Darj, Birgitta Essén

Faculty of Health Sciences, East Africa

Background Rising caesarean section (CS) rates have been observed worldwide in recent decades. This study sought to analyse trends in CS rates and outcomes among a variety of obstetric groups at a university hospital in a low-income country.

Methods We conducted a hospital-based panel study at Muhimbili National Hospital, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. All deliveries between 2000 and 2011 with gestational age ≥ 28 weeks were included in the study. The 12 years were divided into four periods: 2000 to 2002, 2003 to 2005, 2006 to 2008, and 2009 to 2011. Main outcome measures included CS rate, relative size of …

Sickle Cell Disease In Pregnancy: Trend And Pregnancy Outcomes At A Tertiary Hospital In Tanzania, Projestine S. Muganyizi, Hussein Kidanto

Faculty of Health Sciences, East Africa

SCD in pregnancy is associated with increased adverse fetal and maternal outcomes. In Tanzania where the frequency of sickle cell trait is 13% there has been scanty data on SCD in pregnancy. With progressive improvement in childhood survival the burden of SCD in pregnancy will increase. We analyzed all deliveries at Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH) from 1999 to 2011. Fetal and maternal outcomes of SCD deliveries were compared with non-SCD. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS statistics version 19. Chi square and Fisher Exact tests were used to compare proportions and the independent t-test for continuous data. To predict risks …

Improved Quality Of Management Of Eclampsia Patients Through Criteria Based Audit At Muhimbili National Hospital, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania. Bridging The Quality Gap, Hussein Kidanto, Peter Wangwe, Charles D. Kilewo, Lennarth Nystrom, Gunnila Lindmark

Faculty of Health Sciences, East Africa

Background Criteria-based audits (CBA) have been used to improve clinical management in developed countries, but have only recently been introduced in the developing world. This study discusses the use of a CBA to improve quality of care among eclampsia patients admitted at a University teaching hospital in Dar es Salaam Tanzania.

Objective The prevalence of eclampsia in MNH is high (≈6%) with the majority of cases arriving after start of convulsions. In 2004–2005 the case-fatality rate in eclampsia was 5.1% of all pregnant women admitted for delivery (MNH obstetric data base). A criteria-based audit (CBA) was used to evaluate the …

Impact Of Change In Maternal Age Composition On The Incidence Of Caesarean Section And Low Birth Weight: Analysis Of Delivery Records At A Tertiary Hospital In Tanzania, 1999–2005, Projestine S. Muganyizi, Hussein Kidanto

Faculty of Health Sciences, East Africa

Background Previous studies on change in maternal age composition in Tanzania do not indicate its impact on adverse pregnancy outcomes. We sought to establish temporal changes in maternal age composition and their impact on annual Caesarean section (CS) and low birth weight deliveries (LBWT) at Muhimbili National Hospital in Tanzania.

Methods We conducted data analysis of 91,699 singleton deliveries that took place in the hospital between 1999 and 2005. The data were extracted from the obstetric data base. Annual proportions of individual age groups were calculated and their trends over the years studied. Multiple logistic analyses were conducted to ascertain …

Risks For Preterm Delivery And Low Birth Weight Are Independently Increased By Severity Of Maternal Anaemia, Hussein Kidanto, Ingrid Mogren, Gunilla Lindmark, Siriel Massawe, Lennarth Nystrom

Faculty of Health Sciences, East Africa

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the effect of the severity of maternal anaemia on various perinatal outcomes.

DESIGN: A cross-sectional study.

SETTING: Labour Ward, Muhimbili National Hospital, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

METHOD: The haemoglobin of eligible pregnant women admitted for delivery between 15 November 2002 and 15 February 2003 was measured. Data on socio-demographic characteristics, iron supplementation, malaria prophylaxis, blood transfusion during current pregnancy, and current and previous pregnancy outcomes were collected and analysed. Anaemia was classified according to the World Health Organization (WHO) standards: normal - Hb >11.0 g/dl; mild - Hb 9.0 - 10.9 g/dl; moderate - …