Effects of improved access to transportation on emergency obstetric care outcomes in Uganda

Afr J Reprod Health. 2014 Sep;18(3):87-94.

Abstract

Reduction in maternal mortality has not been appreciable in most low-income countries. Improved access to transport for mothers is one way to improve maternal health. This study evaluated a free-of-charge 24-hour ambulance and communication services intervention in Oyam district using 'Caesarean section rate' (CSR) and compared with the neighbouring non-intervention district. Ecological data were collected retrospectively from maternity/theatre registers in October 2010 for 3 years pre and 3 years intervention period. The average CSR in the intervention district increased from 0.57% before the intervention to 1.21% (p = 0.022) during the intervention, while there was no change in the neighbouring district (0.51% to 0.58%, p = 0.512). Hospital deliveries increased by over 50% per year with a slight reduction in the average hospital stillbirths per 1000 hospital births in the intervention district (46.6 to 37.5, p = 0.253). Reliable communication and transport services increased access to and utilization of maternal health services, particularly caesarean delivery services.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cesarean Section / statistics & numerical data*
  • Emergency Medical Service Communication Systems / organization & administration
  • Emergency Service, Hospital / statistics & numerical data
  • Female
  • Health Services Accessibility* / standards
  • Health Services Accessibility* / statistics & numerical data
  • Humans
  • Maternal Mortality / trends
  • Needs Assessment
  • Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Hospital / statistics & numerical data
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications* / mortality
  • Pregnancy Complications* / surgery
  • Quality Improvement
  • Registries
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Stillbirth / epidemiology*
  • Transportation of Patients* / methods
  • Transportation of Patients* / organization & administration
  • Uganda / epidemiology