Bypassing Birth Centres for Childbirth: an Analysis of Data from a Community-Based Prospective Cohort Study in Nepal

Background: In Nepal, women residing in rural areas tend to bypass local birth centres and deliver at urban hospitals, despite the availability of obstetric care in these centres. This study investigated the incidence of bypassing, characteristics of bypassers and their reasons for bypassing the bir...

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Main Authors: Karkee, R., Lee, Andy, Binns, Colin
Format: Journal Article
Published: Oxford University Press 2015
Subjects:
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/23427
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author Karkee, R.
Lee, Andy
Binns, Colin
author_facet Karkee, R.
Lee, Andy
Binns, Colin
author_sort Karkee, R.
building Curtin Institutional Repository
collection Online Access
description Background: In Nepal, women residing in rural areas tend to bypass local birth centres and deliver at urban hospitals, despite the availability of obstetric care in these centres. This study investigated the incidence of bypassing, characteristics of bypassers and their reasons for bypassing the birth centres. Methods: A prospective cohort study was undertaken in the Kaski district of central Nepal. The 353 pregnant women of 5 months or more gestation recruited from the community had access to local birth centres. They were interviewed at baseline using a structured questionnaire, and were followed up within 45 days post-partum. Comparisons were made between women who delivered at birth centres and those who gave birth at hospital. Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the factors affecting the risk of bypassing. Results: Of the final sample of 258 participants who delivered in a health facility, 181 women (70.2%) bypassed their nearest birth centres to deliver at hospitals. Bypassers tended to be wealthy and have intrapartum complications, but the likelihood of bypassing apparently decreased by higher parity and frequent (four or more) antenatal care visits. Availability of operating facility, adequacy of medical supplies and equipment and competent health staff at the facility were the main reasons for their bypassing decision. Conclusions: The risk of bypassing for childbirth was high in central Nepal. Provision of quality and reliable emergency obstetric services together with well trained and competent staff at birth centres are recommended to reduce bypassing and pressure on the public hospital system.
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spelling curtin-20.500.11937-234272017-10-02T02:27:58Z Bypassing Birth Centres for Childbirth: an Analysis of Data from a Community-Based Prospective Cohort Study in Nepal Karkee, R. Lee, Andy Binns, Colin maternity service Birth centre bypassing Nepal hospital delivery Background: In Nepal, women residing in rural areas tend to bypass local birth centres and deliver at urban hospitals, despite the availability of obstetric care in these centres. This study investigated the incidence of bypassing, characteristics of bypassers and their reasons for bypassing the birth centres. Methods: A prospective cohort study was undertaken in the Kaski district of central Nepal. The 353 pregnant women of 5 months or more gestation recruited from the community had access to local birth centres. They were interviewed at baseline using a structured questionnaire, and were followed up within 45 days post-partum. Comparisons were made between women who delivered at birth centres and those who gave birth at hospital. Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the factors affecting the risk of bypassing. Results: Of the final sample of 258 participants who delivered in a health facility, 181 women (70.2%) bypassed their nearest birth centres to deliver at hospitals. Bypassers tended to be wealthy and have intrapartum complications, but the likelihood of bypassing apparently decreased by higher parity and frequent (four or more) antenatal care visits. Availability of operating facility, adequacy of medical supplies and equipment and competent health staff at the facility were the main reasons for their bypassing decision. Conclusions: The risk of bypassing for childbirth was high in central Nepal. Provision of quality and reliable emergency obstetric services together with well trained and competent staff at birth centres are recommended to reduce bypassing and pressure on the public hospital system. 2015 Journal Article http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/23427 10.1093/heapol/czt090 Oxford University Press unknown
spellingShingle maternity service
Birth centre
bypassing
Nepal
hospital delivery
Karkee, R.
Lee, Andy
Binns, Colin
Bypassing Birth Centres for Childbirth: an Analysis of Data from a Community-Based Prospective Cohort Study in Nepal
title Bypassing Birth Centres for Childbirth: an Analysis of Data from a Community-Based Prospective Cohort Study in Nepal
title_full Bypassing Birth Centres for Childbirth: an Analysis of Data from a Community-Based Prospective Cohort Study in Nepal
title_fullStr Bypassing Birth Centres for Childbirth: an Analysis of Data from a Community-Based Prospective Cohort Study in Nepal
title_full_unstemmed Bypassing Birth Centres for Childbirth: an Analysis of Data from a Community-Based Prospective Cohort Study in Nepal
title_short Bypassing Birth Centres for Childbirth: an Analysis of Data from a Community-Based Prospective Cohort Study in Nepal
title_sort bypassing birth centres for childbirth: an analysis of data from a community-based prospective cohort study in nepal
topic maternity service
Birth centre
bypassing
Nepal
hospital delivery
url http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/23427