Causes of stillbirths at Kgapane hospital, Limpopo province
Background: Stillbirths are a global public health challenge, predominantly affecting low- and middle-income countries. The causes of most stillbirths are preventable. Objectives: this study reviewed perinatal clinical audit data from Kgapane Hospital over a 4-year period with a special focus on th...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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AOSIS
2024-04-01
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| Series: | South African Family Practice |
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| Online Access: | https://safpj.co.za/index.php/safpj/article/view/5863 |
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| author | Gert J.O Marincowitz Clara Marincowitz |
| author_facet | Gert J.O Marincowitz Clara Marincowitz |
| author_sort | Gert J.O Marincowitz |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: Stillbirths are a global public health challenge, predominantly affecting low- and middle-income countries. The causes of most stillbirths are preventable.
Objectives: this study reviewed perinatal clinical audit data from Kgapane Hospital over a 4-year period with a special focus on the factors associated with stillbirths.
Methods: File audits were done for all stillbirths occurring at Kgapane Hospital and its catchment area from 2018 to 2021. The data from these audits were analysed to identify factors associated with stillbirths.
Results: A total of 392 stillbirths occurred during the study period at Kgapane Hospital and its surrounding clinics, resulting in a stillborn rate of 19.06/1000 births. Of the 392 stillbirths recorded, audits were conducted on 354 of the maternal case records. The five most common causes of stillbirths identified were: hypertensive disorders in pregnancy (HDP) (29.7%), intrauterine growth restriction without HDP (11.6%), birth asphyxia (7.1%), premature labour ( 1000 g) (6.5%) and maternal infections (5.9%) including HIV with unsuppressed VL, intrauterine infection, coronavirus disease (COVID) and syphilis. Modifiable factors that can form the basis of improvement strategies should include training, timeous referral, plus improved resources and staffing.
Conclusion: Understanding the causes of stillbirths can guide improvement strategies to reduce this heart-breaking complication of pregnancy.
Contribution: Family physicians working in rural hospitals are also responsible for perinatal care. Understanding the factors associated with stillbirths will guide them to develop improvement strategies to reduce these preventable deaths. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-b1a4e721d7f14862aeff3529010f64d0 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2078-6190 2078-6204 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-04-01 |
| publisher | AOSIS |
| record_format | Article |
| series | South African Family Practice |
| spelling | doaj-art-b1a4e721d7f14862aeff3529010f64d02025-08-20T03:43:58ZengAOSISSouth African Family Practice2078-61902078-62042024-04-01661e1e710.4102/safp.v66i1.58634408Causes of stillbirths at Kgapane hospital, Limpopo provinceGert J.O Marincowitz0Clara Marincowitz1Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Limpopo, MankwengDepartment of Psychiatry, Faculty of Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa; and SA Medical Research Council, Cape TownBackground: Stillbirths are a global public health challenge, predominantly affecting low- and middle-income countries. The causes of most stillbirths are preventable. Objectives: this study reviewed perinatal clinical audit data from Kgapane Hospital over a 4-year period with a special focus on the factors associated with stillbirths. Methods: File audits were done for all stillbirths occurring at Kgapane Hospital and its catchment area from 2018 to 2021. The data from these audits were analysed to identify factors associated with stillbirths. Results: A total of 392 stillbirths occurred during the study period at Kgapane Hospital and its surrounding clinics, resulting in a stillborn rate of 19.06/1000 births. Of the 392 stillbirths recorded, audits were conducted on 354 of the maternal case records. The five most common causes of stillbirths identified were: hypertensive disorders in pregnancy (HDP) (29.7%), intrauterine growth restriction without HDP (11.6%), birth asphyxia (7.1%), premature labour ( 1000 g) (6.5%) and maternal infections (5.9%) including HIV with unsuppressed VL, intrauterine infection, coronavirus disease (COVID) and syphilis. Modifiable factors that can form the basis of improvement strategies should include training, timeous referral, plus improved resources and staffing. Conclusion: Understanding the causes of stillbirths can guide improvement strategies to reduce this heart-breaking complication of pregnancy. Contribution: Family physicians working in rural hospitals are also responsible for perinatal care. Understanding the factors associated with stillbirths will guide them to develop improvement strategies to reduce these preventable deaths.https://safpj.co.za/index.php/safpj/article/view/5863stillbirthsperinatalauditrural heathdistrict hospital. |
| spellingShingle | Gert J.O Marincowitz Clara Marincowitz Causes of stillbirths at Kgapane hospital, Limpopo province South African Family Practice stillbirths perinatal audit rural heath district hospital. |
| title | Causes of stillbirths at Kgapane hospital, Limpopo province |
| title_full | Causes of stillbirths at Kgapane hospital, Limpopo province |
| title_fullStr | Causes of stillbirths at Kgapane hospital, Limpopo province |
| title_full_unstemmed | Causes of stillbirths at Kgapane hospital, Limpopo province |
| title_short | Causes of stillbirths at Kgapane hospital, Limpopo province |
| title_sort | causes of stillbirths at kgapane hospital limpopo province |
| topic | stillbirths perinatal audit rural heath district hospital. |
| url | https://safpj.co.za/index.php/safpj/article/view/5863 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT gertjomarincowitz causesofstillbirthsatkgapanehospitallimpopoprovince AT claramarincowitz causesofstillbirthsatkgapanehospitallimpopoprovince |