Antenatal Doppler ultrasound implementation in a rural sub-Saharan African setting: exploring the perspectives of women and healthcare providers

Reproductive Health

Sam Ali¹  Michael G. Kawooya¹  David Zakus²  Marcus J. Rijken³  Kerstin Klipstein-Grobusch³  Aris T. Papageorghiou⁴  Josaphat Byamugisha⁵  Olive Kabajaasi⁶ 

[1] Department of Research, Ernest Cook Ultrasound Research and Education Institute (ECUREI), Mengo Hospital;Division of Clinical Public Health, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto;Julius Global Health, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University;Nuffield Department of Women’s and Reproductive Health, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford;School of Medicine, Makerere University College of Health Sciences;Training and Social Sciences Unit, Walimu;

关键词: Pregnancy;    Antenatal care;    Healthcare workers;    Doppler ultrasound;    Low- and middle-income countries;    Qualitative;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12978-021-01233-5

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Plain Language Summary Globally, nearly three million babies are stillborn every year, but most especially in low- and middle-income countries like Uganda. One of the factors contributing to a high number of stillbirths in low-income countries is the difficulty in identifying complications and accessing high quality care during pregnancy. Although antenatal Doppler scans are being widely used to diagnose complications in high-risk pregnancies in developed countries, studies evaluating it in LMICs are needed before it is implemented on a wide scale. We engaged 53 mothers, eight health workers from a hospital and two healthcare managers from a local government in Uganda to attain their opinions about Doppler ultrasound. We found that spousal involvement may promote acceptance and use of ultrasound services. However, the health workers did not have adequate knowledge about Doppler technology and using it for the benefit of mothers and the mothers feared that ultrasound procedures might harm them or their unborn babies. Making matters worse, the hospital faced frequent power cuts that affected the use of the equipment. Further, mothers must cover a long distance to access the hospital and its services. To reduce the number of babies dying during pregnancy or a few days after birth in Uganda and similar low-resource settings using Doppler technology, it is essential to strengthen the health systems. Starting with the training of healthcare providers to equipping and stabilizing power supply in health facilities, and educating the public about critical health procedures to break myths and misconceptions.

【 授权许可】

Unknown