A community-based obstetric ultrasound service

Date
2004
Authors
Geerts L.
Theron A.M.
Grove D.
Theron G.B.
Odendaal H.J.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
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Abstract
Objectives: To investigate the impact of an ultrasound dating service on obstetric services. Methods: A prospective trial with 3009 unselected women presenting for antenatal care at two Midwife Obstetric Units in a socioeconomically deprived urban area, South Africa. In the study unit, student ultrasonographers provided a basic ultrasound service. In the control unit, obstetric ultrasound was only available for specific indications. The main outcome measures were number of antenatal visits and referrals for fetal surveillance. Results: The two cohorts were comparable except for the number of primigravidas but stratified analysis according to parity did not affect the results. Ultrasonography did not alter pregnancy outcome but reduced the number of perceived preterm labors/ruptured membranes (12.0 vs. 16.7%, P<0.003), post-term deliveries (8.1 vs. 10.8%, P<0.04) and referrals for fetal surveillance [15.9 vs. 29.6%, P<0.000, RR 0.79 (0.71-0.88)]. Conclusions: This community-based basic ultrasound service significantly reduced referrals to a regional center for fetal surveillance and delivery. © 2003 International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
Description
Keywords
adult, article, cohort analysis, community care, controlled study, echography, female, human, normal human, patient referral, pregnancy complication, premature fetus membrane rupture, premature labor, prenatal care, prenatal screening, preventive health service, primigravida, priority journal, prolonged pregnancy, prospective study, South Africa, student, urban area, Adult, Chi-Square Distribution, Cohort Studies, Cost-Benefit Analysis, Delivery of Health Care, Female, Humans, Poverty Areas, Pregnancy, Prenatal Care, Prospective Studies, Referral and Consultation, South Africa, Ultrasonography, Prenatal, Urban Health, Urban Population
Citation
International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics
84
1