Professional healthcare use for life-threatening obstetric conditions

Abstract

Obstetric complications are the major causes of death and disability in women of reproductive age. Our study aimed at investigating the use of professional healthcare when women in communities recognised possible life-threatening obstetric conditions (PLTCs). We conducted a survey in a Cambodian district with a population of 130,000. The subjects were women of reproductive age who had delivered babies during a 3-month period prior to the survey. We interviewed 980 women, and 141 (14.4%) of these had PLTCs. The utilisation rates of professional healthcare were 47% for prolonged labour; 42% for bleeding during the delivery and puerperal period; 33% for antenatal bleeding; 25% for convulsion; and 23% for postpartum high fever. A logistic regression analysis revealed that education, geographic accessibility and parity were significant determinants of seeking healthcare. Two additional determinants, namely, economic affluence and antenatal care attendance, were identified in the socioeconomic status (SES) and obstetric models.

Untitled

“…Another definition determines that 5 km is the critical distance for the use of obstetrical services. [42][43][44] Estimated average time from the onset of postpartum hemorrhage, the leading cause of maternal mortality, to death is two hours, implying that it is not safe for women to be more than two hours away from emergency obstetric care. [45] For monitoring emergency obstetric care, no more than approximately two to three hours of travel time to the facility should be considered if lifesaving treatment is to be implemented.…”