Research Article
Evaluating Impact of a Residency Training Program Rural Rotation on Obstetric Care in Rural Southeast Nigeria
Odidika Ugochukwu Joannes Umeora1-3*, Eghosa Lucky-Emumwen2, Paul Olisaemeka Ezeonu1,3 and Azubike Kanario Onyebuchi1,3 |
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1Department of Obstetrics &Gynaecology, Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, Nigeria | |
2St.Vincent hospital, Ndubia-Igbeagu, Izzi Ebonyi State, Nigeria | |
3Department of Obstetrics &Gynaecology, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Nigeria | |
Corresponding Author : | Odidika Ugochukwu Joannes Umeora Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, Nigeria Tel: 234 8039558074 E-mail: oujair@yahoo.com |
Received December 09, 2014; Accepted March 23, 2015; Published March 25, 2015 | |
Citation: Joannes Umeora OU, Lucky-Emumwen E, Ezeonu PO, Onyebuchi AK (2015) Evaluating Impact of a Residency Training Program Rural Rotation on Obstetric Care in Rural Southeast Nigeria. J Preg Child Health 2:141. doi: 10.4172/2376-127X.1000141 | |
Copyright: © 2015 Joannes Umeora OU, et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. |
Abstract
Context: Obstetric practice in rural Nigeria might be hindered by inadequately equipped and staffed care facilities. Resident doctors can increase medical capacity in rural settings.
Objective: To evaluate the impact of resident doctors on rotational postings on service delivery, Caesarean section rates and maternal mortality in a mission hospital in rural Nigeria.
Methods: A before and after evaluation of health services and indices at St Vincent catholic Hospital, Ndubia. Resident doctors commenced rotation at the rural hospital in November 2013. Health care services between Nov 2012 and October 2013 were compared with same services between November 2013 and October 2014. Analysis was by epi info statistical software version 7.1.4 of 2014 (DCD Atlanta USA).
Results: twelve residents have undergone rotation at the hospital in 12 months. There was an attendant increase in uptake of services in the hospital. Complications were better managed and though there were more emergency caesarean deliveries undertaken, the overall Caesarean section rate dropped. A reduction in maternal mortality ratio to 444/100,000 live births was recorded.
Conclusion: Maternal health indices are improved upon by increased medical staff capacity in obstetric care. A nationwide scale up is advocated.