OBJECTIVE: To evaluate national cesarean section (CS) rates and other obstetric indicators after a concerted action to reduce CS rates was undertaken in Portugal from 2010 onwards. This action was based on the transmission of information and training of healthcare professionals, together with the inclusion of CS rates as a criterion for hospital funding. DESIGN: Retrospective observational population-based study. SETTING: Portugal. POPULATION: Births occurring in Portugal between 2000 and 2014. METHODS: Governmental sources were used to obtain data on national CS, perinatal and maternal mortality rates. Rates of instrumental vaginal delivery, vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC), hypoxia-related complications and perineal lacerations were retrieved for state-owned hospitals. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: CS, perinatal and maternal mortality, instrumental vaginal delivery, VBAC, hypoxia-related complications and perineal lacerations. RESULTS: After a continuous rise between 2000 and 2009, national CS rates declined significantly over the following 5 years (36.6% vs. 33.1%, time trend p ≤ 0.001). Perinatal mortality maintained a downward trend during this period, while maternal mortality remained unchanged. Rates of instrumental vaginal delivery, VBAC and perineal lacerations increased, while the incidence of hypoxia-related complications decreased. CONCLUSIONS: A concerted action based on the transmission of information and training of healthcare professionals, together with the inclusion of CS rates as a criterion for hospital funding, was followed by a significant reduction in national CS rates, as well as an improvement in most related obstetric indicators. There may be an association between the reported intervention and the observed changes.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate national cesarean section (CS) rates and other obstetric indicators after a concerted action to reduce CS rates was undertaken in Portugal from 2010 onwards. This action was based on the transmission of information and training of healthcare professionals, together with the inclusion of CS rates as a criterion for hospital funding. DESIGN: Retrospective observational population-based study. SETTING: Portugal. POPULATION: Births occurring in Portugal between 2000 and 2014. METHODS: Governmental sources were used to obtain data on national CS, perinatal and maternal mortality rates. Rates of instrumental vaginal delivery, vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC), hypoxia-related complications and perineal lacerations were retrieved for state-owned hospitals. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: CS, perinatal and maternal mortality, instrumental vaginal delivery, VBAC, hypoxia-related complications and perineal lacerations. RESULTS: After a continuous rise between 2000 and 2009, national CS rates declined significantly over the following 5 years (36.6% vs. 33.1%, time trend p ≤ 0.001). Perinatal mortality maintained a downward trend during this period, while maternal mortality remained unchanged. Rates of instrumental vaginal delivery, VBAC and perineal lacerations increased, while the incidence of hypoxia-related complications decreased. CONCLUSIONS: A concerted action based on the transmission of information and training of healthcare professionals, together with the inclusion of CS rates as a criterion for hospital funding, was followed by a significant reduction in national CS rates, as well as an improvement in most related obstetric indicators. There may be an association between the reported intervention and the observed changes.
Authors: Aireen Wingert; Cydney Johnson; Robin Featherstone; Meghan Sebastianski; Lisa Hartling; R Douglas Wilson Journal: BMC Pregnancy Childbirth Date: 2018-11-21 Impact factor: 3.007
Authors: Morgan Weiland; Paula Santana; Claudia Costa; Julia Doetsch; Eva Pilot Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-01-30 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Kathrin Schemann; Jillian A Patterson; Tanya A Nippita; Jane B Ford; Christine L Roberts Journal: BMC Pregnancy Childbirth Date: 2015-08-19 Impact factor: 3.007