P J Iliff1, M M Bonduelle, V Gupta. 1. Department of Paediatrics, Medical School, University of Zimbabwe, Avondale, Harare, Zimbabwe.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To explain the U-shaped curve of stillbirth rates (SBR) in Harare. DESIGN: A retrospective descriptive study. SETTING: Greater Harare Maternity Unit SUBJECTS: A 15pc (approx.) sample of deliveries recorded in Labour Ward registers in 1979, 1984 and 1989. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Stillbirth or livebirth. RESULTS: Some changes over the three years (e.g. proportion of primipara) indicate that obstetric "riskiness" of the population changed in a way which could explain the changes in SBR. CONCLUSIONS: However SBR's of large babies (birth weight 2,500 g to 4,499 g) increased and decreased over the years implying that changes in quality of care may also have contributed to the changes in SBR.
OBJECTIVES: To explain the U-shaped curve of stillbirth rates (SBR) in Harare. DESIGN: A retrospective descriptive study. SETTING: Greater Harare Maternity Unit SUBJECTS: A 15pc (approx.) sample of deliveries recorded in Labour Ward registers in 1979, 1984 and 1989. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Stillbirth or livebirth. RESULTS: Some changes over the three years (e.g. proportion of primipara) indicate that obstetric "riskiness" of the population changed in a way which could explain the changes in SBR. CONCLUSIONS: However SBR's of large babies (birth weight 2,500 g to 4,499 g) increased and decreased over the years implying that changes in quality of care may also have contributed to the changes in SBR.
Entities:
Keywords:
Africa; Africa South Of The Sahara; Age Factors; Biology; Birth Weight; Body Weight; Demographic Factors; Developing Countries; Eastern Africa; English Speaking Africa; Fetal Death--determinants; Maternal Age; Mortality; Parental Age; Physiology; Population; Population Characteristics; Population Dynamics; Research Methodology; Retrospective Studies; Risk Factors; Studies; Zimbabwe