Assessment of surgical and obstetrical care at 10 district hospitals in Ghana using on-site interviews

Fizan Abdullah, Shelly Choo, Afua A.J. Hesse, Francis Abantanga, Elias Sory, Hayley Osen, Julie Ng, Colin W. McCord, Meena Cherian, Charles Fleischer-Djoleto, Henry Perry

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

31 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: For most of the population in Africa, district hospitals represent the first level of access for emergency and essential surgical services. The present study documents the number and availability of surgical and obstetrical care providers as well as the types of surgical and obstetrical procedures being performed at 10 first-referral district hospitals in Ghana. Materials and Methods: After institutional review board and governmental approval, a study team composed of Ghanaian and American surgeons performed on-site surveys at 10 district hospitals in 10 different regions of Ghana in August 2009. Face-to-face interviews were conducted documenting the numbers and availability of surgical and obstetrical personnel as well as gathering data relating to the number and types of procedures being performed at the facilities. Results: A total of 68 surgical and obstetrical providers were interviewed. Surgical and obstetrical care providers consisted of Medical Officers (8.5%), nurse anesthetists (6%), theatre nurses (33%), midwives (50.7%), and others (4.5%). Major surgical cases represented 37% of overall case volumes with cesarean section as the most common type of major surgical procedure performed. The most common minor surgical procedures performed were suturing of lacerations or episiotomies. Conclusions: The present study demonstrates that there is a substantial shortage of adequately trained surgeons who can perform surgical and obstetrical procedures at first-referral facilities. Addressing human resource needs and further defining practice constraints at the district hospital level are important facets of future planning and policy implementation.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)461-466
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of Surgical Research
Volume171
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2011

Keywords

  • Ghana
  • district hospitals
  • emergency and essential surgical care
  • global surgery

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Surgery

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Assessment of surgical and obstetrical care at 10 district hospitals in Ghana using on-site interviews'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this