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The pathway of obstructed labour as perceived by communities in south-western Uganda: a grounded theory study.

Kabakyenga, Jerome LU ; Östergren, Per-Olof LU ; Emmelin, Maria LU ; Kyomuhendo, Phionah and Odberg Pettersson, Karen LU (2011) In Global Health Action 4. p.1-11
Abstract
BACKGROUND:

Obstructed labour is still a major cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality in Uganda, where many women give birth at home alone or assisted by non-skilled birth attendants. Little is known of how the community view obstructed labour, and what actions they take in cases where this complication occurs.

OBJECTIVE:

The objective of the study was to explore community members' understanding of and actions taken in cases of obstructed labour in south-western Uganda.

DESIGN:

Grounded theory (GT) was used to analyse data from 20 focus group discussions (FGDs), 10 with women and 10 with men, which were conducted in eight rural and two urban communities.

... (More)
BACKGROUND:

Obstructed labour is still a major cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality in Uganda, where many women give birth at home alone or assisted by non-skilled birth attendants. Little is known of how the community view obstructed labour, and what actions they take in cases where this complication occurs.

OBJECTIVE:

The objective of the study was to explore community members' understanding of and actions taken in cases of obstructed labour in south-western Uganda.

DESIGN:

Grounded theory (GT) was used to analyse data from 20 focus group discussions (FGDs), 10 with women and 10 with men, which were conducted in eight rural and two urban communities.

RESULTS:

A conceptual model based on the community members' understanding of obstructed labour and actions taken in response is presented as a pathway initiated by women's desire to 'protecting own integrity' (core category). The pathway consisted of six other categories closely linked to the core category, namely: (1) 'taking control of own birth process'; (2) 'reaching the limit - failing to give birth' (individual level); (3) 'exhausting traditional options'; (4) 'partner taking charge'; (5) 'facing challenging referral conditions' (community level); and finally (6) 'enduring a non-responsive healthcare system' (healthcare system level).

CONCLUSIONS:

There is a need to understand and acknowledge women's reluctance to involve others during childbirth. However, the healthcare system should provide acceptable care and a functional referral system closer to the community, thus supporting the community's ability to seek timely care as a response to obstructed labour. Easy access to mobile phones may improve referral systems. Upgrading of infrastructure in the region requires a multi-sectoral approach. Testing of the conceptual model through a quantitative questionnaire is recommended. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
; ; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
community members, obstructed labour, understanding, actions, protecting own integrity, Uganda
in
Global Health Action
volume
4
pages
1 - 11
publisher
Co-Action Publishing
external identifiers
  • wos:000299012700001
  • pmid:22216018
  • scopus:84860442105
ISSN
1654-9880
DOI
10.3402/gha.v4i0.8529
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
c5ed813d-ba70-443f-9e74-52513817143b (old id 2336738)
alternative location
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22216018?dopt=Abstract
date added to LUP
2016-04-01 15:01:48
date last changed
2022-03-22 03:09:03
@article{c5ed813d-ba70-443f-9e74-52513817143b,
  abstract     = {{BACKGROUND:<br/><br>
Obstructed labour is still a major cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality in Uganda, where many women give birth at home alone or assisted by non-skilled birth attendants. Little is known of how the community view obstructed labour, and what actions they take in cases where this complication occurs.<br/><br>
OBJECTIVE:<br/><br>
The objective of the study was to explore community members' understanding of and actions taken in cases of obstructed labour in south-western Uganda.<br/><br>
DESIGN:<br/><br>
Grounded theory (GT) was used to analyse data from 20 focus group discussions (FGDs), 10 with women and 10 with men, which were conducted in eight rural and two urban communities.<br/><br>
RESULTS:<br/><br>
A conceptual model based on the community members' understanding of obstructed labour and actions taken in response is presented as a pathway initiated by women's desire to 'protecting own integrity' (core category). The pathway consisted of six other categories closely linked to the core category, namely: (1) 'taking control of own birth process'; (2) 'reaching the limit - failing to give birth' (individual level); (3) 'exhausting traditional options'; (4) 'partner taking charge'; (5) 'facing challenging referral conditions' (community level); and finally (6) 'enduring a non-responsive healthcare system' (healthcare system level).<br/><br>
CONCLUSIONS:<br/><br>
There is a need to understand and acknowledge women's reluctance to involve others during childbirth. However, the healthcare system should provide acceptable care and a functional referral system closer to the community, thus supporting the community's ability to seek timely care as a response to obstructed labour. Easy access to mobile phones may improve referral systems. Upgrading of infrastructure in the region requires a multi-sectoral approach. Testing of the conceptual model through a quantitative questionnaire is recommended.}},
  author       = {{Kabakyenga, Jerome and Östergren, Per-Olof and Emmelin, Maria and Kyomuhendo, Phionah and Odberg Pettersson, Karen}},
  issn         = {{1654-9880}},
  keywords     = {{community members; obstructed labour; understanding; actions; protecting own integrity; Uganda}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  pages        = {{1--11}},
  publisher    = {{Co-Action Publishing}},
  series       = {{Global Health Action}},
  title        = {{The pathway of obstructed labour as perceived by communities in south-western Uganda: a grounded theory study.}},
  url          = {{https://lup.lub.lu.se/search/files/4305768/2369679.pdf}},
  doi          = {{10.3402/gha.v4i0.8529}},
  volume       = {{4}},
  year         = {{2011}},
}