Author(s)

Kabibou Salifou^1*, Achille Awede A. Obossou¹, Idriss Olojuwole Alassane¹, Imorou Rachidi Sidi¹, Mahublo Vodouhe¹, Fanny Hounkponou¹, Didier Komongui², Rene-Xavier Perrin²

¹UFR of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Parakou, Parakou, Benin.
²UFR of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Abomey-Calavi, Cotonou, Benin.

Objective: To evaluate the availability of emergency obstetric care (EmOC) in maternity hospitals in Parakou as well as the knowledge, attitudes and practices of EmOC providers in 2017. Material and method: This was a descriptive, cross-sectional analytical study conducted in the maternity wards of public and private health facilities in Parakou and the health care providers of the maternity wards. Epi Data software version 3.1, Epi Info version 7.2 and EXCEL 2007 were used for data processing. Results: A total of 17 maternity homes and 91 providers participated in the study. All 7 basic functions (BEmOC) were available in 23.53% of these maternities. Providers’ knowledge of EmOC was good at 6.59%, average at 15.38%, insufficient at 24.18% and bad at 53.85%. As for the attitudes, they were just in 3.30%, approximate in 36.26%, wrong in 26.37% and harmful in 34.07%. Regarding the practices of these providers, they were adequate in 6.59%, inadequate in 38.46% and harmful in 54.95%. The global knowledge, attitudes and practices (CAP) score is acceptable in the majority of providers (57.14%). It is poor in 38.46% and good in 4.40%. Conclusion: In Parakou, the availability of emergency obstetric care (EmOC) contrasts with the level of knowledge, attitudes and practices of providers who require training in EmOC.

Emergency Obstetric Care, Availability, Knowledge, Attitude, Practice

Salifou, K. , Obossou, A. , Alassane, I. , Sidi, I. , Vodouhe, M. , Hounkponou, F. , Komongui, D. and Perrin, R. (2018) Emergency Obstetric Care in Parakou: Availability in Maternity Hospitals, Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Providers. Open Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 8, 707-719. doi: 10.4236/ojog.2018.88075.