Obstetric delays in patients with potentially life-threatening conditions in a referral maternity hospital
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.59464/2359-4632.2025.3345Keywords:
Maternal health, Morbidity, Pregnancy complicationsAbstract
Objective: To identify the types of obstetric delays in patients with potentially life-threatening conditions in a referral maternity hospital in a city in northeastern Brazil.Method: Cross-sectional study carried out in the wards of the Sant’Ana Maternity sector, from January to May 2022, with 108 postpartum women admitted to the sector who were in the puerperal period up to 42 days and who suffered some potentially life-threatening condition (PLC), such as hypertensive syndromes and hemorrhagic syndromes. The data collection instrument was a questionnaire prepared by the author of the research, which categorized Delay I – In the decision to seek care (family members/patient); Delay II – For access to care/access; Delay III – For receiving care in the health service. The data were analyzed using Microsoft Excel 2019 and R version 4.1.0 software, and the frequency, mean, and standard deviation of the variables were described. Results: There was a prevalence of delay III, to receive care in the health service, with 33 (30.56%) of the cases, followed by obstetric delay I, decision to seek care (family and patient), in 25 (23.15%) of the participants and obstetric delay II, to access care/service, in 18 (16.67%) of the cases. Conclusion: There was a predominance of delays III and I in the findings of this study; therefore, the reduction of delays, such as the provision of supplies and equipment, a better referral system and the availability of transportation could contribute to the reduction of CPAV, serious maternal outcomes and even maternal deaths.
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