Knowledge attitude and practice on D&E among physicians at SPHMMC and AAMF, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2018
Abstract
Background: D&E is a surgical abortion that is typically performed midway during the second trimester of pregnancy and in which the uterine cervix is dilated and fetal tissue is removed using surgical instruments (as a forceps and curette) and suction (1).
Purpose: This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude and practices of D&E among consultants and residents in OBGY postgraduate school in Addis.
Method: The study utilized a cross-sectional design. Convenience sampling was used to recruit121 consultants and residents at AAMF and SPHMMC and their respective affiliate health facilities in gynecology and obstetrics department. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS version 20. Results are presented with tables, graphs and pie charts.
Key Findings: The participants comprised of 81.8% residents andn gynecology and obstetric department 18.2% of consultants with mean age of the participants being30 years. The mean score on the knowledge component was 6.7±2.1, from a maximum total of 13. Around two third of participants have positive attitude towards D&E. Only around a third (34.7%) of the providers has done or assisted the procedure. Among providers about (30%) practice hysterotomy for failed medical termination.
Conclusion and recommendations: The findings show a wide gap in D&E practice among providers with unfairly significant numbers of hysterotomy procedures in place of D&E due to lack of training as a part of practice. It is crucial to expand this study at a national level to identify the gaps and to plan strategies to promote D&E skill training in postgraduate curriculum which will potentiate options of services for needy mothers.