Knowledge attitude and practice on D&E among physicians at SPHMMC and AAMF, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2018

Abstract

<p><a rel="nofollow"></a><a rel="nofollow"></a><strong>Background</strong><em>: </em>D&amp;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).</p> <p><a rel="nofollow"></a><a rel="nofollow"></a><strong>Purpose</strong>:<strong><em> </em></strong>This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude and practices of D&amp;E among consultants and residents in OBGY postgraduate school in Addis.</p> <p><a rel="nofollow"></a><a rel="nofollow"></a><strong>Method:<em> </em></strong>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.</p> <p><a rel="nofollow"></a><a rel="nofollow"></a><strong>Key Findings<em>: </em></strong>The participants comprised of 81.8% residents andn gynecology and obstetric department &nbsp;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&amp;E. Only around a third (34.7%) of the providers has done or assisted the procedure. &nbsp;Among providers about (30%) practice hysterotomy for failed medical termination.</p> <p><a rel="nofollow"></a><a rel="nofollow"></a><strong>Conclusion and recommendations</strong>:<strong> </strong>The findings show a wide gap in D&amp;E practice among providers with unfairly significant numbers of hysterotomy procedures in place of D&amp;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&amp;E skill training in postgraduate curriculum which will potentiate options of services for needy mothers.</p>