Improving access, quality and safety of caesarean section services in underserved rural Tanzania: The impact of knowledge translation strategies

Angelo S. Nyamtema, Heather Scott, Elias Kweyamba, Janet Bulemela, Allan Shayo, Godfrey Mtey, Omary Kilume, John C. LeBlanc

Abstract

This research was designed to study different approaches to improve access to, and quality of caesarean section services in underserved Tanzania and translate evidence into practice. In 2016, 42 associate clinicians from five health centers were trained in teams for three months in comprehensive emergency obstetric and neonatal care and anesthesia followed by post-training supportive supervision and mentorship. From 2016-2019, 2,179 caesarean sections were performed in the intervention and 969 in the control health centers. Catchment population-based caesarean section rates increased significantly in all five intervention health centers and were more than 10% in three facilities. The risk of a woman dying from complications of caesarean section in the intervention health centers was 2.3 per 1,000 caesarean sections (95% CI 0.7 - 5.3). This educational program was adopted by the government and can be used to meet the demand for caesarean section services in other underserved areas in Africa. (Afr J Reprod Health 2021; 25[3s]: 74-83).

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