The Guadeloupean perinatal mortality audit: process, results, and implications

Area of Science:

• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Public Health
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Guadeloupe faced challenges with poor perinatal outcomes.
• An ongoing audit was initiated in 1983 to address these issues.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify factors contributing to perinatal mortality.
• To motivate healthcare providers to improve perinatal care.
• To decrease avoidable perinatal deaths.

Main Methods:

• An active research approach was employed.
• All 320 perinatal deaths in Guadeloupe during 1984-1985 were investigated.
• A perinatal mortality audit with confidential inquiries was conducted.

Main Results:

• Maternal high blood pressure, infection, and preterm delivery were linked to nearly half of the deaths.
• Over half of the perinatal deaths were deemed avoidable.
• Perinatal mortality rates showed a significant decline during the audit period.

Conclusions:

• Perinatal audits, especially with confidential inquiries, can improve population perinatal health.
• Motivational incentives may enhance the effectiveness of perinatal audit programs.