Assessment of Challenges Associated with Timely Referral of Complicated Cases During Pregnancy Among Community Health Practioners in Sagbama LGA Bayelsa State, Nigeria

Authors

  • Onokpite Emmanuel Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Faculty of Clinical Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Delta State University Abraka, Delta State Nigeria Author
  • Ejenavwoke Erhuvwu Department of Community Health, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences Bayelsa State, Nigeria Author
  • Solomon M Uvoh Department of Human Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences University of port Harcourt, Rivers State Nigeria Author
  • Dirime T Jonas Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ignatus Ajuru University of Education Port Harcourt River State, Nigeria Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47363/JWHMR/2025(4)127

Keywords:

Hospital, Pregnancy, Preeclampsia, Referral

Abstract

Aim/Objective: This study assesses challenges associated with timely referral of complicated cases during pregnancy among community health practitioners in Sagbama LGA.


Materials and Methods: Structured questionnaire was used to obtain information from all the respondents after seeking their consent and approval from the research and ethics committee of the institution. Simple random technique was also adopted in this study.

Results: Outcome from this study shows age range of 18-24yrs (11.67%),25-34yrs (20.00%),35-44yrs (53.33%), and above 45yrs (15.00%) among the respondents. Married participants (51.67%) were higher followed by single (26.67%) compared with those separated (13.33%) and divorced (8.33%) among the study population. Respondents with B.Sc. level of educational qualification were 43.33% while CHEW was 31.67%. Respondents working in government facilities was 41.67% compared with private workers of 58.33% respectively. However male workers were 28.33% while females were 71.67% among the study population. Timely pre-existing referral cases during pregnancy were 93.33% compared to 6.67% that were not timely referred. Referral from higher to lower facilities was 13.33% while reverse was the case with 86.67% lowers of lower to higher facility. Findings from this study also reveal 70% of response to referral and a non-response of 30% among the respondents. Referred cases during the 3rd trimester was 91.67% in comparison with 2nd (5.00%) and 3rd (3.33%) trimesters. The period of maternal referral was mainly during pregnancy (61.67%) and delivery (30.00%) followed by 8.33% after delivery. The time interval of referred cases was mostly at 10: 00am (63.33%) and less than 10:00am (26.67%) while the mode of delivery of referred cases was 90.00% CS compared with normal vaginal delivery of 10.00% respectively. Furthermore, ambulance services were 66.67% compared with 33.33% facilities with no ambulance services that makes transportation a major hindrance (71.67%) regards to referred cases.

Conclusion: Though this study observed an improved response to referral cases. However more ambulances should be provided to all facilities by the 
government to reduce the cost and delay in transporting referred cases because this will decrease maternal and child mortality rate.

Author Biographies

  • Onokpite Emmanuel, Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Faculty of Clinical Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Delta State University Abraka, Delta State Nigeria

    Solomon M Uvoh, Department of Human Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences University of port Harcourt, Rivers State Nigeria.

  • Ejenavwoke Erhuvwu, Department of Community Health, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences Bayelsa State, Nigeria

    Solomon M Uvoh, Department of Human Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences University of port Harcourt, Rivers State Nigeria.

  • Solomon M Uvoh, Department of Human Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences University of port Harcourt, Rivers State Nigeria

    Solomon M Uvoh, Department of Human Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences University of port Harcourt, Rivers State Nigeria.

  • Dirime T Jonas, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ignatus Ajuru University of Education Port Harcourt River State, Nigeria

    Solomon M Uvoh, Department of Human Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences University of port Harcourt, Rivers State Nigeria.

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Published

2025-11-25

Issue

Vol. 4 No. 4 (2025): Volume 4 Issue 4

Section

Articles