An intervention with demonstrated impact
GE has collaborated with governments, academic researchers and non-governmental organizations to assess the maternal health impact of ultrasound use in primary care facilities.
According to findings of peer reviewed literature, ultrasound can:
Empower midwives with basic obstetric scans. In rural Zambia, midwives1:
- Became competent in basic obstetric ultrasound, with high accuracy in qualitative clinical assessments
- Retained skills for up to 6 months
Mobilize mothers to seek four or more antenatal care (ANC) visits. In Uganda, ultrasound implemented in a primary care facility led to2:
- A 72% increase in total antenatal care visits
- A fourfold increase in women attending four or more ANC visits
Improve clinical decision-making and pregnancy management. When ultrasound was available to midwives in Zambia3:
- The clinical management of 17% of obstetric cases was changed, particularly patients with malpresentation and multiple gestations
References:
1. Kimberly, et al, 2010. Focused Maternal Ultrasound By Midwives in Rural Zambia. Ultrasound in Med. & Biol., Vol. 36, No. 8, pp. 1267–1272, 2010.
Qualitative clinical measures included: multiple gestations, placenta location, fetal presentation.
2. Ross, et al, 2013. A Low-Cost Ultrasound Program Leads to Increased Antenatal Clinic Visits and Attended Deliveries at a Health Care Clinic in Rural Uganda. PLOS ONE | 1 October 2013 | Volume 8 | Issue 10 | e78450
3. Kimberly, et al, 2010. Focused Maternal Ultrasound By Midwives in Rural Zambia. Ultrasound in Med. & Biol., Vol. 36, No. 8, pp. 1267–1272, 2010