Field Testing of Second Generation of Colour-Coded Rings for Detecting Slow Progress of Labour at Rural Health Centres.

Abstract

An innovative appropriate technological tool of colour-coded rings based on cervicographic principles was developed to monitor deliveries. To study efficacy, feasibility and acceptability of colour-coded rings for monitoring active phase of labour. All consecutive deliveries occurring at selected primary health centres from Pune, Satara and Kolhapur Districts of Maharashtra, during 15months period were included in the study and matched control groups. Training of medical officers and nurses from both study and control area was undertaken in routine natal and post-natal care. In addition, training of use of colour-coded rings was given to health workers from the study area. There were 6705 live births from study area and 6341 from control area. Perinatal mortality rate for study area was 15.9/1000LB while that was 23.9/1000LB for control area (p<0.01). The cause-specific perinatal mortality due to birth asphyxia for the study area was 4.2/1000LB while that was 8.5/1000LB for control area (p=0.0019). Higher use rate of colour-coded rings associated with reduction in cause-specific mortality rate due to birth asphyxia in study area indicated that use of colour-coded rings is effective, feasible and acceptable option to cervicography under field conditions.