Induction Of Labor Among Singleton Pregnancies In Six Palestinian Governmental Hospitals: A Population-Based Cohort Study.

Abstract

ObjectiveTo explore rates and review practices regarding induction of labor (IOL) among singleton pregnancies in Palestine.DesignA prospective population-based cohort study.SettingSix secondary and tertiary governmental hospitals located in the two regions of Palestine: West Bank and Gaza.ParticipantsSingleton pregnancies who had IOL in participating units during the study period were included (n=8290). Women having multiple gestations (1004), planned cesarean births (703), those admitted with cervical dilation >6cm (11228), and pregnancies with no record of cervical dilation and/or gestational age on admission (219) were excluded.Primary outcome measureRates of IOL in participating units and regions.ResultsThere were a total of 33,402 singleton births during the study period with an IOL rate of 24.8%. Rates of IOL significantly varied between units, ranging from 12.9% to 45.6% (P-value <0.05). The majority of women with no previous uterine scar were induced at gestational ages ≤40 weeks where 43.8% were induced at 39–40 gestational weeks (29.9% multiparous; 13.9% nulliparous) and 17.7% were induced between 37 and 38 gestational weeks (11.9% multiparous; 5.8% nulliparous).ConclusionSignificant variations in IOL practices between Palestinian hospitals and regions suggest overuse of IOL among singleton pregnancies in some units with the majority of these being performed before 40 weeks’ gestation. These findings indicate a gap between implementation of best evidence and current clinical practice.