Abstract
Diagnosis is the foundation of a correct intervention. However, diagnostic errors result in wrong interventions. This is a global phenomenon, where it is a common problem; which has been understudied. Looking at the Philippines, diagnostic errors are three times most likely to make pregnant women develop obstetric complications. In Kenya, there is a high annual maternal mortality prevalence ratio of 362/100,000 live births, with Bungoma County exceeding the national maternal mortality prevalence ratio of 382/100,000 live births annually. Maternal mortality more often than not, a factor, that arises from morbidity is fuelled by diagnostic errors that required determination of its consequences on obstetric outcomes in Bungoma county. Thus, this study investigated the prevalence of diagnostic errors as predictors of obstetric outcomes among post-natal mothers in Bungoma County. The study employed a descriptive cross-sectional research design, which was hospital-based (Bungoma and Webuye hospitals). Systematic sampling was used to obtain 384 respondents and purposive sampling to select 8 health care workers as key informants. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire and an interview guide. the pre-test was done; validity was established through crosschecking and reliability calculated using the Cronbach method (0.89). Using a statistical package for social sciences version 25, descriptive statistics were run. The study revealed a prevalence ratio of 3.996 whereas delayed diagnosis was 43.1%, missed 38.8%, absent diagnosis 27.5%, wrong diagnosis 34.9%, misinterpretation of results 24.1, unmatched 26.3% and unnecessary investigation 9.3%. The study demonstrates that a correct diagnosis is a viable strategy in preventing unsafe obstetric outcomes and by extension minimizing morbidity and mortality among pregnant women.
Highlights
According to [1] 600,000 women in the world die each year from pregnancy-related complications and 15% of all pregnant women develop life-threatening complications
The study sought to investigate the prevalence of diagnostic errors as predictors of obstetric outcomes
This study employed the use of the Postulated Theoretical Framework (11) that envisaged to understand the variables that contributed to increased diagnostic errors which were predictors of obstetric outcomes in health facilities in Bungoma County
Summary
According to [1] 600,000 women in the world die each year from pregnancy-related complications and 15% of all pregnant women develop life-threatening complications (morbidity). Maternal and perinatal morbidity such as pre-term birth, infection, hypertensive disease, and intrapartum asphyxia are significant causes of unsafe pregnancy outcomes mostly in the global south [3]. Ninety-nine per cent of these deaths occurred in developing countries, with Sub Saharan Africa (SSA) region alone accounting for 66% of these deaths [5]. These deaths do mask the magnitude of the challenges that women face during the process of pregnancy and childbirth. Intrapartum care and hypertensive disease remain high priority areas for addressing perinatal mortality in sub-Saharan Africa [3].
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