Research output per year
Research output per year
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
BACKGROUND: Routine cervical length (CL) measurement at the mid-pregnancy ultrasound is a central recommendation of the Western Australian Preterm Birth Prevention Initiative (Initiative).
AIM: To evaluate the perceptions and changes in practice of Western Australian obstetric care providers regarding routine CL screening for preterm birth (PTB) prevention following the Initiative introduction.
METHODS: Two self-administered questionnaires were completed by providers from a range of practices. The first was during site visits with the Initiative Outreach team in 2015-2016. The questionnaire was re-issued in 2021 via online dissemination. Participant demographic data and opinions on CL screening for PTB prevention were collected.
RESULTS: Two hundred and fourteen providers participated in 2015-2016 and 109 in 2021. In both surveys, providers were more likely to discuss transvaginal CL screening with high-risk women (48.1%, 76.1%; P < 0.001) compared with low-risk (7.5%, 18.3%; P = 0.002) and the importance of CL screening (13.5%, 40.4%; P < 0.001), in 2015-2016 and 2021, respectively. Responses relating to CL screening, including what constitutes a short cervix on ultrasound were varied. A transabdominal CL <35 mm was classified as short by 46.2% and 37.6% and <25 mm on transvaginal ultrasound by 49.1% and 64.2%, in the respective surveys. Most providers ceased progesterone (68.6%, 75.2%) at >28 weeks gestation.
CONCLUSIONS: Providers focused on women with overt PTB risk factors, rather than a universal CL screening approach. Although there was improvement between the surveys, the definition of what constitutes a short cervix on ultrasound and how to treat and monitor women with a short CL remained varied.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 650-657 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | The Australian & New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology |
Volume | 62 |
Issue number | 5 |
Early online date | 13 Mar 2022 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Oct 2022 |
Research output: Thesis › Doctoral Thesis