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. 2011 May;113(2):131-6.
doi: 10.1016/j.ijgo.2010.11.013.

Implementation of the Zambia electronic perinatal record system for comprehensive prenatal and delivery care

Benjamin H Chi  1 , Bellington Vwalika, William P Killam, Chibesa Wamalume, Mark J Giganti, Reuben Mbewe, Elizabeth M Stringer, Namwinga T Chintu, Nande B Putta, Katherine C Liu, Carla J Chibwesha, Dwight J Rouse, Jeffrey S A Stringer
Affiliations

Implementation of the Zambia electronic perinatal record system for comprehensive prenatal and delivery care

Benjamin H Chi et al. Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 2011 May.

Abstract

Objective: To characterize prenatal and delivery care in an urban African setting.

Methods: The Zambia Electronic Perinatal Record System (ZEPRS) was implemented to record demographic characteristics, past medical and obstetric history, prenatal care, and delivery and newborn care for pregnant women across 25 facilities in the Lusaka public health sector.

Results: From June 1, 2007, to January 31, 2010, 115552 pregnant women had prenatal and delivery information recorded in ZEPRS. Median gestation age at first prenatal visit was 23weeks (interquartile range [IQR] 19-26). Syphilis screening was documented in 95663 (83%) pregnancies: 2449 (2.6%) women tested positive, of whom 1589 (64.9%) were treated appropriately. 111108 (96%) women agreed to HIV testing, of whom 22% were diagnosed with HIV. Overall, 112813 (98%) of recorded pregnancies resulted in a live birth, and 2739 (2%) in a stillbirth. The median gestational age was 38weeks (IQR 35-40) at delivery; the median birth weight of newborns was 3000g (IQR 2700-3300g).

Conclusion: The results demonstrate the feasibility of using a comprehensive electronic medical record in an urban African setting, and highlight its important role in ongoing efforts to improve clinical care.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest

The authors have no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Description of the study cohort with prenatal care and delivery information entered into the ZEPRS from June 1, 2007, to January 31, 2010. * The 38 893 pregnancies with no delivery information after 44 weeks represent non-institutional delivery, institutional delivery outside the ZEPRS-supported sites, and losses to follow-up. All gestational ages are based on dating information at the enrollment visit. EGA, estimated gestational age.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Distribution of estimated gestation age and birth weight among pregnancies entered into the ZEPRS from June 1, 2007, to January 31, 2010. (A) Estimated gestation age at enrollment into prenatal care. (B) Estimated gestation age at time of delivery. (C) Birth weight at delivery.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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