A retrospective cohort study of mode of delivery among public and private patients in an integrated maternity hospital setting

TitleA retrospective cohort study of mode of delivery among public and private patients in an integrated maternity hospital setting
Publication TypePublished Journal Article
2013
AuthorsMurphy DJ, Fahey T
JournalBMJ Open
Volume3
Issue11
Date Published10/2013
Type of ArticlePublished Article Journal
KeywordsCaesarean Section, Cohort Study, Operative Delivery, Operative Vaginal Delivery, Private Healthcare
Abstract

Objective: To examine the associations between mode of delivery and public versus privately funded obstetric care within the same hospital setting.
Design: Retrospective cohort study.
Setting: Urban maternity hospital in Ireland.
Population: A total of 30 053 women with singleton pregnancies who delivered between 2008 and 2011.
Methods: The study population was divided into those who booked for obstetric care within the public(n=24 574) or private clinics (n=5479). Logistic regression analyses were performed to examine the associations between operative delivery and type of care, adjusting for potential confounding factors.
Main outcome measures: Caesarean section (scheduled or emergency), operative vaginal delivery (vacuum or forceps), indication for caesarean section
as classified by the operator.
Results: Compared with public patients, private patients were more likely to be delivered by caesarean section (34.4% vs 22.5%, OR 1.81; 95% CI 1.70 to 1.93) or operative vaginal delivery (20.1% vs 16.5%, OR 1.28; 95% CI 1.19 to 1.38). The greatest disparity was for scheduled caesarean sections; differences persisted for nulliparous and parous women after controlling for medical and social differences between the groups (nulliparous 11.9% vs 4.6%, adjusted (adj) OR 1.82; 95% CI 1.49 to 2.24 and parous 26% vs 12.2%, adj OR 2.08; 95% CI 1.86 to 2.32). Scheduled repeat caesarean section accounted for most of the disparity among parous patients. Maternal request per se was an uncommonly reported indication for caesarean section (35 in each group, p<0.000).

URLhttp://www.bmjopen.bmj.com/content/3/11/e003865.full.pdf+html
DOI10.1136/bmjopen-2013-003865