Analysis of Caesarean Section Rate According to the Robson Classification System

Increase rate of unnecessary caesarean sections has been a growing concern in most parts of the world. According to the latest survey one in five women in the world now deliver by caesarean section (CS). The Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) with its twenty -two Member States (MSs) as classified by the World Health Organization is of no exception in this respect. Within the EMR, Egypt has the highest CS rate of 54%, with no further improvement to maternal and child mortality rates in Egypt, the association of extremely high CS rate and its potential benefits has been questioned. This may suggest that although the necessary numbers of CSs are performed for the population at risk but the rates higher than the recommended threshold (10-15% according to the WHO) could be the measure of unjustified CSs in healthy populations . However, determining the adequate caesarean section rate at the population level - i.e. the minimum rate for medically indicated caesarean section, while avoiding medically unnecessary operations - is a challenging task. Variations in overall CS rate between different settings or over time are difficult to interpret and compare because of intrinsic differences in hospital factors and infrastructure (primary versus tertiary level), difference in the characteristics of the obstetric population (case mix) served (eg % of women delivered by previous CS) and difference in clinical management protocols. This is seen as one of the barriers in better understanding of CS trends and underlying causes. In order to propose and implement effective measures to achieve optimal CS rates, it is first essential to identify what groups of women are contributing the most towards overall CS rate and investigate the underlying reasons for trends in different settings. Like many developing countries, health care facilities in Egypt have no such standardized internationally accepted classification system in place to monitor and compare facility based CS rates in a consistent and action oriented manner.

Policy makers and health organisations have suggested the need for such classification system that can best monitor and compare CS rates in a standardised, reliable, consistent and action-oriented manner. WHO proposed the Robson classification system as a global standard for assessing, monitoring and comparing caesarean section rates within healthcare facilities over time, and between facilities. It classifies women in 10 groups based on their obstetric characteristics (parity, previous CS, gestational age, onset of labour, fetal presentation and number of fetuses) without needing the indication for CS. It gives an opportunity to evaluate the prevalence of CSs among various groups of women, to compare data between institutions, learn from each other and to create strategies for better results through audit and feed back cycle. This classification is clinically relevant and categorizes women prospectively which in turns allows the implementation and evaluation of interventions targeted to specific groups. Some studies have shown that if this classification is used on a regular basis, it can provide critical assessment to change the practice.

Aim: The study aim is, to assess, analyse and compare CSR of the participating hospital over the period of three months according to the 10 Group Robson classification system

Participating hospitals

1: Ain Shams University Hospital 4: Mataria Teaching Hospital 4: Shatby Alexandria Hospital 5: Benha University Hospital 6: Ahmed Maher Hospital 7: El-Galaa Hospital 8: Alexandria Hospital 9: Behira Hospital 10:Menia Hospital 11: Luxor Hospital 12: Nada Hospital 13: Rofayda Hospital

Study design: A prospective cross- sectional study will be conducted to implement the Robson Classification within the obstetric department of participating hospitals. The Robson implementation manual will be used as a tool guide for the study.

The study population will include all women with live births and stillbirths of at least 28 weeks gestation at from. Two-study investigator from each participating hospital will be assigned who will provide the ongoing support during the study period. Participants will be invited to attend the introductory workshop for the implementation of the Robson Classification by the study coordinators. Variables necessary to categorise women in to Robson groups will be collected through the predesigned proforma. These variables will be used to classify each woman in to Robson groups with the help of a flow diagram. The collected information will be analyzed on the Excel Sheet to finalize the grouping either manually or by an automatic calculator.The results of each group will be statistically analyzed after entering the data in the report and will be sent on a monthly basis by e-mail or fax to study coordinators.