An implementation study of barriers to universal cervical length screening for preterm birth prevention at tertiary hospitals in Thailand: Healthcare managers' perspectives
Issued Date
2022-01-01
Resource Type
ISSN
23050500
eISSN
23050519
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85130248623
Journal Title
Asian Pacific Journal of Reproduction
Volume
11
Issue
1
Start Page
1
End Page
11
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Asian Pacific Journal of Reproduction Vol.11 No.1 (2022) , 1-11
Suggested Citation
Titapant V., Chawanpaiboon S., Anuwutnavin S., Kanjanapongporn A., Pooliam J., Tangwiwat P. An implementation study of barriers to universal cervical length screening for preterm birth prevention at tertiary hospitals in Thailand: Healthcare managers' perspectives. Asian Pacific Journal of Reproduction Vol.11 No.1 (2022) , 1-11. 11. doi:10.4103/2305-0500.335856 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/83379
Title
An implementation study of barriers to universal cervical length screening for preterm birth prevention at tertiary hospitals in Thailand: Healthcare managers' perspectives
Author's Affiliation
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
Objective: To identify healthcare managers' perspectives on the barriers to implementing cervical length screening to prevent preterm births. Methods: In Phase I, 10 healthcare managers were interviewed. Phase II comprised questionnaire development and data validation. In Phase III, the questionnaire was administered to 40 participants, and responses were analyzed. Results: Their average related work experience was (21.0±7.2) years; 39 (97.5%) respondents also had healthcare management responsibilities at their respective hospitals. Most hospitals were reported to have enough obstetricians (31 cases, 77.5%) and to be able to accurately perform cervical length measurements (22 cases, 55.0%). However, no funding was allocated to universal cervical length screening (39 cases, 97.5%). Most respondents believed that implementing universal screening, as per Ministry of Public Health policies, would prevent preterm births (28 cases, 70.0%). Moreover, they suggested that hospital fees for cervical length measurements should be waived (34 cases, 85.0%). Three main perceived barriers to universal screening at tertiary hospitals were identified. They were heavy obstetrician workloads (20 cases, 50.0%); inadequate numbers of medical personnel (24 cases, 60.0%); not believing that the screening test could prevent preterm birth (8 cases, 20%) and lack of free drug support for preterm birth prevention in high-risk cases (29 cases, 72.5%). Conclusions: The main obstacles to universal cervical length screening are heavy staff workloads and inadequate government funding for ultrasound scanning and hormone therapy. The healthcare managers do not believe that the universal cervical length screening can help to reduce preterm birth.