Table 4 Content comparison between the WHO PCPNC guidelines and the national clinical practice guidelines for maternal care (not including ANC cards)
Pregnancy, Childbirth, Postpartum and Newborn Care: A Guide to Essential Practice (WHO 2006) Guideline sections analysed: | Burkina Faso 'Protocoles de Santé de la Reproduction-Santé de la femme et du nouveau-né de moins de sept (7) jours'(November 2009) | Ghana 'National Safe Motherhood Service Protocol'(December 2008) | Tanzania 'Focused Antenatal care, malaria and syphilis in pregnancy (FANC)' (July 2002) 'Emergency Obstetric Job Aide (OJA)' (June 2005) |
|---|---|---|---|
Chapter B 9-17: Emergency Treatments for the woman | Difference compared to WHO guidelines: No section on ABC (Airway, Breathing, Circulation). Malaria and infections in pregnancy not mentioned. | Difference compared to WHO guidelines: Nothing specific on malaria. | Difference compared to WHO guidelines: No section on ABC. |
Chapter B 19-21: Bleeding in early pregnancy and post-abortion care | Contains all points in WHO guidelines | Contains all points in WHO guidelines | Difference compared to WHO guidelines: Bleeding only mentioned after week 28 of pregnancy |
Chapter C: Antenatal care | Difference compared to WHO guidelines: Checking for anaemia and syphilis are only 'desired' examinations. No information on how to counsel women choosing home births without skilled attendants. | Difference compared to WHO guidelines: No emphasis on rapid assessment to exclude emergencies. | Contains all points in WHO guidelines |
Chapter Labour and Delivery | D: Difference compared to WHO guidelines: No clear information on how to respond to problems immediately postpartum. Recommended return visits on 6th to 8th day of delivery (WHO 2nd to 3rd day). | Difference compared to WHO guidelines: Nothing about preterm delivery, severe anaemia on admission or how to respond to the following problems immediately postpartum: temperature > 38 degrees, pallor, stillborn baby. | Difference compared to WHO guidelines: OJA covers all WHO points, but does not describe labour in different stages |
E: Postpartum care | Contains all points in WHO guidelines | Difference compared to WHO guidelines: HIV, breathing difficulties, postpartum depression not mentioned. | Contains all points in WHO guidelines |