Availability and use of obstetric guidelines in Nigeria.

Objective: To determine the availability and use of obstetric guidelines in Nigeria, and seek the opinions of obstetricians regarding the benefits of such guidelines.

Methods: A questionnaire survey of obstetricians attending the Annual Conference of the Society of Gynaecology and Obstetrics of Nigeria held in November 2006. Respondents were asked whether their units had management guidelines for 12 common obstetric complications, and whether they thought the use of guidelines would improve obstetric outcome.

Results: Only 14.1% of 170 respondents worked in units with guidelines on all 12 obstetric complications, while 28.8% said their units had none. Guidelines were most commonly available for HIV/AIDS and hypertensive disorders, and least available for sepsis and abortion complications. The majority of respondents (96%) agreed that guidelines would improve obstetric outcome.

Conclusion: The availability of obstetric guidelines in Nigeria is low and variable. Widespread introduction is advocated as a strategy for improving obstetric outcome.