Collecting population‐based perinatal data efficiently: the example of the Lebanese National Perinatal Survey

Abstract

We describe the methodology and the main results of the Lebanese perinatal health survey. The survey was carried out during two consecutive weeks in autumn 1999 and spring 2000, with the aim of obtaining a minimum data set on all births occurring during a short period of time. All live births and stillbirths occurring during these periods in medical settings were recorded. The sample included 5231 women and 5333 newborns. Data were obtained from medical records and by interviewing the women in hospital after delivery. All maternity units and birth centres agreed to participate. Maternal characteristics, medical care during pregnancy and delivery, and pregnancy outcome were similar for the two study periods. However, gestational age distribution differed between the two periods. In total, 9.0% of infants were born < 37 weeks of gestation and 7.0% weighed < 2500 g at birth. Wide regional variations were observed for many indicators of health, care and risk factors. For instance, the caesarean section rate varied from 16.2% in the North Region to 28.0% in Beirut. The survey protocol was successfully applied in Lebanon and may be useful in other countries that have a relatively well-developed healthcare system, but few sources of reliable population-based statistics on health and medical care. This type of survey may also be an appropriate instrument for collecting additional data for health policy evaluations.

Family history of cancer in children with acute leukemia, Hodgkin's lymphoma or non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma: The ESCALE study (SFCE)

“…The control mothers educational levels were very similar to those of the French population, but the control fathers' educational levels were higher. [22][23][24] However, parental socioeconomic status and educational level were not associated with a family history of cancer in the control group and the results were unchanged after adjustment for these variables. We collected no direct information on ethnicity, which might be related to the risk of childhood cancer and to history of cancer in relatives.…”

Duration of passive and active phases of the second stage of labour and risk of severe postpartum haemorrhage in low-risk nulliparous women

“…This probably explains at least in part the higher rate of such deliveries in France (11.1% in 2003) compared with the US (6.6% in 2006) (22,23). Previous studies have reported an association between PPH and operative vaginal delivery (24).…”

Prédiction de l’infection maternofœtale en cas de rupture prématurée des membranes par les marqueurs sériques maternels

“…Elle met en communication la cavité amniotique et les germes de la flore cervicovaginale. C'est une situation fré quente repré sentant 8 % des grossesses et impliqué e dans 30 % des accouchements pré maturé s [1].…”