Mixed methods analysis of factors influencing change in clinical behaviours of non-physician anaesthetists in Kenya following obstetric anaesthesia training.

Maternal mortality rates in low-middle income countries remain high, with sub-Saharan Africa accounting for two-thirds of global maternal deaths. Inadequate staff training is one of the main contributors to anaesthesia-related deaths and the Association of Anaesthetists developed the Safe Anaesthesia from Education course in collaboration with the World Federation of Societies of Anaesthesiologists to address this training gap. We aimed to evaluate the impact of this course among Kenyan participants. Mixed methodologies and secondary analyses of anonymised data were used to study translation of learning into practice. In total, 103 participants from 66 facilities who attended courses between 2016 and 2017 were analysed. Ninety (87%) participants who were followed up completed knowledge tests. Baseline median (IQR [range]) knowledge test score was 41 (37-43 [21-46]). There was a significant improvement in median (IQR [range]) knowledge test score immediately post-course (43 (41-45 [33-48]); p < 0.001) which was sustained at 3-6 month follow-up (43 (41-45 [32-50]); p < 0.001 compared with baseline). Eighty-four of the 103 participants were observed in their workplace and capability, opportunity and motivation-behaviour framework was used to study the barriers and facilitators to practice change. Psychological capability and reflective motivation were the main factors enabling positive behaviour change such as team communication and pre-operative assessment, whereas physical and social opportunity accounted for the main barriers to behaviours such as performing the surgical safety checklist. Our study demonstrates that the Safe Anaesthesia from Education obstetric course is relevant in the low-resource setting and may lead to knowledge translation in clinical practice.

A COMPARATIVE STUDY ON THE EFFICACY OF TWO REGIMENS OF SINGLE- SHOT SPINAL BLOCK FOR PAIN RELIEF IN WOMEN PRESENTING IN ESTABLISHED LABOUR.

BACKGROUND: Most women experience moderate to severe pain during labour and delivery, often requiring some form of pharmacologic analgesia. The lack of proper psychological preparation combined with fear and anxiety can greatly enhance the patient's sensitivity to pain and further add to the discomfort. Skillfully conducted obstetric analgesia, in addition to relieving pain and anxiety, may benefit the mother by increasing self esteem and improving bonding with the baby. OBJECTIVE: To assess and compare the satisfaction and efficacy of two regimens of single-shot spinal blocks for the relief of labor pain in women who present in active phase of labour. DESIGN: A prospective randomised single-blind observational study SETTING: Labour ward of Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi. SUBJECTS: All consenting primiparous women presenting in active phase of labor with uncomplicated singleton pregnancy at term (> 37 weeks) and in cephalic presentation, who reported a > 70 mm VAS (Visual Analog Scale) pain score at cervical dilatation ≥ 5 cm at the time of request for labour analgesia. RESULTS: Effective labour analgesia lasting up to 120 minutes was observed in the fentanyl-bupivacaine group but with high incidence of breakthrough pain. The fentanyl-bupivacaine-morphine group had labour analgesia lasting up to 180 minutes or even more with a lower incidence of breakthrough pain. The one-minute and five- minute Apgar scores in the morphine group were significantly lower (p = 0.026 and 0.044 respectively) than in the fentanyl group but the difference in neonatal outcome had no clinical significance, and there were no significant differences in adverse effects, sensory levels, and motor power between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Effective analgesia for about 120 minutes was observed in the fentanyl-bupivacaine group with high incidence of breakthrough pain while the fentanyl-bupivacaine-morphine group had labour analgesia prolonged up to more than three hours. The difference in fetal outcome had no clinical significance for the morphine group, and there were no significant difference in adverse effect, sensory levels, and motorpowerbetween the two groups. These findings show that intrathecal analgesia is safe and the use of the combination of fentanyl-bupivacaine-morphine gives adequate and safe analgesia during labour and delivery.

THE INCIDENCE AND RISK FACTORS FOR INTRA-OPERATIVE HYPOTHERMIA AMONG PAEDIATRIC PATIENTS UNDERGOING GENERAL ANAESTHESIA AT THE KENYATTA NATIONAL HOSPITAL.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence and risk factors for intra-operative hypothermia in paediatric patients undergoing general anaesthesia at the Kenyatta National Hospital. DESIGN: A prospective observational study. SETTING: The Kenyatta National Hospital main operating theatres and affiliated satellite operating theatres. SUBJECTS: A total of 100 paediatric patients (range; three days to 12 years, mean; 4.1 ± 3.3 years) were enrolled in the study. RESULTS: Thirty out of 100 patients developed hypothermia defined as a core temperature < 36 °C recorded at least once during provision of general anaesthesia. Ninety percent of those developing hypothermia were male compared to 63% who remained normothermic (p = 0.006). Proportionally, more than twice as many hypothermic patients had a caudal block (43% versus 20%, p = 0.016) and received 121 ml more of fluid (p = 0.002) compared to the normothermic group. The patients who became hypothermic tended to be colder at induction of anaesthesia (36.6 ± 0.5°C versus 37.0 ± 0.5 °C, p = < 0.0001) but there was no significant difference in the waiting time, time of induction, environmental temperatures or theatre temperatures compared to those not developing hypothermia. There was no significant difference in the BMI between the two groups (14.0 ± 2.9 kg/ m2 versus 15.2 ± 3.5 kg/m2, p = 0.101). CONCLUSION: The incidence of intra-operative core hypothermia in paediatric patients undergoing general anaesthesia at the Kenyatta National Hospital is 30%. Gender (male), lower body temperature at induction, use of caudal block and the volume of intravenous fluids infused were significant independent predictors of core hypothermia. The most significant predictor was body temperature at the time of induction of general anaesthesia.

MATERNAL HYPOTENSION AND NEONATAL ACIDAEMIA DURING CAESEREAN DELIVERY UNDER SPINAL ANAESTHESIA.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the incidence of neonatal acidaemia following delivery through caesarean section under spinal anaesthesia and determine the prevalence of maternal hypotension during Caesarean section under spinal anaesthesia and its correlation with neonatal acidaemia. DESIGN: Prospective observational study. SETTING: Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), Nairobi, Kenya. SUBJECTS: One hundred and seventy-two ASA I and II consecutive term patients undergoing elective Caesarean section under spinal anaesthesia. RESULTS: Forty three babies (27.2%) were born with neonatal acidaemia, defined as umbilical arterial blood pH 7.2. There was, however, no significant difference in the five minute Apgar scores between the acidotic and non-acidotic neonates. Twenty eight patients (17.7%) developed maternal hypotension (systolic Blood Pressure less than 100mmHg). The hypotension was readily corrected within two minutes (mean of 1.43 minutes) of onset using vasopressors and boluses of intravenous fluids. CONCLUSIONS: A short period (< 2 minutes) mean of 1.43 minutes of maternal hypotension has no significant effect on the neonate as assessed by five minute Apgar Scores. Similarly, neonatal acidaemia following Caesarean delivery under spinal anaesthesia does not seem to have any short-term effects on neonatal well-being.

Ethnic differences in propofol and fentanyl response: a comparison among Caucasians, Kenyan Africans and Brazilians.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Differences in sensitivity to anaesthetic drugs may exist among human races. Allelic variants for drug metabolizing isoenzymes and other pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic differences may account for a variable response to anaesthetic drugs. This study was designed to investigate comparatively the anaesthetic requirements and the recovery trends of three different ethnic groups: Caucasians, African blacks and Brazilians. METHODS: The anaesthetic depth and recovery of groups of 45 patients undergoing total intravenous anaesthesia with propofol and fentanyl were compared. The bispectral index and clinical parameters were used to assess the depth of anaesthesia. The bispectral index, the response to verbal stimuli and the eye opening time were used to assess recovery. RESULTS: After stopping propofol, the bispectral index values of Caucasians returned to the baseline in about 10.8 +/- 4 min, that of Kenyan African blacks in 18 +/- 7 min and that of Brazilians in a highly variable time ranging from 5 to 25 min, (14.9 +/- 9.9). The time from discontinuation of propofol and fentanyl infusion to eye opening was 18.8 +/- 7.1 min in African blacks (P < 0.01) and 13.5 +/- 8.8 min in Brazilians (P > 0.05) vs. 11.6 +/- 4.5 min in Caucasians. Time to respond to verbal commands was 16.8 +/- 8 min in African blacks (P < 0.01) and 12.8 +/- 8.1 min in Brazilians (P > 0.05) vs. 9.9 +/- 4.5 min in Caucasians. CONCLUSIONS: The recovery of Kenyan African blacks from anaesthesia with propofol and fentanyl is much slower, in comparison with Caucasians. The recovery time of Brazilians is much more variable, in comparison with Caucasians.