Obstetric Service Delivery Trends and Healthcare Staffing at a Teaching Hospital in Southwest Nigeria
Authors:   Department of Anaesthesia, College of Medicine, Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria., Afolayan Jide Michael , Gbala Michael Olumide ,   Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital, Ondo, Ondo State, Nigeria., Abayomi Olawale Ayobami ,   Department of Radiology, College of Medicine, Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria., Adewumi Oluwafemi Adebisi ,   Department of Hospital Services, Federal Ministry of Health, Abuja, Nigeria., Olaogun Dominic Oluwole ,   Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, College of Medicine, Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria., Oluleye Toyin Julius ,   Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Afe Babalola University Multisystem Hospital, Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria., Akinlua Gbenga Damilola ,   Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Afe Babalola University Multisystem Hospital, Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria., Adeyanju Benedict Tolulope ,   Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Afe Babalola University Multisystem Hospital, Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria., Owoyemi John Ayodeji ,   Department of Family Medicine, College of medicine, Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria., Ige Ebenezer Toluwalase ,   Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria., Enoch Opeyemi Oluwole ,   Department of Mathematics, University of Oye-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria., Olofinbiyi Babatunde Ajayi ,   Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, College of Medicine, Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria.
Published: May 2024

Background: Maternal health is a critical component of public health worldwide, reflecting a society's commitment to the well-being of its women and children. The provision of obstetric services, encompassing antenatal care, delivery and postnatal care, plays a pivotal role in reducing maternal mortality and ensuring positive birth outcomes. However, the quality and accessibility of obstetric services are influenced by various factors, including healthcare infrastructure, staffing levels and healthcare policies. Objective: To determine obstetric service delivery trends and healthcare staffing at a teaching hospital in southwest Nigeria Methodology: This study utilized a retrospective cohort design to examine the utilization of maternity care services among women at Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria. Data spanning from January 2016 to December 2023 were collected from obstetric records. Analysis was done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20. Results: a total of 9,855 deliveries were recorded, with 4,145 Caesarean sections and 5,767 spontaneous vaginal deliveries, giving a Caesarean section rate of 42%. Overall, there seems to be some fluctuations in the total number of deliveries over the years, with the highest number observed in 2019 (1482) and the lowest in 2021 (868). The number of consultants, senior residents, junior residents, house officers, nurses and other support staff varied over the years, with different staffing levels observed in each year. Conclusion: this study contributes to a better understanding of obstetric service delivery trends and healthcare staffing dynamics, offering valuable insights for healthcare resource allocation and policymaking. The findings underscore the importance of monitoring caseloads and staffing levels to ensure quality maternal and infant healthcare delivery.