Improving Decision-to-Incision Interval (DDI) of Emergency Cesarean Sections Through Mobile-Based Obstetric Emergency System (MORES) and Midwife-Led Triage in Bong County, Liberia: A Quasi-Experimental Study

<b>Background</b>: Delays in emergency cesarean section (CS) remain a major contributor to maternal and neonatal morbidity in low-resource settings. This study evaluated the combined effect of a mobile-based obstetric emergency system (MORES) and a midwife-led triage program on the decision-to-incision interval (DDI) and related outcomes in Liberia. <b>Methods</b>: A quasi-experimental study with an interrupted time series design was conducted in Bong County across two district hospitals receiving referrals from 20 rural health facilities. Seventy-two women referred for emergency CS were observed at baseline, midline, and endline. MORES used WhatsApp-based communication to improve referral coordination, while the triage program trained midwives to rapidly assess cases using a color-coded system. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Wilcoxon rank-sum, chi-squared tests, and logistic regression. <b>Results</b>: By endline, the median DDI decreased by 117.5 min compared to baseline (95% CI: -205.1 to -29.9). Women were significantly more likely to receive a CS within 75 min (AOR: 11.7; 95% CI: 1.32 to 104.5). No maternal deaths occurred. Neonatal mortality was observed but not significantly associated with DDI. <b>Conclusions</b>: MORES and midwife-led triage substantially improved the timeliness of emergency CS in a resource-constrained setting. These low-cost, feasible strategies warrant further evaluation for sustainability and impact on neonatal outcomes.

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Journal
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Published
2025-10-21
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22101596
Primary Topic
Emergency and Acute Care Studies
Type
article
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article

Improving Decision-to-Incision Interval (DDI) of Emergency Cesarean Sections Through Mobile-Based Obstetric Emergency System (MORES) and Midwife-Led Triage in Bong County, Liberia: A Quasi-Experimental Study

Jody R. Lori, Ha Eun Lee, Philip Veliz, Sung‐Hae Kim et al.
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Emergency and Acute Care Studies
article

Improving Decision-to-Incision Interval (DDI) of Emergency Cesarean Sections Through Mobile-Based Obstetric Emergency System (MORES) and Midwife-Led Triage in Bong County, Liberia: A Quasi-Experimental Study

Jody R. Lori, Ha Eun Lee, Philip Veliz, Sung‐Hae Kim, Wahdae-Mai Harmon-Gray, Joseph Sieka
article en

Abstract

<b>Background</b>: Delays in emergency cesarean section (CS) remain a major contributor to maternal and neonatal morbidity in low-resource settings. This study evaluated the combined effect of a mobile-based obstetric emergency system (MORES) and a midwife-led triage program on the decision-to-incision interval (DDI) and related outcomes in Liberia. <b>Methods</b>: A quasi-experimental study with an interrupted time series design was conducted in Bong County across two district hospitals receiving referrals from 20 rural health facilities. Seventy-two women referred for emergency CS were observed at baseline, midline, and endline. MORES used WhatsApp-based communication to improve referral coordination, while the triage program trained midwives to rapidly assess cases using a color-coded system. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Wilcoxon rank-sum, chi-squared tests, and logistic regression. <b>Results</b>: By endline, the median DDI decreased by 117.5 min compared to baseline (95% CI: -205.1 to -29.9). Women were significantly more likely to receive a CS within 75 min (AOR: 11.7; 95% CI: 1.32 to 104.5). No maternal deaths occurred. Neonatal mortality was observed but not significantly associated with DDI. <b>Conclusions</b>: MORES and midwife-led triage substantially improved the timeliness of emergency CS in a resource-constrained setting. These low-cost, feasible strategies warrant further evaluation for sustainability and impact on neonatal outcomes.

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public HealthVol. 22(10)
University of Liberia (LR), University of Michigan (US)
United States Agency for International Development, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
Openalex Percentile: Top 56%
Emergency and Acute Care Studies
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