Clinical Trials Logo

Clinical Trial Summary

It is becoming increasingly apparent that there is an urgent need to systematically investigate the rising cesarean section (CS) rates in Greece and develop interventions to substantially reduce these rates. In this trial, to be conducted in Greece, the obstetricians will be exposed to educational, behavioral and/or organizational interventions while managing labor. The trial is expected to yield new information about effective interventions to reduce unnecessary cesarean sections in Greece, hopefully leading the way to their reduction worldwide.


Clinical Trial Description

The present study explains the planned implementation of a stepped-wedge trial in Greek maternity units. Twenty-two maternity units in Greece will participate in the trial involving 20,000 to 25,000 births, with two of the units entering the intervention period each month (stepped randomization). The maternity units will apply the interventions for a period of 6-16 months, depending on the time they enter the intervention stage of the trial. There will also be an initial baseline phase of the trial, lasting from 3 to 13 months; this phase will include observation and data collection of routine obstetric practices. The interventions are based on educational, behavioral and organizational modifications and will include the implementation of the Hellenic Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology (HSOG) guidelines on labor management and targeted training in cardiotocography (CTG), obstetric emergencies, and the classification of cesarean section through Robson criteria. During the trial period, the rates and indications for cesarean sections will be available to participating units on a live platform, using an anonymous reporting system. Participating obstetricians will be able to see their own and other units' performance and also get feedback on their rates. Τhe final three-month phase of the trial will be devoted to completion of questionnaires by the participating obstetricians. The total estimated duration of the trial will be 22 months. The primary outcome assessed will be the change in cesarean section rate and the secondary outcomes will be maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. The intervention and control periods will be compared using mixed effects logistic regression with adjustment for any underlying secular trends. ;


Study Design


Related Conditions & MeSH terms


NCT number NCT04504500
Study type Interventional
Source Hellenic Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Contact
Status Completed
Phase N/A
Start date May 31, 2021
Completion date October 31, 2023

See also
  Status Clinical Trial Phase
Active, not recruiting NCT06090695 - Cesarean Delivery in Uganda: A Mixed Methods Study