Abstract:
Background: Ultrasound during antenatal care (ANC) is proposed as a strategy for increasing hospital deliveries
for complicated pregnancies and improving maternal, fetal, and neonatal outcomes. The First Look study was a
cluster-randomized trial conducted in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Guatemala, Kenya, Pakistan and Zambia
to evaluate the impact of ANC-ultrasound on these outcomes. An additional survey was conducted to identify
factors influencing women with complicated pregnancies to attend referrals for additional care.
Methods: Women who received referral due to ANC ultrasound findings participated in structured interviews to
characterize their experiences. Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel statistics were used to examine differences between
women who attended the referral and women who did not. Sonographers’ exam findings were compared to
referred women’s recall.
Results: Among 700 referred women, 510 (71%) attended the referral. Among referred women, 97% received a
referral card to present at the hospital, 91% were told where to go in the hospital, and 64% were told that the
hospital was expecting them. The referred women who were told who to see at the hospital (88% vs 66%), where to
go (94% vs 82%), or what should happen, were more likely to attend their referral (68% vs 56%). Barriers to attending
referrals were cost, transportation, and distance. Barriers after reaching the hospital were substantial. These included not
connecting with an appropriate provider, not knowing where to go, and being told to return later. These barriers at
the hospital often led to an unsuccessful referral.onclusions: Our study found that ultrasound screening at ANC alone does not adequately address barriers to referrals.
Better communication between the sonographer and the patient increases the likelihood of a completed referral. These
types of communication include describing the ultrasound findings, including the reason for the referral, to the mother
and staff; providing a referral card; describing where to go in the hospital; and explaining the procedures at the hospital.
Thus, there are three levels of communication that need to be addressed to increase completion of appropriate referrals-
communication between the sonographer and the woman, the sonographer and the clinic staff, and the sonographer
and the hospital.
