[National survey on midwifery practice in health facilities in China].

OBJECTIVE

To understand the use of midwifery practice in health facilities and get the baseline data for future action.

METHODS

A national survey was conducted in 2003. Questionnaires were sent to 887 sampled health facilities in 31 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities. Midwifery practice data in year 2002 were collected and a descriptive study was done based on the data.

RESULTS

The average proportion of cesarean section was 38.0%. The proportion of episiotomy per 100 vaginal deliveries was 44.9%. The percentage of births delivered by vacuum extraction was 3.6% and the percentage was 1.9% by forceps. The percentages of use of breech extraction and of internal version to vaginal delivery were 1.4% and 0.2%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The appropriate use of midwifery practice is not fully guaranteed, thus national regulations should be made to standardize midwifery practice in health facilities imminently.