Methods for Gestational Age Estimation during Pregnancy in Africa: A Scoping Review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25159/2520-5293/16552Keywords:
African continent, estimation of gestational age, foetal growth monitoring, symphysis fundal height measurement, pregnancyAbstract
Monitoring foetal growth and managing pregnancy complications require the precise determination of gestational age. Estimation of gestational age during pregnancy is of utmost importance as it assists with the identification of high-risk pregnancies like polyhydramnios, multiple pregnancy and intrauterine growth restriction. The purpose of the SR was to map the evidence of estimation of gestational age during pregnancy in Africa using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Scoping Review Methodology. Electronic search engines were used to search articles published from 1 January 2013 to 31 December 2023. A total of 79 eligible articles were retrieved and uploaded to Rayyan – a web and mobile app for systematic reviews. The selection process included title and abstract screening as well as full text article screening, which resulted in 19 articles. A Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) flow chart was developed to report the 19 studies identified for final SR. There was a minimal publication of studies between 2013 and 2014 with a marked increase in 2019 (n = 4) and 2020 (n = 4). Countries where studies were done included Northern Africa (n = 3), Eastern Africa (n = 3), Western Africa (n = 3), Central Africa (n = 2), Southern Africa (n = 3), and multiple countries (n = 5). Among the 19 articles included in the SR, 16 adopted a quantitative design. This scoping review (SR) identified several methods for gestational age estimation, namely, ultrasound; last menstrual period (LMP); symphysis fundal height (SFH); and clinical data. More systematic reviews should be conducted on the estimation of gestational age to add to the information obtained from the SR.
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