Effectiveness of dinoprostone in induction of labour compared to balloon catheter with Oxytocin among pregnant women attending regional referral hospitals in Dar es Salaam Tanzania
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Date
2025
Authors
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Publisher
Kairuki University
Abstract
Background
Labour induction is an essential obstetric intervention when continuation of pregnancy poses risks to the mother or fetus. In Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, regional referral hospitals (RRHs) commonly use Dinoprostone and balloon catheter with oxytocin for induction. However, comparative evidence on their effectiveness and outcomes remains limited in this context.
Objective
To compare maternal and neonatal outcomes between Dinoprostone and balloon catheter with oxytocin among women undergoing labour induction at RRHs in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Methodology
A hospital-based observational follow-up study was conducted from 1st April to 30th June 2025 among 288 pregnant women requiring induction at Amana, Mwananyamala, and Temeke RRHs. Participants were selected through simple random sampling stratified by hospital. Data on socio-demographic characteristics, obstetric history, induction method, and maternal and neonatal outcomes were collected using a structured questionnaire via the KOBO Toolbox platform. Data were analyzed with STATA 15 using descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate analyses; statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.
Results
Women induced with Dinoprostone had significantly higher odds of caesarean delivery compared to those who delivered vaginally (aOR = 2.41; 95% CI: 1.289–4.503). Induction with Dinoprostone was also strongly associated with shorter Labour duration; women with Labour lasting 11–14 hours (aOR = 0.248; 95% CI: 0.132–0.466) and 15–18 hours (aOR = 0.325; 95% CI: 0.1360.782) had lower odds of having been induced with Dinoprostone compared to those with Labour lasting 6–10 hours. Maternal health status, APGAR scores at 1 and 5 minutes, and birth weight showed no significant association with the induction method.
Conclusion
Both induction methods were effective and resulted in comparable neonatal outcomes. However, Dinoprostone induced labour more rapidly but carried a greater risk of caesarean delivery than balloon catheter with oxytocin. These findings highlight the need to balance efficacy and surgical risk when selecting an induction method, particularly in resource-limited settings where access to
emergency obstetric care may be constrained.
Description
A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for Master of Medicine in obstetrics and gynaecology of Kairuki university
Keywords
dinoprostone, labour induction, balloon catheter
Citation
Ally, Nasra A. 2025. Effectiveness of dinoprostone in induction of labour compared to balloon catheter with oxytocin among pregnant women attending regional referral hospitals in dar es salaam Tanzania. Dissertation. Kairuki University