TITLE:
Assessment of Practical Training in Cesarean Delivery and Obstetric Hemostatic Procedures among Physicians Enrolled in the Diploma of Specialized Studies in Obstetrics and Gynecology in Dakar, Senegal
AUTHORS:
Mouhamet Sene, Khalifa Ababacar Gueye, Moussa Diallo, Moussa Yagouba Sow, Hamza Dane Moussa, Anna Dia, Youssou Toure, Alassane Diouf, Abdoul Aziz Diouf
KEYWORDS:
Cesarean Delivery, Surgical Education, Self-Assessed Competence, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Postgraduate Medical Education, Senegal
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology,
Vol.16 No.9,
September
16,
2026
ABSTRACT: Objective: To describe self-reported operative exposure, self-assessed technical competence, and perceptions of practical training in cesarean delivery and obstetric haemostatic procedures among physicians enrolled in the Diploma of Specialized Studies (DES) in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Cheikh Anta Diop University in Dakar. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted from 1 April to 30 June 2025 across DES-affiliated training sites. A self-administered KoboToolbox questionnaire collected participant characteristics, self-reported operative exposure, operating-room role, self-assessed technical competence, and views on training. Analyses were descriptive. Results: Eighty-four valid questionnaires were analysed from a target population of 112 enrolled trainees (75.0% coverage). The mean age was 30.38 years and 61.9% were women. Before entering the DES, 84.5% had never performed a cesarean section. The self-reported weekly average was 5.57 ± 3.53 procedures (median 5; range 1 - 20). Means were 4.5 in year 1 and 7.2 in year 4; because the design was cross-sectional, this difference does not represent individual longitudinal progression. Overall, 89.3% had served as primary operators, without measurement of case numbers or degree of supervision. Self-assessed competence was reported by 77.4% for an unscarred uterus, 72.6% for a scarred uterus, and 75.0% for a multiply scarred uterus with adhesions. Reported mastery was 73.8% for vascular ligation, 53.6% for uterine compression sutures, and 38.1% for haemostatic hysterectomy. Among 75 respondents to the numerical-threshold item, 54.7% considered 1 - 10 cesarean sections sufficient for mastery. Conclusion: Respondents reported regular but highly variable exposure and lower perceived competence in some advanced haemostatic procedures. These reports are not objective measures of technical competence. A prospective study combining operative logbooks, supervision levels, and structured observation is required to evaluate actual skill acquisition.