4.4 Strengths and Limitations
The study has several strengths, including;
- Conducted in Kasr Alainy University Hospital, one of the largest and
leading hospitals in Egypt, Africa and the Middle East.
- First such study in Kasr Alainy University Hospital, therefore, adding
useful insight into the practice of episiotomy and allowing for
further research and follow up of the incidence.
- Large patient sample, 1545 patients included in the study.
- Manual, daily inspection of patient charts, insuring accuracy of
collected data.
The study also had some limitations, including:
- Outdated, paper-based hospital charting and record-keeping system.
This makes long-term data collection especially challenging.
- Some information is not mentioned in all charts, like the years of
marriage.
- Indications because of which episiotomy was performed are not
specified or documented.