HPCSA Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research Topics for Registrars – South Africa

Comprehensive list of obstetrics and gynaecology research topics designed specifically for HPCSA registrars in South Africa. These topics address high-impact maternal and reproductive health challenges including hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, obstetric haemorrhage, caesarean section outcomes, HIV in pregnancy, preterm birth, contraception, cervical cancer screening, infertility, abnormal uterine bleeding, pelvic pain, and gynaecological oncology across district hospitals, regional hospitals, provincial hospitals, and tertiary academic centres.

Why These Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research Topics Work for HPCSA Registrars

HPCSA obstetrics and gynaecology registrar research must be feasible within the 4-year training programme while addressing clinically relevant questions in South African maternal and reproductive health practice. Each topic below has been selected for:

• Clinical relevance: Addresses real obstetric and gynaecological problems commonly seen in South African hospitals
• Feasibility: Achievable within antenatal clinics, labour wards, postnatal wards, gynaecology clinics, theatre records, ultrasound units, and oncology services
• Ethical approval: Clear pathways for IRB submission, informed consent where required, retrospective record review options, and supervisor approval
• Publication potential: Suitable for South African Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, SAMJ, African Journal of Reproductive Health, or international obstetrics and gynaecology journals
• South African disease burden: Focuses on maternal mortality, hypertensive disorders, HIV in pregnancy, obstetric haemorrhage, cervical cancer, contraception, teenage pregnancy, and resource-appropriate women’s health care

Maternal Medicine and High-Risk Obstetrics Research Topics

Topic 1: Predictors of Severe Pre-eclampsia in a Tertiary Hospital

Research Question: What maternal, clinical, laboratory, and antenatal factors are associated with severe pre-eclampsia among pregnant women managed at a tertiary hospital?

Study Design: Retrospective or prospective observational study

Setting: Tertiary hospital antenatal clinic, labour ward, or high-risk obstetric unit

Why This Works: Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy remain a major contributor to maternal and perinatal morbidity in South Africa, data are available from antenatal records and delivery files, and outcomes such as eclampsia, HELLP syndrome, ICU admission, preterm birth, stillbirth, and neonatal admission can be measured.

Topic 2: Maternal and Perinatal Outcomes in Eclampsia

Research Question: What are the maternal and perinatal outcomes among women admitted with eclampsia in a South African referral hospital?

Study Design: Retrospective descriptive study

Setting: Regional or tertiary obstetric unit

Why This Works: Eclampsia is a severe but preventable obstetric emergency, case records are usually available, and the study can evaluate seizure timing, antenatal booking status, magnesium sulphate use, mode of delivery, maternal complications, and neonatal outcomes.

Topic 3: Risk Factors for Postpartum Haemorrhage

Research Question: What obstetric and clinical factors are associated with postpartum haemorrhage among women delivering in a regional hospital?

Study Design: Case-control or retrospective cohort study

Setting: Labour ward or obstetric theatre

Why This Works: Postpartum haemorrhage is a leading cause of maternal morbidity, data on parity, anaemia, prolonged labour, induction, augmentation, caesarean section, uterine atony, retained placenta, blood transfusion, and surgical interventions can be collected from routine records.

Topic 4: Caesarean Section Audit Using Robson Classification

Research Question: What are the major contributors to caesarean section rates using the Robson Ten Group Classification System?

Study Design: Retrospective audit

Setting: District, regional, or tertiary hospital labour ward

Why This Works: Caesarean section rate monitoring is highly relevant, Robson classification allows standardised comparison, and the study can identify modifiable contributors such as primary caesarean section in nulliparous women, repeat caesarean section, induction practices, and fetal distress diagnosis.

Topic 5: Trial of Labour After Caesarean Section Outcomes

Research Question: What are the success rate and predictors of successful vaginal birth after caesarean section among eligible women?

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study

Setting: Regional or tertiary obstetric unit

Why This Works: VBAC and repeat caesarean section decisions are common in obstetric practice, predictors such as prior vaginal delivery, indication for previous caesarean, maternal BMI, labour onset, and birth weight can be assessed, and outcomes such as uterine rupture, emergency caesarean, and neonatal admission can be studied.

Topic 6: Obstetric ICU Admissions and Maternal Near-Miss Events

Research Question: What are the causes, clinical profile, and outcomes of obstetric patients admitted to ICU or high-care units?

Study Design: Retrospective descriptive study

Setting: Tertiary hospital ICU, high-care unit, or obstetric critical care service

Why This Works: Maternal near-miss analysis is useful for improving quality of care, common causes include hypertensive disorders, haemorrhage, sepsis, cardiac disease, and anaesthetic complications, and outcomes such as ventilation, transfusion, organ support, and mortality can be evaluated.

Topic 7: Anaemia in Pregnancy and Birth Outcomes

Research Question: What is the association between maternal anaemia in pregnancy and adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes?

Study Design: Prospective or retrospective cohort study

Setting: Antenatal clinic and delivery unit

Why This Works: Anaemia is common and routinely documented, haemoglobin values can be correlated with postpartum haemorrhage, transfusion, preterm birth, low birth weight, stillbirth, and neonatal admission, making this a feasible and clinically important registrar topic.

Topic 8: Maternal Obesity and Obstetric Outcomes

Research Question: What are the maternal and perinatal outcomes associated with obesity among pregnant women attending antenatal care?

Study Design: Retrospective or prospective cohort study

Setting: Antenatal clinic and labour ward

Why This Works: Obesity is increasingly important in obstetric care, BMI data are commonly available, and outcomes such as gestational diabetes, hypertensive disorders, caesarean section, wound infection, macrosomia, shoulder dystocia, and neonatal complications can be assessed.

Topic 9: Gestational Diabetes Mellitus and Perinatal Outcomes

Research Question: What are the pregnancy and neonatal outcomes among women diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus?

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study

Setting: High-risk antenatal clinic or diabetic antenatal clinic

Why This Works: GDM is increasingly diagnosed, glucose testing and treatment records can be reviewed, and outcomes such as pre-eclampsia, induction, caesarean section, macrosomia, neonatal hypoglycaemia, NICU admission, and stillbirth can be studied.

Topic 10: Booking Status and Maternal Outcomes

Research Question: How does unbooked or late-booked antenatal status affect maternal and perinatal outcomes?

Study Design: Comparative retrospective cohort study

Setting: Regional or tertiary labour ward

Why This Works: Late booking is an important health-system issue, booking status is routinely recorded, and the study can compare hypertensive complications, anaemia, HIV status documentation, preterm birth, stillbirth, low birth weight, and maternal complications.

Reproductive Health, HIV, Labour Ward and Perinatal Research Topics

Topic 11: HIV in Pregnancy and Perinatal Outcomes

Research Question: What are the maternal and neonatal outcomes among HIV-positive pregnant women receiving antenatal care and antiretroviral therapy?

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study

Setting: Antenatal clinic, PMTCT clinic, and delivery unit

Why This Works: HIV in pregnancy is highly relevant in South Africa, PMTCT data are routinely available, and outcomes such as viral load suppression, mode of delivery, birth weight, preterm birth, neonatal prophylaxis, and early infant diagnosis can be assessed.

Topic 12: Viral Load Suppression at Delivery Among Pregnant Women With HIV

Research Question: What factors are associated with unsuppressed HIV viral load at the time of delivery?

Study Design: Case-control or retrospective cohort study

Setting: PMTCT clinic and labour ward

Why This Works: Viral load suppression is central to prevention of mother-to-child transmission, data on ART timing, adherence, booking status, CD4 count, viral load monitoring, and neonatal prophylaxis can be studied, and results may improve PMTCT service delivery.

Topic 13: Preterm Birth Risk Factors and Neonatal Outcomes

Research Question: What maternal and obstetric factors are associated with spontaneous and medically indicated preterm birth?

Study Design: Retrospective cohort or case-control study

Setting: Labour ward and neonatal unit

Why This Works: Preterm birth is a major cause of neonatal morbidity, factors such as hypertensive disorders, infections, PPROM, multiple pregnancy, previous preterm birth, HIV status, and antenatal steroid use can be analysed, with neonatal outcomes including NICU admission, respiratory distress, sepsis, and mortality.

Topic 14: Prelabour Rupture of Membranes and Maternal-Neonatal Outcomes

Research Question: What are the maternal and neonatal outcomes among women managed for prelabour rupture of membranes at different gestational ages?

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study

Setting: Antenatal ward, labour ward, and neonatal unit

Why This Works: PPROM is common and clinically important, data on latency period, antibiotics, steroids, induction, chorioamnionitis, caesarean section, neonatal sepsis, and prematurity complications can be collected.

Topic 15: Induction of Labour Outcomes

Research Question: What are the indications, success rates, and maternal-fetal outcomes of induction of labour in a regional hospital?

Study Design: Retrospective descriptive or cohort study

Setting: Labour ward

Why This Works: Induction is commonly performed, indications such as post-dates pregnancy, hypertensive disorders, diabetes, and fetal growth restriction can be studied, and outcomes such as vaginal delivery, failed induction, caesarean section, uterine hyperstimulation, and neonatal admission are measurable.

Topic 16: Stillbirth Audit in a South African Hospital

Research Question: What are the causes, risk factors, and avoidable factors associated with stillbirths in a regional or tertiary hospital?

Study Design: Retrospective audit

Setting: Labour ward and perinatal mortality review system

Why This Works: Stillbirth audit is highly relevant for quality improvement, perinatal mortality records can be reviewed, and factors such as hypertensive disease, fetal growth restriction, infection, diabetes, placental abruption, late booking, and intrapartum monitoring can be assessed.

Topic 17: Teenage Pregnancy and Obstetric Outcomes

Research Question: What are the maternal and neonatal outcomes among teenage mothers compared with adult mothers?

Study Design: Comparative retrospective cohort study

Setting: District, regional, or tertiary obstetric unit

Why This Works: Teenage pregnancy is a major public health issue, the study can compare anaemia, preterm birth, hypertensive disorders, low birth weight, caesarean section, neonatal admission, and antenatal booking status, with strong relevance to reproductive health planning.

Topic 18: Contraceptive Uptake in the Postpartum Period

Research Question: What proportion of women accept postpartum contraception before discharge and what factors influence contraceptive choice?

Study Design: Cross-sectional study

Setting: Postnatal ward or maternity discharge clinic

Why This Works: Postpartum contraception reduces unintended pregnancy and short interpregnancy intervals, data can be collected through interviews and records, and the topic is feasible, low-cost, and relevant to family planning services.

Topic 19: Ectopic Pregnancy: Clinical Profile and Management Outcomes

Research Question: What are the clinical presentation, risk factors, management methods, and outcomes of ectopic pregnancy?

Study Design: Retrospective descriptive study

Setting: Gynaecology emergency unit or theatre records

Why This Works: Ectopic pregnancy is a common emergency, data on presentation, ultrasound findings, beta-hCG, rupture status, medical versus surgical treatment, transfusion, and complications can be collected from hospital records.

Topic 20: Maternal Sepsis in Obstetric Patients

Research Question: What are the sources, risk factors, management patterns, and outcomes of maternal sepsis among obstetric patients?

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study

Setting: Obstetric ward, labour ward, ICU, or high-care unit

Why This Works: Maternal sepsis is an important cause of preventable morbidity, records can identify puerperal sepsis, septic miscarriage, chorioamnionitis, wound infection, and ICU admission, and the findings can support early recognition and sepsis bundle implementation.

Gynaecology, Oncology, Infertility and Women’s Health Research Topics

Topic 21: Abnormal Uterine Bleeding and Endometrial Pathology

Research Question: What are the common histopathological findings among women evaluated for abnormal uterine bleeding?

Study Design: Retrospective descriptive study

Setting: Gynaecology clinic, hysteroscopy unit, or pathology department

Why This Works: Abnormal uterine bleeding is a frequent gynaecology presentation, endometrial biopsy and histopathology data are available, and findings such as hyperplasia, polyps, malignancy, atrophy, and hormonal patterns can be correlated with age, parity, BMI, and menopausal status.

Topic 22: Cervical Cancer Screening Uptake Among Women

Research Question: What is the uptake of cervical cancer screening and what factors are associated with inadequate screening among women attending gynaecology services?

Study Design: Cross-sectional study

Setting: Gynaecology outpatient clinic, primary care clinic, or HIV clinic

Why This Works: Cervical cancer remains a major burden in South Africa, Pap smear or HPV testing history can be assessed, and the topic has strong relevance to prevention, HIV-related risk, awareness, access barriers, and women’s health policy.

Topic 23: Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia and HIV Status

Research Question: What is the association between HIV status and severity of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia among women undergoing colposcopy?

Study Design: Retrospective comparative study

Setting: Colposcopy clinic and pathology department

Why This Works: HIV is an important risk factor for persistent HPV infection and CIN progression, colposcopy and biopsy data are usually available, and the study can assess CIN grade, CD4 count, viral load, ART status, and treatment outcomes.

Topic 24: Delays in Diagnosis of Cervical Cancer

Research Question: What patient-related and health-system factors contribute to delayed diagnosis of cervical cancer?

Study Design: Cross-sectional or retrospective descriptive study

Setting: Gynaecology oncology clinic or tertiary referral hospital

Why This Works: Late-stage presentation is common, referral pathways and symptom duration can be studied, and the topic can identify delays related to screening, primary care access, referral, biopsy, staging, and treatment initiation.

Topic 25: Uterine Fibroids and Surgical Outcomes

Research Question: What are the clinical presentations, operative findings, and postoperative outcomes among women undergoing surgery for uterine fibroids?

Study Design: Retrospective descriptive study

Setting: Gynaecology theatre and ward

Why This Works: Fibroids are common, records can provide data on bleeding, anaemia, pain, infertility, uterine size, type of surgery, blood loss, transfusion, complications, and duration of admission, making it highly feasible.

Topic 26: Infertility Evaluation in a Gynaecology Clinic

Research Question: What are the common female and male factors identified among couples presenting with infertility?

Study Design: Retrospective descriptive or cross-sectional study

Setting: Infertility clinic or gynaecology outpatient department

Why This Works: Infertility is a common reason for consultation, data on ovulatory dysfunction, tubal factors, uterine pathology, semen analysis, age, BMI, duration of infertility, and prior pelvic infection can be reviewed, and findings can improve clinic counselling and referral.

Topic 27: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in Reproductive-Age Women

Research Question: What are the clinical, metabolic, and reproductive characteristics of women diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome?

Study Design: Cross-sectional study

Setting: Gynaecology outpatient clinic or endocrine-gynaecology clinic

Why This Works: PCOS is common and has reproductive and metabolic implications, variables such as menstrual irregularity, infertility, BMI, hirsutism, ultrasound findings, glucose intolerance, and lipid profile can be assessed.

Topic 28: Acute Pelvic Pain in Reproductive-Age Women

Research Question: What are the common gynaecological causes and ultrasound findings among reproductive-age women presenting with acute pelvic pain?

Study Design: Prospective or retrospective observational study

Setting: Emergency gynaecology unit or ultrasound department

Why This Works: Acute pelvic pain is a frequent emergency presentation, causes such as ectopic pregnancy, ovarian torsion, ruptured ovarian cyst, pelvic inflammatory disease, fibroid degeneration, and early pregnancy complications can be evaluated, with strong clinical and diagnostic relevance.

Topic 29: Urinary Incontinence and Pelvic Organ Prolapse

Research Question: What are the clinical patterns, risk factors, and quality-of-life impact of urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse among women attending gynaecology clinics?

Study Design: Cross-sectional questionnaire-based study

Setting: Gynaecology outpatient clinic or uro-gynaecology clinic

Why This Works: Pelvic floor disorders are common but underreported, validated questionnaires can be used, and risk factors such as parity, mode of delivery, menopause, obesity, chronic cough, and prior pelvic surgery can be assessed.

Topic 30: Ovarian Masses: Clinical Profile and Histopathological Correlation

Research Question: What are the clinical, ultrasound, tumour marker, and histopathological patterns of ovarian masses managed surgically?

Study Design: Retrospective descriptive study with histopathological correlation

Setting: Gynaecology theatre, ultrasound unit, and pathology department

Why This Works: Ovarian masses are common and clinically important, data on age, symptoms, ultrasound morphology, CA-125, Risk of Malignancy Index, operative findings, and histopathology can be analysed, supporting better preoperative risk stratification.

Getting Your HPCSA Research Protocol Generated

If you’ve selected a research topic from this list, the next step is developing a comprehensive research protocol that meets HPCSA requirements, gains supervisor approval, and successfully passes IRB review.

What a Complete Research Protocol Includes

• Title and Introduction: Clear research question and background
• Literature Review: Summary of current evidence with international journal references relevant to obstetrics, gynaecology, maternal health, and reproductive medicine
• Methodology: Detailed study design, population, sampling, inclusion criteria, exclusion criteria, data collection procedures, and outcome measures
• Statistical Analysis: Sample size calculation, descriptive analysis, comparative statistics, regression analysis, survival analysis, diagnostic accuracy analysis, or risk factor modelling where appropriate
• Ethical Considerations: IRB submission requirements, informed consent where applicable, confidentiality, protection of pregnant women, and secure handling of reproductive health records
• Timeline: Gantt chart with realistic milestones for 4-year registrar training
• Budget: Resource requirements and cost breakdown
• References: Vancouver or APA style citations

Journals for HPCSA Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research

South African Journals

• South African Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology – Leading national journal for obstetrics, gynaecology, reproductive health, and maternal medicine research
• South African Medical Journal (SAMJ) – Accepts maternal health, reproductive health, public health, and clinical research
• African Journal of Reproductive Health – Suitable for contraception, adolescent pregnancy, HIV, maternal health, and reproductive health topics

International Journals

• BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology – High-impact obstetrics and gynaecology research
• American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology – Leading journal for maternal-fetal medicine and gynaecology research
• International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics – Suitable for global women’s health and LMIC research
• Obstetrics & Gynecology – Major international journal for clinical obstetrics and gynaecology
• European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology – Broad women’s health and reproductive medicine journal
• Reproductive Health – Open-access journal suitable for contraception, maternal health, and health-system research
• BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth – Suitable for pregnancy, labour, delivery, and perinatal outcome studies

HPCSA Obstetrics and Gynaecology Registrar Research Requirements

All HPCSA obstetrics and gynaecology registrars must complete a research project during their 4-year specialist training programme. The research protocol should be developed early in training, approved by a supervisor, submitted for institutional ethics review before data collection, and aligned with clinically relevant maternal and women’s health priorities in South Africa.

Given South Africa’s maternal and reproductive health priorities – including hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, obstetric haemorrhage, maternal sepsis, HIV in pregnancy, preterm birth, stillbirth, teenage pregnancy, contraception access, cervical cancer, infertility, abnormal uterine bleeding, and gynaecological oncology – obstetrics and gynaecology research topics should be practical, ethically sound, and relevant to real-world service delivery while maintaining strong academic and methodological standards.