The impact of the military conflict in Sudan on maternal health: a mixed qualitative and quantitative study.

Objectives: Ongoing military conflict in Sudan has had significant repercussions on the health and well-being of the population, particularly among women of reproductive age. This study aimed to investigate the impact of conflict on maternal health by employing a mixed qualitative and quantitative research approach. Methods: Through in-depth interviews and survey questionnaires (388 women), this study examined the experiences and challenges faced by pregnant women and new mothers and the availability and accessibility of maternal healthcare services in conflict-affected areas. Using a qualitative approach, in-depth interviews were conducted with 35 women who had recently given birth or were pregnant in regions affected by the Khartoum State-Sudan conflict. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data collected from the interviews. Result: Most women did not have access to healthcare services (86.6%), and out of the total sample, 93 (24%) experienced adverse outcomes. The factors associated with adverse effects were parity (OR 1.78, CI [1.15-2.75], p-value 0.010), gestational age (OR 2.10, CI [1.36-3.25], p-value 0.002), access to healthcare (OR 2.35, CI [1.48-3.72], p-value 0.001), and delivery mode (OR 1.68, CI [1.05-2.69], p = 0.030). Factors significantly associated with accessibility to maternal healthcare services included age (OR, 1.28; = 0.042) and higher conflict levels (1.52 times higher odds, p = 0.021). The narratives and experiences shared by women exposed the multifaceted ways in which the conflict-affected maternal health outcomes. Conclusion: The significance of this study lies in its potential to contribute to the existing literature on maternal health in conflict-affected areas, especially in Sudan, and to help us understand how women can receive maternal health services.

Reexamining the use of race in medical algorithms: the maternal health calculator debate.

The concept of race is prevalent in medical, nursing, and public health literature. Clinicians often incorporate race into diagnostics, prognostic tools, and treatment guidelines. An example is the recently heavily debated use of race and ethnicity in the Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC) calculator. In this case, the critics argued that the use of race in this calculator implied that race confers immutable characteristics that affect the ability of women to give birth vaginally after a c-section. This debate is co-occurring as research continues to highlight the racial disparities in health outcomes, such as high maternal mortality among Black women compared to other racial groups in the United States. As the healthcare system contemplates the necessity of utilizing race-a social and political construct, to monitor health outcomes, it has sparked more questions about incorporating race into clinical algorithms, including pulmonary tests, kidney function tests, pharmacotherapies, and genetic testing. This paper critically examines the argument against the race-based Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC) calculator, shedding light on its implications. Moreover, it delves into the detrimental effects of normalizing race as a biological variable, which hinders progress in improving health outcomes and equity.

Classification of Healthy Family Indicators in Indonesia Based on a K-means Cluster Analysis.

OBJECTIVES: Health development is a key element of national development. The goal of improving health development at the societal level will be readily achieved if it is directed from the smallest social unit, namely the family. This was the goal of the Healthy Indonesia Program with a Family Approach. The objective of the study was to analyze variables of family health indicators across all provinces in Indonesia to identify provincial disparities based on the status of healthy families. METHODS: This study examined secondary data for 2021 from the Indonesia Health Profile, provided by the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia, and from the 2021 welfare statistics by Statistics Indonesia (BPS). From these sources, we identified 10 variables for analysis using the k-means method, a non-hierarchical method of cluster analysis. RESULTS: The results of the cluster analysis of healthy family indicators yielded 5 clusters. In general, cluster 1 (Papua and West Papua Provinces) had the lowest average achievements for healthy family indicators, while cluster 5 (Jakarta Province) had the highest indicator scores. CONCLUSIONS: In Indonesia, disparities in healthy family indicators persist. Nutrition, maternal health, and child health are among the indicators that require government attention.

Individual and community-level factors associated with repeat induced abortion among women in Ghana: a multivariable complex sample logistic regression analysis of 2017 Ghana maternal health survey.

BACKGROUND: Repeat induced abortion is a serious public health issue that has been linked to adverse maternal health outcomes. However, knowledge about repeat induced abortion and its associated factors among reproductive age women in Ghana is very scarce. The objective of this study is to examine individual and community factors associated with repeat induced abortion in Ghana which would be helpful to design appropriate programmes and policies targeted at improving the sexual and reproductive health of women. METHODS: We used secondary cross-sectional data from the 2017 Ghana Maternal Health Survey. The study included a weighted sample of 4917 women aged 15-49 years with a history of induced abortion. A multivariable complex sample logistic regression analysis was used to investigate individual and community factors associated with repeat induced abortion among women in Ghana. Adjusted odds ratios (AOR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) was used to measure the association of variables. RESULTS: Of the 4917 reproductive women with a history of abortion, 34.7% have repeat induced abortion. We find that, compared to women who experience single induced abortion, women who experience repeat abortion are age 25-34 years (AOR:2.16;95%CI = 1.66-2.79) or 35-49 years (AOR:2.95;95%CI:2.18-3.99), have Middle/JHS education (AOR:1.69;95%CI = 1.25-12.27), use contraceptive at the time of conception (AOR:1.48: 95%CI = 1.03-2.14), had sexual debut before 18 years (AOR:1.57; 95%CI: 1.33-1.85) and reside in urban areas (AOR:1.29;95%CI = 1.07-1.57). On the other hand, women who reside in Central (AOR:0.68;95%CI: 0.49-0.93), Northern (AOR:0.46;95%CI:0.24-0.88), Upper West (AOR:0.24; 95%CI: 0.12-0.50) and Upper East (AOR:0.49; 95%CI = 0.24-0.99) regions were less likely to have repeat induced abortion. CONCLUSION: The study showed that both individual and community level determinants were significantly associated with repeat induced abortion. Based on the findings, it is recommended to promote sexual and reproductive health education and more emphasis should be given to adult, those with early sexual debut, those with Middle/JHS education and those who live in urban centers.

Utilisation of Reproductive Health Services among Adolescents in Ghana: Analysis of the 2007 and 2017 Ghana Maternal Health Surveys.

Early pubertal development induces early sexual activities among adolescents. In Ghana, despite the high sexual activity among Ghanaian adolescents, sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services are underutilised, primarily due to SRH stigma and a lack of SRH knowledge and information. This study examined the use of SRH services among adolescents aged 15-19 years in Ghana over a ten year period. The study utilised data from the 2007 and 2017 Ghana Maternal Health Surveys (GMHSs). Responses from 2056 and 4909 adolescent females captured in the 2007 and 2017 GMHSs, respectively, were used. The results showed a declining utilisation of SRH services among adolescents from 28.3% in 2007 to 22.5% in 2017. The odds of using family planning among sexually active adolescents increased from 2007 [AOR-0.32, CI-(0.135, 0.77), p < 0.001] to 2017 [AOR-68.62, CI-(36.104, 130.404), p < 0.001]. With increasing age at first sex, adolescents were less likely to use a family planning method in 2007 [AOR-0.94, CI-(0.89,0.99) p < 0.001], but this improved in 2017 [AOR-1.26, CI-(1.220, 1.293), p < 0.001]. Despite this, knowledge of sources for family planning was found to predict its lower utilisation in both 2007 [AOR = 0.15 (95% CI-0.081, 0.283), p < 0.0001] and 2017 [AOR = 0.206 (95% CI-(0.099, 0.426), p < 0.001]. The findings show that even though knowledge of family planning methods predicted low utilisation, knowledge of sources, age at first sex, and educational level positively predicted the utilisation of SRH services from 2007 to 2017. Opportunities for both enhancing the clinical environment and health provider attitudes exist and should be explored for improving SRH outcomes among sexually active adolescents in Ghana.

Differing Within-Household Food Security Statuses Are Associated with Varied Maternal Mental Health Outcomes.

Household food insecurity is not necessarily equally experienced by all household members, with mothers often changing their intake first when food resources are limited. The purpose of this study was to understand the association between maternal mental health and intrahousehold differences in food security statuses. A cross-sectional survey was administered to Virginia mothers with low income (August-October 2021), assessing validated measures of food security, mental and physical health and related factors. Participants (n = 570) were grouped according to the food security status of adults and children within the household. Linear regression was used to assess the outcomes of interest by group and controlled for key demographic variables. Mothers in households with any food insecurity reported worse overall mental health and used 3-4 more food coping strategies than households experiencing food security (p < 0.05). Only mothers in households where adults experienced food insecurity reported significantly greater anxiety and depressive symptoms (61.5 and 58.1, respectively) compared to households experiencing food security (55.7 and 52.4, p < 0.001). While any experience of household food insecurity is associated with worse maternal mental health, there were differences by the within-household food security status. Future research should explore screening measures that capture specific household members' food security to connect households with available resources.

Associations between child marriage and reproductive and maternal health outcomes among young married women in Liberia and Sierra Leone: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Child marriage has been associated with a range of negative maternal and reproductive health outcomes. This study explored these associations in Liberia and Sierra Leone and examined how child marriage intersected with other measures of social disadvantage. METHODS: Data were derived from 631 and 1,325 married or cohabitating women aged 20-24 interviewed in the 2019-2020 Liberia and 2019 Sierra Leone Demographic and Health Surveys, respectively. Analyses were stratified by country. Regression models examined associations between age at first marriage (<15, 15-17, and 18+ years) and reproductive and maternal health outcomes, as well as interactions between child marriage and measures of social disadvantage. Multivariable regression results were presented as adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: Over half of currently married/cohabitating women aged 20-24 in Liberia (52%) and Sierra Leone (54%) married before age 18, and over one in 10 married before age 15. In both countries, after adjusting for other factors, being married before the age of 18 was significantly associated with early fertility, high fertility, and low fertility control. Associations were particularly strong among women who first married before age 15. In Liberia, women who married at age 15-17 had significantly lower odds of skilled attendance at delivery and institutional delivery if they lived in the North Central region. Sierra Leonean women who married before age 15 had lower odds of institutional delivery and lower odds of four or more ANC visits if they lived in the North Western region. CONCLUSION: This study found clear associations between child marriage and negative reproductive health outcomes in Liberia and Sierra Leone, with stronger associations among women married in early adolescence. Child marriage and region of residence intersected to shape young women's access to skilled attendance at birth and institutional delivery. These findings call for further investigation and targeted intervention.

Men's involvement in maternal health in sub-Saharan Africa: A scoping review of enablers and barriers.

BACKGROUND: Globally, there are about 800 maternal deaths every day, with low-to-middle-income countries accounting for most of these deaths. A lack of access to maternal healthcare services is one of the main causes of these deaths. In sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), one of the barriers to accessing maternal healthcare services by women is a lack of their male partners' involvement. This scoping review aimed to assess the enablers and barriers to men's involvement in maternal healthcare services. METHODS: The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) checklist was used as a guide for this review. We searched for peer-reviewed articles published between 2013 and 2023 in the English language from SCOPUS, ScienceDirect, PubMed, Africa Journals Online (AJOL), and Google Scholar databases. Two reviewers independently conducted the data extraction and article selection. All of the authors discussed and decided on the codes and categories for enablers and barriers after using NVivo to generate them. RESULTS: Twenty-seven articles were used in this review. Of these, seventeen were qualitative studies, six were quantitative studies, and four were mixed-methods studies. The enablers of men's involvement in maternal healthcare were grouped into sociodemographic factors, health system factors, and policy factors, while barriers were grouped into sociodemographic, cultural, economic, and health system barriers. The lack of maternal health knowledge, insufficient economic resources, and unfriendly staff at healthcare facilities all contributed to a lack of involvement by men. CONCLUSION: To improve men's involvement in maternal healthcare in SSA, there should be economic empowerment of both men and women, health education, and the provision of adequate infrastructure in healthcare facilities to accommodate men.

Maternal cardiovascular health in early pregnancy and the risk of congenital heart defects in offspring.

BACKGROUND: Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the predominant birth defect. This study aimed to explore the association between maternal cardiovascular health (CVH) and the CHD risk in offspring. METHODS: We used the prospective data from the Fujian Birth Cohort Study, collected from March 2019 to December 2022 on pregnant women within 14 weeks of gestation. Overall maternal CVH was assessed by seven CVH metrics (including physical activity, smoking, sleep duration, body mass index, blood pressure, total cholesterol, and fasting plasma glucose), with each metric classified as ideal, intermediate or poor with specific points. Participants were further allocated into high, moderate and low CVH categories based on the cumulative CVH score. The association with offspring CHD was determined with log-binominal regression models. RESULTS: A total of 19810 participants aged 29.7 (SD: 3.9) years were included, with 7846 (39.6%) classified as having high CVH, 10949 (55.3%) as having moderate CVH, and 1015 (5.1%) as having low CVH. The average offspring CHD rate was 2.52%, with rates of 2.35%, 2.52% and 3.84% across the high, moderate and low CVH categories, respectively (P = 0.02). Adjusted relative risks (RRs) of having offspring CHD were 0.64 (95% CI: 0.45-0.90, P = 0.001) for high CVH and 0.67 (95% CI: 0.48-0.93, P = 0.02) for moderate CVH compared to low CVH. For individual metrics, only ideal total cholesterol was significantly associated with lower offspring CHD (RR: 0.73, 95% CI: 0.59-0.83, P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Pregnant women of high or moderate CVH categories in early pregnancy had reduced risks of CHD in offspring, compared to those of low CVH. It is important to monitor and improve CVH during pre-pregnancy counseling and early prenatal care.

Perfil clínico e epidemiológico de gestantes que vivem com HIV na Macrorregião Sul de Saúde de Santa Catarina / Clinical and epidemiological profile of pregnant women living with HIV in the Southern Health Macroregion of Santa Catarina

Objetivo: Nos últimos anos, a epidemia de HIV tem incidido consideravelmente e de forma silenciosa na população de mulheres gestantes, sobretudo devido à subnotificação, ao diagnóstico tardio e à negligência quanto à realização de teste anti-HIV pelas infectadas. Diante disso, este estudo tem por objetivo descrever o perfil clínico e epidemiológico de gestantes que vivem com HIV na Macrorregião Sul de Saúde de Santa Catarina. Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo ecológico, ana- lítico, retrospectivo, com base em dados secundários retirados das plataformas Sistema de Informações de Agravos de Notificação (Sinan) e Sistema de Monitora- mento Clínico das Pessoas Vivendo com HIV/AIDS (SIMC), acerca de gestantes que vivem com HIV na Macrorregião Sul de Saúde de Santa Catarina, no período entre 2019 e 2022. Resultados: A partir dos dados sociodemográficos, obteve-se um perfil epidemiológico prevalente de mulheres com idade entre 30 e 49 anos, brancas, com baixo nível de escolaridade e entre 1 a 13 semanas de gestação no momento da notificação de infecção por HIV. O perfil clínico apontou para a prevalência de mulheres em uso de terapia antirretroviral, com carga viral acima de 1.000 cópias/ mL e contagem de linfócitos T-CD4+ superior a 350 células/mm3. Conclusão: Apesar do baixo nível de escolaridade e da elevada carga viral, o resultado foi positivo para a população selecionada, uma vez que foi demonstrada boa adesão ao tra- tamento e alta contagem de linfócitos, sendo esses bons preditores de evolução clínica para o HIV.

Objective: In recent years, the HIV epidemic has significantly and silently affected the population of pregnant women, mainly due to underreporting, late diagnosis, and neglect of HIV testing among infected individuals. In light of this, the aim of this study is to describe the clinical and epidemiological profile of pregnant women living with HIV in the Southern Health Macroregion of Santa Catarina. Methods: This is an ecological, analytical, retrospective study based on secondary data retrieved from the Notifiable Diseases Information System (Sinan) and the Clinical Monitoring System for People Living with HIV/ AIDS (SIMC), regarding pregnant women living with HIV in the Southern Health Macroregion of Santa Catarina from 2019 to 2022. Results: Based on sociodemographic data, a prevalent epidemiological profile was identified, with women aged 30 to 49 years, white, with low educational level, and between 1 to 13 weeks of gestation at the time of HIV infection notifica- tion. The clinical profile revealed a prevalence of women on antiretroviral therapy, with a viral load above 1,000 copies/ mL and a T-CD4+ lymphocyte count above 350 cells/mm3. Conclusion: Despite the low educational level and high viral load, the outcome was positive for the selected population, as good treatment adherence and high lymphocyte count were demonstrated, both of which are good predictors of clinical progression for HIV.

Addressing the Public Health Crisis of Maternal Mortality: A National Research Agenda.

This Viewpoint discusses the National Institutes of Health initiative that focuses on research that reduces preventable maternal mortality, decreases severe maternal morbidity, and promotes health equity.

Interventions addressing maternal and child health among the urban poor and homeless: an overview of systematic reviews.

BACKGROUND: Inequalities in access to and utilization of maternal and child health (MCH) care are hampering progress on the path to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. In a number of Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) population subgroups at disproportionate risk of being left behind are the urban poor. Within this neglected group is the further neglected group of the homeless. Concomitantly, a number of interventions from the antenatal period onward have been piloted, tested, and scaled in these contexts. We carried out an overview of systematic reviews (SRs) to characterize the evidence around maternal and child health interventions relevant to urban poor homeless populations in LMICs. METHODS: We searched Medline, Cochrane Library, Health Systems Evidence and EBSCOhost databases for SRs published between January 2009 and 2020 (with an updated search through November 2021). Our population of interest was women or children from urban poor settings in LMICs; interventions and outcomes corresponded with the World Health Organization's (WHO) guidance document. Each SR was assessed by two reviewers using established standard critical appraisal checklists. The overview was registered in PROSPERO (ID: CRD42021229107). RESULTS: In a sample of 33 high quality SRs, we found no direct relevant evidence for pregnant and lactating homeless women (and children) in the reviewed literature. There was a lack of emphasis on evidence related to family planning, safe abortion care, and postpartum care of mothers. There was mixed quality evidence that the range of nutritional interventions had little, unclear or no effect on several child mortality and development outcomes. Interventions related to water, sanitation, and hygiene, ensuring acceptability of community health services and health promotion type programs could be regarded as beneficial, although location seemed to matter. Importantly, the risk of bias reporting in different reviews did not match, suggesting that greater attention to rigour in their conduct is needed. CONCLUSION: The generalizability of existing systematic reviews to our population of interest was poor. There is a clear need for rigorous primary research on MCH interventions among urban poor, and particularly homeless populations in LMICs, as it is as yet unclear whether the same, augmented, or altogether different interventions would be required.

Hospital case volume and maternal adverse events following abnormal deliveries: Analysis using a Japanese national in-patient database.

OBJECTIVE: To clarify the relationship between the number of deliveries and maternal outcomes in Japan, considering the declining birth rate and the evidence that hospitals with few deliveries have medical safety issues. METHODS: Hospitalizations for deliveries were analyzed using the Diagnosis Procedure Combination database from April 2014 to March 2019, after which maternal comorbidities, maternal end-organ injury, medical treatment during hospitalization, and hemorrhage volume during delivery were compared. Hospitals were divided into four groups based on the number of deliveries per month. RESULTS: A total of 792 379 women were included in the analysis, among whom 35 152 (4.4%) received blood transfusions, with a median blood loss of 1450 mL during delivery. Regarding complications, pulmonary embolism was significantly more frequent in hospitals with the lowest number of deliveries. CONCLUSION: Using a Japanese administrative database, this study suggests an association between hospital case volume and the occurrence of preventable complications, such as pulmonary embolisms.

Associations of Unintended Pregnancy With Maternal and Infant Health Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Importance: Unintended pregnancy is common in the US and is associated with adverse maternal and infant health outcomes; however, estimates of these associations specific to current US populations are lacking. Objective: To evaluate associations of unintended pregnancy with maternal and infant health outcomes during pregnancy and post partum with studies relevant to current clinical practice and public health in the US. Data Sources: Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and Database of Systematic Reviews, PsycINFO, SocINDEX, and MEDLINE databases (January 1, 2000, to June 15, 2022) and manual review of reference lists. Study Selection: Epidemiologic studies relevant to US populations that compared key maternal and infant health outcomes for unintended vs intended pregnancies and met prespecified eligibility criteria were included after investigators' independent dual review of abstracts and full-text articles. Data Extraction and Synthesis: Investigators abstracted data from publications on study methods, participant characteristics, settings, pregnancy intention, comparators, confounders, and outcomes; data were validated by a second investigator. Risk of bias was independently dual rated by investigators using criteria developed by the US Preventive Services Task Force. Results of studies controlling for confounders were combined by using a profile likelihood random-effects model. Main Outcomes and Measures: Prenatal depression, postpartum depression, maternal experience of interpersonal violence, preterm birth, and infant low birth weight. Results: Thirty-six studies (N = 524 522 participants) were included (14 cohort studies rated good or fair quality; 22 cross-sectional studies); 12 studies used large population-based data sources. Compared with intended pregnancy, unintended pregnancy was significantly associated with higher odds of depression during pregnancy (23.3% vs 13.9%; adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.59 [95% CI, 1.35-1.92]; I2 = 85.0%; 15 studies [n = 41 054]) and post partum (15.7% vs 9.6%; aOR, 1.51 [95% CI, 1.40-1.70]; I2 = 7.1%; 10 studies [n = 82 673]), interpersonal violence (14.6% vs 5.5%; aOR, 2.22 [95% CI, 1.41-2.91]; I2 = 64.1%; 5 studies [n = 42 306]), preterm birth (9.4% vs 7.7%; aOR, 1.21 [95% CI, 1.12-1.31]; I2 = 1.7%; 10 studies [n = 94 351]), and infant low birth weight (7.3% vs 5.2%; aOR, 1.09 [95% CI, 1.02-1.21]; I2 = 0.0%; 8 studies [n = 87 547]). Results were similar in sensitivity analyses based on controlling for history of depression for prenatal and postpartum depression and on study design and definition of unintended pregnancy for relevant outcomes. Studies provided limited sociodemographic data and measurement of confounders and outcomes varied. Conclusions and Relevance: In this systematic review and meta-analysis of epidemiologic observational studies relevant to US populations, unintended pregnancy, compared with intended pregnancy, was significantly associated with adverse maternal and infant outcomes. Trial Registration: PROSPERO Identifier: CRD42020192981.

Adverse Cardiovascular Events Following Severe Maternal Morbidity.

Severe maternal morbidity (SMM) affects 50,000 women annually in the United States, but its consequences are not well understood. We aimed to estimate the association between SMM and risk of adverse cardiovascular events during the 2 years postpartum. We analyzed 137,140 deliveries covered by the Pennsylvania Medicaid program (2016-2018), weighted with inverse probability of censoring weights to account for nonrandom loss to follow-up. SMM was defined as any diagnosis on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention list of SMM diagnoses and procedures and/or intensive care unit admission occurring at any point from conception through 42 days postdelivery. Outcomes included heart failure, ischemic heart disease, and stroke/transient ischemic attack up to 2 years postpartum. We used marginal standardization to estimate average treatment effects. We found that SMM was associated with increased risk of each adverse cardiovascular event across the follow-up period. Per 1,000 deliveries, relative to no SMM, SMM was associated with 12.1 (95% confidence interval (CI): 6.2, 18.0) excess cases of heart failure, 6.4 (95% CI: 1.7, 11.2) excess cases of ischemic heart disease, and 8.2 (95% CI: 3.2, 13.1) excess cases of stroke/transient ischemic attack at 26 months of follow-up. These results suggest that SMM identifies a group of women who are at high risk of adverse cardiovascular events after delivery. Women who survive SMM may benefit from more comprehensive postpartum care linked to well-woman care.

Perfil de gestantes institucionalizadas da região noroeste do Paraná / Perfil de gestantes institucionalizadas de la región noroeste de Paraná / Profile of institutionalized pregnant women in the northwest region of Paraná

RESUMO Objetivo: Analisar o perfil sociodemográfico de gestantes em situação de risco. Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo retrospectivo, do tipo documental, com caráter quantitativo, realizado em uma instituição não governamental na região noroeste do Paraná. Foram analisados prontuários correspondentes aos anos de 2016 a 2019, totalizando 180 prontuários. Os dados foram compilados e processados por meio de estatística descritiva simples. Resultados: Foram analisados 180 prontuários, desses, constatou-se que a idade mínima das gestantes institucionalizadas estava entre 12 anos e 40 anos de idade, com a faixa etária predominante entre 21 e 30 anos. Dentre essas, 91 gestantes (50,54%) se autodeclaravam pardas ou pretas. Quanto ao grau de escolaridade, 107 (59,44%) possuíam ensino médio incompleto, e 95 (52,78%) já haviam tido uma gestação anterior. Dentre os principais motivos pelos quais as gestantes se encontravam em situação de vulnerabilidade, estavam os transtornos mentais, a violência doméstica e os conflitos familiares. Conclusão: Estudos que avaliem o perfil sociodemográfico das gestantes em situação de vulnerabilidade social são importantes para que profissionais de enfermagem possam reconhecer e elaborar estratégias para minimizar riscos para a saúde materno-infantil, estabelecer maior vínculo e assisti-las de forma integral por meio do pré-natal.

RESUMEN Objetivo: analizar el perfil sociodemográfico de gestantes en situación de riesgo. Métodos: se trata de un estudio retrospectivo, del tipo documental, con carácter cuantitativo, realizado en una institución no gubernamental en la región noroeste de Paraná-Brasil. Se analizaron registros médicos correspondientes a los años 2016 a 2019, totalizando 180 registros. Los datos fueron compilados y procesados por medio de estadística descriptiva simple. Resultados: se analizaron 180 registros médicos, de esos, se constató que la edad mínima de las gestantes institucionalizadas estaba entre 12 años y 40 años de edad, con la franja etaria predominante entre 21 y 30 años. De estas, 91 mujeres embarazadas (50,54%) se autodeclaraban pardas o negras. En cuanto al grado de escolaridad, 107 (59,44%) poseían enseñanza secundaria incompleta; y 95 (52,78%) ya habían tenido una gestación anterior. Entre los principales motivos por los cuales las embarazadas se encontraban en situación de vulnerabilidad, estaban los trastornos mentales, la violencia doméstica y los conflictos familiares. Conclusión: estudios que evalúen el perfil sociodemográfico de las gestantes en situación de vulnerabilidad social son importantes para que profesionales de enfermería puedan reconocer y elaborar estrategias para minimizar riesgos para la salud materno infantil, establecer mayor vínculo y asistirlas de forma integral por medio del prenatal.

ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze the sociodemographic profile of women at risk pregnancy. Methods: This is a quantitative retrospective study, of the documentary type, conducted in a non-governmental institution in the northwest region of Paraná. Records from the years 2016 to 2019 were analyzed, totaling 180 records. Data were compiled and processed using simple descriptive statistics. Results: A total of 180 medical records were analyzed, finding that the minimum age of institutionalized pregnant women was between 12 and 40 years, with the predominant age group between 21 and 30 years. Among these, 91 pregnant women (50.54%) declared themselves to be brown or black. As for the level of education, 107 (59.44%) had not completed high school, and 95 (52.78%) had already had a previous pregnancy. Among the main reasons why pregnant women were in a vulnerable condition were mental disorders, domestic violence, and family conflicts. Conclusion: Studies that evaluate the sociodemographic profile of pregnant women in conditions of social vulnerability are important so that nursing professionals can recognize and develop strategies to minimize risks to maternal and child health, establish a greater bond and assist them comprehensively through the prenatal.

Condições potencialmente ameaçadoras à vida no ciclo gravídico-puerperal / Condiciones potencialmente amenazantes para la vida en el ciclo gravídico puerperal / Potentially life-threatening conditions determinants in pregnancy-puerperal cycle

ABSTRACT Objetivo: Descrever as principais condições potencialmente ameaçadoras à vida de mulheres durante o ciclo gravídico e puerperal e variáveis relacionadas a esses agravos. Método: Estudo do tipo documental, descritivo e quantitativo, realizado com prontuários de gestantes, parturientes e puérperas internadas em hospital de média complexidade, que apresentaram Condições Potencialmente Ameaçadoras à Vida (CPAV). Foram excluídos os de acesso impossibilitado por estarem sob judice. A amostra foi temporal e a análise univariada. Resultados: Inclui-se 181 prontuários. A maioria das condições ocorreu em mulheres de 16 a 34 anos de idade (61,3%), união estável (60,8%), pardas (31,5%), sem renda ocupacional (29,2%), multíparas (28,87%), com complicações no primeiro trimestre gestacional (32,6%). Verificaram-se a realização de um número insuficiente de consultas (13,8%), dados referentes ao pré-natal ignorados (68%). As principais CPAV foram as síndromes hemorrágicas (28,2%), hipertensivas (25,4%) e infecção (13,3%). Como desfecho, foram observados prevalência de aborto não especificado (22,1%), morte perinatal por doença infecciosa e parasitária da mãe (2,2%). Conclusão: As principais CPAV foram as síndromes hemorrágicas, hipertensivas e infecções. Como desfecho, foram observados alta hospitalar, aborto, referenciamento à UTI, morte perinatal e morte materna.

RESUMEN Objetivo: describir las principales condiciones potencialmente amenazantes para la vida de las mujeres durante el ciclo gravídico y puerperal, además de las variables relacionadas con estos agravios. Método: estudio del tipo documental, descriptivo y cuantitativo, realizado con registros médicos de gestantes, parturientes y puérperas internadas en hospital de mediana complejidad, que presentaron Condiciones Potencialmente Amenazantes a la Vida (CPAV). Se excluyeron los de acceso imposibilitado por estar bajo juicio. La muestra fue temporal y el análisis univariado. Resultados: se incluyen 181 registros médicos. La mayoría de las condiciones ocurrió en mujeres de 16 a 34 años de edad (61,3%), unión estable (60,8%), pardas (31,5%), sin ingreso ocupacional (29,2%), multíparas (28,87%), con complicaciones en el primer trimestre gestacional (32,6%). Se constató un número insuficiente de consultas (13,8 %), datos relativos al prenatal ignorados (68 %). Las principales CPAV fueron los trastornos hemorrágicos (28,2%), hipertensivos (25,4%) e infecciosos (13,3%). Como resultado, se observaron: prevalencia de aborto no especificado (22,1%), muerte perinatal por enfermedad infecciosa y parasitaria de la madre (2,2%). Conclusión: las principales CPAV fueron los trastornos hemorrágicos, hipertensivos e infecciones. Como resultado, se observó alta hospitalaria, aborto, referencia a la UCI, muerte perinatal y muerte materna.

ABSTRACT Objective: To describe the main conditions potentially threatening the lives of women during the pregnancy and puerperal cycle and variables related to these diseases. Method: Documentary, descriptive and quantitative study, conducted with medical records of pregnant women, women giving birth and puerperal women hospitalized in a hospital of medium complexity, who presented Potentially Life Threatening Conditions (PLTC). Those with access unable to be sob judice were excluded. The sample was temporal and the analysis was univariate. Results: This includes 181 medical records. Most conditions occurred in women aged 16 to 34 years (61.3%), stable union (60.8%), brown (31.5%), without occupational income (29.2%), multiparous (28.87%), with complications in the first gestational trimester (32.6%). There was an insufficient number of consultations (13.8%), data regarding prenatal care ignored (68%). The main CPAV were hemorrhagic syndromes (28.2%), hypertensive (25.4%) and infection (13.3%). As an outcome, we observed a prevalence of unspecified miscarriage (22.1%), perinatal death from infectious and parasitic disease of the mother (2.2%). Conclusion: The main CPAV were hemorrhagic, hypertensive and infections syndromes. As an outcome, hospital discharge, miscarriage, ICU referral, perinatal death and maternal death were observed.

Causal effects on low Apgar at 5-min and stillbirth in a malaria maternal-fetal health outcome investigation: a large perinatal surveillance study in the Brazilian Amazon.

BACKGROUND: Malaria elimination in Brazil poses several challenges, including the control of Plasmodium falciparum foci and the hidden burden of Plasmodium vivax in pregnancy. Maternal malaria and fetal health outcomes were investigated with a perinatal surveillance study in the municipality of Cruzeiro do Sul, Acre state, Brazilian Amazon. The research questions are: what are the causal effects of low birth weight on low Apgar at 5-min and of perinatal anaemia on stillbirth? METHODS: From November 2018 to October 2019, pregnant women of ≥ 22 weeks or puerperal mothers, who delivered at the referral maternity hospital (Juruá Women and Children's Hospital), were recruited to participate in a malaria surveillance study. Clinical information was obtained from a questionnaire and abstracted from medical reports. Haemoglobin level and presence of malarial parasites were tested by haematology counter and light microscopy, respectively. Low Apgar at 5-min and stillbirth were the outcomes analysed in function of clinical data and epidemiologic risk factors for maternal malaria infection using both a model of additive and independent effects and a causal model with control of confounders and use of mediation. RESULTS: In total, 202 (7.2%; N = 2807) women had malaria during pregnancy. Nearly half of malaria infections during pregnancy (n = 94) were P. falciparum. A total of 27 women (1.03%; N = 2632) had perinatal malaria (19 P. vivax and 8 P. falciparum). Perinatal anaemia was demonstrated in 1144 women (41.2%; N = 2779) and low birth weight occurred in 212 newborns (3.1%; N = 2807). A total of 75 newborns (2.7%; N = 2807) had low (< 7) Apgar scores at 5-min., and stillbirth occurred in 23 instances (30.7%; n = 75). Low birth weight resulted in 7.1 higher odds of low Apgar at 5-min (OR = 7.05, 95% CI 3.86-12.88, p < 0.001) modulated by living in rural conditions, malaria during pregnancy, perinatal malaria, and perinatal anaemia. Stillbirth was associated with perinatal anaemia (OR = 2.56, 95% CI 1.02-6.42, p = 0.0444) modulated by living in rural conditions, falciparum malaria during pregnancy, perinatal malaria, and perinatal fever. CONCLUSIONS: While Brazil continues its path towards malaria elimination, the population still faces major structural problems, including substandard living conditions. Here malaria infections on pregnant women were observed having indirect effects on fetal outcomes, contributing to low Apgar at 5-min and stillbirth. Finally, the utility of employing multiple statistical analysis methods to validate consistent trends is vital to ensure optimal public health intervention designs.