Associations of financial strain and unmet social needs with women's bladder health.

OBJECTIVE: Financial strain and unmet social needs are associated with greater risk for lower urinary tract symptoms. Little research has examined financial strain and unmet social needs in relation to the more holistic concept of bladder health. This study utilizes baseline data from RISE FOR HEALTH: A U.S. Study of Bladder Health to examine whether financial strain, unmet social needs, and meeting specific federal poverty level threshold levels are associated with lower urinary tract symptoms and poorer perceived bladder health, well-being, and function. STUDY DESIGN: Participants were 18 years or older, born female or currently identified as a woman, and from the civilian, noninstitutionalized population residing in 50 counties in the United States that included or surrounded 9 recruitment centers. Data were collected through mailed or internet-based surveys. To address research questions, the 10-item Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunction Research Network - Symptom Index and selected Prevention of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Research Consortium bladder health scores were separately regressed on each financial strain, unmet social need, and federal poverty level variable, using linear regression adjusting for covariates (age, race/ethnicity, education, and vaginal parity) and robust variance estimation for confidence intervals (CI). Participants with no missing data for a given analysis were included (range of n=2564-3170). In separate sensitivity analyses, body mass index, hypertension, and diabetes were added as covariates and missing data were imputed. RESULTS: The mean age of participants was 51.5 years (standard deviation=18.4). Not having enough money to make ends meet, housing insecurity, food insecurity, unreliable transportation, and percent federal poverty levels of 300% or less were consistently associated with more reported lower urinary tract symptoms and poorer perceived bladder health. For example, compared to food secure participants, women who worried that their food would run out at the end of the month had a Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunction Research Network - Symptom Index score that was 3.4 points higher (95% CI: 2.5, 4.3), on average. They also had lower mean scores across different bladder health measures, each assessed using a 100-point scale: global bladder health (-8.2, 95% CI: -10.8, -5.7), frequency (-10.2, 95% CI: -13.8, -6.7), sensation (-11.6, 95% CI: -15.1, -8.2), continence (-13.3, 95% CI: -16.7, -9.9), and emotional impact of bladder health status (-13.2, 95% CI: -16.5, -9.9). Across analyses, associations largely remained significant after additional adjustment for body mass index, hypertension, and diabetes. The pattern of results when imputing missing data was similar to that observed with complete case analysis; all significant associations remained significant with imputation. CONCLUSION: Financial strain and unmet social needs are associated with worse LUTS and poorer bladder health. Longitudinal research is needed to examine whether financial strain and unmet social needs influence the development, maintenance, and worsening of lower urinary tract symptoms; different mechanisms by which financial strain and unmet social needs may impact symptoms; and the degree to which symptoms contribute to financial strain. If supported by etiologic research, prevention research can be implemented to determine whether the amelioration of financial strain and social needs, including enhanced access to preventative care, may promote bladder health across the life course.

The brain, gut, and bladder health nexus: A conceptual model linking stress and mental health disorders to overactive bladder in women.

OBJECTIVE: A small, but growing literature links stressors and mental health disorders (MHDs) across the life course to overactive bladder (OAB) and urinary incontinence symptoms. Mechanisms by which stressors and MHDs may impact bladder health are not fully understood, limiting novel prevention and treatment efforts. Moreover, potential biopsychosocial mechanisms involving the brain and gut have not been considered in an integrated, comprehensive fashion. METHODS: Members of the prevention of lower urinary tract symptoms Research Consortium developed conceptual models to inform research on biopsychosocial mechanisms through which stress and MDHs may impact bladder health among girls and women, focusing on brain and gut physiology. RESULTS: Two conceptual models were developed-one to explain central (brain-based) and peripheral (gut-based) mechanisms linking stressors and MHDs to OAB and bladder health, and one to highlight bidirectional communication between the brain, gut, and bladder. Traumatic events, chronic stressors, and MHDs may lead to a maladaptive stress response, including dysregulated communication and signaling between the brain, gut, and bladder. Gut bacteria produce molecules and metabolites that alter production of neurotransmitters, amino acids, short-chain fatty acids, and inflammatory immune response molecules that mediate communication between the gut and brain. Microbiota signal neurogenesis, microglia maturation, and synaptic pruning; they also calibrate brain-gut-bladder axis communication through neurotransmission and synaptogenesis, potentially influencing bladder symptom development. Life course trajectories of risk may be prevented or interrupted by central and peripheral resources for neuropsychological resilience. CONCLUSIONS: Depicted pathways, including brain-gut-bladder communication, have implications for research and development of novel prevention and treatment approaches.

Exploring women's bladder self-care practices: A qualitative secondary analysis.

AIMS: To describe women's experiences with a range of bladder self-care practices. DESIGN: We conducted a secondary, directed content analysis of qualitative data from the Study of Habits, Attitudes, Realities and Experiences, a multisite focus group study designed to explore adolescent and adult women's experiences, perceptions, beliefs, knowledge and behaviours related to bladder health. This study was conducted by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases' Prevention of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Research Consortium. Study methods were informed by the Consortium's conceptual framework, based on a social ecological model adapted from Glass and McAtee's Society-Behavior-Biology Nexus. METHODS: Participants were recruited at seven geographically diverse United States research centres between July 2017 and April 2018. Data for the current analysis were collected using a semi-structured discussion group with 36 focus groups involving 316 community-dwelling adult women aged 18-93 years. Coded text was re-examined according to eight self-care behavioural domains identified through literature review and expert opinion as potentially influencing bladder health. RESULTS: Participants described many self-care practices they had adopted to prevent bladder problems or manage existing symptoms and conditions. Eight themes were identified: 'Choosing fluids, foods and medications'; 'Dressing for bladder health'; 'Promoting bodily cleanliness'; 'Managing toileting environments'; 'Timing when to void'; 'Exercising pelvic floor muscles for bladder control'; 'Limiting physical activities that challenge the bladder' and 'Staying home and navigating when away'. Thirteen subthemes were derived from five of the eight themes. CONCLUSION: Women use a broad array of self-care practices related to their bladder health. Research is needed to examine the efficacy of self-care behaviours for preventing or managing bladder symptoms and conditions, and to discern potential risks. Results have important implications for development of bladder health promotion interventions and public health messaging around women's bladder health. IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PROFESSION AND/OR PATIENT CARE: This study provides a comprehensive framework for understanding women's bladder self-care practices, which can be used by clinicians and public health professionals in designing interventions to promote bladder health and function. IMPACT: Women with and without lower urinary tract symptoms use a broad range of self-care practices that may affect their bladder health, including some that may be harmful. Because of the high prevalence of bladder symptoms in women, this study may help patient assessment and counselling regarding self-care practices. REPORTING METHOD: This study was reported according to the Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research (SRQR). PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: No patient or public contribution.

Association between mindful and practical eating skills and eating behaviors among racially diverse pregnant women in four selected clinical sites in the United States.

Background: Mindful eating is a promising strategy to address problematic eating behaviors; however, little is known about its applicability during pregnancy. No studies have examined the combined effects of mindful and practical eating skills on eating behaviors. Aim: We examined associations between mindful and practical eating skills and eating behaviors (nutritional intake and emotional eating) among pregnant women who received psychoeducation on healthy eating and pregnancies. Methods: Participants were racially-diverse pregnant women (14-42 years) from four clinical sites in Detroit, Michigan, and Nashville, Tennessee (N = 741). We conducted multiple linear regression to examine associations between mindful (hunger cues, satiety cues, mindful check-ins) and practical (food diary/journal, MyPlate method) eating skills and nutritional intake. We calculated residualized change scores to represent changes in the quality of nutritional intake from second to third trimester. We performed multiple logistic regression to examine associations between mindful and practical eating skills and emotional eating. Results: Women improved over time in eating behaviors (better nutrition, less emotional eating). Regular use of MyPlate was associated with better nutritional intake (unstandardized coefficient [B] = -0.61), but food diaries were not. We found a significant interaction in predicting emotional eating: For those regularly paying attention to hunger cues, some use of MyPlate (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR] = 0.39) and especially regular use of MyPlate (AOR = 0.13) reduced the likelihood of emotional eating during pregnancy. Conclusion: Enhancing both mindful and practical eating skills, such as paying attention to hunger cues, and using the MyPlate method, may facilitate pregnant women's ability to improve their eating behaviors.

Association Between Maternal Depression and Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms in Their Primary School-Age Daughters: A Birth Cohort Study.

PURPOSE: Although maternal depression is associated with adverse outcomes in women and children, its relationship with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in offspring is less well-characterized. We examined the association between prenatal and postpartum maternal depression and LUTS in primary school-age daughters. DESIGN: Observational cohort study. SUBJECTS AND SETTING: The sample comprised 7148 mother-daughter dyads from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children. METHOD: Mothers completed questionnaires about depressive symptoms at 18 and 32 weeks' gestation and 21 months postpartum and their children's LUTS (urinary urgency, nocturia, and daytime and nighttime wetting) at 6, 7, and 9 years of age. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to estimate the association between maternal depression and LUTS in daughters. RESULTS: Compared to daughters of mothers without depression, those born to mothers with prenatal and postpartum depression had higher odds of LUTS, including urinary urgency (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] range = 1.99-2.50) and nocturia (aOR range = 1.67-1.97) at 6, 7, and 9 years of age. Additionally, daughters born to mothers with prenatal and postpartum depression had higher odds of daytime wetting (aOR range = 1.81-1.99) and nighttime wetting (aOR range = 1.63-1.95) at 6 and 7 years of age. Less consistent associations were observed for depression limited to the prenatal or postpartum periods only. CONCLUSIONS: Exposure to maternal depression in the prenatal and postpartum periods was associated with an increased likelihood of LUTS in daughters. This association may be an important opportunity for childhood LUTS prevention. Prevention strategies should reflect an understanding of potential biological and environmental mechanisms through which maternal depression may influence childhood LUTS.

A community-engaged approach to the design of a population-based prospective cohort study to promote bladder health.

INTRODUCTION: Community engagement is increasingly recognized as a critical component of research, but few studies provide details on how to successfully incorporate community perspectives in urological research. This manuscript describes the community engagement strategy used by the Prevention of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Research Consortium (PLUS) to design RISE FOR HEALTH (RISE), a multicenter, population-based, prospective cohort study to promote bladder health. METHODS AND RESULTS: The PLUS Community Engagement Subcommittee, guided by a set of antiracist community engagement principles and practices, organized, implemented, and communicated findings for all RISE community engagement activities. Community engagement was conducted through a diverse network of community partners at PLUS clinical research centers called Rapid Assessment Partners (RAPs). Via online surveys (4), virtual discussion groups (14), and one-on-one interviews (12), RAPs provided input on RISE processes and materials, including in-person visit procedures, specimen collection instructions, survey data collection instruments, recruitment materials, the study website, and the study name. This process resulted in significant changes to these aspects of the study design with reciprocal benefits for the community partners. DISCUSSION: Meaningful community engagement improved the design and implementation of RISE. PLUS will continue to engage community partners to interpret the RISE study results, disseminate RISE findings, and inform other PLUS studies toward the development of interventions to promote bladder health. Future urological studies would also benefit from community participation in determining priority research questions to address.

Development of a tool to assess bladder health knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs (BH-KAB).

INTRODUCTION: Few instruments measure knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs (KAB) related to bladder health. Existing questionnaires have predominantly focused on KAB related to specific conditions such as urinary incontinence, overactive bladder, and other pelvic floor disorders. To address this literature gap, the Prevention of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (PLUS) research consortium developed an instrument that is being administered in the baseline assessment of the PLUS RISE FOR HEALTH longitudinal study. METHODS: The bladder health knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs (BH-KAB) instrument development process consisted of two phases, item development and evaluation. Item development was guided by a conceptual framework, review of existing KAB instruments, and a review of qualitative data from the PLUS consortium Study of Habits, Attitudes, Realities, and Experiences (SHARE). Evaluation comprised three methods to assess content validity and reduce and refine items: q-sort, e-panel survey, and cognitive interviews. RESULTS: The final 18-item BH-KAB instrument assesses self-reported bladder knowledge; perceptions of bladder function, anatomy, and related medical conditions; attitudes toward different patterns of fluid intake, voiding, and nocturia; the potential to prevent or treat urinary tract infections and incontinence; and the impact of pregnancy and pelvic muscle exercises on bladder health. CONCLUSION: The PLUS BH-KAB instrument may be used independently or in conjunction with other KAB instruments for a more comprehensive assessment of women's KAB related to bladder health. The BH-KAB instrument can inform clinical conversations, health education programming, and research examining potential determinants of bladder health, LUTS, and related behavioral habits (e.g., toileting, fluid intake, pelvic muscle exercises).

RISE FOR HEALTH: Rationale and protocol for a prospective cohort study of bladder health in women.

INTRODUCTION: The spectrum of bladder health and the factors that promote bladder health and prevent lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) among women are not well understood. This manuscript describes the rationale, aims, study design, sampling strategy, and data collection for the RISE FOR HEALTH (RISE) study, a novel study of bladder health in women conducted by the Prevention of Lower Urinary Tract Symptom (PLUS) Research Consortium. METHODS AND RESULTS: RISE is a population-based, multicenter, prospective longitudinal cohort study of community-dwelling, English- and Spanish-speaking adult women based in the United States. Its goal is to inform the distribution of bladder health and the individual factors (biologic, behavioral, and psychosocial) and multilevel factors (interpersonal, institutional, community, and societal) that promote bladder health and/or prevent LUTS in women across the life course. Key study development activities included the: (1) development of a conceptual framework and philosophy to guide subsequent activities, (2) creation of a study design and sampling strategy, prioritizing diversity, equity, and inclusion, and (3) selection and development of data collection components. Community members and cross-cultural experts shaped and ensured the appropriateness of all study procedures and materials. RISE participants will be selected by simple random sampling of individuals identified by a marketing database who reside in the 50 counties surrounding nine PLUS clinical research centers. Participants will complete self-administered surveys at baseline (mailed paper or electronic) to capture bladder health and LUTS, knowledge about bladder health, and factors hypothesized to promote bladder health and prevent LUTS. A subset of participants will complete an in-person assessment to augment data with objective measures including urogenital microbiome specimens. Initial longitudinal follow-up is planned at 1 year. DISCUSSION: Findings from RISE will begin to build the necessary evidence base to support much-needed, new bladder health promotion and LUTS prevention interventions in women.

Is there an association between physical activity and lower urinary tract symptoms in adolescent girls? Results from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) are common among adolescent girls. Physical activity (PA) has been implicated as both a risk (high-impact PA) and protective factor (low-impact, moderate to vigorous intensity PA) for LUTS in adult women, but its role in adolescent girls is unclear. This study investigated the prospective association between physical activity and LUTS risk in adolescent girls. METHODS: The sample comprised 3,484 female participants in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to examine daily minutes of moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA) at ages 11 and 15 years in relation to LUTS at ages 14 and 19 respectively. MVPA was assessed by 7-day accelerometer data. LUTS were assessed by questionnaire. MVPA were analyzed as continuous (minutes/day) and categorical variables (<10th percentile, 10-89th percentile, ≥90th percentile). RESULTS: Prevalence of LUTS ranged from 2.0% for bedwetting to 9.5% for nocturia at age 14 and from 2.0% for straining to urinate to 35.5% for interrupted urine flow at age 19. Physical activity was not associated with LUTS at either time-point. CONCLUSIONS: Given the prevalence of LUTS in female adolescent populations, although this study did not find an association with accelerometer-measured MVPA, other aspects of PA that may serve as risk or protective factors deserve investigation.

The Implementation of a Nutrition Intervention in Food Pantries: The Spirit of SWAP.

Background. Food insecurity, affecting approximately 10% of the U.S. population, with up to 40% or higher in some communities, is associated with higher rates of chronic conditions and inversely associated with diet quality. Nutrition interventions implemented at food pantries are an effective strategy to increase healthy food choices and improve health outcomes for people experiencing food and nutrition insecurity. Supporting Wellness at Pantries (SWAP), a stoplight nutrition ranking system, can facilitate healthy food procurement and distribution at pantries. Purpose. Guided by the RE-AIM Framework, this study assesses the implementation and outcomes of SWAP as nutritional guidance and institutional policy intervention, to increase procurement and distribution of healthy foods in pantries. Method. Mixed-methods evaluation included observations, process forms, and in-depth interviews. Food inventory assessments were conducted at baseline and 2-year follow-up. Results. Two large pantries in New Haven, Connecticut, collectively reaching more than 12,200 individuals yearly, implemented SWAP in 2019. Implementation was consistent prepandemic at both pantries. Due to COVID-mandated distribution changes, pantries adapted SWAP implementation during the pandemic while still maintaining the "spirit of SWAP." One pantry increased the percentage of Green foods offered. Challenges to healthy food distribution are considered. Discussion. This study has implications for policy, systems, and environmental changes. It shows the potential for SWAP adoption at pantries, which can serve as a guide for continued healthy food procurement and advocacy. Maintaining the "spirit of SWAP" shows promising results for food pantries looking to implement nutrition interventions when standard practice may not be possible.

The Nurse Empowerment Program for Nurses in Direct Care Positions.

OBJECTIVE: An educational program including online generic and nursing-specific content was evaluated for self-assessed leadership skill outcomes. BACKGROUND: Leadership development for nurses in direct care positions has not received the same support as for nurses in formal leadership positions. Pandemic and workforce changes make it critical that leadership skills be built at all levels of nursing. METHODS: Early-career nurses (≤10 years of experience) were recruited to participate in an online leadership development program offering 9 LinkedIn Learning courses, 3 leadership courses from Sigma, an e-book, and a discussion board. RESULTS: Most participants who responded to both immediate postsurvey and 3-month follow-up survey (98.6% of n = 69) reported having applied new or improved abilities in their nursing practice to at least a small degree, and the majority reported having done so to a moderate or great degree. CONCLUSION: This online leadership development program was valued and was associated with improved self-assessed leadership.

Group prenatal care and improved birth outcomes: Results from a type 1 hybrid effectiveness-implementation study.

To compare birth outcomes for patients receiving Expect With Me (EWM) group prenatal care or individual care only, we conducted a type 1 hybrid effectiveness-implementation trial (Detroit and Nashville, 2014-2016). Participants entered care <24 weeks gestation, had singleton pregnancy, and no prior preterm birth (N = 2402). Mean participant age was 27.1 (SD = 5.77); 49.5% were Black; 15.3% were Latina; 59.7% publicly insured. Average treatment effect of EWM compared to individual care only was estimated using augmented inverse probability weighting (AIPW). This doubly-robust analytic method produces estimates of causal association between treatment and outcome in the absence of randomization. AIPW was effective at creating equivalent groups for potential confounders. Compared to those receiving individual care only, EWM patients did significantly better on three of four primary outcomes: lower risk of infants born preterm (<37 weeks gestation; 6.4% vs. 15.1%, risk ratio (RR) 0.42, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 0.29, 0.54), low birthweight (<2500 g; 4.3% vs. 11.6%, RR 0.37, 95% CI 0.24, 0.49), and admission to NICU (9.4% vs. 14.6%, RR 0.64, 95% CI 0.49, 0.78). There was no difference in small for gestational age (<10% percentile of weight for gestational age). EWM patients attended a mean of 5.9 group visits (SD = 2.7); 70% attended ≥5 group visits. Post-hoc analyses indicated EWM patients utilizing the integrated information technology platform had lower risk for low birthweight infants (RR 0.47, 95% CI 0.24, 0.86) than non-users. Future research is needed to understand mechanisms by which group prenatal care improves outcomes, best practices for implementation, and health systems savings. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.govNCT02169024.

Features and Impact of Trust-Based Relationships Between Community Health Workers and Low-Resource Perinatal Women with Chronic Health Conditions.

OBJECTIVES: Community health worker (CHW) programs are a promising strategy to improve maternal and child health outcomes, particularly among low-resource women. Yet, little is known about which aspects of CHW-client relationships are most salient for promoting positive change. This paper examines features of the CHW-client relationship that perinatal women with chronic conditions reported as being beneficial for their experience of prenatal care and pregnancy. METHODS: Focus groups and interviews were conducted with 18 CHWs and 39 clients from three Merck for Mothers-funded programs in the Eastern United States. Data were analyzed using a grounded theory-informed thematic approach. RESULTS: CHWs built trust-based relationships through emotional attendance, authenticity, and prioritization of clients' needs. They provided instrumental, informational, and emotional support that clients reported facilitated greater engagement with the healthcare system, improved health behaviors, and reduced stress. CHWs and clients alike viewed their relationships as having long-lasting impacts, made possible by the trust-based bond between them. DISCUSSION: Strong, trusting relationships with CHWs may be one avenue through which to improve maternal and infant health for vulnerable perinatal women. Community health care programs should promote trust-building as an explicit program goal. Trust-based CHW-client relationships may serve as an exemplar for transforming traditional care relationships between providers and clients, leading to greater client engagement in care and improved health.

Safe Start Community Health Worker Program: A Multisector Partnership to Improve Perinatal Outcomes Among Low-Income Pregnant Women With Chronic Health Conditions.

Safe Start is a community health worker program representing a partnership between a high-volume, inner-city, hospital-based prenatal clinic; a community-based organization; a large Medicaid insurer; and a community behavioral health organization to improve perinatal outcomes among publicly insured pregnant women with chronic health conditions in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. As of June 2019, 291 women participated in the program. Relative to a comparison group (n = 300), Safe Start participants demonstrate improved engagement in care, reduced antenatal inpatient admissions, and shorter neonatal intensive care unit stays.

I never knew anyone who peed on themselves on purpose: Exploring adolescent and adult women's lay language and discourse about bladder health and function.

AIMS: This analysis explored and characterized adolescent and adult women's lay language and discourse related to bladder health/function. METHODS: Forty-four focus groups were conducted across seven United States research centers with 360 adolescents and adult women, organized by six age categories. Multilevel content analyses classified emergent themes. A transdisciplinary lens and inductive approach guided data interpretation. Interpretive insights were validated by a community engagement panel. RESULTS: A repertoire of bladder function terms emerged, including explicit functional terms, formal and polite euphemistic terms, and informal familiar terms, as well as cultural and regional metaphors and idioms. Terminology usage was historically grounded, developmental, and cumulative across the life course. Lay discourse was contextual and affectively valent, suggesting unspoken, commonly understood, situation-based "rules" for talking about bladder function. Discourse appeared to be siloed within family and friendship circles. Adolescents and adult women often described, rather than named, bladder sensations or problems. Terminology for bladder issues tended to minimize severity and frequency, with medical language only relevant to extreme examples and not applicable to mild episodes. CONCLUSIONS: A definitional discordance between medical and lay views of bladder problems was identified, signifying a need to clarify the meaning of medical terms for lay persons. Adolescents and adult women do not have or use standardized precise terminology for bladder health and function, relying instead on social convention and interpersonal context. Findings can be used to foster shared understandings between lay persons and health professionals, informing development of clinical, research, and public health initiatives to promote bladder health.

Associations between intimate partner violence profiles and mental health among low-income, urban pregnant adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Intimate partner violence (IPV) during pregnancy is associated with adverse maternal and child health outcomes, including poor mental health. Previous IPV research has largely focused on women's victimization experiences; however, evidence suggests young women may be more likely to engage in bilateral violence (report both victimization and perpetration) or perpetrate IPV (unilateral perpetration) during pregnancy than to report being victimized (unilateral victimization). This study examined prevalence of unilateral victimization, unilateral perpetration, and bilateral violence, and the association between these IPV profiles and mental health outcomes during pregnancy among young, low-income adolescents. METHODS: Survey data were collected from 930 adolescents (14-21 years; 95.4% Black and Latina) from fourteen Community Health Centers and hospitals in New York City during second and third trimester of pregnancy. Multivariable regression models tested the association between IPV profiles and prenatal depression, anxiety, and distress, adjusting for known predictors of psychological morbidity. RESULTS: Thirty-eight percent of adolescents experienced IPV during their third trimester of pregnancy. Of these, 13% were solely victims, 35% were solely perpetrators, and 52% were engaged in bilateral violence. All women with violent IPV profiles had significantly higher odds of having depression and anxiety compared to individuals reporting no IPV. Adolescents experiencing bilateral violence had nearly 4-fold higher odds of depression (OR = 3.52, 95% CI: 2.43, 5.09) and a nearly 5-fold increased likelihood of anxiety (OR = 4.98, 95% CI: 3.29, 7.55). Unilateral victims and unilateral perpetrators were also at risk for adverse mental health outcomes, with risk of depression and anxiety two- to three-fold higher, compared to pregnant adolescents who report no IPV. Prenatal distress was higher among adolescents who experienced bilateral violence (OR = 2.84, 95% CI: 1.94, 4.16) and those who were unilateral victims (OR = 2.21, 95% CI: 1.19, 4.12). CONCLUSIONS: All violent IPV profiles were associated with adverse mental health outcomes among pregnant adolescents, with bilateral violence having the most detrimental associations. Comprehensive IPV screening for both victimization and perpetration experiences during pregnancy is warranted. Clinical and community prevention efforts should target pregnant adolescents and their partners to reduce their vulnerability to violence and its adverse consequences. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT00628771 . Registered 29 February 2008.

Area-level deprivation and preterm birth: results from a national, commercially-insured population.

BACKGROUND: Area-level deprivation is associated with multiple adverse birth outcomes. Few studies have examined the mediating pathways through which area-level deprivation affects these outcomes. The objective of this study was to investigate the association between area-level deprivation and preterm birth, and examine the mediating effects of maternal medical, behavioural, and psychosocial factors. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study using national, commercial health insurance claims data from 2011, obtained from the Health Care Cost Institute. Area-level deprivation was derived from principal components methods using ZIP code-level data. Multilevel structural equation modeling was used to examine mediating effects. RESULTS: In total, 138,487 women with a live singleton birth residing in 14,577 ZIP codes throughout the United States were included. Overall, 5.7% of women had a preterm birth. In fully adjusted generalized estimation equation models, compared to women in the lowest quartile of area-level deprivation, odds of preterm birth increased by 9.6% among women in the second highest quartile (odds ratio (OR) 1.096; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.021, 1.176), by 11.3% in the third highest quartile (OR 1.113; 95% CI 1.035, 1.195), and by 24.9% in the highest quartile (OR 1.249; 95% CI 1.165, 1.339). Hypertension and infection moderately mediated this association. CONCLUSIONS: Even among commercially-insured women, area-level deprivation was associated with increased risk of preterm birth. Similar to individual socioeconomic status, area-level deprivation does not have a threshold effect. Implementation of policies to reduce area-level deprivation, and the screening and treatment of maternal mediators may be associated with a lower risk of preterm birth.

Application of the Social Vulnerability Index for Identifying Teen Pregnancy Intervention Need in the United States.

Objectives Originally developed to assess emergency preparedness, evidence suggests the Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) may also be useful to investigate multilevel environmental and social influences on health risk behaviors and outcomes. This ecological study explores the application of the SVI as a predictor of teen pregnancy rates across counties in the United States (U.S.) and identifies areas with greatest need for community-based interventions. Methods County-level SVI and teen birth rate data were obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Regression analysis was conducted to examine associations between teen birth rates and social vulnerability, geographic region, and the four themes which compromise the index: socioeconomic status, household composition, minority status, and housing. Dot maps of teen birth rates and SVI by quartiles were used to examine spatial distribution across counties. Results Each increase in SVI quartile was associated with an additional 11.5 births per 1000 females ages 15-19. Higher social vulnerability was significantly associated with higher teen birth rates to varying degrees across the U.S., with largest effect sizes observed in East South Central (ß = 62.56; SE = 6.28; p < 0.001) and West South Central (ß = 66.75; SE = 5.33; p < 0.001) Census divisions. Among index themes, socioeconomic status (ß = 25.56; SE = 1.16; p < 0.001), household composition (ß = 23.49; SE = 1.00; p < 0.001), and minority/language status (ß = 10.99; SE = 0.83; p < 0.001) were positively associated with teen birth. No association was observed with housing/transportation. Conclusions The SVI offers a novel tool for identifying at-risk populations most in need of resources and guiding community-based teen pregnancy interventions across the U.S.

Expect With Me: development and evaluation design for an innovative model of group prenatal care to improve perinatal outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Despite biomedical advances and intervention efforts, rates of preterm birth and other adverse outcomes in the United States have remained relatively intransigent. Evidence suggests that group prenatal care can reduce these risks, with implications for maternal and child health as well as substantial cost savings. However, widespread dissemination presents challenges, in part because training and health systems have not been designed to deliver care in a group setting. This manuscript describes the design and evaluation of Expect With Me, an innovative model of group prenatal care with a strong integrated information technology (IT) platform designed to be scalable nationally. METHODS/DESIGN: Expect With Me follows clinical guidelines from the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Expect With Me incorporates the best evidence-based features of existing models of group care with a novel integrated IT platform designed to improve patient engagement and support, enhance health behaviors and decision making, connect providers and patients, and improve health service delivery. A multisite prospective longitudinal cohort study is being conducted to examine the impact of Expect With Me on perinatal and postpartum outcomes, and to identify and address barriers to national scalability. Process and outcome evaluation will include quantitative and qualitative data collection at patient, provider, and organizational levels. Mixed-method data collection includes patient surveys, medical record reviews, patient focus groups; provider surveys, session evaluations, provider focus groups and in-depth interviews; an online tracking system; and clinical site visits. A two-to-one matched cohort of women receiving individual care from each site will provide a comparison group (n = 1,000 Expect With Me patients; n = 2,000 individual care patients) for outcome and cost analyses. DISCUSSION: By bundling prevention and care services into a high-touch, high-tech group prenatal care model, Expect With Me has the potential to result in fundamental changes to the health care system to meet the "triple aim:" better healthcare quality, improved outcomes, and lower costs. Findings from this study will be used to optimize the dissemination and effectiveness of this model. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02169024 . Retrospectively registered on June 18, 2014.

Group Prenatal Care Attendance: Determinants and Relationship with Care Satisfaction.

Objectives Group prenatal care results in improved birth outcomes in randomized controlled trials, and better attendance at group prenatal care visits is associated with stronger clinical effects. This paper's objectives are to identify determinants of group prenatal care attendance, and to examine the association between proportion of prenatal care received in a group context and satisfaction with care. Methods We conducted a secondary data analysis of pregnant adolescents (n = 547) receiving group prenatal care in New York City (2008-2012). Multivariable linear regression models were used to test associations between patient characteristics and percent of group care sessions attended, and between the proportion of prenatal care visits that occurred in a group context and care satisfaction. Results Sixty-seven groups were established. Group sizes ranged from 3 to 15 women (mean = 8.16, SD = 3.08); 87 % of groups enrolled at least five women. Women enrolled in group prenatal care supplemented group sessions with individual care visits. However, the percent of women who attended each group session was relatively consistent, ranging from 56 to 63 %. Being born outside of the United States was significantly associated with higher group session attendance rates [B(SE) = 11.46 (3.46), p = 0.001], and women who received a higher proportion of care in groups reported higher levels of care satisfaction [B(SE) = 0.11 (0.02), p < 0.001]. Conclusions Future research should explore alternative implementation structures to improve pregnant women's ability to receive as much prenatal care as possible in a group setting, as well as value-based reimbursement models and other incentives to encourage more widespread adoption of group prenatal care.