A research agenda to improve incidence and outcomes of assisted vaginal birth.

Access to emergency obstetric care, including assisted vaginal birth and caesarean birth, is crucial for improving maternal and childbirth outcomes. However, although the proportion of births by caesarean section has increased during the last few decades, the use of assisted vaginal birth has declined. This is particularly the case in low- and middle-income countries, despite an assisted vaginal birth often being less risky than caesarean birth. We therefore conducted a three-step process to identify a research agenda necessary to increase the use of, or reintroduce, assisted vaginal birth: after conducting an evidence synthesis, which informed a consultation with technical experts who proposed an initial research agenda, we sought and incorporated the views of women's representatives of this agenda. This process has allowed us to identify a comprehensive research agenda, with topics categorized as: (i) the need to understand women's perceptions of assisted vaginal birth, and provide appropriate and reliable information; (ii) the importance of training health-care providers in clinical skills but also in respectful care, effective communication, shared decision-making and informed consent; and (iii) the barriers to and facilitators of implementation and sustainability. From women's feedback, we learned of the urgent need to recognize labour, childbirth and postpartum experiences as inherently physiological and dignified human processes, in which interventions should only be implemented if necessary. The promotion and/or reintroduction of assisted vaginal birth in low-resource settings requires governments, policy-makers and hospital administrators to support skilled health-care providers who can, in turn, respectfully support women in labour and childbirth.

L'accès aux soins obstétriques d'urgence, y compris l'accouchement vaginal assisté et la césarienne, est essentiel pour améliorer les effets de la maternité et de l'accouchement. Toutefois, bien que la proportion de césariennes ait augmenté ces dernières décennies, le recours à l'accouchement vaginal assisté a diminué. C'est particulièrement le cas dans les pays à revenu faible ou intermédiaire, bien que l'accouchement vaginal assisté soit souvent moins risqué qu'une césarienne. Nous avons donc mené un processus en trois étapes afin d'imaginer un programme de recherche qui permettrait d'augmenter le recours à l'accouchement vaginal assisté ou de le réintroduire. Après avoir réalisé une synthèse des données probantes, qui a servi de base à une consultation avec des experts techniques qui ont proposé un programme de recherche initial, nous avons sollicité et incorporé les avis des représentantes des femmes pour ce programme. Ce processus nous a permis d'imaginer un programme de recherche complet, avec des sujets classés comme suit: (i) la nécessité de comprendre la perception qu'ont les femmes de l'accouchement vaginal assisté et de fournir des informations appropriées et fiables; (ii) l'importance de la formation des prestataires de soins de santé en matière de compétences cliniques, mais aussi de respect dans les soins de santé, de communication efficace, de prise de décision partagée et de consentement éclairé; ou (iii) les obstacles à la mise en œuvre et à la durabilité et les facteurs qui les facilitent. Les réactions de femmes nous ont appris qu'il était urgent de reconnaître que l'accouchement, la naissance et le post-partum sont des processus humains intrinsèquement physiologiques et dignes au cours desquels les interventions ne devraient être mises en œuvre qu'en cas de nécessité. La promotion et/ou la réintroduction de l'accouchement vaginal assisté dans les régions à faibles ressources nécessitent que les pouvoirs publics, les décideurs politiques et les administrations d'hôpitaux soutiennent les prestataires de soins de santé qualifiés, qui pourront à leur tour soutenir respectueusement les femmes pendant l'accouchement.

El acceso a la atención obstétrica de emergencia, incluido el parto vaginal asistido y el parto por cesárea, es crucial para mejorar los resultados de la maternidad y el parto. No obstante, aunque el porcentaje de partos por cesárea ha aumentado en las últimas décadas, el uso del parto vaginal asistido ha disminuido. Esto ocurre especialmente en los países de ingresos bajos y medios, a pesar de que un parto vaginal asistido suele ser menos arriesgado que un parto por cesárea. Por lo tanto, llevamos a cabo un proceso de tres pasos para identificar un programa de investigación necesario para aumentar el uso del parto vaginal asistido o volver a incorporarlo: tras realizar una síntesis de la evidencia, que sirvió de base para una consulta con expertos técnicos que propusieron un programa de investigación inicial, buscamos e integramos las opiniones de las representantes de las mujeres sobre este programa. Este proceso nos ha permitido identificar un programa de investigación exhaustivo, con temas categorizados como: (i) la necesidad de comprender las percepciones de las mujeres sobre el parto vaginal asistido, y proporcionar información adecuada y fiable; (ii) la importancia de formar a los profesionales sanitarios en habilidades clínicas, pero también en atención respetuosa, comunicación efectiva, toma de decisiones compartida y consentimiento informado; o (iii) las barreras y los facilitadores de la implementación y la sostenibilidad. A partir de las opiniones de las mujeres, nos enteramos de la urgente necesidad de reconocer las experiencias del parto, el alumbramiento y el posparto como procesos humanos inherentemente fisiológicos y dignos, en los que las intervenciones solo deben aplicarse si son necesarias. La promoción o la reincoporación del parto vaginal asistido en regiones de escasos recursos exige que los gobiernos, los responsables de formular políticas y los administradores de hospitales apoyen a los profesionales sanitarios capacitados que, a su vez, pueden ayudar a las mujeres en el trabajo de parto y el alumbramiento de manera respetuosa.

"This thing of testing our blood is really very important": a qualitative study of primary care laboratory services in Tete Province, Mozambique.

BACKGROUND: Laboratory services are essential for diagnosis and management of patients, and for disease control, and should form an integral part of primary health services capable of contributing to Universal Health Coverage. Nevertheless, they remain among the most neglected health services in resource-poor countries, including Mozambique. The Health Directorate of Tete Province, Mozambique, developed this study to analyse the role and perceived impact of laboratory services in primary healthcare on access, perceived service quality and disease control. METHODS: Qualitative research was done in three primary health facilities with and three without a laboratory in Tete Province, purposively sampled for their available services, accessibility and size. The role of the laboratory in primary health care was explored by reviewing documents, including records and monthly reports, interviews with clinicians, laboratory technicians and key informants (community leaders), and through focus group discussions with beneficiaries. Numeric data were summarized in Microsoft™ Excel. Qualitative data were analysed for content within generated categories, interpreted within the concept of Universal Health Coverage, cross validated between the researchers. RESULTS: The results showed a greater use of health services, with more frequent diagnosis and monitoring of prevalent diseases, in facilities with a laboratory as compared with facilities without. Clinicians, patients and community leaders in facilities with a laboratory perceived an improved possibility of diagnosing and treating prevalent diseases, resulting in greater satisfaction with the provided services. Laboratory technicians confirmed that patients appreciated having access to laboratory tests. Clinicians, patients and community leaders in facilities without a laboratory protested its lack, claiming that it increased the likelihood of costly referrals, delays and even deaths. CONCLUSIONS: The study concluded that the laboratory plays an important role in primary level health facilities, as it is associated with greater utilization and perceived higher quality of services. Lack of a laboratory hampers patient management, disease control and financial risk protection. Expansion of the clinical laboratory system at primary level health facilities should be a properly funded priority of the national health system in Mozambique and similar countries.

Household survey of availability of long-lasting insecticide-treated nets and its determinants in rural Mozambique.

BACKGROUND: Mosquito nets treated with long-lasting insecticide offer highly effective personal protection against malaria transmission. In Mozambique, nets are distributed freely in antenatal care visits since 2006 and through mass distribution campaigns since 2009, but the country has not yet been able to report a consistent decline in malaria incidence. Routine data show that Changara District, Tete Province, shows an increase in malaria cases, although it has a reasonable theoretical coverage of nets. This study evaluated household availability of nets and its determinants in Changara district. METHODOLOGY: Quantitative household survey at the end of 2013, in a representative sample of 450 households in 30 villages of Changara district, using the sampling method of randomly selected households in clusters selected with probability proportional to size. Data were analysed with Epi-Info version 7.1.2.0. The significance level was 0. 05. RESULTS: Of 450 households, 62.5% (95% CI 57.5-66.7) had at least one long-lasting insecticide-treated net. Availability of nets showed a positive association with socioeconomic status and the existence of at least one pregnant woman or child under 5 years in the household, but a negative association with distance between health facility and residence. Most of the observed nets were not in good condition, only 19.2% (95% CI 15.7-23.2) of households had at least one net in good condition. The condition of the nets reduced with increasing number of washes. CONCLUSIONS: The household availability of long-lasting insecticide-treated nets in Changara district has not yet reached levels that may have an impact on the incidence of malaria, despite distribution through campaign and antenatal care. The habit of washing nets frequently reduces their lifespan. It is recommended to strengthen education on good practices of net conservation, in addition to their distribution.

Challenges and opportunities for implementing evidence-based antenatal care in Mozambique: a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Maternal mortality remains a daunting problem in Mozambique and many other low-resource countries. High quality antenatal care (ANC) services can improve maternal and newborn health outcomes and increase the likelihood that women will seek skilled delivery care. This study explores the factors influencing provider uptake of the recommended package of ANC interventions in Mozambique. METHODS: This study used qualitative research methods including key informant interviews with stakeholders from the health sector and a total of five focus group discussions with women with experience with ANC or women from the community. Study participants were selected from three health centers located in Maputo city, Tete, and Cabo Delgado provinces in Mozambique. Staff responsible for the medicines/supply chain at national, provincial and district level were interviewed. A check list was implemented to confirm the availability of the supplies required for ANC. Deductive content analysis was conducted. RESULTS: Three main groups of factors were identified that hinder the implementation of the ANC package in the study setting: a) system or organizational: include chronic supply chain deficiencies, failures in the continuing education system, lack of regular audits and supervision, absence of an efficient patient record system and poor environmental conditions at the health center; b) health care provider factors: such as limited awareness of current clinical guidelines and a resistant attitude to adopting new recommendations; and c) Users: challenges with accessing ANC, poor recognition amongst women about the purpose and importance of the specific interventions provided through ANC, and widespread perception of an unfriendly environment at the health center. CONCLUSIONS: The ANC package in Mozambique is not being fully implemented in the three study facilities, and a major barrier is poor functioning of the supply chain system. Recommendations for improving the implementation of antenatal interventions include ensuring clinical protocols based on the ANC model. Increasing the community understanding of the importance of ANC would improve demand for high quality ANC services. The supply chain functioning could be strengthened through the introduction of a kit system with all the necessary supplies for ANC and a simple monitoring system to track the stock levels is recommended.

Implementation of evidence-based antenatal care in Mozambique: a cluster randomized controlled trial: study protocol.

BACKGROUND: Antenatal care (ANC) reduces maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality directly through the detection and treatment of pregnancy-related illnesses, and indirectly through the detection of women at increased risk of delivery complications. The potential benefits of quality antenatal care services are most significant in low-resource countries where morbidity and mortality levels among women of reproductive age and neonates are higher.WHO developed an ANC model that recommended the delivery of services scientifically proven to improve maternal, perinatal and neonatal outcomes. The aim of this study is to determine the effect of an intervention designed to increase the use of the package of evidence-based services included in the WHO ANC model in Mozambique. The primary hypothesis is that the intervention will increase the use of evidence-based practices during ANC visits in comparison to the standard dissemination channels currently used in the country. METHODS: This is a demonstration project to be developed through a facility-based cluster randomized controlled trial with a stepped wedge design. The intervention was tailored, based on formative research findings, to be readily applicable to local prenatal care services and acceptable to local pregnant women and health providers. The intervention includes four components: the provision of kits with all necessary medicines and laboratory supplies for ANC (medical and non-medical equipment), a storage system, a tracking system, and training sessions for health care providers. Ten clinics were selected and will start receiving the intervention in a random order. Outcomes will be computed at each time point when a new clinic starts the intervention. The primary outcomes are the delivery of selected health care practices to women attending the first ANC visit, and secondary outcomes are the delivery of selected health care practices to women attending second and higher ANC visits as well as the attitude of midwives in relation to adopting the practices. This demonstration project is pragmatic in orientation and will be conducted under routine conditions. DISCUSSION: There is an urgent need for effective and sustainable scaling-up approaches of health interventions in low-resource countries. This can only be accomplished by the engagement of the country's health stakeholders at all levels. This project aims to achieve improvement in the quality of antenatal care in Mozambique through the implementation of a multifaceted intervention on three levels: policy, organizational and health care delivery levels. The implementation of the trial will probably require a change in accountability and behaviour of health care providers and we expect this change in 'habits' will contribute to obtaining reliable health indicators, not only related to research issues, but also to health care outcomes derived from the new health care model. At policy level, the results of this study may suggest a need for revision of the supply chain management system. Given that supply chain management is a major challenge for many low-resource countries, we envisage that important lessons on how to improve the supply chain in Mozambique and other similar settings, will be drawn from this study. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Pan African Clinical Trial Registry database. Identification number: PACTR201306000550192.

Toward the prevention of childhood undernutrition: diet diversity strategies using locally produced food can overcome gaps in nutrient supply.

BACKGROUND: Chronic undernutrition is prevalent in Mozambique, where children suffer from stunting, vitamin A deficiency, anemia, and other nutrition-related disorders. Complete diet formulation products (CDFPs) are increasingly promoted to prevent chronic undernutrition. OBJECTIVE: Using linear programming, to investigate whether diet diversification using local foods should be prioritized in order to reduce the prevalence of chronic undernutrition. METHODS: Market prices of local foods were collected in Tete City, Mozambique. Linear programming was applied to calculate the cheapest possible fully nutritious food baskets (FNFB) by stepwise addition of micronutrient-dense localfoods. RESULTS: Only the top quintile of Mozambican households, using average expenditure data, could afford the FNFB that was designed using linear programming from a spectrum of local standard foods. The addition of beef heart or liver, dried fish and fresh moringa leaves, before applying linear programming decreased the price by a factor of up to 2.6. As a result, the top three quintiles could afford the FNFB optimized using both diversification strategy and linear programming. CDFPs, when added to the baskets, were unable to overcome the micronutrient gaps without greatly exceeding recommended energy intakes, due to their high ratio of energy to micronutrient density. CONCLUSIONS: Dietary diversification strategies using local, low-cost, nutrient-dense foods can meet all micronutrient recommendations and overcome all micronutrient gaps. The success of linear programming to identify a low-cost FNFB depends entirely on the investigators' ability to select appropriate micronutrient-dense foods. CDFPs added to food baskets are unable to overcome micronutrient gaps without greatly exceeding recommended energy intake.

Integrated maternal and child health services in Mozambique: structural health system limitations overshadow its effect on follow-up of HIV-exposed infants.

BACKGROUND: The follow-up of HIV-exposed infants remains a public health challenge in many Sub-Saharan countries. Just as integrated antenatal and maternity services have contributed to improved care for HIV-positive pregnant women, so too could integrated care for mother and infant after birth improve follow-up of HIV-exposed infants. We present results of a study testing the viability of such integrated care, and its effects on follow-up of HIV-exposed infants, in Tete Province, Mozambique. METHODS: Between April 2009 and September 2010, we conducted a mixed-method, intervention-control study in six rural public primary healthcare facilities, selected purposively for size and accessibility, with random allocation of three facilities each for intervention and control groups. The intervention consisted of a reorganization of services to provide one-stop, integrated care for mothers and their children under five years of age. We collected monthly routine facility statistics on prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission (PMTCT), follow-up of HIV-exposed infants, and other mother and child health (MCH) activities for the six months before (January-June 2009) and 13 months after starting the intervention (July 2009-July 2010). Staff were interviewed at the start, after six months, and at the end of the study. Quantitative data were analysed using quasi-Poisson models for significant differences between the periods before and after intervention, between healthcare facilities in intervention and control groups, and for time trends. The coefficients for the effect of the period and the interaction effect of the intervention were calculated with their p-values. Thematic analysis of qualitative data was done manually. RESULTS: One-stop, integrated care for mother and child was feasible in all participating healthcare facilities, and staff evaluated this service organisation positively. We observed in both study groups an improvement in follow-up of HIV-exposed infants (registration, follow-up visits, serological testing), but frequent absenteeism of staff and irregular supply of consumables interfered with healthcare facility performance for both intervention and control groups. CONCLUSIONS: Despite improvement in various aspects of the follow-up of HIV-exposed infants, we observed no improvement attributable to one-stop, integrated MCH care. Structural healthcare system limitations, such as staff absences and irregular supply of essential commodities, appear to overshadow its potential effects. Regular technical support and adequate basic working conditions are essential for improved performance in the follow-up of HIV-exposed infants in peripheral public healthcare facilities in Mozambique.

Interventions to reintroduce or increase assisted vaginal births: a systematic review of the literature.

OBJECTIVE: To synthesise the evidence from studies that implemented interventions to increase/reintroduce the use of assisted vaginal births (AVB). DESIGN: Systematic review. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: We included experimental, semi-experimental and observational studies that reported any intervention to reintroduce/increase AVB use. DATA SOURCES: We searched PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, LILACS, Scopus, Cochrane, WHO Library, Web of Science, ClinicalTrials.gov and WHO.int/ictrp through September 2021. RISK OF BIAS: For trials, we used the Cochrane Effective Practice and Organisation of Care tool; for other designs we used Risk of Bias for Non-Randomised Studies of Interventions. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS: Due to heterogeneity in interventions, we did not conduct meta-analyses. We present data descriptively, grouping studies according to settings: high-income countries (HICs) or low/middle-income countries (LMICs). We classified direction of intervention effects as (a) statistically significant increase or decrease, (b) no statistically significant change or (c) statistical significance not reported in primary study. We provide qualitative syntheses of the main barriers and enablers for success of the intervention. RESULTS: We included 16 studies (10 from LMICs), mostly of low or moderate methodological quality, which described interventions with various components (eg, didactic sessions, simulation, hands-on training, guidelines, audit/feedback). All HICs studies described isolated initiatives to increase AVB use; 9/10 LMIC studies tested initiatives to increase AVB use as part of larger multicomponent interventions to improve maternal/perinatal healthcare. No study assessed women's views or designed interventions using behavioural theories. Overall, interventions were less successful in LMICs than in HICs. Increase in AVB use was not associated with significant increase in adverse maternal or perinatal outcomes. The main barriers to the successful implementation of the initiatives were related to staff and hospital environment. CONCLUSIONS: There is insufficient evidence to indicate which intervention, or combination of interventions, is more effective to safely increase AVB use. More research is needed, especially in LMICs, including studies that design interventions taking into account theories of behaviour change. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42020215224.

Reproductive health services for populations at high risk of HIV: Performance of a night clinic in Tete province, Mozambique.

BACKGROUND: Different models exist to provide HIV/STI services for most-at-risk populations (MARP). Along the Tete traffic corridor in Mozambique, linking Malawi and Zimbabwe, a night clinic opening between 4 and 10 PM was established targeting female sex workers (FSW) and long-distance truck drivers (LDD). The clinic offers free individual education and counselling, condoms, STI care, HIV testing, contraceptive services and outreach peer education. To evaluate this clinic model, we assessed relevance, service utilisation, efficiency and sustainability. METHODS: In 2007-2009, mapping and enumeration of FSW and LDD was conducted; 28 key informants were interviewed; 6 focus group discussions (FGD) were held with FSW from Mozambique and Zimbabwe, and LDD from Mozambique and Malawi. Clinic outputs and costs were analysed. RESULTS: An estimated 4,415 FSW work in the area, or 9% of women aged 15-49, and on average 66 trucks stay overnight near the clinic. Currently on average, 475 clients/month visit the clinic (43% for contraception, 24% for counselling and testing and 23% for STI care). The average clinic running cost is US$ 1408/month, mostly for human resources. All informants endorsed this clinic concept and the need to expand the services. FGD participants reported high satisfaction with the services and mentioned good reception by the health staff, short waiting times, proximity and free services as most important. Participants were in favour of expanding the range of services, the geographical coverage and the opening times. CONCLUSIONS: Size of the target population, satisfaction of clients and endorsement by health policy makers justify maintaining a separate clinic for MARP. Cost-effectiveness may be enhanced by broadening the range of SRHR-HIV/AIDS services, adapting opening times, expanding geographical coverage and targeting additional MARP. Long-term sustainability remains challenging and requires private-public partnerships or continued project-based funding.

Risk factors for stillbirths in Tete, Mozambique.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate known risk factors for stillbirth and identify local priorities for stillbirth prevention among institutional deliveries in Tete, Mozambique. METHODS: A case-control study was conducted among 150 women who experienced stillbirths and 300 women who experienced live deliveries at three health facilities between December 1, 2009, and April 30, 2011. Case and control individuals were matched for health facility, age, and parity. Sociodemographic, pregnancy, and delivery characteristics (including HIV and syphilis serology) were assessed. Bivariate associations and a conditional logistic regression model identified variables contributing to fetal outcome. RESULTS: No between-group differences were recorded in the frequency of infection with HIV (25 [16.7%] cases vs 55 [18.3%] controls; P=0.663) or syphilis (6 [4.0%] vs 16 [5.3%]; P=0.536) at delivery. Multivariate analysis revealed that stillbirth was associated with direct obstetric complications (mutually adjusted odds ratio [OR] 6.7; 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.6-12.1), low socioeconomic status (mutually adjusted OR 1.8; 95% CI 1.1-3.1), and referral during childbirth (mutually adjusted OR 3.2; 95% CI 1.7-6.1). CONCLUSION: Stillbirths in Tete, Mozambique, were predominantly caused by direct obstetric complications requiring referral among women of low socioeconomic status. Prenatal management of HIV and syphilis limited effects on fetal outcome. Emergency obstetric care and referral systems should be the focus of interventions aimed at stillbirth prevention.

Trends in maternal mortality: a 13-year hospital-based study in rural Ghana.

OBJECTIVE: To measure the impact of the Safe Motherhood Initiative (SMI) on hospital-based maternal mortality since its start in 1987. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of all 229 maternal deaths in a district hospital in rural Ghana, between 1 January 1987 and 1 January 2000. Main outcome measures were maternal mortality ratio and relative contribution of causes of maternal deaths to overall maternal mortality. Chi-square test was used to assess differences in proportions, and relative risks with confidence intervals were calculated. RESULTS: The overall maternal mortality ratio of 1077/100,000 live births did not change significantly during the study period. However, the relative contributions of sepsis, hemorrhage, obstructed labor, anemia/sickle cell disease and (pre-) eclampsia diminished, while abortion complications increased significantly. CONCLUSIONS: The Safe Motherhood Initiative in the study area has contributed to the reduction of maternal mortality due to causes against which interventions were directed. Abortion complications as cause of maternal mortality need to be included in interventions and research.

Utilization of and Barriers to HIV and MCH Services among Community ART Group Members and Their Families in Tete, Mozambique.

Mozambique continues to face many challenges in HIV and maternal and child health care (MCH). Community-based antiretroviral treatment groups (CAG) enhance retention to care among members, but whether such benefits extend to their families and to MCH remains unclear. In 2011 we studied utilization of HIV and MCH services among CAG members and their family aggregates in Changara, Mozambique, through a mixed-method assessment. We systematically revised all patient-held health cards from CAG members and their non-CAG family aggregate members and conducted semistructured group discussions on MCH topics. Quantitative data were analysed in EPI-Info. Qualitative data were manually thematically analysed. Information was retrieved from 1,624 persons, of which 420 were CAG members (26%). Good compliance with HIV treatment among CAG members was shared with non-CAG HIV-positive family members on treatment, but many family aggregate members remained without testing, and, when HIV positive, without HIV treatment. No positive effects from the CAG model were found for MCH service utilization. Barriers for utilization mentioned centred on insufficient knowledge, limited community-health facility collaboration, and structural health system limitations. CAG members were open to include MCH in their groups, offering the possibility to extend patient involvement to other health needs. We recommend that lessons learnt from HIV-based activism, patient involvement, and community participation are applied to broader SRH services, including MCH care.

Knowledge, beliefs, and practices regarding exclusive breastfeeding of infants younger than 6 months in Mozambique: a qualitative study.

Only 37% of infants younger than 6 months in Mozambique are exclusively breastfed. A qualitative assessment was undertaken to identify the knowledge, beliefs, and practices around exclusive breastfeeding--specifically, those of mothers, fathers, grandmothers, and nurses--and to identify the support networks. Results show many barriers. In addition to receiving breast milk, infants receive water, traditional medicines, and porridges before 6 months of age. Many mothers had heard of the recommendation to exclusively breastfeed for 6 months. However, other family decision makers had heard less about exclusive breastfeeding, and many expressed doubts about its feasibility. Some of them expressed willingness to support exclusive breastfeeding if they were informed by health workers. Nurses know the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding and pass this information on verbally but have insufficient counseling skills. Interventions to improve exclusive breastfeeding should target family and community members and include training of health workers in counseling to resolve breastfeeding problems.

Severe anemia in pregnancy in rural Ghana: a case-control study of causes and management.

BACKGROUND: Various factors contribute to severe anemia in pregnancy in low-income countries. This study assesses which of these are of importance in rural Ghana, and evaluates management. METHODS: Prospective case-control study in two (sub)district hospitals in rural Ghana among 175 severely anemic pregnant women (Hb < 8.0 g/dl), receiving a comprehensive treatment package; and 152 non-anemic pregnant women (Hb > or = 10.9 g/dl), giving birth at the study hospitals, matched for age and parity. Evaluated characteristics were need for treatment for urinary tract infection and schistosomiasis; sickle cell and HIV status; antenatal care characteristics; and Hb increase after treatment. Statistical analysis included Chi square test and general linear modeling. RESULTS: Associated with severe anemia were multiple pregnancy (OR 8.9; 95%CI 1.1-71.0), urinary tract infection (OR 6.2; 95%CI 3.5-11.0), residence outside study (sub)district (OR 2.7; 95%CI 1.7-4.3), body mass index < 20.0 (OR 2.0; 95%CI 1.2-3.4), and less than 4 antenatal clinic visits (OR 1.9; 95%CI 1.2-3.0). No association was found with sickle cell or HIV status, schistosomiasis treatment, blood loss in pregnancy, or gestational age at antenatal care registration. After treatment, mean Hb in the severe anemia group increased by 3.2 g/dl, significantly more than in the control group (0.2 g/dl; p<0.001). Modeling showed that the number of antenatal visits and the lowest Hb together explained approximately 25% of the variability in Hb prior to childbirth among women with severe anemia. CONCLUSIONS: Treatable causes contribute considerably to severe anemia in pregnancy in low-income countries. Even with limited resources, a substantial increase of Hb can be achieved.

Maternal and fetal outcome after severe anemia in pregnancy in rural Ghana.

BACKGROUND: Anemia in pregnancy contributes to poor outcome for mother and child in low-income countries. This study analyzes adverse maternal and fetal outcome after severe anemia in pregnancy in rural Ghana. METHODS: A cohort study in two (sub)district hospitals, including 157 pregnant women exposed to severe anemia (Hb < 8.0 g/dl) and 152 nonexposed pregnant women (Hb > or = 10.9 g/dl), matched for age and parity strata. Adverse outcomes analyzed were postpartum hemorrhage, need for blood transfusion, maternal mortality, low birth-weight, and perinatal mortality. RESULTS: Compared to nonexposed women, exposed women had an increased risk of maternal death (5/157 versus 0/152). Fetal outcome did not significantly differ between the study groups, although perinatal mortality was increased with exposure to Hb < 7.0 g/dl (OR 3.1; 95% CI 1.0-9.4), and low birth-weight was increased with exposure to Hb < 6.0 g/dl (OR 2.5; 95% CI 1.2-5.4). Overall fetal outcome was significantly better when hemoglobin prior to childbirth was at least 8.0 g/dl (OR 3.9; 95% CI 1.6-9.6), body mass index at least 20 kg/m2 (OR 2.8; 95% CI 1.5-5.3), and number of antenatal visits at least 4 (OR 2.0; 95%CI 1.1-3.7). CONCLUSIONS: Severe anemia in pregnancy results in relatively poor maternal and fetal outcome. Apparently maternal risks increase prior to fetal risks. In order to improve maternal and fetal outcome, it is recommended that district hospitals in low-income countries make prevention, early diagnosis, and treatment of severe anemia in pregnancy a priority.