[Physical activity during pregnancy and postpartum: prevalence and healthcare professionals recommendations]. / Actividad física en el embarazo y puerperio: prevalencia y recomendaciones de los profesionales sanitarios.

OBJECTIVE: To assess changes in physical activity (PA) during pregnancy and after giving birth and to explore this according to age and educational level. To analyze whether the health professionals gave recommendations on PA. DESIGN: Observational study. SITE: Information is derived from the Galician Risk Behavior Information System. PARTICIPANTS: The target population was Galician women (aged 18-49 years) who delivered between september-2015 and august-2016. MAIN MEASUREMENTS: The prevalence of walking, physical exercise and PA recommendations were estimated for three moments (pre-pregnancy, pregnancy and after delivery). RESULTS: Walking during pregnancy increased by 34,0% and the performance of physical exercise decreased by 21,0%. After delivery, walking decreased by 37,0% and physical exercise decreased by 32,0% compared to pregnancy. Women of younger age and lower educational level were those who performed less PA. 72,6% and 22,1% of women declared that a healthcare professional recommended PA during pregnancy and after delivery, respectively. CONCLUSION: The PA performed by women during pregnancy is mainly walking, and there is a concern about the abandonment of PA practice after delivery. Healthcare professionals recommend PA mainly during pregnancy, but little is recommended after delivery. It may be desirable for the improvement of this prevalence to reinforce health action.

Demand for obstetric care and density of health resources for childbearing age Mexican women.

INTRODUCTION: In Mexico, there is an increase recorded in the number of C-sections, as well as inequity and inequality in the distribution of resources for obstetric care. OBJECTIVE: To identify the states and municipalities in Mexico that concentrate the demand for obstetric care and the C-section rates and their relationship with health resources and women of childbearing age (WCBA). METHOD: Births of the 2008-2017 period were recorded, grouped into five municipal strata, as well as 2017 health resources and WCBA. RESULTS: The 2008-2017 national rate of C-sections was 45.3/100 births; 95 and 97 % of births and C-sections were concentrated in the "very high" stratum, where 80 % or more of health resources were used, with overuse standing out. The density of health resources assigned to WCBAs reflected inequity and inequality. CONCLUSIONS: The high concentration of obstetric demand and health resources supply could entail a higher recurrence of C-sections. Policies for C-section reduction should consider proper organization and administration of health resources.

INTRODUCCIÓN: México registra aumento de las cesáreas e inequidad y desigualdad en la distribución de recursos para la atención obstétrica. OBJETIVO: Identificar las entidades y municipios en México que concentran la demanda de atención obstétrica y tasas de cesáreas y su relación con los recursos en salud y mujeres en edad fértil (MEF). MÉTODO: Se registraron los nacimientos del periodo 2008-2017, agrupados en cinco estratos municipales, y los recursos en salud y MEF de 2017. RESULTADOS: La tasa nacional de cesáreas 2008-2017 fue de 45.3/100 nacimientos; 95 y 97 % de los nacimientos y cesáreas se concentraron en el estrato "muy alto", en el cual se utilizó 80 % o más de los recursos en salud y destacó la sobreutilización. La densidad de recursos en salud destinados a las MEF reflejó inequidad y desigualdad. CONCLUSIONES: La alta concentración de la demanda obstétrica y oferta de los recursos en salud pudiera conllevar mayor recurrencia a la cesárea. En las políticas de reducción de cesáreas es necesario considerar la organización y administración adecuadas de los recursos en salud.

Clinical outcomes of HIV-exposed, HIV-uninfected children in sub-Saharan Africa.

OBJECTIVE: HIV-exposed but HIV-uninfected (HEU) children are widely considered at increased risk of mortality and morbidity. Recent advances in prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission (PMTCT) strategies, incorporating life-long universal maternal antiretroviral therapy (ART, "Option B+") with extended breastfeeding, may improve HEU child health substantially. We critically reviewed reports of mortality/morbidity among HEU and HIV-unexposed (HU) children in sub-Saharan Africa. METHODS: We searched Medline, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Academic Search Premier, Global Health & Psychosocial Instruments databases, conference abstracts, and reference lists for longitudinal studies from sub-Saharan Africa reporting mortality and clinical morbidity among HIV-uninfected children aged ≤10 years, by maternal HIV status. Studies were appraised by Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and ACROBAT-NRSI. Due to substantial heterogeneity of study designs, populations and results (I(2) = 75%), data were not synthesised. RESULTS: We included 37 reports (28 studies, 11 164 HEU children); methodological and reporting quality were variable. Most reports came from settings without universal access to maternal ART (n = 35). Results were conflicting, with some studies indicating increased risk of mortality, hospitalisation and/or under-nutrition among HEU children, while others found no evidence of increased risk. In subanalyses, improved maternal health, ART use and breastfeeding were strongly protective for all outcomes. Only 39% (11/28) of studies adjusted for major confounders. Reports from settings using universal maternal ART with breastfeeding (n = 2) found no differences in growth or development but did not report mortality or infectious morbidity. CONCLUSIONS: The existing literature provides little insight into HEU child health under recently adopted PMTCT strategies. There is a need for robust comparative data on HEU and HIV-unexposed child health outcomes under Option B+; optimising breastfeeding practices and increasing maternal use of ART should be urgent public health priorities.

Quality of antenatal and childbirth care in rural health facilities in Burkina Faso, Ghana and Tanzania: an intervention study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of an intervention consisting of a computer-assisted clinical decision support system and performance-based incentives, aiming at improving quality of antenatal and childbirth care. METHODS: Intervention study in rural primary healthcare (PHC) facilities in Burkina Faso, Ghana and Tanzania. In each country, six intervention and six non-intervention PHC facilities, located in one intervention and one non-intervention rural districts, were selected. Quality was assessed in each facility by health facility surveys, direct observation of antenatal and childbirth care, exit interviews, and reviews of patient records and maternal and child health registers. Findings of pre- and post-intervention and of intervention and non-intervention health facility quality assessments were analysed and assessed for significant (P < 0.05) quality of care differences. RESULTS: Post-intervention quality scores do not show a clear difference to pre-intervention scores and scores at non-intervention facilities. Only a few variables had a statistically significant better post-intervention quality score and when this is the case this is mostly observed in only one study-arm, being pre-/post-intervention or intervention/non-intervention. Post-intervention care shows similar deficiencies in quality of antenatal and childbirth care and in detection, prevention, and management of obstetric complications as at baseline and non-intervention study facilities. CONCLUSION: Our intervention study did not show a significant improvement in quality of care during the study period. However, the use of new technology seems acceptable and feasible in rural PHC facilities in resource-constrained settings, creating the opportunity to use this technology to improve quality of care.

Measuring the impact of non-monetary incentives on facility delivery in rural Zambia: a clustered randomised controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: In Zambia, only 56% of rural women deliver in a health facility, and improving facility delivery rates is a priority of the Zambian government. 'Mama kit' incentives - small packages of childcare items provided to mothers conditional on delivering their baby in a facility - may encourage facility delivery. This study measured the impact and cost-effectiveness of a US$4 mama kit on rural facility delivery rates in Zambia. METHODS: A clustered randomised controlled trial was used to measure the impact of mama kits on facility delivery rates in thirty rural health facilities in Serenje and Chadiza districts. Facility-level antenatal care and delivery registers were used to measure the percentage of women attending antenatal care who delivered at a study facility during the intervention period. Results from the trial were then used to model the cost-effectiveness of mama kits at-scale in terms of cost per death averted. RESULTS: The mama kits intervention resulted in a statistically significant increase in facility delivery rates. The multivariate logistic regression found that the mama kits intervention increased the odds of delivering at a facility by 63% (P-value < 0.01, 95% CI: 29%, 106%), or an increase of 9.9 percentage points, yielding a cost-effectiveness of US$5183 per death averted. CONCLUSIONS: This evaluation confirms that low-cost mama kits can be a cost-effective intervention to increase facility delivery rates in rural Zambia. Mama kits alone are unlikely to completely solve safe delivery challenges but should be embedded in larger maternal and child health programmes.

Family planning, antenatal and delivery care: cross-sectional survey evidence on levels of coverage and inequalities by public and private sector in 57 low- and middle-income countries.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess the role of the private sector in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). We used Demographic and Health Surveys for 57 countries (2000-2013) to evaluate the private sector's share in providing three reproductive and maternal/newborn health services (family planning, antenatal and delivery care), in total and by socio-economic position. METHODS: We used data from 865 547 women aged 15-49, representing a total of 3 billion people. We defined 'met and unmet need for services' and 'use of appropriate service types' clearly and developed explicit classifications of source and sector of provision. RESULTS: Across the four regions (sub-Saharan Africa, Middle East/Europe, Asia and Latin America), unmet need ranged from 28% to 61% for family planning, 8% to 22% for ANC and 21% to 51% for delivery care. The private-sector share among users of family planning services was 37-39% across regions (overall mean: 37%; median across countries: 41%). The private-sector market share among users of ANC was 13-61% across regions (overall mean: 44%; median across countries: 15%). The private-sector share among appropriate deliveries was 9-56% across regions (overall mean: 40%; median across countries: 14%). For all three healthcare services, women in the richest wealth quintile used private services more than the poorest. Wealth gaps in met need for services were smallest for family planning and largest for delivery care. CONCLUSIONS: The private sector serves substantial numbers of women in LMICs, particularly the richest. To achieve universal health coverage, including adequate quality care, it is imperative to understand this sector, starting with improved data collection on healthcare provision.

Prospective cohort study of a new vacuum delivery device to assist with complicated labour in low-resource settings.

OBJECTIVES: Currently available vacuum devices used to assist women undergoing complicated labour are unsuitable for use in low-resource settings. The objective of this study was to evaluate the safety and feasibility of a new low-cost vacuum device, named Koohi Goth Vacuum Delivery System (KGVDS), designed for use in low-resource settings. METHODS: A hospital-based, multicentre, prospective cohort study with no control group was conducted in Karachi, Pakistan. After training, KGVDS devices were made available for use by labour room staff at their discretion when instrumental delivery was indicated. Women to whom KGVDS was applied were followed from the start of labour until discharge. Feasibility was assessed in terms of successful expulsion of the foetal head following application of KGVDS and ease of use ratings. Safety was assessed by observing maternal and newborn post-delivery outcomes prior to discharge. RESULTS: Koohi Goth Vacuum Delivery System was applied to 137 women requiring instrumental delivery, of whom 111 (81%; 95% CI = 74-88%) successfully expelled the foetal head assisted by KGVDS and 103 (75%) stated that they would agree to use KGVDS again. There were no serious maternal or neonatal injuries or infections related to KGVDS use. The mean score for 'ease of use' given by doctors and midwives using the device was 8 of 10. CONCLUSIONS: Koohi Goth Vacuum Delivery System was feasible and safe to use for assisting complicated deliveries in low-resource hospitals in this initial evaluation. Our results indicate that this new device may have the potential to improve birth outcomes in settings where most mortality occurs and that further evaluations should be conducted.

Household coping strategies for delivery and related healthcare cost: findings from rural Bangladesh.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to measure the economic costs of maternal complication and to understand household coping strategies for financing maternal healthcare cost. METHODS: A household survey of the 706 women with maternal complication, of whom 483 had normal delivery, was conducted to collect data at 6 weeks and 6 months post-partum. Data were collected on socio-economic information of the household, expenditure during delivery and post-partum, coping strategies adopted by households and other related information. RESULTS: Despite the high cost of health care associated with maternal complications, the majority of families were capable of protecting consumption on non-health items. Around one-third of households spent more than 20% of their annual household expenditure on maternal health care. Almost 50% were able to avoid catastrophic spending because of the coping strategies that they relied on. In general, households appeared resilient to short-term economic consequences of maternal health shocks, due to the availability of informal credit, donations from relatives and selling assets. While richer households fund a greater portion of the cost of maternal health care from income and savings, the poorer households with severe maternal complication resorted to borrowing from local moneylenders at high interest, which may leave them vulnerable to financial difficulties. CONCLUSION: Financial protection, especially for the poor, may benefit households against economic consequences of maternal complication.

Who is left behind on the road to universal facility delivery? A cross-sectional multilevel analysis in rural Tanzania.

OBJECTIVES: To examine factors associated with home delivery among women in Pwani Region, Tanzania, which has experienced a rapid rise in facility delivery coverage. METHODS: Cross-sectional data from a population-based survey of women residing in rural areas of Pwani Region were linked to health facility locations. We fitted multilevel logistic models to examine individual and community factors associated with home delivery. RESULTS: A total of 752 (27.95%) of the 2691 women who completed the survey delivered their last child at home. Women were less likely to deliver at home if they had any primary education [odds ratio (OR) 0.62; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.50, 0.79], were primiparous (OR: 0.52; 95% CI: 0.37, 0.73), had more exposure to media (OR: 0.80; 95% CI: 0.66, 0.96) or had received more (OR: 0.78; 95% CI: 0.63, 0.96) or better quality antenatal care (ANC) services (OR: 0.48; 95% CI: 0.34, 0.67). Increased wealth was strongly associated with lower odds of home delivery (OR: 0.27; 95% CI: 0.18, 0.39), as was living in a village that grew cash crops (OR: 0.56; 95% CI: 0.35, 0.88). Farther distance to hospital, but not to lower level facilities, was associated with higher likelihood of home delivery (OR 2.49; 95% CI: 1.60, 3.88). CONCLUSIONS: Poverty, multiparity, weak ANC and distance to hospital were associated with persistence of home delivery in a region with high coverage of facility delivery. A pro-poor path to universal coverage of safe delivery requires a greater focus on quality of care and more intensive outreach to poor and multiparous women.

Trends in health facility deliveries and caesarean sections by wealth quintile in Morocco between 1987 and 2012.

OBJECTIVES: To examine trends in the utilisation of facility-based delivery care and caesareans in Morocco between 1987 and 2012, particularly among the poor, and to assess whether uptake increased at the time of introduction of policies or programmes aimed at improving access to intrapartum care. METHODS: Using data from nationally representative household surveys and routine statistics, our analysis focused on whether women delivered within a facility, and whether the delivery was by caesarean; analyses were stratified by relative wealth quintile and public/private sector where possible. A segmented Poisson regression model was used to assess whether trends changed at key events. RESULTS: Uptake of facility-based deliveries and caesareans in Morocco has risen considerably over the past two decades, particularly among the poor. The rate of increase in facility deliveries was much faster in the poorest quintile (annual increase RR: 1.09; 95% CI: 1.07-1.11) than the richest quintile (annual increase RR: 1.01; 95% CI: 1.02-1.02). A similar pattern was observed for caesareans (annual increase among poorest RR: 1.13; 95% CI: 1.07-1.19 vs. annual increase among richest RR: 1.08; 95% CI: 1.06-1.10). We found no significant acceleration in trend coinciding with any of the events investigated. CONCLUSIONS: Morocco's success in improving uptake of facility deliveries and caesareans is likely to be the result of the synergistic effects of comprehensive demand and supply-side strategies, including a major investment in human resources and free delivery care. Equity still needs to be improved; however, the overall trend is positive.

Getting the basic rights - the role of water, sanitation and hygiene in maternal and reproductive health: a conceptual framework.

OBJECTIVE: To explore linkages between water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) and maternal and perinatal health via a conceptual approach and a scoping review. METHODS: We developed a conceptual framework iteratively, amalgamating three literature-based lenses. We then searched literature and identified risk factors potentially linked to maternal and perinatal health. We conducted a systematic scoping review for all chemical and biological WASH risk factors identified using text and MeSH terms, limiting results to systematic reviews or meta-analyses. The remaining 10 complex behavioural associations were not reviewed systematically. RESULTS: The main ways poor WASH could lead to adverse outcomes are via two non-exclusive categories: 1. 'In-water' associations: (a) Inorganic contaminants, and (b) 'water-system' related infections, (c) 'water-based' infections, and (d) 'water borne' infections. 2. 'Behaviour' associations: (e) Behaviours leading to water-washed infections, (f) Water-related insect-vector infections, and (g-i) Behaviours leading to non-infectious diseases/conditions. We added a gender inequality and a life course lens to the above framework to identify whether WASH affected health of mothers in particular, and acted beyond the immediate effects. This framework led us to identifying 77 risk mechanisms (67 chemical or biological factors and 10 complex behavioural factors) linking WASH to maternal and perinatal health outcomes. CONCLUSION: WASH affects the risk of adverse maternal and perinatal health outcomes; these exposures are multiple and overlapping and may be distant from the immediate health outcome. Much of the evidence is weak, based on observational studies and anecdotal evidence, with relatively few systematic reviews. New systematic reviews are required to assess the quality of existing evidence more rigorously, and primary research is required to investigate the magnitude of effects of particular WASH exposures on specific maternal and perinatal outcomes. Whilst major gaps exist, the evidence strongly suggests that poor WASH influences maternal and reproductive health outcomes to the extent that it should be considered in global and national strategies.

Using multi-country household surveys to understand who provides reproductive and maternal health services in low- and middle-income countries: a critical appraisal of the Demographic and Health Surveys.

OBJECTIVE: The Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) are a vital data resource for cross-country comparative analyses. This study is part of a set of analyses assessing the types of providers being used for reproductive and maternal health care across 57 countries. Here, we examine some of the challenges encountered using DHS data for this purpose, present the provider classification we used, and provide recommendations to enable more detailed and accurate cross-country comparisons of healthcare provision. METHODS: We used the most recent DHS surveys between 2000 and 2012; 57 countries had data on family planning and delivery care providers and 47 countries had data on antenatal care. Every possible response option across the 57 countries was listed and categorised. We then developed a classification to group provider response options according to two key dimensions: clinical nature and profit motive. RESULTS: We classified the different types of maternal and reproductive healthcare providers, and the individuals providing care. Documented challenges encountered during this process were limitations inherent in household survey data based on respondents' self-report; conflation of response options in the questionnaire or at the data processing stage; category errors of the place vs. professional for delivery; inability to determine whether care received at home is from the public or private sector; a large number of negligible response options; inconsistencies in coding and analysis of data sets; and the use of inconsistent headings. CONCLUSIONS: To improve clarity, we recommend addressing issues such as conflation of response options, data on public vs. private provider, inconsistent coding and obtaining metadata. More systematic and standardised collection of data would aid international comparisons of progress towards improved financial protection, and allow us to better characterise the incentives and commercial nature of different providers.

The role of the private sector in the provision of antenatal care: a study of Demographic and Health Surveys from 46 low- and middle-income countries.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the role of the private sector in the provision of antenatal care (ANC) across low- and middle-income countries. METHODS: Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) data from 46 countries (representing 2.6 billion people) on components of ANC given to 303 908 women aged 15-49 years for most recent birth were used. We identified 79 unique sources of care which were re-coded into home, public, private (commercial) and private (not-for-profit). Use of ANC and a quality of care index (scaled 0-1) were stratified by type of provider, region and wealth quintile. Linear regressions were used to examine the association between provider type and antenatal quality of care score. RESULTS: Across all countries, the main source of ANC was public (54%), followed by private commercial (36%) and home (5%), but there were large variations by region. Home-based ANC was associated with worse quality of care (0.2; 95% CI -0.2 to -0.19) relative to the public sector, while the private not-for-profit sector (0.03; 95% CI 0.02 to 0.04) was better. There were no differences in quality of care between public and private commercial providers. CONCLUSIONS: The market for ANC varies considerably between regions. The two largest sectors - public and private commercial - perform similarly in terms of quality of care. Future research should examine the role of the private sector in other health service domains across multiple countries and test what policies and programmes can encourage private providers to contribute to increased coverage, quality and equity of maternal care.

Provider perspectives on the enabling environment required for skilled birth attendance: a qualitative study in western Nepal.

OBJECTIVES: In Nepal, where difficult geography and an under-resourced health system contribute to poor health care access, the government has increased the number of trained skilled birth attendants (SBAs) and posted them in newly constructed birthing centres attached to peripheral health facilities that are available to women 24 h a day. This study describes their views on their enabling environment. METHODS: Qualitative methods included semi-structured interviews with 22 SBAs within Palpa district, a hill district in the Western Region of Nepal; a focus group discussion with ten SBA trainees, and in-depth interviews with five key informants. RESULTS: Participants identified the essential components of an enabling environment as: relevant training; ongoing professional support; adequate infrastructure, equipment and drugs; and timely referral pathways. All SBAs who practised alone felt unable to manage obstetric complications because quality management of life-threatening complications requires the attention of more than one SBA. CONCLUSIONS: Maternal health guidelines should account for the provision of an enabling environment in addition to the deployment of SBAs. In Nepal, referral systems require strengthening, and the policy of posting SBAs alone, in remote clinics, needs to be reconsidered to achieve the goal of reducing maternal deaths through timely management of obstetric complications.

Reproductive health in indigenous Chihuahua: giving birth 'alone like the goat'.

INTRODUCTION: Indigenous peoples in the state of Chihuahua, Mexico, are known to outsiders as the Tarahumaras. The Tarahumaras are one of the few cultural groups known to have no traditional birth attendants, and Tarahumara women often give birth alone and outdoors. Currently, little is known about this group, their health status or their culture. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess the state of reproductive health outcomes, risks, protective factors, beliefs and behaviors in the Tarahumara population. DESIGN: This paper reports on the qualitative results of a mixed methods study, comprised of focus groups, interviews, participatory exploratory methods, ethnographic observation and household surveys investigating the reproductive health status of the Tarahumara peoples and contextual factors influencing it. Qualitative data is presented, supported by preliminary quantitative findings. RESULTS: This study supports speculation that the Tarahumara population is burdened by severe maternal health problems. The sample size was too small to definitively assess risk factors for the outcome of maternal mortality, but qualitative findings point to some important contextual issues that contribute to participants' perceptions of susceptibility to and severity of the problem, their reproductive health beliefs and behaviors, and barriers to behavior change. Major issues included disparities in biomedical knowledge, trust between non-indigenous providers and indigenous patients, and structural issues including access to medical facilities and infrastructure. CONCLUSION: Qualitative data is drawn upon to make recommendations and identify lessons applicable to similar situations where cultural minorities suffer serious health inequities. This study underscores the importance of needs and assets assessment, as it reveals unique contextual factors that must be taken into account in intervention design. Also, collaborative partnership with community members and leaders proved to be invaluable in the research, warranting further collaboration by both governmental and non-governmental groups attempting to improve the health of this population. This becomes especially important when making and enforcing health policy.

[Maternal and perinatal morbidities associated to advanced age in pregnant women]. / Morbilidades materna y perinatal asociadas a edad avanzada en gestantes.

Background: Women in advanced maternal age (older than 35 years of age) are at higher risk of obstetric complications and adverse perinatal outcomes than younger women. Objective: To know the maternal and perinatal morbidities associated to advanced age in pregnant women. Material and methods: Analytical cross-sectional study. Women with resolution of pregnancy in the medical unit were included and distributed in two groups: group 1, advanced age, ≥ 35 years, and group 2, < 35 years. Clinical data, maternal and perinatal morbidities of the newborn (NB) were collected from the medical record. Results: We included 240 patients, 120 per group; a significant association of advanced maternal age with maternal morbidities such as diseases prior to pregnancy was demonstrated (p < 0.0001), including diabetes mellitus during pregnancy (p = 0.002), hypertensive disease of pregnancy (p = 0.0001), pregnancy resolution by cesarean section (p = 0.04), obstetric hemorrhage (p = 0.0002), prenatal control with < 5 consultations (p = 0.008), as well as those with perinatal morbidities of the NB: preterm gestational age (p = 0.001), intrauterine growth retardation (p = 0.01), low weight for gestational age (p = 0.001) and admission of the NB to the neonatal intensive care unit (p = 0.007); with multivariate analysis, an association of advanced maternal age with diabetes mellitus, hypertensive disease of pregnancy and obstetric hemorrhage was observed (R2 = 0.9884; p < 0.0001). Conclusion: The maternal and perinatal morbidities are associated with advanced age in pregnant women.

Introducción: las mujeres de edad materna avanzada (mayores de 35 años) tienen más riesgo de complicaciones obstétricas y resultados perinatales adversos que las que tienen menos de esa edad. Objetivo: conocer las morbilidades materna y perinatal asociadas a edad avanzada en gestantes. Material y métodos: estudio transversal analítico. Se incluyeron mujeres con resolución del embarazo en la unidad médica, distribuidas en: grupo 1, edad avanzada, ≥ 35 años, y grupo 2, < 35 años. Se recabaron del expediente datos clínicos, morbilidades maternas y perinatales del recién nacido (RN). Resultados: se incluyeron 240 pacientes, 120 por grupo; se observó asociación significativa de la edad materna avanzada con morbilidades maternas como enfermedades previas al embarazo (p < 0.0001), como diabetes mellitus durante el embarazo (p = 0.002), enfermedad hipertensiva del embarazo (p = 0.0001), resolución del embarazo por cesárea (p = 0.04), hemorragia obstétrica (p = 0.0002), control prenatal < 5 consultas (p = 0.008), así como aquellas con morbilidades perinatales del RN: edad gestacional pretérmino (p = 0.001), retraso en el crecimiento intrauterino (p = 0.01), peso bajo para edad gestacional (p = 0.001) e ingreso del RN a la unidad de cuidados intensivos neonatales (p = 0.007); con análisis multivariado se observó asociación de edad materna avanzada con diabetes mellitus, enfermedad hipertensiva del embarazo y hemorragia obstétrica (R2 = 0.9884; p < 0.0001). Conclusión: la morbilidad materna y perinatal se asocian a edad avanzada en gestantes.

[Barriers for indigenous women to access obstetric services within the framework of integrated health services networks]. / Barreras en mujeres indígenas para acceder a servicios obstétricos en el marco de redes integradas de servicios de salud.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the barriers that indigenous women face in access to the network of obstetric services in the context of the implementation of integrated healthcare networks (IHN). METHOD: We designed a cross-sectional descriptive study including quantitative and qualitative methods. Sampling was intentional, no probabilistic. Data collection was carried out in Oaxaca, Mexico, during 2017-2018. A total of 149 indigenous women who used obstetrical services were surveyed and sociodemographic characteristics were obtained. Later were selected 30 cases that had complications during pregnancy and childbirth for a semi-structured interview. Non-participant observation was conducted. RESULTS: The network of obstetric services comprises four institutions with different models of care and therefore different types of facilities and human resources to assist indigenous women. Nearly 20% of women did not start prenatal care in the first trimester of pregnancy and 27.2% had complications during the gestational period. The main barriers were availability (hours of operation, geographical aspects), accessibility (lack of financial resources), acceptability (ancestral practices vs. medical recommendations), and continuity of service (difficulties for admit patients in hospitals referred from first line of care). CONCLUSIONS: The networks model allows access to obstetric services but does not guarantee care. For this it is necessary to improve both: the infrastructure of the obstetric service providers, and the care processes. It is necessary to broaden the vision of the IHN management model considering the perspective of human rights and equity in health.

Human rights in the Horn of Africa: an index of child and maternal health.

OBJECTIVE: To construct a territorial measure and classification of child and maternal health in the countries of the Horn of Africa based on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015. METHOD: The design of our index includes the variables child and maternal health defined in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to enable territorial ranking of the countries. For this purpose, we used Pena's distance method for 2017. RESULTS: The results indicate a relatively high territorial disparity in maternal health between the countries of the Horn of Africa according to the differing values of the SDGs variables of child and maternal health. CONCLUSIONS: We propose a territorial classification in the countries of the Horn of Africa. We believe that the most striking differences between countries relate to basic variables of maternal health such as being attended by skilled health personnel.

Cuidados culturales en el embarazo, parto y posparto en mujeres de la región boyacense colombiana / Cultural Care during Pregnancy, Childbirth and Puerperium in Women from the Colombian Region of Boyacá

Introducción: Las mujeres de la región boyacense colombiana cuentan con una importante herencia de campesina e indígena relacionada con creencias y prácticas de cuidados culturales en la maternidad. Objetivo: Interpretar los cuidados culturales en el embarazo, parto y posparto de mujeres de la región boyacense colombiana. Métodos: Estudio cualitativo fenomenológico, que contó con la participación de 20 mujeres que vivieron su embarazo, parto y posparto en la región boyacense colombiana, con muestreo por bola de nieve. La recolección de la información se hizo mediante observación, diario de campo y entrevistas; el análisis de la información se hizo por medio de codificación abierta, interpretativa y axial con el software Atlas TI 8.0. Resultados: Las mujeres tenían una edad promedio de 33,9 años (DE: 5,7), 14 (70 por ciento) son empleadas, 11 (55 por ciento) tienen un solo hijo. Se identificaron 88 códigos, 12 subcategorías y 3 categorías: cuidados culturales en el embarazo (plantas medicinales, masajes y aromaterapia), en el parto (duchas calientes, ejercicios y posiciones) y puerperio (plantas medicinales para la cicatrización, evitar el frío, guardar tiempo de dieta y uso de método del ritmo). Conclusiones: Se necesita replantear la atención en salud materna y el cuidado de Enfermería para responder a las necesidades culturales de las mujeres, para preservar las prácticas tradicionales beneficiosas y mediar ante las que sean riesgosas(AU)

Introduction: Women in the Colombian region of Boyacá have an important peasant and indigenous heritage related to beliefs and practices of cultural care in maternity. Objective: To interpret the cultural care in pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum of women in the Colombian region of Boyacá. Methods: A qualitative phenomenological study was conducted, with the participation of 20 women who lived their pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum in the Colombian region of Boyacá. Snowball sampling was applied. The information was collected through observation, field diary and interviews. The information was analyzed by means of open, interpretative and axial coding using the Atlas TI 8.0 software. Results: The women had a mean age of 33.9 years (SD: 5.7), 14 (70 percent) are employees, and 11 (55 percent) have only one child. Eighty-eight codes and 12 subcategories were identified, together with 3 categories: cultural care in pregnancy (medicinal plants, massage and aromatherapy), in childbirth (hot showers, exercise and positions) and puerperium (medicinal plants for healing, avoiding cold temperature, keeping diet time and usage of the rhythm method). Conclusions: Maternal health care and nursing care need to be rethought in view of responding to the cultural needs of women to preserve beneficial traditional practices and mediate against risky ones(AU)

Numbers that Matter: Right to Health and Peruvian Maternal Strategies.

The rights to health and to culturally respectful care are inextricably linked in the documents supporting Peruvian Maternal Health Policy. Strategies of Intercultural Birthing and Maternal Waiting Houses were purported to reduce maternal deaths, while extending the right to health to marginalized indigenous women. Based on 17 months of field research in Peru, I argue that the narrow focus on achieving "good numbers" creates and sustains coercive modes of strategy applications. As a result, the on-the-ground implementation of these innovative strategies made them incompatible with right to health and culturally respectful care approaches.