Breastfeeding by Disability Status in the United States: Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System, 2018-2020.

Objectives. To describe breastfeeding initiation and breastfeeding at 1, 2, and 3 months, and information sources on breastfeeding among women with a recent live birth by disability status. Methods. We analyzed October 2018 to December 2020 data from the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System for 24 sites in the United States that included the Washington Group Short Set of Questions on Disability (seeing, hearing, walking or climbing stairs, remembering or concentrating, self-care, communicating). We defined disability as reporting "a lot of difficulty" or "cannot do this at all" on any of these questions. Results. Among 39 673 respondents, 6.0% reported disability. In adjusted analyses, breastfeeding was lower among respondents with disability at 2 (62.6% vs 66.6%; adjusted prevalence ratio [APR] = 0.94; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.89, 0.99) and 3 months (54.7% vs 59.6%; APR = 0.92; 95% CI = 0.86, 0.98) than those without disability. Respondents with disability were less likely to receive information from health care providers or support professionals (89.3% vs 92.3%), but as likely from breastfeeding or lactation specialists (78.1% vs 75.3%). Conclusions. Strategies to ensure women with disability, receive breastfeeding support, including breastfeeding information, could improve breastfeeding outcomes. (Am J Public Health. 2024;114(1):108-117. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2023.307438).

Continuation of Reversible Contraception Following Enrollment in the Zika Contraception Access Network (Z-CAN) in Puerto Rico, 2016-2020.

The Zika Contraception Access Network (Z-CAN) provided access to high-quality client-centered contraceptive services across Puerto Rico during the 2016-2017 Zika virus outbreak. We sent online surveys during May 2017-August 2020 to a subset of Z-CAN patients at 6, 24, and 36 months after program enrollment (response rates: 55-60 percent). We described contraceptive method continuation, method satisfaction, and method switching, and we identified characteristics associated with discontinuation using multivariable logistic regression. Across all contraceptive methods, continuation was 82.5 percent, 64.2 percent, and 49.9 percent at 6, 24, and 36 months, respectively. Among continuing users, method satisfaction was approximately ≥90 percent. Characteristics associated with decreased likelihood of discontinuation included: using an intrauterine device or implant compared with a nonlong-acting reversible contraceptive method (shot, pills, ring, patch, or condoms alone); wanting to prevent pregnancy at follow-up; and receiving as their baseline method the same method primarily used before Z-CAN. Other associated characteristics included: receiving the method they were most interested in postcounseling (6 and 24 months) and being very satisfied with Z-CAN services at the initial visit (6 months). Among those wanting to prevent pregnancy at follow-up, about half reported switching to another method. Ongoing access to contraceptive services is essential for promoting reproductive autonomy, including supporting patients with continued use, method switching, or discontinuation.

Rapid Population-Based Surveillance of Prenatal and Postpartum Experiences During Public Health Emergencies, Puerto Rico, 2016‒2018.

The Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System-Zika Postpartum Emergency Response study, implemented in Puerto Rico during the Zika virus outbreak (2016-2017) and after Hurricanes Irma and María (2017-2018), collected pregnancy-related data using postpartum hospital-based surveys and telephone follow-up surveys. Response rates of 75% or more were observed across five study surveys. The study informed programs, increased the Puerto Rico Department of Health's capacity to conduct maternal‒infant health surveillance, and demonstrated the effectiveness of this methodology for collecting data during public health emergencies. (Am J Public Health. 2022;112(4):574-578. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2021.306687).

Participation in survey research among mothers with a recent live birth: A comparison of mothers with living versus deceased infants - Findings from the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System, 2016-2019.

BACKGROUND: Despite high infant mortality rates in the United States relative to other developed countries, little is known about survey participation among mothers of deceased infants. OBJECTIVE: To assess differences in survey response, contact and cooperation rates for mothers of deceased versus. living infants at the time of survey mailing (approximately 2-6 months postpartum), overall and by select maternal and infant characteristics. METHODS: We analysed 2016-2019 data for 50 sites from the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS), a site-specific, population-based surveillance system of mothers with a recent live birth. We assessed differences in survey participation between mothers of deceased and living infants. Using American Association for Public Opinion Research (AAPOR) standard definitions and terminology, we calculated proportions of mothers who participated and were successfully contacted among sampled mothers (weighted response and contact rates, respectively), and who participated among contacted mothers (weighted cooperation rate). We then constructed multivariable survey-weighted logistic regression models to examine the adjusted association between infant vital status and weighted response, contact and cooperation rates, within strata of maternal and infant characteristics. RESULTS: Among sampled mothers, 0.3% (weighted percentage, n = 2795) of infants had records indicating they were deceased at the time of survey mailing and 99.7% (weighted percentage, n = 344,379) did not. Mothers of deceased infants had lower unadjusted weighted response (48.3% vs. 56.2%), contact (67.9% vs. 74.3%) and cooperation rates (71.1% vs. 75.6%). However, after adjusting for covariates, differences in survey participation by infant vital status were reduced. CONCLUSIONS: After covariate adjustment, differences in PRAMS participation rates were attenuated. However, participation rates among mothers of deceased infants remain two to four percentage points lower compared with mothers of living infants. Strategies to increase PRAMS participation could inform knowledge about experiences and behaviours before, during and shortly after pregnancy to help reduce infant mortality.

Workplace Leave and Breastfeeding Duration Among Postpartum Women, 2016-2018.

Objectives. To examine associations of workplace leave length with breastfeeding initiation and continuation at 1, 2, and 3 months. Methods. We analyzed 2016 to 2018 data for 10 sites in the United States from the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System, a site-specific, population-based surveillance system that samples women with a recent live birth 2 to 6 months after birth. Using multivariable logistic regression, we examined associations of leave length (< 3 vs ≥ 3 months) with breastfeeding outcomes. Results. Among 12 301 postpartum women who planned to or had returned to the job they had during pregnancy, 42.1% reported taking unpaid leave, 37.5% reported paid leave, 18.2% reported both unpaid and paid leave, and 2.2% reported no leave. Approximately two thirds (66.2%) of women reported taking less than 3 months of leave. Although 91.2% of women initiated breastfeeding, 81.2%, 72.1%, and 65.3% of women continued breastfeeding at 1, 2, and 3 months, respectively. Shorter leave length (< 3 months), whether paid or unpaid, was associated with lower prevalence of breastfeeding at 2 and 3 months compared with 3 or more months of leave. Conclusions. Women with less than 3 months of leave reported shorter breastfeeding duration than did women with 3 or more months of leave. (Am J Public Health. 2021;111(11):2036-2045. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2021.306484).

Opportunities to Address Men's Health During the Perinatal Period - Puerto Rico, 2017.

Decreased use of health care services (1), increased exposure to occupational hazards, and higher rates of substance use (2) might contribute to men's poorer health outcomes when compared with such outcomes for women (3). During the transition to fatherhood, paternal health and involvement during pregnancy might have an impact on maternal and infant outcomes (4-6). To assess men's health-related behaviors and participation in fatherhood-related activities surrounding pregnancy, the Puerto Rico Department of Health and CDC analyzed data from the paternal survey of the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System-Zika Postpartum Emergency Response (PRAMS-ZPER)* study. Fewer than one half (48.3%) of men attended a health care visit for themselves in the 12 months before their newborn's birth. However, most fathers attended one or more prenatal care visits (87.2%), were present at the birth (83.1%), and helped prepare for the newborn's arrival (e.g., by preparing the home [92.4%] or purchasing supplies [93.9%]). These findings suggest that opportunities are available for public health messaging directed toward fathers during the perinatal period to increase attention to their own health and health behaviors, and to emphasize the role they can play in supporting their families' overall health and well-being.

Preventing Vector-Borne Transmission of Zika Virus Infection During Pregnancy, Puerto Rico, USA, 2016-20171.

We examined pregnant women's use of personal protective measures to prevent mosquito bites during the 2016-2017 Zika outbreak in Puerto Rico. Healthcare provider counseling on recommended measures was associated with increased use of insect repellent among pregnant women but not with wearing protective clothing.

Vital Signs: Trends and Disparities in Infant Safe Sleep Practices - United States, 2009-2015.

INTRODUCTION: There have been dramatic improvements in reducing infant sleep-related deaths since the 1990s, when recommendations were introduced to place infants on their backs for sleep. However, there are still approximately 3,500 sleep-related deaths among infants each year in the United States, including those from sudden infant death syndrome, accidental suffocation and strangulation in bed, and unknown causes. Unsafe sleep practices, including placing infants in a nonsupine (on side or on stomach) sleep position, bed sharing, and using soft bedding in the sleep environment (e.g., blankets, pillows, and soft objects) are modifiable risk factors for sleep-related infant deaths.

Changes in Commercial Insurance Claims for Contraceptive Services During the Beginning of the COVID-19 Pandemic-United States, January 2019-September 2020.

OBJECTIVE: We describe changes in commercial insurance claims for contraceptive services during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: We analyzed commercial insurance claims using IQVIA PharMetrics Plus data from more than 9 million U.S. females aged 15-49 years, enrolled during any month, January 2019 through September 2020. We calculated monthly rates of outpatient claims for intrauterine devices (IUDs), implants, and injectable contraception and monthly rates of pharmacy claims for contraceptive pills, patches, and rings. We used Joinpoint regression analysis to identify when statistically significant changes occurred in trends of monthly claims rates for each contraceptive method. We calculated monthly percentages of claims for contraceptive counseling via telehealth. RESULTS: Monthly claims rates decreased for IUDs (-50%) and implants (-43%) comparing February 2020 with April 2020 but rebounded by June 2020. Monthly claims rates for injectables decreased (-19%) comparing January 2019 with September 2020, and monthly claims rates for pills, patches, and rings decreased (-22%) comparing July 2019 with September 2020. The percentage of claims for contraceptive counseling occurring via telehealth was low (<1%) in 2019, increased to 34% in April 2020, and decreased to 9-12% in June-September 2020. CONCLUSIONS: Substantial changes in commercial insurance claims for contraceptive services occurred during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, including transient decreases in IUD and implant claims and increases in telehealth contraceptive counseling claims. Contraceptive claims data can be used by decision makers to identify service gaps and evaluate use of interventions like telehealth to improve contraceptive access, including during public health emergencies.

Long-acting reversible contraception use and unmet desire among patients after the Zika Contraception Access Network Program in Puerto Rico.

OBJECTIVES: To describe unmet desire for long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) after the Zika Contraception Access Network (Z-CAN) in Puerto Rico during the 2016-2017 Zika outbreak. STUDY DESIGN: Z-CAN patients completed surveys about contraception experiences over a 3-year period. RESULTS: Of 1809 respondents, 3% never used LARC but reported wanting it since their initial visit. As reasons for not getting LARC, nearly 50% indicated a provider-related reason and 25% reported cost. CONCLUSIONS: Few Z-CAN patients who never used LARC had unmet desire. Provider training in contraception guidelines and strategies to address costs can expand access to the full range of reversible contraception. IMPLICATIONS: Three years after a short-term program provided reversible contraception in Puerto Rico, few respondents had never used but wanted a long-acting reversible contraception method. Nearly half reported provider-related reasons for not receiving long-acting reversible contraception, and 25% reported cost. Provider awareness of contraceptive guidance and method availability can support client-centered care.

Influenza and Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Acellular Pertussis Vaccination Coverage During Pregnancy: Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System, 2020.

OBJECTIVES: Estimates of vaccination coverage during pregnancy and identification of disparities in vaccination coverage can inform vaccination campaigns and programs. We reported the prevalence of being offered or told to get the influenza vaccine by a health care provider (hereinafter, provider); influenza vaccination coverage during the 12 months before delivery; and tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccination coverage during pregnancy among women with a recent live birth in the United States. METHODS: We analyzed 2020 data from the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System from 42 US jurisdictions (n = 41 673). We estimated the overall prevalence of being offered or told to get the influenza vaccine by a provider and influenza vaccination coverage during the 12 months before delivery. We estimated Tdap vaccination coverage during pregnancy from 21 jurisdictions with available data (n = 22 020) by jurisdiction and select characteristics. RESULTS: In 2020, 84.9% of women reported being offered or told to get the influenza vaccine, and 60.9% received it, ranging from 35.0% in Puerto Rico to 79.7% in Massachusetts. Influenza vaccination coverage was lower among women who were not offered or told to get the influenza vaccine (21.4%) than among women who were offered or told to get the vaccine (68.1%). Overall, 72.7% of women received the Tdap vaccine, ranging from 52.8% in Mississippi to 86.7% in New Hampshire. Influenza and Tdap vaccination coverage varied by all characteristics examined. CONCLUSIONS: These results can inform vaccination programs and strategies to address disparities in vaccination coverage during pregnancy and may inform vaccination efforts for other infectious diseases among pregnant women.

Changes in Breastfeeding and Related Maternity Care Practices After Hurricanes Irma and Maria in Puerto Rico.

Background: Breastfeeding is recommended globally for most infants, especially during and after natural disasters when risk of adverse outcomes increases because of unsanitary conditions and lack of potable water. Materials and Methods: Using 2017-2019 data from Puerto Rico's Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System for 2,448 respondents with a recent live birth, we classified respondents into 4 hurricane exposure time periods based on infant birth month and year relative to when Hurricanes Irma and Maria occurred: (1) prehurricane; (2) acute hurricane; (3) posthurricane, early recovery; and (4) posthurricane, long-term recovery. We examined the association between maternity care practices during delivery hospitalization and exclusive breastfeeding at 3 months overall and stratified by time period. We also examined the associations between each maternity care practice and exclusive breastfeeding separately by time period. Results: Exclusive breastfeeding at 3 months was higher during the acute hurricane time period (adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR]: 1.43, 95% confidence interval: 1.09-1.87) than the prehurricane time period. Supportive maternity care practices were positively associated with exclusively breastfeeding, and practices that are risk factors for discontinuing breastfeeding were negatively associated with exclusive breastfeeding. Breastfeeding in the first hour (aPR range: 1.51-1.92) and rooming-in (aPR range: 1.50-2.58) were positively associated with exclusive breastfeeding across all time periods, except the prehurricane time period. Receipt of a gift pack with formula was negatively associated with exclusive breastfeeding (aPR range: 0.22-0.54) across all time periods. Conclusions: Maternity care practices during delivery hospitalization may influence breastfeeding behaviors and can improve breastfeeding during and after natural disasters. Strategies to maintain and improve these practices can be further supported during and after natural disasters.

Prepregnancy and Gestational Diabetes and Cessation of Breastfeeding <1 Week Postpartum, United States, 2016-2018.

OBJECTIVES: Diabetes may delay milk letdown, and perceiving milk production as insufficient can lead to breastfeeding cessation. We evaluated whether prepregnancy or gestational diabetes is associated with cessation of breastfeeding by 1 week postpartum. METHODS: We analyzed 2016-2018 data from 42 sites in the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System, a population-based survey of women with a recent live birth. Participants were surveyed 2-6 months after childbirth. We used logistic regression models to evaluate the relationship between prepregnancy or gestational diabetes only and breastfeeding <1 week postpartum among women who had initiated breastfeeding. RESULTS: Among 82 050 women who initiated breastfeeding, 4.5% reported breastfeeding <1 week postpartum. Overall, 11.7% of women reported any history of diabetes in the 3 months before becoming pregnant; 3.3% reported prepregnancy diabetes, and 8.4% reported gestational diabetes only. In both unadjusted and adjusted models, the prevalence of breastfeeding <1 week postpartum did not differ significantly among women with prepregnancy diabetes or gestational diabetes only compared with women without any history of diabetes. The prevalence of breastfeeding <1 week postpartum was 4.4% among women without any history of diabetes, 5.6% among women with prepregnancy diabetes (adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR] = 1.15; 95% CI, 0.91-1.46), and 4.5% among women with gestational diabetes only (aPR = 1.01; 95% CI, 0.84-1.20). CONCLUSIONS: We found no association between a history of diabetes prepregnancy or gestational diabetes only and breastfeeding <1 week postpartum in a large, population-based survey of postpartum women who initiated breastfeeding. Regardless of their diabetes status, women who want to breastfeed might benefit from interventions that support their ability to continue breastfeeding.

Risk Factors for Suffocation and Unexplained Causes of Infant Deaths.

BACKGROUND: Observational studies have improved our understanding of the risk factors for sudden infant death syndrome, but separate examination of risk for sleep-related suffocation and unexplained infant deaths has been limited. We examined the association between unsafe infant sleep practices and sudden infant deaths (sleep-related suffocation and unexplained causes including sudden infant death syndrome). METHODS: We conducted a population-based case-control study using 2016 to 2017 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data. Controls were liveborn infants from the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System; cases were from the Sudden Unexpected Infant Death Case Registry. We calculated risk factor prevalence among cases and controls and crude and adjusted odds ratios. RESULTS: We included 112 sleep-related suffocation cases with 448 age-matched controls and 300 unexplained infant death cases with 1200 age-matched controls. Adjusted odds for sleep-related suffocation ranged from 18.7 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 6.8-51.3) among infants not sharing a room with their mother or caregiver to 1.9 (95% CI: 0.9-4.1) among infants with nonsupine sleep positioning. Adjusted odds for unexplained death ranged from 7.6 (95% CI: 4.7-12.2) among infants not sharing a room with their mother or caregiver to 1.6 (95% CI: 1.1-2.4) among nonsupine positioned infants. COCLUSIONS: We confirmed previously identified risk factors for unexplained infant death and independently estimated risk factors for sleep-related suffocation. Significance of associations for suffocation followed similar patterns but was of larger magnitude. This information can be used to improve messaging about safe infant sleep.

Abortion Surveillance - United States, 2021.

Problem/Condition: CDC conducts abortion surveillance to document the number and characteristics of women obtaining legal induced abortions and number of abortion-related deaths in the United States. Period Covered: 2021. Description of System: Each year, CDC requests abortion data from the central health agencies for the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and New York City. For 2021, a total of 48 reporting areas voluntarily provided aggregate abortion data to CDC. Of these, 47 reporting areas provided data each year during 2012-2021. Census and natality data were used to calculate abortion rates (number of abortions per 1,000 women aged 15-44 years) and ratios (number of abortions per 1,000 live births), respectively. Abortion-related deaths from 2020 were assessed as part of CDC's Pregnancy Mortality Surveillance System (PMSS). Results: A total of 625,978 abortions for 2021 were reported to CDC from 48 reporting areas. Among 47 reporting areas with data each year during 2012-2021, in 2021, a total of 622,108 abortions were reported, the abortion rate was 11.6 abortions per 1,000 women aged 15-44 years, and the abortion ratio was 204 abortions per 1,000 live births. From 2020 to 2021, the total number of abortions increased 5% (from 592,939 total abortions), the abortion rate increased 5% (from 11.1 abortions per 1,000 women aged 15-44 years), and the abortion ratio increased 4% (from 197 abortions per 1,000 live births). From 2012 to 2021, the total number of reported abortions decreased 8% (from 673,634), the abortion rate decreased 11% (from 13.1 abortions per 1,000 women aged 15-44 years), and the abortion ratio decreased 1% (from 207 abortions per 1,000 live births).In 2021, women in their 20s accounted for more than half of abortions (57.0%). Women aged 20-24 and 25-29 years accounted for the highest percentages of abortions (28.3% and 28.7%, respectively) and had the highest abortion rates (19.7 and 19.4 abortions per 1,000 women aged 20-24 and 25-29 years, respectively). By contrast, adolescents aged <15 years and women aged ≥40 years accounted for the lowest percentages of abortions (0.2% and 3.6%, respectively) and had the lowest abortion rates (0.4 and 2.5 abortions per 1,000 women aged <15 and ≥40 years, respectively). However, abortion ratios were highest among adolescents (aged ≤19 years) and lowest among women aged 30-39 years.From 2020 to 2021, abortion rates increased among women aged 20-39 years, decreased among adolescents aged 15-19 years, and did not change among adolescents aged <15 years and women aged ≥40 years. Abortion rates decreased from 2012 to 2021 among all age groups, except women aged 30-34 years for whom it increased. The decrease in the abortion rate from 2012 to 2021 was highest among adolescents compared with any other age group. From 2020 to 2021, abortion ratios increased for women aged 15-24 years, decreased among adolescents aged <15 years and women aged ≥35 years and did not change for women aged 25-34 years. From 2012 to 2021, abortion ratios increased among women aged 15-29 years and decreased among adolescents aged <15 years and women aged ≥30 years. The decrease in abortion ratio from 2012 to 2021 was highest among women aged ≥40 years compared with any other age group.In 2021, the majority (80.8%) of abortions were performed at ≤9 weeks' gestation, and nearly all (93.5%) were performed at ≤13 weeks' gestation. During 2012-2021, the percentage of abortions performed at >13 weeks' gestation remained ≤8.7%. In 2021, the highest percentage of abortions were performed by early medication abortion at ≤9 weeks' gestation (53.0%), followed by surgical abortion at ≤13 weeks' gestation (37.6%), surgical abortion at >13 weeks' gestation (6.4%), and medication abortion at >9 weeks' gestation (3.0%); all other methods were uncommon (<0.1%). Among those that were eligible (≤9 weeks' gestation), 66.6% of abortions were early medication abortions. In 2020, the most recent year for which PMSS data were reviewed for pregnancy-related deaths; six women died as a result of complications from legal induced abortion. Interpretation: Among the 47 areas that reported data continuously during 2012-2021, overall decreases were observed during 2012-2021 in the total number, rate, and ratio of reported abortions; however, from 2020 to 2021, increases were observed across all measures. Public Health Action: Abortion surveillance can be used to help evaluate programs aimed at promoting equitable access to patient-centered quality contraceptive services in the United States to reduce unintended pregnancies.

Pregnant Women's Experiences During and After Hurricanes Irma and Maria, Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System, Puerto Rico, 2018.

OBJECTIVE: Exposure to natural disasters during and after pregnancy may increase adverse mental health outcomes. Hurricanes Irma and Maria struck Puerto Rico in September 2017. Our objectives were to understand hurricane-related experiences, maternal health concerns, and the impact of hurricane experiences on postpartum depressive symptoms (PDS). METHODS: We used data from the 2018 Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System to describe differences in maternal hurricane experiences among women who were pregnant during and after the 2017 hurricanes. We assessed maternal concerns and PDS. We estimated adjusted prevalence ratios (aPRs) and 95% CIs for the associations between hurricane experiences and PDS. RESULTS: The most frequently reported hurricane experiences were losing power for ≥1 week (97%) and feeling unsafe due to lack of order/security (70%). Almost 30% of women who were pregnant during the hurricanes reported missing prenatal care. PDS were reported by 13% of women. Most hurricane experiences were associated with an increased prevalence of PDS. Feeling unsafe (aPR = 2.4; 95% CI, 1.2-4.9) and having difficulty getting food (aPR = 2.1; 95% CI, 1.1-4.1) had the strongest associations. CONCLUSIONS: Most women who were pregnant during or after hurricanes Irma and Maria struck Puerto Rico reported negative hurricane experiences, and most experiences were associated with an increased prevalence of PDS. Understanding the experiences of pregnant women during and after disasters and identifying risks for adverse mental health outcomes after pregnancy are important to inform emergency preparedness and prenatal and postpartum care.

Fathers, Breastfeeding, and Infant Sleep Practices: Findings From a State-Representative Survey.

OBJECTIVES: To assess infant breastfeeding initiation and any breastfeeding at 8 weeks and safe sleep practices (back sleep position, approved sleep surface, and no soft objects or loose bedding ["soft bedding"]) by select paternal characteristics among a state-representative sample of fathers with new infants. METHODS: Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) for Dads, a novel population-based cross-sectional study, surveyed fathers in Georgia 2-6 months after their infant's birth. Fathers were eligible if the infant's mother was sampled for maternal PRAMS from October 2018 to July 2019. RESULTS: Of 250 respondents, 86.1% reported their infants ever breastfed and 63.4% reported breastfeeding at 8 weeks. Initiation and breastfeeding at 8 weeks were more likely to be reported by fathers who reported wanting their infant's mother to breastfeed than those who did not want her to breastfeed or had no opinion (adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR] = 1.39; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.15-1.68; aPR = 2.33; 95% CI, 1.59-3.42, respectively) and fathers who were college graduates than those with ≤high school diploma (aPR = 1.25; 95% CI, 1.06-1.46; aPR = 1.44; 95% CI, 1.08-1.91, respectively). Although about four-fifths (81.1%) of fathers reported usually placing their infants to sleep on their back, fewer fathers report avoiding soft bedding (44.1%) or using an approved sleep surface (31.9%). Non-Hispanic Black fathers were less likely to report back sleep position (aPR = 0.70; 95% CI, 0.54-0.90) and no soft bedding (aPR = 0.52; 95% CI, 0.30-0.89) than non-Hispanic white fathers. CONCLUSIONS: Fathers reported suboptimal infant breastfeeding rates and safe sleep practices overall and by paternal characteristics, suggesting opportunities to include fathers in promotion of breastfeeding and infant safe sleep.

Prevalence of Experiencing Physical, Emotional, and Sexual Violence by a Current Intimate Partner during Pregnancy: Population-based Estimates from the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System.

Intimate partner violence (IPV) during pregnancy presents a risk for maternal mental health problems, preterm birth, and having a low birthweight infant. We assessed the prevalence of self-reported physical, emotional, and sexual violence during pregnancy by a current partner among women with a recent live birth. We analyzed data from the 2016-2018 Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System in six states to calculate weighted prevalence estimates and 95% confidence intervals for experiences of violence by demographic characteristics, health care utilization, and selected risk factors. Overall, 5.7% of women reported any type of violence during pregnancy. Emotional violence was most prevalent (5.4%), followed by physical violence (1.5%), and sexual violence (0.9%). Among women who reported any violence, 67.6% reported one type of violence, 26.5% reported two types, and 6.0% reported three types. Reporting any violence was highest among women using marijuana or illicit substances, experiencing pre-pregnancy physical violence, reporting depression, reporting an unwanted pregnancy, and experiencing relationship problems such as getting divorced, separated, or arguing frequently with their partner. There was no difference in report of discussions with prenatal care providers by experience of violence. The majority of women did not report experiencing violence, however among those who did emotional violence was most frequently reported. Assessment for IPV is important, and health care providers can play an important role in screening. Coordinated prevention efforts to reduce the occurrence of IPV and community-wide resources are needed to ensure that pregnant women receive needed services and protection.

Abortion Surveillance - United States, 2020.

Problem/Condition: CDC conducts abortion surveillance to document the number and characteristics of women obtaining legal induced abortions and number of abortion-related deaths in the United States. Period Covered: 2020. Description of System: Each year, CDC requests abortion data from the central health agencies for the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and New York City. For 2020, a total of 49 reporting areas voluntarily provided aggregate abortion data to CDC. Of these, 48 reporting areas provided data each year during 2011-2020. Census and natality data were used to calculate abortion rates (number of abortions per 1,000 women aged 15-44 years) and ratios (number of abortions per 1,000 live births), respectively. Abortion-related deaths from 2019 were assessed as part of CDC's Pregnancy Mortality Surveillance System (PMSS). Results: A total of 620,327 abortions for 2020 were reported to CDC from 49 reporting areas. Among 48 reporting areas with data each year during 2011-2020, in 2020, a total of 615,911 abortions were reported, the abortion rate was 11.2 abortions per 1,000 women aged 15-44 years, and the abortion ratio was 198 abortions per 1,000 live births. From 2019 to 2020, the total number of abortions decreased 2% (from 625,346 total abortions), the abortion rate decreased 2% (from 11.4 abortions per 1,000 women aged 15-44 years), and the abortion ratio increased 2% (from 195 abortions per 1,000 live births). From 2011 to 2020, the total number of reported abortions decreased 15% (from 727,554), the abortion rate decreased 18% (from 13.7 abortions per 1,000 women aged 15-44 years), and the abortion ratio decreased 9% (from 217 abortions per 1,000 live births).In 2020, women in their 20s accounted for more than half of abortions (57.2%). Women aged 20-24 and 25-29 years accounted for the highest percentages of abortions (27.9% and 29.3%, respectively) and had the highest abortion rates (19.2 and 19.0 abortions per 1,000 women aged 20-24 and 25-29 years, respectively). By contrast, adolescents aged <15 years and women aged ≥40 years accounted for the lowest percentages of abortions (0.2% and 3.7%, respectively) and had the lowest abortion rates (0.4 and 2.6 abortions per 1,000 women aged <15 and ≥40 years, respectively). However, abortion ratios were highest among adolescents (aged ≤19 years) and lowest among women aged 25-39 years.Abortion rates decreased from 2011 to 2020 among all age groups. The decrease in abortion rate was highest among adolescents compared with any other age group. From 2019 to 2020, abortion rates decreased or did not change for all age groups. Abortion ratios decreased from 2011 to 2020 for all age groups, except adolescents aged 15-19 years and women aged 25-29 years for whom abortion ratios increased. The decrease in abortion ratio was highest among women aged ≥40 years compared with any other age group. From 2019 to 2020, abortion ratios decreased for adolescents aged <15 years and women aged ≥35 and increased for women 15-34 years.In 2020, 80.9% of abortions were performed at ≤9 weeks' gestation, and nearly all (93.1%) were performed at ≤13 weeks' gestation. During 2011-2020, the percentage of abortions performed at >13 weeks' gestation remained consistently low (≤9.2%). In 2020, the highest percentage of abortions were performed by early medical abortion at ≤9 weeks' gestation (51.0%), followed by surgical abortion at ≤13 weeks' gestation (40.0%), surgical abortion at >13 weeks' gestation (6.7%), and medical abortion at >9 weeks' gestation (2.4%); all other methods were uncommon (<0.1%). Among those that were eligible (≤9 weeks' gestation), 63.9% of abortions were early medical abortions. In 2019, the most recent year for which PMSS data were reviewed for pregnancy-related deaths, four women died as a result of complications from legal induced abortion. Interpretation: Among the 48 areas that reported data continuously during 2011-2020, overall decreases were observed during 2011-2020 in the total number, rate, and ratio of reported abortions. From 2019 to 2020, decreases also were observed in the total number and rate of reported abortions; however, a 2% increase was observed in the total abortion ratio. Public Health Action: Abortion surveillance can be used to help evaluate programs aimed at promoting equitable access to patient-centered quality contraceptive services in the United States to reduce unintended pregnancies.

Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System for Dads: A piloted randomized trial of public health surveillance of recent fathers' behaviors before and after infant birth.

BACKGROUND: Becoming a father impacts men's health and wellbeing, while also contributing to the health and wellbeing of mothers and children. There is no large-scale, public health surveillance system aimed at understanding the health and behaviors of men transitioning into fatherhood. The purpose of this study was to describe piloted randomized approaches of a state-based surveillance system examining paternal behaviors before and after their infant's birth to better understand the health needs of men and their families during the transition to parenthood. METHODS: During October 2018-July 2019, 857 fathers in Georgia were sampled 2-6 months after their infant's birth from birth certificates files and surveyed via mail, online or telephone, in English or Spanish, using two randomized approaches: Indirect-to-Dads and Direct-to-Dads. Survey topics included mental and physical health, healthcare, substance use, and contraceptive use. FINDINGS: Weighted response rates (Indirect-to-Dads, 33%; Direct-to-Dads, 31%) and population demographics did not differ by approach. Respondents completed the survey by mail (58%), online (28%) or telephone (14%). Among 266 fathers completing the survey, 55% had a primary care physician, and 49% attended a healthcare visit for themselves during their infant's mother's pregnancy or since their infant's birth. Most fathers were overweight or had obesity (70%) while fewer reported smoking cigarettes (19%), binge drinking (13%) or depressive symptoms (10%) since their infant's birth. CONCLUSIONS: This study tests a novel approach for obtaining population-based estimates of fathers' perinatal health behaviors, with comparable response rates from two pragmatic approaches. The pilot study results quantify a number of public health needs related to fathers' health and healthcare access.