Improving obstetric and perinatal outcomes with a remote patient monitoring program for hypertension in a large integrated care system.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of a remote patient monitoring program for hypertension (RPM HTN) in patients diagnosed with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. STUDY DESIGN: We used a matched retrospective cohort design to evaluate differences in obstetric and perinatal outcomes using data from electronic medical records. Patients enrolled in RPM HTN between November 1, 2019, and October 31, 2021, who delivered a pregnancy at ≥20 weeks gestation were compared to a cohort of patients matched by age, race, HTN and diabetes status, who delivered in the 48-month period before implementation of RPM HTN. RESULTS: 1030 patients were enrolled in RPM HTN and 937 were matched to historical controls. Five hundred and seventeen (50.2 %) were enrolled in the antepartum period and 513 (49.8 %) were enrolled postpartum. Patients in the RPM HTN cohort were more likely to have a post-hospital discharge blood pressure (BP) measured within the first 20 days after delivery (RR 1.56, 95 % CI: 1.47-1.65: p < 0.01) and were more likely to have that BP be normal (RR 1.43, 95 % CI: 1.31-1.55: p = 0.05). They were also more likely to be taking antihypertensives postpartum (RR 1.27, 95 % CI: 1.15-1.40; p < 0.01) and to be evaluated by an obstetric clinician within 20 days of delivery (RR 1.50, 95 % CI 1.42-1.58; p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: A remote HTN monitoring program for 937 obstetric patients was associated with improved BP monitoring, better postpartum BP control, and improved linkages to clinician care after delivery, when compared to historical controls.

Prevalence of use of highly concentrated oxytocin or "pepper injection" in labor among clinicians undergoing emergency obstetric training in Sierra Leone.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the awareness, prevalence of use, and knowledge of risks of pepper injection (PI), an injection of highly concentrated oxytocin used to augment or induce labor, among clinicians. METHODS: An anonymous pre- and post-workshop evaluation conducted among 227 clinicians participating in emergency obstetric and newborn care training in Sierra Leone from June to October 2018. RESULTS: Overall, 225 participants completed the surveys. Of these, 198 (88.0%) of clinicians reported awareness of PI, and 123 (54.7%) self-reported prior use, which was highest among midwives (94/129; 72.9%). Before EmONC training, 82 (36.4%) clinicians reported that they were likely to use PI; this decreased to 39 (17.3%) after training (P<0.05). The mean number of participants correctly identifying risks of PI increased from 149 (66.2%) to 204 (90.7%) after training (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: There was widespread awareness of PI use among clinicians, and prevalent self-reported prior use among midwives. Risk awareness improved after EmONC training, and the proportion of clinicians reporting likelihood of future use decreased. Improper use of oxytocin may be a major contributor to maternal and newborn morbidity and mortality in Sierra Leone. Initiatives to educate clinicians and to regulate and stop the practice are needed.

Perinatal outcomes of cesarean deliveries in Sierra Leone: A prospective multicenter observational study.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the indications for cesarean deliveries and factors associated with adverse perinatal outcomes in Sierra Leone. METHODS: Between October 2016 and May 2017, patients undergoing cesarean delivery performed by medical doctors and associate clinicians in nine hospitals were included in a prospective observational study. Data were collected perioperatively, at discharge, and during home visits after 30 days. RESULTS: In total, 1274 cesarean deliveries were included of which 1099 (86.3%) were performed as emergency surgery. Of the 1376 babies, 261 (19.0%) were perinatal deaths (53 antepartum stillbirths, 155 intrapartum stillbirths, and 53 early neonatal deaths). Indications with the highest perinatal mortality were uterine rupture (45 of 55 [81.8%]), abruptio placentae (61 of 85 [71.8%]), and antepartum hemorrhage (8 of 15 [53.3%]). In the group with cesarean deliveries performed for obstructed and prolonged labor, a partograph was filled out for 212 of 425 (49.9%). However, when completed, babies had 1.81-fold reduced odds for perinatal death (95% confidence interval 1.03-3.18, P-value 0.041). CONCLUSION: Cesarean deliveries in Sierra Leone are associated with an exceptionally high perinatal mortality rate of 190 per 1000 births. Late presentation in the facilities and lack of adequate fetal monitoring may be contributing factors.

Hematologic changes associated with Zidovudine following single-drug substitution from stavudine in a home-based AIDS care program in rural Uganda.

BACKGROUND: The authors evaluated hematologic changes associated with zidovudine (ZDV) following single-drug substitution from stavudine (D4T) in HIV-infected persons in Uganda. METHODS: From May 2003 through February 2007, the authors evaluated incidence rates (IR) of hematologic abnormalities from quarterly blood draws among adults prescribed highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) before and after single-drug substitution of D4T to ZDV. RESULTS: A total of 1089 adults received D4T-containing HAART (median observation time, 35.9 months), and 290 (27%) had ZDV substituted for D4T. While taking D4T, IR for anemia was 0.35/100 person-months (PMs), leukopenia was 0.29/100 PM, and thrombocytopenia was 0.32/100 PM. While taking ZDV, IR for anemia was 0.44/100 PM, leukopenia was 1.05/100 PM, and thrombocytopenia was 0.30/100 PM. CONCLUSIONS: Patients had a higher incidence of anemia and leukopenia after substitution from D4T to ZDV, but hematologic toxicity was not a major complication in this population. Patients on ZDV-containing HAART regimens are still at risk for anemia and need close monitoring.

The rate and perioperative mortality of caesarean section in Sierra Leone.

INTRODUCTION: Sierra Leone has the world's highest maternal mortality, partly due to low access to caesarean section. Limited data are available to guide improvement. In this study, we aimed to analyse the rate and mortality of caesarean sections in the country. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of all caesarean sections and all reported in-facility maternal deaths in Sierra Leone in 2016. All facilities performing caesarean sections were visited. Data on in-facility maternal deaths were retrieved from the Maternal Death Surveillance and Response database. Caesarean section mortality was defined as in-facility perioperative mortality. RESULTS: In 2016, there were 7357 caesarean sections in Sierra Leone. This yields a population rate of 2.9% of all live births, a 35% increase from 2012, with district rates ranging from 0.4% to 5.2%. The most common indications for surgery were obstructed labour (42%), hypertensive disorders (25%) and haemorrhage (22%). Ninety-nine deaths occurred during or after caesarean section, and the in-facility perioperative caesarean section mortality rate was 1.5% (median 0.7%, IQR 0-2.2). Haemorrhage was the leading cause of death (73%), and of those who died during or after surgery, 80% had general anaesthesia, 75% received blood transfusion and 22% had a uterine rupture diagnosed. CONCLUSIONS: The caesarean section rate has increased rapidly in Sierra Leone, but the distribution remains uneven. Caesarean section mortality is high, but there is wide variation. More access to caesarean sections for maternal and neonatal complications is needed in underserved areas, and expansion should be coupled with efforts to limit late presentation, to offer assisted vaginal delivery when indicated and to ensure optimal perioperative care.

Approaches for scaling up human immunodeficiency virus testing and counseling in prevention of mother-to-child human immunodeficiency virus transmission settings in resource-limited countries.

Prevention of mother-to-child human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission (PMTCT) programs have nearly eliminated mother-to-child transmission of HIV in developed countries, but progress in resource-limited countries has been slow. A key factor limiting the scale-up of PMTCT programs is lack of knowledge of HIV serostatus. Increasing the availability and acceptability of HIV testing and counseling services will encourage more women to learn their status, providing a gateway to PMTCT interventions. Key factors contributing to the scale-up of testing and counseling include a policy of provider-initiated testing and counseling with right to refuse (opt-out); group pretest counseling; rapid HIV testing; innovative staffing strategies; and community and male involvement. Integration of testing and counseling within the community and all maternal and child health settings are critical for scaling-up and for linking women and their families to care and treatment services. This paper will review best practices needed for expansion of testing and counseling in PMTCT settings in resource-limited countries.

Systematic review of the safety of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole for prophylaxis in HIV-infected pregnant women: implications for resource-limited settings.

Daily prophylaxis with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMZ) significantly decreases morbidity and mortality among people living with HIV. Some clinicians are reluctant to use TMP-SMZ in pregnant and breastfeeding HIV-infected women because of concerns about the possible teratogenicity when used in the first trimester and about its potential to induce hyperbilirubinemia near term and during early breastfeeding. We systematically reviewed evidence regarding the toxicity of TMP-SMZ prophylaxis in pregnant and breastfeeding women to help guide practice in resource-limited settings. We identified relevant literature by searching PubMed and MEDLINE via OVID, Embase, and Science Citation Index for data on hyperbilirubinemia, kernicterus, and teratogenicity associated with administration of sulfonamides and TMP-SMZ through July 2005. We also reviewed the reference lists of identified articles. Most studies demonstrated that TMP-SMZ was not associated with hyperbilirubinemia when administered to mothers during pregnancy and breastfeeding. No cases of kernicterus were reported in neonates after maternal ingestion of sulfonamides. There is mixed evidence linking ingestion of TMP-SMZ and other sulfonamides in early pregnancy to elevated risks of oral clefts, neural tube defects, and cardiovascular and urinary tract abnormalities, although some sources found that supplementation with folic acid might ameliorate this potential risk. Existing guidelines recommend that HIV-infected pregnant women receive prophylaxis, but they differ with regards to stage of disease at which to initiate treatment, need for CD4+ T-lymphocyte testing, and prophylaxis during the first trimester. Existing data indicate that the risk of serious injury to neonates from maternal use of daily TMP-SMZ prophylaxis during pregnancy and breastfeeding is small. Given the substantial benefits of TMP-SMZ prophylaxis for HIV-infected women living in resource-limited settings, this review indicates that it is safe to abide by the WHO guidelines recommending daily TMP-SMZ prophylaxis for HIV-infected pregnant women.

A case-control study of factors associated with HIV infection among black women.

OBJECTIVE: To identify social, behavioral and epidemiologic factors associated with HIV infection among HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected black women residing in North Carolina. DESIGN: A case-control study conducted in August 2004 in North Carolina. METHODS: Cases were 18-40-year-old women with HIV infections diagnosed from 2003-2004. Controls were 18-40-yearold, HIV-negative heterosexually active women recruited from HIV testing sites. Five focus group discussions were also conducted with women not participating in the case-control study. RESULTS: Multivariate analyses of 31 cases and 101 controls showed that HIV-positive women were more likely to receive public assistance [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 7.3; 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.1, 26.0], to report a history of genital herpes infection (aOR 10.6; 95% CI 2.4, 47.2), and were less likely to have discussed a variety of sexual and behavioral issues relevant to risk of HIV infection with their male partners (aOR 0.6; 95% CI 0.4, 0.8). Focus group participants indicated that financial and social demands created competing challenges for making HIV prevention a priority. CONCLUSIONS: Inadequate communication between black women and their sexual partners may create barriers to sexual and behavioral risk reduction. A multidimensional approach that addresses both biological factors such as herpes infection and socioeconomic factors may be needed to reduce HIV transmission in this population.

Clinical toxicity of highly active antiretroviral therapy in a home-based AIDS care program in rural Uganda.

BACKGROUND: We evaluated clinical toxicity in HIV-infected persons receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Uganda. METHODS: From May 2003 through December 2004, adults with a CD4 cell count < or =250 cells/microL or World Health Organization stage 3/4 HIV disease were prescribed ART. We calculated probabilities for time to toxicity and single-drug substitution as well as multivariate-adjusted hazard ratios for development of toxicity. RESULTS: ART (stavudine plus lamivudine with nevirapine [96%] or efavirenz [4%]) was prescribed for 1029 adults, contributing 11,268 person-months of observation. Toxicities developed in 543 instances in 411 (40%) patients (incidence rate = 4.47/100 person-months): 36% peripheral neuropathy (9% severe); 6% rash (2% severe); 2% hypersensitivity reaction; < or =0.5% acute hepatitis, anemia, acute pancreatitis, or lactic acidosis; and 13% other. Probabilities of remaining free from any toxicity at 6, 12, and 18 months were 0.76, 0.59, and 0.47 and from any severe toxicity at 6, 12, and 18 months were 0.92, 0.86, and 0.85, respectively. For 217 patients (21%), 222 single-drug substitutions were made, mostly because of peripheral neuropathy or rash. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical toxicities were common, but no patients discontinued ART because of toxicity. The most common toxicities, peripheral neuropathy and rash, were managed with single-drug substitutions. In resource-limited settings, toxicity from ART regimens containing stavudine or nevirapine is manageable but more tolerable regimens are needed.

Emergency peripartum hysterectomy: a comparison of cesarean and postpartum hysterectomy.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incidence, risk factors, indications, outcomes, and complications of emergency hysterectomy performed after cesarean deliveries (cesarean hysterectomy) and vaginal deliveries (postpartum hysterectomy). STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a retrospective cohort study from 1990 to 2002 of patients who had peripartum hysterectomies at a single tertiary hospital. Comparisons were made between cesarean and postpartum hysterectomies. RESULTS: There were 55 cases of emergency peripartum hysterectomy (38 cesarean hysterectomies, and 17 postpartum hysterectomies), for a rate of 0.8 per 1000 deliveries. Overall, the most common indication for hysterectomy was uterine atony (56.4%), followed by placenta accreta (20.0%). Average estimated blood loss was 3325.6+/-1839.2 mL, average operating time was 157.1+/-75.4 minutes, average time from delivery to completing the hysterectomy was 333.8+/-275.7 minutes, and the average length of hospitalization was 11.0+/-7.9 days. The cesarean delivery rate at Grady Memorial Hospital during the study period was 14.2%. There were no statistically significant differences between variables examined when comparisons were made by cesarean vs postpartum hysterectomy. CONCLUSION: Uterine atony is the leading indication for emergency hysterectomy performed following cesarean and vaginal deliveries.